Bamboo Creek waited until Xu Qin left the hotel before going to his master's room. He knocked on the door, and after a while, heard his master's voice, "Xiao Xi? Come in, the door is unlocked."

Bamboo Creek pushed the door and entered. His master was meditating on the sofa. When he entered, his master opened his eyes, "Why didn't you listen?"

"I was worried about you," Bamboo Creek said, his eyes flickering, "Master, let me stay in Dai Mountain too. I won't let you stay alone here. Even if you tell me to leave, I won't go."

Qin Xian Sheng did not respond for a while and then said, "If so, go next door and book a room. Stay here for now."

Bamboo Creek nodded but hesitated, "Master, can I ask, is it because of that girl that you're staying? Who is she? I heard she said you used up your internal energy to help her..."

Seeing his master close his eyes, his voice grew softer, "Who is she?"

Qin Xian Sheng opened his eyes and said seriously, "Xiao Xi, don't ask too many questions. You'll know in time."

Bamboo Creek lowered his head and did not ask further. Later that night, Bamboo Creek did not leave his master's room. When his master went to sleep, he shook his head, "Xiao Xi, go to sleep."

Bamboo Creek knew his master could not sleep for several days. He nodded and did not insist. However, in the middle of the night, he was startled awake to find his master lying on the sofa, his face as white as paper, his fists tightly pressing his chest.

Bamboo Creek hurriedly got up and knelt beside his master, feeling helpless as he watched his master being consumed by the an atmosphere of austere gloominess. Tears welled up in his eyes, "Master, why did you do this? Just a few meetings with that girl, why did you help her? I don't understand why you used up your internal energy to help her, leaving yourself vulnerable to the an atmosphere of austere gloominess. Master, why don't you think of yourself? Years ago, it was unavoidable with the Mu family, but now... you could have avoided it..."

Qin Xian Sheng managed to control the an atmosphere of austere gloominess by morning. Bamboo Creek's eyes were red, but he did not dare to say much. He asked, "Master, what do you want to eat? I'll go buy it."

Just as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. Bamboo Creek opened it and found Xu Qin standing outside.

Xu Qin held an insulated food container and smiled, "I made some rib soup. Would Master Qin like to have some?"

Bamboo Creek said gloomily, "Come in."

She wondered how it related to Qin Xiansheng's situation. She clicked on the post and took a look. She knew this was not a true account but rather a fictional story. It had few views, only two pages long, mostly narrated by the author. Since there were not many clicks or replies, the author said they would stop writing if no one read it. Therefore, Gu Qin judged that this author was writing fiction.

She carefully read through the post. The author claimed that they had been learning from their master in feng shui since childhood but had been used as a vessel for containing evil spirits.

The post only had an opening, and Gu Qin couldn't know what happened afterward. Although Gu Qin hadn't heard her master talk about such things, she knew that stories like this weren't uncommon. This was likely using a human body to refine a yin beast, but even if it were possible, many conditions would need to be met, making it almost impossible. She had never heard her master mention such things, but she knew that the world was full of wonders. Initially, she didn't connect Qin Xiansheng's situation with these stories.

Because this matter was too dangerous and unlikely to succeed, usually, if one could truly seal a fierce beast's soul in a human body, the person acting as the vessel would not be able to withstand the growing yin qi and would suffer until death. At first, she thought his illness was from an injury sustained during a magical duel, and she did not consider the possibility of refining a yin beast.

Even now, after considering this possibility, she still couldn't confirm exactly what was happening with Qin Xiansheng's yin qi. Unfortunately, with her current cultivation level, she couldn't help him. In either case, without reaching the late stage of Refining Spirit and Returning to Emptiness, it would be impossible to completely cleanse the yin qi from his body.

Gu Qin closed the post and was about to go to sleep when she received a text message on her phone. It said, "Are you asleep?" It was from Qin Xiansheng, whom she had noted as Mr. Qin.

This was the fifth day since he left that night. Gu Qin didn't expect him to send a text at this hour, so she replied, "I was planning to sleep. How is Mr. Qin's old ailment?"

Qin Xiansheng quickly replied, "Much better, don't worry. Go to sleep now. Good night."

"Good night," Gu Qin replied and then placed her phone on the table before going to bed.

Gu Qin currently had only around one million yuan, which was far from enough for charity or business ventures. She knew little about these areas, and no feng shui business had come her way recently, leaving her with dwindling resources. Unexpectedly, two days later, Jiang Ni called her, saying a friend wanted her help.

They agreed on a time, and Gu Qin went to meet her after school. She was surprised to find they were meeting at a bar, specifically a private room. Inside, besides Jiang Ni, there was another girl about the same age crying loudly.

Jiang Ni looked at Gu Qin and said, "She's been crying all afternoon. I couldn't bring her to a quiet place, so we came here."

"It's fine," Gu Qin said as she sat next to Jiang Ni.

