Chapter 9: Cultivating Immortality in the Psychiatric Ward

The platform sent another new private message.

It was the contact information of a potential buyer.

The Whale Platform was renowned in the industry for its sense of responsibility. Since this was an official message, Lu Qingfei had no concerns about scams.

She had written two pieces of calligraphy today: one as a complimentary gift for the netizen who purchased the fasting elixir, and there was one left with no particular use.

If someone was bold enough to buy, she was bold enough to sell.

The two hours were up.

Lu Qingfei glanced at the camera, her brows and eyes gently curved. “Thank you all for your support. That’s all for today’s stream.”

After bidding farewell, it was best to wait another thirty seconds before ending the stream.

[That was quick! Will there be a joint stream with Liu Zhanyan tomorrow?]

[A seasoned viewer learns to follow the streamer proactively. I’m subscribing with both hands and feet!]

As that comment appeared, Lu Qingfei’s follower count soared.

She didn’t even need to say a word; the viewers were incredibly enthusiastic.

Of course, most of them were eager to see if there would be a joint stream tomorrow.

[What time will you stream tomorrow?]

“Same time tomorrow. See you then.”

Lu Qingfei answered calmly, then reached out to end the stream.

After going offline, it was time to review and summarize.

Holding her phone in one hand, Lu Qingfei scrolled through the streaming data.

For her first broadcast, the peak number of live viewers reached 4,202, converting 617 into followers, and 35 people messaged her privately.

Compared to new streamer data from Whale Platform over the years, her debut had performed quite well overall.

Lu Qingfei started replying to private messages.

[Hello, streamer, I’d like to ask if you have any practical inkstones that are good for grinding ink?]

Lu Qingfei replied, “Duan, She, Tao, and Red Silk inkstones are all renowned options.”

[Streamer, my annoying male colleague keeps saying I’m being sarcastic and weird. How should I respond? Please teach me.jpg]

Lu Qingfei typed slowly, “Sweetie, I am being sarcastic. Please don’t get mad, okay?”

[Which psychiatric hospital did you come from? Maybe we’re fellow patients, haha!]

Lu Qingfei couldn’t help but laugh.

She replied, “I practice cultivation in the psychiatric hospital: not crazy, just spirited.”

...

Though many messages were nonsensical, as long as they didn’t cross a line, Lu Qingfei responded to each one.

After replying, she set her phone on the edge of the table, stood up, and bent over to tidy up her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Having cleaned the brush, Lu Qingfei noticed it was a bit frayed and smoothed the tip with her fingers.

Still usable.

Refining elixirs and writing talismans required a great deal of spiritual energy, and tonight’s surge was still insufficient.

Success in streaming could not be achieved in a day; she needed to keep working at it.

Lounging lazily against the back of her chair, Lu Qingfei pondered her streaming plans.

Regaining focus, she leaned forward, picked up her phone from the table, opened her chat with Little Whale V, and copied and pasted the phone number.

The other party seemed to have been waiting, as her friend request was accepted the moment she sent it.

[Hello, I’m Xi Yun. I’d like to purchase one of your calligraphy pieces.]

Lu Qingfei’s expression remained calm as she quickly typed, “Hello, may I ask your reason?”

[Your writing is heartfelt. I can feel your intention in every stroke.]

That wasn’t wrong.

After all, if a heart technique isn’t written with heart, can it truly be called a heart technique?

[What’s your usual price?]

Lu Qingfei fell silent.

In the cultivation world, everyone had fine calligraphy skills. She had never sold her work before—what “usual price” could there be?

Just as she was pondering how to reply, Xi Yun called her. Without hesitation, Lu Qingfei answered.

“Is there something you’re concerned about?” Xi Yun asked. Her voice was steady, giving a sense of reliability.

“I have no concerns,” Lu Qingfei replied evenly. “Are you sure you want to buy?”

“I’m sure. If you’re worried, we can sign a contract—I won’t go back on my word.”

Xi Yun was evidently experienced. From their brief exchange and Lu Qingfei’s age, she could tell this was her first sale, so it was normal to be cautious.

“Very well, let’s sign a contract. As for the price, I’ll let you decide.”

Lu Qingfei was neither greedy nor outrageous in her demands.

A glance at Xi Yun’s social feed revealed her as a successful woman of taste and accomplishment.

Such a person, even just to show status, would never offer a low price.

Xi Yun named a figure, and Lu Qingfei had no objections.

After their call, Xi Yun immediately transferred a deposit and said she would prepare the contract, arrange a time for an in-person transaction, sign the contract, and pay the balance.

Seeing the transfer record, Lu Qingfei was a little surprised.

What a generous, capable, and dazzling woman.

She went into the contact settings and labeled her: Lady of Fortune.

*

Night fell, the sky draped with a velvet curtain studded with diamond-like stars, as poetic as a painting.

Lu Qingfei left the Hidden Canon Pavilion to find her sect leader and master.

“Master.”

“There are noodles your senior brother made on the table.”

The sect leader, head bent over a book, looked up at her briefly before returning to his reading.

Lu Qingfei acknowledged him, walked over to the wooden table, and lifted the bamboo food cover.

A steaming bowl of tomato and egg noodles sat on the table.

When she first arrived, everyone had been injured—second and third senior brothers most severely, while Lu Qingfei herself suffered the lightest wounds.

After half a month of recovery, the sect leader and senior brother were almost fully healed.

To make ends meet, the sect leader picked chrysanthemums in the eastern field and told Lu Qingfei to get some tomato seedlings to plant.

Senior brother Xie Yunjie, following a recipe, cooked for everyone.

In three months, his culinary skills had improved greatly, wielding a rolling pin more skillfully than a sword.

Her hair brushed her pale cheek. Lu Qingfei reached up, tucking it behind her ear.

She picked up her chopsticks, glanced around, and asked, “Master, where’s senior brother?”

“He’s helping your third senior brother stretch his muscles.”

It had rained for days, dampness and chill lingering. This aggravated Yan Guilai’s stagnant energy and blood, causing his muscles and bones to contract painfully.

Lu Qingfei understood at once.

Her clear, dark eyes flicked to the book in her master’s hands. Curious, she asked, “Master, what are you reading?”

“‘Techniques for the Health and Care of Sows.’”

“?”

Lu Qingfei was halfway through her second fried egg and nearly choked, coughing lightly.

The sect leader glanced at her, feigning calm as he turned the page. “The knowledge of this era is vast as the sea. Once I master it, I’ll teach you all.”

Lu Qingfei: “...”

That won’t be necessary.

A message popped up on her phone—it was from Whale Platform.

Lu Qingfei opened it.

Liu Zhanyan V: [Hello, streamer. I am the director of external media operations for Liu Zhanyan, and we greatly admire your calligraphy. We would like to purchase a piece. If this message disturbs you, please accept our apologies, and thank you!]

A verified account, not an impersonator.

I Cultivate Live Among Mortals: [No disturbance at all. However, I currently have no calligraphy available for sale. Sorry. Heart emoji.jpg]

Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were the material foundation for her heart technique, while abundant spiritual energy was the spiritual foundation.

Writing must be approached with caution; one must build a solid foundation.