() "Have I reached the realm of cave void?" Xiao Tianhe was a little incredulous.

Nangong Xue put away the paper umbrella and said with a smile: "Yes, Brother Xiao, you have cultivated to the early stage of the cave void! It turns out that you are still a genius of cultivation." In less than thirty-five years, he has cultivated to the realm of Cave Void, and he must be a first-class root bone. ”

"But I have only just entered the late stage of the void and darkness not long ago, how could I suddenly break through?" Xiao Tianhe was still at a loss.

"Don't worry, although my realm is not high, my metaphysical sense is very keen, and you must be in the realm of Cave Void now. In the past, there were also amazingly talented demon cultivators who greatly improved their realm in a short period of time, which is not surprising. I feel that this kind of thing can be encountered but not sought, and it is very mysterious. Nangong Xue explained, "Brother Xiao, you are really enviable. ”

"Hmm......" Xiao Tianhe thought thoughtfully.

"Brother Xiao, you have just improved your realm, it's better to consolidate it quickly. I don't have anything urgent, so I won't bother you. Nangong Xue turned around and wanted to leave.

Xiao Tianhe hurriedly stopped her: "Sister Xue, don't leave yet, you don't have to rush to cultivate, I just have something I want to ask you." ”

After entering the house, Xiao Tianhe lit a candle, and the room lit up. Nangong Xue wiped out the two candlesticks with a wave of her sleeves: "Just you and me, you don't have to light so much." ”

Xiao Tianhe was stunned for a moment, nodded, and the two sat down at the table. In the dim candlelight, Nangong Xue tilted her head, dragged her cheeks with one hand, the corners of her mouth rose slightly, and her bright eyes were like autumn water, looking at Xiao Tianhe intently.

The atmosphere became a little ambiguous, Xiao Tianhe coughed lightly, and asked, "Sister Xue, what have you and Brother Ting been busy with these days? ”

"Hmm...... I'm not busy with anything. The 'Demon Treasure Conference' is coming, and Master and Daddy have asked us to prepare well. ”

"Then why don't you cultivate well tonight, what's the matter with coming to me?"

"You are our honored guest, and you have just joined the Nangong family. As the master, I can't snub you, right?Hehe, why, you don't like me to come to see you?" Nangong Xue's tone changed a lot compared to before. A few days ago, she was a sassy and capable girl, but now she seems to have become a coquettish little girl.

"Where, where. Xiao Tianhe squeezed out a smile, and at the same time warned himself in his heart that he must not get too close to the girl in front of him. It's not that I'm worried that she's hurt myself, but I don't want to let her down. "By the way, when it comes to the 'Demon Treasure Conference', what is it ......" Xiao Tianhe didn't know anything about it, and suddenly found that there were so many things he wanted to ask that he couldn't ask, "Forget it, you better tell me everything about it." ”

Nangong Xue giggled: "I came here today to tell you about the situation of the conference. Let me explain one thing first, since you have joined my Nangong family, you have also obtained the qualification to be recommended to participate in the Nangong Mansion's 'Demon Treasure Conference', which is what many people dream of. ”

"Recommended, recommended by whom?".

"Of course it's the Nangong family!' The 'Demon Treasure Conference' is the conference of the Nangong Mansion, as long as it is the children of the Nangong family or the children of the allied family, they can participate. ”

"It's not so much 'being recommended' as it is 'being allowed.'" There must be a lot of people attending such a grand event, right?"

"You're wrong," Nangong Xue smiled, "'Recommended' and 'allowed' are two different things. Ordinary people, even after joining the Nangong family, they can't participate if they want to, they have to rely on their strength to fight for qualifications. However, each branch can recommend a qualified person to enter the competition directly, which is what 'recommended' means. ”

"Oh, then, I will be 'recommended' to the competition?" Xiao Tianhe asked.

"Yes. The number of people in our branch is small, and there are no people to recommend in the previous 'Demon Treasure Conference', and the other branches are ...... In short, I assure you that there is no harm in participating in the 'Demon Treasure Conference', Brother Xiao, should you be unwilling to be 'recommended'?" Nangong Xue's expression became a little solemn, perhaps some unpleasant memories came to mind.

