Ning Xiaoren returned to his reception hall and promptly summoned Ning Ze.

“Come, sit and have some tea,” Ning Xiaoren said with a smile, gesturing for Ning Ze to take a seat to his left.

Ning Ze was filled with suspicion and doubt, as this was the first time Ning Xiaoren had treated him with such courtesy.

He quickly replied, “If there is anything Young Clan Leader requires, please simply instruct your subordinate.”

Ning Xiaoren pointed to the seat.

Ning Ze sat down cautiously.

Ning Xiaoren took a sip of tea, his expression melancholic. “Ning Ze, you have nurtured a fine nephew.”

Ning Ze immediately stood up. “My Lord, if that incompetent one has committed any offense, I will return at once and discipline him properly!”

Ning Xiaoren slightly widened his eyes and waved his hand thrice. “Sit, sit. No need to be alarmed; it is a joyous matter, a good thing.”

As Ning Xiaoren continued his narration, Ning Ze, who had been sitting on the edge of his seat, gradually widened his eyes and then opened his mouth in astonishment.

Even after leaving Ning Xiaoren’s reception hall and returning to his own home, a look of shock remained etched on his face.

Peak Qi Refining Stage Three!

A resounding success in the three-family joint test!

Comparable to prodigies such as Ning Xiaohui and Zheng Jian!

Could this be Ning Zhuo?

Was this the same Ning Zhuo he remembered?

“How did Xiao Zhuo manage this? Is the Five Elements Qi Harmony Art truly so well-suited for his cultivation?”

Filled with curiosity and bewilderment, Ning Ze summoned his wife, Wang Lan. “Prepare a family feast today. Order some spirit cuisine from the restaurant.”

Wang Lan questioned, “Ordering spirit cuisine will cost a considerable sum. Husband, what auspicious occasion warrants such a celebration?”

“It is a family feast to invite Xiao Zhuo over. Alas, this uncle of his has not seen him in quite some time,” Ning Ze replied.

Wang Lan’s eyes widened instantly, and she cried out in a shrill voice, “What? Invite Xiao Zhuo to eat and drink at our home? And order spirit cuisine? Husband, have you lost your mind?”

Ning Ze sternly retorted, “Woman, what do you know? This is a task entrusted to me by the Young Clan Leader…”

He then briefly recounted what Ning Xiaoren had told him.

Wang Lan stood frozen in place for a long moment, listening.

“Xiao Zhuo?”

“Are you certain it’s Xiao Zhuo?!”

Ning Ze scoffed. “Would I deceive you? Would the Young Clan Leader deceive me? The three-family joint test was witnessed by so many; how could it be falsified?”

Wang Lan’s lips moved as if to speak, but ultimately, she said nothing.

Her eyes were wide, her expression a complex mix of disbelief, denial, resentment, jealousy, and disappointment…

Ning Ze’s face darkened. “What are you thinking? Hurry up and make the arrangements!”

Wang Lan responded with a subdued “Yes, yes, husband, I will go and see to it.”

She turned and left, her gaze still vacant, her gait clumsy, and her entire being lost in thought.

Alone in the hall, Ning Ze let out a long sigh.

He had been forcefully ordered by Ning Xiaoren to win over Ning Zhuo and to try his best to extract information from him.

Ning Zhuo was sixteen years old, and this was the first time Ning Ze had lowered himself to invite Ning Zhuo to a feast.

Ning Ze valued his reputation, and this order made him feel uncomfortable. What of the dignity of an elder?

But he had no choice.

The Young Clan Leader had personally given the command, and he could only obey.

Of course, the rational part of his mind also told him that Ning Zhuo was no longer the same as before, and that it would be advantageous to cultivate a good relationship with him.

After leaving the Zhou family, many people accompanied Ning Zhuo for a considerable distance, even if it was not the way they were headed.

At the final intersection, Ning Zhuo took the initiative to bid farewell to the others, only keeping Ning Chen and Ning Yong by his side.

Upon returning home, he even invited Ning Chen and Ning Yong inside to sit, offered them tea, and exchanged a few words.

