Before arriving, Bone Douluo had pre-marked a location at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
Thus, he could use his ninth and eighth soul skills to perform long-distance spatial teleportation, directly bringing the pre-packed Tang Yuehua back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
After all, no matter how luxurious a place may be, it's never as comfortable as one's own home… Ahem—in any case, it was much more convenient to handle matters here.
Tang Yuehua and Dugu Yan were settled in a small courtyard with pleasant scenery.
Ning Rongrong lived next to them to prevent Dugu Yan from accidentally losing control and sending Tang Yuehua to her demise.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's master, Ning Fengzhi, was a respectable man.
Since he had agreed to the contract, he had to ensure Tang Yuehua's safety. She could die elsewhere, but not within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
Speaking of Tang Yuehua, she was proficient in nearly all the refined arts one could think of—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Though not a Soul Master, she could indeed be considered a master in her own right.
Unlike a certain self-proclaimed "Grandmaster," under Tang Yuehua's guidance and the influence of the Noble's Ring, Ning Rongrong could clearly observe the changes in Dugu Yan day by day.
This period lasted for over a month.
Ye Renxin also successfully retrieved the Seven-Colored Flame Stone, stabilizing the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Compared to the one in the Sunset Forest, the newly formed Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan was more suitable for cultivation and growing spirit herbs.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Preparations were nearly complete.
Once Dugu Yan achieved perfection in two months, she would undergo the final step and be reborn anew.
"Another routine day."
As usual, Ning Rongrong watched Tang Yuehua instruct Dugu Yan.
Yawning, she waited impatiently for the days to pass.
However, the arrival of a certain sect master disrupted Ning Rongrong's plans.
Ning Fengzhi's brows were furrowed like melon skin. Seeing this, Ning Rongrong's heart sank.
"Did something happen again?"
She took the letter Ning Fengzhi handed her. The handwriting was elegant and familiar—undoubtedly Qian Renxue's.
At first, Ning Rongrong was curious, but the more she read, the deeper her frown became.
"This is absurd!"
After finishing the letter, she folded it once and sighed deeply.
"Father, Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Gu—what are your thoughts on the contents of this letter?"
"Bizarre," Ning Fengzhi said simply.
"Indeed!" Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo nodded in agreement. Bone Douluo continued,
"A five-ringed Soul King actually escaped from Zi Ji's hands. That's simply unbelievable."
Zi Ji's aura was at the peak of Rank 96. What ability did a mere Soul King have? Even Tang Hao hadn't been this outrageous!
"Speaking of which, should we keep this hidden?" Sword Douluo asked.
"That's impossible."
Ning Rongrong shook her head helplessly.
"We should inform Tang Yuehua. The coordinates Grandpa Gu marked a month ago should still be valid. We can send her back directly."
"Will that be alright?" Sword Douluo worried. After such a disaster at the Moon Pavilion, Tang Yuehua would undoubtedly refuse to stay at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan once she learned the truth.
Without her, what would happen to Dugu Yan's training?
"It won't have a major impact." Ning Rongrong saw their concern. "I've roughly grasped the principles of the Noble's Ring. I may not replicate it perfectly, but achieving a similar effect is possible."
"That's a relief."
Ning Fengzhi and the others sighed in relief.
Ning Fengzhi continued, "I've already prepared the agreed-upon rewards. We'll have Tang Yuehua take them with her later."
"Actually, it's fine not to give them." After all, the Clear Sky Clan was likely an enemy, and Tang Yuehua hadn't completed the two months of instruction.
"Uncle Bone, we are the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. Squabbling over such trivial resources would only harm our reputation. The loss wouldn't be worth it."
"I agree with Fengzhi. Old Bone, sometimes you're too ruthless. No wonder Rongrong never wants to take you anywhere."
"Hmph, coward! I'm only thinking of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's interests. Tang Yuehua didn't fulfill her duties—isn't it natural to deduct her pay?"
Then, Bone Douluo turned to Ning Rongrong.
"Rongrong, tell me—do you prefer me or this spineless coward who fears everything?"
"Well…"
Ning Rongrong's eyelid twitched.
After all these years, Gu Rong and Chen Xin could still argue over such trivial matters. Was their relationship good or bad?
"I think… I prefer someone like Sister Yan—a cute girl."
Gu Rong: "..."
Chen Xin: "..."
Ning Fengzhi: "..."
Though Ning Rongrong's answer was off-topic, it at least steered the conversation back on track.
"Then, as Rongrong suggested, we'll inform Tang Yuehua truthfully."
"Additionally, it seems Princess Xue Ke is also in trouble. Qinghe hopes we can go as soon as possible."
The four arrived at the serene courtyard.
Tang Yuehua was teaching Dugu Yan to play the guqin. Dugu Yan played attentively while Tang Yuehua stood by, silently observing.
"Sister Yan, could you pause for a moment?"
Ning Rongrong's voice made Dugu Yan's fingers freeze on the strings.
She slowly raised her head, the breeze brushing against her snow-white bangs.
"Rongrong, did something happen?"
Dugu Yan, still touching the strings, seemed to sense the shift in Ning Rongrong's tone.
"Yes. A letter from Xue Qinghe."
Ning Rongrong walked over to Tang Yuehua and handed her the letter.
Tang Yuehua took it, her face showing a trace of confusion as she unfolded it.
The moment she read its contents—
Her usual grace and gentleness shattered. She staggered, gripping the table to steady herself.
"No… impossible! My Moon Pavilion…!"
"Sister Yuehua?" Dugu Yan bent down to pick up the fallen letter.
She opened it, her eyes filled with bewilderment.
"...The Moon Pavilion was destroyed by a Soul King… the Soul Emperor steward was killed… Xue Ke is critically injured and receiving treatment in the palace… Qinghe earnestly requests Teacher's swift arrival."
Reading the letter, Dugu Yan was stunned.
A Soul King had stormed the Moon Pavilion, killing multiple Soul Elders and Soul Ancestors, even slaying the Soul Emperor steward.
Most shockingly—this Soul King had escaped from Zi Ji's grasp. How was that possible?
Who was Zi Ji? Others might not know, but Dugu Yan, having heard Ning Rongrong's explanations, understood.
A terrifying soul beast of over 200,000 years, nearing 300,000—comparable to a peak Rank 96 Titled Douluo.
And a mere Soul King escaped her?
Even if Zi Ji had been protecting Xue Ke, how could a Soul King slip away?
Wasn't this even more absurd than her own grandfather, Dugu Bo, once mocked as the "Shame of Titled Douluos"?
A Rank 96 Super Douluo failing to capture a Soul King—was this Soul King as monstrous as Ning Rongrong?
"Damn it… the Moon Pavilion was my life's work! Who—WHO DID THIS?!"
Tang Yuehua's mind fixated on the name in the letter. Her expression twisted with fury as she hissed through clenched teeth:
"That born-evil Tang Yin… I swear, I'll find you!"