Today was Ning Fa's cousin's son's hundredth-day celebration. His cousin, Xu Guanting, had informed him a month in advance that he had to attend to show his support.
When Ning Fa had first transmigrated, he desperately needed Spirit Stones to buy Spiritual Material. It was his maternal uncle who had provided him with a hundred Spirit Stones out of the blue, a kindness he would never forget.
Earlier, after Ning Fa had been injured and knocked unconscious by Ning Zhen'an, his uncle and cousin had visited him.
Ning Fa had wanted to repay them the Spirit Stones then, but they had adamantly refused. Ning Fa could only let it be.
Now, he planned to take this opportunity to give them a generous gift.
He went directly to the island's dock and, after paying three Spirit Sand, rented a small Spirit Boat to travel to Shiyang Island, where his uncle lived.
Spirit Sand was essentially broken Spirit Stones. Since Spirit Stones were extremely precious, most transactions among low-level cultivators involved amounts less than one Spirit Stone. Therefore, Spirit Sand was generally used as a substitute, with one Spirit Stone being equivalent to ten Spirit Sand.
The old man operating the boat was named Ning Cunli. He possessed the inferior quality Five Spirit Roots and, despite his age, was only at the second level of Qi Condensation.
Furthermore, he wasn't from a main branch of the family and was essentially an outsider within the entire large clan.
Now that he was old, he made a living by ferrying people between the clan's various islands on Spirit Boats to earn some Spirit Stones.
He had initially been reluctant to accept Ning Fa's Spirit Sand, considering Ning Fa's current status.
However, Ning Fa didn't want to take advantage of the old man and insisted on giving it to him. Along the way, the old man shared many interesting family anecdotes with him.
After more than half an hour, Ning Fa arrived at Shiyang Island, which was a hundred miles away.
This island was significantly smaller than Pingchang Island, and the Spirit Veins on the island were also quite barren, with only a single first-grade inferior Spirit Vein.
The Xu family was a minor Qi Condensation family. Over two hundred years ago, an ancestor of the Xu family had pledged allegiance to the Ning family.
Because he had rendered meritorious service, he was rewarded with Shiyang Island by the Ning family's First Elder, with permission to establish their family there.
To this day, the Xu family had fewer than twenty cultivators, along with tens of thousands of mortal descendants.
Even among Ning Fa's many subordinate families, the Xu family was considered weak.
After the Spirit Boat docked at Shiyang Island, Ning Fa headed straight east. Before long, a lush green bamboo forest appeared before him.
Ning Fa smiled slightly. The cultivators of the Xu family resided in this bamboo forest, which was also the location where the island's Spirit Veins converged.
Shortly after entering the bamboo forest, a courtyard built from green bamboo appeared before Ning Fa. Red lanterns were already hanging at the entrance, exuding a festive atmosphere.
Coincidentally, Ning Fa's maternal uncle, Xu Changtai, and his cousin, Xu Guanting, were standing at the entrance, speaking with serious expressions.
Ning Fa, who had been happily intending to greet them, couldn't help but frown slightly upon noticing their expressions.
On such a joyous occasion, why did his uncle and cousin look so grim?
At that moment, his cousin Xu Guanting saw Ning Fa. The serious expression on his face vanished, replaced by joy as he exclaimed, "Little Fa, you're finally here!"
Xu Changtai also turned around, forcing a smile onto his dark face and greeting Ning Fa as well.
Ning Fa's frown, however, did not ease. He noticed that the wrinkles on his uncle's face seemed to have increased, and in the short time they hadn't seen each other, he appeared to have aged considerably. His expression was weary, and an undeniable worry was etched between his brows.
Although Xu Guanting was forcing a smile, his face also showed concern. The lower left side of his jaw was bruised and red, as if he had sustained an impact.
His left arm also seemed unnatural, as if injured.
Ning Fa's smile faded, and his gaze sharpened. He asked in a deep voice, "Brother Ting, you're injured? What happened?"
Xu Changtai and Xu Guanting exchanged a look. Hesitation flickered in Xu Guanting's eyes, and he opened his mouth as if to speak.
But Xu Changtai forced a smile and said, "Guan Ting accidentally injured himself while fishing. It's nothing serious. Hurry inside, we're just waiting for you."
Seeing his father's reaction, Xu Guanting closed his mouth.
Ning Fa glanced at them.
He knew in his heart that they must have encountered some trouble, but they didn't want him to know.
This meant they believed that even his status as a Ning family Pill Master couldn't resolve this trouble, and they didn't want to put him in a difficult position.
Ning Fa didn't press further but had already decided to ask for a clear explanation after the hundredth-day banquet.
After entering the courtyard, Ning Fa saw that three tables had been set up for the banquet, and quite a few people were already seated.
These were all Xu family cultivators. The highest cultivation level among them was only the sixth level of Qi Condensation. Besides them, there were also some higher-ranking mortal members of the Xu family.
As Xu Changtai and Xu Guanting escorted Ning Fa in, all eyes turned towards them.
Their expressions varied immediately, but most were filled with excitement and joy.
After all, Ning Fa was Xu Changtai's nephew, making him the closest Ning family member to them.
And Ning Fa had recently become a Ning family Pill Master, greatly increasing his status. They felt a sense of shared honor.
Immediately, the Xu family cultivators stood up and vied to greet Ning Fa.
Ning Fa was naturally adept at these basic social courtesies. With a smile, he calmly greeted everyone individually, his demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze, ensuring no one felt slighted or even overwhelmed.
After Ning Fa took his seat, an older Xu family cultivator at the same table glanced at Ning Fa and then said to Xu Changtai, "Changtai, since Little Fa is here today, why not ask him to step in..."
Before the man could finish, Xu Changtai reached out and interrupted him, "Uncle Zhen, it's a joyous occasion today. Let's not talk about these things."
The elder cultivator could only reluctantly fall silent. Xu Changtai looked at Ning Fa and forced a smile, saying, "It's nothing major, Little Fa. Don't worry about it. Come, let's eat."
Ning Fa glanced at him and was about to ask directly.
Just then, a young woman emerged from the main hall carrying an infant, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Ning Fa stopped talking. He got up and moved to the side, calling out, "Sister-in-law Xia."
This young woman was his cousin Xu Guanting's Dao companion, named Lü Xia.
She had been a rogue cultivator. Years ago, when she was in danger, Xu Guanting saved her, and the two developed feelings for each other, becoming Dao companions.
Now, they finally had a descendant, and fortunately, one with Spirit Roots.
As for the specific quality of his Spirit Roots, that would have to wait until he was seven or eight years old to be tested. But no matter what kind of Spirit Roots they were, it was a cause for great celebration for the Xu family, who were currently few in number.
Although this cousin-in-law wasn't exceptionally beautiful, she had a gentle demeanor, giving off a refined, delicate aura.
She smiled gently and said softly, "Little Fa, you should hold Xiao Wu too."
Ning Fa took his little nephew. The baby was looking at him with his small eyes open. His face was plump and very cute. Judging by his appearance, he looked more like his mother.
Ning Fa played with his little nephew for a while. Seeing the baby yawn, he returned him to his cousin-in-law.
He stood up and surveyed the people at the table, a smile on his face. "Today is a joyous occasion. I have also prepared a small gift for this little nephew."
With that, he lightly flicked his sleeve. A flash of colorful light appeared before him, and over ten medicinal bottles materialized.