The mentor's face turned pale with shock as he hurriedly raised his sword to sever the roots, but the remaining vines still writhed around him!

They pricked into his vital organs!

“Ah—” A wretched scream escaped the mentor’s lips as he collapsed to the ground, drawing Nangong Qian'er’s attention.

“Mentor!” Nangong Qian'er exclaimed in disbelief, her pursuit of the spirit beast forgotten as she turned to glare at Nangong Huan.

How could this waste have possibly killed the mentor?

“Be careful... magic...” With his last ounce of strength, the mentor managed to squeeze out those few words before his spirit departed.

From just Nangong Huan's two moves, the mentor could only deduce that she had learned wood magic; otherwise, there was no way to explain her control over the trees.

At the moment the mentor died, Nangong Huan saw a wisp of grayish-white drifting from his body. She understood that it was the mentor's dissipating soul; Spirit Masters often could perceive things invisible to ordinary people.

Nangong Qian'er stood frozen in shock. This waste really could cultivate? She had actually killed the mentor!

The Nine Meng Dragon blinked its large eyes, curiously watching Nangong Huan. While it knew humans were despicable, this one didn’t seem so bad! She even smelled nice!

At that moment, the spirit elder in the space remarked, “The earth spirit energy is an immense temptation for these divine beasts.”

Nangong Huan’s eyes brightened. Noticing the Nine Meng Dragon peeking at her, she beckoned it with her fingers, “Come here, little one.”

“Roar, roar!”

The Nine Meng Dragon’s eyes lit up like bulbs!

It dashed towards Nangong Huan, its tongue lolling out as it ran, droplets of saliva flying everywhere, using all its strength!

In just three seconds, the Nine Meng Dragon reached Nangong Huan, leaping onto her hand and biting down on her finger!

The contract array shone brightly!

The Nine Meng Dragon recognized its master!

“Master!” The dragon’s innocent voice echoed in Nangong Huan’s heart, a soft sound that struck her deeply!

It blinked its big eyes adorably, rubbing against Nangong Huan's palm.

“So cute, I’ll call you Little Nine,” Nangong Huan smiled warmly, stroking the fluffy creature in her hand. It felt wonderful.

“Master, you have bad bugs inside you. Little Nine will suck them out!” The Nine Meng Dragon extended its tongue and spat out a white bug the size of a grain of rice!

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Nangong Huan’s gaze sharpened. This was the curse bug that Nangong Qian'er had placed inside her when they were children. The black spots on her face were the result of this bug.

For three years, she had searched for a way to remove it, but to no avail. She never expected Little Nine to extract it directly!

“Well done, Little Nine.” Nangong Huan enveloped the bug with her spiritual energy, intending to crush it on the spot. But then, she caught a glimpse of Nangong Qian'er, and her expression darkened.

The bug would die if it didn’t find a new host within fifteen minutes of leaving its original one, but it could survive if it latched onto a new host. So...

“Ah—” At that moment, Nangong Qian'er finally snapped out of her shock, letting out a terrifying scream!

This ugly monster not only killed the mentor but also contracted her spirit beast!

“Nangong Huan, you! You!” Nangong Qian'er pointed at her, so furious she couldn’t even articulate her thoughts.

But seeing the mentor’s lifeless body nearby, all her anger got stuck in her throat, turning her face crimson.

If Nangong Huan could kill the mentor, then she could certainly kill her too!

“What’s wrong with me, hmm?” Nangong Huan’s voice rose threateningly as she stepped closer.

A cruel smile graced her lips, the sunlight casting shadows on her face, making her look like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Nangong Qian'er’s heart raced, and she instinctively took two steps back, her legs trembling.

“Y-you stay away! I’ve already called for Brother Yu Gong; he’ll be here soon!” Nangong Qian'er made a last-ditch effort to resist.

Brother Yu Gong? Nangong Huan raised an eyebrow. Oh, that must be Wei Yu Gong, the fiancé she was betrothed to as a child.

The original host had once been fond of him, but he and Nangong Qian'er had mutual feelings.

If Nangong Qian'er hadn’t mentioned him, she would have almost forgotten he existed.

“What? You think he can save you?” A cruel smile curled at the corners of Nangong Huan’s lips as she pressed forward, her aura overwhelming as she approached Nangong Qian'er.

Before Nangong Qian'er could say another word, Nangong Huan seized her by the throat!

Little Nine perched on Nangong Huan’s shoulder, sticking its tongue out at Nangong Qian'er.

Nangong Qian'er’s face flushed red as she struggled to breathe, her hands clawing at Nangong Huan’s grip, her sharp nails digging into her arm. Yet, Nangong Huan didn’t seem to feel a thing, remaining utterly still.

In the next moment, Nangong Huan pressed Nangong Qian'er down towards the nearby lake, forcefully submerging her head!

Simultaneously, with her other hand, she tossed the curse bug into the water, watching it slide down Nangong Qian'er’s throat as she choked.

“Gurgle... Nangong Huan, cough... you won’t get away with this, gurgle...” Death's shadow loomed over Nangong Qian'er, but she still couldn’t keep her mouth shut.

Nangong Huan remained expressionless, keeping her head submerged until it seemed like Nangong Qian'er would suffocate before pulling her up, repeating this process over and over. Countless times, Nangong Qian'er felt as if she were seeing her ancestors.

“Don’t... gurgle... help... I was wrong, gurgle...” Nangong Qian'er’s face was indistinguishable from the lake water and her tears; she was terrified!

The sensation of teetering on the edge of death was far worse than being killed outright!

“What? What did you say? Speak up!” Nangong Huan feigned mercy, lifting her head.

Seizing the chance to breathe, Nangong Qian'er quickly softened her tone, “Sister, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have fought you over the spirit beast; it’s best suited for you.”

But inside, she was cursing: If I survive this, I’ll make you pay, ugly monster!

“Sorry, I don’t accept.” Nangong Huan scoffed, seeing through her thoughts, and pressed her head back down.

Suddenly, a booming voice rang out!

“Nangong Huan, what are you doing?!”

Nangong Huan sensed a spiritual blade flying towards her from behind and quickly dodged.

When she steadied herself, she saw Wei Yu Gong in white robes pulling Nangong Qian'er up, cradling her in his arms and comforting her.

Nangong Huan looked Wei Yu Gong up and down. This handsome young man was indeed her fiancé, looking quite presentable.

However, compared to the white-clad youth she had encountered earlier, he was on a completely different level.