Nine thousand and nine.

Shen Xingyan’s handsome brows knitted tightly. "I will go talk to her."

At an age when she should be studying, she ought to focus on her education. The entertainment industry is hardly a wholesome place!

He dialed Shen Xiaotang’s number.

As if she had been waiting for his call, it was answered the moment the ringing began. Shen Xiaotang’s cheerful voice came through immediately: "Uncle, when are we going to participate in this variety show?"

Was Shen Xiaotang actually that eager to join this program?

Shen Xingyan, who had originally made up his mind not to let her participate in the filming, instantly hesitated.

After all, Shen Xiaotang had only just been brought back; surely she didn’t want to be separated from her uncle. He had seen how listless she looked in the villa earlier just because he had to head out for work.

Furthermore, this show was a lighthearted program focusing on cute children and pets. With him there to accompany her during filming, there was no reason to worry about her being bullied in secret.

Perhaps it would be better to give in to her this time. She could have fun, and they could spend more time together, helping to soothe the insecurity she felt after having just been brought home.

Shen Xingyan changed his tone. "Study hard at home first. Once I’ve made the arrangements, I’ll take you to participate."

"I have to wait for arrangements?" Shen Xiaotang sounded a bit disappointed. She couldn't help but mutter in a tiny voice on the other end of the line: "If you don't hurry, even the dead won't be in time to watch the live show."

Shen Xingyan seemed to hear something, but couldn't make it out clearly. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," Shen Xiaotang replied.

Shen Xingyan didn't give it much thought and continued answering her previous point: "I’ll have Sister Ya communicate with the production team as soon as possible."

"Alright," Shen Xiaotang said.

Having practiced divination since childhood, she deeply believed that everything had its own destiny and never forced matters.

However, a thought suddenly struck her, so she added, "Uncle, are you afraid of seeing dead people?"

Shen Xingyan mistakenly assumed she was referring to the incident with the deceased person on the plane. "Did you have a nightmare? If you're afraid to sleep at night, should I have Guoguo stay with you?"

Shen Xiaotang pouted. "How could I possibly be afraid!"

Shen Xingyan was half-convinced. "Really?"

Shen Xiaotang’s reply was resonant and firm: "Really!"

Only then did Shen Xingyan set his mind at ease. The moment he hung up, he rubbed his temples with a sense of resignation, looking at Zhou Ya, who was beaming in the car after having overheard their conversation. "Sister Ya, go ahead and arrange it."

"Got it."

Zhou Ya immediately took out her phone, communicated with the company to confirm, and then promptly contacted Sun Qiang, the person in charge of the program "Cute Pet Shop."

Sun Qiang was extremely surprised to hear from Zhou Ya that Shen Xingyan wanted to participate in the second season of "Cute Pet Shop." Although the artist they had previously contracted was also from Xingyu Entertainment, Shen Xingyan had long since established his own personal studio, and Zhou Ya was his exclusive manager.

Since Shen Xingyan intended to bring Shen Xiaotang along, Zhou Ya didn't mind revealing a few things to Sun Qiang in advance.

Once Sun Qiang heard this, he was absolutely delighted.

In the entertainment industry, no show could survive without topics and traffic. Shen Xingyan’s innate ability to draw attention needed no mention; once the truth about his relationship with Shen Xiaotang was revealed on the show, the ratings for the second season would be firmly secured!

The two had a brief discussion over the phone and reached a preliminary agreement.

"It's settled, though the schedule is a bit tight," Zhou Ya said after hanging up. "Filming officially starts the morning after next. Fortunately, we’ve already cleared quite a few engagements. If we work hard tomorrow, we can wrap things up. As for Xiaotang, let Guoguo bring her directly to meet us."

Shen Xingyan nodded.

***

The next day, 10:00 AM.

Inside the villa, the video doorbell at the entrance suddenly rang.

Qian Guoguo went over to answer it, then turned back to ask Shen Xiaotang, who was coming down the stairs carrying a suitcase: "Xiaotang, did you buy something?"

"Yes, that’s me!" Shen Xiaotang quickly replied.

Having received confirmation, Qian Guoguo replied to the property management staff. Before long, they delivered the items Shen Xiaotang had ordered an hour earlier.

Watching Shen Xiaotang stuff a dozen small, exquisite scissors and nail clippers into her suitcase, Qian Guoguo was puzzled. "Xiaotang, are you bringing these to the filming?"

Shen Xiaotang nodded with a radiant smile. "Mm-hmm!"

She wasn't bringing the larger blades she had brought from Shen Village this time because she didn't want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings or add trouble for Shen Xingyan.

In any case, the blades were merely a medium; their core was divination.

Of course, no matter how miniature or exquisite the scissors and clippers were, they would not be allowed in her carry-on luggage on the plane; they would still need to be checked.

