Three days later.
Third Elder Ning Zhongjiu, accompanied by Wei Chengzong, arrived at Small Bamboo Island together.
Due to the special nature of the Jade Bamboo Fruit, too many cultivators could not be present around it, as it would contaminate the Bamboo Spirit Qi.
Ning Fa and Liu Qinghui met Ning Zhongjiu in a pavilion at the edge of Small Bamboo Island.
Ning Zhongjiu was still dressed in dark robes, walking with the bearing of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, his gaze piercing.
He looked at Ning Fa, his face showing surprise, and said, "Little Fa, you've actually broken through to the fifth level of Qi Condensation so quickly."
Ning Fa smiled faintly, "This is also thanks to the rich spiritual energy of Small Bamboo Island. I was fortunate enough to break through a few days ago."
Ning Zhongjiu glanced at him and chuckled, "Very good. I look forward to you breaking through to Late Qi Condensation soon. Rest assured, the family will support you then."
Ning Fa's heart stirred.
He knew what Third Elder Ning Zhongjiu meant by that.
After confirming him as a seed candidate for Chief Pill Master, the family had promised to prepare some precious breakthrough pills for him when he advanced his cultivation.
Then, Ning Zhongjiu said seriously, "Another year has almost passed, and you have both worked hard. But I still need to ask, has there been any progress in refining the Jade Dragon Pill?"
Although Ning Fa's expression remained unchanged, he secretly thought that this Third Elder was indeed very anxious about the Jade Dragon Pill.
The reason was quite simple.
After all, Ning Zhongjiu had bought this pill recipe and had personally pushed for its refinement, with the Ning Family investing a large amount of resources into it.
For example, this Small Bamboo Island was acquired because of it.
If they ended up with nothing and couldn't even refine the Jade Dragon Pill, it would naturally be a blow to Ning Zhongjiu's reputation within the family.
Besides that, Ning Fa knew another reason.
After receiving his assurance, Wei Shiqin had officially represented Tongbao Pavilion in cooperating with the Ning Family to refine this Jade Dragon Pill.
Tongbao Pavilion had already provided many of the spiritual materials required for the Jade Dragon Pill.
Once the Ning Family figured out how to refine the Jade Dragon Pill, they would also need to supply Tongbao Pavilion.
Therefore, Ning Zhongjiu's eagerness for this pill was also to maintain the relationship between the Ning Family and Xudong Merchant Guild.
Liu Qinghui first glanced at Ning Fa, then said softly, "Godfather, I have indeed made some breakthroughs regarding the refinement of this pill."
Ning Zhongjiu was moved, "Qinghui, you truly haven't disappointed me. Have you managed to refine the Jade Dragon Pill?"
Liu Qinghui shook her head gently, then waved her jade hand.
A mass of colorful mist flew towards Ning Zhongjiu.
Within the mist was a jade-colored pill.
A faint layer of greenish mist emanated from the pill, though it was very weak.
Upon closer inspection, one could see cracks resembling spiderwebs on the pill.
Ning Zhongjiu took the pill and examined it closely.
After a long while, he said regretfully, "What a pity, it's just a Failed Pill."
Wei Chengzong's eyes widened in surprise at first.
He was naturally very aware of the difficulty in refining the Jade Dragon Pill.
He believed that even with a few more years, he would have little progress.
He hadn't expected Liu Qinghui to refine even a failed pill after taking over for less than a year.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, he immediately praised, "Third Elder, since Qinghui has managed to refine a failed pill, it means that officially refining this pill is not far off."
Ning Zhongjiu nodded and said, "Qinghui, you've done well. Keep up the good work."
With that, Ning Zhongjiu turned to look at Ning Fa.
His eyes filled with anticipation, and he said with a faint smile, "Little Fa, have you made any progress?"
Liu Qinghui also looked at Ning Fa.
Although she didn't speak, her eyes clearly conveyed, "You asked for this."
