Chapter 113: Strings of Suspense, Ning Xiaoren

"Uncle Xiaoren, that is the situation." Upon returning to the family estate, Ning Zhuo informed Ning Xiaoren of the exploration of the Immortal Palace as described by Zheng Jian.

"I felt that as a member of the Ning family, it would be inappropriate for me to agree on the spot."

"Therefore, I specifically came to seek your advice, Uncle Xiaoren. Do you think I should accept?"

"The fact that you would tell your uncle about such an important matter and let me make the final decision shows that you trust me. I am very pleased!" Ning Xiaoren patted Ning Zhuo on the shoulder with a deep sigh, his expression full of delight.

He was deeply gratified by Ning Zhuo's sensibility.

In truth, he had long been aware of the decision reached by the three families. It was inevitable that the Ning family would send Ning Zhuo to participate. On one hand, they needed to maintain the Ning family's influence within the coalition and continue contributing to secure their current share of the spoils. On the other hand, according to the agreement, since Ning Zhuo’s combat capability was intact, there was no valid excuse for him not to participate.

Ning Zhuo, in reality, had no choice. Whether he agreed or not, he was bound to go. However, Ning Xiaoren would never state this directly. The fact that Ning Zhuo did not decide for himself but instead returned to seek his approval was the kind of submissiveness that pleased Ning Xiaoren most.

Ning Xiaoren’s deepest realization at that moment was that the price he had paid to win over Ning Zhuo had not been wasted; it was entirely worth it.

"Since everyone values you so highly, you should go!"

"Perform well. The Ning family will soon have its third peak third-layer cultivator."

"This time, you represent our entire Ning family alone."

"Do not be timid. Remember, remember always, the entire Ning family is your backing."

After a pause, Ning Xiaoren continued, "Although you have been appointed leader, you ultimately have no teammates from our side to assist you."

"The Zheng family cultivators will likely seek to unite with us, but you must be wary of the Zhou family. They have the largest numbers and will likely refuse to follow your orders. You should be mentally prepared for that."

Ning Zhuo feigned astonishment, though he was truly surprised deep down. From these words, he quickly realized that the young clan leader possessed a sharp instinct and foresight regarding power. His analysis of the internal dynamics of the three-family coalition was spot on. Even before the mission had begun, he had already predicted the future. This aligned perfectly with Ning Zhuo’s own expectations.

Upon reflection, Ning Zhuo realized it was only logical for Ning Xiaoren to have such acumen. "The Ning family has always enforced a policy of strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches. Ning Xiaoren has personally led the suppression of numerous branch families, while the clan leader remains in the background, only intervening when matters escalate beyond control."

"Ning Xiaoren has essentially been on the front lines. How could he have sat in the position of young clan leader for so many years without a talent for power struggles?"

Ning Zhuo bowed respectfully. "I will take your advice to heart, Uncle."

"If such a situation arises, what should I do?" Ning Zhuo asked, looking perfectly innocent.

Ning Xiaoren mused, "On one hand, you must take care of the Zheng family cultivators and offer them some tangible favoritism. On the other hand, you must achieve success. If you can lead them to penetrate deeper into the Lava Immortal Palace and make repeated breakthroughs, the others will naturally gravitate toward you. Even the Zhou family will have to acknowledge your strength."

Ning Zhuo nodded. "I understand, Uncle."

"If I lead them to a successful exploration, will the family provide any rewards?"

The young clan leader was stunned. Since taking his position, he had never encountered such a blunt request.

Ning Xiaoren felt an immediate surge of disgust and resentment. Maintaining his smile without the slightest waver, he pointed a finger at Ning Zhuo. "You, aren't you already quite wealthy? I heard you even take care of others, being generous enough to share spirit food with them."

Ning Xiaoren spoke dismissively, as if it were a trivial matter, though deep down he was quite vigilant. What was the nature of this behavior? It was forming cliques and cultivating personal factions. It was only because Ning Zhuo was currently being valued by the Ning family that Ning Xiaoren held his tongue.

Ning Zhuo had his explanation ready. He scratched his head. "Uncle Xiaoren, they are my classmates; I simply wanted to help them. Especially Ning Chen and Ning Yong—we have been through life and death together. I help them, they help me, and we trust each other."

"As for money, I have never felt that I am wealthy."

"I have never felt that I have enough money."

Ning Xiaoren felt a deep resonance with this statement, as he had never felt he had enough money either. That Ning Zhuo was so obsessed with wealth seemed perfectly reasonable to Ning Xiaoren, and he never doubted it. Intelligence reports showed that Ning Zhuo had lived in poverty for over a decade. Such an upbringing would surely make him exceptionally frugal and instill in him a pathological craving and obsession for resources.

Ning Xiaoren gave a vague response. "The family will not forget Ning Zhuo's contributions; there will certainly be rewards."

Ning Zhuo, having anticipated this, immediately pressed further. "Uncle Xiaoren, I read the Zhou family's *Discourse on Spirit*, and I found it quite inspiring."

"Does our family possess any similar classics?"

