Ning Muchun's delicate eyebrows shot up, and she berated him, "What are you standing there gawking for? Have you gone senile?"
Ning Xilin snapped back to reality. A sheepish grin spread across his aged face, which then shifted to one of extreme excitement. "Sister Chun, please calm your anger. I was merely late because I heard some news on my way here."
Seeing Ning Xilin's overjoyed expression, everyone was a bit perplexed.
Ning Muchun said impatiently, "No matter what news it is, what does it have to do with our branch? As you get older, your curiosity only grows. If you can't manage things, I'll find someone else."
Ning Xilin's old face flashed with alarm. He quickly said, "The news I heard is related to our branch, very much so."
After speaking, he scanned the crowd and declared with immense excitement, "The news is that Xiao Fa has officially joined the family's Alchemy Hall and become a family Alchemist!"
A hush fell over the room upon his announcement. Everyone couldn't quite believe their ears, thinking they had misheard.
After all, Ning Fa had strived for five to six years to enter the Alchemy Hall, spending countless resources. Yet, he failed every assessment without exception. They had long since concluded that Ning Fa would never become a family Pill Master in this lifetime.
Ning Fa's paternal uncle, Ning Zhengqian, was the first to react. Excited and disbelieving, he hastily asked, "Xilin, where did you hear this news? It's not a rumor, is it?"
Seeing everyone staring at him, Ning Xilin quickly replied, "This matter is absolutely true. It was personally delivered by the personal maid of the Ninth Elder. The Alchemy Hall token has already been given to Xiao Fa. Ning Chuanwei, Xiao Fa's neighbor, saw it with his own eyes. It absolutely cannot be faked!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd believed more than half of it.
Ning Fa's paternal uncle, Ning Zhengqian, exclaimed with excitement, "This is truly wonderful!"
Ning Zifeng was initially astonished, but a smile soon appeared on his face, clearly showing he was also very happy.
Ning Baiquan and his family were also surprised, followed by expressions of excitement.
After all, for ordinary members of the Ning Family, being able to enter the Alchemy Hall was akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate.
Among the many halls in the family, the Alchemy Hall was undoubtedly one of the most important. The status of official Pill Masters within the family was incredibly high. Even a first-grade low-tier Alchemist held a higher position than ordinary late-stage Qi Condensation cultivators.
If they were a first-grade mid-tier Alchemist, their status would be comparable to the deputy hall masters of most of the family's halls.
Once they advanced to become a first-grade high-tier Alchemist, their family status and treatment would be nearly on par with the family elders.
If someone from a collateral branch could become an official family Alchemist, the family status of that collateral branch would be greatly elevated. Even if it couldn't elevate the branch to a direct lineage, it would certainly surpass many other collateral branches.
And the elevation of family status brought tangible benefits. It would mean a reduction in the amount of Spirit Stones required for their branch to submit annually, lighter family duties to undertake, and preferential treatment when sharing in the family's profits...
All of the above were clearly stipulated in the Ning Family's rules, designed to incentivize the cultivation of outstanding disciples among the family's collateral branches.
Compared to the excitement of Ning Fa's paternal uncle and Fourth Uncle's families, Ning Fa's maternal aunt, Ning Muchun's family, was more shocked than pleased.
Ning Furong's eyes widened, and he cried out in disbelief, "How is this possible! How could that good-for-nothing pass the family Alchemist assessment! There must be some mistake!"
Ning Muchun, who was always assertive, showed a flicker of panic in her eyes. Her son's words reminded her, and she quickly said, "That's right! Wasn't Ning Fa supposed to be a dual cultivation cauldron at Elder Fifth's residence? How did he suddenly become a family Alchemist? This must be a rumor!"
Ning Zhengqian retorted, "If I recall correctly, Xiao Fa's bet with Elder Fifth officially expires tomorrow. Now that Xiao Fa has become a family Alchemist, it means he has won his bet with Elder Fifth and naturally doesn't need to be a dual cultivation cauldron. Although Elder Fifth is strong-willed, he has always honored his promises."
At these words, Ning Muchun's expression grew even more grim.
Even Meng Jinliang, who was usually composed, couldn't help but show a trace of gloom in his eyes. He spoke up, "Let me confirm this. I remember that Brother Yihui is on duty at Lingchang Island, he should know."
As he spoke, a palm-sized, fiery red talisman flashed in his hand. Mysterious runes were inscribed on it, emitting a brilliant fiery glow.
"A first-grade mid-tier Sound Transmission Talisman!"
Everyone was startled. While Sound Transmission Talismans were common, most were of the first-grade low-tier. A first-grade mid-tier Sound Transmission Talisman was quite precious, worth at least thirty Spirit Stones.
However, Pingchang Island was hundreds of miles away from Lingchang Island, and only a talisman of this grade could reach there.
This also showed Meng Jinliang's eagerness to confirm the news, as he had directly used such a precious talisman.
Meng Jinliang's eyes also revealed a hint of heartache, but his anxiety made him disregard the waste. After quickly speaking a few words into the fiery red talisman, it transformed into a ball of fire and vanished into the void.
For a moment, no one spoke in the hall, and the atmosphere fell into an awkward silence. Everyone had different expressions, but they were all anxiously awaiting a reply, never having felt time pass so slowly.
In less than fifteen minutes, a flash of fire suddenly appeared in the air, and a fiery red talisman materialized before Meng Jinliang. It then dissolved into a ball of flame, and a deep voice clearly echoed:
"Under the care of the Ninth Elder, Ning Fa passed the assessment at the Alchemy Hall yesterday with excellent results. The family elders unanimously decided to make Ning Fa the sixth formal Alchemist of the family. Jinliang, congratulations. Perhaps in the future, I might need your help for introductions."
Meng Jinliang's mouth twitched. He truly couldn't be happy right now.
Ning Fa becoming a formal family Alchemist was definitely not good news for their family, at least.
After all, they were still plotting to seize Ning Fa's shop, and judging from their last unpleasant encounter with Ning Fa, this nephew was very displeased with them.
Ning Muchun's face turned pale, and she leaned back in her chair. Ning Furong wore a look of utter disbelief, muttering repeatedly, "This is impossible, impossible!..."
Meanwhile, Ning Zhengqian and Ning Baiquan's families, as well as Ning Xilin, were ecstatic. After the news was truly confirmed, they were clearly overjoyed.
Ning Baiquan stroked his long beard and laughed heartily, "It seems Xiao Fa not only became a family Alchemist but also has a close relationship with the Ninth Elder. This is truly wonderful. It looks like the Ninth Elder still has feelings for Second Brother. Back then..."
"Baiquan, be careful! The Ninth Elder's matters are not for you to discuss!"
Ning Zhengqian quickly stopped him from continuing.
Ning Baiquan also realized his slip of the tongue and quickly covered his mouth, but the smile on his face did not fade.
At this moment, Meng Jinliang seemed to recall something. The unnatural expression on his face vanished, and he said with a similarly happy demeanor, "This is truly good news. Now that Xiao Fa has not only become a family Alchemist but has also gained the appreciation of the Ninth Elder, as long as Xiao Fa is willing to help, we have a greater chance of obtaining a Spirit Stabilizing Pill."