Chapter 8: Prioritizing the Greater Good?
Ning Muchun stood up and calmly said, “Xiao Fa, let’s use today to clarify this matter.”
“That’s right, that shop was indeed bought by your father, but your father also said that he wanted it to be a communal property for our lineage. It’s just that he passed away too suddenly and didn’t have time to tell you.”
Ning Fa frowned slightly. Since Ning Fa’s parents were no longer around and the land deed was in Ning Muchun’s hands, whatever she said naturally had no counter-evidence.
Ning Fa looked at her deeply, then calmly said, “Aunt, have you forgotten? Having the land deed alone doesn't mean you legally own that shop. The Family Ancestral Hall has a record of that shop, and it still bears my father's name. When he passed away, it naturally falls to me to inherit it. If I apply for Family arbitration, that shop will still return to my hands.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinliang, who had been smiling and appearing calm, dropped his smile and narrowed his eyes.
Ning Muchun looked at Ning Fa with some surprise. She felt that her usually dull and stubborn nephew seemed a bit different today.
But she didn't show too much surprise, continuing with a slight smile, “Xiao Fa, you’re right, but you know the situation of our branch Family being unfavored. If you apply for Family arbitration, it’s very likely that due to unclear ownership, this shop will be reclaimed by the Family, at most compensating us with some Spirit Stones.”
“So we need your help to go to the Family Ancestral Hall together, modify the shop’s record, and officially change it to communal property for our lineage.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Ning Fa couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
Only then did he understand why Ning Muchun and Meng Jinliang had that expression when they saw him.
It turned out they wanted him to do this, so they could openly seize the shop. It was truly shameless.
However, with his experience, he had seen many things more shameless than this, so he wasn't too surprised.
But Ning Fa couldn't help but find it amusing in his heart; it turns out Cultivation Families and those families on Blue Star also have many similarities, and such dirty deeds are not uncommon.
Ning Fa hadn't answered yet when Ning Muchun preempted him, saying, “Xiao Fa, don’t refuse yet. Do you know what everyone in our lineage is here to discuss?”
Speaking of this, Ning Fa was indeed a bit curious. So many people gathered together didn't seem to be solely for the shop.
Ning Muchun continued, “You should know that our Ning Family holds a direct lineage Grand Competition every ten years, right? The next one is due in a few years, and there are already rumors circulating that because the Family previously defeated the Qian Family and gained many benefits, this Grand Competition will be different from before, with many more direct lineage spots than in the past.”
“So this time, our branch Family also has a glimmer of hope to obtain a direct lineage spot, but the prerequisite is that someone from our branch must advance to the Refining Qi (Late stage) to be eligible to compete. Therefore, our lineage must quickly Cultivate a Refining Qi (Late stage) Cultivator.”
“And what we are discussing is to decide on the candidate for 重點培養, and then in the coming time, all the resources of our lineage will be gathered for cultivation. So every resource is very important now. That shop is of utmost importance, and its ownership must be decided quickly to prevent outsiders from coveting it.”
“You also know that our lineage’s current situation is very bad. Ning Guichuan and his lineage are eyeing us covetously, constantly wanting to drive us out of Pingchang Island. Therefore, we must do this. Even if we cannot win a direct lineage spot, having one more Refining Qi (Late stage) Cultivator will prevent our lineage from being bullied.”
“Xiao Fa, you are also a part of our lineage. I hope you can prioritize the greater good.”
Ning Fa suddenly understood. So this was why everyone was gathered.
And his cousin from his aunt's Family had already been internally designated as the candidate, with resources concentrated to help him Breakthrough to the Refining Qi (Late stage) Realm.
Although Meng Jinliang was a Refining Qi (Late stage) Cultivator, he was a live-in son-in-law, and according to Family rules, he could not participate in the Grand Competition.
Ning Fa’s smile vanished from his face, and he said expressionlessly, “You speak of the greater good? Coincidentally, I also have a greater good here. I am confident that I can pass the Family Alchemist assessment within a month. As soon as I become a Family Alchemist, my status will be much higher than that of an ordinary Refining Qi (Late stage) Cultivator. For the greater good, how about our lineage fully supports my Alchemy? What do you think?”
Ning Muchun frowned, “Xiao Fa, stop messing around. Who doesn’t know that you failed the Family Alchemist assessment again the day before yesterday? You simply have no Alchemy Aptitude, so don’t waste any more resources on this!”
Ning Fa immediately said, “Then can you guarantee that this cousin of mine, with his mediocre Aptitude, will definitely advance to the Refining Qi (Late stage)? As far as I know, he relied on consuming many Medicinal Pills to Cultivate to the sixth level of Qi Refining so quickly, but the Bottleneck of the Refining Qi (Late stage) is extraordinary. With his Aptitude, it’s not something that can definitely be Broken through just by throwing resources at him. If he doesn’t Breakthrough his Realm by then, wouldn’t that also be a waste of resources!?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the room instantly fell silent. Many people looked at Ning Fa in surprise, not expecting him to be so articulate today.
Ning Boquan was momentarily speechless, after all, it was very difficult for someone with Low Grade Spiritual Root Aptitude to Breakthrough to the Refining Qi (Late stage), and even throwing resources at it might not succeed.
Ning Fu Rong's face turned red, and he looked at Ning Fa with anger.
Ning Muchun also glared fiercely at Ning Fa.
Ning Fa looked at her, smiling, “You want me to agree to this? I tell you, it’s a pipe dream! If you have the guts, drag me to the Family Ancestral Hall right now. Even if that shop is taken by the Family, I won’t let you benefit from it for free!”
With that, he strode away.
Uncle Ning Zhengqian and Aunt Guo Ru had strange expressions, with Guo Ru even having a hint of a smile on her face.
Ning Muchun and Meng Jinliang’s faces were as gloomy as if they could drip water.
Their eyes met, but Meng Jinliang shook his head.
Ning Muchun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in her heart, and as if nothing had happened, she continued to discuss.
The black-robed elder, however, looked in the direction Ning Fa had left, his brow slightly furrowed, then he joined the discussion with a normal expression.
