The Nings’ Residence.

Having finished his morning meal, Ning Zhuo arrived in the courtyard.

Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and the others were already there.

Upon seeing Ning Zhuo, the fellow disciples rose and greeted him.

Ning Yong, sporting dark circles under his eyes, excitedly exclaimed, “Brother Zhuo, I couldn’t sleep a wink last night! I’m too excited, hahaha!”

The others echoed his sentiment, erupting in laughter.

Ning Zhuo cupped his fist in acknowledgement and expressed his gratitude once more. After a few lighthearted exchanges, he addressed the person behind him, “Cousin, please find a seat wherever you please!”

“Today, we continue to discuss and share our experiences in spellcasting. Although you haven’t cultivated the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art, the principles are interconnected. Listening in will be beneficial!”

Ning Ji wore an embarrassed expression, nodding repeatedly, “Yes, yes, I’ll follow your arrangements, cousin.”

His father, Ning Ze, had summoned him to his study early in the morning, sternly instructing him to wholeheartedly attach himself to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Ji dared not disobey his father’s command. Thus, during breakfast, he ‘voluntarily’ requested to follow Ning Zhuo, even expressing his disinterest in the Talisman Hall.

Ning Zhuo did not directly accept his allegiance but instead allowed him to remain in the Talisman Hall.

However, he did not completely reject him either. He suggested that Ning Ji join him in sparring and exchanging insights on spell release.

Ning Zhuo’s stance did not entirely fulfill Ning Ze’s wishes, but it did not leave the latter completely disappointed either.

Ning Ji joined the group, exchanging brief greetings with the others.

He was originally Ning Zhuo’s classmate, and these fellow disciples of the Modification Team were all acquaintances of his.

Ning Ji initially wanted to choose the spot closest to where Ning Zhuo was speaking.

But at that moment, Ning Chen suddenly spoke up, “This is my spot, what are you trying to take?”

Ning Ji let out a surprised sound, “Isn’t it a free seating?”

Ning Chen sneered, “Of course, the positions are important, at least you have to understand the principle of first come, first served. You are the last to arrive, you should sit at the very back.”

Ning Ji scoffed, “You, Ning Chen, are being so arrogant! Don’t forget, this courtyard is my home. I am the master, and you are the guest. Is there any reason for the guest to bully the host?”

Ning Chen laughed heartily, pointing at Ning Ji, “Do you think we care about your broken down courtyard? We’re only here because Brother Zhuo is temporarily residing here. Believe it or not, Brother Zhuo can live in any other courtyard, and we will follow him closely?”

Unable to win against Ning Chen’s arguments, Ning Ji turned to Ning Zhuo, “Cousin, look at this.”

Ning Zhuo smiled faintly, “Today, we are discussing spells, mutually sparring and learning, just like in the lecture hall.”

“In the lecture hall, there is no talk of cousins, only classmates.”

“Ning Ji, you can sit at the back. It won’t affect your learning.”

Ning Ji’s face immediately darkened, a hint of shame and annoyance flashing across it as he gritted his teeth and said, “Since my father told me to follow you, then I’ll listen to you.”

Ning Ji sat down on the outermost periphery of the group, in the most remote area.

Closest to Ning Zhuo were still Ning Chen and Ning Yong.

Seeing this scene, everyone was thoughtful.

“The day before yesterday, we exchanged insights on the Ice Embrace Art. Today, I want to discuss the combination of the Ice Embrace Art, the one-qi-two-spell technique.”

“If there’s anything lacking or any mistakes I make, please don’t hesitate to point them out.”

Ning Zhuo began his lecture.

Everyone else listened attentively.

Initially, many of them didn’t care, thinking that Ning Zhuo was simply lucky to have encountered a Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art that perfectly suited him.

But after Ning Zhuo took the initiative to share his spellcasting experiences, they all changed their views.

They believed that Ning Zhuo was indeed a talented individual, whose understanding of spells was extraordinary.

Ning Zhuo humbly claimed that it was an exchange, a sharing, but Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and the others knew very well that Ning Zhuo was imparting invaluable spellcasting experience to them.

Ning Zhuo himself possessed early wisdom, benefited from his mother’s last will and testament, and received Sun Lingtong’s education.

