Chapter 374: But I Came First!
Wu Feng looked at Ning Tian in shock. "Ning Tian, our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has always supported Shrek Academy. You should know how bad the relationship between Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy has gotten!"
Ning Tian nodded, sighed, and said slowly, "I know. The opposition against Huo Yuhao inside the academy must be overwhelming. After all, he single handedly eliminated the Shrek team, delivering a devastating blow to Shrek's reputation."
"But, Wu Feng, you know this I have always been a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master. I've never been skilled in combat. Even with Soul Tools enhancing my abilities, I still need to either marry a powerful Soul Master or invite one to serve as a guardian for my sect to ensure both my own safety and the future of our sect."
"This tournament allowed me to witness Huo Yuhao's strength and his immense potential. He will undoubtedly become a formidable powerhouse in the future and that is precisely the kind of person I seek as a husband."
"Moreover, Shrek Academy is filled with crises. It's clearly on the decline, like a collapsing giant."
"Elder Mu's health is failing, and he probably won't live much longer. Meanwhile, Elder Xuan, the second strongest in Shrek, was even captured alive."
"I believe Shrek Academy's future is bleak, and as the Young Sect Master, I must prioritize the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's survival.
If I can make Huo Yuhao my husband, then our sect will have a true pillar of strength, and we can also improve our relationship with the Sun Moon Empire."
Wu Feng was startled. "Ning Tian, are you saying you want to completely side with the Sun Moon Empire?"
Ning Tian shook her head. "Of course not! I'm simply preparing a backup plan for the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If we never need it, that's great. But if we do, then at least our sect will survive."
"With the Sun Moon Empire's rapidly expanding ambitions, its ever advancing Soul Tool technology, and its continuous emergence of new talents, I firmly believe that within my lifetime, the Sun Moon Empire will start a war. And this is no longer the Sun Moon Empire of four thousand years ago."
"While Shrek Academy has developed its own Soul Tool technology, it is undeniably in decline. If war breaks out, I highly doubt Shrek Academy and the three Douluo nations can withstand it."
"That's why I must secure Huo Yuhao as my future husband to ensure our survival."
Ning Tian held some affection for Shrek Academy, but it wasn't deep. After all, as the Young Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she wouldn't stay at Shrek Academy forever. She had to prioritize her sect's interests, not the academy's.
While Wu Feng barely paid attention to Ning Tian's political analysis, her declaration about making Huo Yuhao her husband was like a dagger plunging into her heart.
It was a sentence she knew she would never forget.
Wu Feng's eyes burned with unwillingness. She had always loved Ning Tian, always wanted to be by her side. But that was impossible.
Ning Tian would never accept it, and the Sect Master would never approve.
So Wu Feng had prepared herself she would stay by Ning Tian's side as her closest friend, burying her feelings deep inside, silently protecting her.
But now... Ning Tian actually wanted Huo Yuhao as her husband?
Wu Feng felt her heart shatter.
Why did it turn out like this?
I came first!
Ning Tian stood up from her chair, turned around, and walked toward the door. "Come, Wu Feng. We're heading to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. Our sect needs a batch of Soul Tools anyway. Instead of buying from Shrek Academy, we might as well get them from the Sun Moon Academy."
"Although Mingde Hall won't sell us certain specialized Soul Tools, the ones they do offer are still far superior to Shrek's."
"While we're there, I'll use this as an opportunity to meet Huo Yuhao and slowly work my way from there."
Wu Feng nodded, watching Ning Tian's retreating figure. Her heart ached with indescribable pain.
She clenched her fists, her mind racing with emotions.
"If only I had been born a man... then maybe..."
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy
Inside a laboratory, Huo Yuhao sat at a table, looking at Ju Zi with confusion.
"So you're telling me that Ning Tian, the so called Young Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, wants to buy Soul Tools from Mingde Hall? And that she specifically requested to see me?"
"And she even offered rare metals that the Sun Moon Empire doesn't have, if I agree to meet her?"
Huo Yuhao frowned. "Buying Soul Tools, I can understand. But why does she want to meet me? She just lost to me in the tournament she's not coming to challenge me to a rematch, is she?"
Although Ning Tian had some combat ability thanks to Soul Tools, she wasn't someone like Ji Juechen, obsessed with fighting.
He knew she wouldn't be lacking money, so purchasing Soul Tools made sense.
After all, Mingde Hall's Soul Tools were highly sought after across the Douluo Continent, bringing in a huge revenue.
Even the three Douluo nations and Shrek Academy, who constantly accused the Sun Moon Empire of having imperialistic ambitions, still secretly bought Sun Moon Soul Tools.
"Criticizing the Sun Moon Empire is just politics buying their Soul Tools is just practical."
Of course, Mingde Hall had strict regulations on what they sold. The most advanced Soul Tools and all Rank 9 Soul Tools were never available to outsiders.
Ju Zi shrugged. "Tower Master, I don't know her true intentions either. But I don't sense any hostility from her. She's already inside the academy, and Mingde Hall has assigned a researcher to receive her."
"If you don't want to meet her, I can go tell her no right now."
Huo Yuhao pondered for a moment. Something about this situation felt strange.
Ning Tian had come as the Young Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, not as a Shrek Academy student.
Moreover, she was willing to provide rare metals that the Sun Moon Empire lacked, just for a meeting with him.
That was clearly a gesture of goodwill.
But why now, after the tournament?
Was this another attempt to lure him away from the Sun Moon Empire?
Huo Yuhao smirked. "No need to refuse. I have time now, so I might as well see what she wants."
If Ning Tian truly had rare metals that the Sun Moon Empire lacked, that would be a huge advantage.
As a nation built on Soul Engineering, the Sun Moon Empire relied heavily on rare metals to fuel its technological advancements.
If he could secure a new supply, it would be invaluable.
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