The effect of this talent potion was to permanently enhance the strength of spiritual roots and the speed of spiritual energy absorption. It was extremely rare and difficult to refine, with a high failure rate. It was the potion that cultivators would do anything to obtain.

Nángōu Huàn stood in front of Shěn Yèyáo, glancing at the two maidservants beside her, who were holding the talent potions—one for her and one for auction.

However, to Nángōu Huàn's surprise, she sensed the presence of a bug in both potions!

Goodness, a sudden realization struck Nángōu Huàn. The talent potion being auctioned actually contained a bug; what about the potions sold earlier? Could they all have bugs too?!

If that were true, Nángōu Huàn had to admit that Shěn Yèyáo was playing a clever game, intending to control the disciples of the four major families!

Whoever consumed the bug would have to obey her!

But... what did that have to do with her?

“Here, this bottle is for you, Little Huàn. Please take it and show everyone how it works,” Shěn Yèyáo said, personally handing a bottle to her.

This was meant to put her in a difficult position.

Nángōu Huàn maintained her composure as she accepted the potion. The fusion rate was only fifty-two percent; even if there were no bugs, she had no desire to drink it.

The effect was minimal.

However, with so many eyes on her, Nángōu Huàn performed a sleight of hand, raising her sleeve to partially conceal her actions, pretending to drink the potion while secretly pouring it into her Dìmíng ring.

After “drinking,” Nángōu Huàn even turned the glass bottle upside down to show that she had emptied it.

“How do you feel, Little Huàn?” Shěn Yèyáo asked with feigned concern.

“Hmm, I don’t feel anything. This wouldn’t be a counterfeit, would it?” Nángōu Huàn replied dismissively, not wanting Shěn Yèyáo to feel too pleased with herself.

Shěn Yèyáo’s smile faltered, but she quickly laughed again, “It seems the talent potion doesn’t take effect immediately; you’ll need to go back and feel it out. But I assure you, these two potions have been certified by the Association, and they are indeed genuine talent potions.”

Fearing that others might not believe her, Shěn Yèyáo mentioned the certification association, knowing that with so many witnesses, she wouldn’t dare lie.

Thus, everyone eagerly began to bid, and in the end, a disciple from the Yè family won the auction.

Nángōu Huàn sighed; those foolish disciples would likely suffer tomorrow.

The auction concluded amid cheers, and everyone began to disperse.

As soon as Nángōu Huàn stepped out of the auction hall, she was stopped by the two siblings from the Yè family.

Yè Wànjūn seemed to have built up courage for a long time; he finally spoke, “Nángōu Huàn, let’s team up for tomorrow’s trial.”

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In the disciple trial, free team formation was allowed, with a maximum of five members per group. The final rankings would be based on the average scores of the group.

Yè Sāng nodded beside him; she had participated in the trial last year and couldn’t join this time. She was here to support her brother, after all, she had exchanged a few words with Nángōu Huàn.

Teaming up? Nángōu Huàn suddenly felt this was a good idea, and a plan to undermine Shěn Yèyáo emerged in her mind.

“Did you two also buy Shěn Yèyáo’s potions? Show me,” Nángōu Huàn asked, catching the siblings off guard.

The two exchanged glances, and to show sincerity, Yè Wànjūn took out the potion he had just won, saying, “Yes, we bought it; it was quite cheap. Why?”

Nángōu Huàn focused and noticed that there was indeed a bug in the potion!

“Just as I thought...” Nángōu Huàn realized this confirmed that every potion auctioned by Shěn Yèyáo contained a bug!

“What do you mean?” The siblings were puzzled, sensing something mysterious.

“This potion contains a bug, or rather, every bottle auctioned tonight does,” Nángōu Huàn stated plainly, knowing this was a necessary part of her plan.

The two gasped in shock, “A bug?!”

Such a sinister thing was still being used?

“Don’t be surprised; listen to me. Tell all the disciples from the Yè family not to consume tonight’s potions, and help me with one more thing...”

Nángōu Huàn explained her plan to them.

“Damn it, that Shěn Yèyáo is secretly scheming!” Yè Wànjūn clenched his fists in anger as he listened.

“Okay! I’ll make sure it’s done. Thanks to your warning, otherwise my brother would have fallen victim to that mother-daughter duo tomorrow,” Yè Sāng expressed her gratitude to Nángōu Huàn and immediately agreed to help.

This time, they would make sure Shěn Yèyáo was disgraced!

It was destined to be a sleepless night.

---

The next morning.

The eastern area of the Sān Dōng Forest was bustling, a stark contrast to its usual tranquility, as the disciple trial of the four major families was underway.

As a major event in the city every year, many townsfolk gathered at the outskirts to witness the outstanding disciples of the four families compete for this year’s championship.

The disciples arrived early, forming small groups with their chosen teammates. Nángōu Huàn was with Yè Wànjūn, ready for action.

The heads of the three major families and the city lord were already seated in the judging panel, with only Nángōu Jiè Míng’s seat left empty.

Nángōu Huàn heard from a servant that her grandfather was in seclusion, locked away in his room, and no one knew when he would emerge.

Among the judges were several elders from other reputable smaller families. Nángōu Huàn even spotted two familiar faces—Old Xu and Princess Sòng Xīrán, whom she had met at the certification association.

Beside Sòng Xīrán stood a man in a luxurious black qilin robe. From the conversations around her, Nángōu Huàn learned that he was the Sixth Prince, Sòng Què, from the royal palace. This territory belonged to him, so he was invited to witness this grand event.

“I heard that this year in Jiàng Lóu City, two promising talents emerged, both with ninth-level talent. In my opinion, it’s definitely Nángōu Qiānyuán,” Sòng Què said, fanning himself as he admired Nángōu Qiānyuán.

“Indeed, there’s a great possibility. The Yúnxīng Sect also mentioned that the Purple Star is a female, and she is indeed participating in this trial. We’ll see if it’s her today,” Sòng Xīrán chuckled softly, her gaze scanning the disciples until it suddenly landed on Nángōu Huàn.

Perhaps it was because of the peculiar black spots on her face that made her memorable.

Sòng Què confidently remarked, “I’d say it’s highly likely. Once the trial is over, I’ll invite her to our Royal Academy. We shouldn’t let talent go to waste.”

Hearing their conversation, Old Xu had a meaningful expression. He looked at Nángōu Qiānyuán, seemingly knowing something, but his expression was conflicted.

Last night, he had received dozens of potions; the sender claimed they were from Lord Hēi Lián, requesting the identification of these potions from Shěn Yèyáo’s auction.

Without exception, all were found to contain bugs.

And Shěn Yèyáo and Nángōu Qiānyuán were mother and daughter...

“I see that this year, the disciples of the four major families are all quite good, full of spirit. But perhaps the best talent isn’t necessarily the Purple Star,” Sòng Xīrán’s gaze lingered on Nángōu Huàn for a few more seconds, feeling as if she had seen this girl somewhere before, a sense of familiarity washing over her.

With that thought, Sòng Xīrán pointed to Nángōu Huàn and asked, “Who is that girl with the black spots on her face?”