Lin Yan dissolved a soul-anchoring talisman into a cup of water and had Fu Yao drink it.
After Fu Yao fell asleep, Lin Yan asked Hu Shiqi to enter her dream. Hu Shiqi was skilled in illusions, and her abilities could be further utilized within dreams.
While Hu Shiqi entered Fu Yao's dreamscape, Lin Yan guarded Fu Yao’s side, using talismans to seal off the lounge in anticipation of Hu Shiqi luring out the succubus.
Fu Yao, unbeknownst to her, had drifted into slumber. This time, she didn't enter the misty place and didn't hear the sorrowful cries.
Her vision was filled with bright spring scenery. She stood in a field of flowers, the faint scent of blossoms reaching her nose.
The sunlight warming her skin felt pleasant and comfortable. She slowly strolled through the vibrant sea of flowers, feeling all her recent fatigue melt away.
Fu Yao forgot all her worries. Though she didn't know where she was, the place felt so wonderful that she didn't want to leave.
"A'yao." A familiar voice called out from behind.
Fu Yao turned and saw a very familiar person. The person gave her a wide smile, and Fu Yao couldn't help but smile back.
"A'yao, come play with me!" The person affectionately linked arms with Fu Yao and led her in a certain direction.
Fu Yao cast a lingering glance back at the flower field, reluctant to leave.
"A'yao, there are prettier flowers over there. Let's go pick some together." Sensing Fu Yao's hesitation, the person quickly persuaded her.
Fu Yao was thus led away, and soon they arrived at a place with even more flowers and plants. The blossoms were in full bloom, and butterflies flitted among them, creating a breathtaking scene.
Fu Yao was captivated by the beauty, completely forgetting why she had come here and what she was supposed to do.
When Hu Shiqi entered Fu Yao's dream, she sensed the succubus's unusual nature. However, she, Hu Shi Qi, was no pushover. She didn't take this succubus seriously at all.
She reverted to her true form and raced through the dreamscape, searching for the succubus and Fu Yao.
Outside, Lin Yan was flipping through a book of spells. She had found this book in a storage room at the bureau previously, and the spells within were quite interesting.
After reading a few pages, Lin Yan looked at Fu Yao, who was sleeping on the sofa. Seeing Fu Yao's relaxed expression, as if dreaming of something pleasant, Lin Yan refocused on the book in her hands.
Fighting for control of the body was indeed painful, so was the succubus currently lulling Fu Yao into a false sense of security?
"Yan'yan, can that little fox really catch the succubus?" Wei Wanru asked with concern, as the little fox didn't seem particularly reliable.
"Don't worry, Sister Wei. She's the most suitable one. Besides, don't underestimate her. To achieve her current cultivation level by cultivating independently in the deep mountains, she's not as weak as you think."
Perhaps it was because the little fox always appeared somewhat frail that everyone in the agency treated her like a mere young girl.
But she was a fox spirit who had cultivated independently for many years. If she were truly that weak, she wouldn't have survived in the brutal natural world.
Soon, Fu Yao on the sofa showed signs of pain. Lin Yan quickly applied another soul-anchoring talisman to her forehead.
Fu Yao's expression eased slightly, but her brows remained furrowed. Her hands were clenched tightly at her sides, her fingernails digging into her palms.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Hu Shiqi woke up from the dream. She spat out a ball of black energy from her fox mouth and then transformed back into human form.
"Sister, I have fulfilled my mission!" Hu Shiqi declared proudly.
"You've worked hard. All the reward for this will be yours as pocket money."
"Thank you, Sister!" Hu Shiqi said happily.
As they were chatting, Fu Yao on the sofa also woke up. She sat up groggily, her mind still lingering in the dream.
She still remembered the beautiful flower sea and the "friend" who had revealed her true intentions. No, that was a monster, not someone she knew!
"You're awake?" Lin Yan and the others stopped talking. "How do you feel?"
"My head is a little dizzy, but it's not too serious." Fu Yao took a moment to recall her surroundings.
"The matter has been resolved, you can rest assured."
"What exactly was that thing?" Fu Yao desperately wanted to know if the person was a manifestation of the succubus, or if she was the succubus herself.
"Succubi have the ability to enchant people's hearts. However, they have no physical form and usually possess a person, making them appear more attractive and charming.
Therefore, these types of spirits are often worshipped by those who are plain in appearance. But the succubus that possessed you has developed other intentions. She seems to be very fond of your face and wants to make it her own."
"So, I was her primary target?" Fu Yao asked hastily.
"What is it?" Lin Yan asked with concern. Primary target? Was she suspecting something?
"It's nothing. Her face looks a lot like my friend's. I... I wanted to know if... if my... friend... is... alive or... dead." She struggled to speak the words.
"This must be the appearance she used to lower your guard. Your friend should be fine. I don't sense any malevolent aura on the succubus, so you can relax," Lin Yan said clearly, understanding Fu Yao's distress.
"That's good, that's good," Fu Yao murmured softly.
"I'll give you some more protective talismans. Go back and get some rest," Lin Yan added.
"Thank you!" Fu Yao said earnestly to Lin Yan.
"It's just business, money for services. The bill will be sent to the front desk later, you can settle it then," Lin Yan said, preferring not to have any personal obligations. Gratitude should be accompanied by payment.
Besides, this money was pocket money for Hu Shiqi, so it couldn't be skimped on.
"It's my responsibility, my responsibility," Fu Yao said. Unsure if she was truly safe, she wrote down Lin Yan's phone number and the studio's number, so she could call immediately if anything else happened.
However, as Fu Yao prepared to leave, she saw Hu Shiqi's face again. "Young lady, are you interested in shooting commercials?"
This face was exactly what the advertiser was looking for: pure yet alluring. She had a baby face, yet her eyes held an innate charm.
She was clearly born for this industry. If she were brought back, the client would be extremely satisfied. Then, the problem she had been worrying about recently could be solved.