Chapter 87: A Momentary Peace

Generally speaking, the Second Talisman Master is a watershed in cultivation. Once one reaches this level, most Daoist techniques no longer require talisman papers—though, naturally, their power is somewhat diminished compared to using the talismans. However, the speed of casting becomes much faster, which is a significant advantage.

It was clear that Fu Yang was nowhere near the level of a Second Talisman Master, so there was only one possibility left... This guy was blatantly cheating!

"Your Majesty, I protest! Fu Yang is a Daoist prodigy, and I'd be at a disadvantage fighting him at the same level. More importantly, it won't do anything to help him improve."

At this moment, Ah Huang understood perfectly. Dong Weike’s real aim was to temper Fu Yang, to rapidly boost his abilities.

Damn, she really is the devoted wife... His suspicions were confirmed; with those two living together, something was definitely going on!

"Oh? What you say makes sense. Fine, I’ll let you be fifty percent stronger than Fu Yang—let’s see how you two fare then..."

With a casual wave of her hand, Dong Weike restored some of Ah Huang’s strength, boosting him by half again.

And so, the two resumed their brawl!

"You've got to be kidding me! Ah Huang, what was the point of that fireball you hurled at my—?"

"Fu Yang, you bastard! You’re vicious—can you not use the Golden Needle Curse on my—?"

"That’s it, Ah Huang, I’m going all out on you!"

"Fu Yang, if you try anything with me again, I swear I’ll really lose it..."

As they fought tooth and nail, they traded insults, each cursing the other without pause.

Dong Weike, notorious for her risqué humor and bold personality, found the whole spectacle utterly entertaining. She didn’t get angry at all; in fact, she watched with relish.

With the chaos and clamor, the battle ended with Ah Huang’s greater combat experience narrowly securing him the win, leaving Fu Yang sprawled on the ground.

"Haha, I win!" Ah Huang, sporting a black eye, raised his hand in triumph, feeling a real sense of accomplishment.

After all, he’d just defeated a Daoist prodigy with limitless potential—a satisfying moment of online-style, in-your-face victory.

"Feeling good, are you? Come on, let’s see how you do against me," Dong Weike said, clearly displeased that Fu Yang had lost. Though she was meant to be the judge, she jumped into the fray herself.

With a single move, she instantly defeated Ah Huang.

"You two are staying here tonight—you're both infuriating! Fu Yang, you useless guy," she declared.

Ah Huang was dumbfounded. "What? I won, so why do I have to stay too? Some mighty Ghost Queen you are—can’t even keep your word..."

"Who said I was the Ghost Queen? Even if I am, as a mere woman, I happen to like breaking promises. Hmph!"

Grumbling, Dong Weike strode off, leaving the two battered men staring at each other, speechless.

It was a long time before either spoke.

That night, bloodcurdling screams echoed from West Mountain Cemetery, and it was said that from then on, new terrifying urban legends were born—tales of two pig-headed male ghosts.

For more than a month afterward, Fu Yang and Ah Huang were subjected to daily duels under Dong Weike’s “encouragement,” enduring inhuman torment.

But the benefit was real: Fu Yang’s Daoist skills improved by leaps and bounds!

In just a month, he reached the late stage of the Daoist “Mage Realm,” and could soon attempt to receive talismanic initiation.

However, since Dong Weike herself couldn’t draw the Three Pure Ones Talisman, and to ensure he built a solid foundation, she let him remain at this stage for a while longer.

Besides that, Fu Yang spent time with Qin Mei, reviewing lessons and taking his final exams.

During this period, he also gathered his dormitory roommates, determined to tell them the whole truth.

Dogzi took it calmly enough, but Old Zhao and Big Niu were left gaping in astonishment, repeatedly telling Fu Yang he was utterly awesome now, and urging him not to forget his brothers once he made it big.

"Dogzi, don’t worry! Dudu’s soul is probably still imprisoned by the Evil Daoist. One day, when my skills are stronger, I’ll find a way to help you get her back. At the very least, I’ll make sure you see her again."

This was Fu Yang’s solemn promise to his brother.

He had considered asking Dong Weike to defeat the Evil Daoist and reclaim Dudu’s soul while she was still around.

But Jiang City was huge, and unless Liu Mengshu came looking for them, even if Weike was truly the Ghost Queen, tracking down a “veteran monster” who’d been cultivating for nearly a century would be incredibly difficult...

"Fu Yang, your determination is enough. And telling us the truth really shows you consider us friends. Ordinary people would never understand your world."

Dogzi comforted Fu Yang, expressing his gratitude.

That night, the four brothers in the dorm all got thoroughly drunk.

The others knew well that from that day forward, Fu Yang would be walking a path completely different from theirs.

Time flew, and summer vacation of junior year finally arrived.

Since Fu Yang’s major was journalism and media, and there were hardly any classes in senior year, most students in his field found internships during the summer after their junior year...

He was no exception.

He called his parents in Yucheng to let them know he wouldn’t be returning home, and began job hunting in Jiang City.

Ah Huang, meanwhile, registered yet another so-called culture company and resumed his old trade—fortune-telling, face-reading, and feng shui consultations in Jiang City.

"Ah Huang, you’re not going back to SZ?"

"In this line of work, it’s all about reputation, connections, and your own skill—it doesn’t really matter where you are. I worked in SZ because people there believed in this stuff more. Now that you’ve got one foot in the circle, of course I want to be in the same city as my childhood friend. By the way, are you really going to find a regular internship instead of making money with me?"

Fu Yang rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Truth be told, Fu Yang still wasn’t ready to fully immerse himself in the supernatural world.

For more than twenty years, he’d lived as an ordinary person. The sudden upheaval had left him struggling to adapt.

"So be it! For now, I’ll live like a regular person, learn some Daoist arts on the side, and let Her Majesty keep an eye on my progress."

That was Fu Yang’s current thinking.

Jiang City East Road Pedestrian Street.

One of the city’s most bustling business districts, home to numerous major companies.

Fu Yang had come for a job interview, wearing a brand new, expensive casual suit. He looked sharp and energetic.

He’d always been quite handsome, but now, after starting his cultivation, there was a subtle change in his bearing.

Girls on the street turned to look at him more than ever.

“Heh, guess a little grooming really does make me more attractive to women,” he thought smugly.

Ding.

The elevator stopped at the eighteenth floor.

Today’s interview was at a well-known local advertising agency in Jiang City—a stylish and high-end place.

(End of today's three chapters. See you tomorrow!)