xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， níng èr xiān shēng yǔ hóng yī měi fù duì shì yī yǎn ， liǎn sè dōu yǒu xiē fā bái ， wàng xiàng níng wàn shān de biǎo qíng gèng shì chōng mǎn jīng è ， nán dào zhè jiā huo zhēn zài nǎ lǐ jié shí le rú cǐ kě pà de lǎo guài wù ？
想到这里，宁二先生与红衣美妇对视一眼，脸色都有些发白，望向宁万山的表情更是充满惊愕，难道这家伙真在哪里结识了如此可怕的老怪物？
Mr. Ning Er and the red-robed beautiful woman exchanged glances, their faces turning slightly pale as they looked at Ning Wanshan with expressions of shock. Could this guy really have made a terrifying old monster acquaintance somewhere?
qíng kuàng yǒu xiē bù miào le ！
情况有些不妙了！
The situation was not looking good!
rán ér liǎng rén suī xīn zhōng jīng jù ， dàn dào dǐ yě shì yī mài zhī zhǔ ， duō shǎo hái shì yǒu yī xiē qì dù 。 zhì shǎo lín wēi bù luàn miǎn qiǎng kě yǐ zuò dào de 。
然而两人虽心中惊惧，但到底也是一脉之主，多少还是有一些气度。至少临危不乱勉强可以做到的。
Despite their fear, both of them were still the heads of one lineage, so they managed to maintain some composure. At least they could remain calm in crisis.
liǎng rén jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， xún zhǎo nà fàng chū páng dà líng yā de rén wù ， què yī wú suǒ huò ， bù yīng gāi de yuè fā de hài rán le 。
两人将神识放出，寻找那放出庞大灵压的人物，却一无所获，不应该的越发的骇然了。
They released their divine senses to search for the person who had emitted such a massive spiritual pressure, but found nothing. This only made them even more alarmed.
“ bù zhī nǎ wèi qián bèi jià lín ， qǐng shù níng mǒu wèi céng yuǎn yíng ， dàn zhè shì wǒ jiā zú nèi bù shì wù ， qián bèi nán dào yě xiǎng chā shǒu me ？”
“不知哪位前辈驾临，请恕宁某未曾远迎，但这是我家族内部事务，前辈难道也想插手么？”
"Unknown senior, please forgive me for not welcoming you far enough. However, this is an internal matter of my family. Do you also wish to interfere?"
níng èr xiān shēng duì zhe tiān kōng ， yáo yáo xíng le yī lǐ ， zhè fān huà kàn shì gōng jìng shùn fú ， rán ér què yǐn hán jí wéi lì hài de jī fēng ， yán xià zhī yì ， duì fāng ruò shì qiáng xíng gān yù ， jiù shì yǔ zhěng gè níng jiā wèi dí ， jiù suàn yuán yīng qī lǎo guài wù xiū wèi jīng tiān dòng dì de 。 dàn zhè lǐ jìn bǎi míng níng dān qī xiū shì yě bú shì chī sù dì ， ér qiě huǒ tóng wài dí ， móu qǔ jiā zhǔ ， gèng shì fàn le zú guī dà jì ， zhè yàng yī lái ， biàn shì zhǎng fáng de dì zǐ xiū shì ， yě yí dìng gǎn zhàn zài níng wàn shān yī biān ， shèng fù rú hé ， dǎo shì liǎng shuō 。
宁二先生对着天空，遥遥行了一礼，这番话看似恭敬顺服，然而却隐含极为厉害的机锋，言下之意，对方若是强行干预，就是与整个宁家为敌，就算元婴期老怪物修为惊天动地的。但这里近百名凝丹期修士也不是吃素地，而且伙同外敌，谋取家主，更是犯了族规大忌，这样一来，便是长房的弟子修士，也一定敢站在宁万山一边，胜负如何，倒是两说。
Mr. Ning Er performed a distant bow towards the sky. Although his words seemed respectful and submissive, they contained a hidden trap. The implication was that if the other party forcibly intervened, it would be tantamount to declaring war against the entire Ning family. Even though an old monster of the元婴期 stage might have astonishing abilities, there were nearly a hundred Condensation Core cultivators here who weren't easily intimidated. Moreover, conspiring with external enemies to plot for the head of the household was a grave violation of clan rules. In this case, even disciples from the senior line would likely stand by Ning Wanshan, making it uncertain whether they would win or lose.
