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Just as the shock on the academy plaza had yet to fully subside, a carriage—not flamboyantly decorated but exuding an ancient and heavy aura—arrived outside the magnificent gilded gates of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. The carriage was pulled by four majestic Horned-Scale Horses, moving smoothly and silently. The door opened, and two elders stepped out first. One had a face like jade and a refined aura, holding a cane encrusted with a large gemstone—he was the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi. The other was tall and gaunt, but with eyes that seemed capable of swallowing light—he was one of the guardian Douluos of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Bone Douluo, Gu Rong.
Following them, a young girl in an exquisite pale blue dress hopped lightly off the carriage, holding her skirt. She looked about twelve or thirteen years old, her skin white to the point of being nearly transparent, her smooth long hair draped over her shoulders. She was extremely beautiful, possessing a noble and spirited air of someone who had never known worldly hardship. Most striking were her large eyes, which were currently peering curiously at the grand gates and the magnificent buildings visible in the distance. Deep within her eyes lay a hidden trace of pride and eagerness.
She was the little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong.
"Rongrong, this is the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy." Ning Fengzhi looked warmly at his daughter. "The newly ascended 'Soulforger Douluo,' Lord Mo Bai, is currently teaching here."
"Soulforger Douluo?" Ning Rongrong blinked. Her father had mentioned this name before they arrived, but being here in person and feeling the atmosphere of the academy—which was distinctly different from that of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—still made her feel curious. "Father, is he really as powerful as you say? A Titled Douluo at such a young age? And he can increase the age of other people's soul rings?" Her tone was mostly curious, but also mixed with the faint skepticism of a genius and a sect lady—she had seen too many so-called geniuses and powerhouses who, under the enhancement of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, didn't seem so unattainable.
Ning Fengzhi smiled but did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at Gu Rong: "Uncle Bone, what do you think?"
Gu Rong's voice was somewhat raspy, like bones rubbing together: "I cannot sense his aura. Either his concealment skills are supreme, or... his level has exceeded the range of my normal perception. Based solely on the fact that those three arrogant old fellows like Meng Shenji announced this so solemnly, and the confirmation of the soul ring enhancement, it cannot be false. Rongrong," he looked at Ning Rongrong, his gaunt face showing a rare seriousness, "this person's 'Dao' is different from ordinary soul masters—it could even be called 'sinister.' While you are here, focus on learning and observing. Do not easily form deep ties with him, and certainly do not trust him completely."
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue and hugged Ning Fengzhi's arm: "I know, Grandpa Bone, I'm just curious. Besides, Father said it would be wonderful if we could recruit him to our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Fengzhi patted his daughter's hand, his eyes deep: "Let's go. We will see Head Meng Shenji first. Rongrong, remember, here you are just an ordinary exchange student of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Watch more, listen more, and speak less. Especially concerning everything about Lord Mo Bai."
"Mm!" Ning Rongrong nodded, but her curiosity and that competitive streak only grew stronger.
Inside the education committee meeting hall, Meng Shenji had just seen off Mo Bai—the Lord seemed to have no interest in social interaction and left immediately after the demonstration. Seeing Ning Fengzhi's group arrive, Meng Shenji immediately greeted them with a smile.
"Sect Master Ning, Bone Douluo, your arrival brings great honor to our humble academy!"
"Head Meng is too kind." Ning Fengzhi's smile was warm. "My daughter is headstrong; I will have to trouble Head Meng and the academy's teachers to look after her."
After some pleasantries, the conversation quickly turned to Mo Bai. Ning Fengzhi asked seemingly casually: "When we arrived, the academy seemed quite noisy. Has something major happened?"
Meng Shenji stroked his beard and sighed: "It was Lord Soulforger's first open lesson. Sect Master Ning, if only you had seen it with your own eyes... with just a flick of his finger, he significantly increased the age of a Soul Elder's third ring, doubling the skill's power. It was nothing short of miraculous!" He described the scene on the plaza in detail, his words full of amazement.
Listening from the side, Ning Rongrong's eyes grew wider and wider. Pointing from a distance could increase a soul ring's age? This completely exceeded her understanding. The support abilities of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect were unrivaled under heaven, but even they couldn't change a soul master's fundamental nature! That Mo Bai... how on earth did he do it? Could his martial soul be even more miraculous than the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?
A sharp light flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, his smile unchanging: "It seems this Soulforger Douluo truly lives up to his reputation. Head Meng, I wonder if Fengzhi might take his daughter to observe Lord Soulforger's teaching? Of course, we would never disturb his quiet cultivation."
Meng Shenji pondered for a moment. Thinking that Mo Bai didn't seem to mind showing off, and given Ning Fengzhi's special status, he nodded and said: "Today is likely inconvenient as the Lord just finished his lesson. However, tomorrow, Lord Mo Bai should be at his private training ground instructing his... well, outstanding students. If Sect Master Ning is interested, you may go and watch then. Since Miss Rongrong is an exchange student, she can also experience the academy's teaching atmosphere in advance."
"Then I thank Head Meng." Ning Fengzhi cupped his hands.
Leaving the meeting hall and walking along the academy's wide paths, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but tug on Ning Fengzhi's sleeve: "Father, is that Mo Bai really that powerful? Can I go see tomorrow?"
"Of course you can." Ning Fengzhi looked down at his daughter. "Rongrong, you must remember our purpose here. Observe, learn, and judge. If he truly possesses heavenly power and can be used by the sect, that would be a massive opportunity for our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. If not..." His eyes turned deep, "we must also uncover his background and intentions. As for you," his tone softened, "putting aside the sect's position, this might be an unprecedented opportunity for you. Your martial soul is the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, the pinnacle of the support system, but eventually, you will find a battle soul master as a partner."