Ning Yuwen said in a deep voice, "I was just about to tell you about this. The First Elder has already spoken to me, asking me to stay on Changning Mountain for secret cultivation from now on."
Ning Fa nodded, then as if remembering something, asked, "I heard that another disciple of the family was attacked by a Calamity Cultivator? And this time, even two Qi Condensation Stage clansmen perished?"
During this period, Ning Fa's focus had been on cultivation and Pill Refining, and he hadn't paid much attention to the affairs of the Blazing Wind Hall.
He had adopted a strategy of focusing on the big picture and delegating, with general matters being handled by the two Vice Hall Masters, Ning Yuwen and Ning Yunhui.
While reviewing the recent summary of affairs, he had noticed signs of frequent harassment by Calamity Cultivators, which was why he had asked the question.
Ning Yuwen said in a deep voice, "I was just about to report this to you. We just received intelligence that another island belonging to the family was attacked by Calamity Cultivators. Three Qi Condensation Stage clansmen were killed, along with hundreds of mortals."
"What! The Ironclad Alliance is incredibly audacious!"
Ning Fa was furious, and silver electrical currents surged around him, emanating a powerful aura.
It even made Ning Yuwen feel a sense of oppression.
He looked at Ning Fa, his eyes filled with a hint of dread.
At this moment, a thought crossed his mind.
Ning Fa's current strength had likely surpassed that of the family's former top expert in the Qi Condensation Stage, Ning Huarong.
Ning Fa retracted his aura and frowned, "Although the Ironclad Alliance is greedy and brutal, they aren't brainless. Why would they dare to provoke our Ning Family?"
Ning Yuwen said in a deep voice, "There have been rumors recently that the Ironclad Alliance seems to have a fourth Foundation Establishment Cultivator, though it hasn't been confirmed."
"But judging from the Ironclad Alliance's recent unbridled actions, the possibility is not small. Not only our Ning Family has been harassed, but other forces have also encountered many robbery incidents recently."
Ning Fa's pupils contracted.
The Ironclad Alliance had actually produced another Foundation Establishment Cultivator? That meant their strength was quite considerable.
After all, the Ning Family only had four Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
However, Ning Fa still couldn't fully resolve his doubts.
Even so, the Ironclad Alliance's strength should still be significantly inferior to the Ning Family's. Provoking the Ning Family in such a manner was truly an unwise act.
He didn't think too much about it. He was going to see the First Elder later anyway, and he could discuss countermeasures with him then.
With the Calamity Cultivators acting so brazenly, it would not be in the Ning Family's style to not retaliate.
Ning Fa looked at Ning Yuwen and said with a sincere smile, "Uncle Wen, you don't need to worry about these matters. Just focus on your cultivation. I hope that the next time I see you, you will have already entered the Foundation Establishment realm!"
Ning Yuwen's eyes shone with brilliance, and he laughed heartily, cupping his fists towards Ning Fa before leaving.
Ning Fa also left the main hall. He had originally intended to go directly to Changning Mountain to see the First Elder.
However, on second thought, he decided to visit his own shop in the island market. After all, he hadn't seen his paternal uncle in a long time.
He walked onto the market street. The Ning Family members who passed by either respectfully avoided him or enthusiastically came forward to greet him.
This made Ning Fa feel rather bored, and he lost the mood to browse the market.
Just as he was about to leave, a young figure in black clothes emerged from a shop nearby.
This person was Ning Daozhen, whom Ning Fa hadn't seen in a long time.
Seeing Ning Fa, his eyes showed surprise, but then he pretended not to see him and tried to leave directly.
Ning Fa looked at him, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he suddenly spoke, "Daozhen, stop for a moment. I have something to tell you."
Ning Daozhen turned around, looked at him with a frown, and honestly followed Ning Fa away.
Not long after, the two arrived in a private room at Yunxiangju in the market.
Ning Fa sized Ning Daozhen up. Although his expression was calm, he was inwardly astonished.
