In an instant, countless ideas flashed through Fu Xuan's mind.
Qingque's deeply rooted habit of slacking off had long been a headache for her; taking this opportunity would be the perfect chance to settle it once and for all!
But what should she program? And if she pushed too far, would it harm Qingque's brain? That would be counterproductive.
Recalling what Sylvester had suggested, she made a decision.
"Just make the water extremely poisonous, then prepare a separate cup of clean water."
Jing Yuan nodded. "Do it that way."
Since she wasn't the one opening the curio, she ought to follow Fu Xuan's judgement.
Herta agreed with the plan as well; basing it on Sylvester's earlier example was indeed the safest approach.
She tapped at the console for a while, then pressed the activation button.
The [Cognitive Seal] began to run, sending out the low hum of motors. Qingque closed her eyes and received the helmet's specialized signals into her brain.
The machine's progress bar crept up slowly from zero, and after a short while it finally reached one hundred percent.
The motor noise ceased, the hatch opened, and Qingque stretched and stepped out.
"How do you feel? Any discomfort?"
Although Sylvester had said the device caused no physical harm, Fu Xuan still needed to confirm just in case.
"Ugh—" Qingque yawned and said lazily, "No, nothing. Just a bit sleepy—if I stay in a little longer, I'd fall asleep. What does this thing even do? Is it a new sleep-therapy pod?"
At that thought, Qingque suddenly felt wide awake again. This was exactly what she needed.
Her routine had been too chaotic these days—sleep schedules all over the place; often drowsy but unable to fall asleep. This machine seemed made to solve that.
Fu Xuan watched with satisfaction: since it truly caused no harm, once she verified the effects she could… heh heh.
She smoothed the smile on her face and asked with concern, "Qingque, after eating so much, aren't you a bit thirsty?"
Qingque didn't find the question odd coming from her superior.
She only noticed that the Master Diviner seemed unusually gentle today—why was that?
She didn't dwell on it and, licking her lips, admitted she was a little thirsty.
"Oh? Really?"
Fu Xuan handed a glass of water to her, personally offering it: "Here—drink this."
"I couldn't impose on the Master Diviner; I'll take it myself."
Qingque bent to take the cup with shy politeness, swallowing nervously. She'd eaten so much and traveled in haste, sweating through it—she did need to rehydrate.
But the moment the cup touched her hand, a chill ran through her—an inexplicable repulsion rose in her chest.
What's happening?
She raised the cup to her mouth and opened it to drink, but the closer the rim came, the more terrified she felt; her hands trembled uncontrollably.
No—no, I'll die!
"Ah!"
Her mind went blank; she screamed and flung the cup away.
When she regained her senses and thought back on what she'd just done—
What's wrong with me?
She looked back at the [Cognitive Seal] in horror. Had the helmet inside scrambled her brain?
Her eyes filled with fear as she faced Fu Xuan. "Master Diviner, what's going on?"
Fu Xuan, seeing this, finally confirmed the [Cognitive Seal]'s effect and soothed Qingque: "It's okay, listen to me…"
She calmly explained how the [Cognitive Seal] worked.
Then she said, "Now sit back in. I'll restore your cognition."
"My goodness, you scared me to death."
Qingque patted her chest, still pale with fright. "I actually thought I'd developed schizophrenia or a split personality—was already planning to visit an expert at the Alchemy Commission. So that's how it is…"
Without hesitation, she climbed back into the [Cognitive Seal], sat obediently, and buckled the helmet on herself.
She didn't notice the smile Fu Xuan couldn't quite hide at the corner of her mouth.
Excellent! The Divination Commission finally has someone to inherit the post!
Just as Jing Yuan fretted over the Luofu's future, Fu Xuan had long worried about the Commission's succession too.
Especially with such a raw gem before her—so resistant to polishing—that irked her more and more.
But now… heh heh.
Qingque, let's see how you slack off now!
Fu Xuan had already decided the specifics.
