Five figures flew out of the black shuttle.
They were all clad in blood-red battle armor, with a blood-colored flood dragon pattern on their right chests. They were all cultivators at the late stage of Qi Condensation.
And at least at the eighth level of Qi Condensation.
The person leading them had even reached the peak of Qi Condensation.
Although Ning Fa was also at this level, his aura and spiritual pressure were clearly a notch below.
This person looked to be around thirty years old, with a handsome face, but his temples were slightly gray, making him appear weathered.
His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and it was clear at a glance that he was not to be trifled with.
His killing intent was extremely heavy, and a faint bloody mist emanated from him, further adding to his imposing presence.
Ning Fa looked at him.
He secretly thought that this person was likely the strongest Qi Condensation cultivator in the Ning Family he had seen, besides Ning Huarong.
He should be comparable to Qian Shouzhong of the Qian Family, whom he had encountered at Tianshui Market before.
"Shaohong, how are you? Are you injured?"
The leader flew over with a look of concern and asked nervously.
It seemed he had a close relationship with Ning Shaohong.
Ning Shaohong furrowed her brow slightly and said calmly, "I'm fine."
She glanced around and said in a deep voice, "Let's go back first. We can talk about anything on the way."
The group then followed her onto the triangular flying boat.
Ning Xiuying, standing beside Ning Fa, quietly told him, "This is Ning Yuanying, the Deputy Hall Master of Blood Wind Hall. His strength is very formidable."
Ning Fa's eyes flickered.
The position of Deputy Hall Master of Blood Wind Hall was quite significant.
This was because the Hall Master of Blood Wind Hall was Ning Zhongyuan, the First Elder of the Ning Family.
Inside the flying boat, after hearing Ning Shaohong's account, Ning Yuanying's thick brows furrowed, and he said in shock, "You actually encountered a Foundation Establishment Calamity Cultivator! And he had a Spirit Artifact!"
Ning Shaohong asked with some confusion, "It's a pity we don't know which senior saved us. Judging by their methods, they shouldn't be an ordinary high-level Foundation Establishment expert."
Speaking of which, Ning Shaohong asked curiously, "Were you guys just happening to be on a mission nearby? How did you get here so quickly?"
Ning Yuanying, however, shook his head and said, "I received a message half an hour ago and rushed over immediately."
Ning Shaohong's delicate eyebrows knitted together, and she murmured, "Half an hour..."
It had only been fifteen minutes since they encountered that Foundation Establishment Calamity Cultivator.
Ning Shaohong then asked, "Who sent you the message?"
Just as Ning Yuanying was about to answer, a clear voice rang out.
"I sent the message."
A figure walked in as a ray of auspicious light flashed on the flying boat's main door.
He was dressed in black, his gaze was piercing, and his aura was heroic.
Dark black Gang Qi swirled around him, and his spiritual pressure was immensely powerful.
It far surpassed that of the Foundation Establishment Calamity Cultivator from before.
It was the Third Elder of the family, Ning Zhongjiu.
Upon seeing his arrival.
The members of the Ning Family finally relaxed completely.
They all quickly rose to greet him.
Ning Shaohong exclaimed in surprise, "Third Elder, why are you here?"
Ning Zhongjiu's expression was stern at the moment. He quickly scanned Ning Shaohong and Ning Fa, his expression softening slightly.
He said, "It's good that you are all unharmed. Tell me in detail about your previous encounter, leaving out nothing."
After a while, Ning Shaohong recounted the entire incident.
Ning Zhongjiu remained silent for a long time after listening, his gaze flickering incessantly.
Ning Shaohong couldn't help but ask, "Third Elder, do you know the identities of those two Foundation Establishment cultivators?"
A strange glint flashed in Ning Zhongjiu's eyes, and he slowly shook his head.
He glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "The encounters you had today must be kept secret. Do not tell anyone else."
Although Ning Shaohong and the others were full of questions, they could only nod in agreement.
Ning Fa's heart churned.
Judging by Ning Zhongjiu's reaction, he likely knew something about the inside story.
