A golden glimmer flashed in Nángōu Huàn's eyes as she grasped the essence of her Level One power: the ability to control the flow of time within a certain space, either slowing down or speeding up its passage.
If an enemy attacked quickly, she could use this power to slow their speed or enhance her own.
Understanding the key points, Nángōu Huàn began her training.
She had Xiǎo Jiǔ accompany her, and together they darted around every corner of the grand hall.
Bōjìng Tù lounged by the entrance, observing Nángōu Huàn's movements and offering occasional tips.
Meanwhile, the spirit elder remained submerged in his water pool, gazing at Nángōu Huàn's figure in the hall, lost in memories.
A day and night swiftly passed.
Nángōu Huàn had already grasped the techniques of her Level One power, able to execute it in a small area and engage in flexible attacks, developing a degree of synergy with Xiǎo Jiǔ.
In the hall, an apple soared through the air.
“Xiǎo Jiǔ!” Nángōu Huàn called softly, raising her hand toward the apple to unleash her power.
A faint golden, translucent sphere appeared around the apple, significantly slowing its flight.
Xiǎo Jiǔ followed closely, slashing with its claws, a glimmer of cold light flashing!
In the next moment, the power field dissipated, and the apple shattered into several pieces, which Xiǎo Jiǔ eagerly gobbled up.
“This skill consumes a lot of spiritual energy,” Nángōu Huàn wiped the sweat from her brow. It was much more challenging than directly using spiritual energy, and if used over a larger area, it would drain her energy even more.
Bōjìng Tù stretched lazily on the ground, saying, “You’ve grasped it quite quickly. The inheritors I’ve seen before took one or two years to learn it and were utterly hopeless.”
Nángōu Huàn twitched her lips. After a day together, she realized this rabbit was too straightforward, speaking whatever came to mind.
Suddenly, she sensed movement outside the Dì Míng Ring and quickly excused herself, returning to her room.
Knock, knock—
A knock echoed on the door, followed by a maid's voice: “Miss Huàn, are you there?”
Nángōu Huàn opened the door to find it was one of Shěn Yèyáo's maids.
“Sent by Madam Shěn?”
The maid appeared respectful, presenting an invitation letter with both hands. “Madam is hosting a potion auction tonight and specifically invited you. She regards you as one of her own, so she will also gift you a bottle of third-grade potion. Please be sure to attend.”
Just the phrase “regards you as one of her own” made her feel uneasy, as if it were a weasel wishing a hen well.
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Nángōu Huàn raised an eyebrow but accepted the invitation. “Alright, I will attend.”
Tomorrow was the disciple trial, yet Shěn Yèyáo was holding an auction tonight. She was curious to see what kind of tricks Shěn Yèyáo was up to.
---
It was nighttime.
Shěn Yèyáo had spent a fortune renting the largest auction house in the city, inviting many members of the four major families. Of course, others could enter to watch, but they couldn’t participate in the auction.
She claimed it was for the benefit of all the disciples participating in the trial tomorrow, offering various grades of recovery potions, healing potions, and speed potions at low prices...
This did indeed enhance her reputation and garnered goodwill from the four major families.
Many disciples and elders from the four families attended, totaling around six hundred people, with thousands more outside simply watching.
Nángōu Huàn arrived at the seating area designated for the Nángōu family and randomly chose a spot to sit. She glanced around, noticing her grandfather seemed to be absent.
“Sister Huàn, I’m so happy you could come!” Nángōu Qiānyuán’s voice came from the side.
Nángōu Huàn turned to see her sister approaching, dressed elegantly in a pale yellow dress, walking gracefully.
Today, Nángōu Qiānyuán had dressed up meticulously, her beauty soft and gentle, causing Wei Yǔgōng, who stood behind her, to stare in awe.
“You’re quite magnanimous, sister, to be so happy to see me,” Nángōu Huàn replied with a mischievous smile.
It was indeed a challenge for Nángōu Qiānyuán, who had been humiliated just days ago, yet here she was, welcoming her with a smile.
Nángōu Qiānyuán’s smile faltered slightly as she replied softly, “What happened before was just a misunderstanding. I hope we can get along well and create glory for our family together.”
“I think you alone can uphold the glory of the entire family,” Nángōu Huàn leaned back in her seat, adopting a relaxed posture.
“Sister, you flatter me. Each of us children is the backbone of our family’s future,” Nángōu Qiānyuán said with a gentle smile, but a flicker of malice crossed her eyes as she tightened her fingers, looking at Nángōu Huàn’s seemingly unguarded demeanor, wishing she could stab her in the heart.
“Is that so?” Nángōu Huàn smirked. “Then I’m quite worried our family’s future might suffer from a spinal disease.”
From what she had seen of her peers in the Nángōu family, most were either bullies or cowards, picking on the weak and flattering the strong. Such people were a liability, no matter where they were.
At that moment, someone nearby retorted, “What do you mean, Nángōu Huàn? Are you insulting us?”
“Yeah! If you can’t do it yourself, don’t drag us down with you!”
“Is being the legitimate daughter so impressive? You think you can get first place in tomorrow’s trial?”
Of course, those speaking out were all children of the Nángōu family, and many elders turned their gazes toward her, seemingly displeased with her remarks.
Their children were not to be lectured by her!
Nángōu Qiānyuán, seeing the situation unfold, was delighted. She wished for more people to step on Nángōu Huàn, hoping this ugly duckling would fall into the mud and never rise again.
“Sister, how can you say that? We’re all working hard for the future of our family,” Nángōu Qiānyuán chimed in, her eyes filled with disappointment.
As the crowd turned their ire toward Nángōu Huàn, she remained calm and unflustered.
“If you insist on saying that...” Nángōu Huàn’s gaze flickered as she stood up, leaping lightly onto the stage at the auction house's center.
The auction hadn’t officially started yet, but most people had already arrived.
As Nángōu Huàn leaped onto the stage, all eyes were drawn to her.
“Ahem, first of all, welcome everyone to Madam Shěn’s auction. However, before we begin, I have an announcement to make.” Nángōu Huàn cleared her throat, channeling her spiritual energy to amplify her voice so that everyone in the auction house could hear.
Curiosity sparked among the crowd, with many expecting some good news, while the members of the Nángōu family felt a sense of foreboding.
“Our Nángōu family has always been unstoppable, with each disciple being a brave little warrior. So as the legitimate daughter of the Nángōu family, I—Nángōu Huàn—hereby declare war on the three major families on behalf of the disciples participating in this trial! Let’s see who can secure more and higher rankings in the top ten!”
She aimed to drag everyone into the fray, stirring the waters so that the arrogant disciples of the Nángōu family could not stand alone!