Xiao Tianhe didn't answer Nangong Xue immediately, he wouldn't make a rash decision until he figured out what was going on with the 'Demon Treasure Conference'. "I don't understand, if you join the subsidiary family of the Nangong family, are you also separated?" he asked.

Nangong Xue explained: "Of course. If it is a subsidiary family that is invited to join the Nangong family, it automatically belongs to the Nangong branch that issued the invitation. If it is not invited, but voluntarily applies to the Nangong Family Elder Council to join, the Elder Council will decide on the allocation. Whoever wins at the 'Demon Treasure Conference' will also be rewarded very generously by the branch to which they belong, so in addition to cultivating their own children, each branch is also very keen to win over the masters of other families. ”

"I see. It is no wonder that the four major families have been prosperous for a long time, not only carefully cultivating their own children, but also paying attention to absorbing masters with foreign surnames. But aren't you afraid that the strength of the family with a foreign surname will become bigger and bigger, which will affect the status of the Nangong family?" Xiao Tianhe suddenly thought of Nangong Xue's words: "There are no eternal enemies, no eternal friends, only eternal interests." ”

"Don't be afraid. My Nangong family is located in the south of the Heavenly Flame Continent, hundreds of years of ups and downs, enduring, except for the other three major families, no family can shake the status of my Nangong family. Among the subsidiary families of the Nangong family, there are also many powerful families, but they are also cultivated and developed by the Nangong family, and they are loyal allies of the Nangong family. In order to stabilize this alliance, the Nangong family and these families have intermarried, formed righteousness, and accepted apprentices for many years, and the relationship network has become so complicated that it is impossible to get rid of it, and these big families will definitely not betray the Nangong family. As for

It doesn't matter if some small families are going or staying, anyway, it won't have a big impact on the overall strength of the Nangong family at all. Nangong Xue's words were full of love and pride for the family.

Xiao Tianhe nodded: "Yes." If it is an unreliable small family, the Nangong family will not let it develop and grow wantonly, and even if there is such a sign, it will be strangled in the cradle. ”

"Yes. A long time ago, a certain generation of patriarchs set the criteria for inviting foreigners to join. Generally speaking, there are seven articles: first, masters, second, geniuses of cultivating demons, third, people with exquisite swordsmanship or body skills, fourth, people with special skills, fifth, people with extraordinary treasures, sixth, people with chivalrous demeanor, and seventh, people with backgrounds. Since then, the Nangong family has been inviting foreigners according to this standard, and anyone who meets any of the conditions is the target of key attraction and training. If it is a person who applies to the Council of Elders to join the Nangong Family, it is a different matter, anyway, even if the Council of Elders approves it, it will not be so concerned. Nangong Xue said succinctly. It seems that the treatment of being invited to join and applying to join is completely different.

Xiao Tianhe laughed a few times and teased, "I shouldn't have been invited because of the fifth, right?"

Nangong Xue stared at Xiao Tianhe's eyes: "Why did Brother Xiao become so unconfident?"

"We've only known each other for a few days, how can you conclude that I was very confident before?" Xiao Tianhe asked rhetorically.

Nangong Xue covered her mouth and was happy: "How much courage and self-confidence should a person who can wear a tattered clothes to go to the largest pawnshop in Nanlang City to be a worthless red mengshi? Brother Xiao, you have cultivated to the early stage of the cave void in less than thirty-five years, you can be described as 'talented' and 'talented', at first I wooed you because of the second article, and later, I found that you still meet the sixth article, and you can barely meet the seventh article." ”

"Seventh, where did I come from, a village man who is ignorant of the world, and what background do you come from?" Xiao Tianhe shook his head.

"Brother Xiao, you misunderstood. Let me explain it to you.

The first two items are directly related to the strength of my Nangong family, so there is no need to say it.

Third, a person who has a subtle sword technique or body technique, even if he is not a master, can also leave his sword technique and body technique in the Nangong family through methods such as accepting apprentices and double cultivation.

Fourth, if there are people with special skills such as alchemy, knife casting, poison dispensing, healing, and formation, it is the object of invitation from the four major families. It was because of this that the family teacher was invited by his father to join the Nangong family.

Fifth, the strange treasure includes the magic knife, the elixir, the knife canon, the secret book and other kinds of demon cultivation items, after wooing this kind of person, one can know the source of the strange treasure, and the other is to wait for him to cross the catastrophe or fall to get his strange treasure.

