After the two geniuses of the Zhou family finished, the entire Zhou reformation team stepped forward, each entering the formation one by one.
"Third-layer mid-stage."
"Third-layer mid-stage."
"Third-layer early stage." …
A sequence of third-layer qi-refining cultivations appeared, from mid-stage to early stage, without any third-layer late stage.
Following this were some at the second-layer peak, late, mid, and early stages, with no cultivators at the first layer.
After this test, the murmuring among the Zheng and Ning family cultivators grew quieter.
Many Zheng family members looked serious, while most of the Ning family wore uneasy expressions.
The Zhou reformation team, though small in number, was highly refined.
Following in order was the Zheng family.
Zheng Jian stepped forward confidently, being the first to enter the testing formation.
"Third-layer peak," announced the elder loudly.
"Oh!!" The Zheng family cultivators cheered, their cheers louder than when the Zhou family had cheered, as though in a contest of enthusiasm.
The young cultivators of the Zhou family looked on quietly, most maintaining calm expressions.
In the reception hall:
The Zhou family patriarch complimented, "The Zheng family’s unity and vitality are enviable, all thanks to your capable management, Brother Zheng."
The Zheng family patriarch laughed heartily, accepting the praise.
"Much like forging iron; only through countless strikes can steel be forged into a strong weapon."
The Zheng cultivators cheered loudly at times, sometimes mocking, yet never maliciously.
This atmosphere of healthy competition stirred envy in the Ning family patriarch.
"My Ning family was once like this."
"But our migration was a severe blow, and after entering the city, the branches had to take control, and we could only enforce policies favoring the strong over the weak."
"Ah, only when the main branch grows both in quality and quantity can we gradually lessen our control over the branches and establish a virtuous family culture."
The Ning patriarch, long aware of his family’s internal strife, had no solution.
As a main branch member, he was bound to his position, unable to betray the main branch or support the branch factions.
They would never accept him, and the main branch would overthrow him.
"Every family has its difficulties," the Ning patriarch thought to himself.
Knowing his reformation team’s standing, he anticipated a poor showing, with many at only the first layer. The test results would be hard to see.
It was now the Ning family’s turn.
Ning Xiaohui entered the testing formation, her face icy as the Ning family members watched anxiously from behind.
"Third-layer peak," the elder announced.
The Ning cultivators erupted into cheers.
Zheng Jian and Zhou Zeshen looked at Ning Xiaohui as she stepped out, her face still cold, her posture radiating pride.
In the reception hall:
The Zheng patriarch glanced at the Ning patriarch. "Your Ning Xiaohui has only recently retrained, and yet she's reached the third-layer peak?"
The Zhou patriarch also looked over, showing curiosity.
The Ning patriarch stroked his beard and smiled, pretending nonchalance.
"Our clan only recently realized the vast gap between us and the Lava Immortal Palace. I beseeched our ancestor, who graciously permitted us to activate a family talisman, the Flowing Clouds and Water Talisman."
"This talisman was crafted with the essence of an ice mountain spring, containing a trace of nature’s spirit. It aids cultivators in progressing together, providing considerable support."
The Zhou patriarch smiled in appreciation, secretly acknowledging the Ning family's deep reserves.
The Zheng patriarch then added, "Brother Ning, our families should become closer."
"To be honest, we are fully committed to forging a magical artifact and are in need of an extreme cold tempering method."
"Since your Ning family comes from the Northern Wind Kingdom, could you possibly assist us?"
The Ning patriarch stroked his beard. "Certainly."
Inwardly, however, he felt a pang of regret.
The Flowing Clouds and Water Talisman possessed an innate spirit, ideal for aiding cultivators, but had limited uses.
If they could produce the Mountain Pass Talisman, another spirit-bound talisman, the two would nourish and complement each other.
Although slower, with controlled frequency, this would allow a sustainable cycle.
For now, using the Flowing Clouds and Water Talisman on Ning Xiaohui was the only choice.
Being in the early stages of qi refining, her weak cultivation drained little of the talisman’s power.
The talisman’s usage was necessary for three reasons:
Firstly, Ning Xiaohui had fallen asleep from exhaustion after creating talismans and hadn’t yet attuned her Qi Regulation Technique, resorting to a generalized version that was inefficient.
Secondly, her grandmother and the family elder vouched for her, securing extra resources.
Finally, the Ning patriarch wanted Ning Xiaohui to perform well in competition with the Zheng and Zhou families.
Without a capable leader, the Ning family would suffer in the distribution of resources.
Thus, Ning Xiaohui had the talisman temporarily integrated within her, aiding her in breathing and refining spiritual power, leading to rapid progress.
After Ning Xiaohui rejoined the team, the remaining Ning cultivators’ results were less impressive.
A few achieved the second layer, but most were only at the first layer, an unfortunate outcome of the Ning family’s recent expansion.
With each report, the Zhou family elder’s voice seemed louder, adding public shame to the Ning cultivators at the first layer.
The younger Zheng cultivators, often outspoken, laughed openly at times.
The Zhou cultivators maintained decorum, though their scornful expressions grew clearer.
Ning Xiaohui, visibly angry, cast a cold glance at the surrounding cultivators. "A bunch of useless fools!"
Ning Chen and Ning Yong returned to the group, dejected, both at the first-layer peak.
"Since the retraining began, we’ve been practicing without rest, pushing our limits each day."
"I’ve heard that the Zheng and Zhou families provide free resources, but in our Ning family, only the main branch gets such treatment!"
"If we had those resources, given the same time, we could surpass them."
Ning Chen and Ning Yong were indignant.
Ning Zhuo stepped forward, clapping both on the shoulder. "Watch me."
Under their puzzled gazes, he entered the formation.
The martial arena was filled with commotion.
By this point, each family’s strengths were clear.
The Ning family had many cultivators, but most were only at the first layer.
With such cases piling up, few expected much from Ning Zhuo.
But the light from the testing formation shone brightly.
The Zhou family elder paused, then, with a look of disbelief, announced loudly, "Ning Zhuo, third-layer peak!"
The arena fell silent.
People looked to their companions, confirming what they’d just heard.
As Ning Zhuo exited the formation, he was met with countless gazes.
The sixteen-year-old boy faced them, unflinching, a faint smile on his face as he strode back to the Ning ranks.
Many followed him with their eyes, including Zhou Zeshen, Zhou Zhu, Zheng Jian, and others, who all looked on curiously.
"Who is this person with such cultivation?"
"He wasn’t in the reports."
"Could the Ning family have hidden talents?"
Such questions circulated.
Even the family heads of the three clans shared these sentiments.
Usually, they paid little attention to qi-refining cultivators, but with the Lava Immortal Palace atop the mountain, these cultivators were critical for exploring the palace.
The Zhou patriarch turned to the Ning patriarch, "I didn’t expect you to have such a hidden talent."
The Ning patriarch stroked his beard with a calm smile, saying modestly, "Brother Zhou, you give me too much credit."
He offered no further explanation, leaving the Zhou and Zheng patriarchs impressed by the Ning family’s apparent depth.
Little did they know, the Ning patriarch was just as puzzled!
Ning Zhuo’s return was met with cheers from the Ning cultivators.
Ning Chen and Ning Yong surrounded him, incredulous. "Little Zhuo, how did you suddenly reach the third-layer peak?"
"Yeah, you're as strong as Ning Xiaohui now!"
Countless ears perked up, awaiting Ning Zhuo’s response.
Ning Zhuo smiled faintly. "Perhaps I’m well-suited to the Five Elements Qi Regulation Technique."
"Cultivating this technique is like a great river, advancing a thousand miles in a day."
Everyone fell silent.