"Huh? This is…"
Ning Rongrong's expression turned puzzled.
The Spirit had been dismissed, yet the buffs it provided hadn't disappeared.
According to the limitations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, if the Spirit was deactivated, the enhancements granted to allies would quickly fade.
Ning Tian had canceled his Spirit, but the buffs on Ye Lingling and Shui Bing'er showed no signs of weakening.
"Is it because of that tower that looks similar to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
"Interesting!"
Her unreliable father hadn't mentioned this to her—no, wait, he had vaguely hinted that there might be a surprise in store these past few days.
"So Ning Tian finally perfected this spirit tool, huh?" Dugu Bo chuckled before turning to Ye Renxin beside him.
"What do you think about Ning Tian and Lingling's situation?"
"Nothing's set in stone yet." Ye Renxin sighed. "Though I hate to admit it, joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda has given my granddaughter and me many advantages."
"Especially in Split Spirit Control—it's immensely beneficial for both the Nine Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"Besides, Lingling doesn't oppose it… but she hasn't agreed either."
"Let's wait and see. I can't just ask Sect Master Ning directly, can I?"
"Both of them are support-type Spirit Masters. According to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's rules, that's not allowed. But with the emergence of spirit tools, there might be a way around it."
Dugu Bo laughed.
"Ning Tian might not be the strongest in cultivation, but his talent for spirit tools has earned Lou Gao's praise."
"That old stubborn man rarely acknowledges anyone."
"Old Poison, aren't you worried something might go wrong?" Ye Renxin's voice carried concern as he watched the battle unfold.
"I'm the Vice-Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall, while Ning Tian is Lou Gao's disciple in the Spirit Tool Hall."
"Overthinking it." Dugu Bo shook his head. "Ning Tian and Ning Yun both know they stand no chance against Ning Rongrong. Absolutely none."
The Alchemy Hall and Spirit Tool Hall were both established under Ning Rongrong's initiative, and she personally recruited their key members. Anyone with half a brain could guess where their loyalties lay.
Even without considering those two halls, Ning Fengzhi and the two Title Douluo elders had already received countless benefits from Ning Rongrong. Only an idiot would think of supporting anyone else as the next sect master.
Besides, knowing Ning Rongrong's personality—
"I might not want the position of Sect Master, but you can't not offer it to me."
If Ning Fengzhi chose Ning Tian or Ning Yun as the Young Master, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda would descend into chaos. They might even witness Ning Fengzhi being ousted in record time.
Thinking of this, Dugu Bo smirked.
"Ning Yun deliberately distanced himself by moving to Hagen City just to avoid the gossip from those clueless elders."
"So that's why the Young Master suddenly left the lucrative trade between the Alchemy Hall and Heaven Dou a year ago and went to Hagen City?" Ye Renxin finally understood.
No wonder Ning Yun, who had handled so many transactions with Xue Qinghe, would abandon such a profitable role and head to Hagen City.
He had assumed the sect had some grand plan for Hagen City.
"Renxin, you worry too much." Dugu Bo patted his shoulder. "I actually think Ye Lingling and Ning Tian might have a shot at a Spirit Fusion Skill."
"That's…" Ye Renxin's lips twitched.
Spirit Fusion Skills weren't so easily achieved. Though both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and Nine Heart Begonia possessed healing abilities, and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda also provided buffs…
If a fusion did succeed, it might result in a healing-type ability.
Or even… resurrection?
No, that was too absurd.
"Don't dismiss it so quickly." Dugu Bo sighed. "Do you know how Sect Master Ning, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong developed their Spirit Fusion Skill?"
"Ning Rongrong built it step by step, feeding them every bit of the way."
"Probably to ensure the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could still stand toe-to-toe with the Spirit Hall even after she leaves."
"Wait, that happened?" Ye Renxin's eyes widened.
Damn, Ning Rongrong's influence is everywhere in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Without her, the sect might've collapsed long ago.
"Don't believe me? Look at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—Yu Yuanzhen is barely holding it together."
"They're one of the Top Three Sects, but they're nowhere near the Haotian Sect or Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in strength."
"True." Ye Renxin nodded in agreement.
After chatting for a while, the two turned their attention back to the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong listened quietly from the sidelines.
"As expected—even when I'm not around, legends about me still spread."
"Dugu Bo deserves a bonus. He knows exactly what's up. Without me, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda would be doomed under a sect master like Ning Fengzhi, who slacks off all day and frequents auctions for catgirls."
Truly the first Title Douluo I recruited—he understands me perfectly.
Though their conversation seemed long, only about ten seconds had passed. The battle on the training grounds raged on.
After summoning the spirit tool resembling the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Ning Tian released four blazing white orbs from the tower's body.
The orbs shot toward Dugu Yan's position at high speed.
Once the orbs were unleashed, sweat beaded on Ning Tian's forehead as he gasped for breath.
Clearly, he was reaching his limits.
"A new type of spirit tool?" Dugu Yan watched the approaching orbs with curiosity.
She knew Ning Tian and Lou Gao had been working on a special spirit tool, but neither her grandfather nor Ye Lingling had given her details.
This annoyed her to no end—one was her own grandfather, the other her best friend.
Why were they treating her like a thief?
"Whatever. Let's see what this thing can do."
The effectiveness of a spirit tool depended on the user's spirit power.
Even a Rank 9 spirit tool would be useless if the wielder lacked sufficient strength—or could only unleash attacks matching their current level.
"A mere Level 47 Soul Ancestor? Please. I'm Dugu Yan."
"The wielder of the Misfortune Poison Body."
Dugu Yan raised a hand.
Her Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Spirit opened its maw, unleashing its first three spirit abilities.
"Sizzle—"
The four orbs were instantly ensnared by Dugu Yan's poison, unable to advance an inch.
"You fell for it, Dugu Yan."
Suddenly, the orbs erupted in violent explosions. Blinding white light surged outward, carrying a purifying energy.
"Not good!"
A searing pain shot through her eyes. Dugu Yan's expression darkened.
"Light-based attack?"
The four orbs hovered like miniature suns, emitting a harsh glare.
The stinging light aggravated the restlessness she had been suppressing, sending her mind into turmoil.
"First Spirit Skill—Freeze!"
Shards of ice erupted beneath Dugu Yan's feet, locking her in place.
"We win, Dugu Yan!"
With the poison mist purified by the orbs, Shui Bing'er soared into the air on wings of ice.
"Fourth Spirit Skill—Polar Ice Prison!"
In an instant, snow began to fall.
Within seconds, the snowfall transformed into a hail of icy spears.
"Seems like Yan'er got careless…" Dugu Bo sighed—but before he could finish, an ominous shift in the air made his face pale.
"Danger!"
Nine spirit rings (Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Black) erupted around him as his Level 94 spirit power surged forth.
Moving at blinding speed, Dugu Bo grabbed Shui Bing'er and the others, tossing them toward Ye Renxin. Before they could process what was happening—
Ye Renxin, sensing the sinister energy, unleashed his Level 85 spirit power alongside the Nine Heart Begonia. Healing light spread toward Dugu Yan's location.
"Yan'er, calm down!"
Sweat dripped from Dugu Bo's forehead.
"It's been over a year since the last incident…"
Why is she losing control now?