C7 The Situation Was Unfavorable

"Once the elders have made a decision, it stands to reason that they won't change their stance. Ning Que, don't assume that just because you repelled the tsunami, you can act so brazenly. The Ning family's council hall is no place for a youngster like you to behave recklessly."

Ning Jingtao, noticing some of the elders' expressions wavering, became visibly anxious and loudly rebuked Ning Que.

"Have you still not accepted defeat?"

Ning Chaoping, who had been seated, let out a resigned sigh, stood up, and gave Ning Jingtao a cold stare.

"We were the ones who erred in today's matters. The remaining issues will be handled at the discretion of the Patriarch."

The elders rose and respectfully gestured to Ning Chaoping, their eyes filled with remorse.

They had merely been swayed by Ning Jingtao's manipulation. To them, the identity of the Patriarch was inconsequential. Ning Que's decisive action had ultimately brought them to their senses.

The Ning families had long been in conflict. Attempting to secure a fleeting peace through marriage was indeed a foolish endeavor.

"You!"

Ning Jingtao was taken aback by the elders' sudden betrayal. Overcome with rage, he coughed up blood.

"So, you think that because you've recently advanced to the eight stars Soul Weaver level, you're fit to vie for the role of Patriarch? I know you've always been resentful, but your actions today, even though you are my own brother, are unforgivable."

Ning Chaoping, observing Ning Jingtao's condition, showed no sympathy. He continued, "You and your son will relocate to Heavenly Cold Island. There are some family matters there that require attention."

Heavenly Cold Island was a remote isle far from Oceanwatch, discovered by a family member to be rich in cold jade. People had been sent to mine it, but the distance made travel challenging. The island was akin to a white elephant—valuable yet burdensome. Sending Ning Jingtao and his son there was tantamount to exile.

"Stop scheming. Even as an eight stars Soul Weaver, if I were to strike, you wouldn't last a single move."

Ning Jingtao watched Ning Chaoping with a cold, unyielding gaze. With a dramatic sweep of his sleeve, a vast surge of wakan began to swirl around him, unveiling an immense presence he had never before shown.

Despite being an eight-star Soul Weaver himself, Ning Jingtao felt a profound sense of oppression in the face of Ning Chaoping at that moment.

'Nine-star Soul Weaver.'

He whispered to himself, his complexion pale. It dawned on him that his brother had already regained his full strength, ascending once again to the nine-star Soul Weaver realm.

His own son, previously considered foolish, had also returned to normal and had even managed to forcefully repel the Hai family's forces. In contrast, his own child was still reveling in the minor achievement of advancing to Soul Apprentice.

A wry smile crept onto Ning Jingtao's lips. His past actions now seemed as laughable as a clown's antics.

After addressing all matters and dismissing the others, Ning Chaoping finally turned his attention to Ning Que. His face, showing signs of age, was brimming with excitement. He reached out and placed a trembling hand on Ning Que's shoulder.

"Dad, I'm all better now."

Ning Que, at a loss for words, simply offered a reassuring smile. Ning Chaoping nodded vigorously, his lips quivering as if he had much to say but remained silent.

"Brother Ning Que, how did you become so strong all of a sudden?"

Ning Xian'er, sensing an awkward silence and knowing that Ning Que had only just recovered, understood that the father and son might need time to adjust to the new dynamic. She quickly spoke up, prompting a look of puzzlement from Ning Chaoping.

"Uh…"

Ning Que pondered for a moment, uncertain of how to explain. He hadn't yet considered sharing the secret of the Ling Jing with anyone.

"Son, just say it was the pill. Remember those bottles and jars I had you collect? Among them were indeed pills capable of boosting one's strength several levels in a short time. However, the potency of these pills is overwhelming, and using them comes at the cost of depleting one's life force. Don't even think about relying on them."

The voice of Ling Jing suddenly echoed in Ning Que's mind, followed by a flash of blue light from the Abyssal Ring, materializing a small bottle in Ning Que's palm. This had to be the pill Ling Jing mentioned, the one capable of boosting strength in a short span of time.

"Dad, I could only achieve such strength by relying on this pill. Take a look," Ning Que said, tossing the bottle to Ning Chaoping, who caught it with care and scrutinized it closely.

"This is the Soulfire Elixir!" Ning Chaoping, despite being the head of the modest Ning family, had an impressive breadth of knowledge. He identified the elixir with just a quick glance.

"You're being reckless. This Soulfire Elixir isn't something to be taken lightly. It's not worth the temporary surge in power," he admonished, shaking his wrist and stowing the bottle. Ning Chaoping sighed deeply, "This pill might boost your strength dramatically for a short time, but the consequences are grave. You're sacrificing your own lifespan."

Ning Xian'er's expression faltered upon hearing this, and she clutched Ning Que's hand tightly, her face etched with worry.

"Don't worry. The consequences would indeed be severe for others, but I'm an exception. My teacher has given his consent for me to use this pill, and he's assured me he can restore the life force I've expended," Ning Que reassured, waving his hand with a smile at Ning Chaoping and Ning Xian'er.

