The two little figures in her mind were fiercely battling, and Elder Sima could see her hesitation. He continued to persuade her, "There was once a student who was tricked by it. First, it tied them up, then spanked them a hundred times. When they came out, their bottom was completely bruised."

  Elder Sima’s words echoed the warning from the fire-element staff.

  Nan Gong Huan pursed her lips, her resolve wavering even more.

  But then, a voice rang in her ears, "Pah! It was that scoundrel who insulted me first! Someone as gentle, virtuous, beautiful, and peerless as me... (omitting a million words of self-praise), it was his good fortune from eight lifetimes just to catch a glimpse of me!"

  Could it be that someone had insulted this treasure, and it had retaliated?

  "Are you still hesitating? Every student who has entered here has said they heard an ethereal song. It does this to every student. Some have chosen it, but it’s inherently arrogant and has never accepted anyone."

  In Elder Sima’s mind, he was already selecting a suitable treasure for Nan Gong Huan.

  Given the unique energy within her, the Thousand Radiance Disk might be a good choice.

  "Hmph, it’s not that I accepted them! None of them were worthy!" After a bout of scolding, it began to sing again.

  This time, however, it wasn’t the ethereal and peaceful song from before. Instead, it started cursing Elder Sima.

  "Can’t see, your descendants for eighteen generations, can’t see, your future buried, can’t see, your inner demons blocking the way..."

  Nan Gong Huan couldn’t help but chuckle. She suddenly found this treasure quite endearing.

  "What are you laughing at?" Elder Sima was puzzled. Why had she suddenly started laughing?

  "Nothing, nothing. I’ll still take a look. What if it chooses me?" Nan Gong Huan shrugged.

  Immediately, the singing inside stopped.

  "Good judgment, little girl! Follow me, and you won’t regret it!"

  It began singing again, "You are my light, you are my hope, be my daughter, oh~ my love..."

  Nan Gong Huan’s lips twitched as she struggled to suppress a smile. With such talent, it was a shame it wasn’t a cross-border singing sensation.

  "Alright, since you’re so determined, go ahead and open it," Elder Sima deliberately took a few steps back, standing in a safe zone to avoid being affected.

  Stolen story; please report.

  In all his years guarding the Treasure Pavilion, he had never seen anyone escape this treasure unscathed.

  The little girl might end up the same way, but thankfully, he had long arms. If things got out of control, he could still rescue her.

  Seeing Elder Sima retreat so far, Nan Gong Huan couldn’t help but twitch her lips. She turned to the painting mechanism on the wall and turned its edge.

  A muffled sound followed, and the heavy stone wall slowly opened inward.

  The singing became even more distinct and melodious, swirling around her ears.

  Before her eyes appeared a long, pure white ribbon with a pearl-pink shimmer. It twisted and danced in the air, seemingly delighted to breathe fresh air again.

  It let out a long, lingering note, like the end of a story, returning to peace and harmony.

  "It’s so beautiful!" Nan Gong Huan couldn’t help but exclaim. It looked like the flowing scarf of a celestial maiden from ancient paintings. It slid out with a whoosh, brushing against her arm, then wrapped around her waist.

  Elder Sima’s eyelid twitched. Sure enough, she had already been tied up. Complimenting it was useless. Now she’d get her bottom spanked!

  "You have good taste, little girl. Those stinky men don’t know what they’re doing. How could I possibly go with those smelly old men?" The charming voice entered her ears, sending a tingling sensation through her.

  Nan Gong Huan chuckled, "Were all the ones who chose you before male students?"

  "Yes, a bunch of stinky old men. Daughters are so much sweeter, hehehe~" The Radiant Ribbon kept rubbing against Nan Gong Huan, as if absorbing her fragrance.

  Clearly, it had already decided that Nan Gong Huan was its daughter.

  Calling a ribbon "mother"... How strange was that?

  "Do you have a name?" Nan Gong Huan stroked it, its smooth and soft texture like flowing water.

  "Mother is the Radiant Ribbon, but you can just call me Mom. My lovely daughter, what’s your name?" The Radiant Ribbon’s laughter was like silver bells, very pleasant.

  "My name is Nan Gong Huan."

  The expected scene didn’t happen. Seeing Nan Gong Huan chatting with the Radiant Ribbon, Elder Sima was beyond shocked!

  How did she do it?! Could it really be, as she said, that the Radiant Ribbon had rejected all the male students before?

  Elder Sima began to question his life.

  "Elder, I’ll take it," Nan Gong Huan turned and smiled. The Radiant Ribbon coiled around her waist, looking like a shimmering belt.

  The Radiant Ribbon was in high spirits and began singing again, "Nah, nah, nah... Oh, the little thing on your finger is biting me."

  Wansheng was nibbling on the Radiant Ribbon, but it didn’t seem angry. Finding a "daughter" had put it in such a good mood that a little harmless nibbling didn’t matter.

  Nan Gong Huan rubbed Wansheng’s flower, and it finally let go, but the flower bloomed even more vibrantly.

  "...Take it," Elder Sima pressed his lips together, suppressing his shock and trying not to show any expression on his face.

  It was good to take away this hot-tempered Radiant Ribbon. At least it wouldn’t torment other students in the future, Elder Sima thought.

  "Thank you, Elder," Nan Gong Huan smiled as she walked past Elder Sima.

  As she passed by him, the Radiant Ribbon extended and gave his bottom a hard slap!

  "Dare to speak ill of me? I’ll spank your bottom until it blooms!" The Radiant Ribbon’s temper truly couldn’t tolerate even a single thorn in its eye.

  "...Take it away quickly!" Elder Sima covered his bottom, almost losing his temper!

  One more look at it, and he might tear it apart! Elder Sima gritted his teeth. The slap wasn’t light, and if not for his robust physique, it might have shattered his old bones!

  "Yes, Elder!" Nan Gong Huan dashed out of the Treasure Pavilion, while the Radiant Ribbon laughed all the way.

  The artifacts on the wall sighed in loneliness, "Ah, the singing madwoman is gone. No more songs to listen to."

  "How about I sing for you~ Hmm~"

  "Forget it, you’re tone-deaf."

  "La la la~"

  "Stop! Stop it now!"

  ......