Divination Commission, before the Divination Matrix.
Fu Xuan projected a large screen using her Jade Abacus.
Qingque and Fu Xuan sat at the front, while the other diviners arranged themselves in rows behind them.
Everyone had gathered here as if watching an open-air movie.
Fu Xuan looked pleased as she turned to Qingque beside her.
"It seems... even Yu Ling holds you in high regard."
"First, you turned the tide in the Rhinoceros Flame mission, and now there's another side quest featuring you."
"I'm starting to wonder—perhaps having you as a mere diviner in the Divination Commission is a waste of your talents?"
Qingque gulped.
"Lady Fu Xuan, please don't oversell me. I feel like... I'm being set up for a fall here."
Fu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Hm? What did you say?"
"Ah... nothing. I just meant that the description of this quest feels a bit worrying..."
On the large screen, the content displayed was a post from the game's [Luofu Miscellaneous Records].
This event allowed players to accept various investigation side quests from this interface.
The current post was closely related to Qingque.
[Poster: Heartless Divination Machine]
[GhostSighting Location: A certain unnamed department. Our office work has always been nonstop. But for some reason, the laziest colleague in the department has suddenly become a different person—arriving early, leaving late... even urging others to join her in some grand venture. I know this isn't impossible... but after recently experiencing some indescribable weirdness, I'm very wary of such changes. If anyone sees this, please contact me ASAP.]
Fu Xuan took a sip of tea, unfazed.
"What's there to worry about?"
Qingque grew increasingly uneasy.
"This description... feels really off! I know myself best—there's no way I'd suddenly become so diligent!"
She even muttered under her breath:
"Lady Fu Xuan, maybe we shouldn't watch this. I'm afraid this quest might embarrass the Divination Commission..."
Fu Xuan chuckled. "Qingque, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"During the Rhinoceros Flame incident, even I was misled, yet you remained calm and composed, breaking its resolve with your words... That alone proves your formidable willpower."
"I'm sure this quest will have another shining moment for you."
Qingque forced a smile. "I hope so..."
She still wasn't used to being in the spotlight.
But at this point, there was no turning back.
No matter how absurd this plot gets... at worst, I'll just be possessed by a Heliobi and act strangely. It's fine...
[New Quest: Luofu Tales Pillow Whisper]
Head to the Divination Commission.
Speak to the poster.
Fu Xuan sighed. "It seems my username has been exposed too."
The quest marker now pointed directly to Fu Xuan's in-game coordinates under the ID [Heartless Divination Machine].
Fu Xuan (in-game) explained the situation:
"Yes, those who know, know. To outsiders, this might seem unremarkable, but to those in our department, it's downright bizarre."
"When you all helped purge the Heliobi haunting me earlier, Diviner Qingque played a pivotal role. I wanted to thank her and give her more opportunities to shine in the department..."
"But for some reason, these past few days, she's completely changed—arriving earlier than anyone, leaving later than anyone. Today, I received reports that she plans to resign as a diviner and is encouraging colleagues to join her in starting a business."
As this plot unfolded, murmurs broke out among the diviners.
"Qingque starting a business? That's too far-fetched!"
"This... must be the Heliobi's influence, right?"
"Only our Sparrow God could pull this off—others possessed by Heliobi cause havoc, but she's out here pursuing self-actualization?"
"What if Qingque reversed it and is using the Heliobi as her entrepreneurial tool?"
"I hereby declare Qingque the Bane of Heliobi!"
Listening to the praise from her colleagues, Qingque didn't feel flattered—only growing unease.
A diviner's intuition was screaming at her.
She was practically squirming in her seat now.
In the game, the player found Qingque surrounded by a crowd.
There she was, passionately delivering a speech:
"Reviewing past experiences, your definition of a 'successful life' boils down to basic necessities and shelter—lacking depth and reflection. Can such mundane experiences truly empower others?"
After this line, some diviners in the audience cheered.
Since the meeting's theme was "Learning from Qingque's Spirit," even those who didn't understand her words joined in—after all, Lady Fu Xuan was nodding approvingly.
But at the front row, Qingque was stunned.
Did I just say that?!
And Lady Fu Xuan... agrees with it?!
Fu Xuan, still oblivious to the brewing disaster, remarked:
"Not bad, Sparrow."
"See? I told you there'd be a highlight moment for you."
"This speech is quite fitting—we should put it up as a motto in the department."
Qingque gave a strained smile.
Well, at least the Heliobi possessing me isn't so bad. It just made me... ambitious and passionate.
But then, the next words from her in-game self froze that smile solid.
With fervor, she declared:
"Working in the Divination Commission day after day for centuries—what's the underlying logic of this 'success'? Where's the top-level design? What are the highlights compared to short-lived species? What are the advantages? There are none!"
"It's a double waste of time and life's value! On the other side of the universe, people with far shorter lifespans are achieving lasting gains in vertical fields through reusable strategies. They work tirelessly, far harder than you!"
Qingque felt like she'd been struck by lightning.
The room fell dead silent.
How did this turn into bashing the Divination Commission?!
This script is all wrong!
She peeked at Fu Xuan, whose expression had darkened.
But her in-game rant continued:
"Starting today, I resign from this stable but stagnant job to embark on my entrepreneurial journey—I will make the Jade Abacus tiles a galaxy-wide sensation! Then expand into other domains!"
"If you share my drive to strive, you're welcome to join me! Do you all understand? If you do, applaud—"
Things were spiraling out of control.
The atmosphere in the room had shifted imperceptibly.
What was once relaxed and cheerful now felt tense.
Whispers spread among the diviners.
Qingque wiped her sweat and mustered the courage to speak:
"Lady Fu Xuan, maybe... we should stop here?"
"If this goes on, I'm worried it might negatively affect everyone in the department..."
Fu Xuan waved her hand dismissively.
"It's fine. I'm not so narrow-minded."
"I want to see how this 'business venture' of yours plays out."
Qingque: "..."
Please, just don't let there be any more absurd twists!
I just want to go back to being an ordinary clerk who slacks off sometimes!
In the game, the scene shifted.
By shaking the [Harmony Fire Bell], the ghost-hunting team entered the Heliobi's illusion.
The familiar setting—the Divination Commission.
As they searched for the illusionary Qingque, they were stopped by a security guard at the entrance.
Huohuo said: "Hello, we know Miss Qingque! We're her good friends!"
Fu Xuan (in-game) crossed her arms and stated bluntly: "Indeed. I'm her superior. Tell her to wake up from this get-rich-quick fantasy and come see me at once!"
The guard sneered: "You know CEO Qing? Who on the Luofu doesn't know CEO Qing? As for 'good friends'—I'm sure a celebrity like her has plenty of 'good friends' she's never even met."
"And you, little pipsqueak, daring to claim you're [CEO Qing's superior]? Hahaha, that's the funniest thing I've heard all day!"
Silence.
Fu Xuan sat frozen in her seat.
This meeting was supposed to be about "learning from Qingque's spirit."
She'd expected another inspiring moment like last time.
But no—
This time, the spotlight was too bright.
"CEO Qing"?!
And what did that guard just say?
"Little pipsqueak"?!
Fu Xuan's fists clenched slightly.
Even if this is an illusion... this is going too far.
To be continued…