Ning Ze's residence.
After breakfast, Ning Zhuo arrived in the courtyard.
Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and others had already arrived.
Seeing Ning Zhuo, all the classmates stood up and greeted him.
Ning Yong, with dark circles under his eyes, happily shouted, "Brother Zhuo, I couldn't sleep at all last night! I was so excited, hahaha."
Others echoed, laughing aloud.
Ning Zhuo bowed his hands in thanks once again, exchanged a few cheerful words, then said to the person behind him, "Cousin, you may choose any position to sit."
"Today, we will still discuss insights and experiences in spellcasting. Although you haven't practiced the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, listening more is beneficial to you."
Ning Ji looked embarrassed and nodded consecutively, "Alright, alright. I'll listen to your arrangements, cousin!"
His father, Ning Ze, had called him to the study early in the morning, sternly instructing him to fully depend on Ning Zhuo.
Not daring to disobey his father, Ning Ji had "proactively" requested during breakfast to follow Ning Zhuo, even showing no desire to return to the Talisman Hall.
Ning Zhuo hadn't directly accepted his pursuit but suggested he continue staying at the Talisman Hall.
He hadn't completely turned him away but rather advised him to join and spar, exchanging spellcasting insights together.
Such a stance from Ning Zhuo didn't entirely meet Ning Ze's expectations, but it didn't disappoint him either.
Ning Ji mingled with the crowd and greeted others briefly.
Originally, he was Ning Zhuo's classmate, and these classmates from the Renovation Team were all familiar to him.
Ning Ji wanted to pick the spot closest to where Ning Zhuo was speaking, but at that moment, Ning Chen suddenly spoke up, "That's my spot, what are you doing taking it?"
Ning Ji responded, "Isn't it a free seat?"
Ning Chen sneered, "Seats indeed matter, at the very least, you should understand the principle of first come, first served. You arrived last, so you should sit at the back."
Ning Ji chuckled, "You, Ning Chen! So arrogant. Don't forget, this courtyard belongs to my family. I'm the host, you're the guest. How can a guest bully the host?"
Ning Chen laughed heartily, pointing at Ning Ji, "Do you think we care about this lousy courtyard? We are here because Brother Zhuo is staying here temporarily. Believe it or not, wherever Brother Zhuo goes, we will follow."
Ning Ji, unable to out-argue Ning Chen, looked toward Ning Zhuo, "Cousin, what do you think about this…"
Ning Zhuo smiled gently, "Today, we're discussing spells, sparring and learning from each other as if in a classroom."
"In a classroom, there are no cousins, only classmates."
"Ning Ji, you should sit at the back; it won't affect your learning."
Ning Ji's face turned red with a hint of embarrassment and anger, gnashing his teeth, "Since my father asked me to follow you, I will listen to you."
Ning Ji sat at the outermost, farthest spot among the crowd.
Close to Ning Zhuo were still Ning Chen and Ning Yong.
Everyone who saw this scene had a thoughtful look.
"The day before yesterday, we discussed the Embrace Ice Technique. Today, I want to talk about the insights on combining Embrace Ice Technique and One Qi Spell."
"If there's anything inadequate or incorrect, please feel free to correct me."
Ning Zhuo began his lecture.
Everyone listened intently, fully focused.
Initially, many of them didn't take it seriously, thinking Ning Zhuo merely found a spell that matched himself by chance.
But after Ning Zhuo actively shared his spellcasting insights, they changed their opinions, recognizing that Ning Zhuo indeed had talent and extraordinary comprehension of spells.
Though Ning Zhuo modestly called it an exchange, Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and others all knew it was Ning Zhuo imparting them valuable spellcasting experiences!
Ning Zhuo himself was precocious, benefited from his mother's will, and received Sun Lingtong's education; he always hid his strength in school.
Later, his spellcasting experience soared through the rewards from the Magma Fairy Palace's ranking, making him more than capable of guiding these classmates.
Among everyone, Ning Ji was the one listening the least attentively.
He felt indignant, believing that following Ning Zhuo for the first time, he was treated unfairly.
"I am your cousin, yet you help outsiders, not me!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I haven't learned Embrace Ice Technique or One Qi Spell!"
Ning Zhuo sensed Ning Ji's resentment, noting that the latter wasn't focused on the exchange and learning. Ning Zhuo didn't expose him and let him dwell in his emotions.
It wasn't until the family's envoy arrived that Ning Zhuo interrupted the session.
The envoy said, "Ning Zhuo, former Young Clan Leader Ning Xiaoren has been imprisoned. I am here to deliver your deserved rewards."
"One Magic Artifact of the Tornado Windmill, one bottle of Three Orifices Exquisite Heart Pill, three bottles of Qi Condensing Pill, one bottle of Bone-Washing Pill, one bottle of Detoxification Pill."
After announcing, the envoy handed over a storage bag to Ning Zhuo in front of everyone.
"Please verify and take it quickly."
Ning Zhuo examined the storage bag, nodded slightly after verifying, and asked, "There's no Understanding Law Map or Ice Jade Wine. May I ask why?"
"Yeah, Brother Zhuo reached the eighth level. He was still in the Renovation Team at that time and deserved the opportunity to comprehend the Understanding Law Map and receive Ice Jade Wine!" Ning Yong was the first to speak.
Other classmates also spoke in support.
Seeing this, the envoy's face changed slightly, hurriedly waving his hand, "Please, everyone, be patient. I'm just the first wave."
"Since yesterday, the family's high-level members have been discussing giving Ning Zhuo more compensation."
