Nangong Huan's gaze casually swept over the crowd; in fact, she had been outside listening to their conversation and heard every word clearly.

Her grandfather was the best person in the world to her. Just yesterday, he had been called by the city lord for a discussion and didn’t return until this morning. She could see the fatigue etched on his face, which made Nangong Huan feel a pang of heartache.

Only Nangong Jieming's expression brightened instantly. "Really? That's wonderful!"

"I will work hard to cultivate as a Spirit Master, please believe in me, Grandpa!" Nangong Huan looked into his eyes and said firmly.

Nangong Jieming initially wanted to advise her to choose another profession, but he suddenly recalled Nangong Jingtian's words—he couldn't protect her under his wings forever.

He raised his hand to gently pat Nangong Huan's head, revealing a loving smile as he reassured her, "Little Huan, go ahead and do what you want. Grandpa will protect you."

"Mm!" Nangong Huan nodded and smiled, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons.

"Tch, trying hard to be a Spirit Master, huh?" Wei Xuefeng muttered under his breath, almost laughing out loud. He was glad he had successfully annulled the engagement; otherwise, the Wei family would surely become a laughingstock!

The talented scion of the Wei family marrying a Spirit Master? What a disgrace!

Nangong Jieming shot a cold glance at Wei Xuefeng, who rolled his eyes in feigned ignorance.

A chilling gaze suddenly fell on Wei Xuefeng, causing his body to tremble.

What a strong sense of oppression! Wei Xuefeng felt as if his body had stiffened, as though he had fallen into an icy abyss.

Instinctively, he glanced toward Dong Yancuo, who was looking at him! Those deep blue eyes resembled a deep-sea abyss; just one look nearly made him weak at the knees!

"Hiss!" Wei Xuefeng quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look again, his heart secretly alarmed. When did the Nangong family gain such a powerful expert?

In just two seconds, Dong Yancuo withdrew his gaze, standing there in a daze. His eyes slightly shifted to Nangong Huan, blinking... Hmm, someone bullied Huan Huan, and when Huan Huan is unhappy, she won’t take him to find food.

The grandfather and granddaughter pair, despite the annulment of the engagement, still did not intend to leave. Wei Yuwu pressed on, "Nangong Huan, what about your spirit beast? As a Spirit Master, you can't fully utilize its power, so why not give it to Qian'er?"

It seemed that the success of the annulment had given him more confidence.

Nangong Jieming was about to step forward to stop this, but Nangong Huan held him back and turned to him with a big smile.

"Sure, but I have a condition." Nangong Huan's gaze fell on Nangong Qian'er, her smile somewhat mischievous.

The sight of Nangong Huan's concession gave everyone hope, and even Wei Yuwu looked at her a bit more favorably.

"Sister, what condition? As long as Qian'er can do it, we will satisfy you," Nangong Qian'er said excitedly, stepping forward. The thought of soon possessing a spirit beast thrilled her!

Once she contracted the spirit beast, she would kick that ugly girl aside!

The other elders watched with interest, seemingly certain that the spirit beast would belong to Nangong Qian'er.

"If you can take one of my moves without falling, I will give you the spirit beast," Nangong Huan said, fixing her gaze on Nangong Qian'er as she rubbed her fingers, feeling a bit itchy.

"Okay!" Nangong Qian'er answered without hesitation, immediately stepping to the center of the hall to confront Nangong Huan.

She smiled confidently, believing that Nangong Huan must have won by sneak attack yesterday; this time, she would definitely withstand it!

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Nangong Jieming wanted to advise her, but seeing Nangong Huan's determined back, he held back his feelings. He had to trust Huan.

"Sister, come on," Nangong Qian'er said, taking a defensive stance, her body releasing a protective spirit energy shield. The solid power made the elders' eyes light up.

As expected of the family's top talent, her technique was utilized so skillfully!

"Then you better stand firm." Nangong Huan's gaze sharpened as she raised her hand like a blade and charged forward!

Her hand sliced through the shield like a sharp blade and struck her face!

In an instant, Nangong Qian'er felt dizzy, the force knocking her down onto the floor!

The hall erupted in gasps!

Nangong Jingtian's expression darkened, his fingers clawing toward Nangong Huan, but Nangong Jieming was quicker, blocking his hand!

"Second brother, what do you want to do?" Nangong Jieming narrowed his eyes, tightening his grip, causing Nangong Jingtian's expression to twist.

"Big brother, is this how you indulge Nangong Huan?" Nangong Jingtian said stubbornly. Who doesn’t have a granddaughter? Nangong Qian'er is also his own granddaughter!

