After Qian Renxue and the others left.
Within the Shui Clan's territory in Tian Shui City.
"So, the Shui Clan has decided to relocate entirely to the Four Elements City?"
Ning Fengzhi looked at Shui Cangyue. It had to be said that every time Ning Rongrong went out, she always managed to bring back something new—this time, she had even produced a Title Douluo.
"Yes, Sect Master. This is the decision I reached after discussing with my clansmen. If we stay here any longer, I'm afraid the King of Hagen City won't rest easy."
Shui Cangyue gave Ning Fengzhi a slight bow. Whether out of sentiment or reason, even though she was now a Title Douluo, it was only because of Ning Rongrong that she had achieved this.
In other words, she held great respect for Ning Rongrong's father, the current Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. After all, he had raised such a terrifyingly formidable daughter.
What she didn't know was that Ning Fengzhi had adopted a completely hands-off approach with Ning Rongrong.
Aside from ensuring she had enough money and authority, he didn't interfere with anything else.
With Ning Rongrong's personality, there was no way she would gamble away the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"I see!" Ning Fengzhi pondered. The Four Elements City involved almost no political complications, making it a safe place to focus on teaching.
This was also why the Four Elements Academy had chosen such a large area for their headquarters.
"Very well. Since Rongrong already proposed a solution earlier, we'll proceed according to her plan. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will always be hers."
Ning Fengzhi was setting the tone here, making it clear to the newcomers.
He didn't want internal factions to later support his two sons, causing Ning Rongrong's displeasure.
Otherwise, the annual tomb-sweeping might have two more names added to the list.
Sword Douluo walked over and whispered into Ning Fengzhi's ear.
Ning Fengzhi's expression shifted slightly before he raised his head to look at the sky:
"Sect Master Tang Xiao, since you're already here, why not come down and join us?"
A burly figure revealed himself, descending slowly from the sky.
"Sect Master Ning, it's been a while. I apologize for the sudden intrusion," Tang Xiao said, cupping his hands in greeting.
"Sect Master Tang, you flatter me. I'd be delighted to have you as a guest!" Ning Fengzhi replied politely. "Might I ask what brings Sect Master Tang to the far north's Tian Shui City? Is there something special?"
"Not particularly," Tang Xiao naturally couldn't say he had come to the far north in search of the special immortal-grade Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng that Tang San mentioned, meant to treat Tang Hao's injuries.
"I was simply wandering around and heard about the major incident in the far north, so I came to take a look."
"Along the way, I noticed signs of battle here. I didn't expect it to be Sect Master Ning's people."
Tang Xiao sighed. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan truly has no shortage of talent!"
This wasn't flattery. He had genuinely witnessed Tokisaki Kurumi suppressing Qian Daoliu along the way and couldn't help but feel impressed.
Moreover, even setting aside Tokisaki Kurumi, from a distance, he had sensed the merged Martial Soul aura. With Tang Xiao's experience, he quickly recognized it as a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. He hadn't expected the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to have such a trump card up their sleeve.
Tang Xiao swept his gaze over the people present.
98th-rank Sword Douluo Chen Xin, 97th-rank Bone Douluo Gu Rong, 94th-rank Dugu Bo, and 91st-rank Shui Cangyue.
With this lineup, further enhanced by the 89th-rank Ning Fengzhi's support, their strength was no weaker than the current Clear Sky Clan. If they included the unknown girl who had just fought Qian Daoliu, even the Clear Sky Clan might be slightly outmatched.
It seemed that restoring his brother's strength and proposing to his grandfather the widespread teaching of the Clear Sky Clan's secret techniques needed to be prioritized.
The only question was whether his stubborn grandfather still clung to the outdated notion that only the heir could learn the Blowing Ring technique.
"Ah, Sect Master Tang, you overpraise us. Compared to the number one sect on the continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan still has many shortcomings."
"That senior, Tokisaki Kurumi, is not a member of our clan."
"She simply thinks highly of Rongrong, which is why she came to help."
"To have such a powerhouse lend her aid is still a testament to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's strength," Tang Xiao waved his hand. "Sect Master Ning, you're too modest."
