Ning Shaohong's Request

Ning Fa saw Ninth Elder Ning Shaohong again.

Several months had passed, yet time had not left the slightest trace on her face. She was still as fresh and radiant as a lotus rising from the water. Dressed in an elegant rose-patterned gauze skirt of soft red, she possessed an added mature charm, like a ripened peach.

Especially as she reclined sideways on the bed reading an ancient book, her jade-like body stretched out in languid, alluring grace—even Ning Fa's composure nearly failed him for a moment.

Seeing Ning Fa stare in a daze, Ning Shaohong set down the ancient book in her hand, a faint smile curling at her lips.

She sat upright and said with a light smile, "I was just wondering when you would come looking for me. I didn't expect you to come so soon."

Ning Fa hurriedly cupped his hands, gratitude written across his face. "Thank you, Ninth Elder, for standing up for your nephew this time. I will never forget this kindness."

With that, he bowed deeply.

A gentle force lifted him back up.

Ning Shaohong wore a clear, gentle smile as she said softly, "It was only a small effort. There is no need to take it to heart."

Then, a thoughtful look appeared on her face. "Your timing is perfect. I happen to have a favor to ask of you. Even if you had not come, I had planned to seek you out."

Ning Fa was startled, but he answered without hesitation, "Please speak freely, Ninth Elder. So long as it is within your nephew's ability, there will be no second word from me."

Ning Fa's response seemed to satisfy Ning Shaohong. Smiling, she asked, "Other than the clan's alchemy assignments, how many more batches of Essence Replenishing Pills can you refine each month?"

Ning Fa's heart stirred. Could it be that this Ninth Elder wanted him to help refine pills?

After a brief thought, he replied, "Your nephew currently needs to refine fifteen batches of Essence Replenishing Pills for the clan each month. With your nephew's current Mana realm, refining another ten batches per month should not be a problem."

By now, Ning Fa had already guessed that Ning Shaohong wanted him to help with alchemy. He estimated this number because ten additional batches would not take up too much of his cultivation time.

Ning Shaohong nodded and asked with smiling eyes, "Then if I asked you to refine another ten batches of Essence Replenishing Pills for me, would you be willing?"

Ning Fa secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "Of course. Does Ninth Elder have any requirements for the pill success rate?"

Ning Shaohong gave a soft laugh. "Don't worry. I will not have you refine pills for nothing. Each month, I will provide you with materials for ten batches of Essence Replenishing Pills. No matter how many pills you refine, I will purchase them at market price. What do you think?"

Ning Fa was startled. He had assumed Ning Shaohong would provide the materials like the clan did, then demand a certain pill success rate.

He had not expected Ning Shaohong to provide the materials free of charge, then purchase back the Essence Replenishing Pills he refined.

In truth, even if they were asked to refine pills for free, Ning Fa—or any other alchemist—would be more than willing.

After all, the greatest factor limiting an alchemist's improvement might not be talent in alchemy, but the lack of enough opportunities to practice.

Ning Fa had been able to greatly improve his Essence Replenishing Pill refinement in such a short time precisely because he could use the Mysterious Scroll to endlessly restore the materials.

Now, Ning Shaohong was not only providing materials for free, but would also purchase the pills at market price. It was undoubtedly an extremely generous reward.

One had to know that materials for ten batches of Essence Replenishing Pills cost one or two hundred spirit stones a month.

Ning Fa could not help but hesitate. "Ninth Elder, this does not seem quite right..."

Ning Shaohong smiled faintly. "Do not overthink it. In truth, I was entrusted by someone else. Recently, I met a friend whose trading firm plans to open a shop in Tianshui Market. She is desperately seeking these sought-after pills. She is the one providing these materials as well. If you can refine even more Essence Replenishing Pills each month, she can offer you a higher price."

Understanding dawned on Ning Fa. So that was it.

Someone from a trading firm, planning to open a shop in a second-tier market like Tianshui Market, and able to become friends with Ning Shaohong, the Ning Clan's Ninth Elder—this person's status was clearly anything but ordinary.

No wonder she was so generous, casually producing materials worth one or two hundred spirit stones every month.

Ning Fa could not help feeling even more grateful to Ning Shaohong.

Though Ning Shaohong said she was asking him for help, this was actually an opportunity any low-level alchemist would crave—he could practice and earn spirit stones at the same time. Yet Ning Shaohong had reserved this chance for him.

