Perhaps it was because Ning Rongrong was traveling with them.
Or perhaps it was because the carriage moved through bustling cities with the protection of Soul Master guards from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Regardless, the journey along the way was exceptionally peaceful. Seven Treasure City was located not far outside Heaven Dou City, so the carriage first delivered Ning Rongrong to her doorstep.
As they were about to part, she tilted her head slightly, her voice soft. "Would you like to come in and sit for a while? My father and the others... they often mention you."
In front of Zhao Liuyun, she maintained the elegance and poise expected of the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, refraining from any crude or inappropriate language that might overstep her status.
"Next time I have the chance," Zhao Liuyun replied with a smile.
"Truly?"
"Truly. Next time for sure!"
"The young friend said the exact same thing last time," a raspy voice suddenly rang out by his ear.
Before the words had even faded, three figures appeared before Zhao Liuyun like phantoms. Standing on the left was Gu Rong, whose frame was as gaunt as withered bone; one of his hands rested lightly on the shoulder of Ning Fengzhi, who stood in the center.
To the right was Chen Xin.
This was Zhao Liuyun's first time meeting the Sword Douluo. He wore a pristine, snow-white robe. His hair and beard were entirely white, with his silver locks tied neatly behind him like fallen snow. His face was ancient yet his skin was as delicate as a child's; his expression was indifferent, as if the myriad things of heaven and earth were not worth his notice, leaving only a single sword hanging in the sky. His entire being was like a sharp blade resting within its scabbard.
What powerful Sword Intent!
Perhaps becoming a [Swordsman] would be another good choice for tempering one's will?
Zhao Liuyun's interest was piqued. Amidst his thoughts, he bowed slightly. "Liuyun greets His Excellency the Sword, His Excellency the Bone, and Clan Leader Ning."
Shi Nian and Zhu Zhuqing followed his lead and paid their respects accordingly.
Ning Fengzhi's heart stirred. He recognized Shi Nian—Zhao Liuyun's teacher at Blue Sunshine Academy and a rare pure Mental-type Soul Master. But who was this Zhu Zhuqing?
Suppressing the flicker in his eyes, Ning Fengzhi gently pulled his daughter—who had been away from home for a long time and was beginning to miss its warmth—closer to him. He said warmly, "There is no need for such ceremony. Nephew Liuyun, you are far too polite."
Ning Fengzhi could sense that Zhao Liuyun's strength had increased once again.
"Level 46!" Gu Rong focused his senses to investigate and his pupils suddenly constricted. He immediately used Soul Power to transmit the information to Ning Fengzhi.
"What!"
Even with Ning Fengzhi's profound composure, the customary smile at the corner of his mouth couldn't help but tremble slightly. It had only been a year since they last met at the Crown Prince's estate. An ordinary genius might raise their level by two or three ranks at most, but Zhao Liuyun had surged from Level 38, leaping eight ranks in one go?
Why has such a world-shaking talent not entered the fold of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
Ning Fengzhi's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, yearning to find a favored son of heaven to whom he could entrust the clan's future. Forcing down the envy sparked by the boy's staggering cultivation, he maintained a gentle smile and said softly, "Nephew has truly kept us waiting."
There was an implicit invitation in his words.
Zhao Liuyun looked apologetic, but he still declined. "Next time. Next time for sure! Once I have some free time, I will certainly come to pay a visit."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhao Liuyun gave his promise and boarded the carriage to leave Seven Treasure City.
"That kid doesn't act very decisively," Chen Xin said plainly as he watched the back of the departing carriage. That subtle, indirect style didn't sit well with his straightforward nature. But after a pause, he added, "Though his will is quite firm."
As a master of the Way of the Sword, Chen Xin was exceptionally sensitive to "Intent," and he could clearly perceive the stubborn will hidden deep within Zhao Liuyun's bones. He gave his final assessment: "On the path of a Soul Master, he will go very far."
"Zhao Liuyun is a peerless genius, after all," Ning Rongrong couldn't help but chime in.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi was still lost in thought, the image of the cold girl who had stood silently behind Zhao Liuyun flickering in his mind. Zhu...
Ning Fengzhi accompanied Ning Rongrong as they strolled back into the family garden. He asked his daughter softly, "Rongrong, are you willing to share your experiences from this trip with Papa?"
Perhaps he could find answers through her.