The girl, named Lu Xiaoman, was indeed a friend of Jiang Ni's and part of their social circle. Gu Qin didn’t know her because she hadn’t attended Li Family’s banquet. However, she was in their friend group chat and had repeatedly called out to Gu Qin for help, but Gu Qin ignored her. Finally, she learned that Master Gu hadn’t spoken in the group since joining. That's why she asked Jiang Ni to introduce them.

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Lu Xiaoman wiped her tears and said, "Master, can you help me? I don't want to break up with my boyfriend. I want to be with him and get married."

Jiang Ni rolled her eyes. She thought Lu Xiaoman wanted Gu Qin to arrange some feng shui to give her ex a hard time, not to help her win him back. "Lu Xiaoman, are you crazy? I thought you wanted to teach him a lesson, but instead..."

Lu Xiaoman started crying again. "We've been together for three years, and I really love him. Master, please help me."

Even Gu Qin sighed. Such a man with obvious issues—why did she like him? A soft-hearted girl, just like her previous self. While she could make them reunite, she wasn't going to help. Even if they did get back together, it would be a doomed relationship.

"You think about it clearly. If he's willing to treat our three years of affection so lightly, do you still want to marry him? He doesn't love you. My methods can make you two stay together, but will you be happy with that? You'll be entangled for life, and he won't love you. Is that what you want?"

Lu Xiaoman stared blankly at Gu Qin. "I see your point. I have a great destiny waiting for me. I want to know if I should change my fate."

Some destinies were easy to change with a single decision.

Lu Xiaoman remained silent, while Jiang Ni scolded her, "Lu Xiaoman, wake up! Do you want to waste your life on this man? Such a man doesn't deserve to hold your shoes!"

Lu Xiaoman was silent, her eyes still red but no longer shedding tears. She sat quietly, thinking.

Jiang Ni continued, "Why must you fixate on this scoundrel? Your family has wealth, while his is poor. Even if you were to marry, your life would be filled with problems. He lacks ambition and even prefers someone poorer than him. Such a man doesn't deserve you."

Gu Qin remained silent, observing Lu Xiaoman. From Jiang Ni's words, she understood Lu Xiaoman was from a wealthy family, probably worth hundreds of millions. But she dressed simply, without luxury brands. Clearly, she didn't care about such things.

If Lu Xiaoman insisted on being with him, Gu Qin could easily make them reunite by revealing Lu Xiaoman's wealth.

Lu Xiaoman looked conflicted, but she thought about their years together...

Jiang Ni laughed coldly, "Do you still remember your feelings? You've always been the devoted one. He's been distant, treating you as nothing more than a toy. Only you still see him as precious."

Jiang Ni then dragged Gu Qin to leave, "Forget it. If you want to cry, go ahead. I'm done with you. We're leaving."

Lu Xiaoman panicked, "Don't leave me here alone..."

Jiang Ni glared, "Then will you stop crying?"

Lu Xiaoman shook her head. Jiang Ni said, "Let's go then. We've been here for hours. The noise is driving me crazy."

As they left, Lu Xiaoman followed, seeming undecided. When they reached the door, she stopped Gu Qin, "Master Gu..."

Before she could finish, Gu Qin interrupted, "Have you really thought it through? Making him change his mind is easy, but are you ready to marry him? Face his problems? Even if he changes now, he'll revert. Once you're married, it'll be too late..."

Just then, several men walked by. The tallest one, wearing glasses, stopped and looked at Lu Xiaoman, surprised, "Xiaoman?"

Lu Xiaoman looked up, her face reddening, "Senior..."

The man smiled, "It's been two years. We haven't talked much since you graduated. Can I get your number?"

Lu Xiaoman gave him her number. He wrote it down and called her, confirming she received it before hanging up. "My company is having a gathering. Would you like to join us?"

Lu Xiaoman declined, "No, thank you."

Gu Qin watched them, surprised. If they were destined to be together, it was clear now. Their red phoenix stars were already moving, indicating their fate was intertwined.

The man left with his friends, glancing back at Lu Xiaoman.

They exited the bar. Jiang Ni said, "I'll take you home first, then drop Gu Qin off."

Lu Xiaoman declined, "No, I drove my father's car. I can drive myself. Please take Gu Qin home."

Jiang Ni nodded, "Alright, be careful on your way home."

As they left, Gu Qin saw the senior outside the bar, looking for someone. When he saw Lu Xiaoman, he smiled. Before they parted, Gu Qin turned to Lu Xiaoman, "Actually, making your ex change his mind is very easy. Just tell him you're from the Lu family."

Lu Xiaoman widened her eyes, surprised. She never thought of that. Her ex didn't know about her wealth. He believed she had saved money for gifts, not knowing she used her family's card.

Jiang Ni was puzzled, "Why did you tell her that? Now she might go to him..."

Gu Qin reassured her, "Don't worry. I have my reasons. Since she met her destined match, there's no need to force it. Tell her to think it through, to let go of her past."