As though she had guessed Ning Fa's thoughts, Ning Shaohong shook her head with a smile. "No need to thank me. If I did not know your skill at refining Essence Replenishing Pills, I would not have dared recommend you to this friend. Also, master Qi Replenishing Pills and Spring Return Pills as soon as possible. My friend has a great demand for those two pills as well."

Ning Fa nodded. He had already planned to seek out Wei Chengzong later and ask him to teach him the formulas for those two pills.

Once the serious matter was settled, Ning Shaohong seemed to recall something. Her lovely eyes shifted as she said with a gentle smile, "You do not need to keep calling me Ninth Elder from now on. It makes me sound old. Just call me Aunt Hong."

Looking at the smiling Ning Shaohong, Ning Fa was overjoyed. Without the slightest hesitation, he called out, "Alright, Aunt Hong."

A smile curved Ning Shaohong's rosy lips. Then she said, "I am a little tired. You should return first. Later, I will have Xiuying deliver the Essence Replenishing Pill materials to you."

Ning Fa saluted, then turned and left.

As she watched Ning Fa's tall, slender figure in green robes depart, Ning Shaohong, who had just been smiling lightly, fell into a daze. The figure before her gradually overlapped with a figure from her memories, leaving her momentarily lost in a trance.

Ning Fa left Yun Chang Island and headed directly for the Alchemy Hall on Lingchang Island.

When he saw Wei Chengzong again, the man fussed over him with a warmth that was almost excessive.

Yet in Ning Fa's eyes, the man seemed somewhat guilty.

That was hardly surprising. Wei Chengzong had likely realized by now that after he had refused to let Ning Fa move into the Alchemy Hall, Ning Fa had soon been injured by Ning Zhen'an. There had to be a connection between the two incidents. That made Wei Chengzong an accomplice, so naturally he felt guilty.

"Little Fa, the Alchemy Hall's main control restriction has now been fully repaired. You can move into the Alchemy Hall whenever you wish."

Wei Chengzong chuckled.

Ning Fa refused without a second thought. "No need. Ning Ruiming is also in the Alchemy Hall. I am afraid that one day, he may take a dislike to me for no reason, and I will somehow get beaten up again."

Naturally, this was merely an excuse. Ning Fa did not want to move into the Alchemy Hall at all.

There were too many people there, too many eyes. He carried the Mysterious Scroll and the secret of the Great Five Elements Thunder Body. It was better for him to remain alone at his home on Pingchang Island, where he also had the Guardian Spirit Array for protection.

Of course, staying home all the time could not become the norm either, or it would easily arouse suspicion.

Ning Fa already had a plan in mind—a plan for revenge against Ning Ruiming.

Once he broke through to Qi Condensation Mid-stage, he would give that man a huge "surprise"!

It would count as collecting a little interest first.

Then he could move into the Alchemy Hall openly and properly.

Of course, by then he would need to replace the array with one of a higher grade.

Ning Fa's blunt sarcasm made Wei Chengzong feel even guiltier. He gave an awkward laugh. "Hehe, you can move into the Alchemy Hall whenever you want. Oh, right. I said before that I would teach you the methods for refining Qi Replenishing Pills and Spring Return Pills. How about today?"

Ning Fa nodded and followed Wei Chengzong to the same public pill chamber where the alchemist assessment had been held.

Wei Chengzong taught with exceptional effort and detail. Several hours later, Ning Fa left the Alchemy Hall.

Just as Wei Chengzong was about to leave the pill chamber as well, Liu Qinghui entered.

She wore a pale blue ruqun, her graceful figure alluring and her beauty fresh and charming.

"Master Wei, were you just teaching Ning Fa how to refine Qi Replenishing Pills and Spring Return Pills?"

Liu Qinghui asked softly.

Wei Chengzong stroked his beard and nodded, then sighed. "One must look at a scholar anew after three days apart. It seems Ning Fa has truly found his knack for alchemy. I only demonstrated these two pills once, yet he had already grasped their crucial points. Every question he asked struck right at the heart of the matter. It seems he will not need long to fully master these two pills."

A strange glimmer flashed through Liu Qinghui's beautiful eyes. A soft smile, like a clear lotus, appeared on her jade-like face as she said gently, "That truly is good news."