Chapter 77

“Do disciples need to reach a certain contribution value to exchange for sect pills?” Chu Ning thought for a moment and asked.

“Mm.”

“The threshold for exchanging ordinary pills isn’t high, but for special formula pills, it’s stricter. Additionally, the exchange is limited based on the alchemist’s actual situation,” Xia Ye explained as he sent Chu Ning a link.

“This contains information on the contribution value accumulation of Dan Sect members and disciples, as well as the types and quantities of pills that can be exchanged at corresponding contribution levels. In general, the higher the contribution value, the more pill varieties can be exchanged, and the higher the quota. This is considered part of the Dan Sect’s benefits.”

Chu Ning clicked on the link, skimmed through it briefly, then closed the page.

There was too much text—it completely drowned out her curiosity.

“Ahem, the rules are well set. Let’s go with this.” Seeing Xia Ye looking at her, Chu Ning said casually.

Xia Ye stifled a laugh.

His wife was truly adorable.

---

In the blink of an eye, it was the opening day of Orchid Academy.

Chu Ning changed into the academy uniform, declined her beast husbands’ company, and after leaving the Marshal’s Mansion, hailed a hover taxi to the school.

Upon arrival, she saw numerous high-end hover cars parked at the school entrance, along with many students and their parents stepping out of the vehicles.

Parents were offering earnest words of advice, while the students absentmindedly responded, their gazes already drawn into the school.

Chu Ning took a quick look at the crowd and the cars before heading in, only to find herself face-to-face with an unwelcome encounter.

“Chu Ning! You still dare to come to school?!”

It was Chu Yan.

She stormed toward her like an angry rooster, with Lan Yu chasing after her.

Chu Ning’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“You’re here, so why wouldn’t I dare to come?”

In just two short months, she realized that her feelings toward Chu Yan and Lan Yu had changed.

When she first arrived in this world, she had been too weak, wary and defensive against these two, treating them as her enemies.

But now? Looking at them again, she found them insignificant and laughable—almost like ants.

“I dare to come because I’m the heir of the Chu family! You, a worthless outcast, have no right to step into Orchid Academy! Don’t tell me you actually think the Chu family is still paying your tuition?” Chu Yan raised her chin, her voice sharp.

Chu Ning’s smile remained, further irritating Chu Yan.

“The heir of the Chu family? Are you sure?”

She had heard that Gu Ming was performing well in Dan Sect and was now purchasing Spirit Nourishing Pills and Jade Dew Pills every month.

Since Gu Ming was divorced and didn’t have much money, who was paying for his pills?

Their so-called mother didn’t care about family bonds—only about who could bring benefits to the Chu family.

And now, it seemed that Gu Ming, the biological son, had more potential than Chu Yan, the adopted daughter.

Chu Yan’s expression changed.

“Mom promised me personally—I am the heir of the Chu family!”

“You unfilial girl! You were cast out of the Chu family, and you still dare to fight with Yan Yan?” Lan Yu stepped forward, his voice harsh.

Chu Ning’s face darkened.

“‘Unfilial girl’? As I recall, I’ve already severed our father-daughter relationship. Lan Yu, who gave you the right to speak to me like that?”

Faced with her cold, indifferent gaze, Lan Yu’s heart trembled.

“If you understand that the ties have been cut, then good. You are no longer part of the Chu family, so stop coveting what isn’t yours.” Lan Yu straightened his back and looked down at Chu Ning.

“Heh.” Chu Ning let out a cold laugh.

“If you hadn’t said that, I might not have been interested. But now—”

“What do you want?! Chu Ning, I’m warning you, you’re just a useless waste. Even if you return to the Chu family, Mom won’t care about you,” Chu Yan started to panic.

Chu Ning was speechless.

“Whether she cares or not—it’s not up to you.”

“Good dogs don’t block the way. Move.” Chu Ning lost her patience and reached out to push.

Caught off guard, Chu Yan was shoved aside.

“You unfilial girl!” Lan Yu hurried to steady Chu Yan.

Then, he raised a hand to strike Chu Ning.

Chu Ning’s gaze turned cold. An invisible barrier instantly stopped Lan Yu, and the next moment, an unseen force slapped his face.

Lan Yu’s eyes widened in shock.

“Unfilial girl—”

Before he could finish, Chu Ning activated another spell and slapped him again.

“If you keep yelling, be careful—you might lose your tongue,” she warned coldly.

Lan Yu’s tongue trembled in fear.

“You—you’re not Chu Ning! Who… who are you?!”

His daughter could never look at him with such eyes, let alone have the power to resist him.

Just now—what had stopped him? There was nothing there, yet he had been struck.

Was this woman… not human?

A chilling thought crept into his mind, making him afraid to meet Chu Ning’s gaze.

Chu Ning glanced around at the crowd before turning back to Lan Yu.

“This is my last warning. Stay out of my way.”

With that, she turned and left.

If it weren’t for the presence of so many people, she wouldn’t have minded giving them a bloodier lesson.

“You—” Chu Yan was about to chase after her but was held back by Lan Yu.

“Dad, why are you stopping me?! Didn’t you see how she bullied me? And she was disrespectful to you too!” Chu Yan was furious.

Lan Yu held onto her tightly.

“She’s strange. Don’t provoke her for now.”

“What’s strange about her? Dad, don’t tell me you regret cutting ties with her?” Chu Yan studied Lan Yu.

“What do I have to regret? Yan Yan, listen to me—” Lan Yu wanted to explain what had just happened.

But although the slaps from Chu Ning had stung, they had left no marks. Even he found the incident too bizarre to believe, let alone expect his dear daughter to take his words seriously.

“Say what? Say it, then.” Chu Yan’s gaze turned mocking.

“Yan Yan, don’t look at Dad like that.” Lan Yu felt hurt.

“How am I looking at you?” Chu Yan snapped.

“You always say that I’m your most cherished daughter and that Chu Ning doesn’t matter. But in the end, you still care about her more. After all, she’s your real daughter, and I… heh… what am I?”

“Enough, Yan Yan. Dad won’t allow you to talk like that.”

“To Dad, you are my real daughter. As for Chu Ning, she doesn’t matter. She’s just a useless waste—you don’t need to compare yourself to her.”

Only then did Chu Yan’s expression ease.

As if she had calmed down, she looked at Lan Yu apologetically.

“I’m sorry, Dad, I… I shouldn’t have said that. After all, my sister is your real daughter, while I…”

“It’s just that I—sob—I’m so scared… scared that you and Mom will stop caring about me.” Tears welled up in Chu Yan’s eyes.

Lan Yu immediately pulled her into an embrace.

“Don’t cry, silly girl, don’t cry. How could Dad ever stop caring about you? You are the most important person to me. Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone take away what rightfully belongs to you.”