The Eastern Domain’s Yingzhou is a land rich in spiritual energy, famous for its apricot blossoms, and is thus also known as Apricot Blossom Isle.

The Fang family, a top-tier family in the Eastern Domain, is located in Yingzhou.

The Fang family is one of the few top-tier families that did not relocate their clan lands to the Wuzhou Islands.

In the past, the Fang family was merely a silver-tier family, managing the isle together with the Qin family and a few other clans.

However, after the Qin family made a grave mistake during the Beast Tide Battle, leading to the loss of Yingzhou, the Fang family seized the opportunity and now holds dominance in Yingzhou, with the Qin family having been completely ousted.

Currently, all reports on Qin Ruqing’s performance at the conference are placed on the Fang family Ancestor’s desk.

After reading them, the Ancestor’s face darkened, and he swept the reports off the desk with a flick of his sleeve.

The papers fluttered and landed at the feet of Fang Zhiming, who was kneeling.

Fang Zhiming lowered his gaze, studying the densely packed text on the papers.

Three Gold List recognitions, indicating top-tier talent.

Ancient Three Monuments on Sha Boat Island all reached the tenth level.

Deep spiritual perception, able to handle over nine thousand Spirit Refining Balls, suspected of advancing during testing.

Took a top-grade Soul Source Stone from the Soul Cave.

Suspected of being able to defeat a Pill-Refining Stage puppet; the puppet was found to be nearly half destroyed, and the attacker is suspected to have mastered at least two extremely powerful and mysterious spells.

The reports indicated that Qin Ruqing has the strength to fight above her level.

For a guaranteed kill, it is suggested that a Golden Core Stage cultivator be dispatched.

Fang Zhiming’s gaze settled on the mention of a Golden Core Stage cultivator, and his pupils contracted.

To kill Qin Ruqing, they would even need to dispatch a Golden Core Stage cultivator?!

But isn’t she still in the Foundation Establishment stage?

Fang Zhiming couldn’t help but speak out, “Ancestor, is the clan really planning to send a Golden Core elder to assassinate Qin Ruqing? Isn’t that a bit of overkill?”

Even if Qin Ruqing is a genius, she hasn’t fully developed yet.

Fang Zhiming acknowledges that she can fight above her level, and her current cultivation should not be used to judge her.

But even if she can fight above her level, at most she can only display the combat power of someone in the Core Formation stage—being able to damage a Core Formation stage puppet and actually fighting a true Core Formation stage cultivator are two entirely different things.

The first thing the Fang Clan leader said was not to answer Fang Zhiming’s doubts but to provoke him.

He said coldly, “If you had her achievements, would the clan need to go through so much trouble for a little girl?”

Fang Zhiming’s face turned red, and he could not find words to respond.

“A genius who has made the Golden List ring three times must have some extraordinary aspect. Who knows what kind of trump cards she has? Back then on Destiny Island, who would have thought she could make it out of the Golden Core Formation stage puppets?”

“To kill a genius of this level, the attack must be precise and foolproof. Only a Golden Core Formation cultivator can be sure of success… Of course, it’s not a small matter to let a Core Formation cultivator act. There will be four major directors overseeing the exam, so this matter must be carefully considered.”

The Fang Clan leader did not seem willing to explain further to Fang Zhiming.

He glanced disdainfully at the person kneeling on the ground, showing no pity for him, even though he was one of the clan’s notable geniuses.

With a cold tone, he said:

“What you need to do is to cooperate fully with the clan’s people in the examination. Of course, if you can kill Qin Ruqing, we will increase your training by another 30% and you might even catch up with Zejun.”

At the mention of this name, a trace of barely noticeable jealousy appeared in Fang Zhiming’s eyes.

Why, despite being siblings, does his appearance seem so unattractive while Fang Zejun…

You, however, possess a beauty that rivals the moon and flowers!

She rarely shows herself, and the outside world does not know her renowned beauty, but Fang Zhiming knows that his sister’s appearance is not inferior to Ming Ying’s.

Beauty aside, cultivators rely on their cultivation level, but their talents are worlds apart!

To the outside world, his dual cultivation of the Dan (elixir) and sword makes him a top-tier prodigy, but only Fang Zhiming knows that he is worlds apart from his sister.

Despite being siblings, they were distinguished from birth.

The family almost instinctively chose to focus all their resources on Fang Zejun, aiming to train her as a Void Seed.

