The Dynasty of Cultivating Immortality

C11 – Meeting

Ni Situo stepped out of City Hall and made a beeline for Ni Huibo’s courtyard. He confronted Ni Huibo directly, “Ni Huibo, who did you encounter here in the courtyard after we left last night?”

Ni Huibo felt a twinge of wariness. Had the man in black been caught? He answered, “I didn’t meet anyone.”

Ni Situo scrutinized Ni Huibo’s demeanor, finding no signs of deceit. He pressed on icily, “You’d better be honest. I clashed with the treasure thief last night. During our encounter, I sensed his spiritual energy was weak. He claimed that he was wounded in a fight with you yesterday, and that you took the treasure.”

Ni Huibo shook his head, “You’re aware that our uncle has forbidden me from practicing cultivation methods. Who would defy his orders and secretly teach me? Thieves are hardly honorable men; their words are not to be trusted.”

Ni Situo, however, doubted Ni Huibo’s capability to best the man in black. Having engaged the man himself, Ni Situo knew the thief’s cultivation was far from inferior and unlikely to be bested by Ni Huibo.

Casting another glance at Ni Huibo, Ni Situo considered another possibility. Even if Ni Huibo didn’t possess the treasure, what if the thief, noting the dilapidated state of the courtyard, had hidden it here, hoping it would go unnoticed? With this in mind, he issued a warning.

“Ni Huibo, from birth, every member of the Ni family is ingrained with a sense of duty, never daring to forget the family’s benevolence. Even if we can’t contribute to the family’s prosperity, we certainly won’t tarnish its reputation. If you do have the treasure, hand it over immediately. Should your actions bring the mayor’s displeasure upon me and hinder my career, or if they impede the Ni family’s standing in Mightcairn City, I fear you won’t be able to redeem yourself even in death. Remember, without the Ni family, you wouldn’t be here today.”

Ni Huibo responded with composure, “Yes. I am well aware of the Ni family’s generosity.”

“Right, someone from City Hall will escort you there tomorrow. That thief insisted he visited your courtyard that night, so just answer the mayor’s questions truthfully. And regarding the prime minister’s original work found in your house, you’ve got some nerve. You even dared to deface the prime minister’s original work. The mayor adores the prime minister’s calligraphy, so don’t make City Hall resent the Ni family. Own up to your actions.” With that, Ni Situo didn’t spare Ni Huibo a glance and quickly left the courtyard, as if staying any longer was an affront to him.

Ni Huibo, however, was taken aback.

The prime minister’s original works? He had actually written them himself. There was even another piece in the room! Could it be that not even the mayor could tell the difference?

It seemed he would have to take the calligraphy he had copied that night and explain things thoroughly to City Hall. Explaining the prime minister’s original work should be straightforward, but as for the treasures stolen from City Hall…

The treasure was now within him. If the mayor held the Ni family responsible, he wouldn’t stand idly by. The Ni family had raised him, and he would do anything for them—even if it cost him his life… No, he wanted to live. He was determined to uncover the truth behind his parents’ deaths.

Tossing and turning with thoughts of the pearl, Ni Huibo struggled to sleep, finally drifting off around midnight.

The next day arrived in a flash, and the City Hall guards came to Ni Huibo’s courtyard to take him to City Hall.

“Ni Huibo, the mayor has sent me to bring you to him. Just follow this path straight ahead to meet the mayor. Remember, don’t lie when he questions you,” the guard instructed, pointing down the path.

“Alright, I’ve got it.”

Ni Huibo proceeded along the path, which stretched about forty meters long and twenty meters wide, paved with cobblestones. A variety of flowers and plants lined the path, including edelweiss, roses, and others, all vying for attention. As a gentle breeze wafted by, the delightful scent of the flora enveloped the surroundings.

Nestled among the lush flora, an elderly man with a straw hat was intently planting flowers, his back straight. His beard peeked out from beneath the hat, silver-white and as long as a handspan. He was dressed in a shirt of an indistinct color, neither gray nor yellow, and his trousers were rolled up past his knees, showcasing his sturdy calves.

Ni Huibo had reached the end of the small path without catching sight of the mayor. Had the guard given him the wrong directions? Approaching the old man, Ni Huibo squatted down and inquired, “Excuse me, do you know where I can find the mayor? I need to see him about an important matter.”

