As the group departed, Nian Jiaojiao emerged from the darkness.
County Prince? Young Master?
Nian Jiaojiao immediately thought of the County Prince of Qingzhou and Qin Binbin.
She wasn't a piece of Tang Monk's flesh, so why were these people fixated on her?
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head in speechlessness.
Then, she used her abilities to directly arrive at the Nian family's courtyard.
...
The next day.
Early morning.
"Junior Sister Nian."
Lei Juan came to visit, congratulating her.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister Nian, on winning the top scholar title."
Nian Jiaojiao asked with some surprise.
"How did Qingzhou get the news so quickly?"
Lei Juan replied, "The Imperial Examination is of such importance that all factions in the entire dynasty are paying attention."
Nian Jiaojiao: "Senior Sister Lei, you haven't come just to offer congratulations today, have you?"
Lei Juan: "That's right. I'm here to confirm. Junior Sister Nian, can you tell me the truth, what is your current cultivation realm?"
Nian Jiaojiao, without a second thought, spoke the truth.
"I am currently in the Wùwù realm, and I believe I will break through to the Yùwù realm before long."
Lei Juan's mouth dropped open, and she remained silent for a long time.
"Senior Sister Lei? Senior Sister Lei?"
After a while, Lei Juan found her voice.
"Junior Sister Nian, oh no, I don't even know if I should still call you Junior Sister Nian. After all, I'm only in the Wùwù realm. You, you truly are a... prodigy."
After saying this, Lei Juan's expression became solemn.
"I told you before that you must become the top scholar, do you remember?"
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
Lei Juan said,
"This is indeed fortunate, because the person who becomes the top scholar receives a pill. If you can quickly break through and stabilize at the Yùwù realm, then I won't be so worried."
Nian Jiaojiao asked confusedly.
"Senior Sister Lei, what is it that concerns you?"
Lei Juan explained,
"That pill is called the Yong Shen Dan, and it is used by those in the Yùwù realm to break through to the next realm, the Yìnshén realm.
If you are still in the Qūwù or Wùwù realm, you may face constant harassment from now on."
"Harassment?"
"That's right, until you are willing to sell that Yong Shen Dan."
Hearing Lei Juan's words, Nian Jiaojiao also felt a sense of crisis. She decided to remain indoors for the next few days until she broke through to the Yùwù realm.
Thinking this, Nian Jiaojiao said to Lei Juan.
"Senior Sister Lei, I'm so used to calling you that. No matter what realm I'm in from now on, I hope you will still call me Junior Sister Nian."
Lei Juan curved her lips and patted Nian Jiaojiao's shoulder vigorously.
"Good! As expected of my good Junior Sister! You must break through to the Yìnshén realm soon, so that I, Lei Juan, will have a Yìnshén Junior Sister!"
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head and said.
"That's still a long way off. After I break through to the Yùwù realm, I can't immediately take the pill to break through."
Lei Juan said,
"Junior Sister Nian, you must know that the earlier you break through to the Yùwù realm, the greater the possibility of breaking through to the Yìnshén realm after taking the Yong Shen Dan.
You are so young, unprecedentedly young. There won't be any major issues if you break through immediately after stabilizing your Yùwù realm."
Nian Jiaojiao smiled.
"Then I will accept Senior Sister Lei's good wishes."
Lei Juan seemed to have suddenly thought of something. She suddenly wore a sly expression.
She didn't know what her master's expression would be if she found out.
After all, her master was only a powerful expert in the Wùwù realm.
Their Qingzhou Miscellaneous Studies faction had only two Yìnshén realm powerhouses.
The Sect Master and the Deputy Sect Master.
"Senior Sister Lei."
Nian Jiaojiao suddenly spoke.
"Hm?"
Lei Juan looked over.
"Don't smile like that, it scares me..."
Lei Juan: ...
At this moment, Xing Yun and Tong Zi Yao came over with a fruit basket and a teapot.
Lei Juan's eyes rolled, and she seemed to recall something.
While the two men were placing the items, Lei Juan suddenly said.
"Oh right, Junior Sister Nian, there's something I forgot to tell you. Actually, the Yong Shen Dan isn't the biggest reward."
Nian Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? What other reward is there?"
Lei Juan wore a meaningful expression.
"That would naturally be becoming the Empress's daughter-in-law."
Clang—
Xing Yun's hand slipped, and the teacup and teapot collided, making a clear sound.
Nian Jiaojiao rolled her eyes at Lei Juan.
"Don't talk nonsense."
Who knew Lei Juan would say solemnly.
"Oh dear, you didn't know? I thought everyone who studied knew this!
Otherwise, why do you think the Empress would reward a Yong Shen Dan? This pill is also scarce within the royal family, you know. His Highness would naturally give it to his own family.
Moreover, in previous years, the top scholar would marry a prince."
Nian Jiaojiao gritted her teeth and said.
"Are you doing this on purpose?!"
Lei Juan replied innocently.
"Who knew you were so unknowledgeable.
Besides, now that you know, do you not want the Yong Shen Dan?"
Nian Jiaojiao was speechless.