"Heh," Ning Xiaoren chuckled. "Of course. When our Ning family was in the Northern Wind Kingdom, we were an established cultivation family with power far exceeding the Zhou family, nearly controlling an entire city."

"Our family has a long history and has even produced Nascent Soul-level figures!"

"Unfortunately, back in the Northern Wind Kingdom, we were framed by treacherous villains and had to migrate as an entire clan."

"Little Zhuo, if you perform well this time and bring great honor to our Ning family, I will put my own reputation on the line to apply for you to read the relevant secret manuals."

Ning Zhuo nodded repeatedly and then said, "Uncle Xiaoren, I heard that Ning Xiaohui’s strength skyrocketed after using the 'Cloud-Flowing Water Talisman.' Could I have one as well?"

A sharp glint flashed in Ning Xiaoren’s eyes, and his inner resentment surged. *The Cloud-Flowing Water Talisman. Even I, the young clan leader, cannot afford to use it. You, a mere member of a branch family, what right or face do you have to ask for it?*

Suppressing his disdain and anger, Ning Xiaoren put on a friendly face. "The Cloud-Flowing Water Talisman is a spirit talisman containing a trace of the world's spiritual essence; it is exceptionally rare. There is only one in the entire clan. Giving it to Ning Xiaohui was a special case for an urgent, temporary matter."

"Even I dare not covet such a talisman."

"However, there is still hope for you, Little Zhuo."

"If you break through the barriers of the Immortal Palace and make contributions so great that the entire clan is proud of you and must acknowledge you, then it will be only natural for you to use this treasure."

Ning Zhuo feigned being highly motivated and continued, "Uncle Xiaoren, I am a bit short on cash lately. The spirit stones I had are almost gone."

"Could you lend me some spirit stones?"

Ning Xiaoren took a deep breath, struggling to maintain his smile. "The subsidies for the three families were only distributed a few days ago, weren't they?"

"Little Zhuo, are you spending them that quickly?"

"How about this: I will take the liberty to authorize an advance on your subsidies. How does that sound?"

"That would be great. Thank you, Uncle Xiaoren." Ning Zhuo’s face beamed with joy.

Ning Xiaoren couldn't help but advise, "Little Zhuo, you shouldn't be so extravagant with your spending. Some spirit food is unnecessary to buy. Medicinal pills are cheaper than spirit food and just as effective."

Ning Zhuo appeared to take the advice to heart. "Understood, Uncle Xiaoren. I will eat less in the future."

Looking above Ning Xiaoren’s head, a "thread of life" had descended, connecting him to Ning Xiaoren. Ning Zhuo had intentionally dragged out the conversation to plant the prototype of his divine ability. He had discovered that although the "thread of life" was difficult to connect during combat, once planted, it would persist for a long time. He had yet to test the limits of how long it could last. In any case, through this encounter, Ning Xiaoren had become a target connected to his divine ability prototype.

Watching Ning Zhuo’s retreating back, Ning Xiaoren fell into deep thought. Ning Zhuo possessed abundant cultivation resources, and more importantly, he was willing to share them, to the point that he had gathered a group of people around him in a very short time.

Furthermore, these people were almost all from branch families. Whether this was intentional or not, it had already triggered Ning Xiaoren’s vigilance. The Ning family branches had always lacked a leader, leaving them scattered. Ning Zhuo’s appearance had filled this void. He had displayed peak third-layer cultivation and had become the center of attention. The family’s staged test of his natural talent had only further boosted his reputation. Now, the entire clan knew Ning Zhuo possessed talent, and though the specifics were unknown, his future was bright.

People are driven by self-interest. Many thought: *Invest in Ning Zhuo while he is still weak, and when he eventually succeeds, as long as he remembers the old favors and lends a hand, the returns will be massive.* Ning Xiaoren was well aware that the branch families had begun to orbit around Ning Zhuo.

"The trouble is that Ning Xiaohui is injured, and the main branch cannot suppress the cultivation team!"

"Ning Zhuo has already begun to build momentum. If he keeps succeeding, his influence will only grow."

"But fortunately, the Lava Immortal Palace is extremely difficult, and there must be many barriers. Even if Ning Zhuo can clear them, he will likely only pass one or two in the short term."

"That time should be enough for Ning Xiaohui to recover and participate in the exploration, allowing her to take back the authority she lost from Ning Zhuo."

Thinking this, Ning Xiaoren’s slightly tense mood eased.

Ning Zhuo returned to his uncle’s house. Wang Lan served fruit and seized the opportunity to ask, "Little Zhuo, I heard you just returned from the young clan leader. You..."

"Oh, don't worry, Aunt. I specifically mentioned it to Uncle Xiaoren and pleaded on your behalf."

Wang Lan’s face immediately lit up with joy. "So, did the young clan leader say when he would release your uncle?"

Ning Zhuo shook his head. "He didn't say, Aunt."

"Aunt, I need to begin my cultivation now!"

As he spoke, Ning Zhuo made a gesture to close the door. Wang Lan suppressed her anger, forced a smile, and said, "Then you cultivate well, Little Zhuo. I'll be going, I'll be going."