All beasts submit, and the peerless imperial princess is about to defy the heavens!

I've learned a few basic formations, such as simple spirit-gathering formations, defensive formations, formations that isolate auras, and formations that heal injuries, just in case.

She washed up and tidied herself up a bit, changed her clothes, and then left the space.

As soon as I went outside, I saw the maid Xiao Tao standing at the door.

As soon as she saw Feng Ning come out, she greeted her with a happy face, "Second Miss, have you finished your seclusion?"

Feng Ning nodded. "Yes, is the patriarch home?"

Xiao Tao nodded, "Yes, we have guests at home today, and the head of the family should be entertaining them right now."

Feng Ning nodded. "In that case, I won't go there yet. I'll go out for a bit. If the patriarch asks, just say I've already come out of seclusion."

Xiao Tao nodded.

Just as she was about to go out, she saw a maid rushing over.

"Second Miss, please wait."

She paused slightly, waiting for her to walk up to her.

The maidservant approached, bowed, and then continued, "Second Miss, the Master invites you."

Feng Ning asked in confusion, "How did the patriarch know I had come out of seclusion?"

She turned her gaze to Xiao Tao standing behind her, who was also completely bewildered.

"This servant does not know; you will have to ask the master yourself, Miss."

Feng Ning didn't make things difficult for her. "Alright, lead the way."

The maid then led him to the front hall.

When she arrived, the front hall was full of people.

Besides Old Master Hai, there were three members of the eldest branch of the Hai family, and a woman sitting at the head of the table.

The woman was dressed in luxurious clothes, had a beautiful face, and looked elegant and imposing.

But she had never met this person.

She simply stepped forward and bowed to Old Master Hai, saying, "Greetings, Head of the Family."

Grandpa Hai waved to her with a smile, "Feng Ning is here. Come over and greet your aunt. Why are you still calling me 'Head of the Family'? You should call me 'Grandfather'."

Feng Ning pursed her lips and did not answer.

She had no affection for him and simply couldn't bring herself to call him that.

But then she remembered who this woman was.

Aunt, isn't that Hai Chenxi, the eldest daughter of the Hai family who entered the palace and became one of the emperor's concubines?

As the emperor's woman, she still had to be given face, so she bowed to the woman and said, "Greetings, Consort Chen."

Grandpa Hai glared at her, but ultimately didn't say anything harsh.

Hai Chenxi nodded. "Get up."

She looked up and saw Hai Chenxi's calm gaze, with a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

"You're my second brother's daughter?"

She hesitated for a moment and said, "Not necessarily. After all, it's just that the eyes and nose look similar, but there's no conclusive evidence to prove that I am."

Besides, she's so badly disfigured now, how can you recognize her just by her nose and eyes?

Hai Chenxi glanced at her in surprise, then turned her gaze to Old Master Hai.

Grandpa Hai sighed, "You child, why do you still talk like that? I've already said you're the second young lady of the Hai family, and that's it, there's absolutely no change."

Feng Ning remained silent.

There's no need to argue; the truth will eventually come to light.

Hai Chenxi glanced at her but didn't say anything more.

"Alright, now that we've met, I'll head back."

Grandpa Hai nodded. "Alright, then I'll see you out."

After that, Feng Ning went with them to see the person out.

She was completely bewildered from beginning to end, and had no idea why Consort Chen had come all this way.

She figured since she was already out, she might as well go out for a stroll. Instead of staying cooped up in the house cultivating, she only improved her cultivation level, not her strength.

Just as he was about to speak, Old Master Hai asked first, "You've broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage?"

"What?" Hai Lingruo's sharp voice rang out.

Everyone was stunned by her shout.

Grandpa Hai frowned, and Xia Man quickly stepped forward, "Ling'er is happy for Feng Ning. Congratulations on Feng Ning's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, right?"

Hai Lingruo regained some of her composure and forced an awkward smile. "Yes, I was just too surprised. Congratulations, sister, on breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Xia Man breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that her daughter had finally regained her senses.

Grandpa Hai looked at her suspiciously, but not noticing anything amiss, he nodded happily, "It's good that you two love each other so much."

Feng Ning was too lazy to listen to any of this, so she simply said, "You guys chat first, I'm going out for a bit." With that, she turned and left.

Grandpa Hai asked from behind, "Where are you going?"

"I'm bored, let's go for a walk."

"Wait a moment, I'll have someone follow you."

Feng Ning turned to look at him, "No need."

His gaze was cold and rejecting, which made Old Master Hai's heart skip a beat.

The child's eyes were practically overflowing with rejection. Did she misunderstand that he sent people to spy on her?

He had no doubt that if she continued like this, she probably wouldn't even go back to the Hai family.

In the end, he could only shake his hand helplessly and say, "Go ahead."

Feng Ning felt that she really couldn't stay in the Hai family any longer, and there was no need to participate in the secret realm trials anymore.

It was the head of the Hai family who saved her life, and she secured a few more spots for the Hai family.

It can be regarded as everyone getting what he needs.

There's no need to continue this entanglement; otherwise, it will only become more complicated.

Moreover, judging from Hai Lingruo's appearance, she will continue to target her.

She will absolutely not let Hai Lingruo go.

If we continue to get entangled with the Hai family, it will hurt Old Master Hai's feelings.

It would be better if the relationship were based entirely on mutual benefit from beginning to end; if things go well, they'd exchange a few words, and if not, they'd go their separate ways.

She walked back to the Hai family's doorstep.

Then, in front of everyone, he solemnly said, "Patriarch Hai, thank you for your care during this time. I am preparing to leave the Hai family. I bid you farewell. I hope Patriarch Hai will take care and not dwell on unrealistic things."

Grandpa Hai turned around, looking at her in shock. "You! What nonsense are you spouting? You're my granddaughter. Where do you think you're going after leaving the Hai family?"

She looked at him calmly. "Perhaps Grandpa Hai has misunderstood something. So far, there is no evidence to prove that I am a member of the Hai family. I have the right to choose whether to stay or leave."

A hint of anger finally appeared on his face. "Isn't that box proof of your identity?"

Hai Lingruo immediately sensed something was wrong, "What box?"

Unfortunately, no one paid attention to her. Feng Ning said directly, "Since it is my mother's thing, it can only prove that I am my mother's child, not that I am a member of the Hai family."

Her words made Old Master Hai's eyebrows twitch with anger.

"You! You unfilial descendant!"

Seeing that Old Master Hai was so angry he was practically fuming, Hai Lingruo almost burst out laughing.