Ning Xiuying's expression was one of shock.
For a moment, she didn't understand what Ning Shaohong meant.
Ning Shaohong said calmly, "I've decided to send you to the Cloud Embroidery Pavilion in Tianshui Market to take charge for a period. Your family treatment will also be upgraded by one level. What do you think?"
Ning Xiuying's eyes widened. She truly hadn't expected Ning Shaohong to make such a decision.
She couldn't help but ask nervously, "Ninth Elder, have I done something unsatisfactory that angered you?"
Ning Shaohong smiled and said, "Don't overthink it. You've done very well, and I'm very satisfied. It's just that Aunt Mei at the Cloud Embroidery Pavilion is getting old. She has mentioned to me more than once that she wishes to return to the family to enjoy her later years. She brought it up with me again this time, and after much consideration, you are the only one in the Spirit Embroidery Hall who is suitable to take her place."
"After you gain some experience at the Cloud Embroidery Pavilion for a few years, if your performance is good, I will recommend you to the family to serve as the Deputy Hall Master of the Spirit Embroidery Hall when you return."
Ning Xiuying was both surprised and delighted. She asked in disbelief, "Ninth Elder, is that true?"
Ning Xiuying smiled. "Would I lie to you?"
Ning Xiuying said happily, "Then thank you, Ninth Elder. When do I need to go?"
Ning Shaohong said lightly, "The sooner, the better."
Ning Xiuying nodded. "Then I'll pack my things and leave tomorrow."
However, while she was happy, she also felt a sense of regret.
Once she went to take up her post at the Cloud Embroidery Pavilion, she feared she wouldn't know when she would see Ning Fa again.
She wondered if this little rascal would still remember their past connection.
Meanwhile, Ning Fa, under the protection of Ning Yuanchong and others, had returned to his home on Pingchang Island.
He simply packed a few things, then sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to his paternal uncle, Ning Zhengqian, to briefly explain the situation.
Afterward, he hurried directly to Small Bamboo Island.
Small Bamboo Island was relatively close to Lingchang Island, where the Pill Hall was located, about three hundred miles to its southeast.
It was not large, only tens of miles in circumference.
To refine the ancient Jade Dragon Pill recipe, the Ning Family had specially opened a spiritual herb garden on this island.
On the way, Ning Fa couldn't help but recall the information about the Jade Dragon Pill that Ning Shaohong had shared with him.
This pill recipe was previously purchased at a high price by the Ning Family's Third Elder, Ning Zhongjiu, during an auction while he was traveling in Black Marsh Immortal City.
This was because, although the Jade Dragon Pill was only a first-grade high-rank pill, it was an ancient recipe.
What is an ancient recipe? It refers to a pill recipe passed down from the ancient immortal cultivation world with little alteration.
Most of the pill recipes circulating in the current immortal cultivation world are improved versions of these ancient recipes.
This is because many of the Spiritual Materials required by these ancient recipes have already become extinct in the current immortal cultivation world.
Although the Spiritual Materials required by ancient recipes are extremely precious, their medicinal effects are not comparable to pills of the same rank in the current immortal cultivation world.
Take the Jade Dragon Pill, for example. According to the description in the pill recipe, Its medicinal effect was more than double that of the Cloud Heart Pill, which was also a first-grade high-rank pill.
Furthermore, its medicinal effect was extremely pure, and long-term consumption could also help in breaking through bottlenecks.
And although this pill is an ancient recipe, the Spiritual Materials it requires have not become extinct, and they can be collected with some effort.
Coupled with the potent medicinal effects of this pill, the Ning Family's high-ranking members placed such great importance on it.
They specially opened a spiritual herb garden on Small Bamboo Island to cultivate one of the most important main ingredients.
The Jade Bamboo Fruit.
This is a very special and precious second-grade low-rank spiritual herb that requires growth in a unique environment.
