Xi Mufu, who was regarded as a deity by players, met Ji Jiu, the director of the Special Administration Bureau.
Director Ji had a distinctive name and an equally striking appearance. With handsome, elegant features and brows like painted brushstrokes, he carried an ethereal, aloof aura merely by standing there—one might say he resembled a celestial being descended to earth. Despite his youth—he appeared no older than twenty-eight—his presence was formidable, clearly that of someone long accustomed to holding high authority.
Xi Mufu muttered to herself, feeling the pressure of having such an important figure personally visit her, especially one so good-looking.
“Hello,” Ji Jiu greeted her with a slight nod. “I’m aware of your situation. I’d like to see the Cleansing Talisman.”
Xi Mufu drew one on the spot, completing it in under five minutes.
Shanqu Abbot, standing nearby, quietly boasted to the Third Elder of Longhu Mountain: “See? A true genius! From our H Province!”
Both Longhu Mountain and Mao Mountain had sent their elders. Though they had heard about Xi Mufu’s ability to create talismans with a single stroke, witnessing it firsthand left them profoundly astonished. After all, even the most gifted disciples from their sects in recent centuries couldn’t produce talismans with such effortless ease.
Ji Jiu was also slightly surprised by how quickly and effortlessly Xi Mufu created the talisman. After giving her a deep look, he examined the Cleansing Talisman briefly and said, “We currently have a plan to use Cleansing Talismans for pollution control. We intend to conduct an overnight experiment and will need you to draw several more.”
There was a chemical plant in the city that had passed inspections, but pollutants couldn’t be completely eliminated. If the Cleansing Talisman could achieve zero pollution, it would be a tremendous boon for humanity’s environment.
Just imagine—how many chemical plants existed worldwide, and how much pollution they generated? If it could even treat nuclear contamination, the merit would be immeasurable.
Xi Mufu was taken aback, never considering that Cleansing Talismans could be used this way.
Naturally, she hoped they could improve the human environment. Immediately picking up her brush, she drew ten talismans in one go. The process remained simple, and she still felt energetic, though her hand was slightly sore.
Ji Jiu took the talismans and promptly dispatched people to test them. Then, glancing at his watch, he said, “It’s late. You should rest well. We’ll discuss the matter of the otherworldly visitors tomorrow.”
Xi Mufu had no objections.
As she was about to leave, Ji Jiu added, “For your rescue yesterday, there will be a monetary reward from above, though it won’t be much.”
Xi Mufu didn’t mind. Saving people was instinctive to her, and she believed anyone would have done the same in such a situation.
·
The next day, the talisman test yielded results.
“The effect is excellent—the pollutants were thoroughly cleansed. One talisman can purify approximately 500 cubic meters of space,” Ji Jiu reported.
Xi Mufu: “It actually works?”
Ji Jiu nodded: “We’ll purchase your talismans at 10,000 yuan each. You can choose direct payment or equivalent value in items, such as gold, antiques, or fixed assets.”
Xi Mufu’s eyes widened.
What?!
10,000 yuan per talisman?!
If she drew fifty per day, wouldn’t that mean 500,000 yuan daily?
Drawing talismans was truly simple for her. Though her hand might ache, producing fifty per day was completely feasible—she’d make a fortune!
Were her talismans really this valuable?!
“The funds and manpower the nation spends annually on pollution control exceed your imagination,” Ji Jiu explained gently, noticing her bewilderment.
Xi Mufu bit her lip, momentarily unsure whether to accept. She had handed over the artifacts and skills because she trusted the nation, never expecting to profit from them.
Ji Jiu: “This is what you deserve. The nation never mistreats those who have contributed.”
Only then did Xi Mufu decide to accept, exclaiming excitedly, “Thank you!” After a pause, she asked softly, “Can… can I choose gold bars?”
She had always loved gold, and with gold prices skyrocketing, her fondness had only grown. The thought of soon possessing so many glittering gold bars made her eyes sparkle.
This feeling of overnight wealth was simply marvelous!
Ji Jiu glanced at her expression and chuckled softly: “Alright.”
For a moment, Xi Mufu was dazed by his smile, but she quickly composed herself—compared to a handsome man, she still preferred gold bars!
“Now let’s discuss the visitors from other worlds.” Ji Jiu tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, pondering, “I need to meet them first to determine whether they might cause uncontrollable impacts on this world.”
If they were merely trading artifacts and skills, bringing benefits to the nation and humanity, there would be little to worry about. But if they brought disaster, precautions must be taken.
Xi Mufu fully agreed with his prudence. Hesitating slightly, she said, “But I don’t know when the second group of visitors from other worlds will appear.”
“No matter. I will be stationed in Jingning Town until their intentions are clear,” Ji Jiu said.
Xi Mufu was somewhat surprised but then realized the matter was indeed too important. As the head of the Special Administration Bureau, his decision to personally station himself here with his team surely had its considerations.
“I’ve already had people purchase the houses around yours and temporarily relocate your neighbors. Your business may need to pause for a while, and we will fully compensate for any losses incurred.”
This was also an indirect way to protect the surrounding residents, as it remained unclear whether the visitors from other worlds might cause harm to this world.
Xi Mufu completely understood the Special Administration Bureau’s approach and waved her hand, saying, “No compensation is needed. You’ve already given more than enough.”
Ji Jiu smiled and suddenly looked at her: “I’m afraid I’ll have to live with you next.” He paused, then added, “In your home.”
Xi Mufu blinked.
Ji Jiu: “Firstly, to observe the visitors from other worlds at any time, and secondly, to protect you closely.”
Xi Mufu understood: “Alright… alright.”
She lived in the backyard of the Incense Shop, with the store in front and the living quarters for her and her grandfather in the back. The space was large, with several empty rooms, making it quite convenient.
·
After matters were settled, the group set off back to Jingning Town.
Along with the Special Administration Bureau staff, elders from Longhu Mountain and Mao Mountain also accompanied them, with even Shan Qu tagging along.
While the Special Administration Bureau was getting settled, Xi Mufu quietly found Shan Qu: “Selling the Cleansing Talisman for 10,000—isn’t that too much?”
“Of course not.” Shan Qu shook his head. “Your talismans are so effective and bring such great benefits to the nation. No amount of money is too much. Previously, the Grand Elder of Longhu Mountain’s Vajra Health Talisman sold for over a million. Once you learn the Protection Talisman or more advanced talismans, many influential figures will surely seek you out, and you’ll have your pick of gold, silver, and jewels.”
Xi Mufu was astonished.
So talismans were this valuable?
She grew even more eager to advance her Talisman-making skills. Unfortunately, even after mastering the Cleansing Talisman, she remained stuck at Level 1, unsure what conditions were needed to unlock the Level 2 Protection Talisman.
Meanwhile, the Special Administration Bureau had made arrangements within a single day. All shops and residents near the end of the street were relocated, with only the tourist-heavy front street remaining open.
Truthfully, Xi Mufu still harbored some concerns. If visitors from other realms came with malicious intent, it could cause irreversible damage to the entire town. Jingning Town attracted many tourists—what if something went wrong?
Shan Qu calmly reassured her: “Don’t worry. With Director Ji here, even our entire Xuanxue community combined couldn’t match his prowess. Since he hasn’t restricted tourist access, he must have complete confidence.”
He had vaguely heard that Director Ji might not be an ordinary mortal—perhaps even transcended worldly constraints. Shan Qu privately suspected Director Ji could be the reincarnation of an ancient deity.
Xi Mufu was once again profoundly astonished.
This Director Ji seemed even more formidable than she had imagined!