Slacking and laziness harms the brain, keeping regular hours keeps the body healthy, playing cards too much will kill you, working till dawn every day.
If the dog doesn't bark you won't rest', At rooster's call you must rise, you're the busiest person in the entire Divination Commission.
Hmm, that should be enough for now—nothing too extreme; gentle is better.
Over the next six months, step by step, she'd cultivate Qingque into the Commission's backbone.
She told Herta the modifications, and Jing Yuan's jaw dropped a few times at the list.
Young people… if I did this at my age, I might as well freeze them in the Ten-Lords Commission and be done with it.
Herta, however, paid no mind to such thoughts and dutifully entered the commands into the [Cognitive Seal].
The machine activated at once; unlike the first time, this sequence took a full ten minutes to complete.
When the machine quieted again, Fu Xuan watched the opening hatch expectantly, waiting for the [Cognitive Seal] to produce a perfect second-in-command for the Divination Commission.
Qingque unbuckled the restraints and the helmet, then darted out like a sparrow through rain—swift and sharp.
She puffed out her chest and stood proudly before Fu Xuan.
"Reporting, Master Diviner! Qingque is ready to work immediately!"
"Mmm~" Fu Xuan nodded with satisfaction, cleared her throat, and deliberately said, "All the trash-can stock sold out today—your regular duties are done. You may rest."
"No, Master Diviner!" Qingque's gaze was resolute; every movement bristled with strength. "I believe that as long as one is within work hours, the work is never truly finished. Please assign me extra tasks!"
Fu Xuan protested lightly: "That won't do—you must not overwork your body. Take more chances to slack a little?"
"No, Master Diviner!" Qingque's work ethic brooked no blasphemy. "That would be shameful. I've reformed. From now on I will advance and retreat with the Master Diviner; I shall even be more diligent than you!"
"Good! Keep up that zeal."
At last Fu Xuan was satisfied; her smile finally broke free entirely.
From today onward, one habitual slacker less—to be replaced by a diligent, reliable deputy!
"First, go help Qingque draft the documents."
"Yes!" Qingque chirped and bounded over to Qingque the strategist, eager as a battle sparrow. "Leave it to me!"
Fu Xuan grew ever more pleased, then turned back to Jing Yuan: "General, what do you think? If we can decipher this Curio's construction and mass-produce it, instilling the Cloud Knights with unshakable confidence, the Luofu would surely be unstoppable!"
Jing Yuan smiled and stroked his chin—the device indeed had intrigue.
If used wisely, not only could it enhance the Cloud Knights, but many mental illnesses might be treated as well.
Perhaps by altering negative cognitions one might even delay the onset of Mara-Struck symptoms—there were many possibilities!
He agreed, "A fine Curio. Not directly related to combat, but no less important."
Of course, how long it would take to crack its design was another matter—digital-world work and Conceptual Force research still took priority; practical application might be far off.
He then asked Fu Xuan, "Any other surprises?"
"Lady Herta has nothing more. As for me, I obtained a Devil Fruit."
Fu Xuan revealed the [Bari-Bari No Mi].
Jing Yuan's smile widened in congratulations. "In that case, your combat power will increase greatly—perhaps even beyond me. Anything else?"
Fu Xuan composedly replied, "You flatter me. Nothing else of value was obtained."
The chaotic physician's concoctions were always headaches; especially the last one—she couldn't very well explain it before the entire Seat of Divine Foresight.
But those things didn't matter—only Qingque…
"Master Diviner."
Qingque spoke up softly at the side: "About that cooperation document—I'm really not good at paperwork. Perhaps… better let Miss Qingque handle it? I still have many trash-can forms to sort…"
Her hint was polite, but Fu Xuan's smile froze immediately.
She glanced at the clock and felt her heart drop.
No way…
Only five minutes had passed and the rewrite already wore off?
Sylvester never mentioned a time limit for this machine—there was only one conclusion.
She breathed in deeply, exasperated at her apprentice.
Are this person's slacking habits so ingrained?!
To have the cognition modification to auto-revert?!