"Uncle Xiaoren, this is the situation." Ning Zhuo returned to the family and informed Ning Xiaoren about what Zheng Jian had said regarding the exploration of the Immortal Palace.
"I think, as a member of the Ning Family, it would be inappropriate for me to agree on the spot."
"So, I am specifically seeking your opinion, Uncle Xiaoren. Do you think I should agree?"
"The fact that you are telling me about such an important matter and letting me help you decide shows that you trust me. I am very pleased!" Ning Xiaoren patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder, sighed deeply, and looked pleased.
He felt very gratified that Ning Zhuo was so sensible.
In fact, he already knew about the decision made by the three families.
It was inevitable that the Ning Family would send Ning Zhuo to participate!
On the one hand, it was necessary to maintain the Ning Family's influence within the alliance of the three families, continuously contributing to ensure the current share of distribution.
On the other hand, according to the contract agreed upon by the three families, it wouldn't make sense for Ning Zhuo, who was in perfect combat condition, not to participate.
Ning Zhuo actually had no choice in the matter.
Whether he agreed or not, he would have to agree.
Of course, Ning Xiaoren wouldn't say this directly.
This time, Ning Zhuo didn't make the decision on his own but came back to seek his advice. This kind of obedience was what pleased Ning Xiaoren the most.
At this moment, Ning Xiaoren felt that the effort he had put into winning over Ning Zhuo had not been in vain and was entirely worth it!
"Since everyone values you so much, you should go."
"Perform well, and the Ning Family will soon have its third cultivator at the peak of the third level."
"This time, you alone represent our Ning Family."
"Do not fear, remember, the entire Ning Family is your support!"
After a pause, Ning Xiaoren continued, "However, although you are appointed as the leader this time, you have no clansmen to assist you."
"However, the Zheng Family cultivators should actively ally with us."
"The Zhou Family is the one you need to be wary of. They have the most people and may not obey your commands. You need to be mentally prepared for this."
Ning Zhuo showed a look of surprise and genuinely felt slightly astonished.
From Ning Xiaoren's words, Ning Zhuo quickly realized that this young clan leader had a keen sense of power and foresight.
He analyzed the internal structure of the three-family alliance very well. Although the action had not officially started, he had already predicted the future.
This coincided with Ning Zhuo's expectations.
Ning Zhuo thought that it was reasonable for Ning Xiaoren to have such insights.
"The Ning Family had always implemented a policy of strengthening the main branch while weakening the sub-branches. Ning Xiaoren had been actively suppressing many branches. In contrast, the clan leader remained behind the scenes. Only when matters escalated did he step in."
"Ning Xiaoren had always been at the forefront. If he didn't have the ability to engage in power struggles, how could he have held the position of young clan leader for so many years?"
Ning Zhuo cupped his hands respectfully, "Uncle Xiaoren, I will remember your advice!"
"If such a situation arises, what should I do?"
Ning Zhuo asked with an innocent expression.
Ning Xiaoren pondered, "On one hand, you should take good care of the Zheng Family cultivators, giving them some tangible advantages. On the other hand, you need to achieve success. If you can lead them deeper into the Magma Fairy Palace and make breakthroughs repeatedly, others will naturally rally around you. Even the Zhou Family will acknowledge your strength."
Ning Zhuo nodded, "I understand, Uncle."
"Then, if I successfully lead them in the exploration, will the family reward me?"
The young clan leader was taken aback.
Since assuming his position, he had never encountered such a straightforward request.
Ning Xiaoren felt a surge of disgust and resentment in his heart.
He maintained a facade of an unchanged smile as he extended a finger, pointing at Ning Zhuo, "You, aren't you already quite wealthy? I heard that you even take care of others, generously sharing spirit food with them."
Ning Xiaoren spoke nonchalantly, as if casually, but deep down, he was very wary of Ning Zhuo's actions!
What was this?
This was forming cliques and pursuing personal interests!
If Ning Zhuo were at the Foundation Establishment Stage instead of the Qi Refinement Realm and wasn't currently being heavily relied upon by the Ning Family, Ning Xiaoren would have acted against him long ago.
Ning Zhuo had already prepared a response. He scratched his head, "Uncle Xiaoren, they are all my classmates, and I just want to help them."
"Especially Ning Chen and Ning Yong, they have shared life and death with me. If I help them, they will help me. We trust each other."
"As for money, I've never thought of myself as very wealthy."
"I've never thought that having more money was a problem!"
Ning Xiaoren deeply agreed with this statement. He had never felt he had too much money either.
He found it reasonable that Ning Zhuo loved money so much and had never doubted it.
From the information he had, he could see that Ning Zhuo had lived in poverty for over a decade. Such an upbringing naturally made him very frugal and, at the same time, created a pathological craving for resources.
Ning Xiaoren ambiguously stated that the family would not forget Ning Zhuo's contributions and that there would definitely be rewards.
Ning Zhuo had anticipated Ning Xiaoren's reaction and immediately asked, "Uncle Xiaoren, I have read the Zhou Family's 'Theory of Spiritual Nature,' and I found it very enlightening."
"I wonder if our family has similar texts?"
