Extra 2: The Ning Clan's Results Announcement

South Bean Country.

Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Ning Clan Territory.

Today was a big day for the Ning Clan as the results were posted.

Nearly a hundred teenagers, sixteen or seventeen years old, gathered around the list. These were the young people of the Ning Clan with cultivation potential, the hope of the Ning Clan.

"Don't push me!"

"Hey, move aside."

"I see it, I see my name! I'm twenty-ninth! Oh my god, I made it into the top thirty!"

Suddenly, a young man in the crowd raised his arms and shouted.

The crowded people paused, casting envious glances at the cheering young man.

The results of this major examination were particularly important to them. Because from now on, they would no longer be able to cultivate full-time in the clan's school but would have to enter various industries, work, and contribute to production.

The young people in the top thirty of the major examination were qualified to join the main Ning Clan's businesses, and their future was undoubtedly brighter.

As time passed, the young people who squeezed into the top thirty either laughed heartily or cheered excitedly. Those outside the top thirty had dim faces and lifeless eyes.

Sixteen years ago, the entire Ning Clan migrated and suffered heavy losses midway, fleeing in disarray into Fire Persimmon City.

In the time since, the Ning Clan recuperated, slowly recovering its vitality, gradually taking root, and still becoming one of the major cultivation clans in Fire Persimmon City.

From birth, the Ning Clan disciples began testing their root bones, once a year, until they were twelve or thirteen.

Those with cultivation potential were sent to the clan's private school, provided for by the clan, for full-time study.

Among this crowd, there was a young man, plainly dressed but with a rather striking appearance, named Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo was full of anxiety, staring intently at the list.

He saw his name, ranked thirty-one!

It was awkward, just outside the top thirty.

Ning Zhuo's movements stiffened, and then a hint of surprise appeared on his face.

He was quickly squeezed out of the crowd by the surrounding young people.

A tall, thin young man came over and patted his shoulder: "Cousin, your usual grades are in the twenties, how did you perform so poorly in this important major examination?"

Ning Zhuo didn't need to look up; hearing the voice, he knew who it was.

He looked up.

Indeed, it was Ning Ji speaking.

Ning Ji seemed sympathetic and concerned, but his eyes were full of schadenfreude. Usually, in the clan school, his grades in all subjects were surpassed by Ning Zhuo. Rarely, this time he actually surpassed Ning Zhuo, and in such a crucial major examination!

Ning Zhuo's eyes were a little dull, and he subconsciously looked at the list again, muttering, "I don't know either..."

Among his classmates around him, there were many with similar expressions. This made Ning Ji's happy face stand out even more.

At this moment, two young men approached.

Ning Ji glanced at the two of them, then patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder proudly. "I'm leaving first. You should hurry home too. My parents are really looking forward to my results from this big exam."

The two young men were named Ning Chen and Ning Yong.

Ning Yong was blunt. "Ning Zhuo, I saw your results. Looks like you didn't perform well this time."

Ning Chen nudged Ning Yong with his elbow. "Even if he didn't perform well, he still did better than us."

Ning Yong grumbled, "But what's the difference between falling outside the top thirty and our scores? Neither of us can get into the clan's businesses."

Ning Chen looked at Ning Zhuo. "I heard that actually, you can still get into the clan's businesses if you're within the top thirty-five. You just need to find someone to help, give gifts, and pull some strings."

"With your ranking, there's still hope."

Ning Zhuo let out an "ah," and his eyes seemed to light up again. "Is that really true?"

Ning Chen nodded. "Hurry up and go talk to your uncle and aunt. These spots are actually limited, and if you're late, others will take them."

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but show anxiety. "I, I'll go back right away and explain the situation to my uncle and aunt. Thank you!"

Saying that, he quickly ran off in small steps.

Ning Yong's expression was somewhat complex as he mumbled, "Looks like Ning Zhuo might actually be able to squeeze into the clan's businesses."

Ning Chen, however, shook his head. "I'm afraid it's a bit uncertain."

"I happened to overhear about Ning Zhuo's situation."

"He lost his father before he was even born. When he was one or two years old, his mother also fell seriously ill and passed away. His life at his uncle's house wasn't easy, and he was often bullied by his cousin when he was little."

"His uncle and aunt don't treat him well. If he has to pull strings and give gifts this time, the cost will be significant, and they probably won't be willing."

Ning Yong was somewhat incredulous. "At this crucial moment, his uncle and aunt wouldn't be so foolish, would they?"

Ning Chen shook his head and sighed. "Hard to say."

On the other side.

Inside the deep courtyard of the Ning clan's mansion.

"Miss, Miss, you passed! You're the first place in the big exam!" A maidservant ran in, her face flushed with excitement.

Ning Xiaohui, a member of the main branch, was making talismans and didn't even lift her head.

She gently slid the tip of her index finger across the talisman paper. Where her fingertip passed, a trail of ice spread and twisted, finally forming a Frost Talisman.

Ning Xiaohui looked at the Frost Talisman, a self-satisfied smile curving her lips.

She lowered her head to look at her hands and snorted coldly. "I have a pair of Ice Jade Hands, so my talisman subject is bound to be excellent. What's so strange about getting first place?"

"Without exception, all my classmates are mediocre and incompetent. How can they compete with me?"

Ning Xiaohui's gaze kept lingering on her hands.

Her appearance was above average, but her hands were incredibly beautiful, as if carved from snowy white jade. Her ten fingers were long and slender, her nails neatly trimmed, smooth and full, like pearls reflected on the surface of water.

The texture on the back of her hands was delicate and clear, exuding softness and elegance.

In the sunlight, the delicate veins on her wrists were slightly bluish-green, like fine jade threads.

She flipped her palms, facing upwards.

Casually forming a hand seal, her ten fingers curved individually, and her hands bloomed like ice flowers. Under the sunlight, the outline of her palms was faintly transparent, delicate and moving, pure and flawless.

The maidservant beside her subconsciously held her breath, muttering foolishly, "So beautiful."