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Topaz, a high-ranking official within the Interastral Peace Corporation's Strategic Investment Department, now served as Su Jinyan's dedicated liaison.
From this alone, it was evident that the company's upper management harbored intentions to win him over and curry favor.
After dialing Topaz, Su Jinyan briefly outlined his idea.
"Upgrade and repair the Matrix of Prescience at Xianzhou Luofu?"
"Hmm..." Topaz pondered aloud, "The company has been interested in the Xianzhou Alliance's Matrix of Prescience for quite some time."
"However, it is a crucial secret of the Xianzhou Alliance. Despite our partnership, even the corporation cannot inquire about it freely."
"To study the Matrix of Prescience, without high-level approval from the Xianzhou Alliance, it would be impractical for us to pursue."
Su Jinyan considered this thoughtfully. "Is that so?"
Topaz's expression turned serious. "Apologies, Su-xiansheng, my words might seem rather abrupt."
"But could there be a possibility that Lady Fu Xuan simply wants to see you but feels too shy to admit it outright?"
Su Jinyan hesitated, taken aback.
As Topaz spoke those words, he watched helplessly as the fair, delicate face of the "Fu Xuan" nestled in his arms suddenly flushed bright red.
Overwhelmed with embarrassment and indignation, "Fu Xuan" swiftly snatched the phone away. "Don't talk nonsense!"
"This venerable one certainly doesn't want to see that traitorous disciple! Hmph, not fond of them at all!"
On the other end, Topaz felt somewhat awkward. "Uh, Lady Fu Xuan, you're here too...?"
The expression on "Fu Xuan's" small face turned serious. "Topaz, the traitor is this venerable one's exclusive domain."
"Stay away from this venerable one's territory and harbor no ill intentions towards him, understood?"
Topaz retorted irritably, "Lady Fu Xuan, surely you don't believe that Su Jinyan is universally adored like a prized delicacy?"
"Not even someone as influential as Credit could make everyone like them. What reason do I have to suspect you?" "Fu Xuan" cleared their throat lightly. "This venerable one merely wishes to caution you."
"Aiyo, don't entertain any thoughts about A-Yan, nor should you be curious about him."
"This venerable one initially became curious about the traitor, and now, due to his influence, I find myself unable to part with him..."
Topaz, exasperated, responded, "Very well then, Lady Fu Xuan."
"If you truly require assistance, consider contacting Lady Herta from the Genius Society," Topaz suggested. "I believe she might be particularly interested in the Matrix of Prescience."
After hanging up, Topaz couldn't help but ponder.
Why does today's Lady Fu Xuan seem different from usual?
Su Jinyan cupped "Fu Xuan's" delicate face, gazing at her with an enigmatic smile. "Shizun..."
"Fu Xuan's" eyelashes fluttered gently before shyly closing her beautiful eyes. "You traitorous disciple, kiss me."
Expressionless, Su Jinyan began kneading "Fu Xuan's" cheeks. "Little faker, still playing along? How long do you intend to keep this charade?"
Sparkle blinked her lovely eyes and cooed flirtatiously, "Darling~ don't you find this incredibly thrilling?" She continued seductively, "Imagine for a moment, your usually aloof Shizun suddenly becoming utterly submissive to you, agreeing to any request you make—no matter what it is." "Isn't this the ultimate indulgence for your vanity?"
Su Jinyan took a sip of tea. "My apologies, but my Shizun has always been like this in private."
"You may not know, but Shizun is genuinely quite clingy behind closed doors; she can set aside her pride and act just like the little sparrow."
Sparkle seemed deeply shaken. "How could that be?"
"Do master and disciple really engage in such playful antics privately?"
"But I distinctly remember it wasn't always like this—" Sparkle began.
Su Jinyan interjected sternly, "That's true, little faker."
"On the day you passed away, Shizun realized the gravity of the situation."
"And because of you, our stagnant relationship, which had remained unchanged for so long, finally progressed."
"Ah?" Sparkle responded, perplexed.
Su Jinyan took another sip of tea. "It was Qingque's idea," he explained.
"Ah?" Sparkle uttered again, still bewildered.
Su Jinyan continued, "Not only that, but Kafka and my relationship has also improved significantly since then.
"We even shared the same bed for a night—Silver Wolf and I."
"Although nothing happened between us, it's all thanks to you that I've gained so much progress."
Pouting, Sparkle said, "Darling, how annoying! You're making me seem like a clown."
Su Jinyan raised his hand and firmly slapped down, eliciting a crisp sound in the library.
