Ning Fa patted his head, not forcing an explanation.
After he advanced to the fifth level of Qi Condensation, Ning Zonglie, who could previously fight him to a standstill, was no longer his match.
Even though he knew Ning Zonglie still had some desperate killing moves he hadn't used.
Ning Fa had naturally also held back.
In this spar, he had only used the Thunder Yuan Overlord Spear, Primordial Thunder Armor, Illusory Demon Movement Technique, and Thunderball Technique.
He hadn't used any Magic Tools.
This was also because he deliberately didn't use the Azure Condensation Mirror and Cloud Star Robe to test the power of the Ancient Source Thunder Scripture's moves.
Moreover, he hadn't unleashed the full power of these moves.
During this period, besides cultivation, he had spent a great deal of effort to improve his combat strength.
He had watched at least a hundred Imprint Pearls.
After watching each Imprint Pearl a few times, he would then use a scroll to trace its origin and observe it firsthand as if he were there.
Watching these combat imprints had greatly improved Ning Fa's combat experience and knowledge.
As he frequently sparred with Ning Zonglie again, his combat strength indeed improved rapidly.
This greatly gratified Ning Fa.
Although Ning Zonglie was at the seventh level of Qi Condensation, his strength was slightly stronger than ordinary cultivators of the same level.
Ning Fa being able to defeat him indicated that his strength was at least comparable to cultivators at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Condensation.
In other words, ordinary Late Qi Condensation cultivators were no longer his opponents.
This gave Ning Fa a sense of daze.
He felt that he finally had some means of self-preservation.
However, he also knew clearly that he was still quite a bit weaker than Ning Huarong.
To contend with that woman, he still needed some time to improve himself.
But he possessed the mysterious Five Elements Thunder Body and cultivated top-tier techniques like the Ancient Source Thunder Scripture and Moon God Art.
As long as he was given enough time to develop, within the same major realm, there was no reason he wouldn't be able to contend with that woman.
"You kid are already this strong at just the fifth level of Qi Condensation. If you reach Late Qi Condensation, you might be the second Fifth Elder..."
Ning Zonglie walked over, sighing with emotion.
Ning Fa chuckled, not being modest.
At this moment, Ning Zonglie seemed to recall something, and his expression darkened.
He then took out a jade pendant from his storage bag and threw it to Ning Fa.
He said gruffly, "I went to Tianshui Market a few days ago and happened to see Xiuying. She asked me to give this to you."
Ning Fa took the jade pendant and examined it carefully.
The jade pendant felt cool to the touch, its material was fine, and it emitted a faint glow.
Although it was just a low-grade Magic Tool, its design was exquisite, making it a nice accessory.
Ning Fa was delighted and fiddled with it.
He looked up at Ning Zonglie, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and immediately felt a sense of foreboding.
How could Sister Xiuying have asked Uncle Lie to deliver a gift to him?
She knew very well that Ning Zonglie liked her. Wouldn't this make him guess their relationship instantly?
Perhaps Ning Xiuying had this very intention?
As expected, Ning Zonglie asked enviously, "Have you and Xiuying gotten together, you kid?"
Ning Fa coughed dryly, "Uncle Lie, don't overthink it. Xiuying and I just have a good relationship."
Ning Zonglie didn't seem convinced but didn't ask further. He waved his hand, "If you've really gotten together with Xiuying, then don't fail her."
With that, he turned and left.
Thinking of Ning Xiuying, Ning Fa couldn't help but frown slightly.
After returning from Tianshui Market last time, Ning Xiuying had gone to Tianshui Market to take up a post without any warning.
He didn't know when she would return.
They hadn't seen each other since then.
Ning Fa's face showed a thoughtful expression, and he vaguely felt something was amiss.
Just then, a graceful figure walked over.
Liu Qinghui, dressed in a green palace dress, looked at Ning Fa, her beautiful eyes still holding a look of shock.
Clearly, she had witnessed the spar between Ning Fa and Ning Zonglie just now.
It was hard to say whether it was Ning Fa's rapid advancement to the fifth level of Qi Condensation that shocked her so much.
Was it because Ning Zonglie, who was at the seventh level of Qi Condensation, was defeated by Ning Fa that surprised her so much?
Or perhaps both.
Ning Fa didn't care.
He had already planned to personally participate in the family's Heir Competition, so it wouldn't hurt to reveal some of his strength now.
"Ning Fa, congratulations on advancing to the fifth level of Qi Condensation. Your strength has greatly improved," Liu Qinghui said with a gentle smile.
"Thanks," Ning Fa replied lazily, then turned to leave.
"But I'm not sure how your comprehension of the Jade Dragon Pill is coming along. I'm worried you've spent all your time cultivating and neglected the pill's comprehension," Liu Qinghui said calmly from behind him.
Ning Fa's body stiffened.
Liu Qinghui's expression remained calm as she continued, "In three days, my adoptive father will personally come to Small Bamboo Island to inspect and test our progress in refining the Jade Dragon Pill. If you haven't made any progress, it will be difficult for me to speak up for you."
Ning Fa turned around, smiling. "If I heard correctly, are you threatening me?"
Liu Qinghui glanced at him with eyes as calm as autumn water, her expression unchanged. "Recently, I've had some insights into the refining of this pill and successfully refined a Failed Pill of the Jade Dragon Pill yesterday. Even though it's a failed pill, it almost has the medicinal effects of a Cloud Heart Pill. I can share my refining insights with you."
Ning Fa's sword eyebrows rose.
This woman Liu Qinghui's alchemy talent was indeed not fake.
She had actually managed to refine the Jade Dragon Pill by following the flawed pill recipe.
Even though it was just a failed pill, reaching this level indicated that she was very likely to refine a successful pill later on.
Ning Fa, however, chuckled, "Are you really going to tell me everything out of kindness?"
Liu Qinghui said faintly, "Of course, I can't tell you for free. You need to agree to one condition."
Ning Fa lazily said, "Go ahead and tell me."
Liu Qinghui's eyes flashed as she said, "I hope you can let go of the grievances between you and our Liu family. My father is willing to offer wine and apologize for what happened back then, and is willing to pay a large sum of compensation."
A half-smile appeared on Ning Fa's lips.
As expected.
He had met Liu Qinghui several times over the past half year.
Liu Qinghui had vaguely mentioned this matter before.
Today, she thought she had found an opportunity.
She wanted to use her insights into refining the Jade Dragon Pill as a bargaining chip to exchange for him letting go of his hatred for the Liu family and promising not to target them again.
If he guessed correctly, the wine Liu Zhili would offer would be very formal, and it was highly likely that Ning Zhongjiu would be invited as a witness.
If Ning Fa agreed, and later wanted to deal with the Liu family, Ning Zhongjiu would definitely not stand idly by.
In Liu Qinghui's view, her insights into refining the Jade Dragon Pill were very important to Ning Fa.
This was because Ning Fa was now famous in the family for his alchemy talent, and was even considered to have an alchemy talent that rivaled that of the First Cloud Ancestor. He had been officially listed as a top alchemy seed by the family.
He was at the peak of his influence, even overshadowing Liu Qinghui.
If Ning Fa were to be surpassed by Liu Qinghui in refining the Jade Dragon Pill at this moment, it would undoubtedly deal a blow to Ning Fa's reputation.
It had to be said that Liu Qinghui was very good at choosing her timing.
But unfortunately, Ning Fa did not need her Jade Dragon Pill refining insights.
Ning Fa smiled and said, "You can keep it yourself."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Liu Qinghui with a furrowed brow.