"Nope, you're not a ghost," Youyou declared, slapping a yellow talisman onto a floating mote of light.
The mote blinked, hiccupped, and fizzed like a tiny bulb being unplugged.
System: "ERROR: Physical interference detected. Host reaction: unexpected."
Youyou pouted. "Told you. Demon. Demon who thinks it can boss me."
System: "I am a protocol. I require signatures and task compliance. You are five years old."
Youyou hopped on one foot. "I'm small, not stupid."
System: "Legal and operational constraints apply. Binding a temple requires an adult custodian."
Youyou planted both hands on her hips. "Master Lingxiao sent the temple to me. He said leave. He said 'you can handle it.' So stop whining."
System: "Master Lingxiao is absent from registry communication. Permission token unknown. Your consent is required."
Youyou jammed the tail of the talisman into the floorboard and glared at the floating text that only she could see.
"You sound like Nurse Lee," she said. "You talk too much, and you take my snacks."
System: "Snack liability not recognized. Reward matrix initialized. Task interface will now present onboarding."
Youyou rolled her eyes. "Spin and show me the shiny."
System: "SPIN SEQUENCE: Initiating."
A holographic wheel unfurled over the tatami, bright segments labeled in neat columns: LAND | SKILLS | ARTIFACT | TALISMAN | ENERGY. The wheel ticked with mechanical calm.
Youyou clapped. "Do it faster."
System: "Speed is regulated. Emotions of host interfere with RNG."
Youyou stamped. "Stop telling me feelings. Spin!"
System: "SPIN RESULT: SKILL — READ MIND."
Youyou blinked at
