Following the prearranged groupings, Nan Gong Huan and Ye Wan Jun were assigned to the seventh team.

  Ye Wan Jun lowered his voice slightly and said, "I scouted this area in advance. I’m familiar with the terrain and know where the spirit beasts’ dens are concentrated. Later, we’ll head to the vicinity of Great Zero Lake. That’s where the most spirit beasts gather, but there’s a three-life spirit beast guarding the area."

  "Then let’s go take a look later," Nan Gong Huan’s lips curved into a smile, her expression carrying a hint of allure.

  This kind of trial, where the goal was simply to collect flags, was child’s play to her.

  If it were about hunting spirit beasts, that might pose some difficulty, but collecting flags... All she had to do was release her spiritual energy and beckon, and plenty of spirit beasts would come rushing to offer them.

  Nan Gong Qian’er stood right beside the two of them. With just a slight turn of her head, she could overhear their conversation. Upon learning that they were heading to the Great Zero Lake area, she immediately formulated a plan.

  Nan Gong Huan glanced sideways at Nan Gong Qian’er, who was leaning in close, and said in a coquettish tone, "Sister, why are you standing so close to me? The bugs on you might fly over here."

  Her exaggerated manner instantly left Nan Gong Qian’er speechless, unsure how to respond.

  Wei Yu Gong wanted to defend Nan Gong Qian’er, but at that moment, the city lord raised his arms and announced, "I declare the trial officially begun! Children, good luck to you all!"

  With that, all the disciples rushed into the forest, eager to get a head start.

  Nan Gong Huan and Ye Wan Jun set off immediately, while Nan Gong Qian’er chose the same direction but left a bit later.

  "Qian’er, where should we go first?" Wei Yu Gong asked in a low voice. He was determined to make a strong showing in this trial and claim first place!

  Nan Gong Qian’er paused for a moment, then smiled sweetly and said, "I think there should be a lot of spirit beasts gathered around Great Zero Lake. Let’s head there and take a look."

  She had already arranged for people to intercept Nan Gong Huan. As long as she got there first and collected a large number of flags, that ugly girl might lose her temper and confront her. Then, she could activate the gu worms!

  Moreover, for the next three days, that ugly girl would live in her shadow, struggling like a mudfish caught in a net!

  The thought of exacting her revenge filled Nan Gong Qian’er with delight.

  Nan Gong Huan and Ye Wan Jun were making their way forward when suddenly, four people appeared ahead, blocking their path.

  "Nan Gong Huan, where do you think you’re going?" The leader, Nan Gong Can, sneered. All four of them were disciples of the Nan Gong family.

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  "If you don’t want to end up running naked, get out of my way now, and I’ll let you off this once," Nan Gong Huan raised an eyebrow and said.

  Ye Wan Jun, meanwhile, drew his sword and stood in front of Nan Gong Huan, eyeing them warily.

  "You? Make us run naked? Hahaha! We’re the ones who should be making you run naked!" Nan Gong Can burst into laughter as if he had just heard the funniest joke.

  "What do you want? Spit it out!" Ye Wan Jun growled fiercely.

  What could they possibly gain by blocking their path for no reason?

  "Humph, of course, we’re going to beat you up. We’ve been itching to do it for a long time!" Nan Gong Can cracked his knuckles and sneered.

  Although he had heard that this waste was no longer a waste, he had the advantage of numbers!

  Nan Gong Huan’s lips curled into a cruel smile. "Enough talk. Come at me together."

  She wasn’t familiar with these Nan Gong disciples. Their sudden appearance to block her was likely due to someone’s instigation.

  "Two for me, two for you," Ye Wan Jun said calmly, already dividing the fight.

  He could handle two people, and Nan Gong Huan, who was stronger than him, could easily defeat the other two.

  "No, step back," Nan Gong Huan pulled him aside, not giving him a chance to fight.

  She was like the star of a grand performance, the sunlight shining on her, her confidence radiating.

  "Humph, still thinking of taking on four at once? Let’s get her together!" Nan Gong Can waved his hand, and the four of them charged forward!

  With a single motion of Nan Gong Huan’s hand, the ground trembled, and thick tree roots emerged, winding toward the four!

  Two disciples were caught off guard and had their ankles ensnared, leaving them dangling upside down.

  Nan Gong Can and the other disciple reacted quickly, slashing through the roots and vines with their swords, but Nan Gong Huan had already flashed behind them!

  She struck their backs with both hands, sending them tumbling into the oncoming vines!

  The vines tightly bound them, and the four were left hanging like dumplings between two trees, exposed to the sun.

  Their clothes were torn by the branches, leaving them in nothing but their underwear, swaying in the breeze.

  Being upside down was uncomfortable, and the four of them flushed red, unable to break free.

  "Wait, wait! Nan Gong Huan, we were wrong. Let us down!" Nan Gong Can quickly admitted his mistake.

  Why did they have to provoke her? They should’ve known better!

  Ye Wan Jun was stunned. He hadn’t even processed what had happened. All he saw was a flurry of branches and leaves, and then the four were hanging from the trees!

  "Who sent you?" Nan Gong Huan played with a leaf between her fingers, already having a good idea of the answer.

  "It was Nan Gong Qian’er! She gave each of us a potion and told us to teach you a lesson!" Nan Gong Can spilled everything without hesitation. "Can you let us down first? I’ll tell you everything!"

  "Yeah, we’ll tell you everything we know! We were wrong. Please let us down!" The other three disciples also pleaded shamelessly.

  Nan Gong Huan, in a rare act of mercy, adjusted their position so they were hanging upright instead of upside down. The four of them breathed a sigh of relief, at least not suffering from the blood rushing to their heads.

  "Let’s go," Nan Gong Huan turned and left, signaling Ye Wan Jun to follow.

  As for the four of them, they could stay hanging there. If they were lucky, someone might pass by and rescue them.

  "Hey, hey! We’re still up here! Nan Gong Huan, don’t leave! Don’t be so ruthless! Ye Wan Jun, help us!" The four of them shouted desperately, but Nan Gong Huan and Ye Wan Jun didn’t look back, disappearing from their sight.

  After walking a distance, Ye Wan Jun couldn’t help but glance back.

  "Is it really okay to leave them there like that? What if they get eaten by spirit beasts?" Ye Wan Jun asked hesitantly, unable to see them anymore.

  "If they’re really in danger, they can use the red ring to teleport back," Nan Gong Huan said without a hint of sympathy.

  She lowered her gaze. Nan Gong Qian’er was probably almost at Great Zero Lake by now.

  Before long, Nan Gong Huan and Ye Wan Jun arrived at the lakeside and saw Nan Gong Qian’er and Wei Yu Gong fighting together. They easily defeated a one-life Wind Fox cub and claimed a yellow flag.

  The Wind Fox cub rolled on the ground, howling as it tumbled into the forest. Its urgent cries seemed to be calling for its parent.