tā yě suàn chǔ xīn jī lǜ le ， lín xuān yě zài àn chù 。 yě bù yóu de àn àn diǎn tóu ， zhè wèi níng èr xiān shēng ， dào yě shì yí dài xiāo xióng ， kě xī shēng bù féng shí 。 yù shàng zì jǐ ， tā zhè fān fèi jìn xīn jī ， dào tóu lái yě zhǐ néng shì bái fèi lì qì 。
他也算处心积虑了，林轩也在暗处。也不由得暗暗点头，这位宁二先生，倒也是一代枭雄，可惜生不逢时。遇上自己，他这番费尽心机，到头来也只能是白费力气。
He had indeed planned meticulously. Lin Xuan also nodded in approval from his hiding place. This Mr. Ning Er was truly a formidable figure, but unfortunately, he was born at the wrong time. Facing him now, all of his efforts would be in vain.
“ hē hē ， níng èr nǐ zhè huà shuō dé bù cuò 。 níng jiā zhī shì qǐ róng wài rén chā shǒu ， bù guò lǎo fū xiǎng guǎn què shì tiān jīng dì yì ， shuí gǎn shuō chū yí gè ‘ bù ’ zì ？”
“呵呵，宁二你这话说得不错。宁家之事岂容外人插手，不过老夫想管却是天经地义，谁敢说出一个‘不’字？”
"Haha, Mr. Ning Er, your words are quite apt. How can outsiders interfere with family matters? But it is only natural for me to intervene as an old monster. Who dares say no?"
shā yǎ de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， nà líng yā yuè fā de shèng le ， zhòng rén de bí zi lǐ ， yǐn yǐn wén dào le yī gǔ guǐ yì shī qì ， yī gǔ hēi sè de dùn guāng yǐ chū xiàn le zhòng rén de shì xiàn lǐ 。
沙哑的声音传入耳朵，那灵压越发的盛了，众人的鼻子里，隐隐闻到了一股诡异尸气，一股黑色的遁光已出现了众人的视线里。
A hoarse voice echoed through their ears as the spiritual pressure intensified. A faint stench of decay could be detected in everyone's nostrils. A black streak of light appeared before them.
zhè shēng yīn zěn me rú cǐ ěr shú ， bù shǎo xīn sī xì nì de níng jiā dì zi xīn zhōng yǐn yǐn zhuǎn guò le yí gè niàn tou ， wú bù zhēng dà yǎn móu ， xiàng qián wàng qù le 。
这声音怎么如此耳熟，不少心思细腻的宁家弟子心中隐隐转过了一个念头，无不睁大眼眸，向前望去了。
How familiar this voice sounded! Many meticulous Ning family disciples had a vague thought, and they all widened their eyes to look forward.
nà dùn guāng wài miàn ， hái bāo guǒ zhe yī céng guǐ yì yīn fēng ， ér suí fēng zhuǎn dòng de ， jū rán shì shù shí gè quán tou dà xiǎo de kū lóu ， xíng tài gè yì ， yī kàn jiù ràng rén dà shēng wèi jù 。
那遁光外面，还包裹着一层诡异阴风，而随风转动的，居然是数十个拳头大小的骷髅，形态各异，一看就让人大生畏惧。
Outside that streak of light was an eerie layer of wind, and among the swirling wind were dozens of skulls of various shapes, each about the size of a fist. They looked terrifying at first glance.
