Ning Muchun stood up and said calmly, "Little Fa, let's settle this matter clearly today."
"That's right, your father did buy that shop. But he also said it was meant to be communal property for our lineage. It's just that his passing was too sudden, and he didn't get a chance to tell you."
Ning Fa frowned slightly. Since his parents were no longer around and Ning Muchun held the deed, there was no way to prove her wrong.
Ning Fa gave her a deep look, then said calmly, "Great Aunt, have you forgotten that just having the deed doesn't mean you legally own the shop? The family's Ancestral Affairs Hall has records related to that shop, and it's still in my father's name. Naturally, I inherit it after his death. If I apply for family arbitration, that shop will still return to my hands."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinliang, who had been smiling calmly, dropped his smile and narrowed his eyes.
Ning Muchun looked at Ning Fa with some surprise. She felt that her nephew, who had always been dull and stubborn, seemed different today.
However, she didn't show too much surprise and continued with a smile, "Little Fa, you're right. But as you know, our branch is not favored right now. If you apply for family arbitration, it's very likely that the shop will be repossessed by the family due to unclear ownership, and we'll only be compensated with some Spirit Stones."
"Therefore, we need your assistance to go to the family's Ancestral Affairs Hall together and modify the records for that shop, officially changing it to communal property for our lineage."
When she said this, Ning Fa was stunned.
He finally understood why Ning Muchun and Meng Jinliang had looked at him the way they did.
So they wanted him to do this, which would allow them to openly seize the shop. It was truly shameless.
However, given his experiences, he had seen plenty of more shameless things, so he wasn't overly surprised.
Ning Fa couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. It seemed that immortal cultivation families had many similarities with families on Earth; such dirty dealings were not uncommon.
Before Ning Fa could reply, Ning Muchun preempted him, "Little Fa, don't refuse yet. Do you know why everyone in our branch has gathered here today?"
Speaking of this, Ning Fa was indeed a little curious. So many people gathered together didn't seem like it was just for that shop.
Ning Muchun continued, "You should know that our Ning family holds a grand competition for direct descendants every ten years. The next one is in a few years. There are already rumors that because the family gained significant benefits from defeating the Qian family previously, this competition will be different from before, with more direct descendant slots than in the past."
"Therefore, our branch has a chance to obtain a direct descendant slot this time. But the prerequisite is that someone from our branch must advance to the late stage of Qi Condensation to be eligible to compete. So, our lineage must cultivate a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator as soon as possible."
"And what we're discussing is to decide on the person who will be a key focus of our cultivation efforts. Then, for the upcoming period, we will pool all our lineage's resources for their cultivation. Thus, every bit of resource is crucial right now. That shop is of utmost importance and its ownership must be decided quickly to prevent outsiders from coveting it."
"You also know that our branch's current situation is very dire. Ning Guichuan's branch is eyeing us covetously, always wanting to drive us out of Pingchang Island. So we must do this. Even if we can't win a direct descendant slot, having one more late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator will prevent our branch from being bullied."
"Little Fa, you are also a member of our branch. We hope you will consider the bigger picture."
Ning Fa suddenly understood. So that was why everyone had gathered.
And they had already decided on his maternal cousin as the chosen candidate, pooling resources to help him break through to the late stage of Qi Condensation.
Although Meng Jinliang was a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, he was a live-in son-in-law, and according to clan rules, he couldn't participate in the competition.
Ning Fa's smile vanished, and he said expressionlessly, "You talk about the bigger picture? Coincidentally, I also have a bigger picture here. I'm confident I can pass the family's Pill Master assessment within a month. Once I become a family Pill Master, my status will be much higher than that of an ordinary late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator. For the sake of the bigger picture, why don't our lineage fully support my alchemy? What do you say?"
Ning Muchun frowned, "Little Fa, don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows you failed the family's Pill Master assessment again the day before yesterday. You simply have no talent for alchemy, so don't waste resources on it anymore!"
Ning Fa immediately retorted, "Then can you guarantee that my mediocre cousin will definitely advance to the late stage of Qi Condensation? As far as I know, he only reached the sixth level of Qi Condensation so quickly by consuming quite a few pills. But the bottleneck to the late stage of Qi Condensation is extraordinary. With his aptitude, it's not guaranteed that throwing resources at it will lead to a breakthrough. If he doesn't break through then, won't it still be a waste of resources!?"
As soon as he said this, the room fell silent. Many people looked at Ning Fa in surprise, not expecting him to be so eloquent today.
Ning Baiquan was left speechless for a moment, as it was indeed very difficult for someone with lower-grade spiritual roots to break through to the late stage of Qi Condensation. Even with abundant resources, success was not guaranteed.
Ning Furong's face turned red, and he glared at Ning Fa angrily.
Ning Muchun also glared fiercely at Ning Fa.
Ning Fa looked at her and said with a smile, "You want me to agree to this? I'm telling you, it's a pipe dream! If you have the guts, drag me to the family's Ancestral Affairs Hall right now. Even if the shop is taken by the family, I won't let you benefit from it for free!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
Paternal Uncle Ning Zhengqian and his wife Guo Ru looked at each other with strange expressions. Guo Ru even had a hint of a smile on her face.
Ning Muchun and Meng Jinliang's faces, however, were as dark as if they could drip water.
Their eyes met, and Meng Jinliang shook his head.
Ning Muchun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her anger, and as if nothing had happened, continued to lead the discussion.
The old man in black, however, looked in the direction Ning Fa had left, his brow furrowed. Then, with a normal expression, he joined the discussion.