Feng Ninghe met the gaze of the Grand Elder, her eyes calm.
She didn't respond immediately, but changed the subject: "When the Tianxue Mountain secret realm opens this time, I can persuade Immortal Xu to serve the Feng family and obtain the Flame Spirit Lotus."
The Tianxue Mountain secret realm was a small world created by an ancient powerful being.
Inside, spiritual energy was several times more abundant than in the outside world, and it was filled with heavenly materials and earthly treasures that greatly benefited cultivators, but it was also extremely dangerous, with all sorts of demonic beasts roaming.
To enter the secret realm, the elders of several major families who had reached the Nascent Soul cultivation level had to join forces to open it, once a year.
This year, the time for entering the Tianxue Mountain secret realm coincided with the maturation of the fourth-grade spiritual medicine, the Flame Spirit Lotus.
Before this, the Feng family had ranked last in the secret realm resource competition for six consecutive years.
They could only watch helplessly as vast amounts of resources from the secret realm fell into the pockets of other major families.
Feng Ninghe's words undoubtedly struck a chord with the elders.
Immediately, several elders began to discuss.
"Currently, only the Grand Elder of the Feng family has reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, just one step away from Nascent Soul. Other families have at least one Nascent Soul ancestor guarding them. If Immortal Xu can lend a hand, our chances of obtaining the Flame Spirit Lotus will greatly increase."
"As long as we can obtain the Flame Spirit Lotus, our Feng family will surely produce a Nascent Soul cultivator..."
Without Feng Lie, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was indeed far inferior to the other families, and it was too difficult to win the top prize.
But if Immortal Xu joined, the odds would be much better.
Feng Guangyao's cultivation had also been stagnant in the Golden Core realm for a long time, and he was eager to obtain the Flame Spirit Lotus.
Without hesitation, he said, "Ninghe, you are thoughtful. You are a member of the Feng family, and it is only natural for you to help."
With Feng Guangyao's words, Feng Ninghe was portrayed as a selfless good person.
She had no intention of making selfless contributions.
A hint of cunning flickered across Feng Ninghe's delicate cheeks: "The Grand Elder's hidden ailment can be completely cured, and Immortal Xu can be persuaded to join the secret realm competition to assist, but I have three conditions."
At this point, Madam Zhang couldn't help but sneer: "I knew this little girl wasn't that capable to see the Grand Elder's hidden ailment at a glance. I suspect Immortal Xu told her."
The Grand Elder's breathing quickened. As long as his hidden ailment was completely cured, he could break through to the Nascent Soul realm even without taking any medicine.
He had waited for this day for too long.
Now, the Grand Elder's gaze was fixed on Feng Ninghe: "What are your conditions?"
Feng Ninghe's lips curved slightly, and she glanced at Madam Zhang from the corner of her eye, her clear voice slowly emerging: "Madam Zhang spoke carelessly yesterday, slandering me for being immodest. As an elder, she insulted a junior like this, and she deserves a slap."
Her cold voice echoed through the hall.
Madam Zhang's face paled, and she stood up abruptly, reaching out to point at Feng Ninghe: "As an elder, it is natural for me to discipline a junior. You are so young and yet so vengeful!"
Feng Guangyao also couldn't sit still and said sternly, "Feng Ninghe, I am your uncle, and I have taken good care of you. No matter what, you should not treat an elder like this!"
The reactions of the two made Feng Ninghe find it amusing.
She turned to the Grand Elder: "Grand Elder, my condition is not excessive, is it?"
The Grand Elder's eyes were heavy as he fell into thought.
He had tried countless methods to cure his hidden ailment, and now the method of treatment was right before him. He could not refuse.
Seeing the Grand Elder deep in thought, Feng Guangyao quickly spoke in defense of his wife: "Grand Elder, Ninghe is, after all, a girl. She has been away for many years and does not understand the good intentions of us elders. If outsiders were to know, they would only laugh at the Feng family, with juniors riding over their elders."
The family cared most about its reputation.
Compared to Madam Zhang's reputation, the Grand Elder cared more about the family's interests.
The Grand Elder swept his gaze over Feng Guangyao, his tone brooks no argument: "As the patriarch, and having taken over the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, you should prioritize the family's interests. Reputation is minor. Only a strong family will be respected."
As the head of the Four Grand Elders, his decision carried significant weight.
The other elders agreed and remained silent.
Feng Guangyao's attempt to protect his wife failed, and his expression became particularly complex.
"Since Ninghe has a request, I will agree to it!"
Madam Zhang understood Feng Guangyao's predicament and spoke up proactively.
She gritted her teeth, suppressing her anger, and raised her hand to slap her own cheek.
She held back the force of this slap, and her exquisitely made-up face did not change due to the blow.
However, Madam Zhang acted as if she had suffered a thousand grievances, bit her lip, and looked at Feng Ninghe with a complicated expression: "I slapped myself. I hope Ninghe, considering your mother died early and I, your aunt, have taken good care of you over the years, will not hold this against me."
Feng Ninghe seemed to turn a deaf ear, her gaze fixed on Madam Zhang's face. She examined it carefully and then tutted, "Alas, the force of Aunt's slap was not even as strong as swatting a mosquito. It was too perfunctory!"
Her simple words made Madam Zhang's face turn green and white: "What else do you want?"
She had humbled herself, yet Feng Ninghe was still relentless.
She gritted her teeth and thought to herself, why didn't I poison this little slut back then, to follow her mother to the grave? Then I wouldn't be so infuriated and humiliated today.
Feng Ninghe earnestly cupped her fists towards Feng Guangyao: "Uncle, you are a righteous person. Even severing ties with your family would not be difficult for you. Why don't you do me the favor?"
Her words were seemingly a question, but they left Feng Guangyao no choice.
Madam Zhang was so angry that her eyes rolled back, and she almost fainted.
She trembled and pointed at Feng Ninghe emotionally: "Feng Ninghe, don't go too far!"
Feng Ninghe narrowed her eyes: "If Uncle is unwilling to act, I won't force you. However, the Grand Elder's hidden ailment, and Immortal Xu..."
Her words were full of threat.
Feng Guangyao took a deep breath to calm himself. He stared at Madam Zhang's face for a long time before raising his hand to slap her.
*Slap!*
A crisp slapping sound rang out.
Madam Zhang's cheek quickly turned red and swollen.
Even though Feng Guangyao had deliberately held back his strength, he was still a Golden Core cultivator, and one slap was enough for Madam Zhang to endure.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Feng Guangyao was heartbroken, and his eyes still held a trace of anger.
Feng Ninghe's smile was full of mockery: "So, Uncle thinks that my reputation as your niece is only worth the force of this slap. If Uncle is reluctant, I will have to ask the Grand Elder to do it."
For the sake of family honor and his own hidden ailment, the Grand Elder would surely not refuse.
If the Grand Elder were to act, Madam Zhang's situation would likely be even more painful.
So Feng Guangyao hardened his heart, gritted his teeth, and raised his hand again, slapping Madam Zhang's cheek.