: What? Our Main Branch Has to Suck Up to Ning Zhuo?!

This was a matter personally discussed by Meng Kui and Zhu Xuanji, and it had gained the approval of the Golden Core cultivators from the three families.

This was the general trend.

A decision made by the two dominant powers in Huoshi Immortal City of Nandou Country to squeeze out the third party, the Bukong Sect!

Under this overwhelming trend, the higher-ups of the Ning Family were merely mantises trying to stop a chariot. Without the backing of a Golden Core cultivator within their ranks, they were just a gathering of Elite Foundation Building cultivators.

Faced with such a tidal wave, they could only go with the flow, not stand in its way.

One of the Family Elders broke the silence: "If only our main branch had been able to assign more cultivators to the Conversion Team back then."

Everyone’s expression turned somewhat ugly, as if a boomerang had just smacked them in the face.

Looking at the outcome, that was indeed the case.

If the Ning Family main branch had constituted the majority, or even the entirety, of the Conversion Team back then, the main branch would now be reaping tremendous benefits!

The Academy Elder said, "The decision back then wasn’t wrong. After all, the prospects of converting to the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art were unclear. In fact, even now, we have only uncovered the first to sixth layers of the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art."

The War Hall Elder added, "Who could have predicted a freak like Ning Zhuo would appear? Who could have guessed that the Bukong Sect had been infiltrating and scheming for over a decade, forcing the Royal Family and the Meng Family to join forces and willingly cede future benefits?"

The Ning Family Head slowly spoke, his voice hoarse: "It seems then, that our Ning Family main branch must actively align ourselves with the Molten Rock Immortal Palace. We must dispatch as many cultivators as possible to convert their cultivation and then compete for positions within the Molten Rock Immortal Palace."

"Otherwise, if we let things continue as they are, the authority of our main branch will rapidly shrink and wither."

After saying this, the Ning Family Head couldn't help but show a strong expression of loss and exhaustion.

Once he relented, many Elders in the hall immediately voiced their agreement.

The War Hall Elder said, "As expected of the Family Head, this is a wise response! If that's the case, then I suggest we do our utmost to win over Ning Zhuo."

"If our Ning Family main branch wants to secure positions in the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, that youngster is the most crucial figure."

The Talisman Hall Elder stated bluntly, "I recall Ning Zhuo hasn't taken a wife or had children yet, right? He's only sixteen, a perfect age for a marriage alliance with our main branch."

The Academy Elder stroked his beard and said, "From my familiarity with Ning Zhuo, I know he has a particular fondness for cultivation, especially for mechanical arts. We can cater to his preferences."

The Ning Family Head felt dazed, as if in a dream.

He had never imagined that there would come a day when he and the various Family Elders would be discussing how to show favor and win over Ning Zhuo!

His impression of Ning Zhuo was quite poor.

On one hand, it was because his son, the former Young Family Head Ning Xiaoren, had been pulled down from his position by Ning Zhuo.

On the other hand, Ning Zhuo had repeatedly displayed disdain and resistance towards the Ning Family higher-ups and authority, which, to the Ning Family Head, was an extremely grave offense.

The Ning Family Ancestor, Ning Jiufan, found Ning Zhuo's behavior straightforward and endearing because, as a Golden Core cultivator, he didn't feel threatened by Ning Zhuo.

The Ning Family Head, however, was only at the Foundation Building stage himself, and it was already a certainty that Ning Zhuo would advance to Foundation Building in the future.

Moreover, Ning Zhuo had already established his own faction and gathered a group of followers in the black market.

This move seriously violated a major taboo in the Ning Family Head's mind, posing a great challenge and injury to his authority.

But now, the situation was forcing the entire Ning Family main branch to全力拉拢 (do its utmost to win over) Ning Zhuo!

All the Family Elders who had once supported and surrounded him were unanimously of this opinion.

What made the Ning Family Head feel even more disheartened was that even he himself knew: at this moment, winning over Ning Zhuo was absolutely necessary.

Despite his extreme disgust and hatred for Ning Zhuo, reason told him he *had* to win Ning Zhuo over!

He, the dignified head of a family, had to bow and scrape, put on a smiling face for a junior like Ning Zhuo, a mere mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator!

How frustrating!

How infuriating!

But what could he do?

"That kid Ning Zhuo, his luck is too good, riding the coattails of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace to rise up! He's too good at currying favor; now he's the darling in the eyes of the Golden Core cultivators!"

Look!

Zhu Xuanji attended Zhu Hou's succession ceremony and took Ning Zhuo right by his side.

After Ning Xiaohui died, the Ning Family Ancestor took Ning Zhuo under his wing, even arranging a room for him right in his own residence.

The Ning Family Head had once hoped for Ning Xiaohui to receive such treatment.

Reality was cruel—Ning Xiaohui had already sacrificed herself, while instead, Ning Zhuo had caught the eye of Golden Core Ancestors like Zhu Xuanji and Ning Jiufan.

From Ning Zhuo, the Ning Family Head felt a threat—a huge, intensely powerful threat!

It was clear that Ning Zhuo would be heavily nurtured!

Ning Zhuo had long become the face of the branch family, the standard-bearer.

He controlled the black market, had people and prestige, and now he even had the recognition of the highest echelons. His rise was already unstoppable.

The Ning Family Head was clearly in the prime of his life, but at this moment, sitting in his seat, he felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally. Facing the impact of a junior like Ning Zhuo, he felt his own decrepitude!

He felt the wave of a new era crashing towards him.

It was obvious that cultivators who primarily practiced the old methods belonged to the old era, while those who had converted to the three sects' superior methods had stepped into the new era.

