Niannian didn't catch any other words.
The prizes didn't hold much allure for her.
She just stared fixedly at the three characters "Soul - Reviving Herb" on the screen.
Just a second ago, her master said he needed it, and now there was a prize for winning a competition. It was like getting a pillow just when you felt sleepy!
Niannian knew how important her mistress was to her master, so without asking for her master's or senior brothers' opinions, she tapped the screen with her little finger.
She replied to He Qing.
Niannian: [I want to participate in the feng - shui competition.]
He Qing: [Just this one? Not participating in others? I think you're also good at formations. That imperial green jadeite has good transparency. It's hard to buy. Among our peers, I don't think anyone is better than you at formations. You might as well take it!]
Niannian: [Okay then. Sign me up for the talisman competition as well.]
He Qing: [Ah? Can you handle it all?]
Niannian: [Don't worry. I'm fine!]
He Qing: [Okay. I'll sign you up for all of them. Coincidentally, I have to participate in these three as well. I'll pick you up then. By the way, you can ask your senior brothers if they want to participate in any competitions.]
Niannian: [Okay. I'll ask. Thank you, Brother He Qing.]
After replying to He Qing, the little girl beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. Seeing Niannian in such a good mood for no apparent reason, Taoist Priest Qingyun and Shen Weixun were all confused.
Shen Weixun stroked Niannian's little head and asked, "What's making you so happy?"
"Hehe, Brother He Qing just said that the prizes for this year's exchange - conference competitions are out, and there's the Soul - Reviving Herb among them. So I signed up. Once I win the prize, Mistress will be saved!"
One could hear the excitement in the little girl's voice.
But after hearing her words, neither Taoist Priest Qingyun nor the other senior brothers showed much joy.
Privately, they were worried.
Taoist Priest Qingyun had actually participated in the metaphysics exchange conference and truly knew how deep the waters were.
If they really encountered someone with a sinister personality, they might even make a move behind the scenes.
The little girl had good intentions.
She wanted to help her master obtain the Soul - Reviving Herb through her own efforts.
But precisely because of this, they were extremely worried.
What if...
What if Niannian showed extraordinary talent and was targeted by those with bad intentions?
What if she was discouraged because of their underhanded tactics?
What if...
When people care deeply about someone, they always tend to think of the worst - case scenarios.
They didn't want Niannian to get hurt at all, so naturally, they were full of worries.
"Master, Senior Brothers, what's wrong?"
Niannian thought her master and senior brothers would be happy, but seeing their solemn expressions, she inexplicably felt that she might have done something wrong and was at a loss.
"Niannian, do you really want to participate?"
Shen Weixun asked gently. Although they were full of doubts and worries, such things should still be decided by the little girl herself.
Even children have their own thoughts and need to be respected.
"Yes, I do. I also want to know my real level."
Niannian nodded eagerly.
"That's good if you like it. But... if you feel uncomfortable during the competition or suddenly don't want to participate anymore, be sure to tell Master and us in time."
"We don't need you to work too hard. Just be happy. The prizes don't matter. Third Senior Brother has plenty of money. Even if you don't win, Third Senior Brother can buy it. Understand?"
Shen Weixun gently soothed the little girl's slightly nervous and uneasy mood.
Although Niannian was a bit confused, she still nodded in agreement.
"I understand. If I'm not happy, I'll definitely tell Master and Senior Brothers. Don't worry."
Taoist Priest Qingyun nodded with a smile, watching his two disciples communicate so amicably.
Although all his disciples liked Niannian, Shen Weixun had the deepest bond with her.
But even he, their master, couldn't see clearly what their future development would be.
Once he divined for these two children.
He divined three times in a row.
The results of all three divinations were that they would be entangled in this life and inseparable in the next two lives.
But whether this entanglement and bond were good or bad, he couldn't calculate.
He only knew that Niannian and Shen Weixun would know and interact with each other in this life.
He didn't want to see any drama of his disciples fighting or turning against each other.
The better their relationship, the happier he was.
This was why, even though Shen Weixun was still a child back then, he still chose to let him take care of Niannian.
"Alright. Go back to your rooms after you're full. Since you've decided to participate, you can't slack off on your studies. Niannian, you're still lacking in feng - shui. Go back and make up for it now. Better late than never."
Taoist Priest Qingyun assumed the stance of a teacher, hands behind his back, and slowly walked back to his room.
Just thinking about having to read feng - shui books again, Niannian frowned.
Feng - shui was a discipline that required great flexibility.
And flexibility was precisely what she lacked the most.
Reading, memorizing books, talisman making, and formations all had templates. They all adhered to a certain principle.
So Niannian learned them best, remembered them most deeply, and was most proficient in them.
But feng - shui was ever - changing. There were many factors to consider. Especially under the uncanny workmanship of nature, feng - shui could change completely over time or due to a tiny change.
It was the most difficult discipline for her to learn.
She used to get a headache just looking at feng - shui books, so Niannian rarely delved into this field.
Ah...
Why was the Soul - Reviving Herb a prize for winning the feng - shui competition?
If it were any other competition, she would have been confident of winning.
"Don't look so glum. I'll read with you. Ask me if you don't understand. Sign me up for the competitions you've signed up for too. Third Senior Brother will participate with you."
Shen Weixun saw the little girl's face almost scrunched up into a ball and couldn't help but laugh.
The other two, Mu Yanchen and Liu Chuchen, didn't have much talent. Participating in such competitions would just be a waste, so they had no interest and no intention of signing up.
At night, the little girl was reading by lamplight in her room.
Shen Weixun beside her also stayed up with her.
Niannian's eyes were almost glazed over, but there was still a mountain of feng - shui knowledge to make up for.
There were only three days to prepare!
This was so difficult!
"Aaaah! Third Senior Brother, waaaaa..."
Niannian roared while reading and sobbed.
At this moment, little Niannian showed the most unreasonable side of a child.