Volume One, Chapter 64: Both Old and Young

No wonder he always made such accurate predictions—so his mouth truly was blessed!
Who would understand this, family? Just a moment ago, we were all equal onlookers on the internet, and in the next, my online friend has become a Word Spirit Master. This is even more unbearable than death.
I’m sneaking off to a corner to shed a few tears—another day just passing through life as a number.
Wow, is he really that amazing? Hey, Ominous Cloud, say that Li Hongyi will definitely become rich this year. My brother’s future depends on you!
Me too, me too!
Line up, and when it’s my turn, give me a kick.
Bashan Cloud and Rain’s fingers raced across the screen, typing out a string of words, but then Qin Yu’s calm voice came through. Startled, his hand jerked, erasing everything he’d just written.
Qin Yu said, “Every time you use Word Spirit, you’re burning your own lifespan.”
Bashan Cloud and Rain pounded out another message, but terrified that a careless word might come true and cost him another year of life, he could only slowly tap out a question mark on the screen, then frantically showered Qin Yu with gifts.
Bashan Cloud and Rain: “▄██●”
“Are you hoping I can save you?”
Bashan Cloud and Rain: “▄██●”
Qin Yu replied, “All things in this world are interconnected and balanced. When someone is granted a special ability, fate always takes something from them in return.”
“On the surface, being a Word Spirit Master seems glorious and powerful, but in truth, each utterance chips away at your life.”
Suddenly, I realize that being ordinary is actually pretty good. I may be average, but every day I’m happy.
Who said they were envious just now? If you want this ‘blessing,’ you can have it—do you still want it?
No, no, I don’t dare.
Sorry, brother Ominous Cloud, I didn’t know it would trouble you so much. As for my fortune, don’t worry about it—just take care of yourself and enjoy your days to the fullest!
Are you crazy? Bashan Cloud and Rain isn’t on his deathbed yet!
Sorry, sorry, old habits die hard. Brother Ominous Cloud, just pretend I never said anything.
The chat was filled with playful banter, but only Bashan Cloud and Rain felt true distress.
Bashan Cloud and Rain: “▄██●”
“I don’t have a way to recover the years you’ve lost, but I can help you control the side effects of your Word Spirit. Would you like to hear it?”

Bashan Cloud and Rain sent two luxury yacht gifts.
“There are two kinds of Word Spirit Masters in this world. Some are born with the gift; others become one through natural talent and later cultivation.”
“Those who cultivate the path can’t avoid losing years each time they use their powers, but through proper practice, they can offset some of the loss.”
Bashan Cloud and Rain: “So if I just cultivate, I’ll be fine?”
Qin Yu nodded, then shook his head, enigmatic as ever. “Yes and no.”
Bashan Cloud and Rain: “Master, please show me the way.”
“Cultivation depends on fate and talent. Some work at it from childhood and never achieve anything, while others begin late and surpass those who’ve spent a lifetime. Cultivation is only a method, but whether it succeeds depends on destiny.”
Bashan Cloud and Rain fell silent for a long time. “Master, I want to become your disciple! Can I study with you?”
“The cultivation of Word Spirit is not aligned with my own practice, and besides, I’m not qualified to take on disciples.”
Bashan Cloud and Rain: “How can that be, Master? You’re so powerful—you must be able to save me!”
Qin Yu said, “From now on, speak less, give fewer opinions.”
This was all Qin Yu could offer.
The livestream was still connected with Ye Puming, who stroked his beard, hesitating to speak, but seeing Bashan Cloud and Rain’s desperate pleas, compassion stirred within him.
“Good fellow, I once stayed at Clear Breeze Temple and heard there’s a school of Word Spirit Masters there. Because their abilities are so unique, they keep a low profile to avoid ill intentions. If you wish to learn, you might try seeking them out.”
Bashan Cloud and Rain sent Ye Puming two luxury yachts.
Bashan Cloud and Rain: “Thank you, Master Ye and Master Dianqiu!”
“Hope Ominous Cloud succeeds.”
“Sigh, we’ll be losing a prophet in the livestream—suddenly I feel sad.”
“Does anyone remember Ominous Cloud’s last Word Spirit? He said someone had done something shameful.”
“Damn, that really happened, didn’t it?”
“I think I remember that username.”
“Wait, why can’t I find them now?”
“Looks like they deleted their account overnight.”

“Wow, Ominous Cloud, you’re amazing!”
Seizing the chance before Father and Mother Luo arrived, Qin Yu paused the stream and went to the bathroom.
[Meanwhile, in a shabby rental apartment]
There was no air conditioning; a battered fan creaked in the sweltering night.
A man, sweating profusely, canceled his Douya account and uninstalled the Douya Live app from his phone.
Just as he thought everything was settled, urgent knocks sounded at the door.
“Open up! Someone reported you for trafficking children!”
His phone slipped from his trembling hand and shattered on the floor.
…
Half an hour after the little incident, Father and Mother Luo finally arrived together.
In the basement storage room.
Mother Luo clung tightly to Father Luo’s hand. She looked at the familiar silhouette wreathed in swirling smoke and spoke hesitantly, “Yiyi, is that you?”
The figure turned slowly, revealing Luo Yiyi’s delicate and beautiful face.
Mother Luo breathed a sigh of relief, but something about her daughter felt strange—almost like that internet phrase: young and old at the same time.
Father Luo also felt uneasy. He held Mother Luo back from getting too close and asked, testing, “Yiyi, you’ve never shown any interest in Dad’s antiques before. What made you want to come play here?”
“I am not your daughter. I am Granny Gu, who resides in this vase.”
Granny Gu raised her hand slowly, pointing at a vase on the high shelf.
Father and Mother Luo’s hearts skipped a beat.
“Girl, why are you always making up ghost stories to frighten your parents?”
“Mr. Luo, Mrs. Luo, she’s not lying. Right now, the one in that body is not your daughter Luo Yiyi.”
A fourth voice came from the dimly lit storage room, startling Mother Luo so much that she collapsed to the floor—thankfully, Father Luo caught her in time.