Fanfiction System in the world of Eastern Fantasy

A soft hum echoed as a scarlet-red seal appeared on the talisman with a flash, printed with precision like it came from a machine rather than hand-inscribed. His system interface flickered faintly in his vision.

–3% Chakra consumed. Cooldown: 30 seconds.

Qin Wei let out a slow breath and set the Exploding Tag onto a growing stack to his left.

He took another paper.

"Activate: Storage Seal."

This time, a different glow radiated from his palm, a pale azure light that bled into the rice paper. Complex symbols emerged like blooming lotus petals, forming a compact seal that pulsed once before settling.

–5% Chakra consumed. Cooldown: 60 seconds.

Qin Wei gently placed the Storage Talisman on a separate pile to the right.

He repeated the process.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Time passed without notice. The moon rose and fell.

Dawn crept through the thin paper windows, casting golden rays across the room.

By then, dozens of talismans lay in orderly stacks, one with volatile red seals, the other with blue ones.

Slumped over his desk, Qin Wei had dozed off, his cheek pressed against the tabletop, dark circles under his eyes.

At Sunrise – Study Room

The door creaked open quietly. Roulan stepped inside, her steps light as a cat's.

She stopped at the sight of him, asleep amidst the clutter. Her lips parted to speak, but no sound came. Her gaze fell upon the scattered talismans.

Curious, she walked closer, crouching near the stacks.

She picked up one from the red pile. Her eyes glowed faintly as she activated her innate detection technique.

"Uhh… what?"

Her pupils shrank the next moment. "An explosive seal…? There's actual qi condensed inside, refined and stabilized?!"

She swiftly picked one from the other pile.

Her eyes flared once more. "This one... It's spatial in nature, like a storage ring?"

A long pause followed. Roulan turned to look at the sleeping Qin Wei, her eyes filled with quiet awe. She whispered, almost reverently, "Ever since young master married Young Miss, he just won't stop surprising me."

Her fingers brushed his hair gently aside as she studied his sleeping face.

"Is this truly the same Qin Wei who lazed around like a crippled playboy? Or… did something really awaken in him after that near-death experience?"

Her voice softened to a murmur only the morning wind could hear. "Based on the recent events, perhaps I should throw away all those things he did in the past and evaluate his image freshly." Without knowing herself, she smiled, staring at Qin Wei's sleeping face.

Moonvilla Residence – Late Morning

A soft groan echoed in the quiet room as Qin Wei slowly opened his eyes. He blinked groggily, taking in the unfamiliar ceiling above him.

"Huh?" he mumbled, stretching his arms above his head. "I don't remember falling asleep here…"

As he shifted and sat up, he realized that he was in his bedroom, not the study room where he had been crafting talismans all night. His mind was still foggy, his body stiff from exhaustion.

"Haaa… yawn… that really took a toll on me. I need to eat something..."

Still groggy, he swung his legs over the bed and stood up.

His body ached slightly, especially his shoulders, and he had a stiff neck.

"Ugh…"

He rubbed them while walking briskly through the hallway.

The moment he entered the study room, his eyes darted to the stacks of talismans he had painstakingly crafted. They were neatly organized on the desk, albeit too neatly.

A hint of suspicion crept into his chest.

Qin Wei quickly stepped closer, muttering under his breath, "Let's see… should be 372 exploding tags and 143 storage talismans…"

He counted.

Then recounted.

"Only 371 exploding… and 142 storage…?"

His eyes narrowed slightly. "One of each is missing…"

He let out a slow breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Did one of the maids… no. They wouldn't dare."

Still, the paranoia itched at the back of his mind. Those talismans were created by his effort. It was only natural that he would be cautious. And when he thought about sleeping on the bed, Roulan's image came to his mind. She's the only one who would dare to touch him, pick him up, and put him on the bed.

He turned on his heel and strode outside, letting the sunlight wash over his face.

The courtyard was alive, a maid tending to the flowering peonies, and two battle maids stood outside like statues.

One of the garden maids quickly bowed. "Good day, young master."

Qin Wei nodded absently, looking toward the guards. "Where is Roulan?"

One of the battle maids answered with a steady tone, "She departed for the Clan residence earlier this morning. She has yet to return."

"I see," Qin Wei murmured. "No wonder…"

He turned to leave, stretching again as he muttered, "I need to freshen up."

Then, raising his voice a little, "Send in the service maids. Prepare a bath for me. Also, get lunch ready."

The two battle maids bowed in sync. "Yes, young master. We will relay your orders immediately."

As Qin Wei walked back into the villa, his thoughts remained on the missing talismans. His expression was unreadable, a flicker of curiosity behind his eyes.

"Yup, no doubt about it. Only one talisman of each type is missing. Knowing her personality, she would want to test them so that they are safe. And if she had gone to the Li Clan, my father-in-law must have told her to bring a copy of each."

Li Clan – Artifact Hall

Just as Qin Wei guessed, inside a well-lit chamber filled with scrolls, measuring instruments, and aged parchment, Elder Li Wenshu, the clan's most esteemed artifact appraiser, furrowed his brows as he scrutinized a talisman held delicately between his fingers.

The room was silent, save for the occasional shuffle of robes or whisper among the curious Li Clan disciples gathered nearby.

On a nearby cushioned seat sat the Clan Patriarch, his arms crossed, watching intently.

After a long pause, Elder Li Wenshu finally set the talisman down with a deep breath.

"Well?" Li Yujin asked, voice calm but laced with pride.

Elder Wenshu shook his head, his voice tinged with admiration. "The effects are genuine. This one…" he pointed to the storage talisman, "can contain up to one zhang squared of material. That alone would be considered advanced work. But this.." he held up the exploding talisman, "..this is even more shocking. Its destructive capability can kill a rank-3 martial artist outright… and even severely injure a rank-5."

A collective murmur of disbelief and awe rippled through the room.

"But," Elder Wenshu added, voice turning contemplative, "what baffles me is the ink. I've never seen such refined Qi-infused medium in this world… It isn't made from any of the common spiritual beast blood or mineral inks we know. Who crafted these?"

Li Yujin took the talismans back with a small, knowing smile. "These? My son-in-law made them."

Shock spread through the disciples. A few even gasped audibly.

"Qin Wei? That Qin Wei?" one disciple whispered, stunned.

Elder Wenshu blinked several times, visibly surprised. "You mean… the same young man who was mocked as the Qin Clan's useless heir not long ago?"

Li Yujin let out a booming laugh, his chest rising with pride.

"Hahaha! That's right! The very same Qin Wei, my son-in-law! Since entering our Li Clan, it's as if a hidden dragon has awakened. What trash? Nonsense! He is a genius, no, a prodigy among talisman makers!"

The disciples quickly recovered from their shock, bowing in respect.

"Congratulations, Patriarch!"

"A brilliant talent has entered our clan!"

Elder Wenshu smiled faintly, his eyes still fixed on the talismans. "Indeed… If he can create these at his current age, then his potential in talisman crafting is immeasurable."

Li Yujin looked toward the window, pride still glowing in his expression.

"Xue'er… Oh, my lovely daughter… You don't know how much I want to come there to visit, and brag about your husband, but it's fine… Let him show the results rather than potential… And Qin Clan, you truly don't know what you have missed out on, giving up your rights on him and handing it over to our Clan. His Majesty is wise indeed…"