[You discovered that being near Su Mei significantly boosts your success rate in drawing talismans. In just a few days, you've created numerous low-level talismans. While they may not be highly destructive, they can be incredibly useful in special situations.]

[For five consecutive days, your strength, cultivation, and hidden trump cards have all improved.]

[At the same time, you’ve been keeping a close eye on the outside world.]

[What surprises you, however, is that the capital of Daxia remains unusually calm—the Lu family has made no moves at all.]

[In your previous simulation, once your assassination was confirmed, the entire Lu family went on a rampage to avenge you.]

[Could it be that Lu Zhong never passed on the information? Or did something go wrong along the way?]

[You realize that either something has disrupted events in the capital, or the Lu family is secretly planning something.]

"Another unexpected change?"

Lu Shou’s expression darkened as he examined the new developments in the simulation.

Based on his expectations, the Lu family should have caused quite a commotion upon receiving news of his assassination.

It wouldn’t even be surprising if history repeated itself, leading to a large-scale battle similar to the one with the Gu family in his second simulation.

The Magic City should have been engulfed in the Lu family’s fury.

Yet, everything remained eerily quiet.

Had the Lu family discovered something new?

Were there forces beyond the Gu family pulling the strings?

Was it possible that more than one celestial family was involved?

It made sense—he was just a small figure in the grand scheme, but if he could piece together certain clues, so could others.

Especially a behemoth like the Lu family.

[This unexpected shift made you more cautious. Until now, you had only competed against your peers, never getting involved in high-level conflicts.]

[You also learned that the mysterious secret realm, which briefly appeared in the sea near the Magic City, has since vanished. This put an end to any thoughts you had of exploring it.]

[You continued lying low, maintaining your identity as "Su Meng" and working as a logistics assistant at Magic City University. Through casual conversations with teachers and students, you gathered valuable information about recent events.]

["Have you heard? That playboy from the Imperial Capital has disappeared. Lots of people are looking for him—apparently, it has something to do with the school beauty, Liu Ruyue."]

["I heard Zhao Kun, the eldest son of the Zhao family, was murdered by Liu Ruyue’s country bumpkin bodyguard. The Zhao family has gone mad searching for the killer."]

["Did you know? That bumpkin Ye Chen not only killed members of the Zhao family but even stormed the Li family. He claimed that Lu Shou's death was his doing and had nothing to do with the Liu family..."]

[Unlike the eerie calm in Daxia’s capital, the Magic City was in complete chaos. The most shocking news was the suspected disappearance of Lu Shou, the second son of the Lu family.]

[Your "death" has alarmed the major forces in the Magic City. They seem determined to bury you first before launching a frantic hunt for the killer.]

[Since the assassin Qianying disguised herself as Liu Ruyue to kill "Lu Shou," the Li family now suspects the Liu family, a second-rate clan, of being involved.]

[Meanwhile, Zhao Kun's murder has driven the Zhao family to madness. Their ancestor has even issued a bounty on Ye Chen, the so-called protagonist of destiny.]

[A few days ago, Ye Chen was ambushed by several Mountain and River Realm masters from the Zhao family. Yet, not only did he escape, but he also managed to kill some of their top experts...]

[After learning about the Liu family's predicament, Ye Chen stormed the Li estate, declaring that he alone was responsible for "Lu Shou’s" death and that Liu Ruyue had nothing to do with it.]

[Thanks to your scheming, both the destined heroine, Liu Ruyue, and the destined protagonist, Ye Chen, have been plunged into serious trouble.]

[One day, while eavesdropping in the logistics department, you overheard a supervisor gossiping with someone in hushed tones.]

["The Li family has hired a ‘ghost doctor.’ Apparently, their ancestor is seriously injured and in a coma."]

[The Li family’s ancestor is gravely wounded?!]

[This news took you by surprise.]

[After some thought, you deduced that the black-clothed warrior who had fought against Lu Zhong was likely the Li family’s ancestor. He must have sustained injuries when Lu Zhong went berserk.]

[Later, Ye Chen created havoc in the Li estate again, probably using his ‘Nine Steps to Heaven’ technique. The Li ancestor must have taken another serious hit.]

[Considering these factors, it's no wonder he’s now on the verge of death.]

[The ‘Ghost Doctor’ is a notorious figure in the Great Xia Empire. His treatment methods are as bizarre as they are terrifying—he insists on taking a life before saving one.]

[You didn’t doubt the logistics supervisor’s words. Magic City University, one of the empire’s top institutions, often had access to such privileged information. This was precisely why you chose to assume the identity of "Su Meng."]

[After hearing about the Li ancestor’s condition, you started forming a plan.]

[You decided to infiltrate the Li family and investigate whether you could uncover the mastermind behind these events.]

[Determined, you requested leave from the logistics supervisor, using the excuse that your sister was ill. He approved it without much hesitation.]

[With your plan set in motion, you activated the Thousand Shadows Magic Skill, altered your appearance once again, and headed toward the Li estate.]

[Having stayed there briefly when you first arrived in Magic City, you knew its location well and had no trouble making your way there.]

[Soon, you arrived at the Li family’s entrance.]

[At that moment, the estate’s gates swung open, and Li Yang stepped out alongside an old man with a cold, sinister aura, his expression filled with flattery.]

[From their conversation, you learned that the old man was none other than the infamous ‘Ghost Doctor.’]

["Rest assured, Senior Ghost Doctor," Li Yang said respectfully. "The Li family understands your rules. Within three days, we promise to deliver the target’s head to you."]

[The Ghost Doctor nodded arrogantly, but then, suddenly, he turned and looked directly in your direction.]

[Your heart pounded. You quickly suppressed your aura and silently invoked your red-talent blessing: ‘You can’t see me.’]

[You realized this old man’s power was terrifying—he had actually detected your presence through the Thousand Shadows Magic Art. His strength likely surpassed even Lu Zhong’s.]

[At the very least, he was a Saint-level expert.]

[Fortunately, your blessing seemed to activate successfully. The Ghost Doctor frowned but eventually withdrew his gaze, leaving under Li Yang’s escort.]

[Seeing Li Yang about to re-enter the estate, you swiftly activated ‘Shadow Escape,’ blending seamlessly into his shadow.]

[Completely unaware, Li Yang walked back inside—bringing you along with him.]

[“Master! Master! Master!”]

[Servants bowed their heads in deference as Li Yang made his way to the backyard. Unlike before, when he had been subservient to you, he now carried himself with newfound arrogance.]

[Under your watchful eye, he entered a study, where an elegant middle-aged man sat—it was Li Ge, the head of the Li family.]

[The two briefly discussed the Ghost Doctor’s arrival, confirming that the Li ancestor was indeed unconscious.]

[Unable to contain his anxiety, Li Yang finally voiced his concern.]

["Father, what about Lu Shou’s death? That’s the Lu family we’re talking about. It’s been five days, and I’m really worried."]

["Don’t worry," Li Ge reassured him. "The higher-ups in the Imperial Capital have already taken action. Someone is keeping the Lu family in check. They won’t be able to interfere in the Magic City anytime soon."]

[His words shocked you.]

[As expected, something had happened to the Lu family in the Imperial Capital...]