After using several Moonstones to assist his cultivation of the Moon God Art, the cultivation speed of the third layer of the Moon God Art had increased significantly.
He was now close to the great success stage of the third layer.
This had also made his divine sense more powerful and sensitive.
At this moment, he had keenly sensed that Ning Daozhen was unusual.
This young man was already at the peak of the seventh level of Qi Condensation, on the verge of breaking through to the eighth level.
And this young man was likely not even twenty years old. His cultivation speed was astonishingly fast.
This was only secondary.
The key point was that Ning Fa sensed that Ning Daozhen's aura was very obscure. Even with his current powerful divine sense, he couldn't see through it.
This made him very surprised.
He really didn't believe that this young man's divine soul strength could compare to his.
"Hall Master, what exactly do you want to see me for? Can you tell me now?"
Ning Daozhen took a sip of tea and asked calmly.
Ning Fa smiled, "It's nothing major. Xiao Yu sent me a message through the Xudong Merchant Guild a few days ago. Don't you want to know about her situation?"
The Immortal Realm was vast, and communication was very inconvenient when separated by long distances.
Fortunately, the Xudong Merchant Guild had considerable influence and had opened branches in the markets near the Zhao Family's clan land, which allowed them to communicate with each other.
Xiao Yu clearly couldn't say much in the letter, only that she missed Ning Fa and that she was doing well, so he didn't need to worry.
At the end of the letter, she asked about Ning Daozhen.
They were the same age and had a good relationship. Before, when Xiao Yu was bullied in Cui Ning Courtyard, Ning Daozhen had stepped forward to help her teach the bullies a lesson.
Ning Daozhen's expression immediately changed, and he asked, "Is Xiao Yu doing well now? What did she say?"
Ning Fa smiled and said, "She's doing great and wants to compete with you to see who can reach Foundation Establishment first?"
A smile appeared on Ning Daozhen's face.
The two didn't chat for too long before Ning Daozhen got up to leave.
Ning Fa watched him, a thoughtful expression on his face.
He had specifically asked Ning Daozhen to dinner, and telling him about Xiao Yu's situation was just an excuse; in reality, he wanted to observe him up close.
This kid gave him a truly unusual feeling, even making him feel a trace of apprehension.
After close contact, this feeling became even stronger.
Outside Jinchang Island, Ning Daozhen was speeding eastward in a black flying carriage.
Beside him was the short puppet whose eyes glowed red.
The puppet chuckled and said, "Your former Hall Master Ning is no ordinary person. According to my observations, his Divine Soul strength has far surpassed what a Qi Condensation cultivator should possess. Even compared to you, it should be roughly the same."
Ning Daozhen calmly replied, "I know. He might have some secrets, but as long as he doesn't come looking for trouble with me, I can't be bothered to care. Besides, he only has an incomplete Lightning Spiritual Root; whether he can even reach Foundation Establishment in the future is another matter entirely."
The puppet no longer mentioned Ning Fa and said, "The restrictions on my cave dwelling on Spirit Deer Island are about to be broken by your Yuan Chang Island lineage. Are you not afraid of missing out if you go to Tianshui Market now?"
Ning Daozhen said indifferently, "I don't want to leave either, but a nearly century-old [Blood Essence Grass] will be auctioned at the underground black market in Tianshui Market. This item is of great help to my [Blood Sun True Flame], and I cannot miss it."
"Besides, it will take at least another ten days to half a month for the restrictions on that cave dwelling to be broken. This time should be enough for me to return."
The puppet couldn't help but shrink its shoulders, muttering the words "Blood Sun True Flame" with fear.
It seemed this spiritual flame caused it great terror.
It couldn't help but ask in surprise, "How can you use the [Blood Sun True Flame], one of the Ten Great Demonic Flames? I remember this powerful demonic art disappeared and vanished over a thousand years ago."
Ning Daozhen sneered, "Why should I tell you?"
The puppet paused, then could only sullenly shut its mouth.