On the other side.
In the Nine Treasures Chamber of Vast Sea City.
"Are we just letting them leave like that?"
Ning Yun looked at Ning Rongrong, a puzzled expression on his face.
"What else can we do?" Ning Rongrong sighed. "A Limit Douluo at quasi-god level, if they get desperate, everyone here except me would perish."
Tokisaki Kurumi hadn't awakened yet, and Ning Rongrong had no confidence in keeping a Limit Douluo at bay.
"But he's too arrogant! Our Nine Treasures Glazed Sect isn't without Limit Douluo either."
Wang Quan Fugui's anger flared. As a veteran of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, now having broken through to Title Douluo with Ning Rongrong's help, his loyalty to the sect was unwavering.
He'd seen ridiculous things, but this was absurd. Wanting to freeload off their sect's soul tools? Utterly ridiculous.
Freeloading aside, Tang San's tone suggested they should be grateful, as if they were the ones benefiting.
"There are plenty of shameless people in this world! No need to get so worked up," Ning Rongrong said with a smile. "We don't want to openly clash with them for now."
"But, Rongrong, didn't you reveal the soul tool to the Demon Empress?"
"What if…"
"Heh, I never intended to make enemies with the sea soul beast forces," Ning Rongrong said, noticing Ning Yun's concern.
If something happened to the Demon Empress and Lan Fozi, it would surely stir up a storm. The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King might even come to wreak havoc.
"What do you mean?" Ning Yun was confused.
"Alright, this is getting too complicated."
Ning Rongrong patted Ning Yun's shoulder. "No matter what happens, you've got me, the Young Sect Master, here!"
"Even if I can't handle it, aren't there others?"
"Am I right, Father, Grandpa Sword?"
Ning Rongrong's words left Ning Yun, who was about to speak, stunned. He followed her gaze.
"Rongrong, your perception is getting sharper."
A barrier materialized.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo slowly stepped through the window into the hall.
"Running away from home for so long, and I hear from Rongrong that Yun'er has someone he likes?" Ning Fengzhi said, landing by the window and looking at the tanned Ning Yun with a sentimental tone.
"F-Father, and Elder Sword," Ning Yun quickly bowed. The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect wasn't nobility, nor did it have excessive formalities, but he didn't dare act as casually as Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong's strength and her status as a girl, combined with the transformative changes she brought to the sect, meant rules bent for her. But Ning Yun? Not so much.
"Alright, it's only been a few days. No need for so much formality," Ning Fengzhi waved his hand. "You've done well these years, but I still want to hold a grandchild."
"…" Ning Yun's eyelid twitched, wisely staying silent.
"Hey, Dad, you could have kids too. No need to pressure Big Brother. You've got the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda too," Ning Rongrong teased, causing Ning Fengzhi's expression to freeze.
"Rongrong, I'm not some Teddy soul beast," Ning Fengzhi said, exasperated, feeling that as Ning Rongrong's strength grew, she respected him less and less.
"What's the big deal?" Ning Rongrong spread her hands. "For the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect to be great again, Father, just make a small sacrifice. At most, it'll shave a few years off your life."
"Rongrong!" Ning Fengzhi clutched his forehead, helpless. "If I could beat you, and if Uncle Sword and Uncle Gu didn't side with you, I'd string you up and spank you."
"Are you talking about that weird binding method used on cat girls or tiger girls, like in Heaven Dou nobility rumors?"
"Speaking of which, Father, didn't you buy a cat girl at the Heaven Dou auction half a year ago?"
"Could it be…"
"Cough, cough, Rongrong, I advise you to be kind." Ning Fengzhi's scalp tingled. They were in public!
You might not care about face, but I do!
And don't think I don't know—you act all cute, but you understand everything!
The others nearby were used to this.
The father-daughter dynamic was bizarre, probably a tradition of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.
Or maybe it started with Ning Fengzhi.
"Alright, just kidding," Ning Rongrong giggled.
"Hee hee hee."
"No hee hee," Ning Fengzhi said, his face dark with exasperation.
After a few light coughs, Ning Fengzhi changed the subject: "Elder Wang Quan, congratulations on breaking through to Title Douluo."
Though only a level 91 Title Douluo, who would complain about having too many in their sect?
Look at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect…
Oh, wait, it's gone.
Just a few stragglers left, hiding who-knows-where.
"Sect Master, you're too kind. Without the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's support, there'd be no Wang Quan Fugui today."
"Come now, credit where credit's due," Ning Fengzhi waved his hand. "My useless daughter has been a burden to you all these days."
Wang Quan Fugui: "…"
How am I supposed to respond to that?
Ning Fengzhi roughly knew that Ning Rongrong had helped Wang Quan Fugui break through to Title Douluo.
But for the sect, a Title Douluo deserved corresponding treatment, the foundation of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's auxiliary role.
After briefly addressing Wang Quan Fugui's matters, Ning Fengzhi turned his gaze back to Ning Rongrong, pondering before saying, "Rongrong, what's this about the beast tide, and the Demon Empress you mentioned?"
Though the letter had some details, much was unclear.
"The beast tide is uncertain, but it's likely tied to Sea God Island. The Demon Empress is the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's wife," Ning Rongrong said thoughtfully. "By the way, I plan to use this beast tide to completely separate Vast Sea City from Sea God Island."
"How?" Ning Fengzhi asked, surprised.
"Just a rough plan for now," Ning Rongrong shook her head. "Make the sea soul masters believe that it's not the Sea God or Bo Saixi saving them, but our Nine Treasures Glazed Sect."
Ning Rongrong thought for a moment and asked, "Did Xue Ke bring the deed to my fief?"
"Here," Ning Fengzhi produced the official seal. "She said it's Vast Sea City, but whether you accept is up to you."
"Looks like Xue Ke wants to pull us onto her warship but is worried we won't agree," Ning Rongrong said.
"Rongrong, what's your opinion?" Ning Fengzhi asked curiously.
Regardless, Vast Sea City was likely to be a vortex in the near future, especially since it involved the Sea God.
"Accept it. Why wouldn't I?" Ning Rongrong countered. "Isn't Vast Sea City part of the Heaven Dou Empire? What's wrong with me, Ning Rongrong, being its lord?"
"Just because there are more sea soul masters doesn't mean it's not Heaven Dou territory."
The letter Ning Fengzhi brought was the deed.
Simply put, two and a half years ago, the Heaven Dou Empire promised a fief to the champion of the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament.
A city this large, with ocean resources and moral justification—how could she not accept?
If Sea God Island or the Clear Sky Sect questioned it, she'd say it was Heaven Dou's reward. Any issues, take it up with them, not the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.
Suddenly, a terrifying soul power fluctuation came from an unknown source.
Sword Douluo, the first to sense the soul power level, paled instantly: "A Limit Douluo is fighting…"
"Looks like it's starting!"
Before Sword Douluo could finish, Ning Rongrong's lips curled slightly. With a gentle wave of her hand, everyone was lifted into the air. "Let's go watch a big show."