Zhao Ningxiang's Ambition

"I know Yuting won't object. What I'm worried about is Ningxiang. That girl is rather stubborn. She has spent even more time with me than with you, so I understand her well. She is proud and arrogant. Her Primary Spirit Root has an affinity of seventy-five, and she reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer at just sixteen. Changsheng is already nineteen this year, yet he is only at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining. Yuting may not necessarily think highly of him."

Zhao Yuhui spoke at length.

Zhao Ziheng suddenly understood and nodded. "That's true. Ningxiang is the most gifted seedling in our Zhao Family. Changsheng is a good child in terms of character, but his aptitude is indeed somewhat lacking."

Zhao Yuhui shook her head and sighed. "Aptitude is not the key issue. Other than Ningxiang, do we have any other outstanding descendants in the clan? Once your Fifth Uncle and I pass away, who will shield the Lineage from wind and rain? Without a Foundation Establishment Cultivator standing guard, the family could be destroyed overnight. I intend to find Ningxiang a Live-in Son-in-Law, so she can guard the family in the future. Of course, if someone even better than Ningxiang emerges in the clan, she could marry out instead. But as things stand, there is no one better than her within the clan."

"No wonder you gave her so many more resources. So you're raising her as a future Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

Zhao Yuhui waved a hand. "Enough of this. Go call Zijun and the others to the Council Hall. We'll discuss how to respond to Mingyuan."

"Mother, aren't we just mediating between the two families? There's no need to gather everyone for a meeting over such a small matter, is there?"

"When one has eaten from another's mouth, one speaks softly; when one has taken from another's hand, one acts weakly. If we truly obtain the Sericulture Art, would it not be reasonable for us to lean toward the Wang Family? Go call Zijun and the others. We must discuss this carefully and strive for greater benefits. Public and private matters must be clearly separated."

"Yes, Mother."

Zhao Ziheng answered and turned to leave.

Beside a vast lake, Wang Changsheng and the other two sat fishing.

The lake covered several mu, and it held a great many First Grade Lower Rank spirit fish, White Scale Fish.

White Scale Fish were a common type of spirit fish. Their meat was delicious, they were not demanding about their environment, and they had gentle temperaments. White Scale Fish could often be seen upon a Cultivator's dining table.

The Zhao Family raised many White Scale Fish. Once they reached five pounds, they could be sold. These White Scale Fish were one of the Zhao Family's main sources of income.

"Cousin Changsheng, you told Grandmother earlier that you went to the Mortal World to serve as a Celestial Master. Is the Mortal World fun? I've never been there before!"

Zhao Ningxiang blinked and asked curiously.

Wang Changsheng shook his head. "There's nothing fun about the Mortal World. Spiritual qi is thin there, and there isn't even a single place with a Spirit Vein. Cultivation is especially slow."

Zhao Ningxiang looked somewhat disappointed. "Is that so? I had wanted to visit the Mortal World for fun, but after hearing you say that, I don't want to go anymore. Still, Cousin Changsheng, your cultivation speed is too slow. I'm already at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, while you're only at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining. By the time I reach your age, I'll probably already be at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer."

As she said this, a proud expression appeared on her face.

Zhao Ningxuan's face darkened as he rebuked her, "Ningxiang, how can you speak like that?"

"Cousin Changsheng, don't misunderstand. Ningxiang didn't mean anything else by it."

"It's fine. Cousin Ningxiang is simply that sort of person. She says whatever comes to mind."

Wang Changsheng did not take it to heart. When he was young, he often accompanied his grandmother to visit the Zhao Family. He and Zhao Ningxiang could be said to have grown up together as childhood sweethearts.

Zhao Ningxiang had rather good aptitude, and her mother was a descendant of the Lin Family. Since childhood, she had been showered with endless affection and pampered excessively. She had developed a carefree personality, saying whatever came to mind without considering others' feelings. Of course, she bore no ill intent, and Wang Changsheng had long grown used to it.

"Heehee, Cousin Changsheng understands me best. By the way, Cousin Changsheng, have you considered joining an Immortal Cultivation Sect? My mother said that in a few years, the Four Great Sects will open their gates wide and recruit disciples. The Four Great Sects only open their gates once every twenty years, and with their recruitment requirements, every Cultivator only gets one chance."

Zhao Ningxiang giggled, her expression full of excitement.

"Join an Immortal Cultivation Sect? I have no such plans. My aptitude isn't considered good. Even if I were lucky enough to enter a sect, I would only become an Outer Sect Disciple. I've heard that Outer Sect Disciples do not have easy lives. They spend every day dealing with all kinds of menial tasks, and if they fail to complete them, they are punished. I'd rather remain at home."

Wang Changsheng spoke indifferently.

Although his aptitude was ordinary, if he could become an Artifact Refiner, the family would provide him with materials for Artifact Refining. He could save up resources to purchase spiritual items that assisted with Foundation Establishment. If he joined an Immortal Cultivation Sect, the sect might not provide him with materials for Artifact Refining.

Most importantly, he had been taught from childhood to be loyal to the Lineage and contribute to it. As for a sect, he did not feel the slightest sense of belonging.

"Exactly. At home, you have family and friends. If you go to an Immortal Cultivation Sect, you'll be unfamiliar with the place and find every step difficult. If you fall ill, there won't even be anyone to take care of you."

Zhao Ningxuan deeply agreed.

"You can't put it that way. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Immortal Cultivation Sects have abundant resources and excellent cultivation techniques. What prospects are there in staying in Ning Province for an entire lifetime? At most, you'll only reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. Only by standing in a higher place can you see farther."

Zhao Ningxiang spoke with stirring passion, her words brimming with fighting spirit.

Wang Changsheng and Zhao Ningxuan exchanged glances, each seeing the shock written all over the other's face.

They had never expected Zhao Ningxiang to utter such lofty and heroic words.

"Everyone pursues different things, I suppose. Cousin Ningxiang, does Great-Aunt agree with your wish to join an Immortal Cultivation Sect?"

"Grandmother doesn't know yet, but I'll tell her. If I can join an Immortal Cultivation Sect, it will benefit the Zhao Family's development as well. She will definitely agree. Are you two truly not considering joining an Immortal Cultivation Sect? If we join one together, we can look after each other, and it will benefit our family too."

Zhao Ningxiang urged them enthusiastically.

Wang Changsheng was somewhat tempted. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "I'll go back and ask my father. If Father agrees, then I'll give it a try."

Zhao Ningxuan shook his head. "Forget it. I've heard that whenever the Four Great Sects open their gates, countless people squeeze their heads bloody trying to enter an Immortal Cultivation Sect. I've heard that quite a few Cultivators die on the Arena each time. I'd rather honestly stay at home. An Immortal Cultivation Sect isn't somewhere you can enter just because you want to."

Zhao Ningxiang rolled her eyes at Zhao Ningxuan and snapped irritably, "Big Brother, you really have no ambition. Cousin Changsheng, go back and have a proper talk with Uncle. When the time comes, we'll go become disciples together. Once we become disciples of an Immortal Cultivation Sect, Big Brother, you can cry all you want!"

Wang Changsheng nodded in agreement, while Zhao Ningxuan could only smile bitterly.

"Ah! A fish has bitten! It's bitten!"

Zhao Ningxiang gave the fishing rod a hard tug, and a large fish about two feet long flew out of the lake. Its entire body was snow-white, covered in white scales, with its mouth clamped around the hook.

Zhao Ningxiang's face was full of delight. She removed the hook and placed the White Scale Fish into a wooden bucket.

An hour later, Wang Changsheng happily carried five White Scale Fish back to his residence.