Ning Wan Yun let out a soft laugh. "I heard about your alchemy competition with Ning Rui Ming. You're truly amazing, being able to refine two furnaces of Three Yuan Pills at once. After my grandfather returned from the Elder Council, he couldn't stop praising you, saying your alchemy talent might even rival the First Cloud Ancestor."
"My brother was also very happy when he heard you defeated Ning Rui Ming. He said he wants to find you in person to thank you when he has time."
Ning Fa's heart stirred.
From Ning Wan Yun's words, he could basically deduce that:
Her grandfather must be the family's Sixth Elder, otherwise, he wouldn't have the authority to participate in the family Elder Council.
That meant her brother was likely the family prodigy, Ning Nan Qing.
He had also heard that Ning Nan Qing was one of Liu Qing Hui's suitors.
Now that his strongest competitor, Ning Rui Ming, had been heavily defeated by Ning Fa, his reputation had plummeted.
Naturally, Ning Nan Qing's chances of winning over Liu Qing Hui had decreased significantly.
This was why Ning Nan Qing was happy and wanted to thank Ning Fa.
Ning Fa smiled. "You flatter me. It was just good luck. I still need to enter the Scripture Depository. Miss Wan Yun, if you'll excuse me."
With that, Ning Fa walked directly towards the Scripture Depository.
Ning Wan Yun, who had been happy moments before, suddenly became unhappy.
She looked at Ning Fa's retreating back and let out a soft hmph.
Then, her beautiful eyes flickered, her cherry lips curved into a smile, and she turned to leave.
"Uncle Wen."
Ning Fa greeted Ning Yu Wen.
Ning Yu Wen stopped his brush, a mischievous smile appearing on his stubbled face. "That young lady wanted to chat with you a bit longer. Why are you so unromantic?"
Ning Fa smiled and remained silent.
He had naturally noticed that Ning Wan Yun was quite interested in him.
However, he wasn't particularly interested in her.
This woman had a significant background, and Ning Fa didn't want to stir up trouble.
"Kid, remember, seize the day when the flower blooms. Don't wait until there are no flowers left to pluck. I'll give you this painting."
Ning Yu Wen said with a lazy smile.
As he spoke, the erotic painting on his table flew towards Ning Fa.
Ning Fa examined it and gave a thumbs-up. "A great painting!"
Then, he put away the painting and entered the Scripture Depository.
Ning Fa didn't rashly mention his intention to heal Ning Yu Wen.
The time was not yet ripe; he estimated he would need to reach the late Qi Condensation stage at least.
Ning Fa headed straight for the second floor, arriving at the green jade shelf where the Travelogue of Yun Songzi was stored.
Looking at the marked contribution points of three hundred, Ning Fa's mouth twitched, and he cursed inwardly.
It was just a travelogue, yet it dared to have such a high exchange price.
Ning Fa grumbled as he took out his token.
Before long, the four hundred and ninety on his token became one hundred and ninety.
These high contribution points were all earned by Ning Fa from exceeding his family's alchemy tasks during this period.
Ning Fa also used his divine sense to copy the contents of the travelogue onto a blank jade slip.
With this matter completed, Ning Fa felt refreshed.
He suppressed the urge to check it immediately and went to another area on the second floor.
This area stored some Imprint Pearls.
Ning Fa saw several white spheres, about the size of his fist, placed on the green jade shelf before him.
The interiors of these spheres were hazy with mist, and indistinct figures flashed within.
"Imprint of Ning Qi Wu, a Qi Condensation seventh-layer clansman, battling a Calamity Cultivator at the eighth layer. Duration: two hundred breaths. Exchange: twenty contribution points. Can be kept for one month. If not returned after the period, an additional contribution point will be deducted for each extra day."
Ning Fa finally understood that these Imprint Pearls were rented.
The troublesome part was that these Imprint Pearls did not allow for inspection.
With just such a simple description, who knew the actual strength of the two individuals fighting?
Perhaps it was just a fight between weaklings, making the exchange meaningless.
Ning Fa grumbled inwardly, feeling it was a rip-off.
He didn't rashly exchange for one and continued browsing.
The other Imprint Pearls were similar, mostly depicting battles between cultivators in the late Qi Condensation stage.
After all, most cultivators in the early to mid-Qi Condensation stages lacked much combat experience.
