Ning Fa remained silent for a moment before asking, "Xiao Yu should still be cultivating on Ningchang Island, right?"
The Ning Family had a rule: any clan member who discovered a spiritual root could cultivate at the family's ancestral land, Ningchang Island, for three years. During this time, the family would supply all cultivation resources. After three years, further arrangements would be made based on their progress.
"That's right, Xiao Yu rushed back to Ningchang Island after attending Xilin's funeral. Alas..."
Ning Zhengqian recalled Xiao Yu's tear-streaked face at the funeral and couldn't help but sigh.
Ning Fa fell silent, making a decision in his heart.
Just then, Ning Zifeng seemed to remember something and looked at Ning Fa hesitantly. "Xiao Fa, I remember your body seemed to act strangely that day. It suddenly flashed with Five-Colored Spiritual Light, and then you sent me flying quite a distance. Are you feeling any discomfort anywhere now?"
Ning Fa's heart skipped a beat. It seemed his body had indeed undergone some changes while he was unconscious.
However, he could only act as if nothing was wrong. "I'm just a bit weak, but otherwise, I'm fine. Perhaps it was a spontaneous reaction from my cultivation technique after I was attacked that day."
Ning Zifeng nodded, not thinking much of it. He then reminded his father, "Father, don't forget to notify the Ninth Elder. She left a Sound Transmission Talisman after visiting Xiao Fa that day."
Ning Zhengqian slapped his forehead and quickly took out a fiery red Sound Transmission Talisman. Judging by its spiritual pressure, it was clearly a mid-grade first-tier talisman.
Ning Zhengqian spoke a few words into the talisman, which then turned into a streak of fire and vanished into the void.
Seeing Ning Fa's confused expression, Ning Zhengqian explained, "Not long after you fell unconscious, the Ninth Elder came to visit you. After examining your body, she gave you a healing pill and said you were fine, just needing some time to recover. She also left this Sound Transmission Talisman, asking us to notify her once you woke up."
After speaking, Ning Zhengqian's face lit up with excitement, clearly happy that Ning Fa had received the Ninth Elder's attention.
After all, the Ning Family was a large Foundation Establishment Family with only ten elders, and each elder held immense power within the clan.
Ning Fa felt a warmth spread through his heart upon hearing this.
Afterward, Ning Fa chatted with them for a while longer. He learned that during his unconscious period, besides his own family members and the Ninth Elder, Ning Zonglie and his uncle's family had also visited him.
Furthermore, Wei Chengzong had personally visited him and left some healing pills.
Ning Fa couldn't help but wonder if Wei Chengzong was aware of Ning Ruiming's scheme against him.
Based on his judgment, Wei Chengzong was likely unaware. He probably believed Ning Ruiming only intended to delay his entry into Lingchang Island.
After all, openly plotting to harm a family Pill Master was a serious crime. Even Ning Ruiming wouldn't dare let too many people know about it. If Wei Chengzong knew, given his seasoned nature, he wouldn't dare get involved, especially since Ning Fa technically had the Ninth Elder backing him.
Besides these visitors, the most surprising to Ning Fa was that Liu Qinghui had also come to see him.
Seeing that Ning Fa was still unconscious, she left without saying much.
Ning Fa was puzzled by her intentions. Logically, his hostility towards her was already so obvious; why would she still pretend?
Or was she also aware of Ning Ruiming's scheme and wanted to see for herself if he was dead?
Soon, Ning Zhengqian and Ning Zifeng left, telling Ning Fa to rest well. They also instructed Ning Fa's paternal uncle's wife to prepare some spirit rice and spirit vegetables for him.
Although Ning Fa desperately wanted to go home and investigate the abnormality in his body, he felt that he was still very weak and decided to stay.
Shortly after, his maternal aunt Ning Muchun and his fourth uncle Ning Baiquan's family, having received the news, came to visit Ning Fa one after another.
Even though Ning Fa had had some unpleasant interactions with Ning Muchun and the others before, Ning Muchun and Meng Jinliang acted as if nothing had happened, showing great concern for Ning Fa.
However, Ning Fa couldn't shake the feeling that Meng Jinliang seemed to be avoiding his gaze, though he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.
Ning Fa became suspicious.
With his sharp mind, he couldn't help but recall that it was Meng Jinliang and Ning Muchun who had confronted Ning Zhen'an.
Ning Zhen'an had attacked him three times consecutively, yet Meng Jinliang had shown no reaction. This seemed rather suspicious.
After all, Meng Jinliang and Ning Zhen'an were cultivators of the same tier. Even if there was a difference in strength, he shouldn't have been so unresponsive, especially with a helper.
Although Ning Fa thought this, he didn't show it on his face. He thanked Ning Muchun and Meng Jinliang without any unusual expression.
At sunset, the Ninth Elder, Ning Shaohong, arrived.
She was wearing a lake-green ruqun, her graceful figure accentuating her fair skin. She didn't look like someone of Ning Fa's father's generation at all; rather, she resembled a young woman.
Her beautiful, cloud-like hair was casually tied up with what seemed to be an ordinary wooden hairpin. Her eyes, like pools of autumn water, made her appear both elegant and captivating.
"Xiao Fa, how are you feeling now?"
Ning Shaohong looked at Ning Fa with clear eyes and asked softly.
Ning Fa quickly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Ninth Elder. I feel much better now."
Ning Shaohong first carefully observed Ning Fa's complexion, then placed her hand on his wrist to examine him again. She said with relief, "Fortunately, your dantian was not damaged. Even though you have an Incomplete Lightning Spiritual Root, you still have hope for future advancements."
Ning Fa said gratefully, "This is all thanks to the Azure Lotus Pill you bestowed upon me, Ninth Elder. Otherwise, I might not have woken up so quickly."
Ning Fa now knew that the pill Ning Shaohong had given him was a top-grade first-tier healing pill, the Azure Lotus Pill. This type of pill was exceptionally precious, worth hundreds of spirit stones, no less than a mid-grade magical artifact.
Ning Shaohong waved her hand. "Putting aside your father's connection, you are now also a Pill Master of our family, and you are very important to the clan. This pill is nothing."
Afterward, Ning Shaohong chatted with Ning Fa for a few more sentences. Suddenly, her eyes flashed, and she directly asked, "Do you think Ning Zhen'an deliberately attacked you?"
Ning Fa was taken aback. Was this Ninth Elder so direct?
The reason he hadn't voiced his suspicions was the lack of evidence. Speaking without proof would only make things difficult for Ning Shaohong. He hadn't expected her to bring it up herself.
As Ning Fa pondered and was about to speak, Ning Shaohong looked out the window and said calmly, "Ning Zhen'an has powerful backing. Do not act rashly."
Ning Fa looked up at her sharply. It seemed this Ninth Elder had already sensed that Ning Zhen'an was acting under someone else's orders, and might have even guessed it was Ning Ruiming.
After all, during his Pill Master assessment, Ning Ruiming had disregarded her authority and obstructed him.
Coupled with the animosity between their factions, this was common knowledge within the Ning Family.
Ning Shaohong's calm voice continued, "This time, I won't let you be injured in vain. I will seek justice for you. Regardless of whether Ning Zhen'an's actions were intentional or not, I will make him pay the price. In the future, no one in the family should dare to intentionally harm you again. You don't need to worry about this matter anymore."
With that, Ning Shaohong turned and smiled at him. "Don't worry about the alchemy affairs in the Alchemy Hall for now. Focus on recuperating first. There's no need to get up; I'll be leaving now."
After Ning Shaohong left, Ning Fa was still somewhat dazed, his expression complex.