"Dad, let's play with mud!" Ning Xuanyuan giggled, clutching a lump of mud in his hands at the Ning family plaza.

His father, Ning Xizhi, stood by, letting out a helpless sigh before bending down to dust off the dirt from his son's clothes.

"Ha! Look at that, the family head's idiot son is at it again!" someone snickered.

"That fool is already sixteen, yet he acts like a four or five-year-old every day. What an embarrassment to our Ning family!"

"Exactly. Our Ning family is one of the top clans in Yanyun City. We could have surpassed the Xu family and become the leading family in the city. But instead, the family head had to adopt this imbecile, turning us into a laughingstock."

The onlookers whispered among themselves, their disdain for the "idiot" palpable. Without him, they believed, the Ning family would have already risen to greatness.

Ning Xizhi's expression darkened as he overheard their remarks. Years ago, during his training expedition to the perilous Wuyao Mountain, he had stumbled upon a child lying unconscious. Despite the mountain's dangers, he had rescued the boy out of compassion.

Upon learning that the child was an orphan and having no wife or children of his own, Ning Xizhi decided to adopt him. The boy had been found at the heart of Wuyao Mountain, yet no demon beasts dared approach him—a sign that he was no ordinary child. Ning Xizhi named him Xuanyuan, placing great hopes in him.

But twelve years had passed, and Ning Xuanyuan remained stuck in his childhood, often falling ill and requiring spiritual medicine to recover.

"Hmph!" A voice interrupted the scene. It was Ning Yinian, the eldest of the Ning family's three pillars and Ning Xizhi's older brother. He stepped forward, his presence commanding.

"Second Brother, today is the Ning family's trial day. All the major families in the city will be here to watch. Bringing him out like this—are you trying to make us a laughingstock?"

Ning Yinian stood with an imposing presence, his face as cold and unyielding as forged steel. The day of the trial was a significant rite of passage for the younger generation of the Ning family. Each descendant was required to leave a palm print on the Trial Stele, which would reveal their cultivation level.

"Second Brother, take him back to his room. Let's not embarrass the Ning family," sneered Ning Qishan, the third brother, with a smug grin.

Ning Xizhi's heart ached as he listened to their words. These two, always at odds with him, constantly used Ning Xuanyuan to undermine him, pressuring him to relinquish his position as the family head.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, a commotion erupted at the entrance. A robust, commanding middle-aged man strode in, leading a sixteen-year-old girl by the hand. The girl was dressed in an ethereal blue gown, her long, dark hair tied up high, revealing her delicate profile and a neck as fair as jade. Her features were exquisitely sculpted, as if chiseled by a master artist, her skin so pale it seemed to radiate a cold, otherworldly beauty, like a snow maiden from a hidden waterfall.

"It's Yan Wushuang, the City Lord of Yanyun City, and his daughter, Yan Qianqiu!" someone exclaimed.

Upon their arrival, Ning Yinian and Ning Qishan hurried forward to greet them with utmost respect. Yan Wushuang exchanged a few pleasantries, but his gaze inevitably drifted toward Ning Xizhi. When he saw Ning Xuanyuan playing with mud, a shadow of disappointment crossed his face. He and Ning Xizhi were close friends and had long ago arranged a marriage between their children. Seeing Ning Xuanyuan in such a state naturally unsettled him.

Yan Qianqiu, however, stepped forward on her own, her curiosity piqued. She looked at Ning Xuanyuan with a light chuckle and asked, "So, you're my future husband?"

Ning Xuanyuan, seemingly oblivious, held out a handful of mud toward her. "Play mud! Let's play mud together!"

Yan Qianqiu paused, momentarily at a loss for words.

The onlookers glared at Ning Xuanyuan and his father with evident disdain. Ning Yinian's face darkened as he approached, his voice laced with irritation. "Second Brother, why don't you take him away? What if he dirties Miss Yan's dress? How would we handle that?"

Ning Xizhi's expression turned awkward, and he was about to say something when Yan Wushuang spoke up in a clear, commanding voice. "Elder Ning, it's just children playing around. No need to make a fuss. Let's focus on the trial ceremony. I'm quite curious to see how many young talents the Ning family will produce today."

With that, he glanced at Ning Xizhi. After all, they were old friends, and even if he didn't think much of Ning Xuanyuan, he didn't want to embarrass him in public.

Ning Yinian understood the underlying message, but given Yan Wushuang's status as the city lord, he couldn't press the issue. He simply arranged for everyone to take their seats and observe the ceremony.

Ning Xizhi sighed helplessly, casting a meaningful look at the mischievous Ning Xuanyuan before following the crowd.

The ceremony began, and one by one, the younger generation of the Ning family stepped forward to leave their palm prints on the Trial Monument.

"Ning Yuan, the third son, at the third level of Qi Condensation!"

"Ning Hua, from the branch family, at the fourth level of Qi Condensation!"

"Ning Ye, the fifth son, at the fifth level of Qi Condensation!"

The Ning family disciple announcing the names called out with enthusiasm, and the crowd erupted in applause.