“ qián bèi jiū jìng shì hé fāng shén shèng ?” hóng yī měi fù yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī lǚ yì máng ， huǎn huǎn de kāi kǒu 。
“前辈究竟是何方神圣?”红衣美妇眼中闪过一缕异芒，缓缓的开口。
"Who are you, senior?" The red-robed woman's eyes flashed with a glint as she slowly spoke.
“ hēng ， sān yā tou ， nǐ jiū jìng shì bù xiǎng rèn ， hái shì rèn bù chū lǎo fū ， wǒ zhè tiān shī huà shēn jué de shén tōng ， nǐ nán dào méi yǒu jiàn guò ？” nà yīn fēng zhōng de bù sù zhī kè guài xiào yī shēng ， shuāng shǒu tū rán xiàng liǎng biān zhè me yī fēn 。
“哼，三丫头，你究竟是不想认，还是认不出老夫，我这天尸化身诀的神通，你难道没有见过？”那阴风中的不速之客怪笑一声，双手突然像两边这么一分。
"Hmph, Third Missie, do you not recognize me? Haven't you seen the power of my Heavenly Corpse Incarnation Technique?"
hóng yī měi fù dà jīng ， yǐ wéi duì fāng yào yú jǐ bù lì ， máng jiāng yīn pò zān jì qǐ ， rán ér què bìng méi yǒu děng lái gōng jī ， fǎn ér shì nà yīn fēng wū guāng yì qǐ xiǎo le xià qù 。
红衣美妇大惊，以为对方要于己不利，忙将阴魄簮祭起，然而却并没有等来攻击，反而是那阴风乌光一起小了下去。
The unexpected guest cackled and suddenly spread his hands apart.
xiàn chū le yī gāo dà shú xī de shēn yǐng 。
现出了一高大熟悉的身影。
Mrs. Red Robe was greatly alarmed, thinking that the other party intended to harm her. She quickly summoned her yin spirit needle, but instead of an attack, the black light grew dimmer.
shēn cái shòu xuē ， hún shēn shī qì ， shí zhǐ rú gōu 。 liǎng kē yǎn zhū yě shēn shēn de āo xiàn le xià qù ， zhè fēn míng yǐ bú shì rén le ， ér shì tā men nà zhuǎn huà wèi tiān shī zhī tǐ de qián dài lǎo zǔ 。
身材瘦削，浑身尸气，十指如钩。两颗眼珠也深深的凹陷了下去，这分明已不是人了，而是他们那转化为天尸之体的前代老祖。
A tall, familiar figure emerged.
zhòng dì zǐ miàn miàn xiāng qù ， miàn miàn xiāng qù ， zhù jī qī de dī jiē xiū shì men huò xǔ méi yǒu jiàn guò ， dàn níng dān qī de zhǎng lǎo zhí shì qǐ hé rèn bù chū ， bù lùn shì nǎ yī fáng de ， quán dōu lù chū dà xǐ guò wàng zhī sè ， bì jìng yǒu yī wèi yuán yīng qī lǎo zǔ ， duì yú jiā zú lái shuō ， yì wèi zhe shén me ， tā men kě shì yì qīng èr chǔ 。
众弟子面面相觑，面面相觑，筑基期的低阶修士们或许没有见过，但凝丹期的长老执事岂合认不出，不论是哪一房的，全都露出大喜过望之色，毕竟有一位元婴期老祖，对于家族来说，意味着什么，他们可是一清二楚。
Slim and gaunt with a corpse-like aura, hooked fingers, sunken eyes. This clearly wasn't human; it was their former ancestor who had transformed into a Heavenly Corpse body.
hé kuàng duì fāng de bèi fēn hái gāo yú yǐ gù dà zhǎng lǎo ， běn jiù shì huó zhe de lǎo zǔ zōng ， zhòng rén zì rán gèng bù gǎn wéi ào fēn háo 。
何况对方的辈分还高于已故大长老，本就是活着的老祖宗，众人自然更不敢违拗分毫。
The disciples exchanged glances. While lower-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators might not have seen him before, the elders and officials of the Condensation Core stage recognized him instantly. Regardless of which branch they belonged to, they all showed signs of great joy. After all, having an old monster of the元婴期 stage meant a lot for the family.
