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“So, I came back specifically to consult you, Uncle Xiaoren. Do you think I should agree?”

“You were willing to share such an important matter with me, letting me help you decide. This shows that you trust me. I\'m very pleased!” Ning Xiaoren patted Ning Zhuo on the shoulder, sighing deeply with a contented expression.

He felt very gratified by Ning Zhuo’s understanding and thoughtfulness.

In fact, he had long known about this decision that the three families had agreed upon.

The Ning family was bound to send Ning Zhuo to participate!

On one hand, the Ning family needed to maintain its influence within the three-family alliance. They needed to contribute continuously to secure the current share of resources.

On the other hand, according to the contract agreed upon by the three families, with Ning Zhuo\'s combat prowess intact, it would be unreasonable not to have him participate.

Whether he agreed or not, he had to agree.

Of course, Ning Xiaoren wouldn\'t say this outright.

What satisfied Ning Xiaoren most was that Ning Zhuo didn\'t act on his own this time but came back to seek his advice, demonstrating obedience.

At this moment, Ning Xiaoren deeply felt that the efforts he had put into winning over Ning Zhuo had not been in vain and were entirely worth it!

“Since everyone values you so highly, you should go.”

“Perform well. The Ning family is about to have a third cultivator at the peak of the third layer.”

“This time, you alone represent our Ning family.”

“There’s no need to be afraid. Remember, the entire Ning family is your support!”

After a pause, Ning Xiaoren continued, “However, although you’ve been appointed as the leader, you don\'t have any clan members by your side to assist you.”

“But the Zheng family cultivators should take the initiative to join forces with us.”

“The Zhou family is the real target you need to be wary of. They have the largest numbers and are likely not to follow your orders. You should be mentally prepared for this.”

Ning Zhuo looked surprised and was slightly astonished in his heart.

From Ning Xiaoren\'s words, Ning Zhuo quickly realized that this young clan leader had sharp power and foresight.

He had analyzed the internal dynamics of the three-family alliance thoroughly. Even though the action had not officially started, he had already predicted the future.

This aligned with Ning Zhuo\'s expectations.

On second thought, Ning Zhuo found it reasonable that Ning Xiaoren had such insight.

“The Ning family has always implemented a policy of strengthening the strong and weakening the weak. Ning Xiaoren has personally suppressed many branch families. In contrast, the clan leader stays behind the scenes. He only steps in when matters become too difficult to resolve.”

“Ning Xiaoren has been on the front lines for years. Without the ability to navigate power struggles, how could he have held the position of young clan leader for so many years?”

Ning Zhuo bowed and saluted, “Uncle Xiaoren, I will keep your advice firmly in mind!”

“If this situation arises, what should I do?”

Ning Zhuo asked, his expression innocent.

Ning Xiaoren pondered, “On one hand, you should take good care of the Zheng family cultivators and give them some genuine support. On the other hand, you need to achieve success. If you can lead them to continuously break through in the Lava Immortal Palace, others will naturally gravitate toward you. Even the Zhou family will acknowledge your strength.”

Ning Zhuo nodded, “I understand, Uncle Xiaoren.”

“Well then, if I lead them to a successful exploration, will the family reward me?”

The young clan leader was taken aback.

Since taking office, he had never encountered such a straightforward request.

A surge of disgust and repulsion suddenly welled up in Ning Xiaoren\'s heart.

Outwardly, he maintained his smile, extended a finger, and pointed at Ning Zhuo, “Aren\'t you already quite wealthy? I heard that you even take care of others, generously sharing Spirit Food with them.”

Ning Xiaoren spoke casually, as if it were of no consequence, but deep down, he was quite wary of Ning Zhuo’s actions!

What did this signify?

It was the formation of cliques, the building of factions!

If Ning Zhuo weren’t still in the Qi Refining Stage, not the Foundation Establishment Stage, and if he weren’t currently of great use to the Ning family, Ning Xiaoren would have long since suppressed him.

Ning Zhuo had already prepared his explanation. He scratched his head, “Uncle Xiaoren, they are all my fellow classmates. I genuinely want to help them.”

“Especially Ning Chen and Ning Yong, they have fought life and death battles with me. I help them, and they help me. We trust each other completely.”

“As for money, I never thought I was particularly wealthy.”

“I never feel like I have too much money!”

Ning Xiaoren deeply agreed with this sentiment. He had never felt like he had too much money either.

Ning Zhuo’s love for money made perfect sense to Ning Xiaoren; he had never doubted it.

From the intelligence gathered, it was evident that Ning Zhuo had lived in poverty for over a decade. Such an upbringing would certainly make him extremely frugal and foster an almost pathological desire and obsession with resources.

Ning Xiaoren ambiguously replied to Ning Zhuo: The family would not forget Ning Zhuo\'s contributions and would certainly reward him.

Having anticipated Ning Xiaoren\'s response, Ning Zhuo immediately pursued the matter, “Uncle Xiaoren, I’ve read the Zhou family’s *On Spirituality* and found it quite enlightening.”

“I wonder if our family has any similar classics?”

“Hehe,” Ning Xiaoren chuckled, “Of course, we do! Back in the days of the North Wind Country, our Ning family was an old and established cultivation family, far stronger than the Zhou family, almost monopolizing a city.”

