Prelude

Having said that, Ning Chuanwei eagerly headed toward Ning Fa's home.

Ning Fa was simply stunned by the fellow's thick skin. He immediately blocked him, his expression unfriendly. "You really want to come in?"

Ning Chuanwei did not mind in the slightest. With an ingratiating smile, he said, "It's all because this little brother was too excited. I actually forgot to bring a gift and still had the nerve to visit. Brother Fa, please wait a moment. This little brother will be right back."

With that, he vanished in a puff of smoke.

Ning Fa stood there dumbfounded. After a long while, he muttered, "Promising."

Before long, Ning Chuanwei came to visit again, carrying armfuls of packages, only to be driven out by Ning Fa.

Yet Ning Chuanwei did not dare harbor the slightest resentment. In fact, because they were neighbors, he even felt as though Ning Fa's glory reflected upon him.

Whenever he met someone, he excitedly told them that Ning Fa had become an official clan alchemist. He was so thrilled that it seemed as if he himself had become a clan alchemist.

As word spread from mouth to mouth, in less than half a day, quite a few people on Pingchang Island had learned of it. Eventually, the news reached several of Ning Fa's relatives in the Main Family.

At the home of Ning Fa's eldest paternal aunt, Ning Muchun.

Besides Ning Muchun's family of three, Ning Fa's paternal uncle's family and fourth uncle's family were also present. Over the past month, the families had already gathered to discuss matters for the sixth time. The several clan elders of their branch, however, were absent.

After a heated argument, the hall fell silent once more.

Ning Muchun and Meng Jinliang looked calm, as though victory was already in their grasp. Their son, Ning Furong, sat with his arms folded, the smug smile at the corner of his lips nearly impossible to suppress.

The other two families did not look particularly pleased. Ning Fa's paternal uncle and Paternal Uncle's Wife both wore dark expressions, with traces of anger. Although Ning Fa's eldest cousin appeared composed, his brows were tightly furrowed.

Even Ning Muchun's younger brother by blood, Ning Baiquan, and his family did not look happy.

Ning Muchun swept her gaze over everyone and finally took the initiative to break the silence. "That is the situation. You all know about the Spirit Stabilizing Pill. It is an extremely precious Pill to Break Through Cultivation Stage for Late Qi Condensation. Even a cultivator at the Sixth Layer of Qi Condensation with a Four-element Spiritual Root can increase their chance of breaking through by thirty percent after taking one. If we can obtain a single pill, Rong'er will have a much greater chance of breaking through to Late Qi Condensation."

"Normally, even Tianshui Market rarely has Spirit Stabilizing Pills for sale, and their price is exorbitant. This time, the clan treasury has suddenly released quotas for two Spirit Stabilizing Pills, and the price is far lower than in the markets outside. We absolutely cannot miss such a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity."

Hearing this, Ning Fa's paternal uncle, Ning Zhengqian, who had long been unable to endure it any longer, could not help but retort, "I have no objection if you want to buy a Spirit Stabilizing Pill. Even if you use our branch's communal property, I will not say anything. But why must we sell Spirit Fields to scrape together spirit stones?"

The moment those words were spoken, even Ning Baiquan, who had always stood by his elder sister, could not help nodding slightly in agreement.

After all, Ning Muchun had demanded that his family sell Spirit Fields as well.

Ning Muchun said unconcernedly, "Zheng Qian, you are mistaken. This time, it is not only your family and Third Brother's family that must sell Spirit Fields. Our family will not only sell part of our Spirit Fields, but we also plan to sell one of our fishing boats."

"Even though the clan's Spirit Stabilizing Pill is somewhat cheaper than outside, it still costs five hundred clan Contribution Points and at least twelve hundred spirit stones. We will also need additional spirit stones to grease the right palms, so naturally we must prepare more."

Ning Fa's paternal uncle opened his mouth, but found himself speechless.

However, Ning Fa's Paternal Uncle's Wife, Guo Ru, could not help saying, "But that Spirit Stabilizing Pill is for your son. Your family should have been the one contributing more spirit stones. Everyone knows your family is well-off—you have five fishing boats. Can't you sell two more?"

Ning Muchun shot her a calm glance. The authority she had accumulated from managing the affairs of the branch for so long, coupled with the pressure of her higher cultivation, made Guo Ru, who was only at the Third Layer of Qi Condensation, immediately unable to meet her eyes.

With a faint sneer, she said, "Sister Ru, you are right. If my family smashed our pots and sold our iron, we could indeed gather these spirit stones. But have you forgotten what we agreed upon a month ago?"

"Did we not agree to use the strength of our entire branch to nurture Rong'er's advancement to Late Qi Condensation? If only our family contributes, then once Rong'er truly secures a direct-line quota, will you all refrain from enjoying the status of the clan's direct line? Will you no longer need Rong'er to look after you? You cannot be willing only to enjoy the benefits while refusing to pay the price."

Guo Ru was left speechless by Ning Muchun's words.

Ning Muchun snorted coldly and continued, "If you do not want to sell Spirit Fields, then persuade Ning Fa to agree to sell that shop. That would solve every problem."

Hearing this, Ning Fa's paternal uncle, Ning Zhengqian, shook his head. "Elder Sister, everyone knows full well that the shop was earned entirely by Zhiyuan alone, and it is also the inheritance he left to Little Fa. Once Little Fa returns from Fifth Elder's residence, you should return the shop to him. As for the Spirit Fields, sell them if we must. Sigh."

Ning Fa's Paternal Uncle's Wife, Guo Ru, hurriedly grabbed his clothes, just about to say something, but Ning Zhengqian waved a hand at her.

Guo Ru's expression dimmed. She released him and ultimately said no more.

Seeing that Ning Zhengqian had finally agreed, Ning Muchun and Meng Jinliang exchanged glances, both showing delight.

Yet as for Ning Zhengqian's demand that they return the shop to Ning Fa, the two of them sneered inwardly.

What they were thinking was that when Ning Fa returned from Fifth Elder's residence three months later, they would no longer have any misgivings. No matter what means they had to use, they would formally seize that shop.

Come to think of it, even if Ning Fa agreed to sell the shop, they would not be willing to do so themselves.

With the Ning Clan's current momentum, the shops in Jinchang Island's market changed in price by the day, every inch of land worth an inch of gold.

Having long regarded that shop as their own property, they naturally had no desire to sell it now.

Seeing that Ning Zhengqian had agreed, Ning Baiquan let out a sigh and nodded as well.

The smile at Meng Jinliang's lips vanished. In order to ease the atmosphere, he stood and deliberately looked toward the door. "Why has Xilin not arrived yet? We still need to ask him before deciding which communal properties to use. After all, he knows the situation best."

The moment his words fell, there was a knock at the door.

A smile appeared on Meng Jinliang's face. "Perfect timing. He has arrived."

Before long, an elderly man in black robes hurried inside. His complexion was ruddy, and he looked shrewd and capable.

This man was Ning Xilin, the steward of the mortal bloodline of Ning Fa's branch.

"Xilin, why did you take so long? Did I not tell you that we had important matters to discuss today?"

Ning Muchun berated Ning Xilin with an unhappy expression.

Ning Xilin hurriedly apologized, then respectfully greeted everyone in turn.

After all, immortals and mortals were worlds apart. Though his seniority was not low, before the cultivators of his branch, he was naturally a head shorter.

Then he stood there with a somewhat dazed expression, opening his mouth as if to speak, yet unable to get the words out for a time. The expression on his face was vivid, as though he was both shocked and unable to believe it.