Ning Family.
Council Hall.
The Spirit Light Lamp emitted a bright light.
All the family elders gathered here, but both the main seat and the position to the left of it were empty.
The Ning Family Clan Leader and the Young Clan Leader had perished.
The elders had grim expressions and were in poor spirits as they discussed governmental affairs.
"The Flame Beast Tide besieging the Lava Fairy Palace has retreated by sixty percent. In a few days, the Flame Demon Beast around Fire Persimmon Immortal City will also begin to withdraw. By then, the City Lord's Mansion should issue notices, not only to provide disaster relief and clear the wilderness of demon beasts, but to take control of the frontier border posts which is where we should intervene."
The words of the Talisman Hall Elder immediately gained the agreement of most.
Four days had passed since Ning Zhuo voluntarily relinquished the position of Palace Master to Meng Kui.
In fact, on the day Meng Kui became the Palace Master, three Nascent Soul Cultivators joined forces, with Zhu Xuanji and Shuzhong Jun and others launching a counterattack, slaughtering uncountable numbers and directly quelling the rampant aura of the Flame Demon Beasts.
Those three Nascent Soul Cultivators were naturally Meng Kui, Meng Hu, and a cultivator from Taiqing Palace.
The cultivator from Taiqing Palace initially sought an opportunity to take over Lava Fairy Palace under the pretext that "his disciple had been mistakenly killed by the Zheng Family."
After Meng Kui became the Palace Master, he actively performed his duties, making the Nascent Soul from Taiqing Palace immediately realize that his plot had failed and his plan was ruined.
Looking at Meng Hu and Meng Kui, he gritted his teeth: "What formidable figures the two generals of the Meng Family are."
Meng Hu's gaze was stern, his attention mostly focused on the Fate Shield in the hands of the Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul. This Night Rain Demon Weapon was indeed strong; despite struggling for a long time, he saw no hope of breaking the shield, but instead, he got counter-attacked, covered in wounds, and the potency of any defensive measures was diminished.
Meng Kui smiled, indicating that he would not make the Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul leave empty-handed; he would hand over the entire Zheng Family!
This surprised the Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul, who then inquired in detail and learnt — the only two Golden Core Ancestors of the Zheng Family had perished, as well as central figures like Zheng Hua and young talents like Zheng Jian.
He immediately understood why Meng Kui would entrust him with the Zheng Family.
Without the strength to defend itself, the Zheng Family was nothing but a pawn that could be sacrificed at any time!
After understanding the details, the attitude of the Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul Cultivator softened: "I need the corpses of the Zheng Family Double Golden Core."
Meng Kui nodded, saying meaningfully, "Zheng Danlian can be given to you, but Zheng Shuanggou has already been killed by a Demon Cultivator, and his corpse is missing."
The Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul Cultivator responded, "Just the corpse of Zheng Danlian alone is not enough!"
Meng Kui gave a cold laugh, "No rush. After we kill those two Demon Cultivators, I'll retrieve Zheng Shuanggou's corpse for you as well."
The ones who killed Zheng Shuanggou were indeed the two Golden Cores from Taiqing Palace, only disguised as Black Shadow Demon Cultivators.
The momentum of the Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul Cultivator faltered, and he had to take a step back, further softening his stance and negotiating with Meng Kui through spiritual communication.
He indeed needed the captives from the Zheng Family to report back to his sect. Without collaborating with Meng Kui, he would not acquire Zheng Danlian's corpse. Moreover, he would be expelled by the two Nascent Soul Cultivators from the Meng Family, which would be very humiliating.
After reaching a partial agreement, Zhu Xuanji also ascended into the sky, representing the Southern Bean Royal Family and expressing the sincerity of cooperation. If the Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul Cultivator could assist, it would be regarded as a great contribution and he would receive a generous reward from the Southern Bean Kingdom.
Just like that, the two sides, which were fiercely battling moments ago, ceased fighting and made peace. The Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul Cultivator, along with Meng Kui and Meng Hu, jointly swept through the battlefield, leaving the bodies of Flame Demon Beasts littering the ground.
The three Nascent Souls amongst the Flame Demon Beasts, either dead or injured, the Flame Stepping Lizard with a hole in its head, fled in a miserable state.
