Reg a soul fragment might have been difficult for other practitioners of the Mystical Arts, but for Yaoyao, who was naturally attuo souls, this task was surprisingly simple.

  Her plump little hand lifted, her fiips glowing with spiritual energy. She pointed in the dire of the two children lying on the wooden bend began to draw their souls toward her.

  Both children were soundly asleep, their bodies marked with Yellow Talismans — symbols of pead soul-binding. The talismans preveheir souls from resisting and created a stillness necessary for the ritual. These talismans not only stabilized the souls but kept them passive, ensuring nles during the process.

  After all, her goal was to recim the lost soul, not destroy it. Every spell and precaution had to be meticulously id out, careful a.

  “Are we starting now?” Gu Yu asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

  The idea of soul exge was too novel and mysterious for him. Before he could say more, a sharp look from the other members of the Gu family silenced him.

  “Seventh Brother, shut up already. Don’t disturb Yaoyao.”

  Hui could see that Yaoyao was unusually focused this time — her small face set with intense tration. There was no mistaking that this was far more difficult than her usual practice.

  Her heart sank at the realization of her younger son’s limitations, and she sighed to herself: How did she end up with a child like him? His ck of awareness, even in critical situations, truly baffled her.

  Gu Yu, hearing his sister’s rebuke, quickly closed his mouth and nervously watched the proceedings. But nothing — absolutely nothing — appeared to him.

  Normally, the average person couldn’t perceive a soul unless forcibly summoned or drawn into a formation. That’s why the st spirit had been visible to him: it was summoned into a spiritual formation by Yaoyao herself.

  The Gu family was effectively clueless through this entire process.

  “Alright, enough.” Yaoyao’s calm voice broke through their fusion.

  Gu Heng stepped forward hesitantly, looking down at his son, who remained unscious. “Will Weiwei ever be like other normal children again?”

  The health of their child had bee a nearly stant worry for the family. Now, with Yaoyao’s as progressing, they could feel a glimmer of hope — but only a small one.

  Yaoyao shook her head. “Not that easy. The soul fragment has been lost for too long. Eve returns to his body, it will ime to reie and stabilize.”

  She paused, then added, “But there’s another problem. Weiwei’s body is far too special. His body carries a four-pilr pure Yin stitution, which is the ideal vessel for spirits. If a ghost seizes trol, it skip the afterlife cycle entirely and remain in the mortal world for decades.”

  The cept was a grim one. A body like Weiwei’s could serve as a perfect vessel — this meant a ghost wouldn’t o reinate in the underworld. But this was essentially soul hijag, a forbidden path. Ghosts were naturally wary of this risk, as being discovered by the underworld enforcers would lead to immediate destru.

  However, some ghostly souls were desperate — often having itted sins in their mortal lives — and they risked these methods to stay in the mortal pne.

  “Yaoyao, do you have a solution?” Hui suddenly asked, her voice soft. “If you help Weiwei, I’ll be forever grateful. sider it a mother’s plea.”

  Yaoyao sidered this for a moment and then raised her hand. She pulled out a series of spiritual talismans from her bag.

  “These talismans will alloei to avoid dete by most spirits. Once he wakes up, I’ll teach him a cealment teique. Once he learns it, he’ll no longer hese talismans to suppress his presence.”

  She paused, aware that relian external items was always inferior. Still, this was a temporary measure. ould ime to learn proper teiques — the path of mystical arts was raightforward.

  Yaoyao had spent years focused o her sect after her master’s passing. Though she was still young, she had her goals — bringing her sect bato power and training promising disciples to rebuild their strength. She already saei as a potential didate to join her in this path.

  Her master had once said, “Fat water should not flow to other people’s fields.” Her nephew should remain within her sect — a small, yet vital step toward the long-term goal of revival.

  “This… this is too good to believe…” The Gu family was overjoyed to hear this. The notion of Weiwei learning the mystical arts was a massive boon to their future — practitioners of spiritual spells had always anded power and respect.

  “Yaoyao, if you’re taking Weiwei, what about Seventh Brother? Could you take him too?” Gu Yu’s voice came out hopeful and slightly desperate.

  Yaoyao hesitated, her small face flicted. The Huoyu — her sect — followed the path of the elite. Only the best would be accepted into their ranks. Her brother had no special talent, ahe hopeful look in his eyes tugged at her heart.

  Before she could answer, Gu Heng intervened with sharp words.

  “Seventh Brother, you’re stubborn and slow to learn. Don’t push Yaoyao into a difficult position.”

  Gu Yu ched his teeth, angered by the words but uue. His brother was harsh, but truthful.

  At that moment, Gu Li suddenly asked, “Who will take Qing Kai back?”

  Everyouro see a figure lying oher side of the room — a boy looking pale and faintly distressed. His soul had been stolen earlier, and now, without its presence, he appeared frail and vulnerable.

  The Gu family hesitated. Despite the boy’s state, they felt nuilt — they had taken back their stolen soul fragment, and as for the sequehey felt they owed nothing further.

  “It should fall to the eldest bru Xuesong said calmly. “Weiwei is your son. You and Uncle should return him.”

  His words were final. Gu Heng nodded, firming his father’s request. With Yaoyao’s talismans ensuring no disruptions, they could safely move the boy back without unnecessary risk.

  “Alright, Yaoyao, we’re preparing to leave,” Hui said, gng at her wristwatch. The ued events had already deyed their preparations.

  Without further hesitation, they set out toward the gathering, knowing time was slipping and that curiosity would sooo suspis among their guests.

  Hui reached out, grabbing Yaoyao’s hand — her white dress swaying in the wind as they stepped toward the ceremonial grounds.

  The stage was set.

  [--------------------------------------------]

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