Dean Wang looked at her eagerly. "It’s not just about the books and research materials. The main thing is, if you agree to join the special training class and represent the academy at next year’s Alchemist competition held at the Federal First Comprehensive Academy, we can provide you with all your learning supplies. That includes an Alchemy Furnace, various medicinal herbs, and more!"

"Student Ning, this Alchemist competition is held once a year and is only open to students from intermediate and Advanced Academies who are under twenty years old. The event is broadcast live and is a spectacle that captures the attention of the entire Federation. If you can place in the competition and get noticed by a department like the Federal Pharmaceutical Bureau or the New Drug Research Institute, you could immediately become a federal official and gain the right to reside on the Central Star. And, of course, our academy would also share in the glory and receive a great deal of resources!" Teacher Zhao chimed in, trying to persuade her.

"Alright, I’ll do it. I’ll head home for the next month to work on the fundamentals. When I get back, I’ll join the special training class. This is the list of medicinal ingredients I’ll need. I’ve already sent it to Teacher Zhao. Could I trouble you to prepare them, Dean?" Since both Dean Wang and Teacher Zhao had made their case, and she would indeed be representing the academy, Ning Xuan didn’t stand on ceremony. She sent the list directly to Teacher Zhao.

Seeing that Ning Xuan was willing to make demands, Dean Wang’s old face broke into a wide smile. "Student Ning, please feel free to ask for anything else you need. Just... would it be possible for you to occasionally share your finished products with the academy? It would help us keep track of your progress. Of course, whenever you have something, just let us know, and we’ll come to you to pick it up. How does that sound?"

What else could Ning Xuan say? The academy’s request was perfectly reasonable, so she had no choice but to agree.

The Federal First Comprehensive Academy was located on the Central Star. Having arrived in this strange new world, Ning Xuan was naturally filled with curiosity. She didn’t want to be stuck in one place. Only by going out and exploring would she get a chance to see what the pinnacle of power was like in this world—and, perhaps, find a way to return to her own.

’My family members are all High-level Cultivators with long lifespans. I’m not worried!’

Once Ning Xuan and Chen Nan had settled matters at the academy, they hurried home. Unexpectedly, standing at her front door were Ning Chuchu, Ning Fei, and their mother, Ning Zhiqing.

"Xuanyuan, I never realized... you’re my real daughter!" Ning Zhiqing said, looking at Ning Xuan with teary eyes. Her own eyes were wide and her mouth was twitching in an incredibly exaggerated performance.

Ning Xuan frowned, staring at the trio. "Are you insane? What is this nonsense you’re spouting!" ’With the technology available in this interstellar era, how could anyone possibly misplace their own child?’

"Sister Xuan, when I went to the A-level Star, I coincidentally met the Bai family matriarch. She took one look at me and knew that I was Bai Xiwen’s real daughter. I asked my mother about it when I returned, and she admitted that she was careless back then and mixed us up."

"The Bai Family and I already went and had it confirmed. I truly carry the Bai family’s bloodline!" Ning Chuchu said, pulling out a document. It was a formal lineage report from the A-level Star.

"Chuchu, so you’re the Bai family’s real granddaughter! I knew it! Uncle Bai Xiwen is a B-level Spirit Controller and Aunt Zilan was a D-level Spirit Controller. How could they possibly have a regular person with no spiritual power? So it turns out you’re their real child, Chuchu! This is perfect! And you, Ning Xuan, you little bitch, you tried to throw us out? This house should belong to Chuchu. Get the hell out of here now!" Ning Fei snarled, looking ready to shove Ning Xuan.

Chen Nan’s fists clenched, and he looked ready to strike. Ning Xuan grabbed his arm, gave it a pat, and motioned for him to step back. Although low-level women didn’t hold a high social status, if Chen Nan were to injure them, he would face sanctions under Federation law.

"Ning Chuchu, if you’re the Bai family’s granddaughter, then go and get acquainted with your relatives. Why are you running over here to spout nonsense at me? My information was recorded by the Light Computer, which means it was based on genetic identification. If your family still has doubts, you can file a complaint with the Data Collection Center and request a retest. My parents may be dead, but my aunt here is still alive and well, isn’t she?" Ning Xuan said with a cold smile, sizing up Ning Zhiqing and her daughters.

The Ning Xuan they knew used to be foolish, ignorant, and timid, panicking at the slightest provocation. Yet now, as the three of them ganged up on her, she wasn’t the least bit flustered. In fact, her words had struck right at the heart of the matter.

Ning Zhiqing’s eyes darted nervously. She pointed at Chen Nan. "There are some... private details involved. It would be better if he wasn’t here for this."

"Contractor, I’m not—" Chen Nan said, his expression anxious.

"He doesn’t have to leave. Go on," Ning Xuan said, taking his hand and turning her gaze to Ning Chuchu.

"Sister Xuan, this is my Companion Spirit. You know that genetic similarity also determines the type of one’s Companion Spirit. The primary Companion Spirit of the Bai family is the Flame Bird!" A small, mostly red bird with a dusty-gray head materialized on Ning Chuchu’s arm. Its form was faint and translucent, clearly not yet corporeal.

"The Bai family matriarch has already accepted me. If you refuse to give up your current identity, she said she’ll send people to make you disappear!" Ning Chuchu’s words were a mix of truth and lies. Her original plan was to drain Ning Xuan’s lifeblood to help her Flame Bird fully materialize. This would have solved the Ning Xuan problem and helped her advance her own power. But with a High-level Contractor suddenly shadowing Ning Xuan’s every move, it was impossible for Ning Chuchu to make a move.

"You don’t know the first thing about the Bai family, do you? They’re a noble family with a century-long history and countless enterprises. They would never accept a low-level descendant. Even if you cling to your current status, the Bai family will never acknowledge you!" Ning Chuchu looked at Ning Xuan with a smug expression. In truth, the only reason the Bai matriarch had even granted her an audience was because Wu Di’s family had some business dealings with them.

"If that’s all you came to say, you can get lost," Ning Xuan sneered. ’This body’s parents are already dead. Why in the world would I go looking for new ancestors to claim?’

"Hey, Xuanyuan, I’ll be honest with you. Chuchu is your biological sister—my child with Bai Xiwen. We don’t have to take the house. All you have to do is go with Chuchu to confirm your sisterly relationship, then we can register Chuchu under Bai Xiwen and my older sister’s names! Once Chuchu reaps the benefits of the Bai family, she won’t forget you!" Ning Zhiqing whispered, sidling up to Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan gave her a look one might reserve for a lunatic. Humiliated, Ning Zhiqing flew into a rage. "What are you looking at? You don’t believe me? So what if I wanted to have a child with a High Level man?"

"Who do you think you’re kidding? My father was a B-level Spirit Controller, and he and my mother were madly in love. You’re just a normal person..."

"Bai Xiwen wasn’t willing, but he was in his heat period and wearing an Imprisonment Ring. That gave me my chance, didn’t it?" As she spoke, Ning Zhiqing glanced over at Chen Nan. She had noticed it earlier—this man was also in his heat period.

"Auntie, and my mother didn’t kill you for that?" Ning Xuan shot her a disgusted look.

Ning Xuan had read excerpts from Bai Xiwen’s diary. He was born on a High-level Planet, but his own abilities were rather mediocre. Unwilling to be sold off by his family like a piece of merchandise, he secretly fled to a low-level planet. There, he met Ning Zilan. The two fell in love at first sight, formed a Contract, and had a child together.