Dugu Bo was dumbfounded.
Ning Fengzhi and the other two weren't much better.
"Rongrong, when you took Qian Daoliu's Angel Sacred Sword two and a half years ago, was it just so it could become the core formation of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" Ning Fengzhi asked suspiciously.
"Mhm, pretty much," Ning Rongrong admitted. "At the time, the only thing I could think of that could balance the first-rank deity's soul energy in the ice spring was this."
Besides, the Angel Sacred Sword was already a decent soul tool with powerful purification abilities. It could purify the evil will of the Ancient Ice Phoenix's soul, allowing it to fully integrate into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"And just as I expected, after placing the Angel Sacred Sword in the flame spring, two and a half years of refinement allowed the phoenix's energy to fuse with the Ice Dragon King's remains, achieving a unique equilibrium."
"Right now, all we're missing is a suitable object to act as the flame spring's formation core."
"While the Angel Sacred Sword works, its killing intent is too strong. It's not ideal for growing and nurturing spirit herbs, and it's relatively unstable."
Inside the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, with herself, Tokisaki Kurumi, and the Dark Devilgod Tiger Pearl's rules suppressing it, it hadn't been an issue.
But now that it was out, the irregularities were noticeable.
The Angel Sacred Sword couldn't fully stabilize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's formation core, nor was it optimal for helping Dugu Yan stabilize her Misfortune Poison Body again.
They had no choice but to find another method—hence the Fire Clan's Seven-Colored Flame Stone.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Ning Rongrong turned to Dugu Bo, who was still staring blankly.
"Senior Dugu, while I take Sister Yan to Heaven Dou City, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well will be left in your care."
"It should also help with your poison cultivation. You've hit a bottleneck at rank 94, right? Maybe you can break through while you're at it."
"Understood." Dugu Bo decided to remain at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
A few days later, Dugu Yan woke up groggily.
Thus, Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi, and the two elders embarked on their journey to Heaven Dou City.
"What's wrong, Sister Yan? You look gloomy."
Seeing this unusually somber version of Dugu Yan—so unlike her usual cheerful self—Ning Rongrong was puzzled.
"I'm level 67 now." As she spoke, Dugu Yan's body trembled slightly.
"Mhm, I can see that. And?"
Dugu Yan had broken through two levels after losing control, but what did that matter?
"I—"
Before she could finish, Ning Rongrong cut her off, patting her shoulder with a sage-like tone:
"Relax, I've already set up the seal. There won't be any accidents. And why be afraid? Getting stronger is a good thing!"
"Aside from the two grandpas and my useless fath—cough!"
She nearly forgot Ning Fengzhi was right beside her.
Ignoring Ning Fengzhi's dark expression, Ning Rongrong grabbed Dugu Yan's hands:
"Sister Yan, I like you!"
"Huh?"
Dugu Yan, whose thoughts had been in turmoil, froze at Ning Rongrong's words.
Her mind went completely blank.
Even Ning Fengzhi, Grandpa Bone, and Sword Douluo halted in their tracks.
The three exchanged glances, utterly shocked that Ning Rongrong could say something so unbelievable.
"R-Rongrong, what are you even saying?!"
Dugu Yan finally snapped out of it, staring at Ning Rongrong's earnest expression.
"I—you—you're the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's young master! You might even become the sect master in the future! How can you say something like that?!"
She had always suspected Ning Rongrong's preferences were questionable—was this confirmation?
And did she even realize where they were?
What would Ning Fengzhi and the two pillar elders think?!
"Eh?" Ning Rongrong tilted her head in confusion. "Does Sister Yan not like me?"
"I—I—" Dugu Yan's voice caught, unsure how to respond.
"Ahh, this is so sad. I like Sister Yan so much, yet I'm being hated. Wuwuwu~ How pitiful."
"I-I don't hate Rongrong! It's just—"
"See? Not hating means you like me!"
Dugu Yan: "..."
Something about this conversation felt off.
Ahem. A light cough sounded from nearby. "Rongrong, mind the setting. We're almost at Heaven Dou City."
"See? Even a certain unnamed sect master doesn't object." Ning Rongrong giggled.
Ning Fengzhi: "..."
"Rongrong, you're still young." Dugu Yan's blush faded slightly as she adopted a big-sister tone. "Don't think about unnecessary things. Of course I don't hate you..."
Her words came out jumbled, and even she felt her scalp tingling with embarrassment.
"Pfft—" Ning Rongrong burst out laughing. "So cute! This is the first time I've seen Sister Yan so flustered."
"Uh..." Dugu Yan's remaining words died in her throat.
Ning Rongrong's playful expression softened as she whispered, "Well? Do you feel better now?"
"I feel worse." Dugu Yan finally realized Ning Rongrong had been teasing her. She reached out, planted a hand on Ning Rongrong's brown hair, and ruthlessly mussed it up before finally stopping.
"My esteemed young master, don't joke around like that in the future. I actually thought you were serious!"
Still, thanks to Ning Rongrong's antics, Dugu Yan's fear of poison had lessened somewhat—at least enough to stop her from spiraling further.
"Geez, stop messing with my hair." Ning Rongrong took two steps back as a faint zhenqi emanated from her body.
The zhenqi seemed sentient as it clung to each strand of hair, straightening the tangled mess.
Within seconds, her hair was back to its usual neat and elegant style.
"Your zhenqi can even fix hair?!"
Dugu Yan's eye twitched.
"Of course!" Ning Rongrong patted her chest proudly. "If cultivation can't improve daily life, what's the point of cultivating?"
She pulled a teacup and teapot from her soul tool.
After pouring tea into the cup and putting the teapot away, she wrapped her hands around the cup, channeling a trace of zhenqi into it.
The cool tea gradually warmed under the zhenqi's influence, soon steaming faintly.
"Want some, Sister Yan?"
Dugu Yan took the cup, feeling the scalding heat against her fingers, and sighed. "Rongrong, you really know how to live luxuriously."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is filthy rich. Why should its little princess live like a pauper?"
"Bringing life essentials when traveling is just basic preparation!"
Dugu Yan didn't hesitate, downing the tea in one gulp.
"Hey, Sister Yan, I hadn't washed that cup after drinking from it earlier."
Dugu Yan's hand froze mid-sip, but since she'd already drunk half, she decided to finish it.
Just as she was about to say something—
Ning Rongrong's voice floated over lightly.
"Just kidding. It's brand new. Sterilized at high temperatures."
Dugu Yan: "..."
She'd been played the entire time.
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
Xue Qinghe stood reading a letter from Ning Fengzhi.
But standing behind him wasn't She Long or Ci Xue—
Instead, it was a woman with delicate features, her sleek purple hair tied into a neat ponytail. Her ankle-length purple dress was embroidered with intricate patterns.
Her gem-like eyes skimmed the letter before curling into a smile.
"My, Your Majesty Qinghe, your teacher certainly cares about you~"
She deliberately emphasized the name "Qinghe."