The Runaway Fire Snake was restrained by Meng Kui.
The Demon Ape fell into a coma.
The Flame Demon Beasts suffered heavy casualties, but lacking intelligence, driven by death and bloodshed, their ferocity remained unabated as they continued to attack relentlessly.
First, the three Nascent Souls easily regained lost territory, then counterattacked into the magma, fighting until deep within Persimmon Mountain Peak, battle-weary from their efforts, before they finally ceased.
During this time, another Nascent Soul Level Flame Demon Beast, enraged, fought the three Nascent Soul Cultivators and retreated with serious injuries.
Meng Hu pursued it, only to see the Demon Beast escaping deep into the boundless fire poison and geothermal heat, then reluctantly returned.
Without the support of a Nascent Soul Level Demon Beast king, the elite ranks of the Golden Core Level Demon Beasts naturally suffered heavy losses.
However, the continuous intervention of the Nascent Soul Cultivators meant that the Flame Beast Tide was relentless, continuing until the third head, a Flame Demon Beast emerged from Persimmon Mountain Peak, showing a significant reduction.
"After such extensive killing, we have accrued a great sin against heaven. After returning to the palace, I will fast for seven days and nights, bathing in the pure qi to cleanse myself of the slaughter and Blood Qi," the Taiqing Palace Nascent Soul Cultivator sighed, before ceasing to act further.
Meng Kui ceased immediately as well.
Only Meng Hu continued to strike around, fighting intensely, howling towards the sky as his howls disturbed the wind and clouds, enveloping the entire Persimmon Mountain.
The Flame Beast Tide was suppressed by the collaborative efforts of the three Nascent Soul Cultivators!
The Ning Family elders continued discussing various family affairs.
Accounting for losses, repairing the sect's defensive magic arrays, strictly distributing consolation money…
Eventually, they had no choice but to discuss a topic that no one in the hall wanted to face.
"Нing Zhuo poses the real threat to us! This time, he plans to publicly hold a ritual for the clan members who died in battle. Should we really not stop him?" Ning Qingqiao, who brought up the topic, possessed Innate Frost Descent Silent talent and Foundation Establishment Cultivation. Normally, he wouldn't qualify to discuss such matters. However, with the beast siege, not only had the Clan Leader died, but some family elders also perished.
There were vacancies at the top of the family hierarchy, and that's how Ning Qingqiao was promoted, becoming a new face in the Council Hall.
The elders all fell silent.
The Academy Elder sighed deeply, "State affairs only concern military and rites. The same goes for our family."
Ning Qingqiao immediately responded, "This time, if we really let Ning Zhuo host the public ritual, I fear the hearts of our branch family members might fully lean towards him. With this increase and decrease, how can we contend with the branch families in the future?"
The Family Elders all frowned.
This was not because they lacked a broader perspective, but because they were all familiar with governmental affairs and fully aware of the current situation: the main and branch families were like a lever supported in the middle by their blood kinship. If one side went up, the other went down.
It was either the east wind overpowers the west wind, or the west wind overpowers the east wind. The side that was suppressed would be continuously bled by the more advantageous side, making the weaker weaker and the strong stronger.
The Battle Hall Elder spread his hands, "Ning Zhuo has already become the Clan Leader of the branch family, and this even has the approval of our ancestors; there's no turning back now."
"Although he's just a middle-stage Qi Refinement small Cultivator, his identity is high enough, no problem officiating the sacrifices in public, how can we stop it?"
A moment of silence followed among the group.
"Ning Zhuo, alas... Who could have expected such a freak to emerge from our family's branches?"
"Months ago, I would never have imagined that my great Ning Family would be split in two over a mere sixteen-year-old junior from a branch!"
"Hmph, it would've been impossible without the emergence of the Lava Fairy Palace."
Seeing that the Family Elders were all superficial, Ning Qingqiao felt restless, "Hmph, since we can't stop it on the front end, then we should implement some covert actions. If Ning Zhuo's sacrifice is unsuccessful, or the scene ugly, it will surely damage his prestige, and secure some advantages for our main Ning Family line."
Pfft.
