"Feifei, don't speak about your cousin that way. Even if Xuanxuan is alive, we can still transfer the ownership. I have a deed of gift from Xuanxuan right here, which proves she voluntarily gifted the property to us!" Ning Zhiqing produced a paper authorization form, which bore Ning Xuan's signature and handprint.
Ning Zhiqing had tricked Ning Xuan into signing the document under the pretense of helping her apply to purchase a Genetic Potion that could awaken one's spiritual power.
Normally, this authorization form alone would be useless. The Property Registry Office would contact Ning Xuan for confirmation. However, Ning Xuan's Light Computer had been unreachable for three days. Since the office couldn't contact her, they wouldn't delay the process indefinitely.
"When did I ever voluntarily gift the property to you? Wasn't this authorization form for you to help me apply for the Genetic Potion?" Ning Xuan had been listening from outside for a while. She had pieced it together: this Ms. Ning was her aunt, and the one beside her, who had sent her to her death, was her cousin. She only knew about the Genetic Potion application because she had looked through the messages with classmates on the previous owner's Light Computer.
Ning Xuan's sudden appearance made the color drain from the faces of Ning Zhiqing and her daughter. "You… You clearly entered the B-level Illusion Barrier Land! How could you possibly have come back alive?" Ning Fei stared at her, incredulous. To leave no room for error, Ning Fei had specifically taken her to a C-level Star and found the most dangerous location there.
"You plotted to murder me just to seize my property. Fortunately, at the critical moment, a kind person came along and saved me!" Based on the information saved on her Light Computer, Ning Xuan had learned that ever since this cousin of hers found out the Xingluo Bay residence belonged to her, she had been desperate to get rid of her.
The previous owner's classmates had warned her multiple times, but she never took it seriously. Just as they'd feared, she ended up dying because of her cousin's machinations.
"What are you talking about, plotting murder for property? You were just being stupid! You went to the Illusion Barrier Land to gather Spiritual Medicine to impress Luo Meng! What does that have to do with me?" Prompted by a glance from Ning Zhiqing, Ning Fei realized there were outsiders present and immediately shot back.
"Don't even think about framing me! I have video proof right here. It shows you entered that dangerous place on your own. It has nothing to do with me!" To absolve herself of suspicion, Ning Fei played a video on her Light Computer. In the footage, though Ning Xuan looked terrified, she did indeed step into the B-level Illusion Barrier Land of her own accord.
Ning Xuan raised an eyebrow. 'Her cousin really had all her bases covered.'
The staff from the Property Registry Office had witnessed quite a drama. Seeing that the homeowner had returned and figuring their business was concluded, they prepared to leave.
Ning Xuan called out to stop them. "Excuse me, I'd like to ask something. My aunt has been taking advantage of my youth to occupy the house my mother left me for years. Is there any recourse for a situation like this?"
"Ma'am, our records show that Ms. Ning Zhiqing applied to reside in this house as your legal guardian," the official replied respectfully after checking the information on his Light Computer. "If you believe she has violated your rights, you can file a petition to have her guardianship status revoked."
"Can you help me file the petition? Or could you show me how?" Ning Xuan asked earnestly.
"Ning Xuan, you can't kick us out! You… don't you want to form a Contract with Luo Meng? I can help you! We're sisters! Who was it that always helped you whenever you got into trouble at school?" Hearing that Ning Xuan was going to throw them out, Ning Fei rushed over and tried to grab her arm, but Ning Xuan sidestepped and dodged her grasp.
"Xuanxuan, I'm your aunt, your closest living relative! You haven't awakened your spiritual power; you're just an ordinary person. If you get matched with a male Spirit Controller and lack the ability to soothe him, what will you do if you're mistreated? I'm the only one who can help you then!" Ning Zhiqing's composed expression finally cracked, her voice tinged with exasperation.
"I would be much better off without you. This whole incident happened thanks to you. The only reason I haven't requested an official investigation is out of consideration for our family connection. And one more thing—I have some good news for you. I've awakened my spiritual power."
While sorting through the previous owner's personal information, Ning Xuan had already gotten the measure of this mother-daughter duo. 'Their scheming is amateur at best, and their actual power is pathetic. The main reason the previous owner died in the Illusion Barrier Land was that she was completely infatuated and dug her own grave.'
Even if the Federation Investigation Bureau were to get involved, since she had returned safely, the mother and daughter wouldn't face any serious punishment.
"You're already this old. What's the use of awakening your spiritual power now? You'll be stuck at the lowest F-level for the rest of your life. How is that any different from before?" Ning Fei scoffed jealously.
Ning Xuan just raised an eyebrow. 'It's not surprising Ning Fei would say that. The vast majority of people start at F-level when their spiritual power awakens. Only a rare few with high aptitude skip that level and start at E or D.'
"Xuanxuan, it's a wonderful thing that you've awakened your spiritual power. But for your spiritual power to grow, you need proper nutrition. Just living on nutrient solution like before won't be enough. I admit, I haven't done right by you in the past. How about this: from now on, I'll give you half of my monthly income as an allowance. What do you say? With that money, you won't have to eat only nutrient solution every day. You could even buy some nice clothes!" Ning Zhiqing said, her tone suddenly gentle and persuasive.
Ning Zhiqing's income came from the living expenses her Contractor provided, which amounted to about 3,000 Star Coins a month. Rent for even the cheapest public housing was 1,000 Star Coins. Ning Zhiqing had her calculations worked out perfectly, yet she wore the expression of someone bestowing a great charity.
"You'd better use that money to rent a place to live, Auntie," Ning Xuan said, then looked toward the officials from the Property Registry Office, motioning for them to come and show her what to do.
"Mom, I don't want to live in public housing! If we have to live in a place like that, I'll never be able to show my face again!" Ning Fei cried, her expression one of pure panic.
The reason Ning Xuan's mother, Ning Zilan, had been able to own a house on D618 Planet was because her Contractor—Ning Xuan's father, Bai Xiwen—had earned it through blood, sweat, and tears.
Ning Zhiqing had not awakened her spiritual power, and her Contractor was a male D-level Spirit Controller. Among men, a D-level Spirit Controller was considered quite mediocre. He wasn't qualified to join the regular military, and even mid-sized Mercenary Corps wouldn't accept him. He could only eke out a living in small-time Mercenary Corps, leaving him with absolutely no ability to purchase a home.
If Ning Xuan kicked them out, the mother and daughter would have no choice but to live in the cramped, filthy public housing projects.
Worse still, without Ning Xuan acting as her guarantor, Ning Fei wouldn't even be qualified to attend the Xingluo Bay Middle and High Level Joint Academy.
At school, Ning Fei had always told everyone that the house belonged to her mother and that Ning Xuan was just someone her mother had graciously taken in. If they were thrown out now, the entire facade she had carefully maintained at school would shatter!