“ cān jiàn lǎo zǔ !”
“参见老祖!”
Moreover, this ancestor was senior to the late Senior Elder. As a living ancestor, everyone naturally dared not defy his will.
níng wàn shān yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī lǚ dé yì zhī sè ， shuài xiān bài xià qù le ， duì yú zhǔ rén zhè lǐ dài táo jiāng de jì móu ， tā pèi fú dào le jí chù ， bù lùn duì fāng yǒu shén me yīn móu ， miàn duì lǎo zǔ ， dōu méi yǒu rèn hé yòng chǔ 。
宁万山眼中闪过一屡得意之色，率先拜下去了，对于主人这李代桃僵的计谋，他佩服到了极处，不论对方有什么阴谋，面对老祖，都没有任何用处。
"Salute the Ancestor!"
“ lǎo zǔ fǎ jià guī lái ， shí nǎi wǒ níng jiā zhī fú 。”
“老祖法驾归来，实乃我宁家之福。”
Ning Wanshan's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction as he led the way in bowing down. He admired the master’s stratagem to such an extent that he felt nothing but admiration for it. No matter what plot the other party had, facing the ancestor would be useless.
qí tā níng dān qī xiū shì duì shì yī yǎn ， yě qí qí xià bài ， zhè qí zhōng ， kě bù jǐn jǐn shì zhǎng fáng 。 èr fáng sān fáng de zhǎng lǎo zhí shì ， yě tóng yàng rú cǐ 。
其他凝丹期修士对视一眼，也齐齐下拜，这其中，可不仅仅是长房。二房三房的长老执事，也同样如此。
"The return of our Ancestor is indeed a blessing for our Ning family."
jiàn zhū wèi shī zhǎng dōu guì dǎo zài dì ， qí tā de zhù jī qī xiū shì nǎ lǐ hái gǎn dà liē liē de zhàn zhe ， yě lián máng pú fú kē tóu ， cān bài lǎo zǔ 。
见诸位师长都跪倒在地，其他的筑基期修士哪里还敢大咧咧的站着，也连忙匍匐磕头，参拜老祖。
The other Condensation Core cultivators exchanged glances and bowed down in unison. This wasn't just the senior line; even the elders and officials from the second and third lines did so as well.
duǎn duǎn de shù miǎo zhōng ， zhěng gè zǔ shī cí táng hái zhàn zhe de jiù zhǐ shèng xià liǎng rén le 。
短短的数秒钟，整个祖师祠堂还站着的就只剩下两人了。
Seeing their teachers bowing, the lower-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators dared not stand around arrogantly. They quickly knelt and saluted the Ancestor.
“ zěn me yàng ， èr xiǎo zi ， sān yā tou ， nǐ men dào xiàn zài ， hái bù yuàn yì rèn wǒ ， huò zhě rèn wéi lǎo zǔ ， shì yǒu rén mào míng dǐng tì ？” shī mó zhuǎn guò tóu ， yīn cè cè de kāi kǒu 。
“怎么样，二小子，三丫头，你们到现在，还不愿意认我，或者认为老祖，是有人冒名顶替？”尸魔转过头，阴测测的开口。
In a few seconds, only two people remained standing in the ancestral hall.
“ lǎo zǔ shuō xiào le ， wǒ men qǐ yǒu nà me dà dǎn zi ， gǎn xíng nà qī shī miè zǔ zhī shì 。”
“老祖说笑了，我们岂有那么大胆子，敢行那欺师灭祖之事。”
"Alright, you two youngsters, Third Missie, do you still refuse to acknowledge me or think that I am someone impersonating an ancestor?" The Corpse Devil turned his head, speaking with a sinister tone.
