Shi Miaomiao was about to rush back immediately, but Nanli stopped her, telling her to wait. She then took out two Face-Changing Talismans—one for herself, and one for Ye Yanqin. With a slight wave, Nanli changed her appearance to that of a middle-aged woman, while Ye Yanqin transformed into a young girl.
Shi Miaomiao couldn’t detect any flaws in their transformation. Not only that, but Jiuzhou Town was surrounded by a large magical formation that prohibited sword flying, to avoid accidents from collisions. The only means of transportation within the town was a set route for spirit boats.
In her urgency, Shi Miaomiao quickly urged them, but Nanli calmly took out a Teleportation Talisman and said, "Use this."
Shi Honghong glanced at the Talisman, looking puzzled. "What kind of symbol is this?"
Shi Miaomiao widened her eyes. "This... this is..."
Shi Honghong looked at her, waiting for her explanation, but instead, Shi Miaomiao turned to Nanli and asked, "So, what kind of symbol is this?"
Ye Yanqin muttered under her breath, "You, Miss Shi, don’t even know what this symbol is?"
She recognized it instantly. It was a Teleportation Talisman! Nanli had even taken out two of them. No wonder her master had insisted she follow Nanli; such talismans were rare and difficult to create.
Shi Miaomiao proudly retorted, "I’m a Pill Cultivator, not a Talisman Cultivator. Why should I know about such things?"
Nanli urged, "Alright, enough talking. Hurry up."
She quickly taught Shi Miaomiao how to use the talisman, and with her skill, Shi Miaomiao could transport up to three people at once.
Chanting the incantation, they arrived at the entrance of the Shi Family estate in the blink of an eye. It was Shi Miaomiao’s first time using a Teleportation Talisman, and she was left astonished. But then she had a question: "I aimed for my father’s courtyard. Why did we end up just at the gate?"
"Because the Shi Family has a magical formation blocking all talismans," Nanli explained, eyeing the expansive estate. "Only those with special permission can bypass it."
"Ah, I see." Shi Miaomiao nodded, her chest swelling with pride. It was a testament to Shi Family’s ancestors’ power.
But this was no time to show off. Shi Miaomiao quickly led the group through the Shi Family estate, heading straight for Lord Shi’s chambers.
Inside, Shi Family’s key members had gathered, including some powerful pill cultivators and even the second branch of the family. Seeing the influential pill cultivators standing with her second uncle, Shi Miaomiao’s heart sank.
Clearly, Shi Qian had been working behind the scenes, and now many had already sided with him.
"Miss, Second Young Master!" The people inside greeted them, though it was far less respectful than before.
Shi Miaomiao and Shi Honghong didn’t care about the formalities and rushed to Lord Shi’s bedside.
Lord Shi was barely holding onto life, but upon hearing his children’s voices, he mustered the strength to open his eyes, though only slightly. His children’s tearful expressions made his heart ache.
"Father... how could this happen?" Shi Miaomiao sobbed uncontrollably.
Lord Shi could no longer speak. He merely gave a weak glance to Shi Honghong and then turned his eyes to Shi Miaomiao. Understanding his father’s unspoken words, Shi Miaomiao nodded furiously.
"I understand, Father. I will protect Honghong and the Shi Family."
With that, Lord Shi closed his eyes and passed away silently.
The siblings were heartbroken. They hadn’t even had a chance to tend to their father’s illness or give him medicine. Thanks to Nanli, they at least had the chance to say their last goodbyes, but it was still a lifetime of regret.
As the siblings mourned, a voice came from behind them. "Miaomiao, stop crying. You must determine the successor to the family head first, or there will be no chance to handle your brother’s affairs."
It was Shi Qian, and his family showed no signs of mourning.
It had only been a short while since their father’s death, yet Second Uncle was already pressing for the succession, which made everyone feel cold.
Ye Yanqin muttered softly, "Family politics can be ruthless."
"Normal," Nanli replied. "Cultivators are no different from ordinary people when it comes to wanting resources. The competition only becomes fiercer."
Shi Miaomiao wiped her tears and looked resolutely at everyone. "Second Uncle, what are you talking about? I am my father’s daughter, and my strength is sufficient. I have worked tirelessly for the Shi Family over the years. Who else but me can succeed the position of the family head?"
Although the Shi Family had many branches, most of them were weak, with some not even able to control the Flame of North Wilderness.
Many of the Shi Family members, seeing her determination, began to show their support for her.
Shi Qian smiled coldly. "Do you all remember? When I competed for the position of family head with my elder brother, our ancestor gave a test: whoever could produce the Heaven and Earth Spirit Communication Pill would become the head."
"But the formula for the Heaven and Earth Spirit Communication Pill was lost long ago, and no one has been able to make it. My strength was equal to my brother’s, so our ancestor had no choice but to make him the family head."
"However, our ancestor said before his passing, that if I could ever create the Heaven and Earth Spirit Communication Pill, the position of family head would be mine!"
With that, he opened a small embroidered box and revealed a glowing, fragrant pill.
The sight of it made the elders in the room gasp. "Is... is that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Communication Pill?!"
"Indeed," Shi Qian said, holding the pill aloft for all to see. "Now, only I can create the Heaven and Earth Spirit Communication Pill. Everyone should follow our ancestor’s will and recognize me as the family head."
Although most of the Shi Family didn’t know about the ancestor’s will, they understood the significance of this pill. The Heaven and Earth Spirit Communication Pill was the foundation of the Shi Family’s rise!
This pill allowed its user to absorb more spiritual energy from the heavens and earth, accelerating cultivation and improving the success rate of containing foreign fire. It was considered essential for every Shi Family member.
This was why the Shi Family had been so powerful in Jiuzhou Town for so many years.
However, an earlier family head had died while gathering herbs in the North Wilderness, and his Qiankun Bag containing the pill formula was lost. The formula had been lost for generations, and many attempts to recreate the pill had failed.
Shi Miaomiao had tried countless times without success. But now, Shi Qian had actually succeeded in making it?!