Ni Yunhong and his younger sister bowed respectfully at the elders once they entered the hall.
While their age and seniority were the lowest, in terms of cultivation base only, they were also nothing compared to the Yang Grade powerhouses who were present. Nonetheless, once Ni Yunhong and his younger sister showed up, whether it was the elders who commended them earlier for their kindness or the sharp-tongued elders who gave scornful remarks, they all flashed smiles at the siblings; they did not look like they just had a dispute.
“Yunhong, you have a greater aura now. Hehe, is this a sign of you advancing to Yin Grade?” The big man said proudly.
Ni Yunhong smiled and answered, “Twelfth Uncle, I indeed plan to cultivate in isolation during my return this time to break through to Yin Grade Boundary.”
Every other elder lamented and thought, ‘The young fella is very much doted on by the great ancestors, and has great achievements in martial arts cultivation and smithing art, which shouldn’t be underestimated and can’t be nitpicked. As long as he’s really able to advance to Yin Grade, he’ll definitely be number one among the youths and the middle-aged.’
The big man who spoke earlier was Ni Wangyang, the uncle of Ni Yunhong and his younger sister. He smiled brightly at the moment, and was grinning from ear to ear while glancing at the other elders provocatively.
“Yunhong, even if you really enter Yin Grade, it’s still too early to walk the Testimony Path,” the skinny elder from before remarked after letting out a dry cough, then shook his head and explained, “Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not interfering with your cultivation path, I’m only considering for you.”
Ni Wangyang hesitated before he said, “Yunhong, your Seventh Grandfather has a point this time.”
The skinny elder was Ni Xueming, who had higher seniority than Ni Wangyang, but was beyond the five generations. Therefore, he had less power of discourse than Ni Wangyang in the clan even though he was also a Yang Grade powerhouse.
“Ni Wangyang, when did I ever not have a point? Tell me.” Ni Xueming was slightly mad when he heard Ni Wangyang.
Ni Wangyang sneered, but just as he was going to refute, Ni Xueshu shouted, “Enough, stop talking so much!”
When Ni Wangyang glanced around the room, he noticed that the great elder had suppressed everyone with his voice.
“Yunhong, tell us what exactly happened,” Ni Xueshu suddenly spoke seriously, “It’s fine that you asked Xuehai to go over to the Immense Forest Military Camp and left him there, but why are you requesting for ten Life-prolonging Spiritual Pills? Hmph, don’t you know how valuable the pills are? How can you use them on an outsider? Besides, based on your current cultivation base, you’re having wishful thinking to want to attempt the Testimony Path. Heh, do you think that the path is easy to complete, and that the countless ancestors in our clan aren’t as good as you?”
He sounded so stern as though he was going to give Ni Yunhong a good beating as a lesson, but Ni Xueming and the other elders exchanged glances because they knew it was a typical example of action speaking louder than words. ‘To count on the Great Elder to punish Ni Yunhong and his younger sister… Instead of clinging to that hope, it’s better to wash up and sleep.
“First Grandfather, I can’t disclose it in detail for now, but…” Ni Yunhong replied to him after some hesitation, then spoke loud and clear, “The pills and the opening of the Testimony Path are necessary.”
The other elders could not hold it in any longer, hence they furrowed their eyebrows deeply. In fact, Ni Wangyang’s face even changed as he reprimanded, “Yunhong, how could you speak to a senior like that? Quickly apologize to Great Elder!”
Ni Xueshu was actually quite displeased too. ‘Has the young fella become so arrogant from being spoiled that he became unrestrained? But he usually treats people with grace, why did he change so quickly?’
Ni Yinghong’s eyes wandered about, and she chuckled. “First Grandfather, please don’t blame Elder Brother, he’s actually not going to walk the Testimony Path himself.”
“What?”
After hearing her, the elders were even more in disbelief that they were struck dumb.
“Yinghong, what are you talking about? Do you know what it costs every time to open the Testimony Path?” When Ni Xueming stood up, his small and skinny body made him look like a big monkey. He was concerned as he said, “I won’t say anything if the Testimony Path is to be opened for the two of you, but if it’s for someone else, heh…”
The other elders nodded in agreement too. In actuality, they would not be willing to open the Testimony Path for the siblings too, but Ni Xueming’s words were high-sounding, which was a perfect excuse for them to object to the idea.
“Forget it, since everyone’s present, let’s vote. If more than half of us agree, we’ll do as they say, but if we have less than half…” Ni Xueshu sighed and said. His eyes glowed all of a sudden, and he looked extremely fierce. “Yunhong, as the eldest son’s eldest son in the clan, you should know what to do for being so rash and muddled.”
“First Grandfather…” Ni Yunhong smiled bitterly at him.
“Don’t call me that, I’m talking to you as the clan’s great elder. Hmph, you’ve become wild after leaving the clan this time. Once you get less votes, you’ll be sent to Taichi Cave as a punishment, and you can’t leave until you enter Yin Grade!” Ni Xueshu waved his hand and said.