Both Tang Xiao and Ning Fengzhi were old foxes, unlike Tang Hao, whose brain was all brawn. They were men who relied on their wits.
Both had people they needed to protect, so their conversation was exceedingly pleasant.
"What are Sect Master Ning's thoughts on Spirit Hall?" During the earlier battle, Ning Rongrong had deliberately concealed some crucial information, so Tang Xiao hadn't noticed while observing the fight.
Thus, Tang Xiao only knew that Tokisaki Kurumi had defeated Qian Daoliu and confiscated his Angel Sacred Sword.
As for neutrality or similar claims, such things were best taken with a grain of salt.
Agreements existed to be broken.
This had been true since ancient times. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was a merchant sect, and Ning Fengzhi was the number one merchant in the Douluo Continent. Merchants prioritized profit—this was something Tang Xiao had known since childhood.
"The three great sects share a common bond. I believe none of us have any objections to this," Ning Fengzhi said after a long moment of contemplation. "However, regarding the conflict between your Clear Sky Clan and Spirit Hall..."
"To be honest, we have no desire to get involved. Xue Qinghe is my disciple, and I've heard rumors of his minor oversteps in collaborating with Spirit Hall. The most I can do is remain neutral."
"If any of the three great sects faces annihilation, I believe not only our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan but even the Clear Sky Clan would extend aid to the others."
"Sect Master Ning, you know that's not what I'm referring to," Tang Xiao sighed at Ning Fengzhi's evasiveness.
Couldn't Ning Fengzhi see it?
Spirit Hall was determined to dominate the world. When that time came, how would the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan position itself?
Xue Qinghe?
Could mere master-disciple ties really compel the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to stake everything?
Perhaps that powerhouse Tokisaki Kurumi could protect them.
But Ning Fengzhi had just said she wasn't one of theirs.
"Alas, Sect Master Ning, I hope you won't regret this decision later!"
"It's your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Yu Yuanzhen's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan that are rooted in the Heaven Dou Empire—not our Clear Sky Clan."
"Given Xue Qinghe's aggressive stance..."
"Sect Master Tang, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is a merchant sect. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't join you in opposing Spirit Hall. That's simply not possible."
"The most we can do is remain neutral. Beyond that, no matter which side emerges victorious, we will only ever be a supporting sect."
"Sect Master Ning, I urge you to reconsider carefully!" Seeing that Ning Fengzhi had made his stance clear, Tang Xiao could only clasp his hands and take his leave.
After Tang Xiao departed, Bone Douluo stood beside Ning Fengzhi and said quietly:
"Fengzhi... Tang Xiao came here on short notice to persuade us."
"Pay him no mind. We have our own path to follow. As Rongrong said, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan no longer fears anyone."
Ning Fengzhi gazed into the distance and sighed. "I wonder how Rongrong is doing now."
Seeing how urgently Ning Rongrong had left, Ning Fengzhi felt a faint unease.
He couldn't shake the feeling that the so-called "side effects" weren't as mild as they appeared.
The power Ning Rongrong had wielded with Tokisaki Kurumi's help was comparable to that of a god.
This far surpassed even the terrifying amplification of the Clear Sky Clan's Blowing Ring technique.
"Rongrong has considered more than we realize. If there were no solution, she wouldn't have used such a move."
"At the very least, we must safeguard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. If Rongrong returns to find she can no longer be the young mistress, that would be quite the disgrace."
Sword Douluo sighed as well.
After all, over the years, Ning Rongrong had implemented many measures to strengthen the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Not to mention Dugu Bo and the newly joined Shui Cangyue, even he and Gu Rong had seen their strength skyrocket.
He had always aspired to reach his father's level, but he knew his own limitations.
That hope had been vanishingly slim.
His father, Chen Jianjun, had been far more talented than he was.
But today, he had broken through, truly reaching the 98th rank as a Title Douluo.
With Ning Fengzhi's buffs, he might even touch the 99th rank.
Though he might not be able to defeat Qian Daoliu, he wouldn't be as powerless as before against a 99th-rank opponent.
"Rongrong, don't worry. When you return next time, you'll be able to relax and enjoy being the young mistress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."