Si Jianye had always kept his word.
He also had the ability to drag the entire Li Kingdom down with him.
Axi’s body trembled involuntarily, and he quickly replied, “Your subordinate will go now!”
Si Jianye suddenly raised his eyes and, as if remembering something, fixed his gaze in a certain direction.
The Hundred Duels Competition concluded, and the crowd in the arena dispersed, muttering amongst themselves with regret in their eyes.
The cultivators had been waiting to see Feng Ninghe shine in the arena, but she had not appeared at all.
Her ability to defeat Ning Peilan meant she could have easily secured a spot in the top three.
Although Feng Ninghe did not participate, she was still ranked within the top ten, ultimately placing tenth.
The cultivators had never expected Feng Ninghe’s final ranking to be tenth, and all their bets were lost.
Meanwhile.
A figure cheerfully left the gambling house.
Old Man Xu swaggered out of the gambling house, several storage bags filled with spirit stones hanging from his waist.
As soon as Feng Ninghe decided not to participate in the finals, they had secretly planned to make another fortune.
This time, they hadn't earned as much as the last, but it was still a substantial amount.
Shi Wan.
After waking up, Si Xin Xin had been by Feng Ninghe’s side, holding Xiao Zhao in her arms.
“Ninghe.”
Old Man Xu swaggered into the courtyard, flicking his robe to reveal the storage bags hanging from his waist.
Seeing Old Man Xu’s beaming smile, Feng Ninghe couldn't help but chuckle, “It seems you’ve had a bountiful harvest.”
“Naturally.”
With that, Old Man Xu removed several storage bags and handed them over, “This portion is yours.”
Feng Ninghe glanced down at the storage bags, weighing them in her hand. Her red lips curved into a playful smile, her eyes holding a hint of depth.
After the Feng family elders left the arena, they returned to the Feng family and headed towards Shi Wan.
Feng Guangyao, walking at the forefront, had a stern expression and muttered, “This Feng Ninghe is truly outrageous. She didn’t participate in such an important event as the Hundred Duels Competition. If she had achieved a good ranking, our Feng family would have gained honor.”
As he turned his gaze, he spotted Feng Ninghe directing servants to move spirit stones ahead.
Outside Shi Wan, several heavy boxes of spirit stones were stacked, each filled with fifty thousand spirit stones.
“What is this?”
Feng Guangyao furrowed his brows, a sense of unease inexplicably lingering in his heart.
Four elders followed behind him.
Seeing the elders, Feng Ninghe raised a bright smile and spoke proactively.
“Elders, these spirit stones were all won by me at the gambling house. I bet on myself to get tenth place, and I would win as long as I didn’t attend the finals.”
“I plan to deposit all these spirit stones into the treasury. With spirit stones, the younger generation of the Feng family can receive better resources. After all, Feng Tong Tong stole quite a few spirit stones recently, and they need to be replenished.”
The implication was that she had skipped the competition to earn spirit stones and contribute to the Feng family.
She also did not forget to bring up Feng Tong Tong’s matter.
Feng Guangyao’s face turned ugly, and the atmosphere became awkward. He cursed inwardly, *Why bring that up? This Feng Ninghe is intentionally trying to embarrass me!*
The Feng family elders were stunned.
After a moment, Feng Guangyao recovered and, with a furrowed brow, reprimanded, “Even so, you cannot skip the competition for spirit stones! It concerns the honor of our Feng family, and we cannot be careless!”
Feng Ninghe looked at the elders with a serious expression and said, “But the Hundred Duels Competition doesn’t give me spirit stones, it gives spirit stones to our Feng family. Besides, I wasn’t sure I could achieve a good ranking. Since I’ve already entered the top ten, I might as well find a way to earn spirit stones for the Feng family.”
The First Elder frowned and said softly, “Ninghe, you care for the Feng family, but if you could achieve a good ranking, you could enter a better immortal sect.”
Immortal sects also varied in strength.
“I don’t plan to go to an immortal sect.”
The clear female voice fell slowly.
Her expression was as calm as ever, as if she had already made up her mind.
If she wanted to enter an immortal sect, she could do so at any time as the Empress of the Lin Kingdom.
With the power of the Zhenguo Gong Mansion not yet in her grasp, Feng Guangyao and Zhang Shi still living leisurely, and her great revenge unavenged, how could she leave?
The Fourth Elder, who was stroking his long beard, paused abruptly, “What? You don’t plan to go to an immortal sect?”
The First Elder hurriedly persuaded, “You’ve already entered the top ten. According to the rules, you can enter an immortal sect. Why would you miss such a good opportunity?”
Feng Guangyao remained silent, his eyes lowered to conceal the thought flashing through them.
Feng Ninghe’s decision not to go to an immortal sect was, in fact, good news for Feng Guangyao.
Once this woman had a backing in an immortal sect, it would be even harder to deal with her.
Feng Guangyao had clearly heard what Feng Ninghe said to Feng Tong Tong during the Hundred Duels Competition.
This woman had not forgotten what happened five years ago.
She had returned to destroy the Feng family!
If the roots are not removed, the grass will grow again in the spring breeze.
Feng Ninghe must die.
Facing the elders’ questions, Feng Ninghe smiled and replied, “My ambition does not lie there. Moreover, with Immortal Master Xu here, he can also guide me. The spot in the immortal sect will not disappear. If I want to go, I can do so at any time.”
Those who could win in the Hundred Duels Competition were all outstanding individuals, and immortal sects would open their doors to them.
However, in previous Hundred Duels Competitions, there had been no instances of participants refusing to join an immortal sect.
The Second Elder’s facial features tightened, “You earned spirit stones for the Feng family, which is indeed thinking of the Feng family. But entering an immortal sect is a dream for many. If you miss this opportunity, you might not have such good luck in the future.”
Feng Ninghe smiled and looked around, her voice tinged with a little thought, “This is the Zhenguo Gong Mansion, and it is also the only memorable thing my parents left me. I just want to protect the Feng family well.”
Everyone present fell silent at her words.
Feng Ninghe had lost her parents at a young age, and her desire to protect the Feng family and not leave was understandable.
The First Elder sighed, his eyes filled with deep helplessness, “Ninghe, since your mind is made up, others cannot say much. Your talent is extremely high now, and we believe you can protect the Feng family well.”
Feng Guangyao seized the opportunity to speak quickly, “Ninghe is loyal and righteous. Entering an immortal sect is good, but it is not the only option. Perhaps one day you will change your mind, and we should not make things difficult for Ninghe.”
“Young… Young Miss!”
A maidservant hurried over, her expression anxious, and approached the group.
Seeing the maidservant’s rushed demeanor, Feng Ninghe glanced at her, “What happened?”
The maidservant quickly said, “The Sect Master of the Xuanqing Sect has personally arrived, saying he is here to see you.”
“Xuanqing Sect?”
The First Elder’s eyes lit up, his expression filled with excitement, “Ninghe, the Xuanqing Sect is a second-rate sect among the major immortal sects, considered one of the outstanding ones. Let’s go and see the situation before deciding whether to join an immortal sect.”
The Second Elder earnestly reached out and gently patted Feng Ninghe’s shoulder, “It’s good that you are loyal and nostalgic, but the opportunity is right in front of you. Whether to seize it firmly depends on you.”
In the main hall.
Mei Honghou, the Sect Master of the Xuanqing Sect, was waiting in the hall.
The maids did not dare to delay and immediately brought tea.