Sixth, a person who can be called a 'chivalrous' must be respected. Inviting him to join will set an example for the children of the Nangong family and have a positive impact.

Seventh, this 'background' is not the 'background of life' as you understand it. If you talk about your life experience, is there anyone in Nangong Mansion who is bigger than the Nangong family? This 'background' actually refers to a person's interpersonal relationships. Maybe this person doesn't have anything to show off, but his relatives, masters, and friends may all meet the previous six rules. Do you understand?" Nangong Xue said gently, explaining clearly and clearly.

"Tsk, the patriarch who has set this standard is really a remarkable figure who can be so thoughtful and meticulous. Xiao Tianhe admired.

"Definitely. The patriarch bears the fate of the entire Nangong family, and everything has to be conceived for the rise and fall of the Nangong family. In order to select a qualified successor, each patriarch must put forward three candidates after reaching the realm of tribulation, and then all the people above the realm of annihilation in the entire Nangong family vote for the next patriarch, and once elected, it cannot be changed for any reason. When a new patriarch succeeds him, the family must follow his orders. I think this is also an important reason for the longevity of the Nangong family. ”

"I see, I thought the patriarch was decided by the Council of Elders. Well, it's still so fair, the masters of the family have to vote, and it also avoids the possibility of someone favoritism for the sake of power. ”

"The Council of Elders is composed of some highly respected and powerful seniors in the clan, and they only help the patriarch to take charge of the affairs of the clan. ”

"Hmm......" Xiao Tianhe touched his chin, "Then if the patriarch doesn't have time to put forward a candidacy...... Ah, Sister Xue, don't mind, I'm just assuming, after all, no one can say for sure about demon cultivation. He realized that his words were inappropriate and hurriedly apologized.

Nangong Xue smiled nonchalantly: "It's okay." In fact, with the power of the Nangong family, it is impossible to support a person with mediocre strength as the patriarch. To be a patriarch, you must be in the Mahayana realm. From ancient times to the present, the Nangong family has never had a patriarch who has not reached the realm of tribulation. ”

"The Nangong family is really powerful!" Xiao Tianhe couldn't help but admire.

"Alas......" Nangong Xue suddenly sighed, "The overall strength of the Nangong family is indeed very strong, but when it comes to the specific departments and branches, the strength is strong and weak, uneven. Like me......" she shook her head.

"The Southern Foothills?"

"Hmm. In fact, the head of the Nanlu branch is my grandfather, who just blindly cultivates and rarely cares about family affairs. It's hard for us juniors to see him. Weekday affairs are managed by the uncle. ”

"What about Nangong seniors? I mean your father. ”

Nangong Xue frowned: "Daddy, he'...... Forget it, Brother Xiao, I'll tell you everything. In fact, Daddy is not Grandpa's descendant, but Grandpa's illegitimate son after a drunken time when he was young. Grandma has a humble status, and she is not even qualified to be a concubine for her grandfather

is enough, so my grandmother never told my grandfather after she was pregnant with her father, and after giving birth to my father, the mother and son depended on each other and lived outside. It wasn't until a few years later that my grandmother became seriously ill and left a letter to my grandfather, and my grandfather enrolled my father in Nangong's house. But because of his father's background, he has not been treated well by his grandmother, and he has also suffered the contempt of the children of Nangong in the clan, so he has been enduring humiliation and cultivating hard.

Since grandma is not even a demon cultivator, Daddy's roots are not good, but he has reached the realm of extinction before the other children in the clan. Later, the eldest grandmother died, and the father finally gained his rightful status in the clan. ”

Hearing this, Xiao Tianhe also sighed, he couldn't imagine that the modest Nangong Xu still had such a difficult past.

A light breeze suddenly blew open the hidden window and burst into the house, extinguishing the dancing candles.

"It's almost finished, so I'll go light another candle. Xiao Tianhe just got up, but his hand was held down by Nangong Xue.

"Don't, Brother Xiao, don't order, just listen to me, okay?" Nangong Xue's soft voice carried a hint of sadness.

"Okay. Xiao Tianhe sat down and gently withdrew his hand.

