Several days had passed.
In the lands of the Zheng Family, ah no, the newly divided lands of the Ning Family changed from a white simplicity to a vibrant fire-red. The atmosphere of mourning had faded significantly, replaced by one of jubilation that spread throughout.
Standing on the high platform, Ning Zhuo first paid homage to Heaven, then to Earth, and finally burned spirit money, lit joss sticks, informing the ancestors in the Netherworld—with him, Ning Zhuo standing there, at that moment—officially declaring the division of the family!
"Today's division ceremony… with the staunch support of everyone present… my heart is filled with gratitude, forever etched in my memory."
"From today on, as Clan Leader, I vow to be diligent and devoted, dedicating myself to the prosperity of our family!"
"The achievements of today were not made overnight, nor could they have been accomplished by one person alone. Here, I must especially commemorate Ning Xiaohui, Ning Xiangguo, Ning Xiaoren, and many other martyrs of our family! You spilled your blood on the battlefield, protecting the dignity and safety of our family with your lives. Though your brave souls have departed, your spirit endures. We will remember your grace always in our hearts, vowing to enhance our family, to comfort your spirits in Heaven…"
"…I shall continue the legacy of our forebears, loyal and unwavering, safeguarding the peace of our family. Against the deceitful Bukong Sect and other malefactors, notorious for their evils, I, Ning Zhuo, vow to share no common sky with them. Any malevolence will be eradicated; I pledge to lead by example, to persevere, and never to retreat."
"…To the elderly and kin of our hometown, whose affection and righteousness weigh heavily, I am endlessly appreciative, constantly filled with gratitude, striving to repay our community. Further, I shall remain loyal and serve both the City Lord's Mansion and the Southern Bean Kingdom, with a sincere heart to guard our peace."
"…Thank you all for your great support, may we unite in heart and deed, work together to strengthen our family, and aspire to great achievements!"
Ning Zhuo's passionate speech moved many disciples of the Ning Family branches to fervent enthusiasm—they had long suffered under the main branch.
Among the invited guests who witnessed Ning Zhuo on the platform, their expressions were complex and indescribable.
Some were envious, some jealous, some wary, some disdainful…
Following the division ceremony was a grand banquet that hosted various guests.
Where once was the land of the Zheng Family, now under new leadership. Members of the Zheng Family were either imprisoned or had been taken away by the Nascent Soul Cultivators from Taiqing Palace, while members of the Ning Family reveled here with fine wine and dishes, mingling toast after toast. The atmosphere was lively, a blending of rise and decline, yet the cruelty of such shifts in human fortunes sent a chill down the spines of the observant.
The seating arrangement was meticulously planned.
At the head table, Wang Lan sat at the place of honor. Ning Zhuo attended her closely, often offering her dishes and showing great care.
Wang Lan felt numb, her eating interrupted as she began to sob again.
Ning Zhuo immediately paused his eating, and asked softly,
Wang Lan was overwhelmed by sadness, lamenting such a wonderful moment as being dreamlike and fantastic, yet her father and beloved son had fallen in the darkness before dawn, never having experienced this moment, which deeply saddened her.
Ning Zhuo then comforted her earnestly, his words gentle as a soft breeze and fine rain, earning silent praises and sympathies from the witnessing guests.
At the table next to the head table sat many widows and orphans.
After calming Wang Lan, Ning Zhuo stepped down from the head table and personally, along with Ning Chen and Ning Yong, began to toast at each table.
The first table was the one next to them.
The orphans and widows were uneasy until Ning Zhuo publicly declared that he would never mistreat the families of meritorious servicemen, announcing the establishment of a free academy for these orphans.
Such a policy immediately moved the widows to tears, their eyes reddening. Some, along with their children, knelt to express their gratitude, followed by all at the table bowing in thanks.
"There is no need for this!" exclaimed Ning Zhuo, his eyes also brimming with tears, as he helped them up one by one to retake their seats.
The commotion was so great that it attracted almost everyone's attention.
Guests praised him profusely, commenting that despite his young age, Ning Zhuo truly possessed the qualities of a family leader!
Suddenly, the host announced loudly, "The Academy Elder of the Ning Family Academy has arrived with congratulations!"
