Kong Shan Kui stared at Kong Nian for two seconds before continuing, "I have a cultivation technique here. To this day, only one person has successfully mastered it. I can pass this technique on to you; as long as you can succeed in your cultivation, your strength will definitely be a hundred times greater than before."
A look of joy appeared on Kong Nian's face, and the blood in her body seemed to boil anew.
If she were still capable of remaining calm right now, she would surely have noticed how complex Kong Xiang's expression became upon hearing Kong Shan Kui's words while he stood to the side.
However, in Kong Nian's eyes and heart right now, there was only the technique Kong Shan Kui had mentioned.
"I am willing!"
Her trembling voice was laced with a hint of fanaticism.
Kong Shan Kui unhurriedly took out the technique, and before handing it to her, he confirmed once more with a serious expression.
"Have you truly thought this through? The stronger the power, the greater the responsibility. If you succeed in your cultivation, it means the responsibility you must shoulder in the future will be a hundred times heavier than that of others."
"Miss, you must consider the Patriarch's words very carefully." Kong Xiang, unable to hold his composure any longer, followed suit by hinting to Kong Nian.
"There is no need for consideration. I am a member of the Kong family, and I know my mission very well. I absolutely refuse to live my life in a muddle like I am now!" Kong Nian answered with forceful strength, her hands hanging at her sides clenched tightly into fists.
A satisfied smile appeared on Kong Shan Kui's face as he handed the technique directly to Kong Nian.
Fanatical light flashed in Kong Nian's eyes as she cautiously took two steps forward and accepted it with both hands in reverence.
At this moment, she felt nothing but a lack of regret.
Kong Shan Kui's voice continued, "Afterward, I will arrange a suitable secret chamber for your cultivation. I hope you can master this technique in the shortest amount of time."
Kong Nian was so excited she could hardly speak. "Uncle, you just said that only one person in the Kong family has mastered this technique. May I ask, which senior brother, senior sister, or elder was that person?"
This had to be an extremely powerful technique; otherwise, her uncle wouldn't have said that her strength would be a hundred times greater than before upon mastering it.
"The person who mastered it has already gone traveling far away, but I can tell you that they were a once-in-a-century genius for the Kong family. However, I also have great expectations for you, because the most important condition for practicing this technique is that the practitioner must discard all previously cultivated spiritual energy." Kong Shan Kui clearly did not answer the question directly.
Kong Nian was profoundly shocked, suddenly feeling as if this technique had been tailor-made for her.
"Then, how long did that previous elder take to succeed in their cultivation?"
"She... although she was the most outstanding exorcist in the Kong family in the last hundred years, it still took her over a year to fully master it." Kong Shan Kui's emotions underwent a subtle shift.
However, this change, in Kong Nian's eyes, appeared as Kong Shan Kui's admiration for that person.
An elder who could command even Kong Shan Kui's admiration—just how formidable must their strength be?!
"Don't worry, Uncle. Nian'er will work hard to achieve it and complete the cultivation even earlier than that elder!"
This was Kong Nian expressing her determination to Kong Shan Kui, and also an encouragement to herself.
A satisfied expression appeared on Kong Shan Kui's face, though a flash of mockery passed through the depths of his eyes in an instant.
"Go back and pack your things first. Tomorrow, I will have Kong Xiang escort you to the secret chamber."
"Yes, Patriarch."
Holding the technique as if it were a priceless treasure, Kong Nian left the hall in a hurry.
The atmosphere in the entire hall was oppressive.
Kong Shan Kui looked toward Kong Xiang, who was standing to the side.
"Do you have something you want to say to me?"
The two of them had known each other for decades. Although their relationship was that of master and servant, their understanding of one another was deeper than even that of family members.
As expected, Kong Xiang spoke, his voice tense. "Patriarch, I don't understand."
Kong Shan Kui already knew what he wanted to ask.
"That matter requires someone to do it, and right now, Kong Nian is the most suitable."
Kong Xiang simply did not believe the reason he gave. "The Miss is your own niece."
Kong Shan Kui had never married, let alone had children, so his attitude toward his niece Kong Nian had been one of great protection and intensive cultivation since she was a child.
The entire Kong family had also treated Kong Nian as if she were Kong Shan Kui's own child, yet now Kong Shan Kui had chosen to let Kong Nian practice that technique.
That technique indeed had only been successfully practiced by one person, and that person was Kong Xiangrou!
Yes, the technique Kong Shan Kui had just given to Kong Nian was the one researched by the heads of the four great families over a decade ago.
And the only thing one had to bear after mastering this technique was a fate identical to Kong Xiangrou's.
No, it was a fate even more tragic than Kong Xiangrou's!
After all, Kong Xiangrou was a true once-in-a-century genius; she was able to emerge alive after the sealing array. As for Kong Nian, her end would likely be nothing but death.
"Precisely because she is my own niece, I feel very at ease leaving this matter to her." Kong Shan Kui spoke as if it were completely natural.
"But she is your only niece. If we are being honest, there are other candidates." Although Kong Xiang felt sympathy for Kong Nian, his standpoint was also considering Kong Shan Kui's position.
Kong Shan Kui understood his meaning and smiled faintly.
"Ah Xiang, you still don't understand me. This matter is already decided."
The implication was that there was no possibility of change.
Kong Xiang truly could not understand; he felt as though Kong Shan Kui had suddenly changed his attitude toward Kong Nian.
"Has there been any movement from Su Yan's side these past two days?" Kong Shan Kui clearly no longer wished to discuss this matter.
Kong Xiang had no choice but to restrain his thoughts. "She seems to be constantly trying to find the former Patriarch."
They naturally understood what Su Yan intended to do by trying to find Kong Lingfeng.
But this time, Su Yan was destined to be disappointed. After all, how could she possibly find someone who had died over a decade ago and whose soul had already vanished?
"I think Su Yan might try to find a way to the secret chambers. Should we make some preparations in advance?"
No matter what they said now, Su Yan certainly wouldn't believe them, so they could only try to find ways to minimize the commotion she caused.
However, to Kong Xiang's surprise, Kong Shan Kui said directly, "Let her be."
"But if she really infiltrates the secret chambers..."
"She is also a member of the Kong family; there is nothing in those secret chambers that cannot be seen. If she truly has the ability to get in and sees that Kong Lingfeng is not there, she will finally give up." Kong Shan Kui spoke very calmly.
Kong Xiang frowned. He truly could not tell if Kong Shan Kui was confident in the arrays outside the secret chambers, or if he was intentionally letting Su Yan in.
But how could that be possible?
The current Su Yan would never easily submit to the Kong family.
(End of Chapter)