I, the number one master of metaphysics, have achieved legendary status in the entertainment industr

The third day after Lu Fan Studio's open day.

The online public opinion has begun to undergo a very subtle shift.

First, the account that had posted Li Chen's videos suddenly and quietly deleted all related content, and even set up privacy protection for the account itself.

Then, several marketing accounts that had previously been the most vocal and vehemently attacking Lu Fan began to "objectively" repost some analytical posts about the doubts surrounding the South Korean drowning incident two years ago, with ambiguous tone and stance.

Several mainstream media outlets that had previously been instructed by the Zhou family to remain silent on news related to Lu Fan suddenly began reporting on the "grand occasion" of his studio's open day. Although they maintained neutrality in their writing, the accompanying photos were all of Lu Fan's composed and dignified frontal shots, a stark contrast to the style he had adopted when he was being attacked online.

These changes are subtle and ordinary netizens may not notice them immediately, but those in the industry can keenly sense something unusual.

It was as if an invisible hand was slowly but firmly twisting something.

……

Lu Fan stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of warm water in his hand.

His face was paler than it had been a few days ago, and there was a faint bluish tinge under his eyes, but his gaze remained clear and calm.

The jade pendant on his chest remained warm and smooth as ever. The crack was almost invisible under the light, but only Lu Fan knew that the energy contained within was slowly circulating and repairing itself, and even... faintly showing a golden luster that had never been seen before.

"Dragon energy..."

Lu Fan murmured to himself, his fingertips gently brushing across the surface of the jade pendant.

That night, after the Blood-Breaking Formation was broken, he sensed the change in the jade pendant. Originally just a protective item left by his master, it now seemed to have been awakened by some kind of power, with an extremely pure and majestic aura that seemed to come from ancient times.

The aura was faint, but of extremely high quality, and even his own cultivation showed signs of a breakthrough.

"Knock knock knock".

A knock came at the door.

"Come in." Lu Fan turned around.

Yu Tinglan pushed open the door and entered, holding a document in her hand. Today she was wearing a light gray business suit, her hair was neatly tied back, and her expression was serious.

"Just received the news." She placed the documents on the coffee table and sat down opposite Lu Fan. "The Zhou family has made a move."

Lu Fan picked up the document and flipped through it, his eyebrows slightly raised.

The document contained several photos and a brief report.

The photo was taken in a VIP ward of a private hospital. Although blurry, it is possible to identify Wang Huajian lying on the bed, with Zhou Li, Wang Zhentao, and two doctors in white coats standing around him.

The report shows that Wang Huajian was admitted to the hospital in the early hours of the day before yesterday due to a "sudden onset of an acute illness" and has been in a coma ever since. The hospital has kept the specific details of his condition confidential from the public, but there are internal sources saying that the patient's vital signs are extremely unstable and the "cause of the illness is unknown".

"Where's Qingsong?" Lu Fan asked.

"He's also in the hospital." Yu Tinglan pointed to the next page of the report. "However, his condition seems better; he's just 'overworked' and is resting in the VIP area. But according to our people, he's been frequently meeting with some... people who don't seem like ordinary people these past two days."

She pushed over several photos that she had secretly taken.

In the photo, Qingsong is wearing a hospital gown and sitting on a bench in the hospital garden. Opposite him sits several people dressed differently but with very special demeanors—there is a monk in a monk's robe, a Taoist priest in a Taoist robe, and even an old man in ethnic minority clothing with bone ornaments around his neck.

"He's looking for help," Yu Tinglan said with certainty, "and they're all people from the metaphysical circle. It seems the backlash that night has caused him considerable trouble and thoroughly enraged him."

Lu Fan put down the photo, picked up his water glass and took a sip: "As expected. The formation was broken, and the core of the formation suffered a backlash; he definitely won't let this go. However..."

He paused, then looked at Yu Tinglan: "You found out about all this, didn't they?"

"Probably not." Yu Tinglan shook her head. "We're using the outermost layer of informants, only responsible for surveillance, not contact. Besides, the Zhou family's attention is entirely on Wang Huajian right now, so they're actually less vigilant than before."

"That's good." Lu Fan nodded. "Don't take any further action for now. Let them worry first."

Yu Tinglan looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Lu Fan, tell me the truth—what exactly happened with that jade pendant? That night… and why did the Zhou family suddenly relentlessly pursue you, even resorting to such an evil formation?"

Lu Fan remained silent for a moment.

He walked to the sofa, sat down, took off the jade pendant from his neck, and placed it on the coffee table.

"This jade pendant was left to me by my master," he said slowly. "I've worn it since I was a child, and I only know that it can protect the body and calm the mind. My master didn't say anything else. It wasn't until recently that I discovered that it contains an extremely pure 'dragon energy'."

"Dragon energy?" Yu Tinglan asked, puzzled. "What's that?"

"A rare and extremely powerful spiritual energy of heaven and earth," Lu Fan explained. "Ordinary auspicious feng shui sites are considered lucky to have 'earth vein energy.' 'Dragon energy' is the sublimation of earth vein energy, which can only be nurtured by great opportunities and blessed lands. Moreover, once formed, it has the miraculous effects of suppressing fortune, warding off evil spirits, and even helping people break through their cultivation levels."

He paused, then looked at Yu Tinglan: "I suspect that when Qingsong was suffering a backlash from breaking the formation, he sensed the fluctuations of dragon energy within the jade pendant. That's why he was so eager to obtain it—not only to take revenge on me, but also to use this dragon energy to repair Wang Huajian's damaged foundation, and even to elevate the Zhou family's fortune to a new level."

