Nan Gong Huan’s eyes casually swept over the crowd. In truth, she had been listening outside earlier, and every word they said had reached her ears.

  Grandpa was the person who treated her the best in this world. Yesterday, he had been called away by the city lord for a discussion and only returned this morning. The exhaustion on his face made her heart ache.

  Only Nan Gong Jieming’s expression brightened instantly. "Really? That’s wonderful!"

  "I’ll work hard to become a spirit communicator. Please believe in me, Grandpa!" Nan Gong Huan looked into his eyes, her voice firm.

  Nan Gong Jieming had initially wanted to persuade her to choose a different profession, but then he remembered what Nan Gong Jingtian had said earlier. He couldn’t protect her under his wing forever.

  He reached out and patted Nan Gong Huan’s head, a loving smile spreading across his face. "Xiao Huan, go ahead and do what you want. Grandpa will protect you."

  "Yes!" Nan Gong Huan nodded with a smile, her eyes curving like crescents.

  "Hmph, working hard to become a spirit communicator," Wei Xuefeng muttered under his breath, barely holding back a laugh. He was relieved they had successfully broken off the engagement earlier. Otherwise, his Wei family would have become the laughingstock of the city!

  If their family’s genius were to marry a spirit communicator, what kind of joke would that be!

  Nan Gong Jieming shot a cold glance at Wei Xuefeng, who rolled his eyes and pretended not to notice.

  Suddenly, a chilling gaze fell on Wei Xuefeng, making his body tremble.

  Such overwhelming pressure! Wei Xuefeng felt his body stiffen, as if he had been plunged into a frozen wasteland.

  Instinctively, Wei Xuefeng looked in Dong Yan Cuo’s direction and found him staring right at him! Those deep blue eyes were like the icy abyss of the ocean. Just one more glance, and Wei Xuefeng’s legs nearly gave out!

  "Gah!" Wei Xuefeng immediately averted his eyes, not daring to look again. His heart was filled with shock. When had the Nan Gong family gained such a powerful expert?

  After just two seconds, Dong Yan Cuo withdrew his gaze and stood there blankly. His eyes shifted slightly, landing on Nan Gong Huan, and he blinked... Hmm, someone was bullying Huan Huan. If Huan Huan was unhappy, she wouldn’t take him to find food.

  The grandfather and granddaughter didn’t seem to be leaving even after the engagement was broken. Wei Yu Gong then pressed further, "Nan Gong Huan, as for that divine beast of yours, a spirit communicator like you can’t unleash its full potential. Why not give it to Qian’er?"

  It seemed that the success of breaking off the engagement had given him more confidence.

  Nan Gong Jieming was about to step forward to stop him, but Nan Gong Huan held him back, turning to him with a bright smile.

  "Sure, but I have one condition," Nan Gong Huan said, her gaze falling on Nan Gong Qian’er, her smile carrying a hint of mischief.

  Her willingness to compromise gave everyone hope, and even Wei Yu Gong looked at her more favorably.

  "Sister, what’s your condition? As long as I can do it, I’ll meet it," Nan Gong Qian’er stepped forward eagerly, her excitement palpable at the thought of obtaining the divine beast.

  Once she contracted the divine beast, she would kick that ugly freak to the curb!

  The other elders watched with amusement, seemingly certain that the divine beast already belonged to Nan Gong Qian’er.

  "If you can take one of my moves without falling, I’ll give the divine beast to you," Nan Gong Huan said directly, rubbing her fingers as if her hand was itching.

  "Deal!" Nan Gong Qian’er agreed without hesitation, stepping into the center of the hall to face Nan Gong Huan.

  She smiled confidently. Yesterday, Nan Gong Huan must have won through a sneak attack. This time, no matter what, she would endure it!

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Nan Gong Jieming wanted to intervene, but seeing Nan Gong Huan’s determined back, he held back. He had to believe in Xiao Huan.

  "Sister, come at me," Nan Gong Qian’er assumed a defensive stance, releasing a first-level spiritual shield. The solid power made the elders’ eyes light up.

  Truly the family’s top genius, her techniques were so polished!

  "Then stand firm," Nan Gong Huan’s gaze sharpened as she raised her hand like a blade and charged forward!

  Her hand sliced through the shield like a knife and slapped Nan Gong Qian’er’s face with a resounding smack!

  In an instant, Nan Gong Qian’er was dazed, the force of the blow sending her sprawling onto the floor!

  Gasps filled the hall!

  Nan Gong Jingtian’s expression turned fierce, and he lunged at Nan Gong Huan with claw-like hands. But Nan Gong Jieming was faster, intercepting him!

  "Second brother, what are you doing?" Nan Gong Jieming narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening, making Nan Gong Jingtian’s face twist in pain.

  "Big brother, is this how you indulge Nan Gong Huan?" Nan Gong Jingtian protested angrily. Who didn’t have a granddaughter? Nan Gong Qian’er was his own flesh and blood!