He had always concealed his strength in the lecture hall.

Afterward, through the Lava Immortal Palace’s leaderboard rewards, his spellcasting experience increased exponentially. Guiding these fellow disciples was an over-qualified task, more than sufficient.

Among everyone present, the one listening the least attentively was Ning Ji.

Ning Ji was indignant, feeling that he had received unfair treatment on his first day of following Ning Zhuo.

“I’m your cousin, yet you’re helping outsiders instead of me.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“I haven’t even learned the Ice Embrace Art or the one-qi technique.”

Ning Zhuo sensed Ning Ji’s resentment, that the latter had not focused on the exchange and discussion. Ning Zhuo did not expose it.

He allowed Ning Ji to wallow in his own emotions.

It wasn’t until the family’s envoy arrived that Ning Zhuo interrupted the exchange.

The envoy announced, “Ning Zhuo, former young master Ning Xiaoren has been imprisoned. This envoy brings you the rewards you deserve.”

“A Whirlwind Windmill magic tool, a bottle of Three-Aperture Exquisite Heart Pills, three bottles of Qi Gathering Pills, one bottle of Marrow Cleansing Pills, and one bottle of Toxin Expelling Pills.”

After reciting the list, the envoy publicly handed the storage pouch to Ning Zhuo.

“Check the contents and complete the handover quickly!”

Ning Zhuo opened the storage pouch and examined the contents. After confirming, he nodded slightly and asked, “There is no Enlightenment Diagram, nor any Jade Ice Wine. May I ask why?”

“That’s right, Brother Zhuo directly broke through to the eighth level. He was still in the Modification Team at the time. According to the regulations at the time, he should have received the opportunity to study the Enlightenment Diagram, as well as the Jade Ice Wine.”

Ning Yong was the first to speak out.

The other fellow disciples also spoke up one after another, offering their assistance.

The envoy’s expression changed slightly, and he quickly waved his hand, “Please, everyone, be at ease. I am only the first wave.”

“Since yesterday, the family’s higher-ups have been discussing giving Brother Ning Zhuo more compensation.”

“These rewards are only a portion of it. The family treasury had prepared them in advance and immediately arranged for me to be the first to deliver them.”

“After me, there will be other envoys!”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions softened.

“I see, I misunderstood the envoy.”

Ning Zhuo smiled, wanting to invite the envoy into the house to rest.

The envoy was unwilling to stay. After completing the handover, he left the small courtyard.

Ning Zhuo tied the storage pouch to his waist, and continued to teach spellcasting experiences and skills.

About half an hour later, the second envoy arrived.

“A Five Elements Ruler magic tool, a Tranquility Bell magic tool, a bottle of Enlightenment Pills, a stack of Qi Boosting Talismans, and six Harmony Talismans!”

The envoy announced loudly.

Ning Zhuo completed the handover with him, confirming that the items in the storage pouch were correct.

His heart stirred slightly, and he felt something was unusual!
The envoy, seeing Ning Zhuo make no inquiries, proactively said, “Young friend Ning Zhuo, are you growing impatient? The Icy Jade Wine is being delivered to you, but this type of wine can only be preserved in the Icy Heart Jade Pot to maintain its quality and potency. And the Icy Heart Jade Pot is a treasured artifact of our clan, always kept by the Grand Ancestor.”

“Therefore, to obtain a portion of the wine, we needed to request an audience with the Grand Ancestor, have it bestowed by him personally, and then passed on by the Clan Head.”

Ning Zhuo smiled. “I am not impatient. The envoy is weary, perhaps you’d like to come in and rest for a while?”

The envoy waved his hand. “No, no, I have other matters to attend to!”

Ning Zhuo said, “It’s been troublesome for the envoy to deliver these items repeatedly. Why not have the main lineage prepare everything and then notify me? I’ll make a trip myself. It would be more convenient to collect everything at once.”

The second envoy shook his head slightly. “I am merely acting on orders.”

Ning Zhuo did not let it go easily. “Then please relay my thoughts to them!”

“Very well!” The second envoy also departed.

Ning Zhuo walked back from the courtyard gate, hearing his classmates excitedly discussing, “I didn’t expect the clan elders to be so generous this time.”

