In the next moment, Dong Yan Cuo’s gaze shifted downward to the candied hawthorn in his hand. His clear eyes sparkled with a hint of childlike innocence. In a few quick bites, he devoured the last piece, savoring the taste as he licked his lips. He patted his empty stomach and murmured with lingering satisfaction, "Delicious... She must have more."

  A loud growl from his stomach echoed his thoughts. He raised his eyes and quickly followed the direction in which Nan Gong Huan had disappeared.

  ...

  Far away, on the Star Observation Platform of the Eternal Night.

  An elderly man with a hunched back, sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes. A glint of brilliance flashed in his gaze. He stood up shakily, his frail body trembling with excitement. His cloudy eyes widened as he stared intently at the shifting stars in the sky. His face lit up with astonishment and joy, tears welling up in his eyes.

  "The Purple Star has descended, only to vanish behind the storm of the Earth Spirit Star... I understand now, my old master. Rest assured, your servant will protect the young master and pave a smooth path for him!"

  The old man grabbed his cane and hurried to the side of the mountain peak. His wrinkled hands tightly gripped the mallet as he struck the ancient bronze bell adorned with intricate patterns. The resonant sound echoed through the valley!

  Dong—Dong—Dong—

  "Announce to the seven kingdoms! The Purple Star has descended! It resides in Feng Xuan!"

  ...

  Meanwhile, in the heart of the Three Winter Forest, beneath the towering Spirit King Tree that reached a hundred meters into the sky.

  Nan Gong Qian’er stared intently at the small dragon beast curled up before her, a greedy smile spreading across her face.

  "Nine-Moon Dragon Beast, submit to me! Only I am worthy of being your master!"

  The tiny Nine-Moon Dragon resembled a marten, its body covered in soft, fluffy blue-purple fur. Two small wings adorned its back, making it incredibly adorable. Its large, round eyes were filled with vigilance and fear.

  This woman smells awful! It didn’t like her!

  Nan Gong Qian’er’s face loomed closer as she even cut her finger, preparing to form a blood contract.

  In the next moment, the Nine-Moon Dragon agilely darted away. It had no intention of submitting to a human! Its inherited memories told it that humans were dirty, malicious creatures!

  "Damn it..." Nan Gong Qian’er’s smile nearly faltered. This stubborn beast! Neither threats nor bribes had worked. It was utterly unyielding!

  Once she became its master, she’d whip it first! It needed to learn who was in charge!

  Beside her, the instructor moved faster. "It won’t escape. It’s destined to be Miss Qian’er’s prize." The instructor’s speed surpassed the Nine-Moon Dragon’s, and he effortlessly grabbed it by the scruff of its neck.

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  The instructor smirked proudly. "After contracting this beast, Miss Qian’er will undoubtedly become the strongest in this year’s disciple trials!"

  "Argh! Argh!" The Nine-Moon Dragon struggled fiercely, but its fragile, newborn spiritual energy was no match for the instructor’s two-spirit strength.

  Nan Gong Qian’er roughly grabbed its head, squeezing hard enough to make it yelp in pain.

  "Argh!" Stinky human! That hurts! You’ll pay for this!

  As the Nine-Moon Dragon continued to struggle, Nan Gong Qian’er’s bloodied finger was about to touch its forehead when suddenly, a sharp branch shot through the air like an arrow. It sliced past Nan Gong Qian’er’s arm and pierced the instructor’s wrist!

  "Ah!" Both of them cried out in pain, releasing their grip. The Nine-Moon Dragon kicked free and darted away!

  However, it didn’t flee far. Instead, it hid in the grass, observing, because it had sensed a familiar and comforting aura from that branch.

  It really liked that aura!

  "What a coincidence, Sister Qian’er. You’re here too," Nan Gong Huan said as she walked over, casually twirling a thin branch in her hand.

  Her lips curved into a meaningful smile, but her peach blossom eyes held a cold glint. The black blemish on her face now carried a sinister edge.

  "Nan Gong Huan?! What are you doing here?" Nan Gong Qian’er clutched her injured hand, frowning at her. How did this waste show up out of nowhere?

  On her way here, she had already sent people to block all competitors. How did this trash manage to appear?

  "If Sister can be here, why can’t I?" Nan Gong Huan replied nonchalantly, her gaze briefly flickering toward the little creature hiding in the grass.

  "Tch!" Nan Gong Qian’er snorted, not wanting to waste time on this waste. She turned to chase after the divine beast, but before she could take a step, Nan Gong Huan blocked her path again!

  A slender branch shot past her chest, cutting off a strand of her hair before embedding itself into a nearby tree trunk, stirring a gentle breeze!

  "Nan Gong Huan! If you want to be a spirit communicator, go ahead! Why are you stopping me from contracting the divine beast?" Nan Gong Qian’er glared at her. If the beast got away, how would this trash make up for it?

  "The divine beast is mine. Sister should find another," Nan Gong Huan said with a playful tone, as if contracting a divine beast was just a game.

  This statement made Nan Gong Qian’er burst into laughter. She sneered, "Sister, are you daydreaming? You? Contracting a divine beast? That’s the funniest joke I’ve ever heard! Hahaha!"

  "Miss Qian’er, go ahead and contract the beast. Leave Miss Huan to me," the instructor stepped forward, his voice dark. He had already removed the branch from his wrist and hastily bandaged it.

  "Then I’ll leave this to you," Nan Gong Qian’er nodded, casting one last disdainful look at Nan Gong Huan before running off in the direction the Nine-Moon Dragon had fled.

  Seeing the stinky woman chasing after it, the Nine-Moon Dragon naturally bolted, but it didn’t go far. Thus, a game of cat and mouse began.

  Meanwhile, Nan Gong Huan stood face-to-face with the instructor. She could sense his two-spirit mid-stage strength.

  "Miss Huan, I advise you to pretend you saw nothing and return home to rest," the instructor said with his usual stern authority, looking down at her.

  However, Nan Gong Huan didn’t waste words. She simply raised her right hand, and behind her, a cluster of dried branches floated into the air. Their sharp tips gleamed like arrows, their sheer numbers enough to turn the instructor into a sieve. The sight sent a shiver down his spine!

  "You have spiritual energy now?" the instructor asked in surprise. It hadn’t even been two hours since Nan Gong Huan’s talent test. How had she done it?

  But he quickly suppressed his shock. Everyone in this world had spiritual energy. Perhaps she had just awakened it late.

  Nan Gong Huan didn’t answer. She pressed her finger forward, and all the branches shot toward the instructor!

  "Your technique is decent, but your power is still too weak!" the instructor scoffed, swinging his sword to cut down the branches.

  In response, Nan Gong Huan clenched her fist, and thick tree roots burst from the ground. They coiled around the instructor’s legs like vines, climbing up to his waist in less than a second!