After meeting Ning Fengzhi, when Tang San laid bare his ambitions, his plans, and his irreconcilable hatred toward Spirit Hall before Ning Fengzhi, the response he received was calm, concise, and merciless.
"No."
Just a single word, yet it struck Tang San harder than any physical blow.
His pupils shrank, his breathing growing erratic.
"What…?" Tang San asked, his voice almost hysterical. "Clan Leader Ning—why?! Aren't you the one who always said that the three great clans are one? That mutual support is the foundation of survival in this world? Then why are you backing off now?!"
His voice echoed faintly in the hall.
Ning Fengzhi sat quietly in his seat, his posture relaxed, his expression unperturbed. He neither interrupted nor reacted to Tang San's outburst. Only after the young man finished speaking did he sigh softly, a trace of embarrassment flashing across his eyes.
'I haven't used that phrase, in many years.' Ning Fengzhi thought
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had never been a clan that rose through brute force. From the very beginning, their ancestors had been merchants—people who relied on wit, foresight, and the ability of their martial souls to find rare items along with calculation to amass unimaginable wealth and influence.
And Ning Fengzhi was no exception. Like his ancestors, he possessed a deeply ingrained merchant nature.
He would never engage in a loss-making transaction.
Nor would he make the foolish decision of openly opposing Spirit Hall, which has connection to HER.
"Spirit Hall is not an enemy one confronts with passion," Ning Fengzhi continued slowly. "It is an enemy one avoids… or survives."
Tang San's fists clenched unconsciously.
Now that Ning Fengzhi's martial soul had already evolved, his obsession with further evolution was no longer as extreme as before. However—
The method Tang San proposed…It was undeniably tempting. Ning Fengzhi's eyes had flickered when Tang San had proposed it.
'If such a method truly exists… Then the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could become even more powerful.'
Just when he had the thought to leverage this method , Ning Fengzhi's hand started to tremble ,because a memory started to play just after he had that thought.
That year, in the Star Dou Forest. The golden haired girl with enchanting purple eyes.
His lips curved faintly, forming a self-mocking smile.
'Since that person exists…No matter how many geniuses rise, how many monsters are born, …It makes no difference.'
'Because all of them—Will ultimately be dancing in HER palm.'
Ning Fengzhi was smart, so after gathering a information he was able to deduce that someone was manipulating everything like a web. And the most fearsome thing was that his intuition screamed that his gathering of information and deducing everything was itself part of some plan.
Coupled with the fact that even with Twilight Hermit Order not much information can be found about that girl, he had reached at a terrifying conclusion.
After that conclusion Ning Fengzhi thought that he would just lie down and not oppose the Spirit Hall. If they come he might just bend the knee to perfectly preserving the legacy of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile clan. Never knowing that the writer of a certain script might have other intentions.
Ning Fengzhi lifted his gaze, meeting Tang San's burning eyes once more before speaking again.
"Your method for evolving martial souls has undeniable value," he said calmly. "For that reason alone, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is willing to provide you with as many resources and high-grade medicinal herbs as you require."
Tang San's expression shifted slightly.
Ning Fengzhi continued, his tone measured and businesslike. "I can also purchase your hidden weapons at a significantly higher price than before."
Then— Ning Fengzhi paused.
"However," he said at last, "the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan cannot sign an offensive–defensive alliance."
The finality in his voice extinguished that fleeting hope.
Tang San's eyes hardened. He rose abruptly from his seat, anger blazing within them.
At that moment— A vast, oppressive pressure descended.
A Titled Douluo's aura erupted from behind Ning Fengzhi, like an ancient beast awakening from slumber. The air itself seemed to solidify, pressing down upon Tang San's shoulders.
A cold, gravelly voice followed.
"Kid," the man said, his tone carrying unmistakable disdain, "if you were not Tang Hao's son, and if you were not from the Clear Sky Clan… do you really think we would even be having this discussion?"
Tang San's pupils contracted.
"The Clan Leader personally coming out to negotiate with you," the voice continued, "is already the highest level of respect."
A sharp snort echoed.
"And if you weren't Rongrong's friend—hmph!"
Tang San turned his gaze.
Standing behind Ning Fengzhi was an old man with a towering skeletal frame. His face was weathered by time, his presence cold and sharp, Bone Douluo.
Tang San recognized him instantly. But then—His eyes widened slightly.
Bone Douluo's right sleeve hung empty. An arm was missing.
That sight struck Tang San harder than the aura pressure.
'That's impossible…'
According to his memories, Bone Douluo had never suffered such an injury.
'Another variable…?'
A sense of unease crept into Tang San's heart.
Suppressing his emotions, he asked cautiously, "Clan Leader Ning… may I ask—"
Before he could finish, Ning Fengzhi raised a hand, cutting him off gently but firmly.
"I prefer not to speak about it," Ning Fengzhi said, his gaze softening slightly. "Some matters are better left unmentioned."
Then, after a brief pause, he added quietly, "I don't want certain gaze… turning toward this place where Rongrong is studying."
Tang San fell silent.
In the end, Tang San succeeded in securing a long-term supply of high-grade medicinal herbs and various cultivation resources from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The transaction itself was highly favorable, even exceeding his original expectations.
But when it came to the offensive–defensive alliance—
Ning Fengzhi never once wavered.
No matter how persuasive Tang San's words were, that line remained uncrossable.
As Tang San left, his expression was calm, yet deep within his heart, a cold realization took root.
The continent he remembered—Was no longer the continent before him.
Tang San himself came to a terrifying conclusion,
'Is there a Reincarnator or Transmigrator like me on Spirit Halls side?'