"It seems the Ning family has produced a remarkable generation this time. Typically, at fifteen or sixteen, one would just be entering the second level of Qi Condensation. Yet these youths have already surpassed the third level, far exceeding the standard," remarked an elderly man with a long white beard and an air of wisdom, seated in the front row of the audience.

The crowd naturally gravitated toward him, and even City Lord Yan Wushuang nodded in agreement by his side.

Everyone in Yanyun City knew that this man was none other than Elder Shangyan, a revered elder of the prestigious Gu Yue Sect, the foremost major sect in the city.

The Gu Yue Sect stood among the top hundred sects of the nation, its reputation stretching far and wide. To become a disciple of such a sect was considered a mark of distinction, a way to bring honor to one's family and ancestors.

"Haha, Elder, these are but the modest talents of our Ning family. The real spectacle is yet to come," Ning Qishan laughed heartily.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the announcer's voice boomed across the gathering, "Ning Junran, son of the Ning family's Grand Elder, at the ninth level of Qi Condensation!"

"Ning Qingyan, daughter of the Third Elder, at the eighth level of Qi Condensation!"

The announcement sent a wave of astonishment rippling through the crowd. Both Yan Wushuang and Ning Xizhi were visibly stunned, and even Elder Shangyan's eyes widened, a glint of golden light flickering in his gaze.

"To reach the eighth and ninth levels of Qi Condensation at such a young age—their cultivation talent far surpasses that of ordinary individuals," Elder Shangyan couldn't help but praise.

Ning Qishan and Ning Yinian, standing beside him, beamed with pride, their faces glowing with satisfaction. They exchanged a few modest words, trying to downplay their children's achievements.

Then, Elder Shangyan turned his attention to Ning Xizhi. Given that the descendants of his two brothers had shown such remarkable talent, he naturally expected the children of the family head to be even more exceptional.

"Family Head Ning, I heard you have a son. Why haven't I seen him at the trial ceremony?" Elder Shangyan asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

At this, Ning Xizhi's expression turned slightly awkward. He forced a smile and replied, "Elder, my son has always been easygoing by nature. Since childhood, he's had no interest in cultivation or martial arts. As a result, he remains an ordinary person."

Hearing this, Elder Shangyan's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of disappointment crossing his face.

Ning Qishan chuckled, his voice laced with mockery. "Second Brother, you’re being far too polite. That Xuan Yuan clearly has a mental disorder, with no hope of cultivation. Even today, he hasn’t even reached the first level of Qi Condensation."

As soon as these words left his mouth, several guests who had come to witness the ceremony couldn’t help but snicker. Daoist Shangyan, on the other hand, wore a look of disdain and turned his head away, choosing not to engage further.

Ning Xizhi’s expression turned grave as he stared at Ning Qishan. He hadn’t expected the man to publicly humiliate him just to push him aside. Yet, the accusation was undeniably true, leaving him with no retort.

"Uncle," a voice rang out from the center of the square. It was Ning Junran, standing tall and proud, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I’ve heard that during the trial ceremony, the highest achiever can make a request of the family. Is this rule still in effect?"

Ning Xizhi nodded, his voice steady. "Indeed, it’s a tradition established by our family’s founding ancestor. What is it you wish to ask?"

Ning Yinian, standing nearby, let out a quiet, derisive snort.

Ning Junran’s voice boomed across the square. "Uncle, my request is simple—I want you to step down from your position as family head."

He paused, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "You have no children of your own, and after your training in the Demon Mountain, your cultivation has significantly declined. But that’s not the main issue. The real problem is that adopted son of yours, that useless waste. Not only has he tarnished our family’s reputation, but he’s also squandered a vast amount of our resources."

His voice grew colder, each word cutting like a blade. "You’ve spent countless spirit stones and elixirs trying to cure that failure, severely hindering the development of the other younger members of our family. With your current level of cultivation and your actions, you’re no longer fit to lead the Ning family."

The crowd fell silent, stunned by the audacity of his words. But it didn’t take long for a small faction to erupt in agreement.

Ning Qingyan, emboldened by the moment, stepped forward, her voice ringing out. "Junran is right, Uncle. You should step down. The family will still treat you well, and you can dote on that waste as much as you want—no one will stop you."

Her words hung in the air, the tension in the square palpable as the family’s internal strife was laid bare for all to see.

"Exactly! Step down!"

"Our family doesn’t need a weakling like you as its leader!"

More and more voices joined in, echoing the sentiment.

Ning Xizhi’s expression was as heavy as still water. He didn’t care much about the position of family head, but if he stepped down, Ning Xuanyuan’s future would undoubtedly become even more difficult.

Ning Qishan and Ning Yinian exchanged sly smirks. These words had been carefully orchestrated by the two of them and their children, all with the goal of forcing Ning Xizhi to relinquish his position during the trial.

"Second Brother, make your decision quickly. Don’t let others laugh at our family’s internal strife!" Ning Qishan said with a smug tone.

Ning Yinian, on the other hand, spoke coldly, "Second Brother, my son is right. For your own selfish reasons, you’ve drained too many of the family’s resources. If we let you continue like this, the family will surely fall apart under your leadership."

