After an arduous and exhausting journey, Ning Rongrong finally returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
There was no triumphant return, nor any special welcoming ceremony—because she had sneaked in secretly, not even informing Ning Fengzhi of her exact arrival time.
After two and a half years of tempering, Ning Rongrong's understanding of the Grandmaster Realm, especially in concealment, had deepened significantly.
Even an ordinary Title Douluo would struggle to detect her as long as she wrapped herself in zhenqi, harmonizing movement and stillness without launching an attack.
"Girl, you're back, yet you're still peeping? Won't you come out and sit for a while?" Ning Fengzhi, who had been sipping tea, suddenly raised his head and spoke to an empty space.
"Eh? You noticed?" Ning Rongrong's voice carried a hint of surprise.
As her voice sounded, her figure gradually became clear, and the distorted, illusory effect of Kyōka Suigetsu around her began to fade.
"That's strange. Logically, you shouldn't have been able to detect me!" Ning Rongrong stood at the doorway, gently pushing it open.
"It was your Grandpa Bone who noticed you," Ning Fengzhi gestured.
"Ah… I must've gotten careless after all."
Gu Rong was skilled in spatial manipulation and was highly sensitive to spatial fluctuations.
Besides, given how familiar she was with this place, it was no surprise that Ning Fengzhi remained calm—only she could move around undetected like this.
Ning Rongrong's pink hair caused Ning Fengzhi and the others to react with some surprise.
"Did you dye your hair?" Ning Fengzhi thought of some of the rebellious youths in the Heaven Dou capital.
"Of course not! I'm a good girl, not some delinquent going through a rebellious phase."
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong retracted her zhenqi, and her hair reverted from pink curls to its original brown.
"Because of my connection to the Angelic Holy Sword, my hair changes slightly when I use its power."
"So that's how it is." Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment, then frowned slightly. "But is that really alright? The Angelic Holy Sword belongs to the Angel God."
"Her imprint was erased by me and Tokisaki Kurumi two years ago. Now, this sword is mine…"
It was only after erasing the Angelic Holy Sword's imprint that Ning Rongrong confirmed the Angel God had long since fallen.
"The Angel God has fallen…" The Sword Douluo sighed. "Even gods can perish? I recall that Bibi Dong is also a successor of a god's trial, right?"
"Did something happen?" Ning Rongrong's expression turned puzzled.
"The evil aura around Bibi Dong has completely vanished. Her entire demeanor is completely different from before."
As Ning Fengzhi continued explaining, Ning Rongrong's brows furrowed deeper.
"This is getting more and more absurd!"
Dugu Yan's Misfortune Poison Body going out of control?
Qian Renxue participating in the Spirit Master Tournament?
Bibi Dong breaking through to Level 99, with her entire temperament changing?
And then, the Haotian Sect emerging into the world, inviting everyone—only for Tang Chen of the Haotian Sect to nearly clash with Qian Daoliu, with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda acting as mediator.
"Rongrong, what are your plans now?" Ning Fengzhi turned his gaze to her. He didn't press for details about her affairs, knowing she would handle them herself.
"I'll participate in the Spirit Master Tournament. There might be some scheme behind Qian Renxue's actions."
"But I don't think Qian Daoliu has the audacity to risk mutual destruction by trying to take down both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and the Haotian Sect at once."
"As for Bibi Dong…" Ning Rongrong looked up. "Over the past few years, has there been any news from Shrek Academy? I mean, has Bibi Dong ever visited Shrek?"
"No." Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "After sending The Heartbroken Acacia to Yu Xiaogang, Bibi Dong never met him again."
Not only did she not meet him, but aside from intervening in the war between Heaven Dou and the Balak Kingdom under the guise of the Spirit Hall, she had been absent for over two years.
Bibi Dong might not even be in the Pope's Palace at all.
It seems I'll need to help Kurumi recover as soon as possible.
Otherwise, with my current strength, I won't be able to handle any unexpected developments.
"What's going on with Dugu Yan's poison?" Ning Rongrong asked. "What did Dugu Bo say before? Has she proposed any solutions or suggestions?"
"Rongrong, the toxicity of the Misfortune Poison Body intensifies as Dugu Yan's strength grows."
Grandpa Bone took over the explanation.
"Vice-Hall Master Ye Renxin told me that the poison's virulence this time is even worse than when it went out of control in Tian Shui Academy."
"So, it's stronger than during Soul Ring Fusion?" Ning Rongrong's frown deepened.
"Yes." At this point, Ning Fengzhi also sighed. "I hate to say it, but Dugu Yan's current condition is indeed an unstable factor for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"So, over the past two years, we've discussed with Dugu Bo and decided that Dugu Yan should not use her fifth Soul Ring. She shouldn't even infuse her body's toxins into any of her Soul Ring poisons."
Soul Rings are Soul Rings. The Misfortune Poison Body is the Misfortune Poison Body.
The two seemed to have a unique repulsion, somewhat similar to how Ning Rongrong's zhenqi repelled her Spirit.
"That's not a solution. She needs to be able to freely switch between her normal state and the Misfortune Poison Body's enhanced toxicity while using all her Soul Rings."
"Otherwise, this is just treating the symptoms, not the root cause. Sooner or later, it'll erupt uncontrollably."
"Of course we know that. But we have no idea how to even begin addressing it."
"We understand poison, but even Dugu Bo seems wary of Dugu Yan's toxicity now." Ning Fengzhi sighed again.
Dugu Yan was only a Soul Emperor, yet her poison had already forced the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to take extreme precautions. If she became a Soul Sage, Soul Douluo, or even a Title Douluo…
Wouldn't that mean…?
Of course, if controlled properly, she would be an invaluable asset. But if not…
She would be a walking calamity.
"I'll go check on her later." Ning Rongrong's voice carried a trace of confusion.
"Father, if Dugu Yan is so dangerous, why did you let Ye Lingling and the others stay with her? Aren't you worried something might happen?"
With Dugu Bo and Ye Renxin taking turns watching over her, the risk was minimized.
But Ye Lingling knew—if Dugu Yan lost control, even Dugu Bo might not be able to save them in time!
"You'll have to ask them yourself."
At this, Ning Fengzhi shrugged, rubbing his temples with a slight headache.
Seeing his reaction, Ning Rongrong didn't press further.
She could guess the reason—it was likely for the sake of cultivation!
Whether it was Ye Lingling or Shui Bing'er, both were obsessively dedicated to training, with relatively aloof personalities. Especially Ye Lingling—after seeing how strong her best friend had become, how could she not push herself?
"Alright, I've said all I needed to."
"Where are you going?" Seeing Ning Fengzhi packing up, Ning Rongrong froze.
Her father was leaving right after she returned?
No welcome? No celebration?
"To Heaven Dou, to sound out Xue Qinghe for you. Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone will accompany me. Even if Qian Daoliu shows up, we won't be afraid."
He patted Ning Rongrong's shoulder.
"It might take about a month. I'm leaving the sect to you, Rongrong. This is what you've always wanted, isn't it?"
The three of them walked out the door, leaving Ning Rongrong speechless for a long time.
Wow. I just got back.
And you're all going out to have fun? Is this what a father should do? Just dumping the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda on me without a second thought—aren't you afraid I won't be able to handle it?
Besides, I have a feeling you did this on purpose.
Ning Rongrong sighed.
"Whatever. I'll go check on Dugu Yan first, then see what kind of mess my useless father has left for me this time."