The woman looked no older than Ning Fa, quite tall, about the same height as him, with bright, striking features.
She wore dazzling, fire-red battle armor that only covered her vital areas, exposing large patches of fair, smooth skin.
Although most of her chest was covered, it only served to emphasize her ample curves. Beneath the short skirt armor were long, slender, and straight legs like white pythons, so captivating that Ning Fa couldn't keep his eyes open.
Ning Fa's eyes lit up, and he thought to himself, "This is the ultimate cosplay."
The striking female cultivator raised an eyebrow. She fully released the powerful spiritual pressure of the late Qi Condensation stage, causing Ning Fa, who was only at the third level of Qi Condensation, to falter slightly and suddenly find it difficult to breathe.
Ning Fa managed to steady himself and said with a smile, "Sister, I am Ning Fa from Pingchang Island. I have something to report to the Ninth Elder."
Upon hearing this, the striking female cultivator retracted her aura. She sized Ning Fa up from head to toe, a strange expression appearing on her face. "You are Ning Fa?"
Ning Fa couldn't help but give a sheepish smile.
Although his previous life was short and unsuccessful, he had been a well-known figure in the family. Most of the clan members, even if they hadn't met him, had definitely heard of Ning Fa, the owner of a flawed Lightning Spiritual Root.
However, the striking female cultivator immediately shook her head. "The Ninth Elder is very busy with official duties; you can't just meet her whenever you want. You should go back."
Seeing that the striking female cultivator was about to dismiss him, Ning Fa quickly said, "I had an appointment with the Ninth Elder. She asked me to come over. Please inform her."
A suspicious look appeared on the striking female cultivator's face. "If you dare to lie to me, I'll make sure you regret it."
Ning Fa quickly assured her he wouldn't, but he had no confidence whatsoever. The story about the Ninth Elder expecting him was pure fabrication. However, at this moment, he couldn't afford to be too scrupulous.
Not long after, the striking female cultivator returned and said to Ning Fa, "The Ninth Elder has agreed to see you. Follow me."
Ning Fa breathed a sigh of relief and silently praised his father.
The striking female cultivator led Ning Fa through three layers of restrictions, arriving at a pavilion by the lake. The surrounding scenery was breathtaking.
"Go in. The Ninth Elder is waiting for you on the second floor. And by the way, I'm not your 'sister.' My name is Ning Xiuying," the striking female cultivator said with a smile to Ning Fa.
"Okay, Sister Xiuying," Ning Fa replied before walking towards the pavilion.
Ning Xiuying was taken aback for a moment, then a faint smile touched her lips.
After entering the pavilion, Ning Fa, with no mind to admire his surroundings, headed straight for the second floor.
As soon as he reached the second floor, Ning Fa's gaze immediately fixed on a spot by the window.
There, a woman was leisurely seated on a wooden chair by the window, holding an ancient book and slowly flipping through its pages.
She looked no older than twenty, not like someone from a generation above Ning Fa at all; rather, she seemed to be his peer, as if time had left no trace on her face.
Her beauty could be described as exquisite. While perhaps not comparable to Liu Qinghui's beauty, she possessed a mature charm that was far more captivating.
She wore an apricot-yellow Daoist robe, and her smooth, jet-black hair was casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, adding to her natural, uninhibited, and alluring charm.
In his previous life, Ning Fa had been surrounded by many women and had seen many top beauties. However, he believed that none of them possessed the mature and elegant aura of Ning Shaohong.
"Nephew Ning Fa pays his respects to the Ninth Elder," Ning Fa said respectfully.
Ning Shaohong put down the ancient scroll in her hand and looked Ning Fa, who stood with his head bowed, up and down.
Looking at the handsome and refined Ning Fa, Ning Shaohong's gaze overlapped with a figure deep in her memory. A complex expression flickered in her beautiful eyes.
The atmosphere became quiet.
After a long moment, Ning Shaohong's eyes cleared. She said faintly, "What brings you here?"
Ning Fa said with a wry smile, "Nephew has encountered a difficult situation and dares to ask for the Ninth Elder's help. I..."
Before he could finish, Ning Shaohong's eyebrows shot up, and she interrupted him directly, "Who told you to come to me for help?"
Following her cold words, a powerful spiritual pressure, clearly stronger than Ning Xiuying's, emanated outwards, causing Ning Fa to involuntarily take a step back.
His heart grew tense. This Ninth Elder had definitely reached the peak of the late Qi Condensation stage and could likely attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment at any moment.
At the same time, he was secretly alarmed, not expecting the Ninth Elder to be so sensitive about this matter.
However, he naturally couldn't betray Ning Zonglie. Having prepared himself mentally, he said, "My father, before his demise, seemed to have a premonition. He told me that if something happened to him, I could seek the Ninth Elder's help when I encountered difficulties."
As soon as he said this, the powerful spiritual pressure immediately receded. Ning Shaohong was taken aback, seemingly surprised. A complex expression, a mixture of reminiscence and hatred, appeared in her beautiful eyes.
After a long time, Ning Shaohong calmly said, "Speak. What difficulty have you encountered? But if you're here to ask me to help you cancel your bet with Hua Rong, then you can leave. I can't help you with that."
Ning Fa couldn't help but frown inwardly. He had indeed harbored such a thought. However, it seemed that Ning Hua Rong held significant influence within the family, and even Ning Shaohong was unwilling to offend her, or perhaps, was unable to help him.
Ning Fa shook his head. "Naturally not. Nephew merely wishes for the Ninth Elder to intervene so that I can participate normally in the Pill Master assessment at the Pill Hall. As long as I can pass the Pill Master assessment within these two days, I can win the bet with the Fifth Elder."
Ning Shaohong keenly caught the key point in Ning Fa's words. She asked, "Participate normally? Are you implying someone is obstructing your participation in the Pill Hall assessment?"
Ning Fa nodded and then briefly explained the situation.
After listening, Ning Shaohong's face showed a thoughtful expression, while Ning Fa felt extremely anxious.
"I can intervene to allow you to participate in the assessment normally."
Soon, Ning Shaohong said calmly. Ning Fa felt a heavy burden lifted from his heart.
"But..."
Ning Shaohong drew out the last word, causing Ning Fa's heart to tighten again.
Ning Shaohong's jade-like face turned serious, and she asked in a deep voice, "But I can only help you with one favor. Are you sure you want to use it here? As far as I know, you've failed the assessment more than ten times in a row."
Ning Fa couldn't help but inwardly complain, Dad, so your old friendship with this Ninth Elder is only worth this one favor.
But he immediately replied, "Nephew is very sure. I'm very confident I'll pass the Pill Master assessment this time."
"Alright, then I'll accompany you to Lingchang Island again," Ning Shaohong said calmly before standing up and heading downstairs.
Ning Fa was overjoyed and quickly followed.
Ning Xiuying was still waiting at the door. Seeing the Ninth Elder and Ning Fa coming down together, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Xiuying, prepare my Spirit Boat, the Crimson Silk, and accompany me to Lingchang Island."
Ning Shaohong said calmly to Ning Xiuying.
Although curious, Ning Xiuying didn't ask further. She acknowledged the order and led the way towards the dock.