C16 – Ni Huibo’s Father


    After Teng Junlu departed, Ni Xianjian furrowed his brow and addressed the remaining individuals in the courtyard, “You all may leave now.”


    Soon, only Ni Situo and Ni Huibo remained. Ni Xianjian turned to Ni Situo with a stern gaze and reminded him, “Ni Situo, remember what I told youst night. You are to copy the n rules fifty times once you return.”


    Ni Situo opened his mouth to respond, but the sight of Ni Xianjian’s furious expression silenced him. With a heart full of bitterness, he left.


    “Ni Huibo,e with me,” Ni Xianjian beckoned as he headed into the house. Settling into a chair, he questioned Ni Huibo, “Who taught you the cultivation method? When did you begin your practice?”


    Ni Huibo internally sighed. Since Ni Situo had discovered his secret cultivation, he had anticipated this confrontation. His uncle had cared for him for sixteen years, and Ni Huibo was reluctant to deceive him. Moreover, iming that someone had covertly taught him would only raise his uncle’s suspicions,plicating matters further. Thus, he opted for honesty.


    “Uncle, I’ve had no mentor for the cultivation method. It was only after perusing the books from the mayor that I realized I had reached the Three Qi Stage at the age of thirteen. I’ve also been experiencing an uncontroble power within me that has grown increasingly wild with age, with shorter intervals between its surges.”


    Before Ni Huibo could finish, Ni Xianjian interjected, “You have an untamed power inside you? And the frequency of its emergence is increasing – does it harm you?”


    A surge of warmth filled Ni Huibo’s heart, sensing his uncle’s concern. He quickly replied, “Uncle, I’ve tried to master this energy during my cultivation. So far, it hasn’t harmed me, but it doespel my body to perform extraordinary feats, like suddenly gaining immense strength or leaping from the ground to the rooftop.”


    This was evidently a manifestation of Ni Huibo’s inability to control the spiritual energy within him.


    Upon hearing this, Ni Xianjian was deeply moved. Ni Huibo truly was his younger brother’s son; his ability to absorb spiritual energy and cultivate from a young age was nothing short of genius.


    Ni Huibo went on to exin, “A month ago, someone whispered a chant to me, which turned out to be a cultivation method. Since I’ve been practicing it, I’ve managed to gradually control the energy within me.”


    “I need to check if your spiritual energy is circting properly,” Ni Xianjian said, concerned that the person who taught Ni Huibo might have had ulterior motives. He took Ni Huibo’s hand, carefully channeling his own spiritual energy into the younger man’s body, ensuring it flowed to every part. Only when he was satisfied that everything was in order did he breathe a sigh of relief, his forehead dotted with sweat and his hands shaking from the effort.


    The idea that someone had imparted a cultivation method to Ni Huibo made Ni Xianjian wary of potential foul y. After a thorough examination revealed no issues, he rxed slightly, considering the possibility that the mysterious instructor might be a hermit of great skill who recognized Ni Huibo’s exceptional talent. As long as their intentions were pure, that was all that mattered.


    What concerned Ni Xianjian most now was Ni Huibo’s level of attainment.


    Watching Ni Huibo, Ni Xianjian’s fists were clenched. His trembling was not just from the depletion of his spiritual energy, but from the shock of Ni Huibo’s current level. He had not anticipated such prodigious talent; at only sixteen, Ni Huibo’s cultivation had already reached thete stage of the second level.


    It seemed likely that Ni Huibo’s spiritual energy was overflowing because he had just achieved a breakthrough to thete stage of the second level the previous night.


    Ni Huibo was rapidly approaching Ni Xianjian’s own level and was even two minor realms above Teng Feimei, who possessed a top-grade first-level talent. Even more astonishing was the fact that they were peers.


    ?Ni Huibo’s talent was evidently even greater than Teng Feimei’s.


    With this realization, Ni Xianjian fell silent.


    It took a while before he managed to settle his mix of shock and excitement. He pondered whether he should disclose his second brother’s story to Ni Huibo.


    Given Ni Huibo’s remarkable talent, it was inevitable that he would one day venture beyond the borders of the Croburg Kingdom in search of his father’s whereabouts.


    If Ni Xianjian chose to tell him, Ni Huibo would surely dedicate himself even more fervently to his cultivation. Yet, there was also the risk that such knowledge could distract him and potentially halt his progress.


