The disciples of the Nan Gong family couldn't sit still anymore.

  "Nan Gong Huan, what nonsense are you spouting?"

  "What do you mean by declaring war? You’re clearly up to no good!"

  "You’re trying to stir up conflict among the four great families and ruin our peaceful relations!"

  But their voices were drowned out by the crowd, and no one heard their protests.

  On the other hand, the disciples of the other three families were fired up, rolling up their sleeves and shouting back in response.

  "If the Nan Gong family is so arrogant, fine, the Chi family accepts the challenge!"

  "Whoever ranks last will be the dog!"

  "I’m definitely bringing out my best treasures tomorrow. Don’t think the Nan Gong family will win!"

  "Don’t think just because you have a nine-level talent like Nan Gong Qian’er that you can walk all over us. The Ye family’s disciples aren’t pushovers either!"

  "Since you’ve declared war, I won’t take your potions! So you can’t whine about us being shameless!"

  The passionate shouts of the crowd left the Nan Gong disciples looking constipated. It was too late to say anything now; the saliva from the other three families was practically drowning them!

  After making her announcement, Nan Gong Huan swaggered back to her seat, receiving a barrage of hostile glares from the Nan Gong disciples.

  Among those who remained calm were Ye Sang and Ye Wan Jun from the Ye family.

  "Big sis, she’s really good at stirring the pot. She’s dragging the entire Nan Gong family into the mud," Ye Wan Jun clicked his tongue. He hadn’t paid much attention to the situation earlier, but after Nan Gong Huan’s words, anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t be swayed by her.

  "I think the Nan Gong family has underestimated her. Do you know what I discovered at the Spirit Gathering Pavilion that day?" Ye Sang crossed her arms, speaking in a low voice only the two of them could hear.

  "What?" Ye Wan Jun leaned in closer.

  Ye Sang pursed her lips and said, "The spiritual veins that disappeared were absorbed by her."

  "What?!" Ye Wan Jun was about to exclaim, but Ye Sang covered his mouth, signaling him to keep quiet.

  "That’s why I think she’s not simple. Maybe she’s obtained some incredibly powerful inheritance, which is why she transformed from a waste to a genius overnight," Ye Sang said seriously, her gaze fixed on Nan Gong Huan. The more she looked, the more she felt there was something extraordinary about her.

  Ye Wan Jun was so shocked he couldn’t speak. Was Nan Gong Huan really that impressive?

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  Meanwhile, when she heard that people were refusing to buy her potions, Shen Ye Rong, who had been watching from the backstage, couldn’t sit still anymore. She didn’t care about the disciples’ conflicts, but tonight’s potion auction couldn’t be ruined!

  With a bright smile, Shen Ye Rong gracefully stepped onto the stage, the spotlight instantly focusing on her.

  "Could everyone please quiet down for a moment?" Shen Ye Rong stood at the center of the stage, and the noisy chatter gradually subsided.

  "Thank you all for coming to my auction. Your presence has brought great honor to this place. Today, I’m auctioning potions at a low price not only to support the disciples of the four great families but also for the shared glory and future of our families. To be fair, I won’t favor the children of the Nan Gong family. I hope the potions I’ve crafted can be of help to everyone..." Shen Ye Rong went on and on with sweet words, all to promote her potions.

  However, high-quality potions were rare, and a low-price auction was even rarer. Potions in the shops outside were practically sky-high, so everyone wanted to take advantage of the bargain.

  Under Shen Ye Rong’s soothing words, the other three families calmed down, though the tension still lingered in the air.

  With the introduction of the chief auctioneer, the potion auction proceeded smoothly.

  One bottle after another was sold, ranging from first to fourth grade, totaling around sixty bottles. Shen Ye Rong indeed offered the lowest prices, almost half of what was available on the market.

  There were over eighty disciples participating in the trial, and most elders chose to buy potions for their children.

  One more potion meant one more layer of security.

  Not far from Nan Gong Huan, she overheard the whispered conversation between Nan Gong Qian’er and Wei Yu Gong.

  "Brother Yu Gong, these two bottles are for you," Nan Gong Qian’er secretly handed Wei Yu Gong two bottles of potions, her face flushed with shyness.

  "Qian’er, these are too valuable. I can’t accept them," Wei Yu Gong glanced at the two fourth-grade potions, which were worth a fortune.

  "It’s fine, Brother Yu Gong. Tomorrow’s trial, you must protect me well," Nan Gong Qian’er insisted, pressing them into his hands and leaning into his chest like a delicate bird.

  Unable to refuse, Wei Yu Gong eventually accepted the two potions.

  Nan Gong Qian’er glanced toward Nan Gong Huan, who seemed completely indifferent. She hadn’t bought a single potion today.

  Of course, someone as poor as Nan Gong Huan only had her monthly stipend as the eldest daughter—five thousand spirit coins—which wasn’t even enough to buy a potion stopper. Nan Gong Qian’er secretly sneered. If it weren’t for tomorrow’s plan, she wouldn’t even want to see this ugly girl!

  Soon, the final potion was brought up, but before the auction, Shen Ye Rong stepped onto the stage again, ready to address the crowd.

  "This last potion is something I’ve spent a long time crafting—a fourth-grade talent potion. Before the auction, I’d like to say a few words," Shen Ye Rong adopted a sentimental tone, speaking softly.

  "In the Nan Gong family, there are many outstanding children, but one of them is particularly special to me. She lost her parents and had no one to guide her, which led to her developing a rebellious nature. Over the years, I’ve felt that the Nan Gong family has owed her a lot, so I’ve treated her as my own. Today, I’ve prepared an extra bottle of this talent potion to give to her as a token of my affection as her aunt. Xiao Huan, come up."

  Shen Ye Rong directly called out Nan Gong Huan, subtly belittling her while claiming to make amends.

  "Now, I’ll give this talent potion to Xiao Huan. Xiao Huan, could you take it on the spot? It would be a waste of my good intentions otherwise, and everyone can see the effects."

  Oh, so this was the trap!

  Nan Gong Huan looked at Shen Ye Rong’s affectionate and expectant expression from a distance. After a moment of thought, she stepped onto the stage again.

  Previously, Shen Ye Rong had no idea that Nan Gong Huan was behind the incidents. The only possibility was that Nan Gong Qian’er felt threatened and wanted to scheme against her!

  The crowd immediately began whispering again, their opinions divided.

  "Two days ago at the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, Nan Gong Qian’er was beaten so badly. Madam Shen is really magnanimous."

  "Who cares? Let’s see the effects of this talent potion. If it’s good, I’m definitely buying it!"

  "A waste suddenly becoming useful—could it be that Madam Shen has been providing her with potions all along?"

  "Then Madam Shen would be Nan Gong Huan’s great benefactor."