: The Clan Division Ceremony

A few more days passed.

The Zheng clan territory—no, the Ning branch clan territory—transitioned from plain white to vibrant red. The atmosphere of mourning largely faded, replaced by a spreading joy.

Ning Zhuo stood on the high platform, first offering sacrifices to heaven, then to earth, and finally burning paper money and lighting incense to inform the ancestors in the underworld: on this day, at this very moment, he, Ning Zhuo, was formally establishing his branch clan!

"Today's clan division ceremony... has succeeded with your vigorous support... Zhuo is deeply grateful and will remember it in his heart."

"From this day forward, as clan leader, I vow to be diligent and devoted, striving with all my might to make the clan's prosperity my responsibility!"

"Today's achievement was not gained overnight, nor by the strength of one person alone. Here, I must especially commemorate Ning Xiaohui, Ning Xiangguo, Ning Xiaoren, and the many other clan martyrs! You shed blood on the battlefield, guarding the clan's dignity and safety with your lives. Though your heroic souls have departed, your spirit endures. We will always remember your kindness in our hearts and swear to strengthen the clan to comfort your souls in heaven..."

"...I shall inherit the martyrs' legacy, remaining ever loyal and defending the clan's peace. As for evil-doers like the Bukong Sect, with their heinous deeds, I, Ning Zhuo, swear to hold irreconcilable enmity against them. All wickedness shall be eradicated. I am willing to lead by example, forging ahead with determination, never retreating."

"...The deep affection and righteousness of our hometown elders, Zhuo remembers with gratitude, always holding a thankful heart, and will spare no effort to repay our homeland. Moreover, I shall be unwaveringly loyal, serving the City Lord's Mansion and the Southern Bean Nation, wishing to protect the peace of this land with a sincere heart."

"...Thank you all for joining in this grand event. May we be united in purpose, joining forces to prosper the clan and achieve great deeds together!"

Ning Zhuo's impassioned speech stirred the hearts of countless Ning branch disciples; they had truly suffered long under the main lineage.

There were also invited guests witnessing the ceremony, their expressions complex and inscrutable as they looked at Ning Zhuo on the high platform.

Some were envious, some jealous, some apprehensive, some disdainful...

After the clan division ceremony, a continuous banquet was held, feasting guests from all sides.

The former Zheng clan territory had changed hands. The Zheng clansmen were either imprisoned or taken away by the Taiqing Palace's Nascent Soul cultivators, while the Ning clansmen enjoyed fine wine and delicacies here, clinking glasses in a fervent atmosphere. Soaring triumph and decay intermingled, yet the cruelty of the rise and fall of human affairs sent chills down the spines of the thoughtful.

The seating arrangement was carefully designed.

At the main table, Wang Lan sat in the seat of honor. Ning Zhuo attended to her, frequently serving her dishes with utmost care.

Wang Lan ate as if tasting wax, and soon began sobbing again.

Ning Zhuo promptly set down his chopsticks and gently inquired.

Wang Lan, overwhelmed with sorrow, lamented that such a beautiful moment felt like an illusory dream, but her husband and beloved son had fallen in the darkness before dawn, unable to enjoy this moment, which pained her deeply.

Ning Zhuo comforted her earnestly then, his words like a soft breeze and gentle rain, earning the silent admiration and sympathy of the guests who witnessed the scene.

At the table adjacent to the main one sat many widows and orphans.

After calming Wang Lan, Ning Zhuo left the main table and personally led Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and others to toast each table in turn.

The first table was the adjacent one.

The widows and orphans were anxious and uneasy. Ning Zhuo publicly announced that the descendants of meritorious members would not be mistreated; a branch clan school would be established to provide free education for these orphans.

Such benevolent governance immediately moved the widows to tears, their eyes reddening. Some, with their children, proactively knelt to express thanks, soon followed by all the widows and orphans at the table kneeling in gratitude.

"There's no need for this!" Ning Zhuo's eyes also reddened as he helped them up one by one to reseat them.

The commotion attracted almost everyone's attention.

Guests praised Ning Zhuo extensively, saying that although young, he had the bearing of a clan leader!

