The next day.
As dawn broke, the main hall was already bustling with people.
Several elders were seated, while Feng Guangyao and Madam Zhang were conversing, their complexions ruddy and their moods seemingly excellent.
They were certain that Feng Ninghe, a girl whose feathers had yet to fully grow, was bound to lose. Today, they might even seize the opportunity to thoroughly humiliate this wretched girl.
"Good morning, esteemed elders."
At this moment, a clear, crisp female voice, accompanied by the light tinkling of a bell, echoed from outside the hall.
Following the sound, a graceful figure glided in.
Feng Ninghe possessed exquisite and peerless beauty. Her lively eyes were pure and clear, and her smooth, cascading hair exuded an ethereal aura. The silk ribbon tied to her bun, as thin as a cicada's wing and a jade green hue, swayed in an elegant arc with her every movement.
The elders seated in the hall couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.
The young lady of the Feng Lie family had already gained renown throughout the imperial city for her beauty five years ago.
Little did they expect that five years later, both her appearance and temperament would have become even more transcendent and refined.
Before the elders could utter a word, Feng Ninghe flicked her sleeves and gracefully took a seat at a side table.
Upon witnessing this, the elders' eyelids twitched slightly.
Yesterday, they had heard about Feng Ninghe's affairs before and after her return to the manor. Initially, they hadn't believed that the gentle Feng Ninghe would act in such a manner.
But now, it seemed this girl's personality had indeed undergone a significant change.
The Second Elder, seated in the first position on the left, spoke first, "Ning, regarding the matter of Feng Manor's leadership, the Patriarch discussed it with us yesterday. By rights, the Duke of Zhenguo's Manor should be managed by a direct heir. However, you are still young and lack experience, making it difficult to shoulder this responsibility at present."
"Hmph. As soon as she returned to the manor, she wanted to seize power, and she's also a cultivation waste. If the Feng Manor truly falls into her hands, wouldn't it destroy our Feng family's century-old foundation?" This was spoken by the Third Elder, known for his fiery temper.
"Ning, you are too young and don't understand anything. Let's discuss this matter again after some years."
The remaining elders unanimously sided with Feng Guangyao.
After all, in the eyes of the world, Feng Ninghe was merely a young girl of twenty, and a cultivation "waste" at that.
If the Feng family were to fall into her hands, wouldn't it bring shame upon the family, making people think the Feng family had no capable individuals?
Such an outcome was within Feng Ninghe's expectations. A slight, cold smile touched her lips as she picked up a teacup from her side, lowered her gaze, and took a sip.
Her slender eyelashes cast a shadow beneath her eyes, concealing her true expression.
Feng Guangyao, unable to hide the smugness in his eyes, maintained a serious expression, feigning a frown as he spoke with feigned concern, "Ninghe, since the elders have all said this, you are still young and should temper yourself for a few more years. When you are truly capable of taking charge, your uncle will then hand over the Feng family to you."
Feng Ninghe paid no attention to Feng Guangyao, not even sparing him a glance. Instead, she looked up at the First Elder seated at the head of the table. His hair was white, but he was spirited and exuded an imposing aura. He had kept his eyes closed throughout, remaining silent.
Her luminous gaze swept over him from his face to his entire being before Feng Ninghe retracted her gaze. She put down her teacup and opened her red lips, saying,
"First Elder, you have been suffering from a hidden ailment all these years, and your cultivation has also been stuck at a bottleneck due to this ailment, unable to improve. Am I correct?"
Her clear, bell-like voice resonated throughout the hall.
Everyone's attention shifted to the First Elder following Feng Ninghe's words.
The First Elder finally opened his eyes, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the composed Feng Ninghe. Internally, he was startled.
Only he knew about the hidden ailment.
It was an injury sustained years ago during a battle with a high-level ferocious beast.
He had spent years trying to cure it, but the ailment showed no signs of improvement.
How had this young girl discovered it?
Madam Zhang seized the opportunity to reprimand sharply, "Ninghe, you are cursing the First Elder's health! Do not speak such nonsense."
For years, the First Elder had held his position as the foremost elder, and his health appeared robust. To casually claim he had a hidden ailment struck many as unbelievable.
However, the First Elder's keen eyes remained fixed on Feng Ninghe, "What else do you know?"
These few simple words caused Madam Zhang's cheeks to burn, and the chair beneath her felt scorching hot.
She had intended to seize an opportunity to humiliate Feng Ninghe, but judging by the First Elder's reaction, had her words struck a chord?
The shift in everyone's expressions was clearly visible to Feng Ninghe. She lifted her red lips and unhurriedly said, "I can cure this hidden ailment."
"Pfft, I thought you would say something useful. You can't even manage your own cultivation, so don't spout nonsense." Madam Zhang couldn't help but sneer again, "Do you really think you are the Valley Master of the Medicine Valley?"
The other elders, upon hearing this, also wore expressions of disdain.
It was laughable. If Feng Ninghe truly possessed such ability, she wouldn't still be considered a waste.
The First Elder remained silent, clearly not believing Feng Ninghe could cure him.
Feng Ninghe raised an eyebrow. Her slender, fair fingers tapped rhythmically on the lid of the teacup as she said, "If the First Elder does not believe me, why not guide your spiritual energy to the points two and three inches below your navel, and then gradually guide it into the Sea of Qi and the Gate of Qi."
A hint of hesitation appeared on the First Elder's face.
After a moment of deliberation, he couldn't resist complying.
As he guided his spiritual energy according to Feng Ninghe's instructions, the First Elder's face twitched, and a look of pain surged into his eyes.
Seeing this, everyone's hearts tightened. Even Feng Guangyao's hand trembled slightly.
Then, the First Elder closed his eyes and placed his palm on the corner of the table beside him. With the force he exerted, the corner of the table cracked and splintered into a pile of wood shavings under his palm.
Veins bulged on the First Elder's neck and the back of his hand, indicating that he was enduring immense pain at that moment.
What kind of pain could make a Nascent Soul stage cultivator display such an expression?
Madam Zhang shrieked, "Feng Ninghe, how dare you plot against the First Elder!"
The Third Elder slammed the table and stood up, reaching out to deliver a palm strike towards Feng Ninghe.
However, Feng Ninghe remained calmly seated, showing no fear.
Just as the tangible palm wind was about to strike Feng Ninghe, a figure rushed in front of her and deflected the blow.
It was the First Elder!
At this moment, the First Elder had seemingly recovered. Only his face was slightly flushed.
He stood upright in front of Feng Ninghe, showing no signs of his age, his eyes remarkably bright with unconcealed surprise.
His voice, tinged with disbelief, spoke, "Because of the hidden ailment, my spiritual energy has been suppressed all these years, and my cultivation has been stuck at a bottleneck for over a decade. But just now, I felt a fluctuation within my body! Hahahaha."
Everyone present was greatly astonished upon hearing the First Elder's words.
Especially Madam Zhang, who couldn't believe that Feng Ninghe actually possessed such an ability.
"You said just now that you can help me heal. How will you do it?"
The First Elder turned to look at Feng Ninghe, his gaze instantly becoming fervent and excited.