Chapter 39: Zhao Ningxiang's Ambition

"I know Yu Ting won't object; my concern is Ning Xiang. That girl is quite stubborn. She's spent more time with me than with you, and I understand her well. She's proud and ambitious, with a primary spirit root sensitivity of seventy-five. At only sixteen, she's already reached the sixth level of Qi Refining. Chang Sheng is nineteen this year, yet he's only at the fifth level of Qi Refining. Yu Ting might not think highly of him."

Zhao Yuhui explained calmly.

Zhao Ziheng had an epiphany, nodding as he said, "You're right. Ning Xiang is the most promising talent in our Zhao family. Chang Sheng is a good boy, but his aptitude is indeed somewhat inferior."

Zhao Yuhui shook her head and sighed, "Talent isn't the main concern. Apart from Ning Xiang, do we have any other exceptional youngsters in our clan? When your Fifth Uncle and I pass away, who will safeguard the family? Without a Foundation Establishment cultivator presiding, the family's demise could happen overnight. My intention is to find an in-law husband for Ning Xiang so she can stabilize the family in the future. Naturally, if a talent better than Ning Xiang emerges within the clan, we could allow her to marry out. However, as of now, there seems to be no one more promising than her in the clan."

"No wonder you've been providing her with more resources; you're grooming her to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Zhao Yuhui waved her hand, saying, "Let's put this aside. Go call Zijun and the others to the council hall to discuss how we should respond to Ming Yuan."

"Mother, isn't it just about mediating between the two families? This minor issue hardly warrants calling everyone else for a meeting!"

"As the saying goes, 'those who take bribes lose their voice, and those who accept favors become soft.' If we truly obtain the silkworm breeding technique, can we really afford not to favor the Wang family? Call Zijun and the others. Let's discuss this thoroughly and strive to secure greater benefits. We must keep public and private matters distinctly separate."

"Yes, Mother."

Zhao Ziheng assented and turned to leave.

***

By a vast lake, Wang Changsheng and two others were seated, fishing by the shore.

The lake, spanning several acres, contained a large population of first-tier, low-grade spirit fish known as White-Scaled Fish.

White-Scaled Fish are a common type of spirit fish, prized for their delicious meat. They have low environmental requirements and a gentle disposition, frequently appearing on cultivators' dining tables.

The Zhao family raises a considerable number of White-Scaled Fish, which are sold once they reach five *jin*. These fish constitute a primary source of income for the Zhao family.

"Cousin Chang Sheng, you just told Grandmother that you served as a Heavenly Master in the mortal world. Is the mundane world enjoyable? I've never been there before!"

Zhao Ningxiang blinked and asked curiously.

Wang Changsheng shook his head, saying, "There's nothing much to enjoy in the mundane world. The spiritual energy is thin, there isn't even a single spiritual vein, and cultivation progresses exceptionally slowly."

Zhao Ningxiang sounded a bit disappointed. "Oh, really? I had originally wanted to visit the mundane world for some fun, but hearing you say that, I'm not interested anymore. On that note, Cousin Chang Sheng, your cultivation speed is simply too slow. I'm already at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and you're only at the fifth. By the time I reach your age, I'll probably be at the seventh level of Qi Refining."

As she spoke, a smug expression appeared on her face.

Zhao Ningxuan's face hardened, and he chastised, "Ning Xiang, mind your words!"

"Cousin Chang Sheng, please don't misunderstand; Ning Xiang didn't mean anything by it."

"It's alright. Cousin Ning Xiang just has that kind of personality; she says whatever comes to mind."

Wang Changsheng didn't take it to heart. As a child, he frequently visited the Zhao family with his grandmother, and he and Zhao Ningxiang could be considered childhood sweethearts.

Zhao Ningxiang possessed superior aptitude, and with her mother being a member of the Lin family, she had been pampered and spoiled since childhood. This led her to develop a straightforward personality, speaking her mind without much thought for others' feelings. Of course, she harbored no ill will, and Wang Changsheng had grown accustomed to it.

"Hehe, Cousin Chang Sheng truly understands me. By the way, Cousin Chang Sheng, have you ever considered joining a cultivation sect? My mother mentioned that in a few years, the Four Great Sects will widely open their gates to recruit disciples. The Four Great Sects only open their gates once every twenty years, and with the strict recruitment conditions, each cultivator gets only one opportunity."

Zhao Ningxiang giggled, a hint of excitement in her expression.

"Joining a cultivation sect? I haven't considered it. My aptitude isn't particularly good. Even if I were fortunate enough to join, I'd likely only be an outer disciple. I've heard that the lives of outer disciples are not easy; they're constantly busy with various chores, and failure to complete them results in penalties. I'd rather stay home!"

Wang Changsheng said nonchalantly.

Although his aptitude was mediocre, if he could become an artifact refiner, the family would supply him with materials for crafting. He could then accumulate resources to purchase spiritual items that aid in Foundation Establishment. However, if he were to join a cultivation sect, they might not necessarily provide him with materials for artifact refining.

Most importantly, the education he had received since childhood instilled loyalty to his family and the importance of contributing to its prosperity. A sect held no sense of belonging for him whatsoever.

"Exactly. At home, you have friends and family. But if you go to a cultivation sect, you'd be in an unfamiliar place, struggling every step of the way. If you got sick, there wouldn't even be anyone to look after you."

Zhao Ningxuan wholeheartedly agreed.

"You can't say that. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Cultivation sects are rich in resources and possess excellent cultivation techniques. What prospects are there in staying in Ningzhou your entire life? At best, you might reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Only by standing in a higher position can one see further."

Zhao Ningxiang spoke with fervor, her words brimming with ambition.

Wang Changsheng and Zhao Ningxuan exchanged glances, both seeing expressions of astonishment on the other's face.

They had not anticipated that Zhao Ningxiang would utter such grand and ambitious words.

"Everyone has different pursuits, I suppose. Cousin Ning Xiang, does great-aunt agree with your desire to join a cultivation sect?"

"Grandmother doesn't know yet, but I'll tell her. If I can join a cultivation sect, it would also benefit the Zhao family's development, so she will definitely agree. Are you two truly not considering joining a cultivation sect? If we join one together, we could look out for each other, and that would benefit our families too."

Zhao Ningxiang urged them enthusiastically.

Wang Changsheng felt a slight pull. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "I'll go back and ask my father. If he agrees, then I'll give it a try."

Zhao Ningxuan shook his head and said, "Forget it! I've heard that every time the Four Great Sects open their gates, countless people are desperate to join, and many cultivators reportedly die in the arenas each time. I'd rather stay safely at home. Cultivation sects aren't places you can just walk into at will."

Zhao Ningxiang rolled her eyes at Zhao Ningxuan and snapped, "Big Brother, you truly lack ambition. Cousin Chang Sheng, please go back and talk properly with Uncle about it. Then, we can go together to seek mentorship. Once we become disciples of a cultivation sect, Big Brother, you'll be the one crying!"

Wang Changsheng nodded in agreement, while Zhao Ningxuan managed a wry smile.

"Oh! A fish is on the hook, it's on the hook!"

Zhao Ningxiang gave a strong tug on her fishing rod, and a large, two-foot-long fish flew out of the lake. The fish was entirely white, its surface covered in white scales, and its mouth was firmly hooked.

Zhao Ningxiang's face lit up with joy. She unhooked the fish and gently placed the White-Scaled Fish into the wooden bucket.

An hour later, Wang Changsheng cheerfully carried five White-Scaled Fish back to his dwelling.