"All right, stop being mischievous."
"Change back first; if Shizun catches us like this, I'll have some explaining to do again."
Rubbing their sore bottom with a wince, Sparkle quickly brightened up. "Okay, okay~"
"I knew darling still prefers my original appearance~"
"Little Su, your slap was quite harsh, it really hurt! Can you rub it better?"
Su Jinyan glanced at Sparkle. "Then say something sweet."
Sparkle's lips curved upwards. "So, what would you like me to call you?"
"'Darling'? Or perhaps... 'Daddy'?"
Qingque could no longer bear it, descending barefoot with swift steps from the honor guard station.
"Sparkle, that's enough," she chided. "It's not even evening yet, and you're already eager to seduce my A-Yan?"
Unfazed, Sparkle replied, "Oh, little sparrow, were you eavesdropping from the start?"
Qingque proudly lifted her lips. "Eavesdropping? Don't be ridiculous."
"The library is my domain; ask A-Yan, he knows well."
Su Jinyan chuckled softly, "Little Sparrow is the most crucial custodian of the Divination Commission's archives and our laid-back sect's leader."
"When I first joined, Little Sparrow took care of me all the time."
Sparkle's lips parted slightly, finding this amusing. "Slacking off is one thing, but creating your own sect for it?"
Qingque smiled at her, "Now don't exaggerate."
"I'm not slacking off; it's about balancing work and leisure."
"After hours of labor, playing a few rounds of Imperial Jade tiles truly rejuvenates body and mind."
Sparkle's eyes gleamed mischievously. "But darling, aren't you more fun than any game of Imperial Jade tiles?~"
"Oh, little sparrow, your standards need work."
"If I were you, I'd secretly indulge myself under the Grand Diviner's nose every day."
"Calling the Grand Diviner while secretly indulging with my dear~"
"If he asks, just say I'm jogging~"
As she spoke, Sparkle casually lifted her snow-white foot, making suggestive gestures.
Qingque was rendered speechless. "Honestly, why is your mind always filled with such naughtiness?"
Sparkle's eyes curved delightfully. "Little sparrow, naughtiness isn't the point; it's about finding amusement."
"In my opinion, on the Xianzhou Luofu, dear's potential is somewhat stifled, unable to fully flourish."
"I heard about the Jepella Planet incident - wasn't it fantastic?"
"And then there's the 'Father of Belobog' affair, quite intriguing too."
"It would certainly be entertaining if dear accompanied me to Penacony for some mischief."
Su Jinyan pinched Sparkle's cheeks and mercilessly stretched them apart. "Qingque, haven't you noticed?"
"This little deceiver, Sparkle, clearly wants to whisk me away."
Unable to suppress a laugh, Qingque responded, "A-Yan, unlike the Grand Diviner, I have complete trust in you."
"If you just said going out for some fun and relaxation, I might believe it more."
"Can other women really sway you away? You're lucky if you don't end up swaying them instead."
Pouting her lips in agreement, Sparkle feigned indignation. "Well, Little Su did indeed lure me onto this immortal ship."
"Oh, when I heard from the God of Entertainment about the excitement at Xianzhou Luofu, I couldn't resist coming to check it out," she continued.
"But instead of finding amusement, I ended up becoming the entertainment myself." Qingque yawned lazily.
"My dear A-Yan is strong enough to challenge even the Aeons in a contest of wills," she remarked.
"And yet you think you can trick him? Spare yourself the effort."
Sparkle's expression turned serious. "Even if I can't fool Little Su, I can still trick you two."
"On a moonless, stormy night, I'll transform into your appearances, sneak into Little Su's bed, and mercilessly exhaust him."
"While doing so, I'll video call you both live."
Qingque's beautiful eyes remained composed. "Fine, then let me assure you—I won't proactively invoke Lady Fu Xuan's powers."
Sparkle's face instantly fell. "How is that ability so unfairly overpowered?"
"Wahh, my entire life has been ruined by Lady Fu Xuan!"
Su Jinyan remarked casually, "It's not as if there isn't someone who can counter Shizun."
"In her presence, Shizun's ability not only fails but may even backfire."
Qingque was astounded. "What, already entering a new season? Has Lady Fu Xuan fallen from being top-tier?"
Pulling on Su Jinyan's sleeve, Sparkle asked eagerly, "Darling, quickly tell us who she is?"
Su Jinyan slightly shook his head. "I cannot reveal that to you, especially not to you, little deceiver."
"After knowing, would you use her to prank Shizun? Absolutely not happening."