From the looks of it, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from before did not seem like Calamity Cultivators.
It was precisely targeting them.
Ning Zhongjiu somehow obtained the intelligence, and it seemed to be last-minute information.
That's why he sent Ning Yuanying and the others, who were nearby, to rescue them, while he rushed over himself.
Ning Fa suddenly thought of a name.
"The Xue Family."
His heart grew tense.
If it really was the Xue Family, why would they send a Foundation Establishment cultivator to eliminate their group?
Was it all for Ning Shaohong, the Ninth Elder of the Ning Family?
But Ning Shaohong often traveled to Tianshui Market. Why would they only make a move this time?
Thinking of this, Ning Fa was suddenly shocked.
Damn it, this was clearly aimed at him!
It was highly likely that his alchemy talent had reached the Xue Family, provoking their fear.
That's why they had taken such a drastic step.
After all, with the talent Ning Fa had displayed, even if he only advanced to Late Qi Condensation.
He could very likely refine Second-grade Pills.
This would be too great a threat to the Xue Family.
The Xue Family might be able to tolerate another Foundation Establishment cultivator appearing in the Ning Family, but they couldn't tolerate the Ning Family having another Second-grade Pill Master.
The more Ning Fa thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and the more alarmed he became.
He was shocked by the Xue Family's ruthless methods.
They were silent until they struck, and when they did, it was to deliver a fatal blow.
They had directly sent a Foundation Establishment cultivator to assassinate him.
And it was likely a hired Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Because when the last person was killed, the Ghost Face Mask on his head had fallen off.
If it were a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Xue Family, Ning Shaohong should have recognized him.
It was even possible that the Spirit Artifact was also provided by the Xue Family, as it was difficult for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators to possess one.
Ning Fa's mind churned.
He had already suspected that the Xue Family was secretly behind the incidents involving his third uncle and Ning Yuwen, the Ning's Twin Prodigies.
He hadn't expected it to be his turn today.
He couldn't help but feel fortunate that he hadn't revealed the secret of the Great Five Elements Thunder Body to the family.
If the Xue Family were to find out about this, they would go crazy.
They would likely try every means to assassinate him.
Even if he stayed within the Ning Family's territory, he might not be safe.
Thinking of this, Ning Fa shivered.
At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder who had saved them in the end.
This person hadn't shown their face from beginning to end.
Yet, they had cleanly killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
For some reason, Ning Fa's mind conjured the image of the white-robed cultivator with the black iron mask he had encountered at the entrance of the auction house earlier.
Several hours later, the group finally returned to the Ning Family.
Ning Shaohong asked Ning Fa to wait for her on Yun Chang Island, and then she hurriedly followed Ning Zhongjiu to the clan's territory, Changning Mountain.
At the summit of the main peak of Changning Mountain stood a magnificent jade hall, which served as the Ning Family's council hall.
Normally, only elders of the Ning Family were allowed to enter.
At this moment, several figures were seated around the obsidian long table in the center of the hall.
Besides Ning Shaohong, the other four people exuded an imposing spiritual pressure.
They were all at the Foundation Establishment realm.
All four Foundation Establishment elders of the Ning Family were present.
Even the First Elder, who had not appeared for a long time, was there.
At the head of the long table sat a tall figure.
He was dressed in an ordinary yellow robe, tall, and even a bit bloated.
He appeared to be around forty years old, with kind eyes and a prosperous, even somewhat obese, build.
His complexion was slightly pale, but a cheerful smile graced his face, making him appear remarkably amiable.
He didn't look like a Foundation Establishment cultivator; rather, he resembled a wealthy landowner among mortals.
However, his spiritual pressure was like an abyss or a vast sea, clearly a level higher than the other three Foundation Establishment elders.
He had indeed reached the Mid Foundation Establishment realm!
This person was none other than the Ning Family's First Elder, Ning Zhongyuan.
He hadn't made a public appearance for a long time due to recuperating from injuries, but the attack on Ning Shaohong and Ning Fa's group today had alarmed even him.