His teacher, of course, was Ling Jing. Though Ling Jing existed only as a spirit and couldn't manifest physically, this obscurity worked to Ning Que's advantage—no one knew the true identity of his mysterious mentor.

A mysterious master who claimed he could negate the side effects of the Soulfire Elixir was a powerful card to play, and Ning Que was keen to leverage it.

"Your teacher?" Ning Chaoping asked, puzzled. His son had always been a bit of a simpleton, and only today did he seem to come into his own. Who would take on such a person as a disciple?

"My teacher has only recently taken me under his wing. He's the one who saved me when I nearly drowned. Otherwise, how could I have possibly survived after flailing in the sea for so long?" Ning Que said with a chuckle. Internally, he acknowledged the effort it took to maintain a lie; once started, it required constant embellishment to avoid detection.

Upon hearing this, both Ning Chaoping and Ning Xian'er by his side showed expressions of realization, apparently convinced by Ning Que's story. Ning Chaoping then suggested that Ning Que find a time to host a banquet for his fictitious teacher, to which Ning Que nonchalantly agreed, effectively stalling for time.

"The situation in Oceanwatch is becoming increasingly dire. It looks like the Ning family may need to find a new place to call home," Ning Chaoping remarked, his face etched with concern, after they finished discussing Ning Que's situation.

"The Hai family isn't all that impressive. Master, now that you've regained your Nine-star Soul Weaver strength, and considering the Hai family only has two Nine-star Soul Weavers, they would be hard-pressed to defeat us without suffering significant losses themselves. I doubt the head of the Hai family would act rashly," Ning Xian'er said, her frustration evident after having been struck by Ning Jingtao's palm.

"In the past, I would have agreed with you, but things have changed. Here's a secret report from the spy I've placed within the Hai family. Take a look," Ning Chaoping said, picking up a slip of paper from the table. Ning Que and Ning Xian'er leaned in to read it, their faces reflecting a mix of emotions.

"The Hai family has become entangled with the Shadowsea Cult," Ning Xian'er observed, her cool demeanor giving way to surprise, her brows knitting together. Ning Que, on the other hand, seemed puzzled, unfamiliar with the formidable reputation of the Shadowsea Cult.

"That man in the black robe was likely a member of the Shadowsea Cult," Ning Que mused, furrowing his brow. Based on Ling Jing's perception, the man's strength was at least that of a Nine-star Soul Weaver, possibly greater, yet he had refrained from attacking.

"It's clear to me that their visit today was merely a probe; they had no intention of engaging us by force. Though their exact motives are unclear, their intentions are certainly malevolent," Ning Chaoping deduced.

"The Shadowsea Cult has established itself as a dominant force in the southern seas. With the Hai family now in league with them, the Ning family will undoubtedly be their first target. That's why Elder Wu and I have decided to discreetly relocate all of our people and resources. The move will likely take place within the next few days."

Ning Chaoping spoke with a sense of loss he couldn't hide. Having lived in Oceanwatch for half his life, he found himself cornered by dire circumstances, forcing him to make a difficult decision. As the patriarch, his inability to safeguard his entire family weighed heavily on him, filling him with guilt.

Ning Xian'er pressed her lips together, remaining silent. Though not of the Ning family bloodline, she had been raised by them since childhood. Despite being seen as an outsider by some, her gratitude towards the Ning family was unwavering, and she too felt the gravity of their plight.

"Get yourselves ready," he advised. "I've spoken with Elder Wu Cong. He will lead the younger members of our family to safety first. You represent the future of the Ning family, and it's crucial that you're settled securely."

Ning Chaoping offered Ning Que a smile, adding, "It seems the heavens have granted me some favor after all. Knowing you've recovered brings me great contentment."

The sight of his father's aged face tinged with sorrow pierced Ning Que's heart. Memories of his father flooded his mind, and a fierce resolve took root within him, strengthening his determination. In this life, he was Ning Que, and there were things he simply couldn't abandon or hide from.

"Go and rest now," Ning Chaoping continued. "Que'er, before you depart, I'll do my best to gather some items for you—some for your use and others for your teacher. It's a blessing to have encountered such a powerful figure. Remember to treat people with sincerity. Should I not be by your side in the future, you'll need to depend on him even more."

Their eyes locked, the unspoken bond between father and son clear; the connection of blood remained unbreakable, no matter the distance.

Back in his room, Ning Que lay in bed, his thoughts restless. The uncertainty of his future loomed over him. Ling Jing had explained that in this world, power commanded respect. It was a concept he hadn't fully grasped until he witnessed the Ning family's struggles firsthand. Strength was essential to hold one's ground.

"Ling Jing, is there a way for me to quickly enhance my strength?"

Ning Que spoke softly, acknowledging the vulnerability of the Ning family. He knew that a tranquil life was no longer an option for them. Their only recourse was to find ways to bolster their strength, to ensure they had the means to secure their existence.

Unbeknownst to himself, Ning Que had seamlessly assimilated into his new role in what seemed like no time at all.