This was followed by the recitation of the tribute list: "Ten thousand top-grade Spirit Stones, three thousand pounds of Redsun Copper, one hundred thirty-six packets of Foundation Establishment Level Earth Fiend Fire, eighty roots of two-hundred-year-old Energetic Ginseng…"
The list was quite lengthy.
Ning Zhuo quickly stood up, respectfully addressed him as 'Teacher,' and welcomed the Academy Elder to the head table.
Out of all the elders of the main branch of the Ning Family, the Academy Elder had the closest relationship with Ning Zhuo, who had just graduated from the academy that year.
After the Academy Elder sat down, he held Ning Zhuo's hand, his face full of tender smiles, speaking with fervent words.
Ning Zhuo had no choice but to sit next to the Academy Elder, exchanging pleasantries with laughter and smiles.
Those uninformed might think that the Academy Elder and Ning Zhuo enjoyed a close personal relationship. However, in reality, the Academy Elder didn't give lectures, and Ning Zhuo hadn't seen him more than ten times in a year.
The Academy Elder's appearance was a goodwill gesture from the Ning Family main branch, a welcomed sight for Ning Zhuo, suggesting proximity which was beneficial for the future of the newly established division.
Ning Zhuo understood the reason behind the change of attitude of the Ning Family main branch.
He wasn't aware of the actions taken by Ning Jiufan in punishing Ning Qingqiao, where he made an example out of the Family Elders from the main branch.
The elders involved in that incident kept it quiet. Even Ning Qingqiao was no exception.
However, Ning Qingqiao's removal from the position of Family Elder was publicly announced.
"To strip a Family Elder of his position is not something other Family Elders could achieve by joining hands. Currently, with the position of the Ning Family Clan Leader vacant, the intense changes in the elder positions could only originate from Ning Jiufan. There's no other explanation."
Ning Zhuo's new division had just been established and currently needed a peaceful external environment. He secretly planned: though it would be possible to challenge the main branch of the Ning Family in the future, the most critical task for now was to ensure a stable footing for the division.
"Zhou Zeshen, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Zhou Family, has arrived!" announced the host, his voice trembling slightly.
After all, this was a Golden Core Level Cultivist, one of the second-generation ancestors of the Zhou Family.
The fact that the founding of the Ning Family division attracted such a prominent figure stunned everyone at the banquet, who immediately rose to prepare to greet Zhou Zeshen as he was about to take his seat.
The host continued to recite the extensive list of tributes from Zhou Zeshen.
"Forty Foundation Establishment Level Runaway Fire Snakes, thirty-two Foundation Establishment Level Spirit Gathering Formation Disks, four hundred and forty-six pounds of Moon Glint Cold Iron!"
Although Zhou Nongying's gift list was much shorter than that of the main branch of the Ning Family, each item was significant.
This caused everyone to be even more astonished: The Zhou Family actually placed such great importance on Ning Zhuo's division from the family. Not to mention that a Golden Core Ancestor had taken the initiative to send congratulations, he also presented such generous gifts. It was incomprehensible, truly incomprehensible.
This situation was akin to royalty carrying a large sum of money, celebrating for a beggar on their own initiative.
In the public's view, just the personal attendance of Zhou Nongying already made Ning Zhuo shine brightly, a pride for a lifetime.
Moreover, not only did Zhou Nongying attend, but he also brought along a substantial gift.
"This is giving too much face to Ning Zhuo! Hahaha, my family division will flourish and prosper, it's just a matter of time."
"Hmph, what do you know? Ning Zhuo is just a puppet, propped up as a mere formal arrangement. The whole thing is ridiculous, Zhou Nongying is clearly trying to curry favor with the old ancestor Ning Jiufan."
"You always think you know everything."
The guests whispered among themselves, but Zhou Nongying never appeared.
Instead, Ning Zhuo, with an apologetic air, excused himself from the Academy Elder with a short sprint, heading out of the banquet hall. Clearly, he was going to greet Zhou Nongying.
The guests craned their necks in anticipation, hoping to see Ning Zhuo leading Zhou Nongying over.
However, left waiting and right waiting brought no sight of them; upon inquiring, they found out that Ning Zhuo had already led Zhou Nongying into a private room and would not be joining the public seating.
The next moment, a collective sigh revealed everyone's disappointment.