As Ning Fa moved to another row, one of the Imprint Pearls caught his eye.
"A Qi Condensation level nine clan member, Ning Huarong, fighting two Qian Family clan members at the peak of Qi Condensation. Duration: one hundred breaths. Requires one hundred contribution points to exchange. Can be kept for ten days. After the deadline, ten contribution points will be deducted daily."
Ning Fa marveled internally, "This Witch is truly fierce, fighting two at once and winning in such a short time."
He didn't hesitate and immediately exchanged for the Imprint Pearl.
This Witch had always coveted him, like a sharp blade hanging over his head.
Yet, her strength was formidable. Even the Foundation Establishment elders in the family had to humor her and appease her.
Even if Ning Fa sought help from Ning Shaohong, it wouldn't work.
This was because Ning Huarong also hailed from the Second Elder's lineage.
Clearly, Ning Huarong held a much higher position within the branch, being groomed as its successor.
It could be said that Ning Huarong's existence was the primary reason the Second Elder could contend equally with the Third Elder.
Otherwise, the aging Second Elder alone would be unable to stand against the rapidly rising Third Elder, Ning Zhongjiu.
It was precisely because of this rising star, Ning Huarong, that many factions within the family were betting on the Second Elder's faction.
Therefore, even though Ning Fa was no longer what he used to be, he was still not safe.
Relying on family protection wouldn't be a long-term solution, as this woman might act unpredictably.
If this Witch decided to use force against him one day, he truly wouldn't have any means to resist.
After all, he hadn't grown strong enough yet and was still far from being her match.
Therefore, he had to become stronger himself, to be able to contend with her in combat.
Knowing oneself and the enemy is crucial.
Imprint Pearls of this Witch fighting others would be extremely useful to him.
Moreover, Ning Fa was very curious about how formidable this Witch, who struck fear into many, truly was in combat.
After exchanging for this Imprint Pearl, Ning Fa was left with only ninety contribution points.
He then proceeded to select and exchange for three more Imprint Pearls, all depicting slightly more complex fights.
For example, those showcasing excellent spell usage or sound combat strategy.
Ning Fa left the Scripture Hall.
Afterward, he first went to the Sect Affairs Hall, also located on Changning Mountain, to apply for a spirit island change.
The cultivator on duty at the Sect Affairs Hall was a middle-aged man named Ning Xugong.
He, however, hailed from the Second Elder's branch.
In fact, the nominal head of the Sect Affairs Hall was the Second Elder, Ning Weidong.
Therefore, Ning Xugong was particularly enthusiastic towards the current Ning Fa.
He patted his chest and assured Ning Fa that he would prioritize his application and submit it to the family's Elder Council.
Changing spirit islands was no small matter.
It wasn't something the Sect Affairs Hall could decide directly; it required deliberation by the elders at the Elder Council.
Afterward, Ning Fa also made a trip to Cui Ning Courtyard at the foot of Changning Mountain to see Xiao Yu.
This time, Xiao Yu was much more cheerful and happy to see Ning Fa.
However, Xiao Yu's cultivation realm was still at the first level of Qi Condensation.
This left Ning Fa puzzled.
Although Xiao Yu had a Four Spiritual Root aptitude, it was very similar to Ning Zifeng's; her Water Spiritual Root sensitivity was close to that of a mid-grade spiritual root.
By all accounts, her aptitude was decent.
Coupled with the Essence Replenishing Pills he had given her, and cultivating in the spiritually rich Cui Ning Courtyard, her cultivation speed should have been rapid.
Normally, she should have already broken through to the second level of Qi Condensation and be nearing the third level.
Ning Fa inquired about it.
This touched upon Xiao Yu's sore spot.
She had never slacked off in Cui Ning Courtyard and had been diligently cultivating.
She had also consumed all the Essence Replenishing Pills Ning Fa had given her.
But her cultivation simply wouldn't advance.
Seeing Xiao Yu on the verge of tears again, Ning Fa quickly comforted her.
Ning Fa was now capable of protecting her.
For instance, he could refine an Essence Replenishing Pill with a Dao Mark for Xiao Yu to consume. He couldn't believe that even then, she still wouldn't break through her cultivation.
Of course, there was no rush for that now; they could wait until Xiao Yu left Cui Ning Courtyard.