“Are you Ni Huibo?” the old man asked, lifting his head slowly to offer a benevolent gaze upon the young man.

​To his surprise, the old man observed a continuous flow of spiritual energy converging towards Ni Huibo’s core. It seemed to be the work of the Lifedrinker Orb. Could it be that the stolen Lifedrinker Orb had voluntarily accepted a new master?

The old man had possessed the Lifedrinker Orb for nearly a decade, yet despite his efforts, he’d never managed to unlock the box containing it. It was astonishing that this young man, not yet eighteen, had such fortune.

Resigned, the old man decided to consider it a gift to Ni Huibo, fostering a bond of goodwill between them.

Hearing the old man’s words, Ni Huibo observed that despite his ordinary appearance, the elder’s gaze and demeanor were extraordinary.

With due respect, Ni Huibo spoke up, “My name is Ni Huibo. The deacon from the Immortal Cultivation Hall found a piece in my room, but it was not an authentic work of the prime minister. It was a copy I made from his writing style, and I never anticipated it would lead to such a misunderstanding. I have another piece of calligraphy with me; perhaps the mayor would be willing to examine it.”

After finishing his explanation, Ni Huibo promptly presented the additional piece of calligraphy to the old man.

The old man, intrigued, asked, “How did you deduce that I am the mayor of Mightcairn? By my looks, do I really seem like just another one of the mayor’s aides?”

Ni Huibo shook his head. “It feels different.”

The mayor’s eyes sparkled with interest. “What do you feel?”

“I can’t describe it,” Ni Huibo admitted.

Upon hearing this, the mayor’s face broke into a smile. He wiped his hands and took the piece of calligraphy from Ni Huibo, examining it closely. It was indeed identical to the one from the previous night.

The mayor sensed that Ni Huibo possessed a natural affinity for cultivation, and his talent for calligraphy was also noteworthy. Could he possibly be the next prime minister?

“Your calligraphy has depth, sometimes reserved, sometimes sharp. It’s impressive,” the mayor said, stroking his beard. “Reading one’s writing can be like understanding the person – you’re neither arrogant nor rash, neither servile nor haughty. And your level of cultivation is quite high among your peers.”

Ni Huibo’s cultivation was high?

Did that mean he had already joined the ranks of the cultivators?

Surprised, Ni Huibo quickly responded, “I’m sixteen this year. Could you share some basic knowledge about cultivation with me?” Wanting to ensure the mayor didn’t misunderstand his eagerness, he added, “I’m a bit slow, and I don’t want to hold back my family’s progress. I’m not very familiar with cultivation practices.”

After a moment’s thought, the mayor pulled a book from his sleeve and tossed it to Ni Huibo. “I’ve been cultivating for decades, and in the later stages, it’s mostly about comprehending the Heavenly Dao. This is the only book on cultivation I carry; it should clear up most of your questions.”

“Have you turned sixteen yet? How did your Leap Test go?” the mayor inquired further.

Ni Huibo was taken aback, puzzled by the term ‘Leap Test.’

Seeing Ni Huibo’s confused look, the mayor chuckled. “Whether or not you take the Leap Test doesn’t really matter, since the Lifedrinker Orb has already chosen you as its master. The Leap Test is simply a pathway for cultivators to enter officialdom.”

Ni Huibo barely registered the rest of the mayor’s words; his mind fixated on the mention of the Lifedrinker Orb.

It seemed the mayor had known about the orb in his possession all along.

Ni Huibo bowed quickly, eager to explain himself, but as he opened his mouth to speak, the mayor gestured for him to stop.

“The Lifedrinker Orb has chosen you as its master, and therefore it is rightfully yours. You shouldn’t concern yourself with the opinions of others,” the mayor said, smiling.

Ni Huibo responded with heartfelt gratitude, “Thank you, Mayor. May I inquire about the nature of the Lifedrinker Orb?”

The mayor chuckled and replied, “The Lifedrinker Orb has the ability to absorb cosmic energy, making it an invaluable asset to any cultivator. Return home now, and remember, do not speak of the Lifedrinker Orb to anyone.”

Although Ni Huibo’s face remained composed, his eyes sparkled with unspoken excitement. He bowed deeply and said, “Thank you, Mayor. I will hold your advice close to my heart.”