The First Summoner - Chapter 23

Half an hour later, the carriage left the imperial capital and stopped two hundred meters from Lingyan Forest.

Even at that distance, many people had gathered to observe the forest.

Shen Yan lifted the gauze curtain. High-ranking officials and nobles stood among ordinary civilians and independent cultivators.

That suited her.

Her presence here would not attract much attention.

Hongri asked respectfully, “Miss, would you like to get out and look?”

Shen Yan nodded.

After stepping down from the carriage, she raised her eyes toward the forest’s perimeter.

The sight astonished her.

Layer after layer of soldiers surrounded Lingyan Forest, packed so densely that slipping through unnoticed seemed impossible. Entering openly was out of the question.

Even digging a tunnel beneath them would be impossible.

Soldiers from all nine kingdoms were guarding the forest together.

Shen Yan’s gaze darkened as she realized just how powerful the Qiutian Sect truly was.

It stood above multiple kingdoms.

Hongri stared at the distant defenses in wonder.

“The Qiutian Sect hasn’t even arrived, yet all nine kingdoms have already sent troops. They must place tremendous importance on this competition.”

“Of course,” Yinyue replied. “Every kingdom wants a powerful patron like the Qiutian Sect.”

The surrounding crowd was discussing the same subject.

“I heard every genius raised by the nine kingdoms will participate. The competition is going to be fierce!”

“Nanxiao Kingdom has Crown Prince Nangong Jin, Shen Xue of the Summoner clan, the noble heir Nangong Yu, Lu Shaohuai of the spirit-plant clan, Chen Nanqing of the Chen family, and others. They definitely won’t lose to the other kingdoms. I’m looking forward to it more by the day!”

“I wonder what they’ll be competing in.”

“It must have something to do with Lingyan Forest. I heard registration has already opened.”

Shen Yan frowned as she listened.

Breaking through all those defenses without being noticed would be extremely difficult.

If the soldiers lacked spiritual power, she could certainly blend in and slip past them.

Reality was not so accommodating.

Did she truly have to wait until the Qiutian Sect’s competition ended before entering the forest?

If someone stumbled across the Blood-Devouring Pearl first, she would lose her chance to obtain it.

She thought of Feng Xingyao.

Through their connection, she contacted Ninefold and asked him to relay her words.

Inside the spatial domain, Ninefold scampered over to Feng Xingyao with a bright smile.

“My lo— Ahem. Master wants to know whether you can take her into Lingyan Forest without anyone noticing. She will owe you a favor, so you won’t suffer a loss.”

Feng Xingyao raised one brow.

“Unfortunately, I am powerless now. I cannot take her inside.”

Ninefold’s eyes widened.

He was about to ask a question when the red-robed man gave him a faint, unreadable smile.

Ninefold lost his courage and shut his mouth.

Then he crossed his arms in dissatisfaction and huffed before passing Feng Xingyao’s answer back to Shen Yan.

“All right.”

Shen Yan lowered her gaze.

Another decision had already formed in her heart.

She would enter the Qiutian Sect’s competition and use it to gain access to Lingyan Forest.

With her choice made, she had no reason to remain.

“Let’s return.”

“Yes, Miss.”

When the carriage arrived at the Shen estate, Shen Yan stepped down and looked up.

Lanterns and colorful decorations had appeared everywhere, as though the family were preparing for a joyful celebration.

She turned to Hongri. “Is there a happy occasion in the Shen family?”

Hongri thought for a moment, then smiled.

“Miss, your fifteenth birthday is in three days.”

Yinyue’s expression changed immediately.

She tugged discreetly at Hongri’s clothes. When Hongri looked over, Yinyue gave her a grave shake of the head.

Hongri did not understand.

“What is it?”

Yinyue nearly despaired.

Shen Yan answered for her. “The celebration isn’t for me. It’s for Shen Xue.”

Their birthdays were only one day apart. Shen Xue’s came first.

Hongri’s face went white.

She dropped to her knees in alarm. “Miss, I didn’t mean to—please forgive me.”

“Get up. Don’t kneel.”

Shen Yan softened her tone, bent down, and helped Hongri to her feet.

Hongri looked like a child who had made a terrible mistake. Guilt and panic filled her eyes with tears.

She bit her lip. “Miss, I truly didn’t mean it!”

“I’m not blaming you.”

Shen Yan did not care about the matter.

The Shen family regarded the original girl’s birthday as something shameful, while every member of the family treated Shen Xue’s birthday as important.

When Shen Huai was home, the family celebrated his birthday extravagantly and included his twin sister as an afterthought.

But over the past fifteen years, Shen Huai had spent at least eight birthdays away from the family while gaining experience.

Whenever he was absent, the Shen family deliberately ignored Shen Yan’s birthday as well.

Shen Xue, meanwhile, received a banquet every year.

Shen Tianhao had once wanted to hold a separate celebration for Shen Yan. The family head and elders all dissuaded him.

There was no reason for wasteful extravagance, they said. Since Huai was away and Xue’er and Yan’er’s birthdays were only a day apart, why not celebrate both sisters together?

They might as well hold the banquet on Shen Xue’s birthday. It would make inviting guests easier.

Shen Tianhao understood the meaning hidden beneath their words.

Even if they held a banquet for Yan’er, no guests would come. Everyone would find excuses to refuse.

To most people in Nanxiao Kingdom, Shen Yan was an ill omen.

There was even a rumor about the twins: the elder sister was a star of calamity, while the younger brother was a star of fortune.

At the time, Shen Tianhao believed Shen Xue and Yan’er shared a close sisterly bond. Shen Xue also appeared to care for Yan’er diligently.

Only then had he agreed.

Yinyue offered carefully, “Miss, the Young Master has returned now. If you want a birthday banquet, you could mention it to him.”

“No need.”

Shen Yan had no interest in one.

After returning to Xicui Courtyard and eating lunch, she was about to enter her room to practice Meteor Flame Fist when a young manservant rushed over.

“Second Young Miss, the family head requests your presence.”

Shen Yan’s eyes remained indifferent as she slowly turned toward him.

“Do you know why?”

The manservant was fairly respectful. “This servant does not know.”

Hongri and Yinyue immediately grew anxious.

Their instincts told them nothing good would come of the summons.

“Mm.”

Shen Yan acknowledged it, then called only Hongri to accompany her.

Before long, she followed the manservant into the main hall of the front courtyard.

An energetic old man occupied the highest seat. His eyes were as sharp as blades, and both hands rested atop his cane. He projected authority without the slightest need to show anger.

Shen Yan walked to the middle of the hall.

She stopped and met his gaze directly.

Neither spoke.

As the silence stretched, the matron and steward waiting nearby trembled inwardly.

At last, the Shen family head said, “You have arrived. Why have you not greeted me?”