  Nan Gong Jieming wasn’t having it. He shook off his hand and said, "This was a challenge between the younger generation. Qian’er agreed to it."

  "Qian’er, are you okay?" Wei Yu Gong rushed forward to help Nan Gong Qian’er up.

  "I’m... I’m fine," Nan Gong Qian’er said through gritted teeth, covering her face and glaring at Nan Gong Huan with resentment. How could this ugly freak break through her defense? Was it because she had contracted the divine beast?

  Nan Gong Huan shrugged. "It seems Qian’er couldn’t take my move. The divine beast can’t be given to you."

  "Sister, you’re indeed impressive," Nan Gong Qian’er forced a smile, her teeth clenched. That little wretch, one day she’d skin her alive!

  Nan Gong Huan turned and took Nan Gong Jieming’s hand, cooing, "Grandpa, you must be tired. Go rest, or I’ll get angry!"

  But suddenly, Nan Gong Huan’s expression froze. Her fingers moved to Nan Gong Jieming’s pulse, and a flash of purple light appeared in her eyes. How could there be... a parasite in Grandpa’s body too?

  Could it be Nan Gong Qian’er’s doing? She glanced sideways, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Nan Gong Qian’er.

  Since contracting Little Nine, she had become particularly sensitive to such things. The parasite was slowly corroding Grandpa’s meridians. Thinking about it, over the past decade, Grandpa’s cultivation hadn’t progressed at all. In fact, it seemed to have regressed.

  But Little Nine was still asleep. Otherwise, she could have had Little Nine expel the parasite. She’d have to see if entering the Spirit Condensation Pavilion for cultivation today could wake Little Nine.

  She had to cure Grandpa’s body!

  "Alright, alright, I’ll go rest," Nan Gong Jieming nodded dotingly, though he sighed inwardly. If only Xiao Huan’s face didn’t have those black blemishes. Over the years, he had sought out countless renowned doctors, but none could find a cure.

  He had to cure Xiao Huan’s face!

  "By the way, Xiao Huan, the disciple trials will begin in two days. All the disciples who tested for spiritual roots this year must participate. Make some preparations," the grandfather and granddaughter chatted as if no one else was around. Last night at the city lord’s residence, he had mainly discussed this matter.

  "Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’m already prepared," Nan Gong Huan patted his hand reassuringly.

  Every year after the spiritual root tests, the four great families would jointly hold disciple trials to improve the disciples’ strength. Those with high talent and strength would even have the opportunity to study at various academies.

  The grandfather and granddaughter walked out of the hall hand in hand, leaving behind a silent crowd, each lost in their own thoughts.

  While Grandpa went to rest, Nan Gong Huan took Dong Yan Cuo to the Spirit Condensation Pavilion.

  On one side of the Three-Winter Forest, towering peaks and deep ravines stretched across the landscape. The Spirit Condensation Pavilion was nestled among them.

  After walking across several plank paths, Nan Gong Huan finally arrived at the Spirit Condensation Pavilion.

  The pavilion was square, only three stories high but a thousand meters wide. Its eaves curved upward, and moss grew on the gray tiles. Birds had built nests in some of the crevices. The surface lacked ornate decorations, and years of wind and sun had left it cracked and worn.

  It resembled an elderly sage sitting in the mountains, imparting wisdom to those who came.

  After confirming her identity as a disciple of the four great families, Nan Gong Huan was allowed into the square in front of the pavilion. The area was divided into four challenge arenas, where many disciples from the four families were currently competing. Perhaps because the disciple trials were about to begin, first-level disciples were everywhere.

  To enter the Spirit Condensation Pavilion, one had to defeat an opponent of a higher level. The higher the opponent’s level, the more time one could spend inside the pavilion.

  Nan Gong Huan roughly calculated that if she wanted to stay in the pavilion until evening, she would need to defeat an opponent at the mid-second level.

  In this world, cultivation levels ranged from one to ten, with each level divided into initial, mid, late, and peak stages.

  "Well, if it isn’t the waste of the Nan Gong family. What are you doing at the Spirit Condensation Pavilion? Sightseeing?" A young man’s mocking voice rang out, drawing many eyes to Nan Gong Huan, followed by a burst of laughter.

  Nan Gong Huan glanced at him. That was Ye Wanjun, the legitimate son of the Ye family.

  Although she hadn’t interacted much with the Ye family, her reputation as a waste had spread throughout the four great families.

  "Cuo Cuo, go," Nan Gong Huan said lightly. In a flash, Dong Yan Cuo appeared in front of the young man, slapped him with a resounding smack, and then returned to Nan Gong Huan’s side, his eyes sparkling as if seeking praise.

  Ye Wanjun was sent spinning 360 degrees before crashing to the ground, his cheek swollen and a faint layer of frost forming over the palm print.