Pouting playfully, Sparkle pleaded, "Don't worry, darling, you can trust Lady Sparkle completely.
"She will never abandon you, never disappoint you, and never forsake you.
"Never make you cry, never bid farewell, and never harm you with lies."
Su Jinyan glared at Sparkle, "No way, ask yourself honestly—how do any of those words apply to you?"
Sparkle covered her lips, feigning surprise, "Oh, caught me! You truly live up to your name, dear."
"Never make you cry, never bid you farewell, and never harm you with lies."
"As a reward for you, dear, I offer Lady Sparkle's loving kiss."
Just then, Fu Xuan pushed open the door, her expression cold.
"Sparkle, whom are you rewarding?"
Sparkle's tone carried a playful lilt. "Oh, it's Lady Fu Xuan~"
"How early of you to arrive! It would have been better if you came later."
Fu Xuan remained impassive. "And what if this venerable one had arrived even later?"
Sparkle gently tapped her lips, pondering aloud, "What indeed?"
"In that case, little sparrow and I would team up to utterly exhaust Little Su, leaving nothing for you~"
Qingque hastily explained, "Hey, don't falsely accuse good people without reason!"
"Lady Fu Xuan, have you forgotten our alliance pact? I've always stood by your side."
Seeming to recall something, Fu Xuan's cheeks flushed slightly. "Ahem."
"You insolent disciple, now that this venerable one is here, you should know what to do, right?"
Su Jinyan blinked. "Understood, only Shizun gets my attention, not little sparrow or Sparkle."
A hint of satisfaction showed on Fu Xuan's face. "That's more like... ahem, who asked you about that?!"
Realizing what he had blurted out, Fu Xuan, flustered and embarrassed, hastily pulled Sparkle off from Su Jinyan's embrace.
"Can't you even read the room?"
"Who allowed you to occupy this venerable one's position without permission?"
Sparkle tilted her head, puzzled. "Eh, is it your esteemed seat?"
"Are Little Su's legs inscribed with 'Reserved for Lady Fu Xuan' or something?" Fu Xuan gently shook his head. "Who would write that there?"
"A-Yan has always belonged to this venerable one; no need for such overt displays of possession." A slight smirk played on Sparkle's lips. "Oh, but I must tell you, Lady Fu Xuan, Little Su did cover my legs with countless 'zheng' characters."
"He said it symbolizes righteousness throughout," she continued. "He also claimed my body harbors too much 'negative energy,' so he felt compelled to fill me with 'positive energy.' Otherwise, I might succumb to mischief and tease others for amusement."
Noticing Fu Xuan's dangerous gaze, Su Jinyan hurriedly clarified, "Shizun, should I say that all this was just Sparkle's fabrication, would you believe me?"
Sparkle, expression gleeful, lifted her snow-white leg proudly. "See here, look at all these 'zheng' characters."
Fu Xuan's beautiful eyes remained impassive. "Hmph, those are mere trivial tricks. They hardly impress a Stellaron Hunter like myself."
Seemingly perplexed, Sparkle asked, "Stellaron Hunter? Do you mean the genius hacker girl—the Silver Wolf?"
"Or perhaps you're referring to Stellaron Hunter Kafka? Are you suggesting my methods fall short compared to theirs?"
Fu Xuan intentionally sidestepped the question. "A-Yan, the reason this venerable one sought you out is as mentioned in the text message earlier."
"The Matrix of Prescience has been overloading quite frequently lately."
"This venerable one wishes to repair and upgrade the Matrix of Prescience, but even the master craftsmen are at a loss. Do you have any ideas?"
Feeling somewhat guilty, Su Jinyan wondered if it could be due to excessive usage. Not long ago, he had employed the Matrix of Prescience to load Nanook's "Grand Love Scenario." Overloading seemed almost inevitable under such circumstances.
Sparkle's eyes lit up. "Lady Fu Xuan, has the Matrix of Prescience overloaded?"
"Does that mean during this period, you can't use it to 'plunder sensations' anymore?" Sparkle asked slyly.
Fu Xuan retorted indignantly, "What plundering sensations? The Matrix of Prescience is truly magnificent; it doesn't 'plunder sensations,' it distributes harm!"
"However, rest assured, for such minor computational strain is like a single grain in the vast ocean, insignificant to the Matrix."
"Even if the Matrix of Prescience is overloaded, your punishment will still be meted out as necessary. Don't believe me? Feel free to test it," Fu Xuan added with a hint of challenge.