Nangong Jieming was not swayed by his words, shaking off his hand and saying, "This is a competition among the younger generation; Qian'er agreed just now."

"Qian'er, are you okay?" Wei Yuwu rushed over to help Nangong Qian'er up.

"I... I'm fine," Nangong Qian'er gritted her teeth, covering her face, and shot a resentful glare at Nangong Huan. How could this ugly girl break through her defense? Was it because she had contracted a spirit beast?

Nangong Huan shrugged and said, "Looks like Qian'er didn't withstand that move, so the spirit beast can't be given to you, sister."

"Indeed, sister is very impressive," Nangong Qian'er forced out a smile, gritting her teeth as she spoke. This little brat would pay for this one day!

Nangong Huan turned around and took Nangong Jieming's hand, playfully saying, "Grandpa, you must be tired; go rest now, or I will get angry!"

But suddenly, Nangong Huan's expression froze, her fingers moving to Nangong Jieming's pulse, and a purple light flashed in her eyes. How could there be... a worm in Grandpa's body?!

Could it also be that Nangong Qian'er did this?! She cast a sidelong glance at Nangong Qian'er.

Ever since contracting Xiao Jiu, she had become particularly sensitive to these things. The worm was slowly corroding her grandfather's meridians. Thinking about it, over the years, her grandfather’s cultivation had not improved at all; instead, it had shown signs of decline.

But Xiao Jiu was still asleep; otherwise, she could have forced the worm out. She would see if entering the Spirit Refinement Pavilion today would awaken Xiao Jiu.

She must cure her grandfather's condition!

"Alright, I’ll listen to you. Grandpa will go rest now," Nangong Jieming nodded indulgently, but sighed inwardly, wishing that Huan's face didn’t have those dark spots. Unfortunately, he had searched for many famous doctors over the years, but none had found a solution.

He must cure Huan's face!

"By the way, Huan'er, the disciple trials will begin in two days, and all the disciples who measured their spirits will participate. You should prepare as well." The grandfather and granddaughter chatted, oblivious to everything else. His main purpose for visiting the city lord's mansion last night was to explain this matter.

"Don't worry, Grandpa. I've been preparing," Nangong Huan reassured him, patting his hand.

Every year, after measuring spirits, the four great families would jointly open the disciple trials to enhance the disciples' strength. Those with high talent and strength would have the opportunity to study at various academies.

The two walked hand in hand, chatting and laughing as they left the hall, leaving the silent crowd with their own thoughts.

With Grandpa going to rest, Nangong Huan and Dong Yancuo set off toward the Spirit Refinement Pavilion.

On one side of the Winter Forest, high peaks stood tall, and deep ravines crisscrossed. The Spirit Refinement Pavilion was nestled within.

After crossing several walkways, Nangong Huan finally arrived at the entrance of the Spirit Refinement Pavilion.

The pavilion was square-shaped, only three stories high, but it spanned a thousand meters. Its flying eaves were high and curved, with some moss growing on the gray tiles. In certain sunken areas, birds had built nests, and the surface lacked luxurious decorations, even showing signs of wear and cracks due to the wind and sun.

It resembled an aged elder sitting in the mountains, imparting wisdom to those who came.

After confirming their identities as disciples of the four great families, Nangong Huan was allowed into the square in front of the pavilion. There were four challenge arenas, and many disciples from the four great families were engaged in challenges, likely because the disciple trials were about to begin, with a flurry of one-spirit disciples around.

To enter the Spirit Refinement Pavilion, one had to defeat an opponent of a higher level. The higher the opponent's level, the longer one could stay in the pavilion.

Nangong Huan calculated that if she wanted to stay in the pavilion until evening, she would need to challenge an opponent at the mid-level of the two-spirit realm.

In this world, the levels were divided from one to ten spirits, with each spirit level further divided into early, mid, late, and peak stages.

"Hey, isn’t that the waste from the Nangong family? What are you doing at the Spirit Refinement Pavilion? Here to admire the scenery?" A boy's mocking voice rang out, drawing many eyes to Nangong Huan, followed by a burst of laughter.

Nangong Huan glanced at him; wasn’t that the night family’s heir, Ye Wanjun?

Although she had little interaction with the Ye family, her reputation as a waste had long spread among the four great families.

"Cuocuo, go!" Nangong Huan casually said, and she saw Dong Yancuo swiftly step forward, slapping the boy hard, then quickly returning to her side, his eyes sparkling as if seeking praise.

Ye Wanjun was sent spinning three hundred and sixty degrees, crashing to the ground, his cheek swollen, and a faint layer of frost could be seen on the imprint of the slap.

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