"Fengzhi, what are you thinking? What's wrong?"
Ning Fengzhi snapped out of his thoughts, unsurprised by Chen Xin's sudden appearance. This was his private study; only Chen Xin and Gu Rong could enter freely. Even Rongrong had to announce herself.
"Uncle Jian, where's Uncle Gu?"
Chen Xin pouted. "That old man took Rongrong out to play and even used spatial travel to ditch me."
Ning Fengzhi gave a bitter smile. "Uncle Jian, the two of you spoil Rongrong far too much. Look how arrogant she's become."
"A little spoiling never hurt," Chen Xin retorted. "My Rongrong is so filial. Do you really think we two old men can't protect her?"
Ning Fengzhi could only shake his head. Both Sword and Bone Douluo doted on Rongrong excessively. The future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could not be entrusted to a child who refused to grow up.
"Uncle Jian, look at this first."
Ning Fengzhi handed over the documents. The moment Chen Xin saw Lin Yang's name, his expression turned serious.
"A few days ago the intelligence division reported that the Ye family is searching everywhere for metal-type soul beasts… and they've located Lin Yang's recent movements." Ning Fengzhi's eyes were deep and unreadable. "They suspect he has already reached Soul King."
Chen Xin froze, then stared at the age column. Twelve years old?
"Fengzhi, the age must be wrong. He's only twelve."
"No. Strictly speaking, he won't turn twelve for several more days."
Ning Fengzhi rose, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked to the window. He gazed at the distant scenery and sighed softly.
"Uncle Jian, it may be hard to believe, but the sect's findings are accurate."
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Royal Family had kept all information about Lin Yang under the strictest secrecy. Even as the Crown Prince's mentor, Ning Fengzhi had been unable to obtain more. Clearly they feared the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would try to poach him.
Yet the clan was not to be underestimated. Using vast wealth and scattered clues, they had traced Lin Yang to Nuoding City Elementary Soul Master Academy. Many people shared the name Lin Yang, but only one soul master matched every condition: the boy with the Blade Martial Soul.
They had then spent heavily to locate his former roommate and finally gathered reliable information. Some details were true, some false, but the age had been verified repeatedly—correct. Twelve. Not even twelve yet.
A Soul King under twelve would undoubtedly reach a level worthy of the title in the future. His potential surpassed even Sword and Bone Douluo. Why was such a genius not part of his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly.
Chen Xin fell silent. Rongrong was ten—still not eleven—yet possessed innate level-nine soul power. She had obtained her second spirit ring only a month ago and now stood at level twenty-one. She was hailed as the greatest genius the clan had seen in centuries, the only one with a chance to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into an Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Compared with Lin Yang, however, she seemed ordinary.
"Uncle Jian, I know you love Rongrong, but we cannot let her waste her life any longer."
This time Chen Xin did not argue. He merely asked in a low voice, "What do you intend to do?"
Ning Fengzhi was quiet for a long moment. "When she is a little older, we will send her to school. It is time she learned some hard lessons."
Chen Xin was reluctant, yet he understood the stakes.
"What about Lin Yang? Fengzhi, what are your thoughts?"
Lin Yang now enjoyed the backing of the Ye family, the Dugu family, and even the Heaven Dou Royal Family. Poaching him was impossible. But when faced with a genius of terrifying potential, what should the clan do—suppress him or let him soar?
"Do everything in our power to build a good relationship," Ning Fengzhi answered without hesitation.
Chen Xin blinked in surprise.
Ning Fengzhi smiled. In his position one had to see the bigger picture. Short-term gains and losses were secondary. The continent's resources were finite; every new powerhouse inevitably squeezed others. The fragile balance could shatter. Major powers therefore feared the rise of new forces. In stable times, the safest choice was to change nothing. That was humanity's greatest flaw.
If Lin Yang had been only a cultivation genius, the clan would have had little contact with him. But Lin Yang also possessed peerless potion-making skills. Even before reaching maturity his medicines had already benefited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. What would happen once he fully matured? If they did not draw close to him now, they might never taste the fruits of his labor later.
In simple terms: when the pie is divided, the people who made the pie will decide who gets a slice. Lin Yang was becoming the one who baked the pie. Everyone would want a taste. Which side would be more popular? The answer was obvious.
Chen Xin was stunned. He had not expected Ning Fengzhi to value Lin Yang so highly—as a core figure destined to shape the era. Yet considering everything Lin Yang had done, the assessment felt correct.
"Uncle Jian, share with Lin Yang all the information the sect holds on the golden soul beast from ten thousand years ago. Let it serve as proof of our goodwill."
"Good!"
...
"Tsk tsk… so this is the power of a great sect."
Lin Yang sighed as he examined the documents on the ten-thousand-year golden soul beast. The soul beasts recorded might no longer exist, but their value remained. He accepted the clan's gesture of goodwill. He needed this information desperately. As his strength grew, suitable soul beasts became rarer. Blindly searching the Star Dou Great Forest was far inferior to having a clear target.
"Which one will you pick this time?" Dugu Yan asked casually, flipping through the papers.
Lin Yang smiled and handed her a few pages. She glanced at them. "Tiger Fury Mountain Range… Earth-Splitting Golden Tiger… fifty thousand years?"
"Not bad," Lin Yang nodded. "Age and attributes both fit. It is one of the rare soul beasts that possesses a domain."
Dugu Yan nodded, though a trace of tension lingered in her eyes. "When do we leave?"
"Let's wait a few days." Lin Yang smiled. The girls were planning his birthday celebration; he had no intention of spoiling their fun.
Dugu Yan secretly exhaled in relief. "Then Grandpa should come with us."
"No need," Lin Yang shook his head. "I don't want to trouble Elder Poison this time. I'll go alone."
"Too dangerous!"
"Don't worry. I'm confident." Lin Yang's smile was calm. "Besides, the Tiger Fury Mountain Range lies inside Star Luo Empire territory. Since I'm going anyway, I might as well handle some other matters there."
....