He paused, lowering his gaze.
"But that last night's light… I can't shake the feeling that something unusual happened."
Gu Rong nodded, voice heavy.
"Spirit Hall's sudden display of strength has shaken every faction. Two level 99 Ultimate Douluo appearing out of nowhere…"
He let out a slow breath.
"…their foundations run deeper than anyone realized. Is this the reason why you sometimes go out of your way to provide money and other services of the clan to Hermit Order"
Ning Fengzhi said softly as if recalling something:
"Spirit Hall been concealing their true power far too well. And Elder Gu Rong I actually have a very good reason to support Twilight Hermit Order."
He then continued " We will talk about it later at the clan, we are only at the outskirts of the forest. Let's find a suitable soul beast for Ning Rongrong first."
Ning Fengzhi glanced ahead at his daughter, carefree and curious, and his tightened heart slowly eased.
"At least with the two of us here, no soul beast would dare come close."
But just as those words left his lips—
Just then, Ning Rongrong's crisp young voice suddenly rang out,
"Look, Father—there is a person sitting there."
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong both turned their gazes toward the small clearing ahead.
There, seated on a moss-covered boulder beside a shallow stream, was a girl whose appearance made even Ning Rongrong involuntarily pause.
The golden-haired girl looked as though she had descended from a painting—her skin was a soft, flawless white with a faintly sacred glow, her posture regal even in unconscious repose. Strands of long golden hair brushed the ground like threads of sunlight, and despite the forest's humidity and dust, not a single leaf clung to her. Her beauty was ethereal and delicate in a way even noble princesses could only envy.
For the first time, Ning Rongrong felt that someone would be—surpassing her in bearing, and natural presence.
As a pampered princess accustomed to admiration, she felt a faint sting in her pride.
After thinking for a moment, she suddenly said with complete seriousness:
"Father… can that girl become my personal maid and serve me?"
Her tone was innocent, even hopeful—as if she were asking for a new accessory.
Ning Fengzhi's expression instantly darkened.
He looked down at his daughter sternly and said in a low voice,
"Rongrong, when we return, your etiquette and behavior lessons will be increased."
Ning Rongrong's expression stiffened into surprise, not understanding why her father reacted so harshly.
But Ning Fengzhi understood something that she could not.
A person alone in the Star Dou Forest—calm, unworried, unguarded—was never a normal person.
And this girl was not just "not normal."
Even from a distance, Ning Fengzhi had already recognized her.
Though six years had passed since he last saw her, and though the child back then had grown significantly, he would never forget that face he had glimpsed once in Spirit City at the funeral of the previous pope.
Qian Renxue.
Daughter of Qian Xunji—and a young genius that must have been raised under the watchful eyes of Pope and Elder Hall alike.
Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, despite mobilizing their most secret intelligence networks, could find almost nothing on her. Her strength, cultivation level, her teacher, —everything was hidden under layers of Spirit Hall's strict internal security.
The only information they had was her name…and a vague warning from their most reliable informant:
"Do not provoke the girl in golden."
Ning Fengzhi's fingers subconsciously brushed against the hidden token under his breastplate—
A token from an organisation that itself was shrouded in mystery.
He forced himself to stay calm, but his voice was already tense with suppressed urgency as he said:
"Rongrong, remember this: when you do not understand someone's identity, you must never approach recklessly… let alone try to take them as a servant."
Gu Rong, however, standing silently at the side, had an entirely different reaction.
He too recognized the girl.
And his instinct as a battle-hardened Title Douluo—one who had led the clan through bloody wars and political struggles—was vastly different from Ning Fengzhi's careful diplomacy.
His eyes narrowed, and he leaned closer to Ning Fengzhi, whispering with a somber gravity:
"Fengzhi… she seems alone…"
Then, his hand made a simple, deadly gesture—
A clean slice across the throat.
A gesture every high-level clan understood which was Ruthless, practical and efficient.
Eliminate future threat before it matures.
Gu Rong had done it many times.
And Qian Renxue, the young rising star of Spirit Hall, was undoubtedly a threat.
His voice was low, calm, and chillingly rational:
"Spirit Hall already hides frightening power.
Do you truly want their next generation to grow into an existence we cannot control?"
Ning Fengzhi's heart clenched.
He shot Gu Rong a warning glare, but his fingers trembled slightly on the token.
The golden-haired girl sitting by the stream opened her eyes.
Ning Fengzhi's face paled as he sensed Gu Rong's killing intent spike.
"Wait—!"
His shout thundered out, but it was a heartbeat too late.
Gu Rong had already moved.
The earth beneath his feet cracked as the Level 95 Super Douluo shot forward like an unleashed arrow. The surrounding trees bent from the pressure of his momentum. In that instant, his entire figure blurred—like a dragon charging its prey.
Ning Rongrong gasped.
Even Ning Fengzhi felt a jolt of fear.
"Elder Gu Rong,—!"
The scene that unfolded next defied their understanding of reality.
Qian Renxue, as if entirely unaware of the murderous figure approaching, took slow, measured steps toward them. Her golden eyelashes were lowered, her expression tranquil—almost serene. In her right hand, she held a slender, radiant sword , its blade humming with an otherworldly resonance.
To Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong, the moment passed like a flicker of light—
They felt as if the two figures simply… passed by each other.