A golden glint flashed in Nan Gong Huan's eyes. The first-level authority allowed her to control the speed of time within a certain space, either slowing it down or speeding it up.

  If an enemy attacked with great speed, she could use this authority to slow them down or speed herself up.

  Understanding the key points, Nan Gong Huan began her training.

  She practiced with Little Nine, the two of them darting through every corner of the grand hall.

  Bo Bo, the rabbit, lay by the door, watching Nan Gong Huan's movements and occasionally offering advice.

  Elder Ling, meanwhile, continued to lounge in his pool, gazing at Nan Gong Huan's figure in the hall, lost in nostalgic thoughts.

  A day and night passed quickly.

  Nan Gong Huan had grasped the basics of the first-level authority. She could now activate it within a small area and use it flexibly in combat. She had also developed a bit more默契 with Little Nine.

  Inside the hall, an apple flew through the air.

  "Little Nine!" Nan Gong Huan called out softly, raising her hand to activate the first-level authority toward the apple.

  A faint golden, translucent sphere appeared around the apple, drastically slowing its speed.

  Little Nine followed up, its claws slashing through the air with cold flashes of light!

  In the next moment, the authority's sphere dissipated, and the apple fell to the ground in several pieces, which Little Nine promptly gobbled up.

  "This skill really drains spiritual energy," Nan Gong Huan wiped the sweat from her brow. It was much more difficult than directly using spiritual energy. Using it on a larger scale would consume even more of her energy.

  Bo Bo lay on the ground, stretching lazily. "You're actually learning quite quickly. The inheritors I've seen before took a year or two to get the hang of it. They were so slow."

  Nan Gong Huan's lips twitched. After a day of interaction, she realized this rabbit was brutally honest, saying whatever came to mind.

  Suddenly, Nan Gong Huan sensed movement outside the Di Ming Ring and quickly returned to her room.

  Knock knock—

  The door was knocked, and a maid's voice came from outside. "Miss Huan, are you there?"

  Nan Gong Huan opened the door to find a maid from Shen Ye Rong's side.

  "Did Madam Shen send you?"

  The maid was very respectful, handing over an invitation with both hands. "Madam is hosting a magic potion auction tonight. She has specially invited you. Madam treats you like her own daughter, so she will also gift you a third-grade magic potion. Please make sure to attend."

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  The phrase "treats you like her own daughter" made it clear that this was a wolf in sheep's clothing, with no good intentions.

  Nan Gong Huan raised an eyebrow but accepted the invitation. "Alright, I'll be there."

  Tomorrow was the disciple trial, and Shen Ye Rong was hosting an auction tonight. Nan Gong Huan wanted to see what Shen Ye Rong was up to.

  ...

  Night fell.

  Shen Ye Rong had rented the largest auction house in the city, inviting many from the four great families. Of course, people outside the four families could also attend to watch, but they couldn't participate in the auction.

  She claimed it was for the benefit of all disciples participating in the trial tomorrow, auctioning various grades of spirit recovery potions, healing potions, speed-enhancing potions...

  This move would indeed boost her reputation and earn her some goodwill from the four families.

  Many disciples and elders from the four families had come, totaling around six hundred people. Including the onlookers, there were nearly ten thousand people.

  Nan Gong Huan also arrived at the seating area reserved for the Nan Gong family and casually took a seat. She glanced around and noticed her grandfather wasn't there.

  "Sister Huan, I'm so glad you could come," Nan Gong Qian'er's voice came from the side.

  Nan Gong Huan turned to see her walking over in an elegant goose-yellow dress, her steps graceful.

  Today, Nan Gong Qian'er was meticulously dressed, exuding a gentle, watery charm that had Wei Yu Gong, who was behind her, completely smitten, his eyes glued to her.

  "Sister, you're so open-minded, seeing me and still being so happy," Nan Gong Huan smirked.

  It must have been hard for Nan Gong Qian'er, after being beaten so badly two days ago, to still greet her with a smile.

  Nan Gong Qian'er's smile faltered slightly. "What happened before was a misunderstanding. I hope we can get along well, working together for the family's glory."

  "I think Sister alone is enough to support the family's glory," Nan Gong Huan leaned back in her seat, relaxed and lazy.

  "Sister, you flatter me. Every child is the backbone of the family's future," Nan Gong Qian'er covered her mouth with a light laugh, but a glint of darkness flashed in her eyes. Her fingers tightened as she looked at Nan Gong Huan's seemingly unguarded posture, wishing she could stab her in the heart.

  "Is that so?" Nan Gong Huan's lips curled. "Then I'm really afraid the family might develop a spinal disease."

  From what she had seen, most of the Nan Gong family's children were either bullies or cowards, stepping on the weak and flattering the strong. Such people, no matter where they were, were a cancer.

  At this moment, someone nearby protested, "Nan Gong Huan, what do you mean? Are you insulting us?"

  "Yeah, if you're not good enough, don't drag us down with you!"

  "Being the eldest daughter is so great? Why don't you try to get first place in the trial tomorrow!"

  Of course, those who criticized Nan Gong Huan were her peers in the Nan Gong family. Many elders also looked over, seemingly displeased with her remarks.

  Their children were not to be lectured by her!

  Nan Gong Qian'er was naturally pleased with this scene. She wished more people would step on Nan Gong Huan, preferably burying this ugly girl in the mud forever.

  "Sister, how can you say that? We're all working hard for the family's future," Nan Gong Qian'er chimed in, her eyes filled with disappointment.

  Everyone's criticism was directed at Nan Gong Huan, but the person in question remained calm and unembarrassed.

  "If you insist on saying that..." Nan Gong Huan's eyes sparkled. She stood up and, with a light leap, landed in the center of the auction stage.

  The auction wasn't set to start for a while, and most people had already arrived.

  Seeing Nan Gong Huan jump onto the stage, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to her.

  "Ahem, first of all, welcome everyone to Madam Shen's auction. But before that, I have an announcement to make," Nan Gong Huan cleared her throat, using her spiritual energy to amplify her voice so the entire auction house could hear.

  Everyone's curiosity was piqued, thinking it might be good news. Only the Nan Gong family members felt a sense of foreboding.

  "Our Nan Gong family has always been unstoppable, with every disciple being a brave and fearless warrior. So, as the eldest daughter of the Nan Gong family, I—Nan Gong Huan—hereby challenge the other three families on behalf of all Nan Gong disciples participating in this trial! Let's see who can secure more and higher positions in the top ten!"

  By dragging everyone into the water and stirring it up, she ensured that these arrogant Nan Gong disciples couldn't stay out of the fray!