Extra Story 2: The Ning Family Awaits the Results

South Dou Kingdom.

Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

The Ning family’s ancestral estate.

Today was the grand day when the Ning family posted the examination results.

Nearly a hundred boys and girls, sixteen or seventeen years old, gathered before the ranking board. Each one possessed the aptitude for cultivation, and all of them were the Ning family’s hope for the future.

“Don’t push me!”

“Hey, give me some space.”

“I see it! I see my name! I’m ranked twenty-ninth! Oh my, I made it into the top thirty!”

Suddenly, a youth in the crowd shouted, raising his arms in triumph.

The tightly packed group paused, and envious glances were cast at the jubilant boy.

The results of this examination were especially important to them. From this day forward, they would no longer be allowed to study full-time in the family’s academy; instead, they would have to join various professions, begin working, and contribute to production.

Only the top thirty were eligible to join the core industries of the Ning family, their prospects far brighter than the rest.

As time slipped by, those among the top thirty laughed aloud or cheered with joy, while those ranked lower wore bleak expressions, their eyes devoid of light.

Sixteen years ago, the Ning family had migrated en masse, only to suffer a devastating blow midway, fleeing in desperation to Fire Persimmon City.

Since then, the family had recuperated, slowly regained its vitality, and gradually took root, once again becoming one of the city’s great cultivation clans.

From birth, every Ning child was tested each year for their spiritual potential until the age of twelve or thirteen. Those found gifted were sent to the family’s private school, supported by the clan for full-time studies.

Amid the crowd stood a youth with unremarkable clothes but striking features—Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo’s face was taut with anxiety as he peered intently at the list.

There was his name—thirty-first!

It was painfully awkward, falling just outside the coveted top thirty.

Ning Zhuo froze, his face clouded with confusion.

He was quickly jostled out of the crowd by the others.

A tall, thin youth came over and clapped him on the shoulder. “Cousin, you usually rank in the twenties. How did you slip up on such an important exam?”

Ning Zhuo didn’t need to look up to recognize the voice.

He raised his eyes. Sure enough—it was Ning Ji.

Ning Ji’s tone seemed sympathetic, but his eyes sparkled with barely concealed glee. In the family academy, Ning Zhuo had always outperformed him. Rarely, this time, he had surpassed Ning Zhuo—and in such a critical test!

Ning Zhuo’s gaze was vacant as he muttered, “I don’t know either…”

There were many others around whose faces mirrored his own disappointment, which only made Ning Ji’s delight more striking.

At that moment, two other youths approached.

Ning Ji glanced at them, then patted Ning Zhuo’s shoulder with pride. “I’ll be off now. You should head home too. My parents are anxious for the results.”

One of the newcomers was Ning Chen, the other Ning Yong.

Ning Yong said loudly, “I saw your score, Ning Zhuo. Looks like you underperformed this time.”

Ning Chen nudged Ning Yong’s elbow. “Even so, he did better than the two of us.”

“But being outside the top thirty,” Ning Yong grumbled, “is really no different from our result. None of us will get into the family’s businesses.”

Ning Chen looked at Ning Zhuo. “I heard that those who place within thirty-five can still get in, if they know the right people and bring gifts.”

“You still have a chance.”

Ning Zhuo’s eyes lit up. “Is that really true?”

Ning Chen nodded. “Go quickly and talk to your uncle and aunt. The spots are limited—if you wait too long, others will take them.”

Anxious, Ning Zhuo said, “I—I’ll go now and explain to my uncle and aunt. Thank you!”

With that, he hurried off.

Ning Yong’s expression was complicated. He muttered, “Looks like Ning Zhuo might actually squeeze in.”

But Ning Chen shook his head. “I’m afraid it won’t be easy.”

“I’ve heard a bit about Ning Zhuo’s situation.”

“His father died before he was born. When he was a toddler, his mother too fell ill and passed away. He’s lived with his uncle’s family ever since, but life hasn’t been kind. His cousin bullied him as a child.”

“His uncle and aunt haven’t treated him well. If he needs to pull strings and offer gifts, it will cost a lot. I doubt they’ll be willing.”

Ning Yong found it hard to believe. “At a time like this, surely his uncle and aunt know what’s at stake?”

Ning Chen shook his head and sighed. “Hard to say.”

Elsewhere—

In the deep courtyards of the Ning estate.

“Young miss, you did it! You came first in the examination!” A maid burst in, cheeks flushed with excitement.

A direct descendant, Ning Xiaohui, was in the midst of crafting talismans and didn’t even look up.

With her fingertip, she traced lightly over the talisman paper. Where her finger passed, a trail of frost appeared, swirling and finally forming an Ice Talisman.

Ning Xiaohui gazed at the talisman, a faint, self-satisfied smile on her lips.

She lowered her eyes to her hands and gave a cold snort. “With hands as pale as jade, my talisman skills are naturally exceptional. What’s so special about coming in first?”

“My classmates—without exception—are all mediocre. How could they possibly compete with me?”

Her gaze lingered on her hands.

Her features were above average, but her hands were exquisite—like snow-white jade, slender and delicate, nails perfectly trimmed, lustrous and full, like pearls reflected on rippling water.

The veins on the backs of her hands were fine and clear, exuding grace and elegance. In the sunlight, delicate blue veins at her wrists shimmered, like filaments of jade.

She turned her palms upward, forming a casual mudra. Ten fingers curved, hands blooming like frost flowers. In the sunlight, her palms’ outlines glowed faintly translucent, delicate and pure as crystal.

The maid beside her unconsciously held her breath, murmuring in awe, “So beautiful.”