This was a genuine Top-grade Magic Tool that had already been certified by the system.
Since her attributes had skyrocketed, she could vaguely feel a trace of connection between herself and the jade hairpin, as if she could pour her own strength into it if she so desired.
Previously, while she knew it was a Magic Tool, she always felt such things should be used by cultivators in duels or for flying on artifacts. She never expected it could actually be used to dispel evil today.
In that case, I might as well give it a try.
Anyway, if there really was any danger, she could run fast.
The thought flashed through her mind, and without further hesitation, she gripped the jade hairpin tightly and thrust it downward.
“Schlick!”
There was a soft sound.
The Teal Jade Hairpin, which didn't look particularly sharp, actually pierced through the hard bronze ornament without any resistance.
This scene occurred so suddenly that everyone in the room was stunned.
In the next moment, the previously silent bronze ornament suddenly began to vibrate violently, as if some living thing hidden inside had been forcibly pinned in place and was struggling frantically.
The tea cups on the table even rattled slightly from the vibrations.
“This…”
Xiangling’s face instantly turned pale, and she instinctively retreated behind Xie Jinyi.
Chunxing and Xiahe also huddled together, not daring to speak another word.
Although Xie Zhaofan also felt a bit creeped out, she forced herself to maintain a nonchalant expression. Her palm gripped the jade hairpin tightly, fearing that if she let go now, the thing would suddenly jump up and bite someone.
Following that, a thick surge of black gas, almost substantial, erupted from the bronze ornament.
That black gas was cold and filthy; the moment it appeared, the temperature in the room dropped several degrees.
A pale, distorted face vaguely emerged within it—its features were hideous and its mouth was wide open as if letting out a silent, shrill scream.
“Ah!”
Xiangling shrieked.
Even Xie Jinyi’s expression became grave.
Xie Zhaofan’s face also changed, and without a second thought, she grabbed Chunxing and pulled her back.
What a joke!
Even if she talked big, who wouldn't be afraid upon seeing a ghost face pop out of a bronze ornament?
Fortunately, the black gas appeared quickly and dissipated just as fast. In just a few moments, it completely collapsed under the invisible power emitted by the Teal Jade Hairpin, dissolving into wisps of black mist that vanished into the air.
The room returned to silence. The group stood dazed for a long while before they dared to approach again.
The bronze ornament, which had originally looked quite ancient, had now completely lost its luster. Its surface was covered with mottled cracks, and the patterns that had once faintly exuded an eerie aura had all gone dull.
No matter how one looked at it, it had become a piece of scrap copper that couldn't be more ordinary.
Xie Zhaofan blinked and looked at the Teal Jade Hairpin in her hand. The surprise on her face gradually turned into smugness.
“See, I told you. How powerful could a thing like this be?”
She intentionally lifted her chin. “If I’d known it was as flimsy as paper, I would’ve just smashed it with the stone lock in the courtyard. There wouldn't have been any need to specifically run to the City God Temple and spend five taels of silver on a talisman.”
Chunxing’s lips twitched; she didn't doubt her lady's words in the slightest.
After all, she had personally seen her lady treat a hundred-jin stone lock like a playball. If her lady were to smash this thing with one, Chunxing felt the bronze ornament probably wouldn't last even a single breath of time.
Even if her lady were to rip apart a fierce ghost with her bare hands one day, she likely wouldn't be the least bit surprised.
Xie Jinyi, however, ignored Xie Zhaofan’s self-praise and instead focused intensely on the Teal Jade Hairpin in her hand.
She had clearly felt an extremely unique power just now.
It wasn't internal energy, yet it was more condensed than ordinary Qi and blood. Especially at the moment the jade hairpin pierced the bronze ornament, it had directly forced out the evil aura within.
But no matter how she looked at it, she only felt that it was an ordinary Teal Jade Hairpin.
Furthermore, Xie Zhaofan didn't possess a shred of internal energy, nor could any traces of cultivation be seen in her.
Could there truly be someone in this world with innate divine strength, enough to break through all techniques with pure power?
Xie Jinyi’s gaze lingered on Xie Zhaofan for a moment longer. This foster sister of hers seemed even more miraculous than she had imagined.
“Xiangling, how do you feel?” she asked suddenly.
Xiangling was startled for a moment, then she carefully sensed her own body.
The heavy pressure and chill that had been weighng on her chest had actually vanished significantly, and even her head felt much clearer.
With slightly red eyes, she hurriedly said, “Miss, I feel much better.”
Chunxing also chimed in, “Me too! After that thing came out, I felt my whole body lighten up instantly.”
Xiahe didn't speak, but she nodded her head vigorously.
Xie Zhaofan finally let out a true sigh of relief. It seemed her shot in the dark had actually solved the matter.
As for whether that five-tael talisman was actually useful, she was too lazy to investigate. Regardless, that thing certainly wasn't what had done the trick in the end.
She looked down at the Teal Jade Hairpin in her hand, realizing for the first time that the so-called Magic Tools the system gave her seemed far more miraculous than she had imagined.
Previously, she always thought Magic Tools were just equipment for a cultivation world, only meant for fighting or flying. Who could have guessed they had a function like dispelling evil?
It seemed she would have to study the things the system gave her more carefully in the future; perhaps there were more uses waiting for her to discover.
However, now that the most important matter was resolved, Xie Zhaofan didn't linger and took Chunxing back to her own courtyard.
After being busy for two days, she finally didn't have to worry about two little maids suddenly crawling out of bed in the middle of the night and crying to her about some man in white.
By nighttime, after Xie Zhaofan had finished washing up and was preparing to have a beautiful sleep, she suddenly noticed a familiar movement coming from the neighboring courtyard.
Lying on her bed, the corners of her mouth slowly curled up.
It was time.
Second Young Miss Xie’s indispensable nightly late-night show was starting right on schedule.
With her attributes significantly increased, her five senses now far surpassed those of ordinary people. She didn't even need to sneakily press her ear against the wall like before; as long as she calmed her mind, she could clearly hear the voices from the neighboring courtyard.
Xie Zhaofan felt that the attribute boost the system gave her this time was truly worth it. While others slept at night, she spent her nights in a gossip session.
This was what it truly meant to put things to good use.
Soon, Prince Qin’s low voice drifted over.
“Jinyi, your wound medicine really is getting better and better.”
Xie Zhaofan knew the good show had begun the moment she heard it. She immediately wrapped herself in her quilt and lay comfortably on the bed, ears perked up high.
As expected, the moment they met, Xie Jinyi discovered the arrow wound on Prince Qin’s arm.
Although the wound had already undergone simple treatment, Prince Qin had just been through a great battle and had been in a rush to pursue that female archer who ambushed them. He hadn't been able to rest in time, causing the injury's recovery to be less than ideal.
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