"You aren't like Huan; with her strength, I bet she could easily take first place in the assessment. But with the token from Yue Zun, she doesn't even need to take the entrance exam to enter the academy," Ye Sang remarked, her desire to grow stronger igniting as she recalled Yue Zun's recent appearance.

Ye Wanjun rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. "Although Yue Zun didn’t explicitly say he would take Huan as a disciple, I feel like that’s what he meant."

Nangong Huan, deep in thought, turned to them and asked, "What kind of person is Yue Zun?"

He seemed to have a considerable understanding of the Earth Spirit Clan, especially since he could tell she practiced their techniques.

"Yue Zun is a peak-level Nine Spirit Realm expert. He is diligent, fair, and just. He was recently transferred here as the vice president and is said to be fascinated by certain races in Feng Xuan. He enjoys studying their histories, like that of the merfolk and dwarves," Ye Sang explained, having learned about Yue Jianqing during her year at the academy.

No wonder! Nangong Huan realized that Yue Zun must have noticed her practicing the Earth Spirit Clan's techniques and was interested in the clan that had vanished three thousand years ago. That’s why he invited her with a token.

As a Nine Spirit Realm expert, she was certain she could learn something from him.

At that moment, a haughty woman emerged from a nearby academy outpost, dressed in an extravagant light yellow brocade gown. She was slightly plump, adorably styled, with jade hairpins swaying like a porcelain doll. Two tall maidservants with decent cultivation followed her.

Her brash demeanor was far from ladylike.

"Ye Sang! Stop right there!" the woman shouted, marching straight towards them and blocking their path.

"Princess, what brings you here?" Ye Sang's expression turned cold, clearly not fond of this princess.

This woman was none other than the Third Princess, Song Qingcheng, and it was evident that her relationship with Ye Sang was far from cordial.

"Hmph! You dare come to my territory? You have some nerve!" Song Qingcheng crossed her arms, her demeanor radiating the arrogance of someone in power.

Ye Sang narrowed her eyes and replied, "You jest, Princess. This imperial capital belongs to the emperor. Are you suggesting you want to usurp..."

"Shut up!"

Song Qingcheng interrupted her with a shriek, a cold sweat breaking out on her. How dare this wretch speak such nonsense!

"Ye Sang, losing to you in the academy's dragon-tiger competition was a generous act on my part. You should be grateful, yet you’ve grown so arrogant. Do you really think this princess is easy to bully?" Song Qingcheng boasted, sounding as if she truly believed her own words.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Ye Wanjun could no longer hold back. "With the Third Princess being only a peak-level Two Spirit Realm, how can she compete with my sister, who is in the early stages of Three Spirit Realm?"

"Admit defeat if you’re weak; don’t make excuses!" Ye Wanjun muttered under his breath, but Song Qingcheng overheard.

Her fierce gaze shot towards Ye Wanjun, then shifted to Nangong Huan, mocking, "Is this your brother? His strength is pathetic; he doesn’t even qualify to be my footstool!"

She then turned her attacks toward Nangong Huan. "You’re the one always shadowing Qian’er, the wicked sister who bullies her. You’re so ugly, I could almost vomit just looking at you!"

Shen Yeyao's family was influential, often bringing Nangong Qian'er to the palace, so Qian'er had tried every means to get close to the Third Princess, and their relationship was fairly good.

With her relentless verbal assault, Ye Sang's fists tightened, her expression darkening.

In this vast imperial capital, she certainly didn’t want to provoke the royal family, as she knew it could lead to dire consequences.

The Third Princess, taking advantage of her position, vented her pent-up frustrations at the academy!

A flicker of hidden killing intent crossed Nangong Huan's eyes, but she knew she couldn’t act in such a public setting.

"Ah, so you’re the infamous Third Princess?!" Nangong Huan exclaimed, catching Song Qingcheng off guard for a moment.

"Your Highness, Qian’er has mentioned to me how well we get along at home. However, she also told me that you are domineering and that she has to flatter you whenever you meet. She secretly placed a curse on you, so if anything happens, she could use your life to threaten you into doing her bidding," Nangong Huan said, feigning concern.

Song Qingcheng frowned, her mind spinning for a moment before she hesitantly replied, "You’re lying! Qian’er isn’t that kind of person!"

The siblings exchanged glances, staying silent and watching Nangong Huan continue her act.

"Today, during the trial of the four major families, news of Qian’er’s curse has spread. More than half of the participants have fallen victim to it, including me. If you don’t believe me, Your Highness, you can investigate yourself. Just a reminder: when you’re with her, be cautious," Nangong Huan said, leaving the rest to Song Qingcheng’s judgment.

"Hmph! I won’t believe your slander!" Song Qingcheng scoffed, crossing her arms. Yet, deep down, her words had planted a seed of doubt.

Could Qian’er really have cursed her?

It was said that those who practiced curses did so without anyone noticing, completely unprepared.

"Believe it or not, tomorrow in Jianglou City, a master alchemist named Heilian will help everyone dispel the curses. You might want to check it out, Your Highness," Nangong Huan suggested before signaling Ye Sang and Ye Wanjun to leave.

A master alchemist of that level coming to Jianglou City? Song Qingcheng was momentarily stunned, her thoughts racing. If he was truly a master, it wouldn’t hurt to make connections, especially since she had nothing planned for tomorrow. Perhaps she should go... and see?

But when she regained her senses, she found that the three had already vanished.

"They escaped?!" Song Qingcheng fumed, punching the air in frustration.

Her maidservant behind her chimed in, "Your Highness, I saw them enter the Ronghua Auction House."

The Ronghua Auction House wasn’t far from here; it was just down the street.

"The Ronghua Auction House? I heard they have rare treasures up for bid tonight. Let’s go take a look!" Song Qingcheng waved her hand and headed toward the auction house.

As the three entered the auction house, they noticed Song Qingcheng approaching. Nangong Huan quickly pulled Ye Sang and Ye Wanjun into a secluded corner to observe her.

"What are we doing?" Ye Sang asked, puzzled.

"Of course, we’re getting revenge—right here, right now!" Nangong Huan whispered, keeping her eyes on the entrance.