Ning Fa was stunned at first.
But the softness against his chest made him squint comfortably.
However, he didn't feel it was quite real and involuntarily reached out his hand, wanting to personally gauge it.
But Ning Xiuying retreated a few steps like a swimming fish, leaving his embrace.
Seeing Ning Fa's regretful expression, she chuckled and scolded, "You little brat, still greedy for more."
Ning Fa chuckled, "Little brother thanks Sister Xiuying for your encouragement. I had no confidence at all before, but now I have ten-tenths certainty."
"Such a smooth talker."
Ning Xiuying rolled her eyes.
Even though she knew that Ning Fa's hope of defeating Ning Ruiming, who had already advanced to a mid-grade Pill Master years ago, within three months was very slim.
But for some reason, she vaguely felt that perhaps a miracle could happen.
The depths of the Pill Hall.
The normally perpetually closed ceremonial hall was now brightly lit, with incense burning, exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Six official Pill Masters and over a dozen alchemy apprentices were all seated on futons, their expressions solemn.
A few younger alchemy apprentices occasionally looked up, their faces filled with surprise and excitement.
The alchemy competition between Ning Fa and Ning Ruiming this time was clearly being taken very seriously.
On the high platform sat several figures, each exuding an extraordinary aura.
From left to right, they were the Second Elder Ning Zhengde, the Third Elder Ning Zhongjiu, the Fourth Elder Ning Weize, the Fifth Elder Ning Huarong, the Ninth Elder Ning Shaohong, and the Tenth Elder Ning Jiannan.
Half of the Ning Family's ten elders were present.
Even among the four Foundation Establishment elders, apart from the First Elder Ning Zhongyuan, who had been recuperating from injuries and rarely appeared, the other three Foundation Establishment elders were all present.
Even Ning Huarong, the foremost figure below Foundation Establishment in the Ning Family, had come here for some unknown reason, much to the surprise of others.
After all, Ning Huarong was known for her eccentric personality and rarely attended regular family elder meetings, yet today she was here to witness this alchemy competition.
Although the Foundation Establishment elders did not deliberately release their spiritual pressure, the extraordinary aura of Foundation Establishment cultivators naturally emanated from them, creating a world of difference compared to the Qi Refining cultivators.
And Ning Huarong was an exception.
With a delicate and refined appearance, and a harmless demeanor, Ning Huarong leaned casually on her chair with her arms crossed.
She showed no signs of nervousness despite sitting next to several family bigwigs, her expression even hinting at a touch of impatience, as if she was getting bored from waiting too long.
And even in front of several Foundation Establishment cultivators, the aura she exuded did not seem to be suppressed much.
A faint purple light flickered around her, emitting a strange yet powerful aura.
Ning Huarong stared intently at Ning Fa, her gaze filled with unconcealed interest.
Below the stage, Ning Fa lowered his head, feeling a slight shock.
He hadn't expected that his competition with Ning Ruiming would attract three Foundation Establishment elders to spectate.
However, he had experienced many large-scale events and felt no nervousness.
He had absolute confidence in himself.
Moreover, it was perfect; the more high-ranking family members present, the better the alchemy results of this competition would be, and the more embarrassing it would be for Ning Ruiming.
He intended to shatter Ning Ruiming's confidence in alchemy in front of so many family seniors.
He also wanted these seniors to recognize how far inferior Ning Ruiming was to him in the art of alchemy.
However, he was very surprised by Ning Huarong's presence, even cursing inwardly.
Judging by Ning Huarong's undisguised gaze, anyone could tell that this woman was here for him.
Speaking of which, when Ning Fa had just advanced to become a family Pill Master before.
Ning Huarong had suddenly shown up and forcefully made a bet with Ning Fa, betting whether he could advance to the Qi Condensation mid-stage within a year.
If he couldn't, Ning Fa would still have to be her dual cultivation cauldron again.
Now, with more than half a year having passed, Ning Fa was already at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, naturally winning the bet again.
Ning Fa couldn't help but wonder if this woman, seeing that he had lost the bet again, was unwilling and wanted to make another bet with him?
For example, betting whether he could advance to the Qi Condensation late-stage within a certain period?
Thinking of this, Ning Fa felt a bit of a headache.
Why was this woman so persistent?
Was she really that lustful for his body?
Given her appearance, it wasn't that he couldn't make a sacrifice, but the problem was that this woman liked to drain the pond to catch the fish, a bad habit that made Ning Fa politely decline.
Ning Fa collected his thoughts and stopped thinking about her.
He was no longer the same as before; his Great Five Elements Thunder Body was complete, he possessed the top-tier cultivation technique Ancient Source Thunder Scripture, and he had now advanced to the Qi Condensation mid-stage.
If he were given more time, he wouldn't have to fear this woman anymore.
Of course, that was assuming she didn't advance to Foundation Establishment. If she did, he would truly be in a bit of trouble.
Thinking this, Ning Fa suddenly felt a sense of urgency.
At that moment, Ning Fa sensed something and looked to his right.
He saw Ning Ruiming looking at him, a smile on his face, appearing confident and holding a hint of provocation in his gaze.
"Oh? You seem quite confident?"
Ning Fa narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself.
However, he was also skilled at psychological warfare.
A mischievous grin spread across his lips as he chuckled at Ning Ruiming.
Then, he silently mouthed a sentence, deliberately opening his mouth slowly.
His mouth movements clearly revealed what he was saying.
"You're going to lose."
Ning Fa's arrogant demeanor caused a flash of anger in Ning Ruiming's eyes.
But after all, he was an elite of the family, with a deep reserve.
He wouldn't let this disrupt his state of mind. He merely sneered at Ning Fa and stopped looking at him.
After three months of special training, especially with Liu Qinghui's personal guidance, his skill in refining the Three Yuan Pill had reached a level he previously couldn't have imagined.
Therefore, he not only had absolute confidence in winning, but he also intended to decisively defeat Ning Fa and shatter his confidence in alchemy in front of everyone.
On this point, he and Ning Fa had the same idea.
Liu Qinghui, not far away, merely glanced at Ning Fa before lowering her head and sitting upright, her gaze fixed forward as if indifferent to the outside world.
"Begin."
On the high platform, the Third Elder Ning Zhongjiu, dressed in black and exuding a powerful aura, spoke calmly.
Although he was ranked slightly lower than the Second Elder Ning Weidong in the family hierarchy, he held the position of the head of the Pill Hall, making it reasonable for him to preside over this competition.
Ning Weidong, with his silver hair but ruddy complexion and youthful appearance, looked calm, as if he were watching the arena or perhaps lost in thought.
The other Foundation Establishment elder, Ning Weize, had the gentlest aura.
It wasn't even as sharp as Ning Huarong's. He wore a mild smile, appearing to look forward to the upcoming competition.
Ning Shaohong's expression had been slightly solemn, but upon seeing Ning Fa's silent message to Ning Ruiming, she couldn't help but reveal a slight smile, easing her mind.
The Tenth Elder Ning Jiannan, Ning Ruiming's father, had his usual imposing aura completely vanish in front of so many elders of higher status.
Although he remained outwardly composed, his slightly furrowed brow and frequent glances at Ning Ruiming clearly indicated his worry.
He clearly hadn't anticipated such a grand occasion today, making him concerned about the consequences if Ning Ruiming lost.