Ni Xueming and the others cursed after hearing what he said, ‘Is that a punishment or a gift? I want to enter Taichi Cave to…’
On the other hand, Ni Wangyang sighed a breath of relief and stopped pleading. ‘Yunhong should experience some setbacks since he disrespected his elders.’
Following that, Ni Xueshu looked at everyone else and addressed, “Okay, we can vote now. If you agree with Yunhong’s suggestion, please raise your hand.”
Many elders sat up properly without moving an inch, and did not spare Ni Yunhong and his younger sister a look at all.
Ni Xueming asked with a dark face, “Yunhong, do you see this?”
“First Grandfather, this isn’t fair.” Ni Yinghong suddenly smiled sweetly and clung to Ni Xueshu’s arm. “You should ask those who disagree to raise their hand instead.”
Ni Xueming was stunned, and he could not help but laugh. “Little girl, don’t cause any trouble!”
“First Grandfather, do Elder Brother and I look like mischievous people?” Ni Yinghong blinked.
Ni Xueming and many elders were startled, and they quickly began thinking. ‘Ni Yunhong and his younger sister clearly knew that the suggestion won’t be accepted, yet they stuck to their opinion. There must be a reason behind it.’
Just as Ni Xueming wanted to question the siblings after some hesitation, a hoarse voice was heard. “Hehe, it’s so lively here…”
The faces of the elders who were present changed right away, and they stood up at the same time to greet respectfully, “Welcome, Great Ancestor.”
An elder paced slowly out of the inner hall, and nodded after seeing everyone. “Sit down.”
The Ni family’s Three Great Ancestors were the real pillars and masters in the clan. Although Ni Jingtong was the only one who came, his pressure was so enormous that everyone in the room found it hard to breathe.
Ni Xueming quickly approached him to apologize, “Great Ancestor, I’m truly unfilial to have alarmed you, I deserve to die.”
“I wanted to be more active after resting for a long time, so I’m out for some exercise, it’s fine.”
“Second Great-grandfather!” Ni Yinghong had a cheerful smile on her face, and did not look surprised at all.
The other elders were immediately shocked. It was no wonder the siblings were so fearless; they had already contacted the great ancestor before they returned. That said, the fact that the great ancestor had personally come to support them was out of their expectations.
Ni Jingtong showed a satisfied smile when he saw the siblings. “Yunhong, Yinghong, come sit next to me.”
The Yang Grade powerhouses were envious, and they looked at the siblings in a more friendly manner than before. Even the two elders who were the most displeased with them earlier were full of smiles at the moment.
Nevertheless, nobody knew what exactly the two elders were thinking.
Ni Yinghong beat Ni Yunhong to it, where she quickly went over to Ni Jingtong and said, “Second Great-grandfather, you’re out from isolated cultivation.”
“You quirky little girl, I came out because I’ve missed you.” Ni Jingtong smiled with his eyes so squinted that they could almost not be seen.
Ni Yinghong pouted her lips and complained, “Second Great-grandfather, you’re lying again. If it wasn’t for Elder Brother’s letter, would you have come out?
The other Yang Grade powerhouses looked at each other and lamented. The only person in the entire Ni family who could be so unrestrained in front of the great ancestor was probably the little sprite who was deeply doted on by the three great ancestors.
“Oh no, does the princess not trust me anymore?” Instead of being mad, Ni Jingtong actually laughed out loud. “I’ve really missed you, and I wanted to hear your voice, so I came out of isolated cultivation.”
Ni Xueshu cleared his throat. “Great Ancestor,
you…”
“Alright, your business is important, I won’t be nagging.” Ni Jingtong waved his hand, then continued after a pause, “I’ll only be sitting here to watch, and I won’t interfere. Do what you need to do, and just pretend I’m not here.”
The other elders gasped. ‘You make it sound so nice, but if you don’t actually want to interfere, why are you still sitting here? Pretend you’re not here? That’s what you say, but if we actually do that, what will the consequences be?’
Upon having the thought, even Ni Xueshu’s temper rose.
“Uhm.” Ni Xueming straightened his skinny body and said righteously, “Actually, I think Yunhong and Yinghong have their reasons to request the pills and to open the Testimony Path. I believe that the eldest son of the clan’s eldest son and his first wife will never do anything to harm the clan, so I agree.”
The rest of the elders were dumbfounded. They cast strange looks at him, and secretly cursed the two-faced man for bullying the weak but fearing the strong.
Despite feeling unresigned to the outcome, nobody dared to object to Ni Yunhong’s suggestion anymore because Ni Jingtong was present.
Hence, the elders began having contrasting views.
Just as they fought to give their opinions, Ni Jingtong, who had been resting with his eyes shut, coughed out of the blue. It was an extremely soft cough, but the room fell dead silent in an instant such that nobody dared to take another breath.
“Yunhong and Yinghong sent me a letter to say that they have something to report about our ancestor’s legacy,” Ni Jingtong announced slowly and said with fiery eyes, “I’m not aware of the exact situation, but I’m sure they won’t fool me with something like that.”