The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit retracted its gaze, shifting its focus to the Zheng family.
Two elders from the Zheng family were persuading Zheng Jian.
Zheng Jian was a young cultivator, with a gemstone embedded in his forehead, shaped like a pupil.
At this moment, Zheng Jian shook his head firmly, resolute in his stance, “No, I am determined to cultivate the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique! No one can stop me.”
An elder sighed, “Zheng Jian, you are the most outstanding of our generation in the Zheng family."
"You possess the innate talent of Heart-Piercing Insight, which perfectly complements our family’s technique."
"Switching to another method would truly waste such an exceptional talent.”
Zheng Jian shook his head, “It’s precisely because of the Heart-Piercing Insight that I know I must cultivate this technique as soon as possible—it will be immensely beneficial to my Dao!”
The elder shook his head, “Our family’s records also include ancestors who had Heart-Piercing Insight."
"While it does grant cultivators incredible intuition, that doesn’t mean it is always correct."
"Our clan’s history records numerous cases of intuition leading to mistakes. Zheng Jian, you cannot rely on this talent too much.”
Zheng Jian shook his head again, “I have never encountered a failure of my intuition from childhood until now."
"This time, I will still choose to trust it. Elders, I appreciate your concern, but there’s no need to persuade me further.”
The elder sighed and took a step back, “Very well, Zheng Jian, then let the branch family members cultivate this technique first and see how it turns out.”
Zheng Jian laughed heartily, “Such a suggestion is unnecessary! What is the main family, and what is the branch family?"
"Just because it’s risky, the branch family should take it on? That would make my position in the main family seem cowardly and weak.”
“Precisely because I am a part of the main family of the Zheng clan, I should lead by example and charge forward courageously. Otherwise, what right do we have to lead the family?”
“Elders, my decision is made.”
The two elders sighed deeply, both worried and gratified.
One of them said, “So be it. Here, take this jade slip.”
“This is a gift from Lord Zheng Shuanggou, who learned of your situation and personally bestowed it.”
“The jade slip contains a weapon refining technique called Fatal Flying Hook.”
Zheng Jian was puzzled, “I’m preparing to disperse my spiritual power. At such a critical moment, how could I focus on refining artifacts?”
The elder smiled, “No need to rush. Take a look first.”
Zheng Jian placed the jade slip to his brow and activated his divine sense to explore it.
Soon, he was overjoyed.
“Marvelous!”
“This artifact refinement secret art is powerful, but it has drawbacks."
"First, it must be used in conjunction with our clan’s technique."
"Second, every hook refined permanently reduces a layer of the cultivator’s spiritual power."
"If refined too often, the cultivator’s maximum spiritual power will gradually decrease and cannot be restored.”
“But for me right now, it’s absolutely perfect.”
“My spiritual power is already destined to be dispersed, so why not put it to use by refining Fatal Flying Hooks?"
"Not only will it hasten the dispersion, but it will also provide me with a powerful protective artifact.”
“Thank you, Ancestor Zheng Shuanggou. Thank you, elders!”
The two elders stroked their beards and smiled.
“This is what you deserve.”
“As expected of a true son of the Zheng family. May fortune favor you in your endeavor!”
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit observed Zheng Jian for a while longer before shifting its gaze to the Ning family.
The Ning Family Clan Leader and a group of elders were gathered in a secret meeting, finalizing the selection of participants.
The draft list was passed among them.
The Academy Elder frowned, “The list is problematic.”
“Although the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique came from the Dharma Transmission Bell of the Immortal Palace, it only has three layers so far."
"Transferring to this technique offers an uncertain future, and few would willingly volunteer.”
“If we forcibly assign people, resentment is inevitable.”
“There are too many branch family members on this list, and very few from the main family. If we release it, it won’t convince the clan.”
The War Hall Elder dismissed this, “The Ning family’s main family is small, while the branch family is numerous. It’s only natural that the branch family provides more manpower.”
“If we involve too many from the main family, should they perish during the exploration of the Immortal Palace… Even if they survive, if we cannot obtain the subsequent levels of the technique, they will be mostly crippled.”
“This would be too heavy a sacrifice for the main family.”
“I do not wish to see a repeat of the internal strife from over a decade ago!”
More than a decade ago, the Ning family had migrated from the Northern Wind Kingdom, traveling a thousand miles to reach the Southern Bean Kingdom.
Along the way, they encountered ambushes.
Many main family members perished, and the Golden Core Patriarch was severely wounded.
After settling in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the Ning family’s Golden Core cultivator has remained in recovery, making him one of the least prominent Golden Core cultivators in the city.
With this situation, the branch family, with their superior numbers, grew ambitious and stirred an internal rebellion, seeking to overthrow the main family’s leadership.
In the end, the main family secured a dangerous and bitter victory.
Thus, the main family members have remained highly vigilant toward the branch family, covertly and overtly deploying various means to weaken the branch family and strengthen the main family.
In a word, the Ning family’s core policy was to strengthen the main branch and weaken the branches.
However, when it came to selecting people to transfer to the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique, this policy became difficult to balance.
The reason was that they could not ascertain the prospects of the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique.
If the technique held a promising future, they would allocate main family members; if the future looked bleak, they would assign more from the branch family.
But right now, no one could guarantee what the future held.
Most of the elders leaned toward caution.
After some discussion, the branch family candidates were confirmed, but the main family remained undecided, leading to significant disputes.
All the elders present were from the main family and had their networks and interests at stake.
The Clan Leader listened silently to the elders’ arguments, and when they paused for breath, he intervened, “Regardless of the number of main family members, there must be a commander. With so many from the branch family, without strong main family leadership, it could easily lead to disorder and overthrow.”
The elders’ faces fell; it was clear that the Clan Leader wanted to select a true talent.
The Clan Leader continued, “Who among our family’s qi refining stage cultivators could shoulder this responsibility?”
The elders unanimously thought of one person.
“Ning Xiaohui, of course.”
“She possesses innate Ice Jade Hands, enabling her to create frost talismans with perfect fluidity and natural spiritual resonance—she is destined for excellence!”
“To send such a talent…”
“I object!” The Talisman Hall Elder interrupted abruptly, firmly opposing the suggestion and halting the conversation.
A new argument ensued.
The Clan Leader felt a headache brewing.
After a long wait, he seized the opportunity when the elders paused, “Why don’t we consult Ning Xiaohui’s opinion first?”
The Talisman Hall Elder stood up swiftly, opened the door, and stepped out of the meeting hall, “I’ll go personally!”
Shortly after.
“Elder.” Ning Xiaohui bowed in greeting.
The next moment, upon learning of the situation, her face changed, “With my Ice Jade Hands, I should follow the path of talismans—a bright and open path.”
“And now you want me to pursue a secondary craft? Which elder cannot bear to see my success?”
“I’ll tell my grandmother about this!”
The Talisman Hall Elder wore a serious expression, “I fully support you, Xiaohui. Let’s go; I’ll accompany you.”
Hearing Ning Xiaohui’s response, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit angrily exhaled a cloud of fiery smoke, its dragon face filled with disdain.
Of all the factions in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, it found the Ning family the least favorable.
As it was about to shift its attention, its gaze suddenly halted.
Not far from the Ning family’s residence lay a humble courtyard.
Underground in a small workshop, a young man sat cross-legged, diligently circulating his energy.
Blood was slowly trickling from his nostrils.
His cultivation technique was unmistakably the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique, and furthermore…
He had reached the second layer of Qi Refining!