The policy of keeping the Molten Rock Immortal Palace positions unchanged had completely altered the prospects of the entire Huoshi Immortal City.

Don't underestimate these Qi Refining converters; though they are weak now, as long as they hold positions, they will have a continuous supply of resources, making it highly likely they will advance to Foundation Building in the future.

This faction would only grow stronger over time, eventually overpowering the Ning Family main branch.

As the leader of the Conversion Team, the prominent figure of the Ning Family branch, the leader of the black market, and also the most visible tide-rider of this era, Ning Zhuo would undoubtedly reap the greatest benefits.

Considering he still had untested mysterious talents, Ning Zhuo's future prospects were incredibly bright, simply immeasurable.

"His momentum is already formed. In the short term, we can only go with the flow."

"But in the future, who can say for sure?"

"Hmph, geniuses often die young..."

For the first time, the Ning Family Head felt a killing intent towards Ning Zhuo arise in his heart.

Before, when Ning Zhuo pulled his son down or set up his own faction in the black market, the Ning Family Head hadn't considered harming Ning Zhuo's life.

But this time was different. Ning Zhuo threatened his position and power.

The main branch Elders could show favor and win over Ning Zhuo because they were just Elders.

But the Family Head winning over Ning Zhuo? Win him over to become the future Family Head?

The Ning Family Head wasn't that stupid!

"Let me in, let me in!" Arguments suddenly came from outside the door.

The Ning Family Head, already in a bad mood, frowned upon hearing this and barked, "Who's making noise out there!"

As soon as he spoke, the door to the council hall was forcefully pushed open from the outside.

An old woman barged in.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her body radiated anger and hatred, and her once-kindly face was now twisted with rage.

It was none other than Ning Xiaohui's grandmother.

After storming into the hall, her gaze locked fiercely onto the Ning Family Head as she cried out, "Xiaohui, where is my granddaughter Xiaohui?"

The Ning Family Head's earlier anger immediately vanished. He sighed and said, "What's done is done. Please accept our condolences! Our Ning Family will never forget Ning Xiaohui's sacrifice and contributions."

"Don't talk to me about sacrifice and contributions!" Ning Xiaohui's grandmother waved her hand dismissively and shrieked, "I want Xiaohui, I want my granddaughter."

"I don't believe it, I don't believe my granddaughter is dead."

"This must be fake, it's all fake!"

"My granddaughter must still be alive and well inside the Molten Rock Immortal Palace."

"With so many Golden Core cultivators, how could they fail to protect a single Qi Refining junior?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

"My granddaughter Ning Xiaohui has probably already gained Lord Zhu Xuanji's favor by now, hahahaha!"

Everyone fell into silence.

Ning Xiaohui's grandmother was heartbroken, her hair disheveled, her behavior hinting at madness. Clearly, she couldn't bear this heavy blow.

She had adored Ning Xiaohui since her birth.

She had raised Ning Xiaohui from childhood. After learning of Ning Xiaohui's talent, the Icy Jade Hands, she had poured all her efforts into nurturing her.

Ning Xiaohui's death meant the collapse of her grandmother's pillar in life.

The Ning Family Head sighed deeply, stood up, walked over to Ning Xiaohui's grandmother, and tried to patiently persuade her.

Instead of being comforted, Ning Xiaohui's grandmother grew even more frantic, shouting wildly, "I won't listen, I won't listen! It's all fake, it's all fake!"

As she shouted, she turned and ran out of the council hall.

The Ning Family Head watched her retreating figure, sighed deeply again, summoned a subordinate, and instructed him to increase care and attention for Ning Xiaohui's grandmother.

After fully recognizing the situation, the Ning Family main branch acted far more decisively and aggressively than before.

They抽调出 (drafted) a large number of Qi Refining cultivators from the main branch and ordered them to convert to the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art.

Was this too late?

Everyone had this worry, but no one voiced it—this was something that *had* to be done!

At the same time, among the Ning Family main branch cultivators, anyone with sufficient skill in mechanical arts to enter the Immortal Palace was sent in to strive with all their might for positions.

After issuing these orders, the Ning Family Head went alone to the family prison.

"My son." He saw Ning Xiaoren again.

Ning Xiaoren was overjoyed and rushed to the bars of his cell: "Father! Why are you here? Has the situation changed? Has that brat Ning Zhuo stumbled? Did Ning Xiaohui manage to suppress him?"

Ning Xiaoren's hatred for Ning Zhuo ran deep. The boring, tedious days in prison were driving him insane.

Every moment of suffering he endured only deepened his hatred for Ning Zhuo!

The Ning Family Head sighed: "Ning Xiaohui is already dead. As for Ning Zhuo... let's not talk about him for now."

"A major upheaval has indeed arrived!"

"I've thought it over carefully, and I feel I can't let you waste your time here empty-handed. If you can secure a position in the Immortal Palace, it would be extremely beneficial for your future."

Ning Xiaoren: "What Immortal Palace position?"

Ning Family Head: "You'll understand once you're out. I came here today to inform you that the plan has been moved up significantly."

"Next, you will contribute talismans to earn your freedom."

"After you get out, you must spare no effort to fight for a future in the Molten Rock Immortal Palace!"

"You have sufficient mechanical arts skill to enter the Immortal Palace. Now, you can only rely on yourself to fight hard in this battle."

"Afterwards, our main branch will全力示好、拉拢 (do its utmost to show favor and win over) Ning Zhuo. Don't expect any support from me."

"If... if you can gain Ning Zhuo's forgiveness, that would be even better. If you can suck up to Ning Zhuo, that would be the best scenario!"

Ning Xiaoren was stunned, wide-eyed and unbelieving: "Wh-what? I have to suck up to Ning Zhuo? Are... are you really my father?"

(End of )