Jiang Ni trusted Gu Qin, watching as the senior approached Lu Xiaoman.

The senior was Lu Xiaoman's former senior from university, a successful entrepreneur. He had liked her since school but never acted on it. When he saw her in the bar, he felt happy and decided to approach her.

He offered to drive her home. Lu Xiaoman, dazed, accepted. He kissed her forehead and confessed, "I've liked you since school. Seeing you single now, I can't let this chance pass. Will you accept me?"

Lu Xiaoman couldn't speak. She returned home, her mind filled with his confession and kiss. She dreamed of him that night.

The next morning, Lu Xiaoman thought about Gu Qin's words. Was it love or just resentment?

For the next few days, Lu Xiaoman stayed home. The senior messaged her regularly, always appropriately. One evening, he invited her to dinner. She agreed.

At the mall, Lu Xiaoman bought new clothes. Her father's card allowed her to indulge. She left the mall, only to bump into her ex with his new girlfriend.

Her ex stared at her, furious. "So soon after breaking up, you already found someone else? Buying all these designer clothes? Are you being kept?"

Lu Xiaoman was angry. "These are my own money. I have my father's card."

His new girlfriend mocked her. "Where did you get the money? Saving for months for a gift? You’re letting old men keep you, right?"

Lu Xiaoman snapped, "I have my father's card. I don’t need him. What does he have? Relying on women?"

The girlfriend sneered, "How about your father? And what about you?"

A friend of the girlfriend finally spoke, "You’re from the Lu family, aren’t you? I met you at a visit to the Lu residence. You... How could he not know?"

The girlfriend's expression changed. "What nonsense? She isn’t from the Lu family."

The friend laughed, "You saw her at the Lu residence. She’s definitely from there."

The next day, Gu Qin still went to school as usual, only arriving at the scheduled time. The final exams at No. 1 High School were quite strict. The exam seating arrangements were reorganized; students from over ten classes were mixed up and seated randomly in each classroom. Each class had students from different classes in the same room. After all, No. 1 High School ranked students based on their grades, so they took the exams very seriously.

The seating arrangements were made long before the exams started, with students entering the classrooms according to their assigned numbers. Gu Qin was arranged to take her exam in Class One. Although she wasn't familiar with the environment, it was just an ordinary exam, and she didn't feel nervous at all. Gu Qin's name was quite well-known at No. 1 High School. Almost everyone knew her name.

Firstly, because she, as a student from Class Seventeen, consistently ranked among the top few students in monthly exams.

Secondly, because she had once given a reading lesson to the teachers in the office, which was widely known.

The words Long said spread, and half of the school knew that Class 17 in No. 1 Middle School had a charlatan. Because there were name tags on the desks in the classroom, almost all the students in Class 1 also knew in advance that Gu Qin had been assigned to their class for the exam. Gu Qin arrived right on time; when she entered the classroom, most of the students were already there. She found her desk and sat down, and many students around her secretly watched her.

Gu Qin didn't show much expression; she was still thinking about breaking through the initial stage of refining essence into qi. Within a few minutes, the teacher came in. The invigilators were two teachers, one male and one female, standing one in front and one behind. The students' desks were arranged separately.

The papers were quickly distributed. In the morning, they took the Chinese exam. Gu Qin wrote her name on the paper and started answering the questions.

The next day in the morning, they had math, followed by physics and chemistry in the afternoon.

On the third day in the morning, they had English, and in the afternoon, history and politics. After that, the exams were basically over, and they could go on holiday.

These days, her English review wasn't in vain; she answered the questions very quickly, almost without thinking. In half an hour, she had almost finished the paper, except for the essay. While she was going through the essay in her mind, just as she was about to start writing, there was some commotion in front of her. Gu Qin turned back to look.

There were about seventy students in the classroom, mixed from seventeen classes. Gu Qin did not know the students from other classes, nor did she know which class the student in front of her belonged to. She only saw him looking back at her with an unusual expression. Gu Qin frowned slightly and felt a bit displeased. At this moment, the student in front of her looked nervous, deceitful, and cunning, with a greenish tint around his mouth. This male student was indeed like this, and his unusual expression indicated that he was feeling guilty and planning something bad.

Gu Qin observed him discreetly. He kept looking at the two teachers and herself, clearly indicating that what he was planning was related to her. What could happen during an exam? Probably trying to frame her for cheating? Gu Qin couldn't figure out how he would do that.

Sure enough, when he saw that the two teachers' attention was elsewhere, he immediately threw a paper ball towards Gu Qin.

Gu Qin was quite speechless. She secretly made a gesture, and the paper ball didn't even reach her desk before it returned along its original path. The student was dumbfounded. Just then, the female teacher walked over and noticed the paper ball on his desk. If not for Gu Qin's intervention, the paper ball would have fallen on her desk, and the teacher would have seen it...