níng èr xiān shēng yǔ hóng yī měi fù duì shì yī yǎn 。 dōu zhī dào shì bù kě wèi ， hé kuàng tā men yě yì dìng le 。 yǎn qián què shì huò zhēn jià shí de lǎo zǔ ， mào míng dǐng tì ， kāi wán xiào ， qiě bù shuō yuán yīng qī de liàn shī běn jiù fèng máo lín jiǎo ， hé kuàng tiān shī huà shēn jué qiān míng kě néng jiǎ mào ？
宁二先生与红衣美妇对视一眼。都知道事不可为，何况他们也议定了。眼前确是货真价实的老祖，冒名顶替，开玩笑，且不说元婴期的炼尸本就凤毛麟角，何况天尸化身诀签名可能假冒？
"We jest, how could we dare to commit such a sacrilegious act?"
xīn zhōng gǎn tàn ， zhè zhǐ néng shuō móu shì zài rén 。 chéng shì zài tiān ， liǎng rén qiān suàn wàn suàn ， dōu méi xiǎng dào zhè guān jiàn shí kè ， nà yǐ shù nián méi yǒu lòu miàn de lǎo zǔ huì lái héng chā yī shǒu 。
心中感叹，这只能说谋事在人。成事在天，两人千算万算，都没想到这关键时刻，那已数年没有露面的老祖会来横插一手。
Mr. Ning Er and the red-robed woman exchanged glances, knowing it was futile. Besides, they had already agreed that this truly was the real Ancestor. Impersonating him would be laughable; not only were there few元婴期 stage cultivators who could create corpses, but forging a signature for the Heavenly Corpse Incarnation Technique was also unlikely.
tā men shū dé xīn fú kǒu fú ， zhǐ shì cǐ bài ， shí fēi zhàn zhī zuì yě ， zhǐ néng shuō shí bù dài wǒ 。
他们输得心服口服，只是此败，实非战之罪也，只能说时不待我。
They sighed inwardly, knowing that in planning, one must consider both human and divine factors. They hadn't expected this Ancestor, who had been absent for years, to suddenly intervene at such a critical moment.
rú jīn hái yǒu shén me hǎo shuō ， lǎo zǔ běn jiù chū shēng zhǎng fáng ， zì rán shì zhī chí níng wàn shān dāng jiā zhǔ 。
如今还有什么好说，老祖本就出生长房，自然是支持宁万山当家主。
They accepted their defeat with grace but knew there was no other choice but to submit. Thus, they also knelt down respectfully.
liǎng rén chuí tóu sàng qì ， dàn yě míng bái shì yǐ zhì cǐ ， wéi yǒu rèn mìng yī tiáo lù ， yú shì yě dōu gōng jìng de guì xià qù le 。
两人垂头丧气，但也明白事已致此，唯有任命一条路，于是也都恭敬的跪下去了。
"Good, those who adapt to the times are wise. You two youngsters need not be disheartened. Although I have decided to make Wanshan the head of the family, starting now, you both will be promoted to Enforcement Elders. With all seven lines working together, we can strengthen our Ning family," the Corpse Devil's eyes flickered as he said something unexpected.
“ hǎo ， shí shí wù zhě wéi jùn jié ， èr xiǎo zi ， sān yā tou ， nǐ men liǎ yě bù yòng huī xīn sàng qì 。 lǎo fū suī zhǔn bèi lì wàn shān dāng jiā zhǔ ， dàn jí kè qǐ ， nǐ men liǎ yě shēng rèn zhí fǎ zhǎng lǎo yī zhí ， qī mài hé lì ， gòng tóng jiāng wǒ níng jiā zhuàng dà xià qù 。” shī mó yǎn zhū yī zhuǎn ， què shuō chū le yī fān chū rén yì liào de huà lái 。
“好，识时务者为俊杰，二小子，三丫头，你们俩也不用灰心丧气。老夫虽准备立万山当家主，但即刻起，你们俩也升任执法长老一职，七脉合力，共同将我宁家壮大下去。”尸魔眼珠一转，却说出了一番出人意料的话来。
Mr. Ning Er and the beautiful woman were stunned. Although they had to bow down due to circumstances, they still feared that Ning Wanshan might harbor resentment and seek revenge against them in the future. However, with one sentence from the Ancestor, their positions were unexpectedly elevated.
