"Last candidate: Nan Gong Huan."

  The testing square was already packed with people, but a strange emptiness surrounded a corner where a girl in black stood, causing others to avoid her like the plague. She was strikingly beautiful, with peach blossom eyes that shimmered like liquid gold and skin as fair as jade. Yet, a palm-sized black blemish on her face marred her otherwise flawless appearance.

  When her name was called, the girl stepped forward calmly, but the crowd erupted into mocking laughter.

  "If this ugly freak tests above level three, I'll eat my own shit!"

  "I’ll join you—"I'll handwash my hair upside down!""

  "Qian’er just tested at level nine. If this ugly thing even reaches a ninth of that, it’ll be a miracle!"

  "She can’t even gather spiritual energy. She’s a complete waste, not even worth a strand of Qian’er’s hair!"

  The mentioned Nan Gong Qian’er feigned concern, saying, "Don’t speak of Sister Huan like that. She’s always worked hard at her cultivation."

  The crowd quieted down, but no one noticed the smug pride flashing in Qian’er’s eyes.

  Nan Gong Huan stood tall, her expression unshaken, treating the ridicule as if it were nothing more than passing clouds. She fixed her gaze on the three-meter-tall testing crystal before her, placing her hand on it with steady confidence.

  Moments passed, but not a trace of spiritual energy appeared on the crystal.

  "Talent level zero. Quality: none," the testing instructor announced with disdain, his voice dripping with contempt. ""No spiritual root. Become a martial artist. At least you'll die strong.""

  On the Xuanling Continent, everyone could test their talent at the age of sixteen. Those with a quality of level three or higher could form a spiritual root and begin cultivation. Based on the number of spiritual roots cultivated, they would be revered as one-spirit, two-spirit, or even ten-spirit life warriors, the highest recorded in history.

  Nan Gong Huan smiled faintly. "My gratitude, Master Examiner. But I choose another path.."

  "I will be a spirit communicator," she declared, her voice clear and melodious.

  The crowd fell silent for a moment before erupting into even louder laughter.

  "I’m dying of laughter! I almost forgot that profession even existed!"

  "She’s truly a parentless waste. A so-called ‘legitimate daughter’ of the Nan Gong family, yet she’s an embarrassment to us all!"

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  "The chances of a spirit communicator making it big are slimmer than me running naked through the city!"

  The instructor’s expression grew even more scornful. "Final chance to reconsider? I’ll have to record this."

  "I’m certain," Nan Gong Huan replied confidently. In this world, spirit communicators were seen as mere translators for spirit beasts, a lowly and obsolete profession. Ever since the invention of beast language potions, the role had become even more irrelevant, with the best outcome being a stable hand.

  Only Nan Gong Huan heard an angry, aged voice in her ear. "What a bunch of fools!"

  She chuckled inwardly. "Don’t be upset, Elder Ling. I’ve already learned the location of the final magical herb needed to build my spiritual platform. It’s in the Three Winter Forest. Once I get it, they’ll see what a true spirit communicator can do."

  She was once the strongest assassin of the 22nd century, but after a failed mission three years ago, she had crossed over to this Xuanling Continent. Upon waking, she found herself crippled and her dantian destroyed, all thanks to Nan Gong Qian’er’s torment. It was Elder Ling, who emerged from her ancestral Di Ming Ring, who gave her a second chance. He offered to teach her his inherited cultivation method, but while others formed spiritual roots, she would build a spiritual platform.

  Now, with just one final herb, she would shed her identity as a waste and step onto the path of cultivation!

  A flash of defiance crossed Nan Gong Huan’s peach blossom eyes.

  Elder Ling snorted and fell silent.

  The crowd’s mocking gazes lingered, but Nan Gong Qian’er approached her with feigned concern. "Sister Huan, don’t be disheartened. If you ever need help, just let me know. I’ll always be your support."

  Her voice was soft and sweet, her eyes gentle as spring, but Nan Gong Huan could clearly see the hidden mockery in them.

  The surrounding crowd chimed in with admiration. "Qian’er is truly the family’s first beauty—kind and virtuous. She’s nothing like this ugly freak."

  Hearing the flattery, Nan Gong Qian’er felt pleased but pretended to chide them. "Don’t speak of Sister Huan like that. She’s actually very gentle."

  Nan Gong Huan smirked inwardly. What a pot of aged green tea.

  She smiled and raised an eyebrow at Qian’er. "Actually, I do need your help right now, Sister Qian’er."

  "It would be my honor to assist you, Sister Huan," Qian’er replied, her smile even sweeter.

  "I’m in urgent need of a bathroom. Could you help me with that?" Nan Gong Huan said, her tone laced with sarcasm.

  For a moment, Qian’er’s expression faltered. Was this waste making fun of her?

  "Sister, you’re joking. How could I possibly help with that?"

  "If you can’t, just say so. I always thought Sister Qian’er was the most compassionate," Nan Gong Huan said, feigning disappointment but with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

  Qian’er’s face darkened. This was outright absurd!

  "Well, Sister has other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. Please stay, Sister Qian’er," Nan Gong Huan said before walking away, leaving Qian’er’s next words stuck in her throat.

  Three Winter Forest, here I come!

  Shortly after Nan Gong Huan set off for the Three Winter Forest, a strange phenomenon appeared in the sky!

  Brilliant, multicolored rays of light spread across the heavens, accompanied by an aura of auspiciousness that stretched for thousands of meters.

  "It’s the Three Winter Forest! A divine beast cub has been born there!" a disciple shouted excitedly.

  Nan Gong Qian’er gazed at the divine beast’s radiant light, her expression filled with determination. Only by contracting a spirit beast could one become a true summoner.

  The instructor rushed to her side, eager to please. "Qian’er, since you’ve chosen to be a summoner, this divine beast is perfect for you. Let’s set out immediately!"

  But deep in the forest, a smirk played on Huan's lips. Let them chase shadows. The real prize… is mine.