South Bean Country.
Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
Ning Clan Territory.
Today was the grand day of the Ning Clan's results announcement.
Nearly a hundred youths of sixteen or seventeen crowded around the rankings board. They were all Ning Clan youths with Cultivation Aptitude, the hope of the Ning Clan.
"Don't shove me!"
"Hey, make way!"
"I saw it—I saw my name! I'm twenty-ninth! Heaven, I made it into the top thirty!"
A youth suddenly raised his arm and shouted amid the crowd.
The packed crowd paused, then all cast envious looks toward the cheering youth.
The results of this Grand Examination were especially important to them. From this day onward, they could no longer remain in the clan school to cultivate full-time. They had to enter various trades, work, and contribute to production.
The top thirty youths in the Grand Examination were qualified to join the Ning Clan's main branch Family Businesses. Their futures would undoubtedly be far broader.
As time passed, the youths who had squeezed into the top thirty either burst into laughter or jumped with joy. Those ranked below thirty wore dim expressions, with no light in their eyes.
Sixteen years ago, the entire Ning Clan had migrated. They suffered a devastating blow midway and fled in miserable disorder into Fire Persimmon City.
In the years afterward, the Ning Clan recuperated and rebuilt, slowly recovering its vitality and putting down roots until it once again became one of Fire Persimmon City's great cultivation clans.
From the moment Ning Clan children were born, their innate bones were tested once every year, until they reached twelve or thirteen.
Those with Cultivation Aptitude were sent to the clan school, where the clan provided for them so they could study full-time.
Among the crowd stood a youth dressed plainly, though his looks were rather striking. His name was Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo's face was full of unease as he stared fixedly at the rankings board.
He saw his own name.
Rank thirty-one!
It was awkward—just outside the top thirty.
Ning Zhuo stiffened, then a trace of stunned disbelief surfaced on his face.
The surrounding youths quickly squeezed him out of the crowd.
A tall, lean youth came over and patted his shoulder. "Cousin, your usual grades were always in the twenties. How did you perform so poorly in such an important Grand Examination?"
Ning Zhuo did not need to look up. The moment he heard that voice, he knew who it was.
He raised his eyes.
Sure enough, it was Ning Ji speaking.
Ning Ji looked sympathetic and concerned, but his eyes were full of gloating. In the clan school, Ning Zhuo had always outperformed him in every subject. Rarely had Ning Ji ever surpassed Ning Zhuo—and this time, it was in such a crucial Grand Examination!
Ning Zhuo's gaze was somewhat blank. He unconsciously looked back toward the rankings board and murmured, "I don't know either..."
Many of the students around him wore similar expressions, making Ning Ji's delighted face stand out all the more.
At this moment, two youths approached.
Ning Ji glanced at them, then smugly patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder. "I'll be going now. You should hurry home too. My parents are waiting eagerly for the results of this Grand Examination."
The two youths were named Ning Chen and Ning Yong.
Ning Yong spoke bluntly. "Ning Zhuo, I saw your results. Looks like you really messed up this time."
Ning Chen jabbed Ning Yong with his elbow. "Even if he messed up, he still did better than the two of us."
Ning Yong muttered, "But what's the difference between ranking outside the top thirty and our results? None of us can get into the clan's Family Businesses."
Ning Chen looked at Ning Zhuo. "I heard that anyone within the top thirty-five can actually enter the clan's Family Businesses too. They just need someone to pull strings, give gifts, and use a few connections."
"With your rank, there's still hope."
Ning Zhuo gave a startled sound, and it was as though light had returned to his eyes. "Is that really true?"
Ning Chen nodded. "Go quickly. Talk to your Uncle and Aunt. These slots are limited too. If you're late, other people will crowd in and take them."
Ning Zhuo could not help showing anxiety. "I-I'll go back right away and explain the situation to Uncle and Aunt. Thank you!"
With that, he jogged away in small, quick steps.
Ning Yong's expression was somewhat complicated as he muttered, "Looks like Ning Zhuo might really manage to squeeze into the clan's Family Businesses."
But Ning Chen shook his head. "I'm afraid it'll be difficult."
"I happened to hear about Ning Zhuo's circumstances."
"Before he was even born, his father died. When he was one or two, his mother also succumbed to severe illness. He has not lived well in his uncle's household, and when he was young, his cousin often bullied him."
"His Uncle and Aunt do not treat him well. Pulling strings and giving gifts this time would cost a great deal. I'm afraid they won't be willing."
Ning Yong found it hard to believe. "At such a critical moment, surely his Uncle and Aunt won't fail to see what matters?"
Ning Chen shook his head and sighed. "Hard to say."
Elsewhere.
Within a grand, deep residence of the Ning Clan.
"Miss, Miss, you made it! You came first in the Grand Examination!" A maid hurried into the room, her cheeks flushed red with excitement.
Ning Xiaohui, a member of the main branch, was making talismans without even lifting her head.
With the tip of her index finger, she lightly traced across the talisman paper. Wherever her fingertip passed, a trail of frost spread and curled, finally forming a Frost Talisman.
Ning Xiaohui looked at the Frost Talisman, and a self-satisfied smile curled at her lips.
She lowered her gaze to her hands and snorted coldly. "I possess a pair of Ice Jade Hands. I was bound to receive a Superior Grade in the Talismans Department. What is so remarkable about taking first place?"
"Every one of my classmates was mediocre and incompetent. What did they have to compete with me?"
Ning Xiaohui's gaze lingered over her hands.
Her appearance was above average, but her hands were breathtakingly beautiful, as though carved from flawless white jade. Her ten fingers were long and slender, her nails neatly trimmed, lustrous and full, like pearls reflected upon rippling water.
The lines on the backs of her hands were delicate and distinct, radiating softness and elegance.
Under the sunlight, the fine veins at her wrists carried a faint blue-green hue, like slender lines beneath translucent jade.
She turned her palms upward.
Casually forming a hand seal, all ten fingers bent in different ways, and her hands bloomed like ice flowers. Under the sunlight, the outlines of her palms seemed faintly translucent—tender and captivating, pure as ice and clean as jade.
The maid beside her subconsciously held her breath and murmured in a daze, "So beautiful."