tīng dé níng èr xiān shēng yǔ měi fù yī dāi ， yuán běn tā men suī qū yú xíng shì ， bù dé bù dī tóu rèn shū 。 dàn xīn zhōng dōu zài dān xīn níng wàn shān rì huì bú huì jiā xián bào fù ， nà zì jǐ de rì zi kě jiù bù hǎo guò 。
听得宁二先生与美妇一呆，原本他们虽屈于形势，不得不低头认输。但心中都在担心宁万山日会不会夹嫌报复，那自己的日子可就不好过。
This Enforcement Elder position was vacant for nearly a century, second only in honor to the head of the family. Although they couldn't fully realize their ambitions, they would still be above ordinary elders, making them high-ranking figures.
méi xiǎng dào lǎo zǔ yī jù huà ， què fǎn ér shēng liǎng rén de zhí le 。
没想到老祖一句话，却反而升两人的职了。
Lin Xuan had his own reasons for doing this. The Ning family might not have been weak, but it lacked development over these years due to internal strife. The senior line dominated recently, yet the second and third lines were formidable as well. To prevent any threat to their position, the senior branch suppressed other branches, such as Mr. Ning Er and the red-robed woman, who were talented in both cultivation and intellect but only given ordinary elder positions. This only fueled their resentment.
zhè zhí fǎ zhǎng lǎo zhī wèi ， kě shì kòng quē le jìn bǎi nián zhī jiǔ ， lùn zūn róng ， jǐn cì yú jiā zhǔ ， zhè yàng yī lái ， tā men suī wèi néng dà zhǎn hóng tú 。 què yě shì yī rén zhī xià wàn rén zhī shàng le 。
这执法长老之位，可是空缺了近百年之久，论尊荣，仅次于家主，这样一来，他们虽未能大展宏图。却也是一人之下万人之上了。
Now that the Ning family was his own, Lin Xuan planned to address these longstanding issues. The stronger the Ning family became, the more advantageous it would be for him.
Mr. Ning Er and the red-robed beautiful woman exchanged glances, their faces turning slightly pale as they looked at Ning Wanshan with expressions of shock. Could this guy really have made a terrifying old monster acquaintance somewhere?
The situation was not looking good!
Despite their fear, both of them were still the heads of one lineage, so they managed to maintain some composure. At least they could remain calm in crisis.
They released their divine senses to search for the person who had emitted such a massive spiritual pressure, but found nothing. This only made them even more alarmed.
"Unknown senior, please forgive me for not welcoming you far enough. However, this is an internal matter of my family. Do you also wish to interfere?"
Mr. Ning Er performed a distant bow towards the sky. Although his words seemed respectful and submissive, they contained a hidden trap. The implication was that if the other party forcibly intervened, it would be tantamount to declaring war against the entire Ning family. Even though an old monster of the元婴期 stage might have astonishing abilities, there were nearly a hundred Condensation Core cultivators here who weren't easily intimidated. Moreover, conspiring with external enemies to plot for the head of the household was a grave violation of clan rules. In this case, even disciples from the senior line would likely stand by Ning Wanshan, making it uncertain whether they would win or lose.
He had indeed planned meticulously. Lin Xuan also nodded in approval from his hiding place. This Mr. Ning Er was truly a formidable figure, but unfortunately, he was born at the wrong time. Facing him now, all of his efforts would be in vain.
"Haha, Mr. Ning Er, your words are quite apt. How can outsiders interfere with family matters? But it is only natural for me to intervene as an old monster. Who dares say no?"
A hoarse voice echoed through their ears as the spiritual pressure intensified. A faint stench of decay could be detected in everyone's nostrils. A black streak of light appeared before them.
How familiar this voice sounded! Many meticulous Ning family disciples had a vague thought, and they all widened their eyes to look forward.
