Seven days later.
Ning Fa arrived at the Pill Hall on Lingchang Island, a place he hadn't visited in a long time.
Logically, as a family Pill Master, he could have moved into the Pill Hall to live.
However, due to Ning Ruiming's interference, and Ning Fa's own reluctance to live in the Pill Hall because of the Mysterious Scroll, he hadn't forced the issue. He had continued to live in his own home during this period.
Ning Fa's arrival at the Pill Hall today was naturally to implement his plan, and he hadn't chosen the time arbitrarily.
Today was an important day for the Pill Hall; it was the annual Pill Hall Assembly.
At this time, the family's ascendant Third Elder, Ning Zhongjiu, would grace the Pill Hall with his presence and meet with the family's Pill Masters.
After all, the nominal head of the Pill Hall was the Third Elder. He usually didn't frequent the Pill Hall, but he almost always attended around this time each year.
Ning Fa had deliberately chosen today to ensure that Ning Ruiming would be unable to refuse his challenge in front of the Third Elder.
Soon after, Ning Fa arrived at a pavilion located in the very center of the Pill Hall's complex.
This was the Pill Hall's assembly hall, which was generally only opened during important occasions.
Upon entering the assembly hall, Ning Fa casually glanced around and saw that quite a few people had already arrived.
He saw Wei Chengzong, Ning Ruiming, and Liu Qinghui standing before the central stage, placing various colored pill bottles on the stage and conversing in low tones.
At this moment, all three were wearing the formal uniform robes of the family's official Pill Masters, distinguished by their white fabric with gold patterns, signifying the solemnity of the occasion.
Furthermore, Ning Ruiming's chest was embroidered with two green bamboo stalks, Liu Qinghui had three, and Wei Chengzong had three and a half, with the fourth bamboo stalk appearing as a phantom image.
Ning Fa was also wearing the same Pill Hall uniform robes today.
His chest bore a single green bamboo stalk, representing the rank of a First-grade Low-rank Pill Master.
Ning Fa looked towards the audience and saw two other individuals, also in the family's formal Pill Master robes of white with gold patterns, seated on cushions.
One appeared to be around thirty years old, with a somewhat sharp-mouthed and monkey-faced appearance.
Although he was forcing a calm expression, his excitement and eagerness were still evident.
This person was Ning Jideng, who hailed from the Lan Chang Island lineage.
Although a collateral branch, like the Wenchang Island lineage, it was one of the stronger collateral branches within the Ning Family.
Ning Jideng was at the sixth level of Qi Condensation and had one green bamboo stalk on his chest.
He had been promoted from an alchemy apprentice to an official family Pill Master two years ago.
He was finding it difficult to suppress his excitement at participating in such an important Pill Hall assembly and meeting the family's Third Elder.
The other was an elder with white hair and a youthful complexion, possessing a kind and amiable expression.
He was at the ninth level of Qi Condensation and had two and a half green bamboo stalks on his chest, signifying the rank of a Quasi First-grade High-rank Pill Master.
This person was Ning Shumou, who held a very high seniority.
He originated from the direct lineage of the Yuchang Island branch and had been part of the Pill Hall for decades.
Unfortunately, his alchemy talent was somewhat lacking, and after all these years, he had still not managed to officially become a First-grade High-rank Pill Master.
Compared to the excited Ning Jideng, Ning Shumou was much more composed, even yawning out of boredom.
Off to the side, eight other alchemy apprentices, dressed in gray robes, sat respectfully, their expressions quite tense.
These alchemy apprentices were mostly Ning family members with some alchemy talent. They served as assistants to other official Pill Masters, responsible for handling simpler alchemy tasks.
Even as alchemy apprentices, their status within the family surpassed that of many other Ning family members, let alone the prospect of becoming official family Pill Masters in the future.
Ning Fa's arrival immediately drew everyone's attention.
Wei Chengzong stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Ning Fa, you've finally arrived. I was just about to send someone to look for you. Please take a seat quickly; the Third Elder will likely be here soon."
Wei Chengzong was an old hand and did not deliberately treat Ning Fa coldly because of Ning Ruiming.
As Ning Fa's relationship with the Ninth Elder grew closer, he was gradually seen as part of the Second Elder's faction within the family.
This made Wei Chengzong regret having followed Ning Ruiming's instructions to deal with Ning Fa multiple times before.
Therefore, his attitude towards Ning Fa at this moment was very cordial, as he wished to make amends.
Ning Ruiming, on the other hand, cast a cold glance at Ning Fa, his eyes filled with disgust.
Liu Qinghui looked at Ning Fa, and as if sensing something, her eyes widened abruptly, as if she had seen something incredible.
At this moment, Wei Chengzong also noticed something amiss. He stared intently at Ning Fa, disbelief etched on his face, "Qi Condensation fourth level! Ning Fa, you've actually broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Condensation!?"
Ning Fa stood tall and straight like a pine tree in his white robe, his face as handsome as jade, exuding an extraordinary presence with a faint smile on his lips.
Crucially, the spiritual pressure he now emitted was several times stronger than before, even surpassing that of ordinary cultivators at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation.
Ning Fa smiled and said dismissively, "I was fortunate enough to break through a few days ago. It seems I've startled Pill Master Wei."
As Ning Fa spoke, he cast a mischievous glance at Ning Ruiming.
Ning Ruiming's expression was one of utter disbelief, his face looking extremely unpleasant. "How is this possible! Aren't you a good-for-nothing with an Incomplete Lightning Spiritual Root! Weren't you destined to remain at the early stage of Qi Condensation forever! How did you break through!..."
Ning Ruiming's pupils contracted as if he had realized something.
Since Ning Fa had now advanced to the Qi Condensation Mid-stage, it meant he could soon learn to refine mid-grade first-rank pills.
Judging by Ning Fa's current displayed alchemy talent, it wouldn't be difficult for him to be promoted to a mid-grade first-rank Pill Master, and perhaps it wouldn't even take much time.
Wouldn't that mean this kid would soon catch up to him in Pill Master rank, or even surpass him?
Thinking this, Ning Ruiming's expression grew even more somber.
Seeing Ning Ruiming's displeased expression, Ning Fa inwardly sneered, "Can't handle it already? There are even bigger surprises waiting for you later!"
Wei Chengzong had clearly also realized the significance of Ning Fa's breakthrough.
He retracted his surprised expression and replaced it with an even more enthusiastic smile.
He even stepped forward a few paces, affectionately patted Ning Fa's shoulder, and laughed heartily, "This is truly great news! With your alchemy talent, Little Fa, it seems our Ning Family will soon have another mid-grade first-rank Pill Master!"
Ning Fa looked at Wei Chengzong's smiling, wrinkled old face and inwardly grumbled, "You old fox, don't think I've forgotten how you aided the wicked. If you don't give me a satisfactory price, I won't let you off easily."
Although he thought this, Ning Fa still feigned politeness for a couple of sentences.
Noticing that Ning Ruiming and Liu Qinghui were still staring at him, Ning Fa's eyes darted around, and an idea struck him.
He looked at Liu Qinghui and said with deep affection:
"I must thank Qinghui for often coming to accompany me during this time. Not only did she exchange alchemy experience with me, but she also encouraged me not to lose confidence in my cultivation. She even personally made Osmanthus Cake for me. My fortunate breakthrough is also thanks to Qinghui."
After speaking, Ning Fa deliberately cupped his hands towards Liu Qinghui, wearing a look of sincere gratitude.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was immediately shocked.
Liu Qinghui's beautiful eyes widened, and her expression was somewhat dazed.
She truly hadn't expected Ning Fa to be so shameless as to openly tell such a lie.