Ning Fa strode into the valley. As soon as he entered, he felt a surge of pure spiritual energy wash over him, seeming much cleaner and more refined than the outside world.
Ning Fa guessed that the valley must have been equipped with formations and restrictions, like a spirit gathering array, to achieve this. He figured it must have been quite costly in Spirit Stones.
This made him sigh at the Ning Family's current wealth and willingness to invest so much.
Just as Ning Fa was wondering where to find Xiao Yu, he spotted a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.
He saw Xiao Yu, dressed in a goose-yellow dress, emerge from a building and walk towards the nearby lake. Her graceful figure appeared somewhat lonely and dejected, her small face sullen.
Ning Fa was about to go greet her when two other girls, both around ten years old, walked out of the same building.
One of them, a pretty girl with a face full of freckles, looked at Xiao Yu's retreating back, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes.
She then formed a hand seal, and streaks of green spiritual light swirled around her hands, clearly casting a spell.
It was evident she wasn't very proficient, but after more than ten breaths, she managed to cast the spell, albeit haltingly.
A flash of green light appeared under Xiao Yu's feet, and two green wood vines burst from the ground, grabbing her ankles.
The two vines then shot upwards, catching Xiao Yu completely off guard. She was thus hung upside down in the air, even revealing her undergarments beneath her skirt.
Xiao Yu's face was filled with terror. She could only desperately clutch her skirt with both hands to prevent her undergarments from being seen, her delicate face streaked with tears.
"Hahaha."
The two girls let out giggling laughter, appearing extremely pleased.
Seeing this, Ning Fa's anger surged. He flipped his right hand, and a silver lightning ball appeared in his palm.
Just as he was about to intervene and rescue Xiao Yu, someone was a step faster than him.
A golden air blade flashed through the air, instantly severing the two wood vines. Then, an azure wind ball enveloped Xiao Yu, gently lowering her to the ground.
A boy, no older than ten years old, walked over.
He wore a simple white Daoist robe. Though young, he was exceptionally handsome. What was rare was that he lacked the immaturity of his peers; instead, his expression was calm, possessing a maturity beyond his years.
An indescribable noble aura emanated from him, even giving off a sense of pressure.
Ning Fa looked at the young man, a look of surprise on his face, and the lightning ball in his hand dissipated.
This child looked no older than thirteen or fourteen, yet he was already at the sixth level of Qi Condensation!
Furthermore, the skill he just displayed was extraordinary. He simultaneously used two Five Elements Spells, and judging by his casting speed, he was likely already at the Great Accomplishment stage.
Ning Fa even came to a conclusion that depressed him.
He was not this young man's opponent right now!
After all, he was only at the third level of Qi Condensation.
Seeing the white-robed youth approach, the two girls who had been happily laughing suddenly turned panicked. The freckled girl who had cast the spell said weakly, "Brother Daozhen, we were just playing a joke on Xiao Yu..."
The white-robed youth walked up to the freckled girl, his expression turning serious. To Ning Fa's surprise, the youth directly swung his arm and slapped the freckled girl.
With a crisp "slap," a red handprint appeared on the freckled girl's right cheek.
The freckled girl covered her face, looking at the white-robed youth in disbelief, tears streaming down her face.
The white-robed youth ignored her. He spoke in a voice that was somewhat childish but carried great authority:
"I warned you not to bother Xiao Yu again. It seems you've taken my words lightly. If there's a next time, it won't be as simple as today."
The freckled girl's lips turned pale. She timidly tried to say a few more words, but her female companion quickly pulled her away.
Ning Fa was stunned.
Damn it, I was just outdone in a "hero saves the damsel" situation. And after saving her, he immediately slapped her. He's practically a template for heroes saving damsels.
"Daozhen... Ning Daozhen? I don't recall that name."
Ning Fa couldn't help but ponder the youth's background, but the name was completely unfamiliar. He must be a rising star of the next generation in the family.
Judging by his demeanor, his cultivation aptitude must be quite high. To be on the verge of breaking through to the late Qi Condensation stage at such a young age, he might even break his third uncle's record for the fastest advancement to late Qi Condensation.
Ning Fa couldn't help but sigh again at how many talented individuals the Ning Family was producing now.
At this moment, the white-robed youth had already reached Xiao Yu and was softly comforting her.
Ning Fa also walked over. Xiao Yu, with tear stains still on her face, saw it was Ning Fa and her eyes reddened again. She choked out, "Cousin Uncle."
Then she sobbed uncontrollably.
Ning Fa sighed, knowing that Xiao Yu must have thought of her grandfather upon seeing him.
"Who are you? How did you get into Cui Ning Courtyard?"
The white-robed youth, who had a gentle expression, suddenly became sharp-eyed and asked Ning Fa.
Ning Fa felt annoyed by the white-robed youth's gaze, but he couldn't do anything about it. He wasn't a match for the young man right now.
After all, in the world of cultivation, seniority didn't matter; it was purely based on cultivation realm, with the capable taking precedence.
Ning Fa calmly replied, "I am Ning Fa from Pingchang Island. I am Xiao Yu's cousin uncle, here to visit her."
"You are Ning Fa?"
The white-robed youth's eyes widened slightly, looking at Ning Fa with some curiosity. It was clear he had heard of Ning Fa.
Ning Fa rolled his eyes and asked again, "Who are you?"
The white-robed youth calmly replied, "Ning Daozhen of Ningchang Island."
Ning Fa's heart stirred. To dare use the ancestral land Ningchang Island as their lineage origin could only mean they belonged to the First Elder Ning Zhongyuan's line.
It seemed this kid was likely a direct descendant of the First Elder Ning Zhongyuan. No wonder those two girls were so afraid of him just now.
Ning Fa nodded, then said, "Could you step aside for a moment? I have something to say to Xiao Yu."
The white-robed youth first glanced at Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu nodded at him, and then the white-robed youth walked about thirty feet away and stopped, looking like a devoted protector.
At this moment, seeing the object and thinking of the person, Xiao Yu could no longer hold back and burst into tears. Her sorrowful appearance was heartbreaking.
The white-robed youth not far away frowned, wanting to get up, but he remained in place.
Ning Fa sighed mournfully, gently patted Xiao Yu's head, and then took out two pill bottles from his storage bag, handing them to Xiao Yu.
"Xiao Yu, here are two bottles of Essence Replenishing Pills. Take them. I'll bring you more every so often. Cultivation is the foundation for us cultivators. Only by improving your realm can you avoid being bullied."
Xiao Yu looked at Ning Fa hesitantly, not daring to accept the pill bottles.
She naturally knew how precious Essence Replenishing Pills were. For young clan members like them in Cui Ning Courtyard, they only received one pill every two months.
Ning Fa said solemnly, "Xiao Yu, Uncle Xilin died saving me, so don't be polite with me. Take them quickly."
Xiao Yu finally took the pill bottles, choking out, "Thank you... Cousin Uncle."
Ning Fa nodded. "I'm leaving. I'll come visit you often from now on."
With that, Ning Fa glanced at the white-robed youth not far away, thinking that with this kid around, he didn't need to worry about Xiao Yu being bullied inside.