“Our Ning family has a long history and once produced individuals of the Nascent Soul stage.”

“Unfortunately, in the North Wind Country, we were betrayed by villains and had to move the entire clan.”

“Little Zhuo, if you perform exceptionally well this time and bring great honor to our Ning family, I will swallow my pride and request the higher-ups to allow you access to related secret manuals.”

Ning Zhuo nodded repeatedly and then said, “Uncle Xiaoren, I heard that Ning Xiaohui used the Flowing Cloud Talisman, which significantly boosted her strength. Could you also get me one?”

A cold gleam flashed in Ning Xiaoren\'s eyes, and his disgust grew even stronger.

He thought to himself, “Flowing Cloud Talisman! Even I, the young clan leader, can’t afford to use it. What qualifications or face does a mere branch member have to ask for it?”

Suppressing his disdain and anger, Ning Xiaoren spoke kindly, “The Flowing Cloud Talisman is a spiritual talisman, imbued with a trace of the world’s spirituality, making it extraordinarily rare. The entire clan has only one, which was given to Ning Xiaohui as a special case due to an urgent situation.”

“This talisman is something even I dare not hope for.”

“But you still have hope, Little Zhuo!”

“As long as you break through the checkpoints of the Immortal Palace and make contributions so great that the whole clan is proud of you and cannot help but acknowledge you, then giving you this precious talisman would be a natural thing.”

Ning Zhuo put on a look of being encouraged and added, “Uncle Xiaoren, I’m a bit short of funds recently. I’ve almost used up the spirit stones I had before.”

“Do you think you could lend me some spirit stones?”

Ning Xiaoren took a deep breath, striving to maintain his smile, “The three-family subsidy was just distributed a few days ago, wasn’t it? Little Zhuo, have you used it all up so quickly? How about this: I’ll make a private decision and allow you to withdraw some of your subsidy in advance. How does that sound?”

“That would be great! Thank you, Uncle Xiaoren.” Ning Zhuo beamed with joy.

Ning Xiaoren couldn’t help but advise, “Little Zhuo, you shouldn’t spend money so lavishly. Some Spirit Food isn’t necessary to buy. Pills are cheaper than Spirit Food and are just as effective.”

Ning Zhuo appeared to take the advice to heart, “Alright, Uncle Xiaoren, I’ll cut back in the future.”

He glanced at the top of Ning Xiaoren’s head, where a thread of Life Hanging by a Thread had already descended, connecting him to Ning Xiaoren.

This round of tugging was deliberately prolonged by Ning Zhuo to implant the seed of his divine ability.

He discovered that although the thread of Life Hanging by a Thread was difficult to connect in actual combat, it could persist for a long time once planted.

As for how long it could last, Ning Zhuo had not yet tested its limits.

In any case, through this encounter, Ning Xiaoren had also become a target connected by the seed of his divine ability.

Watching Ning Zhuo’s departing figure, Ning Xiaoren fell into deep thought.

Ning Zhuo possessed abundant cultivation resources, and more importantly, he was willing to share them!

In a very short time, he had gathered a group of people around him.

Moreover, most of these people were from branch

families!

Whether this was unintentional or not, this action had already aroused Ning Xiaoren’s vigilance.

The Ning family’s branch members had always lacked a figurehead, which was why the branches had been scattered over the years.

Ning Zhuo’s emergence filled this gap.

He displayed his cultivation at the peak of the third layer, gaining great recognition. The family’s effort to test his talent only further boosted his reputation.

Now, everyone in the clan knew that Ning Zhuo had exceptional talent. Although the specifics were yet to be determined, his future seemed bright.

People tend to seek benefits and avoid harm.

Many thought: When Ning Zhuo was weak, investing in him now meant that when he soared in the future, as long as he remembered old friendships and extended a helping hand, they would surely reap great rewards!

Ning Xiaoren was acutely aware that the branch families of the Ning family had already begun to slowly revolve around Ning Zhuo.

“The problem lies in Ning Xiaohui’s injury, which left the main branch unable to control the reform team.”

“Ning Zhuo has already started to gain momentum. If he continues to succeed, the force around him will only grow stronger.”

“Fortunately, the Lava Immortal Palace is extremely difficult, with numerous checkpoints. Even if Ning Zhuo manages to break through, he’ll only clear one or two at most.”

“This time should be enough for Ning Xiaohui to recover fully and participate in the exploration of the Immortal Palace, reclaiming her lost power from Ning Zhuo.”

Thinking this, Ning Xiaoren’s slightly tense mood eased a bit.

Ning Zhuo returned to his uncle’s house.

Wang Lan brought him some fruit and took the opportunity to ask, “Little Zhuo, I heard you just came back from the young clan leader. Did you…”

“Oh, Auntie, don’t worry. I specifically mentioned it to Uncle Xiaoren, pleading on behalf of my uncle.”

Wang Lan immediately showed a joyful expression, “Then, did the young clan leader say when he would release your uncle?”

Ning Zhuo shook his head, “Uncle Xiaoren didn’t mention that.”

“Auntie, I need to start my cultivation now.”

As he spoke, Ning Zhuo made a gesture to close the door.

Wang Lan suppressed her anger and forced a smile, “Alright, Little Zhuo, you cultivate well. I’ll leave now, I’ll leave now!”