"There was a strong cultivator passing by earlier. He helped us," Nan Gong Huan lied without batting an eye.

  "It seems the Sasuo Forest is no longer safe. We should return to the academy and report this," Qi Kong took out his student crystal board, recording the scene filled with Blood God Temple corpses.

  Since it was a dangerous organization, they needed to upload the data and halt the mission to prevent other academy students from suffering the same fate.

  "Yes, let’s go back quickly," Jiang Huairou still looked frightened.

  The group left the forest and returned to the academy’s mission zone to upload the data.

  Because they had encountered the Blood God Temple, the mission zone canceled the Sasuo Forest mission and calculated the points they deserved, adding an extra ten points for the danger level.

  Nan Gong Huan received about eighty credits. Although it wasn’t a low score, it was still not enough to exchange for a higher-level dormitory.

  She wanted to invite Jiang Huairou back to the dormitory, but she declined.

  "Nan Gong, you go back first. I have something to discuss with Senior Gao Luo," Jiang Huairou smiled gently, and Nan Gong Huan left without looking back.

  The other seniors also dispersed, leaving Jiang Huairou and Gao Luo alone.

  The smiles on their faces finally faded, and their expressions turned serious.

  "Your subordinates are too useless. Such a good opportunity, and they still couldn’t capture her," Gao Luo snorted.

  "Who knew Nan Gong Huan would be so strong? She doesn’t seem like a typical alchemist," Jiang Huairou lost her usual gentle demeanor, her eyes flickering with anger as she touched the wound on her neck.

  She had sacrificed so much, being knocked out twice, while Nan Gong Huan didn’t have a single scratch!

  "The blood sacrifice day is coming soon. I checked Nan Gong Huan’s birth date. She’s undoubtedly the most suitable main sacrifice. Find another chance to lure her out of the academy, and I’ll handle the rest," Gao Luo said coldly, his expression grim.

  "I understand," Jiang Huairou replied irritably, turning to leave.

  Gao Luo watched her back, his eyes sharp, and added in a threatening tone, "Remember, if she doesn’t become the sacrifice, then... it’ll have to be you."

  Jiang Huairou shuddered and quickened her pace, disappearing from his sight.

  Gao Luo brushed his sleeves and strode away.

  Neither of them noticed that on a nearby tree, Nan Gong Huan was sitting on a thick branch, leaning against the trunk with her eyes lowered, calmly watching the scene unfold.

  As the surroundings quieted down, Nan Gong Huan looked up at the starry sky, the dappled shadows of leaves falling on her face. A mysterious, hidden emotion flickered in her peach blossom eyes.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  The day passed quickly.

  Nan Gong Huan specifically requested leave for Dong Yan Cuo, and the mentor approved a month’s time. If he didn’t return within a month, he would be expelled from the academy.

  Generally, commoner and noble students were separated into different classes. However, since alchemists were rare, both Nan Gong Huan and Jiang Huairou would join the noble class for formal courses.

  The class had about forty students. They were all glamorous, forming their own cliques.

  As Nan Gong Huan and Jiang Huairou entered the classroom, they were met with various gazes—some disdainful, others curious.

  "It’s those two commoner freshmen!"

  "I know, one’s called Nan Gong Huan, and the other is Jiang Huairou."

  "Wait, Jiang Huairou? From the hidden Jiang family? I heard they have three Nine Spirit Life experts guarding their family!"

  "I checked, it’s definitely that Jiang family! They’re so powerful!"

  In an instant, everyone’s attitude toward Jiang Huairou changed. They crowded around her, flattering and praising her. Meanwhile, Nan Gong Huan was pushed aside, becoming invisible.

  Nan Gong Huan calmly sat in the corner, not wanting to attract attention. But soon, a shadow loomed over her.

  "Nan Gong Huan, right? Do you know the academy’s rules? As a commoner, you have to offer each of us a magical herb. Otherwise, you won’t have a good time this semester," a sharp, disdainful voice rang out.

  Nan Gong Huan looked up and saw a girl in a white dress standing in front of her, arms crossed, looking arrogant. She was surrounded by several others.

  Now she understood why commoners and nobles were separated in classes—this was probably the reason.

  "The academy rules don’t mention this. You’re overstepping," Nan Gong Huan replied calmly, her composed and noble demeanor overshadowing theirs.

  "Hmph, my words are the rules here. Are you going to give it or not?" The girl in the white dress was Lu Sui’an, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s family. Naturally, many people wanted to curry favor with her.

  She slammed her hand on the table, the noise startling the entire class. Everyone turned to look.

  Seeing the situation, Jiang Huairou quickly stepped in, shielding Nan Gong Huan. She smiled and said, "We’re all classmates. Let’s not ruin the harmony. Miss, if you like any magical herbs, I’ll give them to you."

  Lu Sui’an glanced at Jiang Huairou. Her family background was not to be trifled with, and she hadn’t expected her to protect Nan Gong Huan so fiercely.

  "Hmph, fine, for your sake, I’ll let it go. Huairou, sit next to me! I’ll take care of you," Lu Sui’an pulled Jiang Huairou to the best seat in the middle of the classroom.

  The others chimed in with flattery, as Lu Sui’an’s family held the highest official position in the class.

  Jiang Huairou glanced back at Nan Gong Huan with concern, seeing her smile, which put her mind at ease.

  The most important thing now was to increase Nan Gong Huan’s trust in her. Within half a month, she had to successfully lure Nan Gong Huan out of the academy.

  "Tch!" Someone spat on Nan Gong Huan’s textbook, sneering at her, "A commoner like you, do you even know what qualifications you have to be in the Royal Academy? Did you get in with your looks? Why don’t you come with me tonight, and I’ll take care of you."

  His gaze turned lecherous as he looked at Nan Gong Huan’s stunning face.

  Nan Gong Huan looked down at the saliva on her textbook, then at the male student’s hand reaching for her leg. She picked up the textbook and pressed it against his face!

  The loud slap drew everyone’s attention again.

  Nan Gong Huan leaned back casually, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the room. "How about this? Each of you offers me a magical herb, and I’ll take care of you. But you," she pointed at the male student beside her, "you’ll need to give me two."

  She hadn’t wanted to attract too much attention, but she realized that the more she tolerated, the more they would push their luck.

  Her words, eerily similar to Lu Sui’an’s earlier demand, made Lu Sui’an’s face darken.

  During the previous orientation class, Nan Gong Huan hadn’t been present, so she didn’t know that Lu Sui’an had used the same method to make everyone in the class "offer tribute."

  The male student, humiliated, threw the textbook to the ground and wiped the saliva off his face. "Nan Gong Huan, don’t push your luck! With that face of yours, I could send you straight to a brothel to be used by thousands..."

  Before he could finish, Nan Gong Huan grabbed his collar and threw him. He flew through the air in a graceful arc, landing and rolling out of the classroom door.