The Hidden Lineage of the Mystic Gate, One for the Museum and One for You

"Oh my god, too many keys, I can't keep up!"

"College boy? Are you hacking or something?"

The character of his online wife was already swaying left and right in an idle stance.

Pressing seven keys in such a short time while maintaining PerfeCt combos—

She had played Dance Evolution for so long, but this was the first time she’d seen someone chain Perfect hits so flawlessly in "Narcissus."

The rapid "ding-ding-ding-ding…" sounds filled the air.

Shen Buyao also set down the tools in her hands and stood behind Lin Yu.

Lin Yu tilted his head, trying to sneak a glance at his "antique sister," but she swiftly straightened his head back:

"Focus when you're working!"

"Don’t get distracted, keep the combo going!"

Lin Yu hadn’t been distracted before.

But after briefly pondering the suggestive tone of Shen Buyao’s words, his Perfect chain broke once, resetting the count.

"Tap-tap-tap… ding!"

"Tap-tap-tap… ding!"

Lin Yu’s fingers flew at their peak speed, not missing a single arrow note.

The skeptical remarks from his online wife also stopped.

Because Shen Buyao, standing behind him,

recorded a short clip of Lin Yu’s lightning-fast fingers

and sent it via WeChat to the online wife on the other end of the game.

Soon.

The online wife replied to Shen Buyao:

「WTF, that APM—aren’t you just showing off now?」

"Ding-dong!"

"Ding-dong!"

"……"

The two girls were chatting about something, but Lin Yu had no idea what.

All he knew was: when entrusted with a task, one must see it through.

Since he’d already started flexing his skills, why stop now?

Feeling his fingers move faster than ever, a stray thought crossed his mind.

At least he wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry in the future.

With reflexes like these, he could easily live off someone else’s dime!

[Ding!]

[Peerless Performance: Host’s masterful display on the Illusory Instrument of Mortal Dust has left the Heavenly Artifice Elder utterly awestruck!]

[Reward: 20 Spirit Stones]

"Heavenly Artifice Elder"—yet another lofty title.

Lately, these grand titles had been popping up nonstop.

Lin Yu was almost desensitized to them by now.

Meh, whatever.

Could any of them compare to his status as an "Inner Disciple"?

He was the sect’s one and only designated "Holy Son"!

"I’m wrecked! Oh my god, he’s still chaining Perfects!"

"Husband Yao, hurry up and share that college boy’s friend ID with me."

"Didn’t we agree to share everything?"

"He’s still going?"

"Hello? Hello? Friend request, please!"

"……"

While Lin Yu furiously hammered the keyboard,

his ears were bombarded by the online wife’s relentless chatter.

Shen Buyao, who had been intently watching Lin Yu’s godlike gameplay,

assumed the online wife would shut up if no one responded.

But instead,

the more she was ignored, the louder she became.

Shen Buyao grabbed the standing mic and roared:

"Shut up, you little minx!"

"This is the highest Narcissus score in the no-hack server! Tonight’s victory is mine!"

"If you mess up my temp-husband’s combo, I’ll rip your head off!"

The online wife’s voice instantly softened, mewling obediently:

"I just wanted to cheer for temp-husband while he’s working so hard."

"Can’t I hype him up a little?"

"Fine, fine—go go go, college boy hubby!"

The girls’ back-and-forth made it impossible for Lin Yu to concentrate.

The sheer force of "old sister’s" antics was overwhelming.

A momentary lapse, and his Perfect chain broke again.

Lin Yu wasn’t particularly bothered.

But Shen Buyao behind him was frantic.

She quickly turned the speakers down to minimize distractions.

One minute later.

Lin Yu finished the song, earning a score composed of endless digits.

He didn’t bother counting the exact number.

[Ding!]

[Peerless Performance: Host’s staggering achievement on the Illusory Instrument of Mortal Dust has sent the Heavenly Artifice Elder into raptures!]

[Reward: 20 Spirit Stones]

If he gave it another shot, he could probably score even higher.

But there was no need.

His flawless, no-miss run had already left Shen Buyao thoroughly impressed.

The "great craftsmanship" of his hands wasn’t meant for Dance Evolution!

"Yao-jie, I’m done."

Lin Yu started to get up and vacate the seat.

Before he could fully stand, Shen Buyao pushed him back down.

In a flash,

Shen Buyao clicked the mouse a few times, exiting the dance room and cutting off the QQ call with the online wife.

Then, resting her hands on Lin Yu’s shoulders, she pleaded:

"College boy, one more round, okay?"

"Just one! I promise!"

"This time we’ll switch rooms—no annoying cat to distract you."

At the same time,

Lin Yu finally got a proper look at Shen Buyao and noticed the info panel hovering around her.

[Shen Buyao]

[Age: 27]

[Sect Status: Heavenly Artifice Elder, Hidden Vein of the Mystic Gate]

[Host Affinity Level: 20% (Second Realm, Fleeting Acquaintance)]

[Number of Dao Companions (Soul Cultivation/Body Cultivation): (Host affinity insufficient, details locked)]

[Attributes & Skills: (Host rank too low, access denied)]

[Other Info: (Host rank too low, access denied)]

[Current Mission:]

【Grand Illusion Artifact Competition (Urgent Mission): The elder of the Heavenly Craft Pavilion is deeply obsessed with the realm of illusion artifacts. After struggling for days with his old friend to defeat the "Illusion Artifact Demon God," he remains tormented.】

【Seeking Rare Treasures (Daily Mission): Mundane objects and priceless artifacts each have their unique uses. The urgent task is to find one exceptionally rare item among them.】

【Rest and Recovery (Daily Mission): Due to years of relentless research on artifacts and treasures, the elder of the Heavenly Craft Pavilion has long been unable to sleep properly. He requires spiritual elixirs to regulate his vitality.】

So, the antique-loving sister is 27!

No wonder she’s still obsessed with Dance Revolution in 2014.

In the information panel, what caught Lin Yu’s attention the most was 【Hidden Mystic Vein】!

Just as he suspected.

Behind Shen Buyao lies a formidable background.

At this stage,

given Lin Yu’s status and resources, he isn’t qualified to engage with the people behind her.

But that might change in the future.

As the number of prize draws increases, there will eventually be another chance to obtain 【A Mundane Object from the Mortal World】.

Though its exact value remains unclear for now,

at least it’s guaranteed not to be a modern counterfeit.

"Sister Buyao, I don’t mind dancing a round with you,"

"But before that, could you do me a small favor?"

Lin Yu spoke shyly, glancing at the cloth bag beside him.

"Snap!"

Shen Buyao clapped her hands, instantly grasping his meaning.

"Easy. I noticed the bag in your hand the moment you walked in."

"I knew it couldn’t be a coincidence running into my apartment roommate at the Ghost Market Street."

"You came specifically to see me, didn’t you?"

"Do you need something repaired, or do you have an antique you want me to appraise?"

"On this street, no one’s judgment rivals mine!"

Shen Buyao patted her flat chest with confidence.

Lin Yu stood up and unfolded the cloth bag on the counter, saying,

"There is indeed something I’d like you to take a look at and tell me how much it might be worth..."

As the bag opened,

revealing half of the object inside,

Shen Buyao burst into laughter first:

"Pfft—hahaha, not bad, little brother."

"A grape-patterned crabapple plate? The shape actually looks convincing."

"What, one in the museum and one in your hands, right?"

"Let me tell you, this thing couldn’t possibly be real—"

But when Lin Yu fully revealed the lacquered plate,

Shen Buyao’s laughter abruptly froze, her eyes trembling uncontrollably!