"Alright, Sister Guoguo! Let's go."

With her backpack on and her suitcase in tow, Shen Xiaotang hopped lightly into the car waiting at the villa, and Qian Guoguo drove off to meet Shen Xingyan.

***

At the same time, Miao Guangming and his two disciples were heading toward the villa where Shen Xingyan lived in City A, following the information on Shen Xiaotang they had obtained from the police station.

In the car, Miao Jie looked over Shen Xiaotang’s personal file again and again, until he finally couldn't help but ask, "Master, do we really have to ask this Shen Xiaotang for help?"

Miao Guangming shot him a stern look.

Miao Jie quickly lowered his voice. "Master, I know I was wrong!"

He had momentarily forgotten the warning: never judge anything by its appearance.

Miao Guangming sighed. "Didn't we clash with that evil spirit yesterday? Given Master's ability, even if we were to encounter it again, I fear we would be helpless against it!"

Miao Ke, who was driving, was astonished. "She has such powerful cultivation?"

It was no wonder she was so shocked; in terms of metaphysical cultivation, Miao Guangming was a renowned figure. Yet, Shen Xiaotang, a girl who had just turned twelve, was capable of eliminating an evil entity that even her master couldn't handle!

Miao Guangming shook his head slowly. "I don't know the extent of her cultivation either."

"Then why must we ask her for help, Master?" Miao Ke asked, even more curious. Miao Jie also watched intently, waiting for the answer.

"All things in the universe coexist and restrain one another; maintaining ecological balance is the law of heaven and earth."

There is no such thing as being truly invincible. The evil spirit was powerful, but not impossible to eliminate. They simply needed to find Shen Xiaotang to divine the place of its origin.

Miao Guangming thought for a moment and gave his two disciples a stern warning: "When you see Shen Xiaotang, be respectful."

He was mainly worried that his disciples, seeing how young she was, would lack the proper decorum in their speech and actions.

"Why?" Miao Jie asked, just as expected.

Miao Guangming glared at him and warned gravely: "Just don't provoke her."

There are few in this world who dare to provoke the "Blade Lenders."

It is not because the Blade Lenders possess immense martial or metaphysical power; in fact, they don't rank highly in terms of direct combat.

But their divination is terrifyingly accurate.

One blade, one prophecy—loaned, never sold.

When the prophecy comes true, the Blade Lender returns to collect the debt.

Some debts are collected in time, but others, for various reasons, remain unpaid.

When it comes to debt, one might try to be a deadbeat if dealing with an ordinary person.

But when dealing with this sect, once a transaction is made, it is akin to signing a contract sanctioned by the Way of Heaven.

Want to default on a debt? Then get ready to be the scapegoat for all their misfortunes!

If it weren't for this, a sect that constantly leaks heavenly secrets and bears the resulting consequences would have long since seen their lineage perish due to karmic backlash.

Miao Guangming gave his disciples an example: "If you were bullied outside and came to me for help, and I were defeated, I could at most ask my family elders or a few friends for assistance."

"But if Shen Xiaotang were wronged, once the news got out, a hoard of families and sects who still owe their sect debts would fight tooth and nail to help her settle the score!"

Passed down generation after generation, no one knew how thick the ledger of this sect was, or who exactly was on the list.

Who wouldn't be terrified or get a headache from that?

Miao Ke and Miao Jie were left dumbfounded.

...

The car soon stopped at the gate of the villa.

"I'm sorry, please contact the homeowner first. We can only let you in once we have permission." As one of the most expensive villa districts in City A, the management was extremely strict.

Miao Guangming had no choice but to have Miao Ke call the number obtained from the police.

He hadn't called initially just to show his respect.

When the young, girlish voice answered, Miao Ke was still marveling at what her master had told her in the car.

After a brief exchange, Miao Ke hung up the phone and looked at Miao Guangming with a troubled expression. "Master, Shen Xiaotang says she isn't at the villa anymore. She’s gone to participate in the filming of 'Cute Pet Shop.'"

Miao Jie became anxious and complained, "Why on earth would she, a practitioner of the Mystic Arts, go off to participate in a variety show?"

Miao Ke frowned at Miao Guangming. "Master, what do we do now?"

As far as they knew, the evil spirit had already cruelly murdered three people; letting it run loose for even a moment longer could lead to more victims.

Miao Guangming furrowed his brows.

As someone of his age who never watched online entertainment programs and focused solely on his cultivation, he had naturally never seen "Cute Pet Shop."

But he accurately grasped the key point: cute pets.

At the airport, Shen Xiaotang had asked the first victim if they wanted to make a "blade loan."

Perhaps it was because of what she had divined that she chose to participate in this show.