Liu Qinghui's face turned red, and she said in a mixture of shame and anger, "Ning Fa, don't talk nonsense. When did I..."
At this point, Liu Qinghui suddenly stopped speaking.
She suddenly remembered that she had indeed gone to find Ning Fa with Osmanthus Cake for the whereabouts of that half Jade Pendant, and that others had seen it.
With Ning Fa telling the story with a mix of truth and falsehood, she found herself unable to refute.
Ning Ruiming felt a surge of blood rush to his head, and his ears buzzed.
His face was turning the color of a pig's liver, and he felt like a cuckold.
He immediately recalled the rumors he had heard from his clansmen before, so he subconsciously believed that what Ning Fa said was true.
Ning Ruiming looked at Liu Qinghui in disbelief, his face contorted as he roared, "Qinghui! Is what this brat said true? Did you really help him like this!?"
Hearing Ning Ruiming's angry questioning, Liu Qinghui calmed down from her shame and anger.
She furrowed her delicate brows and said with a hint of coldness, "I didn't. But even if I did, it would be my own business, and you have no right to interfere."
Although Liu Qinghui's tone was not good, seeing that she had personally denied it, Ning Ruiming felt as if he had come back to life.
He first gave Liu Qinghui an apologetic smile, then glared fiercely at Ning Fa.
Ning Fa shrugged at him with a mischievous grin, giving him a "believe it or not" expression, and then casually found a seat.
He noticed that Ning Jideng was looking at him with uncertainty.
When Ning Fa looked at him, Ning Jideng forced a smile, but his expression was somewhat unpleasant.
As they were both new to the Pill Hall, they were naturally rivals.
He had also heard about Ning Fa's terrifying skill in refining Essence Replenishing Pills.
However, because Ning Fa had incomplete spiritual roots and no potential for advancement, he hadn't taken Ning Fa too seriously.
Now that Ning Fa had actually advanced to the Qi Condensation Mid-stage, he suddenly felt immense pressure.
"Little Fa, congratulations. I misjudged you before, thinking you were incorrigible, but I didn't expect you to be a late bloomer. I wish you an early promotion to a mid-grade Pill Master," the kind-faced Ning Shumou congratulated Ning Fa with some emotion.
Ning Fa did not act presumptuously and replied politely, "I have never forgotten the teachings you gave me, Uncle Shumou."
This elder had often guided Ning Fa's predecessor in alchemy. If it weren't for him, his predecessor might have had difficulty even mastering the Failed Pills of Essence Replenishing Pills.
Ning Shumou smiled kindly at him and then continued to doze off.
The other eight alchemy apprentices sized up Ning Fa with various expressions, but no one dared to offer congratulations.
They were not stupid and knew about the bad relationship between Ning Ruiming and Ning Fa.
At this time, Ning Ruiming had the upper hand. If they dared to offer congratulations, Ning Ruiming might remember it, and they would be in trouble.
Just then, Wei Chengzong's expression changed, and he said solemnly, "The Third Elder is here."
As soon as he spoke, three people walked into the hall.
The middle-aged man leading them was dressed in black, not particularly tall, but with a commanding presence and an impressive bearing.
His face was a pale gold, with sharp, chiseled features.
A pair of thick sword-like eyebrows slanted up to his temples, and his eyes were like torches.
A single glance swept over them, his gaze as if it had substance, carrying a powerful pressure that made people afraid to meet his eyes.
This person carried his hands behind his back, exuding an aura of dominance and arrogance.
Although his expression was calm, his intense confidence and dominance radiated naturally, creating a very powerful aura.
To this person's left was another, younger man.
He did not appear as sharp or oppressive.
He was slender, with a handsome face that wore a gentle smile, like a spring breeze, making people feel favorably inclined towards him.
Although the spiritual pressure emanating from the handsome man was slightly lower than that of the man in black, both had completely surpassed the Qi Condensation realm.
They were both Foundation Establishment cultivators.
And beside them was a woman in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe, with a graceful figure.
She was beautiful and radiant, with an elegant demeanor.
She was the Ninth Elder of the family, Ning Shaohong.
Upon seeing the three, Wei Chengzong's eyes flashed with surprise, and he quickly stepped forward to salute, "Wei Chengzong, Deputy Hall Master of the Pill Hall, pays his respects to the Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Ninth Elder."
The others in the Pill Hall also dared not delay and immediately rose to salute.
Although Ning Fa's expression was respectful, he thought to himself that he hadn't seen this Third Elder in a long time, and his aura seemed even more powerful than before.
Even though the Fourth Elder was at the same early Foundation Establishment stage as him, he seemed to have no presence in front of this Third Elder.
He was also a bit puzzled.
It was one thing for Ning Shaohong to come with the Third Elder, but why did the family's Fourth Elder also come along.
Speaking of which, this Fourth Elder was a legendary figure in the family.
His father was an outsider cultivator who married into the Ning family, while his mother was merely an ordinary mortal from the Ning family, not even from one of the many branch families.
Therefore, his background was average, lacking the support of any branch family's power.
His spiritual root aptitude was only of the medium grade, yet he had a smooth journey, reaching the Foundation Establishment realm before the age of forty.
He became an idol for many disciples with similar backgrounds in the family, who hoped to achieve what he had.
This Fourth Elder had a rather carefree personality, disliking power struggles and disputes.
Although he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he rarely managed family affairs, spending most of his time presiding over the family's internal market on Jinchang Island.
Furthermore, his amiable personality and fair conduct earned him an excellent reputation within the family.
Third Elder Ning Zhongjiu nodded faintly at Wei Chengzong and Ning Ruiming, who stepped forward to pay their respects, then quickly focused his gaze on Ning Fa. The other two elders did the same.
Ning Zhongjiu's gaze was like lightning. Ning Fa felt as if his entire being was seen through, a sensation that filled him with dread.
However, he forced himself to remain calm, maintaining a respectful expression.
"Good, very good. You have indeed advanced to the fourth level of Qi Condensation, and it appears you've accumulated your strength for a breakthrough. Your mana is even more robust than that of an ordinary mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator."
Ning Zhongjiu's gaze softened, and he said with a faint smile.
Fourth Elder Ning Weize's eyes also flashed with surprise, and he echoed with a gentle smile:
"Little Fa, Hermit of East Valley once predicted that it would be difficult for you to advance to the mid-stage of Qi Condensation. Now you've achieved it. We hope you can surprise us again."
Ning Shaohong watched Ning Fa with a smile, remaining silent.
Only then did Ning Fa realize that Ning Shaohong had informed them about his advancement beforehand. It seemed likely that this Fourth Elder had also come because of him.
He immediately cupped his hands towards the three elders and said respectfully, "This junior will certainly strive to do better."
Seeing how highly the two Foundation Establishment elders of the family regarded Ning Fa's advancement, the expressions of everyone in the Pill Hall varied, with Ning Ruiming's face growing even more displeased.
Afterward, the three elders took their seats on the high chairs of the ceremonial platform.
Wei Chengzong then stepped forward and, one by one, opened the pill bottles on the platform.
"Esteemed Elders, this is a top-grade cultivation-advancing pill, the Cloud Heart Pill. Last year, our Pill Hall collectively obtained forty-nine portions of spiritual materials for this pill and refined a total of fifty-nine finished pills. The overall success rate was thirty percent, an improvement of nearly half a percent from last year."
Wei Chengzong first opened the first pill bottle on the platform. Inside, five milky white, round pills with cloud patterns shimmered in the air.