Right after Ning Qingqiao finished speaking, he suddenly changed his expression drastically, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood, and fell off his seat, kneeling on the ground.
The Family Elders were shaken and tried to get up, but were fiercely pressed down in their seats by an immense force.
In the principal seat of the Ning Family Clan Leader, Ning Jiufan suddenly appeared.
He coldly swept his gaze across the hall and rebuked, "We are all derived from the same Ning Family source, yet you dare to fight among yourselves? With such mindset, how can our family flourish!?"
"Ancestor!" The Family Elders called out, trying to exonerate themselves while some tried to distance themselves, saying this was only Ning Qingqiao's personal view and did not represent theirs.
Ning Qingqiao, hearing these statements, spit out another mouthful of blood in anger.
Ning Jiufan sharply criticized everyone, finally turned to Ning Qingqiao, and directly stripped him of his Elder status, forcing him to face the wall and reflect deeply for three years.
After dealing with the situation, Ning Jiufan left directly.
The Family Elders finally regained their ability to move, sweating profusely, as if reborn.
Looking at Ning Qingqiao, they sneered in their hearts; being an Elder wasn't just about having strength, but also brains.
Yet they couldn't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow.
Even a talented individual like Ning Qingqiao ended up like this. They, the Elders without any innate talents fighting against Ning Zhuo, would definitely end up worse than Ning Qingqiao!
"I agree with Ning Zhuo presiding over the sacrifices; there's nothing wrong with that."
"Yes, he is a genius of our clan. It's great that such an outstanding junior could step forward and take responsibility."
"This is a sign of prosperity and growth for our Ning Family. I think, on the day of his sacrifice, we should show our support."
"Agreed."
"I approve."
"Seconded."
Seeing the Family Elders react this way, Ning Qingqiao felt so furious that he saw blackness before his eyes.
"The Ancestor is partial!" he wailed, and fainted on the spot.
The rest of the Family Elders deeply agreed with Ning Qingqiao's grievances, but acted as if they hadn't heard his words at all.
Ning Jiufan sighed deeply.
Though he had left, his Divine Sense still enveloped the Council Hall.
If the Elders of the Ning Family main line knew the true nature of the Lava Fairy Palace, they would deeply understand Ning Jiufan.
The final demonstration of strength by Ning Zhuo was truly shocking to Ning Jiufan!
The Buddhist Physician Meng Yaoyin who could directly confront Zhu Xuanji.
Miss Rudie, capable of deploying a Quasi-Golden Core Level Formation.
Heavy Blood Ape, Netherworld Envoy Qi Bai, and Weather Balloon·Ice Crystal Snow.
With these Mechanical Artifacts by his side, who would still regard Ning Zhuo merely as a middle-stage small Qi Refinement Cultivator?
Such mighty strength, now even surpassing Ning Jiufan himself!
And when Ning Zhuo dealt with Zhu Xuanji and Meng Kui, the tactics he displayed made Ning Jiufan recognize and seriously acknowledge him.
He regretted not recognizing Ning Zhuo's excellence earlier, which he ended up courting too late.
He also secretly rejoiced that Ning Zhuo had chosen to split from the main line, not staying to bring trouble to it. With his skills, schemes, and frightening strength on the Righteous Path, who in the main line could match him?
Hadn't he seen the Clan Leader and Young Clan Leader of the Ning Family die right before him?
Ning Jiufan's public support for Ning Zhuo, strongly backing him, was actually to protect the main Ning Family line. After all, he had once promised to protect these descendants.
By dealing with Ning Qingqiao, he hoped the latter would fully come to terms with reality and, during his three years of reflection, cultivate diligently to potentially provide new energy for the main line of the Ning Family.
Now, Ning Qingqiao, having suddenly lost his Elder status, had become too arrogant. Should Ning Zhuo really take action, his life would be at great risk!
Unfortunately, Ning Zhuo, Zhu Xuanji, and Meng Kui had agreed to staunchly guard the final truth about the competition for the Lava Fairy Palace. Although Ning Jiufan was informed afterward, he couldn't reveal this truth either.
Since the others didn't know the truth, it was difficult for them to comprehend his well-intentioned plans.