Woo...
Outside that streak of light was an eerie layer of wind, and among the swirling wind were dozens of skulls of various shapes, each about the size of a fist. They looked terrifying at first glance.
"Who are you, senior?" The red-robed woman's eyes flashed with a glint as she slowly spoke.
"Hmph, Third Missie, do you not recognize me? Haven't you seen the power of my Heavenly Corpse Incarnation Technique?"
The unexpected guest cackled and suddenly spread his hands apart.
Mrs. Red Robe was greatly alarmed, thinking that the other party intended to harm her. She quickly summoned her yin spirit needle, but instead of an attack, the black light grew dimmer.
A tall, familiar figure emerged.
Slim and gaunt with a corpse-like aura, hooked fingers, sunken eyes. This clearly wasn't human; it was their former ancestor who had transformed into a Heavenly Corpse body.
The disciples exchanged glances. While lower-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators might not have seen him before, the elders and officials of the Condensation Core stage recognized him instantly. Regardless of which branch they belonged to, they all showed signs of great joy. After all, having an old monster of the元婴期 stage meant a lot for the family.
Moreover, this ancestor was senior to the late Senior Elder. As a living ancestor, everyone naturally dared not defy his will.
"Salute the Ancestor!"
Ning Wanshan's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction as he led the way in bowing down. He admired the master’s stratagem to such an extent that he felt nothing but admiration for it. No matter what plot the other party had, facing the ancestor would be useless.
"The return of our Ancestor is indeed a blessing for our Ning family."
The other Condensation Core cultivators exchanged glances and bowed down in unison. This wasn't just the senior line; even the elders and officials from the second and third lines did so as well.
Seeing their teachers bowing, the lower-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators dared not stand around arrogantly. They quickly knelt and saluted the Ancestor.
In a few seconds, only two people remained standing in the ancestral hall.
"Alright, you two youngsters, Third Missie, do you still refuse to acknowledge me or think that I am someone impersonating an ancestor?" The Corpse Devil turned his head, speaking with a sinister tone.
"We jest, how could we dare to commit such a sacrilegious act?"
Mr. Ning Er and the red-robed woman exchanged glances, knowing it was futile. Besides, they had already agreed that this truly was the real Ancestor. Impersonating him would be laughable; not only were there few元婴期 stage cultivators who could create corpses, but forging a signature for the Heavenly Corpse Incarnation Technique was also unlikely.
They sighed inwardly, knowing that in planning, one must consider both human and divine factors. They hadn't expected this Ancestor, who had been absent for years, to suddenly intervene at such a critical moment.
They accepted their defeat with grace but knew there was no other choice but to submit. Thus, they also knelt down respectfully.
"Good, those who adapt to the times are wise. You two youngsters need not be disheartened. Although I have decided to make Wanshan the head of the family, starting now, you both will be promoted to Enforcement Elders. With all seven lines working together, we can strengthen our Ning family," the Corpse Devil's eyes flickered as he said something unexpected.
Mr. Ning Er and the beautiful woman were stunned. Although they had to bow down due to circumstances, they still feared that Ning Wanshan might harbor resentment and seek revenge against them in the future. However, with one sentence from the Ancestor, their positions were unexpectedly elevated.
This Enforcement Elder position was vacant for nearly a century, second only in honor to the head of the family. Although they couldn't fully realize their ambitions, they would still be above ordinary elders, making them high-ranking figures.
Lin Xuan had his own reasons for doing this. The Ning family might not have been weak, but it lacked development over these years due to internal strife. The senior line dominated recently, yet the second and third lines were formidable as well. To prevent any threat to their position, the senior branch suppressed other branches, such as Mr. Ning Er and the red-robed woman, who were talented in both cultivation and intellect but only given ordinary elder positions. This only fueled their resentment.
Now that the Ning family was his own, Lin Xuan planned to address these longstanding issues. The stronger the Ning family became, the more advantageous it would be for him.