Even though the time spent was limited and the conversation brief, Ning Chen and Ning Yong felt honored after they left, their faces flushed with excitement. They discussed the matter all the way home, saying that Ning Zhuo was truly remarkable, that he had not become arrogant despite his newfound fame, and that he still treated people with sincerity!

Ning Zhuo waited patiently, and finally, he received an invitation from Ning Ze for a family feast.

“Not a personal audience with the Ning Clan Leader, nor even a summons from the Young Clan Leader, Ning Xiaoren?”

Ning Zhuo sneered inwardly but outwardly expressed sincere gratitude to the messenger, offering a warm smile that conveyed kindness, and assuring him that he would attend the feast on time.

The family feast was lavish!

In sixteen years, Ning Zhuo had never eaten such a fine meal at Ning Ze’s home.

Faced with the array of spirit delicacies, Wang Lan could not bring herself to eat. She spoke very little during the feast, a far cry from her usual garrulous self. She even avoided looking at Ning Zhuo, as if his presence constantly radiated light. Even a glance would pierce her heart.

Ning Ji also ate without savoring the flavors.

For him, everything had happened too suddenly!

Ning Ze’s face was impassive, and the demeanor of a senior, which he had maintained for sixteen years, could not be shed so easily.

Ning Zhuo did not eat or drink much either. Every time Ning Ze asked a question, he would put down his cup and chopsticks and respond respectfully. His answers were concise and to the point, revealing a desire to avoid further conversation, giving off an air of estrangement.

Ning Ze was well aware that he had to smile, to humble himself, and to employ a more conciliatory approach.

But until the end of the family feast, when Ning Zhuo departed, he had failed to do so.

Ning Ji stealthily followed behind Ning Zhuo.

He did not know why he was doing this.

Perhaps it was the doubt in his heart: “How could he have reached the peak of Stage Three? It makes no sense!”

“Is it really just that the technique is exceptionally well-suited for him?”

“No, I must investigate; he must have some kind of secret!”

“He’s following me?” Ning Zhuo had long since noticed Ning Ji behind him. He deliberately slowed his pace to make it easier for the latter to tail him.

Under Ning Ji’s constant observation, Ning Zhuo visited numerous pill shops and purchased a large quantity of pills, using them all for cultivation.

Ning Ji was shocked. “How can he be so wealthy?! Even richer than my father?”

“Although he has revealed his cultivation level, the clan’s resources have not yet been distributed. Even if they had been, there wouldn’t be this many spirit stones.”

“Illegitimate, his money must be illegitimate!!”

“I must report this!”

Ning Ji was overjoyed and hurried home to inform Ning Ze of the matter.

Ning Xiaoren learned of this situation even earlier than Ning Ze. After instructing Ning Ze to win over Ning Zhuo, he immediately dispatched a team of cultivators to secretly protect Ning Zhuo’s safety. Of course, they also had the intention of monitoring and reporting on his activities.

“Ning Zhuo actually possesses such a vast fortune?” Ning Xiaoren could not believe it as he looked at the list in his hand.

The list contained the details of the numerous pills that Ning Zhuo had purchased.

Ning Xiaoren’s eyes were blazing with envy. “Had I known that Ning Zhuo was so wealthy, I should have been much friendlier with him.”
“Did his parents secretly leave it to him?”

“Or is this money from an illicit source, perhaps stolen funds? Or maybe he’s being secretly funded by demonic cultivators?”

Ning Xiaoren paced back and forth in his study.

As he pondered, the flames of greed within his heart burned ever brighter.

“Ning Zhuo is from a branch family, and his cultivation is currently the same as Ning Xiaohui. And now he possesses a vast fortune…”

“The origin of this vast fortune is unclear. For the sake of the family, I must investigate this thoroughly.”

“Furthermore, I don’t need to act personally. I can have Ning Ze do it. In that case… wouldn’t that be perfect?”

Finally, he stopped pacing and called out towards the door, “Someone!”

A servant immediately pushed the door open and entered.

Half an hour later, Ning Ze and Ning Fan, leading a squad of cultivators, surrounded Ning Zhuo’s courtyard.