It must be surrounded by pure green bamboo spiritual energy, and there cannot be too much cultivator aura, lest it pollute the green bamboo energy.
The Spirit Vein requirement is also at least second-grade.
Every month, it needs to be watered at least once with the essence of precious second-grade spirit ore, the White Jade Crystal Stone.
Otherwise, it is difficult for it to grow to maturity.
This is not all.
The maturation period of this fruit is extremely short, only two hours.
Otherwise, it will turn into a pool of juice.
This means that the medicine must be used within two hours.
Therefore, the growth and usage conditions for this spiritual herb are extremely harsh, and only powerful Foundation Establishment Families like the Ning Family have the strength to cultivate it.
The Ning Family even specially built a second-grade Spirit Gathering Array on Small Bamboo Island, forcibly raising the island, which only had a first-grade low-rank Spirit Vein, to the level of a second-grade mid-rank Spirit Vein.
As a result, the monthly expenditure of Spirit Stones is an astonishing figure.
With such a huge investment, the Ning Family naturally did not want to gain nothing.
It's just a pity that, as an ancient recipe, the refining difficulty of the Jade Dragon Pill is also not generally high.
Even Liu Qinghui herself, despite her efforts, has not yet managed to refine a successful pill.
Ning Fa, however, felt rather confident.
The reason Liu Qinghui's alchemy talent hadn't progressed was ultimately due to the spiritual materials for this pill being too precious.
She wouldn't have many opportunities to practice.
But with the Mysterious Scroll in Ning Fa's possession, that problem wouldn't exist.
Who cares what ancient formula it is? If I practice it a hundred or eighty times, won't I be able to succeed?
Moreover, Ning Fa's current alchemy level had already reached a proficient stage; he was not what he used to be.
Before long, Small Bamboo Island arrived.
From high above, the island was egg-shaped and covered in lush greenery, clearly teeming with verdant bamboo.
This was also why the Ning Family had chosen this island to cultivate the Jade Bamboo Fruit.
Furthermore, there were faint fluctuations of light and mist emanating from the island, indicating the presence of protective restrictions.
Ning Yuanchong escorted Ning Fa to the shore. He said, "Too many cultivators are not allowed on Small Bamboo Island, so we won't be entering. In the future, elite guards from Blazing Wind Hall will be stationed here specifically for protection. Until they arrive, we will stand guard here."
Ning Fa replied, "Commander Yuan Chong, thank you for your trouble."
With that, he turned and walked towards the island.
After only a few steps, a ripple of green water suddenly appeared before him, and a graceful figure emerged from it.
Liu Qinghui, dressed in a green ruqun, looked at Ning Fa with a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling. "Welcome to Small Bamboo Island, Ning Fa. Third Elder has already sent me a message. Let's go inside and talk."
Ning Fa sized her up. He saw a faint smile on her beautiful face, as if she was somewhat pleased by his arrival.
"Is she lusting after my body, or my Jade Pendant?"
"It's just the two of us, alone. Aren't they afraid I'll lose my beastly nature and... rough her up? Wait, they probably think someone at Qi Condensation level four like me is no match for Liu Qinghui... But that's not right either. Aren't they afraid Liu Qinghui will force herself on me??"
Ning Fa mused inwardly.
He couldn't help but think of Ning Ruiming, who was still confined to his residence on Yuan Chang Island.
Thinking of that person, Ning Fa couldn't help but smile.
If Ning Ruiming knew that he and Liu Qinghui were alone on Small Bamboo Island, studying the Jade Dragon Pill, would he be so angry he'd spit blood?
Especially since, strictly speaking, it was Ning Fa's decisive victory over Ning Ruiming in the alchemy competition last time.
That victory was what allowed the family to see his alchemy talent, leading to their current decision.
Even if he hadn't been attacked this time, he would have had to come here sooner or later.
Noticing Liu Qinghui looking at him strangely, Ning Fa smiled and said, "Then please lead the way. I still don't know how to enter this place."