Baili Ye could hardly believe that the treasury, once piled high like a small mountain, was now completely empty.
The guards stood by in silence, afraid of angering him.
"Investigate! Investigate for me!"
"Let no suspicious person escape!"
Baili Ye gritted his teeth, his heart bleeding within his chest.
His wealth had been plundered overnight!
Meanwhile, several figures returned to Shiyuan laden with spoils.
Old Man Xu's cheeks were beaming with smiles as he happily patted his heavy money pouch. "This First Prince is truly rich beyond measure."
In the treasury, Old Man Xu had specifically picked out medicinal herbs and elixirs.
As for Feng Ninghe, anything she laid eyes on was unceremoniously tossed into her spatial jade bracelet.
"After today, the First Prince will be penniless."
Feng Ninghe lowered her gaze, her hand gently caressing the spatial jade bracelet on her wrist.
Fortunately, she had the immortal cultivator Xu to help share the burden of carrying the treasures. Otherwise, even if her spatial jade bracelet were a divine artifact, it wouldn't have been able to hold so much.
Old Man Xu chuckled, his hand unable to detach from the money pouch, his smile wide. "Ninghe, I need to go and sort through today's gains. I won't disturb you any further."
After Old Man Xu turned and left, Feng Ninghe also returned to her room and scanned her dantian with her spiritual sense.
Xiao Zhao's brows were contorted in pain, his beastly form curled up.
She knew that Xiao Zhao was refining the Wuxin Fruit he had consumed.
Afterward, she began to inventory the night's spoils and tidy up her spatial jade bracelet.
Feng Ninghe slept soundly that night.
Upon waking, she summoned Tang Xia, a maidservant in Shiyuan.
"Take these four bottles of pills to the elders, respectively. Tell them that as the acting head of the family, I still require their guidance in many matters, and these are my tokens of appreciation.
"When I truly take charge of the Zhenguo Duke's mansion in the future, the Medicine Valley will provide even more pills for the elders and the younger generations of the clan."
She handed the medicine bottles to Tang Xia, softly instructing her.
These pills had been "borrowed" from the First Prince's treasury, and now they were being offered as gifts.
By winning over the elders, she suffered no loss.
She was the daughter of the Zhenguo Duke, and it was her rightful place to lead the Zhenguo Duke's mansion. However, her strength was not yet mature, and the elders did not trust her.
By offering these small benefits, she also intended to subtly inform the elders that she could bring more than just these few bottles of pills to the Feng family.
Having received her instructions, Tang Xia quickly withdrew with the medicine bottles.
The elders also received the medicine one after another.
"Father, the eldest young lady is very generous. This pill can be of great use when you attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul stage."
Feng Tian carefully examined the medicine before him and couldn't help but sigh. "If, as the eldest young lady says, the Medicine Valley can provide more pills for the Feng family, then it's not impossible for her to be the head of the family."
The Fourth Elder stroked his white beard, looking at the pills with great satisfaction. "But she is ultimately a cultivation waste. How can a family head be unable to cultivate? If she had a cultivation foundation and the backing of the Medicine Valley, I would naturally support her as the family head."
Feng Tian agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "The second young lady is also a disciple of the Immortal Sect, and her cultivation is already the most outstanding among the younger generation of the Feng family. With her, our Feng family can hold its head high. However, since we have accepted the pills, shouldn't we help the eldest young lady?"
The Fourth Elder chuckled heartily and responded generously, "If she has the ability to contend for the position of family head, I will naturally support her. But for now, she can at most be the acting head, and may not reach that point."
Feng Tian fell silent, his gaze fixed on the pills.
The other elders also received their pills and specifically asked Tang Xia to convey their thanks.
Tang Xia dutifully relayed the elders' words to Feng Ninghe. "Eldest young lady, the elders' sentiments are quite similar. They said that if you can reach that stage, they will do their utmost to support you. We have accepted the pills."
She smiled, her expression composed, and nodded to show she understood.
"Oh, right."
Tang Xia remembered something and specifically added, "Tomorrow at noon, the members of the Feng family will gather in the main hall to discuss the participants for the Hundred Arena Competition. Madam specifically instructed that as the acting head, you must also attend."
The Hundred Arena Competition?
Memories in her mind reminded Feng Ninghe what the Hundred Arena Competition was.
The Hundred Arena Competition was held by the major immortal sects. Only cultivators who ranked in the top ten were eligible to be selected by the major immortal sects and enter them.
All cultivators could participate in the Hundred Arena Competition. The four great families of the Li Kingdom would also select suitable candidates from their younger generations to compete.
She raised her eyes and looked at Tang Xia. "How long until the Hundred Arena Competition?"
Tang Xia replied without hesitation, "The Hundred Arena Competition begins on the first day of next month. There are only half a month left."
Feng Ninghe once again scanned Xiao Zhao, who lay in her dantian, with her spiritual sense.
With the Hundred Arena Competition about to begin, the scene would be grand.
The unjust title that had been hanging over her seemed like it was time to be cleared.
She wondered when Xiao Zhao would awaken and if he could make it in time for the Hundred Arena Competition.
The next day.
Before noon, the main hall was already crowded with people.
When Feng Ninghe arrived, the elders were discussing the disciples who would participate in the Hundred Arena Competition.
Feng Tongtong had put on her wig again and was sitting beside Madam Zhang, listening to the discussions.
Upon seeing Feng Ninghe, Feng Tongtong deliberately cleared her throat and looked directly at her. "Eldest sister, the Hundred Arena Competition is very lively, with countless participants. Many juniors, even those with low cultivation, will come to experience it. Why don't you participate as well?"
The Hundred Arena Competition would randomly draw two cultivators for a match. The match would stop as soon as one party conceded.
If a person with low spiritual power faced a strong opponent, a single move could be fatal.
To have Feng Ninghe, who had no cultivation foundation, participate was no different from sending her to her death.
The expressions of the elders subtly shifted.
The Second Elder spoke first, "Ninghe, in previous years, disciples have died on the arena. The arena is not safe, and our Feng family still needs you. You cannot be in danger. It would be better for you to watch from the sidelines."
The Second Elder was still counting on getting some pills from Feng Ninghe when needed in the future, so she couldn't afford for her to be harmed.
The First Elder said unhurriedly, "We will do our best to have the younger generation of the Feng family participate in the Hundred Arena Competition. However, if one's spiritual power is too low, it is not suitable to compete. Ninghe, you need to consider carefully."
Although the First Elder did not directly refuse, he was subtly warning Feng Ninghe.
Feng Ninghe did not rush to speak. She lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes casting a shadow that concealed her thoughts.
"Eldest sister, as long as you concede, the match will stop, and there won't be any danger. Are you afraid?"
Feng Tongtong's voice was feminine, her posture arrogant, and her eyes filled with strong provocation. "To be honest, if I had the chance, I would really like to have a good match with you, eldest sister."
As long as Feng Ninghe participated in the Hundred Arena Competition, she would find a way to face her.
At that time, she would absolutely not give Feng Ninghe any chance to beg for mercy.
Madam Zhang, fearing that Feng Ninghe would refuse, smiled and said kindly, "Ninghe, going to experience it might be beneficial for you. Besides, if you can't win, just concede. It won't be a problem."