The usher suddenly announced loudly: "Elder of the Ning Clan School has come to congratulate!"

Then, he read out the gift list: "Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, three thousand jin of Chiyang Copper, one hundred thirty-six clusters of Foundation Building-level Earth Fiend Fire, eighty two-hundred-year-old Vigorous Ginseng roots..."

The gift list was quite long.

Ning Zhuo hurriedly stood up, addressed him as teacher, and welcomed the School Elder to the main table.

Among the many elders of the Ning main lineage, the School Elder was the closest to Ning Zhuo. After all, Ning Zhuo had just graduated from the school this year.

After sitting down, the School Elder took Ning Zhuo's hand, beaming with a kind smile and speaking earnestly.

Ning Zhuo had no choice but to sit beside the School Elder, chatting and smiling cheerfully.

Those unaware might think the School Elder and Ning Zhuo had a very close personal relationship. In reality, the School Elder hadn't taught him, and Ning Zhuo hadn't seen him more than ten times a year.

The School Elder came representing the Ning main lineage to show goodwill. This was welcome to Ning Zhuo; showing closeness now was beneficial for the branch clan's future.

Ning Zhuo clearly understood the reason for the Ning main lineage's change in attitude.

He wasn't aware of Ning Jiufan punishing Ning Qingqiao and reprimanding the Ning main lineage elders.

The elders involved were all tight-lipped about the matter. Even Ning Qingqiao was no exception.

However, Ning Qingqiao's removal from the elder position was publicly announced.

"To strip an elder of their position isn't something the other elders can achieve by joining forces. With the Ning clan leader position currently vacant, such a drastic change in elder positions can only originate from Ning Jiufan. There's no other possibility."

Ning Zhuo's branch clan had just been established and currently needed a peaceful external environment. Ning Zhuo secretly resolved: There would be time to deal with the Ning main lineage later. The most crucial task now was for the branch clan to gain a firm foothold.

"Zhou Clan Ancestor, Elder Zhou Nongying, has arrived—!" The usher announced, his voice trembling slightly.

After all, this was a Golden Core stage cultivator, one of the Zhou Clan's two ancestors.

The establishment of the Ning branch clan actually attracted such a heavyweight figure. This shocking development made everyone at the banquet immediately stand up, ready to pay respects to the arriving Zhou Nongying.

The usher continued reading Zhou Nongying's gift list.

"Forty Foundation Building-level Raging Fire Snakes, thirty-two Foundation Building-level Spirit Gathering Array Plates, four hundred forty-six jin of Moonlight Cold Iron!"

Though Zhou Nongying's gift list was much shorter than the Ning main lineage's, each item was significant.

This surprised everyone even more: The Zhou Clan actually valued Ning Zhuo's small branch clan establishment so highly. Not only did the Golden Core ancestor personally bring congratulations, but she also presented such heavy gifts. It was baffling, truly baffling.

It felt like royalty bringing great wealth to congratulate a beggar.

In the public's view, Zhou Nongying's mere attendance alone would bring honor to Ning Zhuo's humble establishment for a lifetime.

The key was that Zhou Nongying not only came but also brought generous gifts.

"This is too much face for Ning Zhuo! Hahaha, our branch clan's prosperity is just around the corner."

"Hmph, what do you know? Ning Zhuo is just a puppet, a front set up for appearance. All you do is laugh mindlessly. Zhou Nongying is clearly showing goodwill to Ancestor Ning Jiufan."

"You're the expert. You know everything!"

The guests argued in low voices but never saw Zhou Nongying appear.

Instead, Ning Zhuo apologetically took leave of the School Elder and jogged out of the banquet hall. Clearly, he went to greet Zhou Nongying.

The guests eagerly awaited Ning Zhuo leading Zhou Nongying in.

But left waiting and right waiting, she didn't come. Upon asking, they learned Ning Zhuo had already escorted Zhou Nongying to a private room; she wouldn't be joining the main banquet.

The next moment, a collective sigh revealed everyone's disappointment.