As for him, he had to painstakingly maintain his status as a genius and compete for a Ruins spot through the Hundred Clans Conference.

Now, the Ancestor said that if he could kill Qin Ruqing, it would improve his cultivation status and even allow him to catch up to Fang Zejun!

Even knowing that the Ancestor was just speaking casually and probably didn’t really believe he could kill Qin Ruqing, Fang Zhiming was more moved than ever.

You all doubt me, thinking that everything is better with Fang Zejun, that she’s always a cut above me and loved by everyone…

Hmph, I’ll prove you wrong!

Fang Zhiming planted a seed of hatred in his heart and left without a word.

In the Garden, Room No. 1, Luwei, Tang Zifeng, and the others came to visit Qin Ruqing.

Qi Rong looked around Qin Ruqing’s room and said, “The room really does seem bigger.”

Qin Ruqing, while eating sunflower seeds, flipped through the Tianjiao Pan (Top Talent) manual from Huicui Building. Currently, she was holding the issue featuring her, Qin Ruqing, as the top talent.

She heard that it sold quite well, and on the magazine, it was noted that the supplement issue sold better than the main issue.

Qin Ruqing laughed and said, “Not only is it big, but it also has a built-in surveillance system, providing all-around protection with no blind spots.”

Hearing about the surveillance, Qi Rong exclaimed, “Surveillance? Really?”

Lu Wei smiled understandingly, “It’s actually just a protective measure. Don’t you know Xiao Wu’s way of speaking?”

Qin Ruqing has a habit of exaggerating and being vague. You can’t tell which of her words are true and which are false.

Tang Zifeng, however, looked at Qin Ruqing and said flatly, “Did someone come to see you yesterday?”

She wouldn’t use the word “monitoring” without reason.

Qin Ruqing paused her action of eating melon seeds, looked up, and smiled at Tang Zifeng.

Tang Zifeng’s sharpness was as expected, just like back then—truly impressive for someone involved in crafting.

After her smile, Qin Ruqing casually said, “Last night, Director Feng came to see me.”

“Director Feng, she came to…” Lu Wei asked, puzzled.

Qin Ruqing calmly responded, “To recruit me.”

Qin Ruqing added, “Didn’t she already try to recruit me publicly after the initial Golden List rankings were announced? So, it seems normal for her to try again.”

Lu Wei was curious, “How did she try to recruit you?”

“Just by painting a picture of possibilities. On one hand, she said that there are many powerful geniuses hidden in those big clans and I’m just average; on the other hand, she spoke a lot about what the Feng family could offer me. She only mentioned benefits, not any demands.”

Tang Zifeng asked affirmatively, “And you didn’t agree?”

Qin Ruqing continued cracking melon seeds, “Of course not. I’m a very principled person.”

The conversation was rather disjointed, but Tang Zifeng’s eyes flashed, as if he had understood something.

During their casual chat, Qin Ruqing had already finished reading through her special report.

She finally understood how her inflated reputation had come about.

Huicui Building was the direct behind-the-scenes force, using corporate-level marketing techniques to package and promote her as the new generation Fairy or idol in the Eastern Domain and even the Four Domains.

Qin Ruqing clicked her tongue and said, “The people behind Huicui Building are truly talented. They are masters of marketing with very modern thinking.”

Qi Rong said, “They’ve even started selling recordings of you now. The most popular one is the recording from when you were in the refining spirit ball test, where you looked quite impressive!”

Qin Ruqing was taken aback and asked in confusion, “Why that test?”

She was so embarrassed during that test!

Qirong didn’t quite understand either, “Oh, it’s the scene where you were pressed to the ground and your clothes were scattered. They said it had a delicate yet resilient beauty.”

Qin Ruqing still couldn’t picture it and asked, “Did you buy it? Who bought it? Let me see.”

Qi Rong shook her head in confusion, and Tang Zifeng, looking somewhat uneasy, shifted a bit, swallowed, and was about to speak when Lu Wei spoke first.

“I bought it,” she said, adding it to her collection.

Tang Zifeng calmed down a bit.

Qin Ruqing took the jade slip and carefully reviewed the popular recording of herself.

After a moment, she commented, “Hmm, it seems my expression management is pretty good. The scene does look quite nice. With a bit of blood and a different setting, it might be even better. Mainly, that red dress is stunning—it really sets the mood.”

Tang Zifeng disagreed with her praise of the dress rather than herself, but she bit her lip and refrained from commenting.