9: Chapter 9 Zhao Qingli

When Ning Yuan walked out of Biyun Pavilion with the three women, it was already growing late.

The spirit lamps in the market lit up one after another, and their pale white light illuminated the bluestone road as if it were daytime.

There were fewer Cultivators on the street than during the day, but many people were still shuttling between the shops.

Occasionally, one or two powerful Cultivators would pass by, and the people around them would instinctively clear a path.

Ning Yuan walked in the lead, his pace neither fast nor slow.

The three women followed behind him; apart from Zhao Qingli, who appeared calm and composed, the other two kept their heads down, following closely like frightened little deer.

"What are your names?" Ning Yuan asked without turning his head.

"I am Shen Xiaohe."

"I am Qin Waner."

Both women's voices were very soft, tinged with a cautious timidity.

Ning Yuan nodded and did not ask any more questions.

He led the three of them through the market and returned to the inn where he was staying.

When the innkeeper saw that Ning Yuan had left alone but returned with three young women, he was stunned for a moment before revealing a knowing smile: "You are quite fortunate, sir. Would you like to switch to a larger room?"

"No need, just open another premium room for them to stay in." Ning Yuan took out a Low-Grade Spirit Stone and placed it on the counter.

The innkeeper's eyes lit up, and he repeatedly agreed, personally leading everyone upstairs.

After settling the three women in, Ning Yuan did not rush back to his own room but instead sat down in their room.

"Everyone, sit down." He pointed to the stools in the room.

Shen Xiaohe and Qin Waner sat down obediently, while Zhao Qingli glanced at Ning Yuan once more before slowly taking a seat.

Ning Yuan's gaze swept across their faces, and he said calmly: "My name is Ning Yuan, from Pingan County. Since you have entered the door of my Ning Family, there are some things I must make clear first."

The three of them pricked up their ears.

"First, although my Ning Family is not some great Family, we have our own rules. After marrying into the Ning Family, you are people of my Ning Family; you are no longer Loose Cultivators, nor are you orphans. The Ning Family will provide you with Cultivation resources and protection, but you must also abide by the Family rules—no infighting, no bullying Mortals, and no leaking Family secrets. Violators will be expelled from the Family."

"Second, I am taking you in to continue my lineage and expand the Family. Biyun Pavilion should have told you about this. I will not mistreat you, but I will not spoil you either. If you have children, you will be rewarded for your contributions; if anyone does not wish to have children, it is not too late to say so now."

There was a moment of silence in the room.

Shen Xiaohe was the first to speak, her voice soft but firm: "Master, I am willing. I never want to return to a place like Biyun Pavilion. To have a place to settle down, I am already very content."

Qin Waner also nodded: "Waner is also willing."

Ning Yuan looked at Zhao Qingli.

Zhao Qingli met his gaze for a moment and said calmly: "Master Ning spent five hundred Spirit Stones to buy me, so I will naturally fulfill my duties as a concubine. However, I have one condition."

Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Let's hear it."

"The vendetta of Zhao Family Village." A cold glint flashed in Zhao Qingli's eyes. "The Yao Beast that attacked Zhao Family Village is still alive, hiding in Black Wind Ridge a hundred miles west of the city. My cultivation is not enough to exact this revenge. If the Ning Family has the capability in the future, I hope Master can help me kill that Yao Beast."

"What kind of Yao Beast?"

"A Late Stage Black Wind Wolf." There was suppressed hatred in Zhao Qingli's voice. "It killed sixty-three people in Zhao Family Village, including my parents and two younger brothers."

Ning Yuan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Very well. When my cultivation is high enough, that wolf's life will be yours."

Zhao Qingli's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she immediately stood up and bowed solemnly to Ning Yuan: "Thank you, Master."

This was the first time today that she had truly bowed her head to Ning Yuan.

Ning Yuan waved his hand: "Everyone rest early. We depart for Pingan County first thing tomorrow morning."