"Of course!" Having witnessed a great show, Ning Rongrong was already bursting to speak. "Papa, try to guess Zhu Zhuqing's true identity." She intentionally left him hanging.
"Papa can't guess." Even though Ning Fengzhi already had an inkling, he smiled and shook his head, looking at his daughter with expectant eyes.
"She's the fiancée of the Third Prince of Star Luo!" Ning Rongrong announced proudly.
"!" A sharp light suddenly flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, and his heart jolted. He exchanged a glance with Gu Rong; both remained silent, continuing to listen to their daughter's biased narration.
Ning Rongrong chatted on for a long while. She described in detail Zhao Liuyun's fearlessness in the face of a Soul Saint, his domineering aura when snatching the Star Luo prince's fiancée, and his conviction to fearlessly confront the Star Luo Imperial Family—not for beauty, but for his own persistence.
From her worshipful words, Ning Fengzhi pieced together the sequence of events and the outcome. He also recognized the longing in his daughter's eyes; she yearned to shake the world in such a manner.
Ning Rongrong added, "Zhao Liuyun said 'beauty is like a passing cloud' to him. He was even meditating hard while in the carriage!"
She compared Zhao Liuyun to Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai. Firm in conviction, powerful in strength, and possessing staggering courage—Ning Rongrong felt that this was the true demeanor a genius should have, unlike those like the Evil Fire Phoenix who indulged in brothels and taverns.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "If you find yourself with nothing to do, why not go to Heaven Dou City to find Zhao Liuyun and play?"
"Really?" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, her voice full of joy.
"If you can learn even a little bit from him and focus your mind on cultivation, that would be for the best."
"Hehe~" Ning Rongrong said nothing, merely turning around and skipping away. Playing was fine, but he was trying to trick her into studying again.
Ning Fengzhi watched her. His original goal of having his daughter join that academy to grow through curiosity had failed. But now it seemed it wasn't a total failure; there was another opportunity.
To the side, Gu Rong rubbed his bald head. "Fengzhi, that kid snatched the fiancée of the Star Luo Empire's prince right in front of everyone and humiliated the Third Prince. He truly has massive guts!"
"He has the capital to do so." Ning Fengzhi slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and withdrew his gaze, his expression one of yearning. "At this rate of cultivation, he will surely become a Soul King within half a year. That's a thirteen-year-old Soul King!"
Thirteen years old. Most people in the world hadn't even touched the threshold of a Soul Elder, yet here was someone becoming a Soul King at an unimaginable speed.
Ning Fengzhi suddenly felt a surge of pleasant surprise. "Ignoring imperial dignity and snatching a prince's fiancée is a very serious humiliation."
Gu Rong listened in confusion, not understanding what Fengzhi meant by this.
Ning Fengzhi broke it down in detail. "Dugu Bo naturally does not fear the Star Luo Imperial Family, but the Ye family is different. To avoid the heat, Zhao Liuyun will likely take the initiative to distance himself from the Ye family on the surface. Rongrong's 'running away from home' this time allowed her to strike up a friendship with Zhao Liuyun. We might as well add more fuel to the fire."
Ning Fengzhi stood up and walked toward the library. He planned to find more precious ancient texts to have Zhao Liuyun help guide her. Interaction would lead to the cultivation of feelings. It wasn't that Ning Fengzhi was obsessed with prying him away from the Ye family, but rather that in all the world, it was impossible to find another such stunning talent.
This was a thirteen-year-old Soul King! Even if he belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire's side, Spirit Hall would be deeply tempted.
To ensure their safety until the end, Shi Nian delivered Zhao Liuyun and Zhu Zhuqing directly to the Dugu Estate. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he consulted Dugu Bo on key points for future cultivation and made an appointment to return in half a year to lead Zhao Liuyun in hunting for a Soul Ring before departing satisfied.
As for Zhu Zhuqing...
Zhao Liuyun explained the situation to his teacher. After a moment of silence, Dugu Bo's gaze lingered on Zhu Zhuqing for an instant, his eyes carrying an indiscernible meaning. For the sake of his disciple, he gave a curt nod of approval.
"I have caused you trouble, Your Excellency." Zhu Zhuqing bowed deeply, her words sincere and full of gratitude.
Dugu Bo gave a strange laugh, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance. "This is Heaven Dou City. I am a guest official of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the 'Poison' Douluo, Dugu Bo! What does the Star Luo Imperial Family count for? Even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare come here."
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