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The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit withdrew its gaze, casting it toward the Zheng Family.
Two elders of the Zheng Family were trying to persuade Zheng Jian.
Zheng Jian was a young cultivator, with a gem resembling a pupil set in the middle of his forehead band.
At this moment, Zheng Jian shook his head firmly, "No, I've decided to cultivate the 'Five Elements Qi Regulation Art'! No one can stop me."
An elder sighed, "Zheng Jian, you are the most outstanding of your generation in the Zheng Family. You possess the talent of Piercing Heart Insight, which complements our family's cultivation technique perfectly. Changing to another technique would truly squander such an outstanding gift."
Zheng Jian shook his head, "It's precisely the Piercing Heart Insight telling me that I must cultivate this technique quickly, as it will greatly benefit my path!"
The elder shook his head, "The family records also show ancestors with the Piercing Heart Insight. It does indeed offer cultivators amazing intuition. But that doesn't mean it's always correct. The family history records several instances of wrong intuition. Zheng Jian, you must not overly rely on this talent."
Zheng Jian shook his head, "From childhood until now, I have never faced a situation where my intuition was wrong. This time, I still choose to trust my intuition. Thank you, elders, for your concern, but there's no need to persuade me further."
The elder sighed, taking a step back willingly, "Okay then, Zheng Jian, why not let those from the branch family practice this technique first and observe the situation?"
Zheng Jian laughed aloud, "This kind of thing doesn't need to be brought up at all! What is the main family, and what is the branch family? Just because something's risky, you want to push the branch family forward? As a member of the main family, that's too cowardly and weak of me."
"Precisely because I am a member of the main family of the Zheng Family, I should lead by example and charge ahead courageously. Otherwise, how could the main family lead the clan?"
"Elders, my mind is made up."
The two elders sighed deeply, both worried and relieved.
One of them said, "So be it. This jade slip is entrusted to you."
"Lord Zheng Shuanggou knew about your situation and personally bestowed it."
"The jade slip records a refining technique called the Life-Ending Flying Hook."
Zheng Jian was puzzled, "I am going to disperse my mana, and it's a race against time. How can I focus on refining artifacts now?"
The elder smiled, "No hurry, take a good look first."
Zheng Jian placed the jade slip on his forehead and activated his Divine Sense to explore it.
Soon, he was overjoyed.
"Marvelous!"
"This secret refining technique is incredibly powerful, but it has its drawbacks. First, it must be paired with our family's cultivation techniques. Second, every time a hook is refined, it permanently reduces a cultivator's mana by one level. The more hooks refined, the more the cultivator's mana upper limit decreases, and it cannot be recovered."
"But right now, it's just perfect for me."
"I am going to disperse my mana anyway, so why not use it constructively to refine the Life-Ending Flying Hook? It will not only expedite the dispersal of mana but also serve as a wonderful protective artifact."
"Thank you, Ancestor Zheng Shuanggou, and thank you, esteemed elders!"
The two elders either stroked their beards or smiled gently.
"This was yours to claim in the first place."
"You are truly a worthy member of the Zheng Family. We hope for your every success this time!"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit watched Zheng Jian for a while, then turned its gaze toward the Ning Family.
The Ning Family Clan Leader and the elders were in a confidential discussion, finalizing selections.
The newly drafted list circulated among them.
The Academy Elder frowned deeply, "The list is flawed."
"The Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, even though it came from the Dharma Transmission Bell at the Immortal Palace, currently has only three levels. Shifting to this technique involves uncertain prospects and reluctance."
"Now, forcing people into the arrangement will surely cause resentment."
"This list contains too many from the branch lineage and very few from the main lineage. Publishing it will not convince the family."
The Battle Hall Elder was unperturbed, "Our Ning Family's main lineage has always been small, and the branch lineage large. It makes sense that the branch should contribute more people."
"If the main lineage gets too involved and sacrifices during the Immortal Palace exploration… Even if they don't, without securing subsequent cultivation techniques, they would still be mostly crippled."
"Such heavy sacrifices would be too much for the main lineage."
"I don't wish to see a repeat of the internal strife from over a decade ago!"
More than a decade ago, the Ning Family migrated from the North Wind Country, traveling thousands of miles to enter Southern Bean Country.
On the way, they were ambushed.
The main lineage suffered major losses, and the Golden Core Ancestor was severely injured. After settling in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the Ning Family's Golden Core Cultivator was in long-term recovery, becoming the least noticeable Golden Core Cultivator in the city.
Under such circumstances, the numerous branch family members saw an opportunity, sparking ambition, and brazenly inciting internal conflict to overthrow the main lineage's rule.
Eventually, the main lineage won with difficulty and peril.
Since then, the main lineage was extremely wary of the branch family, openly and secretly using various methods to weaken the branches and strengthen the main lineage.
In short, the core policy of the Ning Family was to strengthen the main and weaken the branches!
However, in the matter of selecting individuals to shift to the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, this policy was difficult to apply.
The issue was that they did not know the future prospects of the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art.
If the prospects were promising, they would heavily invest in the main lineage members. If the prospects were dim, more branch family members would be involved.
Now, no one could guarantee the future.
The elders generally leaned toward being conservative.
After some discussion, the individuals from the branch family were determined, but decisions regarding the main lineage were plagued by disputes. Present elders were all from the main lineage, with their own network of relations and interests involved behind the scenes.
The Clan Leader quietly listened to the disagreements among the elders for a long time, then interjected in the lull of their pause, "Regardless of how many from the main lineage are involved, having no Main General is simply impossible. With so many from the branch and no strong main lineage figure to suppress them, it will easily become a case of the tail wagging the dog."
The elders' faces collectively dropped, understanding that the Clan Leader intended to send their truly outstanding talent.
The Clan Leader continued, "Amongst the family's Qi Refinement Realm, who can undertake such a significant role?"
All the elders could think of only one person.
"It could only be Ning Xiaohui."
"She naturally possesses a pair of Ice-jade Hands, making Frost Talismans with her heart and hands in perfect synergy, with innate Spiritual Charm, surely producing masterpieces!"
"To send such a prodigy to…"
"I disagree!" Suddenly, the Talisman Hall Elder barked, cutting off the other elders' conversation with a strong objection.
Another new dispute erupted.
The Clan Leader was greatly troubled, waiting for a long time until he found a pause in their arguments, "How about we first seek Ning Xiaohui's opinion?"
The Talisman Hall Elder stood up instantly, opened the door, and walked out of the meeting hall, "I'll go speak to her personally!"
Soon enough.
"Elder." Ning Xiaohui saluted.
The next moment, upon learning the matter, she immediately changed her expression, "I possess the Ice-jade Hands and should embark on the grand path of Talismans, which is a bright and broad road."
"Now, unexpectedly, they want me to turn to lesser methods. Which elder cannot bear to see me succeed?"
"I'm going to complain to my grandmother!"
The Talisman Hall Elder looked stern, "I fully support you, Xiaohui. Let's go talk to her together."
Hearing Ning Xiaohui's evaluation, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit spewed a puff of flaming smoke in anger, a strong disdain evident on the dragon's face.
Having observed the four forces of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, it held the most negative view of the Ning Family.
Just as it was about to shift its gaze, its attention suddenly fixed.
Not far from the Ning Family's dwelling was a simple courtyard.
Underneath the courtyard was a manual workshop.
Inside was a young boy, sitting cross-legged, actively cultivating.
Blood was slowly trickling from his nostrils.
The technique he was practicing was clearly the Five Elements Qi Regulation Art, and also…
The second layer of Qi Refinement!
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