Sparkle remained silent, momentarily speechless.
Qingque gently massaged Fu Xuan's shoulders. "See, this is our unbreakable 'Qing-Fu Alliance'," she said softly. "If you don't want more trouble, behave yourself."
Su Jinyan pondered briefly before asking, "Shizun, what do you think of Lady Herta from the Genius Society's Herta?"
Fu Xuan pursed her thin lips, cheeks slightly flushed. "What do you mean?"
"You want to invite Herta to Luofu for upgrading the Matrix of Prescience?" asked Su Jinyan.
"Mm-hmm," she replied.
Sparkle raised her hand and queried, "Darling, does Herta know you've been using her doll as a cup?"
Su Jinyan frowned. "Don't think I'm that cruel. I gifted the Herta doll to Silver Wolf."
"Besides, there's no irreconcilable conflict between me and Herta."
Fu Xuan slowly responded, "Your biggest conflict with Herta stems precisely from giving her doll to Silver Wolf."
"Considering Silver Wolf's character, what do you think she would do with the Herta doll once she obtained it?" Sparkle asked, never hesitating to assume the worst in people. "She is a genius hacker, after all."
"If I were Silver Wolf, I'd create a video showing Little Su smacking the Herta doll, then privately send it to Herta herself."
Su Jinyan disagreed, "My Silver Wolf isn't as mischievous as you make her out to be. She's actually quite innocent and pure-hearted."
"The most Silver Wolf might do is graffiti-shame Herta; she wouldn't go beyond that."
"So Little Su likes the innocent type." After a moment's thought, Sparkle transformed into a sailor outfit with blue and white accents, her two black braids hanging naturally at her chest.
With rosy lips and vibrant energy, she exuded a youthful aura.
"Darling, do you like me as your literary maiden Sparkle?"
Su Jinyan gave a thumbs-up. "Nice touch."
Fu Xuan pondered carefully but still felt it was inappropriate. "Contacting the core of the Matrix of Prescience by outsiders requires notification to the Xianzhou Alliance."
"The geniuses from the Genius Society have always been proud and eccentric, with peculiar temperaments."
"I suspect Lady Herta is no exception..."
[Your relationship with Herta is not particularly strong, and Silver Wolf's connection with her is quite strained.]
[However, among the people you know, The Nameless Guest Star of the Astral Express is a distinguished guest of Lady Herta.]
[Four members of the Genius Society—Herta, Screwllum, Ruan Mei, and Stephen Lloyd—all wish for Stelle to test the Simulated Universe.]
[Among these geniuses, Herta has explicitly sought assistance from Stelle.]
"You might consider leveraging your connection with Stelle. Ask her to contact Herta and serve as an intermediary for you," suggested the system.
Su Jinyan replied, "No problem, let me give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I'll think of another approach."
Fu Xuan tilted her small face, eagerly asking, "Do you know the All-Knowing Celestial Monarch, Nous?"
"If it's the All-Knowing Celestial Monarch, there must be a way."
Su Jinyan gently shook his head. "I don't personally know him, but I can ask that old fellow Aha to inquire on my behalf."
Unfortunately, despite repeated attempts to reach Aha, there was no response from his end.
Perhaps Aha was too busy evading the ambushes of other Aeon Gods?
Noticing this, Fu Xuan remained unperturbed.
"It's alright; this venerable one believes you will eventually meet him," she assured him. "After all, being this venerable one's beloved disciple, your character, discernment, and abilities... they rank highly even across the entire universe..."
With delight, Sparkle chimed in, "Lady Fu Xuan is right, Little Su certainly has excellent taste."
"With such a virtuous wife-to-be like myself, Little Su is truly blessed."
Fu Xuan fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words.
Qingque, suspicious, remarked, "Why do I feel like Lady Fu Xuan is indirectly praising herself?"
"Think about it," Sparkle chimed in, "the more exceptional A-Yan becomes, doesn't it just highlight Lady Fu Xuan's discernment even more?"
Fu Xuan remained silent.
Buzz...
Su Jinyan received a text message from Guinevere:
[Guinevere: Hey Little Su, at midnight tonight, Shangshang and I are going on a paranormal adventure in the abandoned gardens. Want to join if you're free?]
A paranormal adventure?
As soon as he saw the word "paranormal," Su Jinyan couldn't help but think of Huohuo. He had previously promised Tail that he would help Huohuo overcome her fearfulness, and perhaps this could be an opportunity.
[Lady Fu Xuan's Dog: Count me in! Midnight sharp.]