"These rewards are only part of it, prepared first by the clan treasury and delivered by me immediately."
"Other envoys will follow after me."
Upon hearing this, everyone relaxed a bit.
"I see, I misunderstood the envoy." Ning Zhuo smiled, inviting the envoy inside to rest.
The envoy declined, and after the handover, he left the courtyard.
Ning Zhuo tied the storage bag to his waist and continued imparting spellcasting experience and techniques.
About half an hour later, the second envoy arrived.
"One Five Elements Ruler, one Calming Bell, one bottle of Enlightenment Pill, one stack of Qi Support Talismans, six pieces of Jade Match Talismans." the envoy proclaimed.
Ning Zhuo verified and confirmed the items in the storage bag.
He couldn't help feeling a stirring in his heart.
Seeing Ning Zhuo not questioning, the envoy proactively said, "Ning Zhuo, are you anxious? Ice Jade Wine will be delivered to you, but it needs to be stored in the Ice Heart Jade Pot to maintain quality. The Ice Heart Jade Pot is a precious family heirloom, always kept by the ancestor."
"Thus, fetching a portion of the wine requires meeting the ancestor, personally bestowed by him, then transferred by the family leader."
Ning Zhuo smiled, "I'm not in a hurry. The envoy must be tired; why not come inside and rest?"
The envoy waved his hand, "No, no, I still have tasks."
Ning Zhuo said, "Sending rewards so many times is troublesome. Why not let the main family prepare everything and notify me; I will personally come to fetch it all at once."
The second envoy shook his head slightly, "I just follow orders."
Ning Zhuo didn't let it go easily, "Please convey my suggestion then."
"Alright." The second envoy left as well.
As Ning Zhuo walked back from the gate, he heard classmates chatting excitedly.
"Didn't expect the family leaders to be so generous this time!"
"All good stuff. Even Ning Xiaohui never got such treatment."
"Brother Zhuo taught the higher-ups a harsh lesson, letting them understand the right way!"
"Haha, true! Even the Young Clan Leader was pulled down by Brother Zhuo. Who among the higher-ups dares to slight Brother Zhuo now? Not afraid of being toppled by him again?"
Ning Yong muttered, "Why so much hassle for a reward? Back and forth, why not send everything at once?"
Beside him, Ning Chen squinted, "Maybe someone among the leadership wants to show everyone through this, we are not mistreating Brother Zhuo anymore."
Since Ning Yong began calling Ning Zhuo "Brother Zhuo," this title slowly spread.
Especially after what happened yesterday, classmates all started to address him as "Brother Zhuo," no one dared call him by name anymore.
On the third delivery, the envoy finally brought the Ice Jade Wine.
"Two taels of Ice Jade Wine, one Mysterious Ice Waist Badge, two Understanding Law Maps of Frost Lingering and Snow Proud, three stacks of Ice Light Strong Pulse Talismans, one bottle of White Snow Spring Sunrise Pill, ten top-grade Spirit Stones!"
After announcing, the envoy reminded Ning Zhuo: Ice Jade Wine should be consumed quickly as it doesn't store well. The two Understanding Law Maps are not Ning Zhuo's property, only temporarily loaned, and must be returned to the clan treasury on time.
As the envoy was about to leave, Ning Zhuo stopped him, frowning, "These rewards are many and far exceed what I deserve. One should not take more than what's earned, I will only keep part of what I should receive; the rest should go back to the clan treasury."
The envoy was prepared and quickly responded, "These are not just rewards but also compensation from the higher-ups."
"As the Young Clan Leader, Ning Xiaoren indeed proved unfit. Ning Zhuo, your achievements in exploring the Immortal Palace are impressive. These are to appease you."
"That's the higher-ups' intention."
"All these items are yours now. How you use them is your business."
"Farewell."
Upon the envoy's departure, Ning Ji finally couldn't bear it, standing up and calling out, "Cousin, you've obtained so many cultivation resources, how can one person use them all?"
"Look, I also helped in the ancestral hall yesterday."
"Why not lend me a look at those two Understanding Law Maps, or perhaps borrow the Tornado Windmill, or even the Calming Bell?"
Ning Zhuo quickly scanned the others, noticing varied degrees of interest in their expressions.
Indeed, the family's top-tier rewards were so generous that these sixteen or seventeen-year-old classmates couldn't help but be tempted.
Ning Ji actually voiced the collective sentiment.
"Look at this."
"Yesterday, we wholeheartedly helped stir up the entire clan atmosphere, pulling Ning Xiaoren down, earning you such rich rewards."
"Other elixirs are consumables, once used, they're gone. It's hard to ask for those."
"But these Magic Artifacts are excellent for assisting in cultivation. With our relationship, lending them should be permissible, right?"
Under everyone's expectant gazes, the slight smile on Ning Zhuo's face vanished.
With a stern expression, he shook his head, "Cultivation Magic Artifacts are personal items, how can they be casually loaned? Don't mention this again!"
"Alright, the family's rewards have finally been distributed."
"Let's continue."
Ning Zhuo returned to his original spot and resumed teaching, sharing spellcasting techniques and insights.
"Stingy, so stingy!" Ning Ji, directly and ruthlessly rejected and stimulated by such bountiful rewards, felt his jealousy quickly turning to resentment.
Some classmates were also in a daze.
But most quickly adjusted their mentality, focusing on listening attentively again.
Ning Zhuo, without showing any change on his face, silently noted all of his classmates' behaviors and reactions.