A group of maids immediately rushed forward to help Shen Ye Rong up, carefully wiping her clothes and hair with handkerchiefs, their heads bowed in fear of incurring her wrath.

  Shen Ye Rong trembled as she covered her face, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes bore into Nan Gong Huan like those of a predator staring at its prey, her expression dark and menacing.

  The searing pain on her face and the taste of blood in her mouth filled Shen Ye Rong with a rage she had never felt before!

  Passersby who witnessed the scene couldn’t help but stop and watch from a distance, eager to see how this drama would unfold.

  A fourth-grade potion master had been publicly slapped by a young girl. That girl was doomed!

  Nan Gong Huan felt around in her pocket. That master-level badge of hers should carry more weight than a fourth-grade potion master’s title, right?

  "What’s your name?" Shen Ye Rong pushed aside her maids and stepped toward Nan Gong Huan, ignoring the burning pain on her cheek, her gaze venomous and sharp.

  Though Shen Ye Rong was taller, Nan Gong Huan’s presence was no less imposing. "You’re not worthy of knowing."

  "Ha, are you scared?" Shen Ye Rong sneered, her icy smile sending chills down the spine.

  She lightly flicked her sleeve, stirring a gentle breeze.

  Nan Gong Huan narrowed her eyes and chuckled softly. "Yes, I’m terrified. Please, Madam, keep your bugs to yourself. I’m scared to death."

  With a swift motion, Nan Gong Huan flicked her hand, and a flash of purple light sent three white bugs flying to the ground. She stepped on them, crushing them into a pulpy mess.

  Shen Ye Rong’s face darkened. How could this girl detect her gu worms?

  Most people wouldn’t have noticed Shen Ye Rong’s use of gu worms, but Nan Gong Huan had Little Nine with her!

  The two women locked eyes in a silent, intense standoff, their gazes sharp and unyielding, the air between them crackling with tension.

  The shopkeeper was trembling like a leaf, wondering when these two formidable figures would settle their dispute.

  "Shopkeeper, ring up my order," Shen Ye Rong said through gritted teeth, her voice heavy with suppressed anger. Her eyes remained fixed on Nan Gong Huan as she tossed her fourth-grade potion master badge onto the counter. The badge spun gracefully through the air before embedding itself into the wooden surface.

  The platinum badge gleamed brightly, adorned with four auspicious clouds, the mark of a fourth-grade potion master.

  The shopkeeper glanced at the badge, swallowed hard, and hurried to the herb cabinets to gather the requested items.

  Shen Ye Rong raised an eyebrow in challenge, as if daring Nan Gong Huan to make a move.

  Want to compete? Nan Gong Huan’s lips curved into a smirk. No way she’d let this woman have her way.

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  With a flick of her sleeve, Nan Gong Huan sent her own badge flying. The black-gold badge flashed coldly as it sliced through the air, landing firmly beside Shen Ye Rong’s platinum badge.

  Though smaller in size, the black-gold badge’s intricate designs and inherent aura completely overshadowed the platinum one.

  "Shopkeeper, ring up my order," Nan Gong Huan said calmly, tilting her chin slightly and turning her back to Shen Ye Rong with a dismissive air.

  At the sight of the black-gold badge, the shopkeeper was utterly stunned!

  Shen Ye Rong’s pupils contracted, and she took a step back in shock.

  This girl was a master-level potion master? Impossible!

  These badges were forged using special techniques, making counterfeits impossible. This master-level badge was genuine!

  The shopkeeper’s heart raced as he quickly packaged the herbs Nan Gong Huan had requested, even using premium storage boxes. With trembling hands, he carefully presented them to her.

  A small-time shopkeeper like him rarely encountered such a distinguished figure!

  "If it’s for the master, these herbs are on the house. Please accept them as a token of our apology," the shopkeeper stammered.

  "No need. Charge me the full amount. I believe in fairness and justice," Nan Gong Huan emphasized the last four words, subtly hinting at someone in the room.

  She didn’t immediately take the herbs but instead pointed to two large cabinets. "Pack up everything in these two cabinets. Oh, and that box over there as well."

  She had spotted a rare magical herb, the Nine-Leaved Lingzhi Ginseng Fruit, stored in a special box on the top shelf.

  This was a potent tonic, perfect for her grandfather. Earlier, she had hesitated due to its exorbitant price, but now...

  Well, she was about to give Shen Ye Rong a big surprise!

  "Yes, yes, Master," the shopkeeper scurried to fulfill her request.

  Outside, passersby who heard about the master-level potion master’s presence crowded around, eager to catch a glimpse. Some even pushed Shen Ye Rong’s carriage aside in their excitement.

  Shen Ye Rong’s face twisted with fury. She was used to others bowing to her, not the other way around.

  But seeing the master-level badge, she suppressed her rage and murderous intent, bowing slightly to Nan Gong Huan. "So it’s the master-level potion master. Had you shown your badge earlier, I wouldn’t have competed with you. I hope you can overlook this incident."

  Nan Gong Huan glanced sideways, inwardly sneering. Did she think this would be enough to settle the matter?

  "I think you’ve misunderstood a few things. I was here first to purchase the herbs, so how is it a competition? Asking me to show my badge earlier—are you trying to order me around? If you’re truly apologetic, why not pay for my order?" Nan Gong Huan spread her hands, clearly setting a trap.

  She intended to get the herbs for free, but she wouldn’t let an honest shopkeeper suffer the loss!

  Shen Ye Rong clenched her fists. This order... Not to mention the two cabinets of herbs, just that box of Nine-Leaved Lingzhi Ginseng Fruit alone was worth twenty million spirit coins!!

  More than the combined value of the two cabinets!

  She couldn’t even bring herself to buy it for her own use, and now she had to give it to this little brat? How could she bear it?!

  "Master, the total comes to thirty-four million seven hundred thousand spirit coins. I’ll round it down to thirty million. How does that sound?" The shopkeeper packed all the herbs into a storage bag and handed it to Nan Gong Huan with utmost respect.

  "No, no. You’re running a business, and it’s not easy for you. I won’t short you a single coin. What do you think, Madam?" Nan Gong Huan patted the shopkeeper’s shoulder and then turned to Shen Ye Rong, her eyes challenging beneath the veil.

  This... The shopkeeper broke out in a cold sweat. It was obvious the master-level potion master was making Shen Ye Rong pay dearly.

  Anyone with eyes could see that this was retribution.

  But who would dare speak up for Shen Ye Rong? No one wanted to offend a master-level potion master.

  "Fine! I’ll pay!" Shen Ye Rong gritted her teeth, her eyelids twitching and her eyes bloodshot. With trembling hands, she took out a black spirit coin card and handed it to the shopkeeper.

  Her eyes burned with resentment and fury, wishing she could kill Nan Gong Huan on the spot, but she restrained herself.

  No matter how much she hated it, she couldn’t openly defy a master-level potion master.

  And with the certification association right next door, if this wretched girl lodged a complaint, Shen Ye Rong would have no way out!