Ning Fa, however, smiled at her.
Then, he raised a hand, and spiritual light flashed, revealing a green pill bottle.
He pushed the pill bottle towards Ning Zhongjiu.
Seeing Ning Fa's confident demeanor, Ning Zhongjiu couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
Liu Qinghui's eyes widened, her heart churning.
She couldn't help but wonder if Ning Fa had actually managed to refine the Jade Dragon Pill?
How was that possible!
Even a failed pill, Liu Qinghui found it hard to believe.
As the pill bottle was opened, a burst of green mist flashed first.
Amidst the swirling spiritual energy, a perfectly round pill, like a piece of jade, hovered in the air.
It emanated extremely pure spiritual energy.
"Jade Dragon Pill! And it's a success!"
Wei Chengzong exclaimed, his voice cracking.
Liu Qinghui's almond-shaped eyes widened, her cherry lips parted slightly, a look of shock on her face.
Ning Zhongjiu examined the pill repeatedly with his divine sense for a long time before letting out a sigh of relief and saying, "Indeed, it is a Jade Dragon Pill."
He turned to look, surprise glinting in his eyes, and exclaimed, "Little Fa, you truly haven't disappointed the family. I now truly believe your alchemy talent is second only to the First Cloud Ancestor."
Ning Zhongjiu then stared intently at Ning Fa and asked, "Can you consistently refine this pill now?"
Ning Fa slowly replied, "Third Elder, to be frank, this is the first successful Jade Dragon Pill I've ever refined. It was quite lucky. In several subsequent attempts, I only managed to produce Failed Pills."
Ning Zhongjiu, however, was not disappointed. He chuckled lightly, "It's alright. For you to achieve this much, I believe it won't be long before you truly master this pill."
After speaking, Ning Zhongjiu's face showed a pensive expression.
He then looked at Liu Qinghui and said calmly, "Since that's the case, Qinghui, you will no longer refine this pill. I will issue instructions to give all the Jade Dragon Pill spiritual materials to Ning Fa. I hope you can understand, as these materials are too difficult to find."
"From now on, you will fully assist Ning Fa in refining this pill."
Liu Qinghui lowered her head, her hands tightly clenching the hem of her clothes, but she still nodded silently.
Ning Zhongjiu glanced at Ning Fa once more, then a beam of light flashed from him as he left with Wei Cheng.
Ning Fa looked at Liu Qinghui, chuckled lightly, and then also intended to return to his residence.
"How did you do it?"
Liu Qinghui, still with her head lowered, asked softly.
Ning Fa looked at her and grinned, "Want to know? Then beg me."
But what Ning Fa never expected was that Liu Qinghui actually said softly, "I'm begging you."
Ning Fa looked at Liu Qinghui in surprise.
From his perception, although Liu Qinghui appeared delicate, she was a proud person.
He hadn't expected her to actually beg him.
Unfortunately, Ning Fa was as hard as stone.
He shrugged, "Sorry, it's no use even if you beg me."
With that, he turned and left.
"Crack, crack, crack!"
A sound of ice forming could be heard.
White cold energy emanated from around Liu Qinghui, and the ground near her instantly froze over under the chill.
"Calm down! Don't go into qi deviation!"
Seeing the cold energy intensifying, half a jade pendant tied with a red string floated out from Liu Qinghui's chest, and an ancient voice anxiously called out.
Liu Qinghui took a deep breath, and the cold energy around her was reabsorbed into her body.
"If I were to make a move now, what are my chances of capturing Ning Fa?"
Liu Qinghui asked softly.
The ancient voice paused, then said helplessly, "If it were when that brat first arrived at Small Bamboo Island, you would naturally have a hundred percent chance. But now... it's hard to say."
"You saw that brat's duel a few days ago. He's likely still holding back a lot of his strength. I estimate that if you two were to fight, you wouldn't be able to win decisively. Your chances would be around sixty percent."