"Is this what a rich clan's sect looks like?" The team from Glazed Academy, who participated in the Elite Soul Master Tournament, was also invited to Ning Rongrong's Young Sect Master succession ceremony.
Among the team members, only a few like Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan, who joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, knew the situation.
The Glazed Battle Team members were all stunned by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's extravagance.
White jade halls and golden seats—describing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan this way wasn't excessive.
Exquisite decorations and carvings everywhere, each one looking priceless.
The soul tools and pills displayed on the exhibition stands—these were hot items anywhere on the continent. Heaven Dou Auction House would be excited for days over even one.
These limited-edition items were all laid out on the stands.
Just these displays alone, if valued, probably exceeded ten-thousand-year soul bones.
If these had nothing to do with the Glazed Battle Team students sitting below.
Then the various dishes on the tables were downright terrifying.
They were completely medicinal meals.
Ning Tian introduced them: just one table of dishes cost over 100,000 gold soul coins.
The colorful dishes on the tables...
All had tremendous benefits for soul masters' cultivation.
"I always knew the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was rich, but I didn't expect them to be this rich."
Gu Qingbo sighed repeatedly.
On the Douluo Continent, those with soul power were rarely commoners, especially students with innate soul power at mid-to-high levels—they mostly came from wealthy families.
Without good parents, it's hard to have a good martial soul, let alone innate soul power that decides your life.
The few with herniated discs were exceptions.
But for a sect like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, casually serving guests dishes worth tens or hundreds of thousands of gold soul coins, it was absurd.
Moreover, along with the dishes for guests, each received a bottle of healing pills.
Though not as good as high-level food soul masters' abilities, they could be used anytime with no side effects.
Such pills in the Heaven Dou Empire, a full bottle, could sell for thousands of gold soul coins.
Utterly lavish.
"Young Master Ning Tian, your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is so rich it's enviable!" Yu Hairou exclaimed.
"Don't call me Young Master, just call me by name." Ning Tian had a face full of black lines. "Calling me that will get me nagged by Rongrong. She says it sounds like those good-for-nothing playboys in Heaven Dou City."
"Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has the money, not me!" Ning Tian shrugged.
Soul Tool Pavilion forging costs a fortune, okay? Where do I get money?
It's not like Ning Yun, that swindler, trading pills with the Heaven Dou Empire and skimming profits.
After skimming enough, he ran off to the distant Vast Sea City for vacation.
He said he couldn't make it back for the sect ceremony, but to convey his blessings to Rongrong.
There's a woman named Zi Zhenzhu there; Ning Yun the swindler said she matches his personality.
Something about aiming for the stars and seas, urging the Soul Tool Pavilion to hurry and build a sea-crossing soul tool—he had urgent use for it.
Waving in Vast Sea City is one thing, but using big bro status to make me forge ships.
What capitalist!
So capable, why not ask Rongrong to get Lou Gao's advice on shipbuilding?
If I had such soul tool manufacturing skills, I wouldn't still be an apprentice; I'd at least be a deputy pavilion master.
After a rant, Ning Tian sighed:
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's money is Rongrong's, not mine."
"Hah?"
The crowd was baffled, only Dugu Yan leisurely sipping tea.
As the granddaughter of Pill Hall Master Dugu Bo, and not as strictly controlled as Ning Tian by Ning Fengzhi.
Money? She had plenty, for sure.
Anyway, like Ning Rongrong, she wasn't interested in money.
"Uh... did I ask something I shouldn't?" Yu Hairou looked awkward.
Involving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's internal affairs, outsiders shouldn't pry, maybe even touching on succession.
"It's not that, don't worry. It won't be like the Heaven Dou Empire's throne stuff." Ning Tian smiled.
"In short, Father decided long ago that Rongrong is the next Sect Master. Big Bro Ning Yun and I have no chance at all."
"Before, these matters were kept secret."
"But after Rongrong's strength was exposed, no need for secrecy."
"Actually, all major powers know a bit."
The money-making power of the Soul Tool Pavilion and Pill Hall multiplied the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's wealth several times.
Honestly, Ning Tian worried if this would attract envy.
He mentioned it to Father Ning Fengzhi; the clan's current trend made it a thorn in Heaven Dou Empire's side politically.
But Ning Fengzhi said no need to worry, he had a solution. Since he said that much, Ning Tian let it go.
Ning Tian snapped back, glanced at everyone, and continued:
"The Pill Hall Master Dugu Bo you know, and my current teacher, Soul Tool Pavilion Master Lou Gao, were both brought back by Ning Rongrong."
"I don't know the details; Dugu Yan should know more."
Everyone in the sect knew Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan's unclear relationship.
But no one said it.
Before, they didn't know how to.
Now...
Ning Rongrong's combat power—as long as it wasn't massacring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan or something treasonous.
Some Heaven Dou Empire traditions, little special fetishes.
Ning Fengzhi would probably turn a blind eye, let her be!
As for Ning Rongrong as future Sect Master.
Ning Tian didn't dare ask or say.
If the sky falls, the tall one holds it. He's just a 79th-level Soul Sage at best; why meddle?
"Actually, no need to worry too much." Dugu Yan spoke up timely. "Rongrong's status in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is second only to Sect Master Ning. Even if she falls out with Father Ning, the Sect Master might not win."
Ning Tian: "..."
No, that's logical, but can you just say it outright?
The crowd gaped, and with Ning Tian's constipated expression, Dugu Yan's lips curved:
"What's the big deal? Sect Master Ning has complained to my grandpa multiple times that his words sometimes aren't as effective as Rongrong's."
Ning Tian clutched his forehead, helpless: "I know Father might be sidelined, but saying such outrageous things publicly? Is this really okay?"
The others nearby were terrified, didn't dare respond.
But Dugu Yan seemed unworried, smiling: "Sect Master and Rongrong have no rift. Sect Master Ning's magnanimity isn't as narrow as you think."
"At most, he'll dock your wandering allowance. No need to care that much!"
"Of course you don't care! You and Rongrong aren't short on cash." More black lines on Ning Tian's forehead. "Rongrong tells Father to raise sons poor—just me, not Ning Yun."
"I'm cursed for eight lifetimes."
A few years ago, going to Heaven Dou for flower wine was with Ning Yun, and the suggestion came from Emperor Xue Qinghe.
But Ning Yun and Xue Qinghe discussed pill trade.
He, Ning Tian, bored, just called a few top courtesans for atmosphere.
Result...
Ning Yun and Xue Qinghe.
One big bro, one Ning Fengzhi's disciple.
Teamed up to snitch to Ning Fengzhi.
You suggested the pleasure district, made me go to broaden horizons.
But you talked business, then threw me under the bus. Brotherly?
You gentlemen, then why call me?
Is this human?