Once inside the private room with only Ning Zhuo and Zhou Nongying present, Ning Zhuo straightened his back. His superficial smile became reserved, and he thanked Zhou Nongying for her support as an equal.

Zhou Nongying had personally participated in the third round of the palace examination and knew well Ning Zhuo's strength. If nothing else, just the fact that Fo Yi·Meng Yaoxin wielded the Great Serpent Scythe made both Zhou ancestors deeply wary.

Zhou Nongying first mentioned that Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu had once spoken highly of Ning Zhuo, using this as an opening to explain the Zhou Clan's attitude: they were very willing to befriend Ning Zhuo's branch clan, even more so than the Ning main lineage.

"Unfortunately, Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu's bodies weren't recovered." Ning Zhuo thought, feeling somewhat regretful.

These two rising stars of the Zhou Clan didn't die by Ning Zhuo's hand.

When he entered the main hall through the teleportation gate, he found Zhou Zeshen and Zhou Zhu already dead. They were killed by Meng Chong!

Before Ning Zhuo could speak, Zhou Nongying proactively offered that the Zhou Clan was willing to dispatch their finest array formation cultivators to modify and enhance various arrays for Ning Zhuo's branch clan, such as those in the major refining workshops.

Ning Zhuo's face showed joy, and he immediately expressed that close cooperation with the Zhou Clan was something the entire branch clan looked forward to.

After all, the Zhou Clan's array-setting ability was unique. The Zheng Clan had once offered high prices to invite the Zhou Clan to improve their arrays but were politely refused.

For the Zhou Clan, this was nearly aiding the enemy, especially regarding the arrays in the refining workshops. Enhancing these arrays would undoubtedly boost the Zheng Clan's prestige!

But this time, Zhou Nongying proactively relented, offering this cooperation to Ning Zhuo, fully demonstrating the Zhou Clan's sincerity.

Ning Zhuo knew very well: "On one hand, my combat power exceeds standards and cannot be judged by Qi Refining cultivation. On the other hand, with the Meng Clan controlling the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, the Zhou Clan is under the greatest pressure and urgently needs allies to jointly counter the Meng Clan."

After the Molten Rock Immortal Palace matter was settled, the entire Fire Persimmon Immortal City's landscape had drastically changed.

The Zhou Clan,不愧为 an old-established clan, was already actively adapting to the major changes.

While discussing details with Zhou Nongying, the usher announced: "Lord Fei Si of the City Lord's Mansion has arrived—!"

Fei Si also brought considerable gifts.

The banquet guests were shocked once again.

Compared to Zhou Nongying, Fei Si was the acting city lord, a key subordinate of City Lord Meng Kui, and a truly major figure governing Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

Now, such a personage actually came to congratulate in person!

"Am I hallucinating?"

"This is simply unbelievable!"

"What virtue or ability does little Ning Zhuo have to deserve this?!"

Fei Si also didn't join the banquet.

Ning Zhuo had to temporarily interrupt his discussion with Zhou Nongying to go out and welcome Fei Si.

Zhou Nongying sneered inwardly but smiled outwardly: "Let's welcome him together."

Seeing Ning Zhuo and Zhou Nongying coming together, Fei Si also smiled meaningfully: "Clan Leader Ning Zhuo, it seems I may have interrupted you."

Ning Zhuo clasped his hands, saluting Fei Si and expressing gratitude for Fei Si's past care.

Fei Si narrowed his eyes, looking Ning Zhuo up and down, and sighed softly: "Clan Leader Ning Zhuo flatters me. Without me, your strength alone would suffice to overcome various difficulties. It was I, Fei Si, who failed to recognize a hero!"

He genuinely meant this.

After learning the truth from Meng Kui, he was utterly shocked.

He never expected this junior, Ning Zhuo, to be so deeply hidden, with schemes so vicious and ruthless—the Zheng Clan's downfall was largely because of him!

Fei Si admired Ning Zhuo even more but simultaneously became extremely wary and guarded.

After all, this young man before him, only at the Qi Refining stage, had kept Fei Si in the dark multiple times. Such strategy and skill were extraordinary! Anyone who underestimated him would pay a heavy price.

(End of )