Once inside the private room, just with Ning Zhuo and Zhou Nongying, Ning Zhuo straightened his back, his facial expression became more restrained, thanking Zhou Nongying in an equal manner for his support.
Zhou Nongying personally participated in the third round of palace examinations and knew well of Ning Zhuo's strength. Not to mention other aspects, just Buddhist Physician Meng Yaoyin wielding the Big Snake Scythe made even the second generation of the Zhou Family deeply wary.
Zhou Nongying first stated that Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu had expressed high praise for Ning Zhuo, using this as an introduction to speak of the Zhou Family's attitude, showing a keenness to be close to Ning Zhuo's branch, even more so than the main Ning family.
"Unfortunately, we didn't retrieve the bodies of Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu," Ning Zhuo thought to himself, feeling regretful.
These two talented members of the Zhou Family didn't die by Ning Zhuo's hand.
He discovered Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu already fallen when he entered the main hall through the teleportation gate. They were killed by Meng Chong!
Without letting Ning Zhuo speak, Zhou Nongying immediately suggested that the Zhou Family was willing to deploy their best formation cultivators to improve and upgrade all the arrays for Ning Zhuo's branch, like those in the various Artifact Refining Rooms.
Ning Zhuo's face showed delight, and he immediately stated that close cooperation with the Zhou Family was eagerly anticipated by his entire branch.
It was known that the Zhou Family's ability in array setting was unique. The Zheng Family had previously offered a high price to invite the Zhou Family to enhance and refurbish their own arrays but was politely refused by the Zhou Family.
For the Zhou Family, this was almost like aiding a rival, especially in terms of the arrays in the Artifact Refining Rooms. Once these arrays were upgraded, it would certainly boost the prestige of the Zheng Family!
But this time, Zhou Nongying voluntarily relaxed, bringing up this matter for cooperation with Ning Zhuo, showing the sincerity of the Zhou Family.
Ning Zhuo knew clearly in his heart: "On one hand, my combat strength is too exceptional to be treated simply as someone at the Qi Refining Level. On the other hand, the Meng Family has seized control of the Lava Fairy Palace, exerting the greatest pressure on the Zhou Family, who urgently need allies to jointly counter the Meng Family."
After the matter of the Lava Fairy Palace settled, the entire landscape of Fire Persimmon Immortal City had drastically changed.
The Zhou Family, as an established clan, had already actively started to adapt to the major shifts.
While discussing in detail with Zhou Nongying, the guest announcer sang out, "Lord Fei Si of the City Lord's Mansion has arrived—!"
Fei Si also brought along many gifts.
The people at the banqueting hall were shocked once again.
Compared to Zhou Nongying, Fei Si was the Acting City Lord, a trusted subordinate of City Lord Meng Kun, truly a significant figure governing Fire Persimmon Immortal City.
Now, such an important figure had also personally come to give congratulations!
"Am I hearing things?"
"This is utterly incredible!"
"What virtuous deeds could little Ning Zhuo have possibly done?!"
Fei Si didn't join the banquet either.
Ning Zhuo had to briefly interrupt his conversation with Zhou Nongying to go out and welcome Fei Si.
Zhou Nongying smirked silently, his face still smiling, "Let's welcome him together."
Seeing Ning Zhuo and Zhou Nongying approaching together, Fei Si also smiled meaningfully, "Clan Leader Ning Zhuo, it seems I might have disturbed you."
Ning Zhuo gave a formal bow to Fei Si, expressing his gratitude for the great care Fei Si had shown him in the past.
Fei Si narrowed his eyes, sizing up Ning Zhuo and sighed deeply, "Clan Leader Ning Zhuo flatters me. Without me, with your strength alone, you're fully capable of overcoming various difficulties. It's I, Fei Si, who failed to recognize a hero."
He was genuinely moved.
After learning the truth from Meng Kun, he was completely shocked.
He had not expected that Ning Zhuo, this junior, had hidden so deeply, devised such cruel and vicious plots, and was largely responsible for the downfall of the entire Zheng Family!
Fei Si's appreciation of Ning Zhuo increased, but at the same time, he became extremely wary and cautious.
After all, this young man, merely at the Qi Refining Level, had managed to deceive Fei Si several times. Such strategizing and skill were extraordinary! Anyone who underestimated him was bound to pay a severe price.