“These are all good things! Even Ning Xiaohui never had such treatment before!”

“It’s all because Brother Zhuo gave them such a profound lesson, making the elders understand what they should do.”

“Hahaha, that’s right. Even the Young Clan Head was toppled by Brother Zhuo. Now, who among the elders dares to mistreat Brother Zhuo? Are they not afraid of being taken down by Brother Zhuo again?”

Ning Yong muttered, “Why all this fuss over sending a reward? Back and forth, why not send everything at once?”

Ning Chenmiqi beside him narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps some among the clan elders want to use this method to tell everyone that we are no longer mistreating Brother Zhuo.”

Ever since Ning Yong started calling Ning Zhuo ‘Brother Zhuo,’ the term had gradually spread.

Especially after what happened yesterday, the classmates had all changed their address, only calling him ‘Brother Zhuo.’ No one addressed Ning Zhuo by his given name anymore.

On the third occasion, the envoy finally brought the Icy Jade Wine.

“Two liang of Icy Jade Wine, one Xuanbing Waist Token, two Insightful Paintings of Ling Shuang and Ao Xue, three stacks of Ice Light Meridian Strengthening Talismans, one bottle of White Snow Yangchun Pills, and ten high-grade spirit stones.”

After the envoy announced the list, he further instructed Ning Zhuo: “Icy Jade Wine cannot be stored for long; it needs to be consumed as soon as possible. The two paintings of Ling Shuang and Ao Xue were painted by renowned artists and contain profound Dao principles. The Frost Powder is originally Ning Zhuo’s possession, only temporarily lent to Ning Zhuo, after the allotted time, please return it to the clan treasury on time.”

The envoy was about to leave when Ning Zhuo stopped him, frowning.

“These rewards are too many, far exceeding what I deserve. I cannot accept unearned merit. I will only take what I am due; the rest can be exchanged with the clan treasury.”

The envoy was already prepared and blurted out in response: “These are not just rewards; they also represent the elders’ intention to compensate you.”

“Ning Xiaoren, as the Young Clan Head, was indeed very unqualified. Young friend Ning Zhuo, you explored the Immortal Palace and achieved great results. These are all to appease your heart.”

“The higher-ups’ meaning is just this!”

“These things are given to you, they are yours, and how you dispose of them is your business.”

“Farewell!”

The envoy departed.

Ning Ji could finally not restrain himself and stood up to call out, “Cousin, you have obtained so many cultivation resources. How can you possibly use them all by yourself?”

“Look, I also helped in the ancestral hall yesterday. How about lending me those two Insightful Paintings to take a look at, or lending me some Wind Turbines to use? Or even the Mind-Calming Bell would be fine.”

Ning Zhuo quickly glanced at the others, discovering that everyone, to varying degrees, showed signs of being tempted.

The clan elders had truly given too many things, and Ning Zhuo’s classmates, being only sixteen or seventeen years old, had almost never seen such generosity.

Ning Ji was actually voicing the thoughts of many.

“You see!”

“Yesterday, we helped with all our might, creating a clan-wide commotion, which brought down Ning Xiaoren and allowed you, Ning Zhuo, to have such a bountiful harvest.”

“As for the other pills, they are consumables, gone once eaten. We wouldn’t dare to ask for them.”

“But these magical artifacts are excellent for assisting in cultivation. With our friendship, lending them for a while should be fine, right?”

Under the hopeful gazes of everyone, the faint smile on Ning Zhuo’s face disappeared.

He shook his head expressionlessly, “Cultivation artifacts are personal items, how can they be casually lent? Let us not speak of this again.”

“Alright, the clan’s rewards have finally been distributed.”

“Let’s continue!”

Ning Zhuo returned to his original position and began lecturing again, imparting spellcasting techniques and insights.

“Stingy, too stingy!”

Being directly and mercilessly rejected by Ning Zhuo, and stimulated by such a bountiful reward, the flames of jealousy in Ning Ji’s heart quickly turned into resentment.

Some of the classmates were also distracted.

But most people quickly adjusted and focused on listening to the lecture with a proper mindset.

Ning Zhuo remained unruffled, secretly remembering all the various behaviors of these classmates.

End of Chapter.