"Later, a similar situation happened to me and Brother Ting. The mother is not from a big family, but a maid who serves her father in Nangong Garden. But her father was emotionally attracted to her, and finally married her mother despite her grandfather's opposition. Since then, Grandpa has given up on Daddy and no longer asks about him......" Nangong Xue paused for a long time, and Xiao Tianhe did not say anything, waiting quietly.

"After all, my father still has to cultivate, and it is impossible to be by my mother's side all the time. Because of this disparity in status, my mother didn't know how much coldness and humiliation she had suffered, and how many times she wanted to leave, but every time after crying, she encouraged herself to be strong, to be forbearing, and for the sake of the future of me and Brother Ting, I must live in the Nangong family.

Day after day, year after year, when I was twelve years old, my mother collapsed and became a madman under constant pressure. One day, the poor mother used a pair of scissors to destroy her face in the confusion and died of illness. The moonlight outside the window was projected into the room, and Nangong Xue sat quietly in a haze, two crystal teardrops reflecting the faint light, gently sliding down her soft face.

Xiao Tianhe was silent, took out a square scarf and handed it to her.

Nangong Xue took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears: "I'm sorry for letting you listen to so many irrelevant things." ”

"Is this why Nangong Hui's gang of bastards bullied you?" Xiao Tianhe asked.

Nangong Xue stood up, walked to the low table by the window, and looked at the sky: "Yes." That day, Nangong Hui's disrespectful subordinate had pursued me, but I had rejected him, so he had always held a grudge. However, I can bear insulting me, but insulting my mother is unforgivable. ”

With a "bang", Xiao Tianhe slammed his fist on the table, shaking the teacup lid "ding": "It's too much, that slap is a good fan, I hate that kind of guy who fights people the most." But doesn't your father care about Nangong Hui and them? After all, they are juniors, so they should take care of his face, right?"

Nangong Xue shook her head slightly: "Nangong Hui and Nangong Qiu are the children of the eldest uncle and the second uncle. She lit a candle, and her lonely back looked so helpless in the light of the candlelight,

Xiao Tianhe sighed: "No wonder it is so unscrupulous. ”

"Actually, thanks to Master's protection of us, our condition is much better than before. Although he has a strange temper, he loves me and Brother Ting very much. Nangong Xue walked back to the table with the candlestick and sat down, staring at the table with her head slightly down.

Xiao Tianhe couldn't bear to look at Nangong Xue's reddened eyes: "'Where there is power, there will be fighting. This statement is true. Don't be too upset, as long as I'm here in the future, I won't let them bully you. ”

"Really?" Nangong Xue raised her head and looked at Xiao Tianhe, her eyes full of tenderness, "Brother Xiao, are you ...... You're so nice!"

Xiao Tianhe nodded, but there was some remorse in his heart: "Originally, it was just a righteous word from the perspective of a friend, but she seemed to have misunderstood...... Alas, I hope you don't get into any trouble because of this, and you have to pay attention to the way you speak in the future. ”

"By the way, I haven't finished asking just now, I don't know what reward the winner of the 'Demon Treasure Conference' will get?" Xiao Tianhe quickly diverted the topic.

"It's too much. There are all kinds of cultivation items, and you can even ask the patriarch for a place to cultivate, of course, it must be within the territory of Nangong Mansion. In addition, for the clan to which you belong, the emergence of a winner represents an increase in reputation and status within the clan, and the benefits that come from this are immeasurable. Last but not least, the winners and those with outstanding performance can participate in the 'Storm Cloud Conference', which is the most generous reward of the 'Magic Treasure Conference'. Nangong Xue replied.

"Why did a 'Fengyun Conference' come out again? What did that conference do? I'm confused!" Xiao Tianhe rubbed his temples.

"Don't worry. The explanation of the 'Storm Gathering' is simple. The 'Magic Treasure Tournament' is a competition meeting held by the four major families in their respective territories for the purpose of selecting talents. And the 'Fengyun Conference' is a martial arts competition held by the Demon Lord, after gathering the talents elected by the four major families, and holding a real competition. In other words, the 'Wind Cloud Conference' is the follow-up to the 'Demon Treasure Conference', and it can be called the 'Demon Treasure Conference' of the Heavenly Flame Continent. ”

"The meeting convened by the Demon Lord, that reward must be extremely rich, right?" Xiao Tianhe was a little excited.

Nangong Xue replied: "The reward is only one to enter the core. ”