The two of them were eager to see him step down. Yan Wushuang, standing nearby, felt a pang of discomfort. After all, Ning Xizhi was his friend, but he couldn’t help but feel that their arguments held some truth.

After all, Ning Xuanyuan’s condition hadn’t improved over the years, and continuing to pour resources into his treatment seemed like a futile waste.

Ning Xizhi let out a heavy sigh, his face growing more troubled by the moment.

After a long silence, he finally made his decision.

But just as he was about to agree to step down, Ning Xuanyuan, who had been playing with mud in the corner, suddenly let out a piercing scream of pain.

The agonized cries drew everyone’s attention.

They turned to see Ning Xuanyuan clutching his chest, writhing on the ground as if a thousand silver needles were piercing his body. His face was twisted in unbearable pain.

"Xuanyuan!"

Ning Xizhi immediately dropped what she was doing and rushed to his side.

"Not good!" Ning Yinian's expression changed slightly. "The boy is having an episode. Quickly bring Miss Yan over here to avoid any harm!"

Upon hearing this, before the servants could even move, Yan Wushuang herself dashed over and pulled Yan Qianqiu away, fearing she might get caught in the chaos.

"Look at the mess this boy has caused, having an episode on the day of cultivation. He's completely shamed us!" Ning Qishan said with a dark expression.

Just as Ning Xizhi was about to speak up and offer her position, the boy suddenly had an episode, delaying the matter once again, which naturally made her angry.

Ignoring the gazes of those around her, Ning Xizhi fed a Di Ling Dan into Ning Xuanyuan's mouth, then picked him up and carried him into the house, preparing to channel her energy to heal him, so the medicine would take effect faster.

Ning Yinian frowned deeply, his expression grim. "The Di Ling Dan is a pill refined by the divine physician Sun Yurong. Each one consumes a vast amount of precious herbs. This boy has taken countless Di Ling Dan over the years. If they had been used on Junran and Qingyan, they would have likely reached the Foundation Establishment stage by now."

Everyone was complaining, while Ning Junran took this opportunity to walk over to Yan Qianqiu and greeted her warmly.

Yan Qianqiu, known as the most beautiful woman in Yanyun City, had countless suitors, all of whom she had turned away.

The reason was none other than her engagement to Ning Xuanyuan.

Ning Junran had long been troubled by this matter. As a top figure of the new generation, he naturally desired the most beautiful woman for himself.

When Yan Qianqiu saw him, she merely nodded slightly and said nothing more.

A flicker of anger rose in Ning Junran's heart, but he simply smiled and casually replied.

The long-silent Shangyan Daoist could no longer sit still. He smiled faintly at Ning Yinian and said, "Elder Ning, since the day of cultivation has concluded, this old Daoist will take his leave first."

Ning Yinian's face instantly filled with a smile. "Elder, you are too kind. I heard that the Ancient Moon Sect will be recruiting disciples in two months. I wonder if the elder could keep an eye out for my son..."

"Ha ha," Daoist Shangyan chuckled. "Given Ning Junran's talent, I can take him into our sect right now and make him an inner disciple. The same goes for Ning Qingyan."

Hearing this, Ning Yinian and Ning Qishan were overjoyed. They immediately expressed their gratitude and showered him with flattery.

Then, under the envious gazes of the crowd, Daoist Shangyan left with Ning Junran and Ning Qingyan.

Watching their retreating figures, Yan Wushuang congratulated Ning Yinian, "With Junran and Qingyan leaving like this, they are bound to achieve great things in the future. I offer my congratulations to you both in advance."

"Ha ha, City Lord, perhaps it's time to reconsider the engagement of Miss Yan?"

"In my opinion, that good-for-nothing Ning Xuanyuan is simply not worthy of Miss Yan."

"Now that Junran has joined the Ancient Moon Sect, he and Miss Yan would be a perfect match. If they could be together, it would be a match made in heaven."

Ning Qishan joked half-heartedly, while Ning Yinian smiled with a hint of anticipation on his face.

Yan Wushuang looked troubled upon hearing this. He remained silent for a long time.

The engagement between his daughter and Ning Xuanyuan had been set long ago. Now that Ning Xizhi had become the target of public criticism, if he were to break off the engagement, wouldn't he be seen as a man who goes back on his word?

Meanwhile, inside the chamber.

Ning Xizhi had finished his meditation. After giving Ning Xuanyuan two Earth Spirit Pills, he slowly stood up, his body weary.

Recently, Ning Xuanyuan's condition had worsened. The amount of true energy required for treatment had increased, and the dosage of pills had also gradually risen. For Ning Xizhi, it had become a significant burden.

"Xuanyuan, no matter what, I will always protect you. Your father will not allow anyone to harm you."

Ning Xizhi muttered to himself as he looked at Ning Xuanyuan. After speaking, he flicked his sleeve and left the chamber.

Only after he had left did Ning Xuanyuan slowly open his eyes. His youthful face now bore a trace of coldness that had never been there before, and his eyes were filled with a chilling frost.

"Twelve years, and I have finally returned!"