He stood up and walked toward the door, but stopped halfway and turned to look at Zhao Qingli.

"By the way, what grade is the Cultivation Technique you are practicing?"

Zhao Qingli was stunned for a moment: "Yellow Rank Low Grade 'Azure Wood Art', it was something my father exchanged from a Loose Cultivator back then."

Ning Yuan took a Jade Slip from his robes and tossed it over casually.

"This is for you; finish switching to this within three days."

Zhao Qingli instinctively caught the Jade Slip and probed it with her Divine Sense, her pupils suddenly constricting.

Profound Rank Medium Grade 'Nine Yang Art'!

Although it was only the first three layers of the 'Nine Yang Art', it was a Profound Rank Cultivation Technique! A Profound Rank Cultivation Technique that the entire Zhao Family Village could not afford even if they gave everything they had!

"Master, this..." Zhao Qingli raised her head, only to find that Ning Yuan had already pushed the door open and left.

She clutched the Jade Slip, her fingers trembling slightly.

The next morning, Ning Yuan left Qingzhou City with his three newly acquired concubines.

When leaving the city, he saw a bounty notice on the bulletin board near the city gate.

"Yao Beast infestation in Black Wind Ridge, offering a reward for Late Stage Cultivators to exterminate it, bounty of three thousand Spirit Stones. — Qingzhou City Lord's Mansion."

Ning Yuan glanced at it twice more but did not stop.

A Late Stage Yao Beast was not something he could deal with right now. But he kept Zhao Qingli's vendetta in his heart.

It was already evening by the time they returned to Pingan County.

When Ning Yuan walked into the Ning Family mansion with the three young women, the entire rear courtyard was stirred up.

Madam Lin stood at the entrance of the main courtyard holding her youngest daughter, watching the three newcomers file in; her expression was somewhat complicated, but she quickly returned to calmness.

She had known for a long time that this day would come, and that it would happen many more times in the future.

Madam Liu did not have any particular reaction, merely curiously sizing up the three new sisters.

Her thoughts were simple; anyone Master brought back was Family, so there was nothing to fuss about.

Su Yuniang had the biggest reaction.

She could tell at a glance the fluctuation of spiritual power on Zhao Qingli—Level 3 Qi Condensation, and the aura was solid, clearly cultivated through genuine effort, not some shoddy goods piled up by relying on Medicinal Pills.

"How should I address you, sister?" Su Yuniang took the initiative to step forward.

"Zhao Qingli." Zhao Qingli was also sizing up Su Yuniang.

The two female Cultivators' gazes met in the air, each assessing the other's strength.

Su Yuniang was at Level 3 Qi Condensation, and Zhao Qingli was also at Level 3 Qi Condensation.

But Su Yuniang had already switched to the 'Nine Yang Art', and the quality of her spiritual power was a cut above ordinary Cultivation Techniques.

Although Zhao Qingli was still using a Yellow Rank Cultivation Technique, her Spiritual Root was a Superior Mixed Spirit Root, which was one grade higher than Su Yuniang's Medium Mixed Spirit Root.

For a moment, the two of them were evenly matched.

Su Yuniang spoke first, smiling as she took Zhao Qingli's hand, "From now on, we are one Family. The Ning Family rear courtyard has a dedicated cultivation room; let me take you to see it, sister."

Zhao Qingli felt a bit uncomfortable due to this sudden enthusiasm, but she still nodded and followed Su Yuniang toward the rear courtyard.

As they walked, Su Yuniang introduced the situation of the Ning Family to Zhao Qingli: "Master's main wife is Sister Lin; she is of Mortal origin, but Master respects her the most. Sister Liu is also a Mortal, with the gentlest temperament. I arrived three years before you, sister, and am considered the first concubine in the Ning Family with cultivation. Now that you are here, sister, I finally have a companion."

Zhao Qingli listened quietly, nodding occasionally.