On Black Stone Island, a desolate corner of the Ning Family's territory.
Ning Zhen'an, a man with a rough face and dressed in drab grey clothing, was rushing over with a look of delight.
When he spotted someone in an open space near a dense forest, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, his body freezing stiff.
In that instant, he immediately wanted to turn and flee.
Ning Fa, dressed in a blue robe and standing tall and elegant, watched him with leisure, smiling as he said, "It's been so long, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Ning Zhen'an seemed to recall something and abandoned the idea of escaping.
His face, which looked much older, instantly turned ashen white. With a hint of despair, he said, "I'm already like this, and you still won't let me go?"
Although he had spent most of the past few years mining on Black Stone Island, his information had not been cut off.
The Ning Family's Heir Competition had just concluded, and he had learned the news the very next day.
One could imagine his mood.
He had been hesitating whether to flee, and he hadn't expected Ning Fa to come looking for him so quickly.
Ning Fa let out a scoff and then said, "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. If you escape from my hands today, I'll never bother you again."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Ning Zhen'an's eyes again. A fierce look flashed across his face, and he roared, "Good! Come on!"
With that, his entire body's magical power surged, and a black long mace, several feet long, suddenly flew out.
Ning Fa's body also erupted in silver light, and his body was instantly clad in a layer of silvery-white thunder armor.
Seven highly spiritual lightning balls revolved around him ceaselessly.
Under the brilliant silver light, the smile on Ning Fa's lips appeared particularly cold.
Thirty breaths later.
A silver thunder spear, which seemed almost tangible, shot out fiercely.
"Crack!"
The black long mace was directly blown apart at its waist.
The silver thunder spear continued its momentum, piercing through Ning Zhen'an's chest at a speed too fast for the eye to follow.
In Ning Zhen'an's bell-like eyes, disbelief and regret flashed, and he could not close them.
Ning Fa took a step forward, his figure flickering just a few times, covering over ten zhang (about 33 meters) to reach Ning Zhen'an.
He looked at Ning Zhen'an, who died with his eyes wide open, and said calmly, "Don't worry, I'll have Ning Ruiming join you soon."
After saying this, Ning Zhen'an's eyes slowly closed.
Ning Fa's right hand slashed downwards abruptly, and a silver light flashed.
Ning Zhen'an's head instantly flew off.
Ning Fa caught the head, then summoned a blue flying carriage and shot away.
The next day.
Ning Guichuan of Pingchang Island left a letter stating he was going out to travel.
He never appeared again.
This incident did not cause any ripples.
Or rather, it was suppressed before any ripples could form.
However, it did cause some subtle effects.
Yuanliu Island.
This was a spirit island occupied by the Liu Family, a vassal family of the Ning Family.
Not only was the island not small, but the core area of the island also contained a high-grade first-tier spirit vein.
Its quality was even slightly superior to spirit veins of the same tier.
Such treatment was something even many collateral branches of the Ning Family could not possess.
In addition, the Liu Family also held mining rights for numerous spirit mines and fishing grounds, possessing many industries.
They also owned many shops in the Ning Family's Jinchang Island Market.
Currently, the Liu Family had about sixty cultivators, with as many as eight cultivators at the late stage of Qi Condensation.
It could be called the strongest among the many vassal families of the Ning Family.
At this moment, in the spacious hall of a luxurious residence at the very center of Yuanliu Island.
A middle-aged cultivator dressed in a white robe sat in the main seat.
He had a majestic appearance, a long beard, and a dignified demeanor. Every move he made exuded an extraordinary presence. He was already at the ninth level of Qi Condensation.
This person was the Liu Family Patriarch, Liu Zhili.
He was also Liu Qinghui's father.
Liu Zhili was extremely adept at socializing, leveraging Liu Qinghui's special status within the Ning Family.
He had a wide network of contacts, maintaining good relationships with many influential branches of the Ning Family.
This allowed him to navigate the Ning Family with ease, further strengthening the Liu Family's power.
Today, however, Liu Zhili, usually all smiles, wore a grave expression. He had been sitting in his seat, idle, for an entire day.
Before long, a charming and graceful figure walked in.
It was Liu Qinghui.
Liu Zhili seemed to have found his anchor. He quickly stood up and said, "Qinghui, you're finally back. Now, Ning Fa... he..."
He trailed off, unable to finish his sentence after speaking for a while.
After a long sigh, he lamented, "Now that kid has soared to the heavens. What should our Liu Family do..."
Liu Qinghui merely cast a cold glance at him before seating herself.
Liu Zhili continued to worry, "I only heard the news today. I heard that Ning Guichuan's branch, who offended Ning Fa before, three people... a total of three people have disappeared without a trace. They've likely fallen victim to that kid's ruthlessness..."
"What's more frightening is that it seems the Ning Family's higher-ups have tacitly approved his actions. This signal is truly ominous."
Liu Qinghui said calmly, "I told you not to be so ostentatious and send the letter of annulment directly. But you insisted on doing it to please Ning Jiannan. What's the use of regretting it now?"
Liu Zhili looked embarrassed and said sheepishly, "Why bring up the past? Qinghui, can you go and plead with Ning Fa again? Let our two sides reconcile. He liked you so much back then, he couldn't have completely let go."
Upon hearing this, Liu Qinghui's delicate eyebrows furrowed.
In the past, she was confident she could make Ning Fa fall for her again.
Now, her confidence wavered slightly.
She recalled their chance encounter and how she had given away her first time so carelessly.
Her heart felt even more complex.
She regained her composure and said, "If you want Ning Fa to let go of the past, I have a suggestion. Go to Ning Fa's parents' graves and live in a mourning hut for three years as repentance, and compensate Ning Fa with at least five thousand Spirit Stones. Perhaps that might work."
Liu Zhili flew into a rage and violently flung his sleeve. "What kind of terrible idea is that! If I do that, how will my reputation be salvaged in the future!"
Liu Qinghui, as if she had expected this, remained calm and expressionless.
Liu Zhili's anger suddenly subsided, but he still snorted, "That brat shouldn't think I'm truly afraid of him. Don't forget, the Third Elder is your adoptive father. If that brat dares to cause trouble for me later, I don't believe the Third Elder will stand by and do nothing."
Liu Qinghui calmly replied, "The Third Elder values Ning Fa greatly. He was the one who proactively proposed appointing Ning Fa as the Deputy Hall Master of the Pill Hall."
"I advise you to reconsider carefully. If more time passes, this price might not be enough."
With that, Liu Qinghui turned and left without waiting for Liu Zhili's reply.
Liu Zhili was left standing there, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.
Ning Fa then offered the heads of Ning Guichuan and his two sons as a sacrifice at Ning Xilin's grave.
Afterward, he briefly appeared on Pingchang Island, made a few arrangements, and then departed.
Many who were eager to congratulate him from other branches missed him, finding him gone.
These people then went to Ning Fa's paternal uncle's family, Ning Zhengqian's residence. The place became crowded, with a constant stream of visitors, bustling and lively.