Ning Ze frowned deeply, “Is it truly necessary to go this far? This is highly inappropriate.”

Ning Fan said, “Didn’t the young clan leader explain it to you in detail? The reformation of the squad is a major matter concerning the Lava Immortal Palace, and cannot be neglected. The source of Ning Zhuo’s vast fortune is indeed dubious. As his uncle, you must take action.”

“The family may still rely on Ning Zhuo. As his relative, you are the most suitable person for this task.”

“Hurry and get to it.”

Ning Ze was from a branch family, while Ning Fan was from the main lineage. The latter was specifically sent by Ning Xiaoren to supervise the former.

Ning Ze sighed and had no choice but to knock on the courtyard gate.

Ning Zhuo opened the gate, bowing respectfully as he inquired about their purpose.

“We’ll talk inside.” Ning Ze’s expression was solemn. Without waiting for Ning Zhuo’s invitation, he strode into the courtyard.

The others followed closely behind, pushing Ning Zhuo towards the side of the gate.

At the same time…

The three clan leaders met in secret once more, continuing their negotiations.

This time, they would finalize the distribution of benefits from their joint venture.

“This Phoenix Soul Blood Fragrance Pill is highly effective for restoring soul energy. It should be equally distributed among the three families.”

“No.” The Ning clan leader objected, “Our clan has two talents, Ning Xiaohui and Ning Zhuo. We should receive a larger share. The Zheng clan, on the other hand, only has one.”

The Zheng clan leader immediately scoffed, “That Ning Zhuo only possesses the aptitude for the technique, but he lacks true talent. What kind of genius is he? He doesn’t count, he doesn’t count!”

Just then, a knock sounded on the door.

The three clan leaders’ pupils constricted, and their hearts trembled.

“Who is it?”

“Me, Zhu Xuanji!”

“Ah, it’s Divine Catcher Sir.” The three clan leaders hastily opened the door and welcomed Zhu Xuanji inside.

They had stationed subordinates to guard the exterior, but since he was a Golden Core cultivator, such defenses were naturally useless.

Zhu Xuanji smiled, “Clan leaders, I’ve come with a request.”

Zhu Xuanji had already obtained detailed records from the city lord, which documented the cultivators who had entered the Lava Immortal Palace over the years.

However, these were only the city lord’s records.

Zhu Xuanji hoped to acquire the respective records from each of the three great clans, in order to piece together the most complete version possible.

The three clan leaders were only Foundation Establishment cultivators, and they were united against the city lord’s manor. In a way, their interests aligned with those of the royal family.

The three clan leaders immediately dispatched men to retrieve the records and present them to Zhu Xuanji.

The Zheng and Zhou clans provided the most records. The Ning clan had only discovered the Lava Immortal Palace this year, so their records were sparse.

Zhu Xuanji glanced at them, nodding repeatedly with satisfaction.

As a member of the royal family, he did not want to see Meng Kui and Meng Chong seize the Lava Immortal Palace, allowing the Meng family’s power to expand further.

Therefore, before leaving, he made a point to say, “I heard a familiar name when I came. If you’re talking about Ning Zhuo, you might consider nurturing that boy.”

“His moral character needs observation, but he does have some talent in mechanisms.”

“The Mechanized Fire Monkey was his design and creation.”

The three clan leaders widened their eyes in unison, astonishment spreading across their faces.

The Ning clan leader exclaimed, “Ah?!”

Zhu Xuanji smiled faintly, “To the public, it’s Chen Cha, the owner of the Flying Disc Workshop, but there are hidden circumstances involving Fei Si. Investigate it, and you’ll find out.”

A single sentence of explanation was enough.

Zhu Xuanji waved his hand and vanished from the spot.

Leaving the three clan leaders to exchange glances.

Gradually, the Ning clan leader tilted his head back slightly, exhaling a breath of turbid air, and his face glowed with joy. “Did you two hear that clearly? This was said by Divine Catcher Zhu Xuanji himself!”

The Zhou and Zheng clan leaders were silent for a moment.

The Ning clan leader, in his delight, was unaware that Ning Zhuo was currently facing intense questioning within his own clan.