Ning Xiaoren chuckled, "Of course we do! When our Ning Family was in the North Wind Country, we were an old cultivator family, far stronger than the Zhou Family, practically monopolizing a city."
"Our Ning Family has a long history and has produced Nascent Soul level figures."
"But unfortunately, during our time in the North Wind Country, we were betrayed by vile people and had to relocate the entire clan."
"Little Zhuo, if you perform excellently this time and bring great honor to our Ning Family, I will put aside my own face to petition for you to access the relevant secret manuals."
Ning Zhuo nodded repeatedly and added, "Uncle Xiaoren, I heard that Ning Xiaohui used a Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water Talisman, and her strength improved rapidly. Could I also have one?"
A flash of cold intent appeared in Ning Xiaoren's eyes, and his feeling of disgust increased.
He thought, "A Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water Talisman! Even I, the young clan leader, can't afford it. What right or qualifications does someone from a branch lineage like you have to request it?"
Ning Xiaoren suppressed his disdain and anger, keeping a pleasant demeanor, "The Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water Talisman is a spirit talisman, imbued with a trace of the spirituality of heaven and earth, making it extremely rare. The clan has only one, given to Ning Xiaohui as a special privilege due to circumstances."
"Even I dare not hope for such a thing."
"However, there is still hope for you, Little Zhuo!"
"As long as you break through the barriers in the Immortal Palace and your contributions make the entire clan proud and compelled to acknowledge you, then using this treasure talisman will naturally follow."
Ning Zhuo appeared motivated and said, "Uncle Xiaoren, I've been rather short on spirit stones recently, and I have used up most of them."
"Could you lend me some spirit stones?"
Ning Xiaoren took a deep breath and maintained his smile as best he could, "The subsidies from the three families were just distributed a few days ago, right? Little Zhuo, you've used them up so quickly? How about this, I'll make an exception and advance you some of the subsidy privately. How does that sound?"
"That would be great! Thank you, Uncle Xiaoren." Ning Zhuo's face lit up with joy.
Ning Xiaoren couldn't help but advise, "Little Zhuo, you can't spend money so extravagantly. Some spirit food isn't necessary to buy. Elixir pills are cheaper than spirit food and work just as well."
Ning Zhuo showed a receptive attitude, "Alright, Uncle Xiaoren, I'll eat less in the future."
He looked at the top of Ning Xiaoren's head and saw a thread of life hanging down, connecting him and Ning Xiaoren.
This whole conversation was deliberately prolonged by Ning Zhuo to plant a seed of his divine skill.
He found that although it was difficult to connect the Life Hanging Thread in battle, once planted in daily life, it would persist for a long time.
As for how long it could last, Ning Zhuo had yet to test its limits.
In any case, with this session, Ning Xiaoren also became a target connected by his divine skill.
Watching Ning Zhuo's departing figure, Ning Xiaoren fell into contemplation.
Ning Zhuo had abundant cultivation resources. More importantly, he enjoyed sharing!
As a result, he had gathered a group of people around him in a short time.
And these people were almost all from branch lineages!
Whether intentional or not, Ning Zhuo's actions had already alarmed Ning Xiaoren.
The Ning Family's branch lineages had always lacked a leading figure, which had made them loose over the years.
Ning Zhuo's emergence filled this gap.
By demonstrating his peak third-level cultivation, he had gained prominence. The family, by posing testing his potential, had further boosted his reputation.
Now, everyone in the family knew that Ning Zhuo had potential, though it hadn't been fully assessed yet. Nonetheless, his future seemed bright.
People tend to seek benefits and avoid harm.
Many thought that investing in Ning Zhuo while he was still weak would yield great returns once he soared to prominence in the future, as long as he remembered past favors and offered a little help.
Ning Xiaoren was very aware that the Ning Family's branch lineages had started to slowly revolve around Ning Zhuo.
"The trouble lies in Ning Xiaohui's injury, which leaves the main line unable to suppress the renovation team."
"Ning Zhuo is gathering momentum. If he continues to succeed, the force around him will only grow."
"But thankfully, the Magma Fairy Palace is extremely challenging with countless obstacles. Even if Ning Zhuo manages to clear it, he will probably only pass one or two gates in a short time."
"This will give Ning Xiaohui enough time to recover and participate in the exploration, reclaiming the power she lost from Ning Zhuo."
With this thought, Ning Xiaoren's slightly tense mood relaxed a bit.
Ning Zhuo returned to his uncle's house.
Wang Lan brought some fruits and took the opportunity to ask, "Little Zhuo, I heard you just came back from the young clan leader. Did you..."
"Oh, Aunt, don't worry. I specifically brought it up with Uncle Xiaoren and pleaded on behalf of my uncle."
Wang Lan immediately showed a look of joy, "So, did the young clan leader say when your uncle will be released?"
Ning Zhuo shook his head, "Uncle Xiaoren didn't mention that."
"Aunt, I need to start cultivating now."
With that, Ning Zhuo pretended to close the door.
Wang Lan suppressed her anger and forced a smile, "Alright, Little Zhuo. You go ahead and cultivate. I'll leave now, right away!"