Chapter 12: Washed-Up Internet Idol

When Lu Yan left Fenglan Grand Hotel under the effects of his Invisibility Talisman, the hotel manager was frantically organizing emergency electrical repairs. Complaints poured in from guests, and staff bustled about in chaos.

To buy time and prevent hotel staff from immediately checking the presidential suite, Lu Yan had cut the power to the entire building.

For vengeful spirits capable of phasing through walls, infiltrating the internal circuits to shut down the power was child’s play.

Having eliminated Gongyang Xuanying—a critical threat—Lu Yan felt little emotional fluctuation.

Outside the hotel, he glanced at the now shrunken Soul Banner in his hand.

After being completed, the previously damaged Soul Banner had grown more intricate in design. The number of controllable vengeful spirits had also increased from three to four.

However, the fourth spirit was noticeably weaker due to the absence of a cultivator’s soul. Even though Lu Yan had compensated with an abundance of ordinary souls, the gap in strength was still evident.

When it came to demonic artifacts like the Soul Banner, even the souls of a million mortals couldn’t compare to the value of a single Nascent Soul powerhouse’s divine soul.

But such things were still far beyond Lu Yan’s reach.

Still, now that the final sacrificial refinement was complete, he could clearly sense the deepening bond between himself and the Soul Banner.

Its current quality placed it among the best of low-grade magical tools.

“Such a pity… I probably won’t get another opportunity like this.”

Lu Yan sighed and shook his head.

Today, he had killed Gongyang Xuanying along with over a dozen subordinates. In a law-abiding city like this, that amounted to a sensational criminal case.

Especially considering Gongyang Xuanying’s unique background—rumored to be the son of a powerful figure in Myan—today’s events would definitely attract significant attention.

For now, Lu Yan would need to act with extreme caution to avoid drawing suspicion.

“Gongyang Xuanying had only just returned to Luo City today and immediately sent Li Zhaoheng to investigate my identity.

I struck first and erased them completely, sealing all loose ends. Even if some version mapping occurs, it won’t trace back to me.”

“But then again, with Gongyang Xuanying’s father still out there, even without a leak, it still feels… unsafe.

In this modern version he’s already a high-ranking elite. Who’s to say he isn’t a sect elder or core figure in some demonic sect in the Xianxia version?

As long as the clue of Gongyang Xuanying exists, should I consider heading to Myan and eliminating his father too, just to be thorough?”

The thought flickered through Lu Yan’s mind but quickly passed.

Myan was simply too far, and any action taken there would inevitably leave behind a trail.

With the recent high-profile death of Gongyang Xuanying, any further incidents would immediately draw scrutiny.

Xianxia techniques might be mystical, but Lu Yan’s cultivation was still too shallow. Modern technology had its own strengths, and reckless action would only expose him.

“So… better to wait until I’ve advanced further. Then I’ll let father and son reunite in the afterlife.”

Having made up his mind, Lu Yan stepped into the shopping mall beside the Fenglan Grand Hotel, returning to the restroom where he had hidden earlier.

After lifting the invisibility effect, he calmly exited the restroom. Along the way, he used a rankless Cleansing Talisman to rid himself of any lingering scent of blood.

Lu Yan didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he leisurely strolled through the mall.

If he left right after the incident at the hotel, he’d definitely stand out if investigations started combing through surveillance footage and customer logs.

Besides, the greatest threat had already been eliminated. He might as well take this chance to enjoy the urban lifestyle. Who knew how many version cycles it would be before he returned again?

It was already late, but Luo City was known for its vibrant nightlife. Rather than dwindling, the mall’s crowd was growing livelier.

Only then did Lu Yan notice a small concert being held at the mall’s main entrance, drawing quite a crowd.

Curious, he paused to watch. On the stage stood a beautiful girl singing her heart out.

Her hair was styled into twin ponytails, and she wore a short blue skirt that revealed long, fair legs. As she sang, she danced energetically, radiating a vibrant youthful aura.

For some reason, Lu Yan found her face strangely familiar.

Nearby, excited young fans snapped photos and filmed with their phones. Several were chatting amongst themselves:

“Who’s that? I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”

“That’s Ji Xingyao, a former internet idol who was super popular a few years ago. I heard she’s from Luo City. Can’t believe the mall got her to perform here.”

“‘Former’ being the key word—she’s a washed-up celeb now!”

“Oh, Ji Xingyao! Yeah, I remember hearing she used to act like a teen idol, even though she’s nearly thirty. Once that got exposed, her popularity tanked and she basically ghosted the internet.”

“Two years ago, if she performed, this whole mall would’ve been swarming with fans. Look at it now, barely a crowd.”

Hearing the gossip around him, Lu Yan curiously pulled out his phone and searched for Ji Xingyao’s name.

Soon, a profile popped up—username: Jade Carver.

Upon seeing the name, Lu Yan froze, disbelief washing over his face.

He had never heard of anyone named Ji Xingyao.

But Jade Fairy? That name was known to every cultivator in Bamboo Grove Market.

Though the Bamboo Grove Market catered to rogue cultivators, it sat upon a spiritual vein. And no matter how weak that vein was—only First Rank—it was impossible for mere late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to hold such a resource without being plundered.

Demonic cultivators and rogue cultivators were constantly eyeing it.

And yet the Bamboo Grove Market had not only survived—it had thrived.

Its sole pillar of protection?

A single figure: the one backing the entire market from behind the scenes—

Jade Fairy, a personal disciple of the Qingwu Sect. One of the famed young elites of Southern Wastes.

The Qingwu Sect was rumored to control over 8,000 miles of mountains in the region. While that was likely exaggerated, no other sect dared contest the claim.

As a core disciple of Qingwu, the Jade Fairy was a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator—destined to reach the Golden Core stage and live for eight hundred years.

With her word alone, she could shield the entire Bamboo Grove Market. Even disciples from other sects wouldn’t dare meddle in its affairs.

In the second month of the Xianxia version, Lu Yan had seen her once, patrolling the market with sect disciples and rogue cultivators trailing behind like stars orbiting a moon.

Back then, she wore a veil. Lu Yan, too low in status, hadn’t dared look closely.

But now that he recalled her figure and face—they matched the idol on stage almost perfectly.

The only stark difference was in their temperament.

One was cold, pure, and untouchable.

The other was bubbly, radiant, and lively.

The contrast couldn’t be more extreme.

“A demonic cultivator doubling as a human trafficker’s son? That I can understand.

“But a righteous sect genius disguised as a washed-up internet idol? Isn’t that… a bit too much?”

(End of Chapter)