Chapter 21: Qi Refinement Layer 2!

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit withdrew its gaze and focused on the Zheng Family.

Two elders of the Zheng Family were persuading Zheng Jian.

Zheng Jian was a young cultivator with a gem shaped like a pupil in the center of his forehead headband.

At that moment, Zheng Jian shook his head resolutely, "No, I have decided to cultivate the **Five Elements Qi Regulation Art**! No one can stop me."

An elder sighed, "Zheng Jian, you are the most outstanding of our generation in the Zheng Family. You possess the innate talent of **Piercing Heart Insight**, which perfectly complements our family's cultivation techniques. Switching to another technique would truly waste such exceptional talent."

Zheng Jian shook his head, "It is precisely the **Piercing Heart Insight** that tells me I must cultivate this technique as soon as possible; it will greatly benefit my path!"

The elder shook his head, "The family records also contain ancestors with **Piercing Heart Insight**. While this talent indeed gives cultivators astonishing intuition, it doesn't mean it is always correct. There are many recorded instances of intuitive mistakes. Zheng Jian, you must not overly rely on this talent."

Zheng Jian shook his head, "I have never encountered a situation where my intuition was wrong. This time, I still choose to trust my intuition. Elders, thank you for your concern, but there is no need to persuade me further."

The elder sighed and took a step back, "In that case, Zheng Jian, let someone from the branch family cultivate this technique first, and see how it goes."

Zheng Jian laughed loudly, "There is no need to bring that up! What is the main line and what is the branch line? Are you suggesting the branch line should take the risk instead? That would make me too cowardly and weak as the main line."

"Precisely because I am a member of the main line of the Zheng Family, I should lead by example and move forward bravely. Otherwise, what right does the main line have to govern the family?"

"Elders, my decision is made."

The two elders sighed deeply, feeling both worried and gratified.

One of them said, "Very well. This **Jade Slip** is for you."

"It was personally bestowed by Lord Zheng Shuanggou upon learning of your situation."

"Inside the **Jade Slip** is an artifact refining technique called the **Life-Ending Flying Hook**."

Zheng Jian was puzzled, "I'm about to dissipate my mana, I need to race against time. How can I refine artifacts at this critical juncture?"

The elder smiled, "No rush, take a good look at it first."

Zheng Jian then placed the **Jade Slip** on his forehead and activated his **Divine Sense** to explore it.

Soon, he was filled with joy.

"Amazing."

"This artifact refining secret technique is powerful but has disadvantages. First, it must be paired with our family's cultivation techniques. Second, each hook refined permanently reduces a layer of the cultivator's mana. Refining too many will continuously lower the cultivator's maximum mana, which can never be recovered."

"But for me right now, it's perfect."

"Since my mana is to be dissipated anyway, I might as well make use of it and refine it into the **Life-Ending Flying Hook**. This will not only accelerate the dissipation process but also create a powerful protective artifact."

"Thank you, Ancestor Zheng Shuanggou, and thank you, elders!"

One elder stroked his beard, while the other smiled.

"This is what you deserve."

"You are truly a worthy descendant of the Zheng Family. We hope you succeed in everything this time!"

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit watched Zheng Jian for a moment before shifting its gaze towards the Ning Family.

The Ning Family Clan Leader and several elders were secretly discussing and finalizing the candidates.

The newly drafted list was circulating among them.

The Academy Elder frowned, "This list is inappropriate."

"The **Five Elements Qi Regulation Art**, although derived from the **Dharma Transmission Bell** of the **Immortal Palace**, currently has only three layers. Transitioning to this technique has unpredictable prospects and is unlikely to be voluntary."

"Now, if we forcibly assign personnel, it will undoubtedly cause grievances."

"This list is heavily skewed towards the branch line, with very few from the main line. If made public, it will not be acceptable."

The Battle Hall Elder was indifferent, "Our Ning Family's main line has always had fewer people, while the branch line has many. It's only fair that the branch line contributes more manpower."

"If too many from the main line are involved, and they sacrifice during the exploration of the Immortal Palace... even if they don't, should the future fail to obtain subsequent techniques, they would be half-ruined."

"This would be too heavy a sacrifice for the main line."

"I don't want to see the internal strife of a decade ago repeat itself!"

Over ten years ago, the Ning Family had migrated from North Wind Country to settle in Southern Bean Country.

During the journey, they were ambushed.

Many main line members perished, and the Golden Pill Ancestor was severely injured. After settling in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the Ning Family's Golden Pill cultivators spent years in recuperation, becoming the least notable golden core cultivators in the city.

In such circumstances, the branch line, with its large numbers, saw the opportunity to grow ambitious, sparking an internal conflict in an attempt to overthrow the main line's dominance.

In the end, the main line narrowly triumphed with significant losses.

Since then, the main line members had been extremely vigilant against the branch line, using various means openly and covertly to weaken the branch line and strengthen the main line.

In summary, the core policy of the Ning Family was to **strengthen the trunk and weaken the branches**!

However, this policy was difficult to implement in selecting personnel for the **Five Elements Qi Regulation Art**.

This was because they were unsure of the prospects of transitioning to the technique.

If the prospects were great, they would heavily assign main line members. If they were dim, they would use more branch line members.

Right now, no one could guarantee the future.

The elders tended to be conservative.

After some discussion, the branch line candidates were decided, but the main line was still undecided amidst considerable disputes. The elders present were all main line members, each with their own networks and interests.

The Clan Leader listened to the elders' arguments for a long time. During a break in their disputes, he interjected, "No matter how many people come from the main line, it is essential to have a main leader. With the branch line's numbers, without a capable main line person to exert control, it could easily get out of hand."

The elders' expressions turned grim, understanding that the Clan Leader wanted to send someone truly capable.

The Clan Leader continued to ask, "Among the family's **Qi Refinement Realm** members, who can bear this important task?"

All the elders thought of only one person.

"It has to be Ning Xiaohui."

"She was born with a pair of **Ice-jade Hands**, capable of crafting **Frost Talisman** seamlessly, with natural spiritual charm, ensuring top-notch quality!"

"To send such a talented person…"

"I disagree!" Suddenly, the Talisman Hall Elder interrupted, strongly opposing the idea.

Another heated argument broke out.

The Clan Leader, feeling a headache, waited for a long time. During a break in the elders' arguments, he suggested, "Why not first consult Ning Xiaohui herself?"

The Talisman Hall Elder immediately stood up, opened the door, and left the council chamber, "I will speak to her personally!"

Soon,

"Elder." Ning Xiaohui saluted.

The next moment, she learned of the matter and her face changed instantly, "I was born with **Ice-jade Hands**, meant to tread the grand path of talisman crafting, a path bright and clear."

"Now you want me to take on this unconventional method, which elder cannot stand to see me succeed?"

"I will complain to my grandmother!"

The Talisman Hall Elder maintained a serious expression, "I fully support you, Xiaohui. Let's go, I will accompany you."

Hearing Ning Xiaohui's words, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit exhaled smoke in anger, showing extreme disdain on its dragon face.

Having observed the four powers of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, it viewed the Ning Family the most negatively.

It was about to shift its attention when its gaze suddenly paused.

Not far from the Ning Family's gathering place, there was a simple courtyard.

Under the courtyard was a manual room.

Inside, a young boy was sitting cross-legged, actively practicing.

Blood was slowly dripping from his nostrils.

His cultivation technique was clearly the **Five Elements Qi Regulation Art**, and moreover…

He was at the second level of the **Qi Refinement Realm**!