Yu Tinglan gasped: "So... from the very beginning, they weren't just trying to take advantage of your luck?"

"I'm afraid so." Lu Fan nodded. "Borrowing luck is the means, seizing the treasure is the goal. They just didn't expect that this treasure is connected to my life, and... it won't be so easy to get."

He put the jade pendant back around his neck: "When my master gave me this jade pendant, he said that I should not let anyone know its secret unless absolutely necessary. Now it seems that he had foreseen this day."

"Your master..." Yu Tinglan asked hesitantly, "Who exactly is he? Where is he now?"

Lu Fan's eyes dimmed: "I don't know either. He taught me all his skills, got me into the entertainment industry, and then disappeared. I've been looking for him all these years, but I haven't found a single clue."

He looked up at the window: "But I have a feeling that Master's disappearance is related to this jade pendant, and to something that might be involved behind the Zhou family..."

The room fell silent.

After a while, Yu Tinglan asked softly, "So what are you planning to do next? The Zhou family won't give up, and Qingsong is still looking for help. And if Wang Huajian really gets into trouble, that woman Zhou Li... will probably go crazy."

"I know." Lu Fan stood up and walked to the window. "So I need to do what needs to be done before they make their next move."

He turned around and looked at Yu Tinglan: "Tinglan, I need your help."

"you say."

"Contact Ding Xingyou," Lu Fan said. "Tell her I want to meet with her father, Ding Jianguo."

Yu Tinglan was taken aback: "Ding Jianguo? What's wrong with you now...?"

"I know he has a problem with me," Lu Fan interrupted her, "but some things need to be made clear face to face. Besides, I need his help—or rather, his cooperation."

"What do you want to collaborate on?"

"Dealing with the Zhou family." Lu Fan's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable force. "On our own, we might be able to protect ourselves, but that's not enough to completely solve the problem. Ding Jianguo has deep roots and extensive connections in the industry. If we can win him over, our chances of winning will be much greater."

Yu Tinglan pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, I'll contact them. But what about Ding Xingyou..."

"I'll talk to her," Lu Fan said. "It's time to clear up some misunderstandings."

……

That afternoon, Lu Fan dialed Ding Xingyou's number.

The phone rang for a long time, and just when Lu Fan thought the other party wouldn't answer, the call connected.

"Feed." Ding Xingyou's voice came, somewhat indifferent and tired.

"Director Ding," Lu Fan said, "Do you have time? I'd like to talk to you."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"What are you talking about? The production team's arrangements are finalized, and the recasting notice will be sent out tomorrow." Ding Xingyou's tone was curt.

"We're not talking about the film crew," Lu Fan said. "We're talking about you lately... haven't you been able to control your temper, finding fault with everything, especially me?"

Ding Xingyou seemed stunned and didn't say anything.

"And another thing," Lu Fan continued, "have you been sleeping poorly lately, having many dreams, and waking up with headaches and chest tightness? Have you added any new decorations to your office or home, or received any strange gifts?"

"...How did you know?" Ding Xingyou's voice changed, filled with surprise and doubt.

"Because you've fallen for it too," Lu Fan said in a deep voice. "The Zhou family has tampered with you, using a subtle technique to influence your emotions and judgment. Their goal is to create conflict between us and leave me isolated and helpless."

I could hear rapid breathing coming from the other end of the phone.

After a long while, Ding Xingyou asked in a hoarse voice, "Do you... have any evidence?"

"Yes," Lu Fan said confidently. "If you'd like, I can go over there right now and take a look. There are some things that should still be with you."

Another long silence followed.

Finally, Ding Xingyou whispered, "...I'll send you the address."

An hour later, Lu Fan arrived at Ding Xingyou's apartment.

Lu Fan was slightly startled when Ding Xingyou opened the door.

In just a few days, she had lost a lot of weight, looked haggard, had heavy dark circles under her eyes, and her eyes no longer had their usual bright and lively quality, but instead showed signs of anxiety and exhaustion.

"Come in," she said softly, stepping aside.

Lu Fan walked into the living room, his eyes quickly scanning the surroundings.

The decor is a simple Nordic style, clean and tidy, but there is a faint, almost imperceptible sweet fragrance in the air that makes you feel a little dizzy after smelling it for a while.

"Have you been using aromatherapy a lot lately?" Lu Fan asked.

"Hmm." Ding Xingyou nodded. "A friend gave me some aromatherapy diffuser that's supposed to help with sleep. But after I lit it, I actually slept more restlessly."

Lu Fan walked to the coffee table, where there was a palm-sized ceramic incense burner with some unburnt dark red incense blocks inside.

He picked up a piece, brought it close to his nose, and immediately frowned.

"This incense contains powders of 'Mind-Bending Grass' and 'Heat-Drying Flower'." He put down the incense block and looked at Ding Xingyou. "Short-term exposure will cause irritability, nightmares, and anger. Long-term exposure... will affect mental state, and in severe cases, it can cause hallucinations."

Ding Xingyou's face turned pale: "What?!"

"And this too." Lu Fan walked to the desk and picked up a uniquely shaped brass ornament—an eagle with outstretched wings and a sharp beak, facing the chair where Ding Xingyou usually sat.

"The eagle's beak carries a menacing aura, pointing directly at the owner's position, which can cause poor decision-making and restlessness." Lu Fan turned the ornament around. "Was this also recently received?"