    At the moment, Ni Xianjian found himself unable to decide.


    He thought better of it and decided to let Ni Huibo make his own choice.


    He chose not to influence Ni Huibo’s thinking, curious to see whether he would settle for a life of obscurity or aspire to traverse the vast world.


    “Huibo, you once asked me as a child how your parents died. Do you still wish to know?”


    Ni Huibo remainedposed.


    It was only upon hearing this question that a subtle shift urred in his gaze and demeanor.


    He had already discussed his cultivation with his uncle, and the fate of his spiritual energy hinged on his uncle’s whim. It seemed prudent to seek rity now. Should his uncle choose to strip him of his cultivation and confine him to the Ni family, Ni Huibo was determined to escape eventually. He refused to live a life devoid of purpose. Above all, he was intent on uncovering the truth behind his parents’ demise.


    If his uncle spared his cultivation, all the better for him.


    Ni Huibo looked up resolutely and dered, “Uncle, I want to know. There hasn’t been a moment when I haven’t.”


    Ni Xianjian breathed a sigh of relief at Ni Huibo’s response, his eyes brimming with emotion.


    “Your father was Ni Chunwen, my younger brother. His cultivation talent made him the envy of many in Mightcairn City. He was the second individual in the Croburg Kingdom to attain the fifth level of top-grade talent, second only to Xue Gui. In his youth, your father joined Prime Minister Xu on military campaigns. Butter, he devoted himself to the pursuit of cultivation, resigning from his court duties to travel with your mother. A yearter, he returned, bloodied, cradling you in his arms. He was fleeing from his adversaries, and your mother was no longer with him. He entrusted you to my care before vanishing the following day.”


    At that point, Ni Xianjian let out a sigh. “I kept these things from you because your father instructed me not to tell. The enemy pursuing your father is incredibly powerful, and he would rather you live an ordinary life than risk you losing it.”


    Ni Huibo stood there, stunned.


    What about his mother? Where had she gone?


    Was it possible that his mother was truly dead? Had his father disappeared to avenge her?


    Tears filled Ni Huibo’s usually cid eyes, and rage surged within him. “Uncle, who is my father’s enemy?”


    Ni Xianjian ced aforting hand on Ni Huibo’s shoulder. “Even if you ask me now, I can’t tell you. Your father’s adversary is so formidable that not even the full might of the Ni family could make a dent. Once you top the Leaderboard,e and ask me again. Then, I will exin everything to you.”


    The Leaderboard!


    The Leap Test assessed the cultivation talents of sixteen-year-old youths. Talented youths would join various sects to learn the ways of immortal cultivation. A yearter, a martial examination would be held in the Croburg capital, with the top hundred contenders earning a spot on the Leaderboard.


    The Leaderboard recorded names up to the age of twenty-five.


    After that, individuals were automatically removed from the list.


    Ni Huibo’s fists were clenched tight. He had resolved to im the top spot on the Leaderboard within a year. With his father gone without a trace, he couldn’t afford to lose a moment.


    “If your father were here, he would be so proud,” Ni Xianjian mused, his thoughts lingering on his younger brother. “Always remember, in front of anyone else, you are my son. Never reveal your true heritage.”


    “Yes, Uncle,” Ni Huibo acknowledged, understanding his uncle’s intent to protect him.


    “What’s this about the theft of the City Hall’s treasure and the prime minister’s genuine works?” Ni Xianjian asked, his mood settling as he recalled the issue Ni Situo had mentioned.


    “The City Hall’s treasures should have been recovered by now,” Ni Huibo began, pausing guiltily before continuing, “As for the prime minister’s genuine works, I had been practicing my calligraphy and one day realized my handwriting closely resembled his. So, I decided to create a copy. I never imagined it would lead to a misunderstanding with the Immortal Cultivation Hall.”


    “Given your exceptional talent for cultivation, it’s no surprise that your skills rival those of the prime minister. Should you have any questions about your practice in the future, feel free toe and ask me.” Ni Xianjian gazed into Ni Huibo’s clear eyes. He had intended to encourage Ni Huibo to show more leniency towards Ni Situo, but the words wouldn’te. After a moment’s contemtion of Ni Huibo’s youthful visage, he turned and left the courtyard.


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