Tang San merely glanced indifferently, sitting at ease with perfect composure. His voice was utterly calm, as if discussing something entirely inconsequential.
With only three people in the room, the atmosphere grew chilly for a moment.
"You! What did you say!" Ning Rongrong trembled with rage, her frosty pink face flushing red. This time, she hadn't come under orders—she'd known about the arranged marriage since childhood, though the outcome was predictable.
Given Ning Rongrong's temperament, the chance of her agreeing was practically nonexistent.
Upon hearing that Tang San had finally entered the Soul Duel Arena, Ning Rongrong had even postponed her planned hunt for a Second Soul Ring, asking Bone Douluo to bring her to Clear Sky City. Her goal was to defeat Tang San and use the opportunity to call off the engagement.
Initially, seeing Tang San's thousand-year Second Soul Ring and his terrifying physical strength, Ning Rongrong had even considered reevaluating this arranged marriage prospect—perhaps temporarily granting him a passing grade. For her, this was earth-shattering; becoming her partner would be an incredible privilege for anyone.
Yet today, Tang San had outright rejected her! How could this not infuriate her?
"I understand your pride and confidence," Tang San said slowly, not even bothering to look at the seething Ning Rongrong. "You're naturally unwilling to accept this arranged marriage. You see yourself as heaven's favored daughter, believing you can control your own destiny. That so-called 'passing grade' was nothing more than condescension toward me—such thinking is to be expected."
"However, I apologize. I don't want a wife who's spoiled, willful, ill-mannered, short-sighted, weak in strength, and lacking ambition. You'd barely qualify as a maidservant."
Had anyone else spoken such words, it would have been sheer arrogance—after all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School held a uniquely special position, being courted by both empires, the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon School, and even Spirit Hall.
The reason was simple: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was the only major sect without any offensive capabilities. They could only serve as support. Allying with them meant not just qualitative improvement but also guaranteed security against ambushes. Thus, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Soul Masters were highly sought-after as partners.
This context led Ning Rongrong—and indeed the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School—to believe they held the initiative. Whichever faction they joined would inevitably dominate the continent.
Moreover, given Ning Rongrong's status as the sole daughter of the sect leader, marrying her wouldn't just bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as dowry—it would forge unbreakable ties, potentially creating a superpower rivaling Spirit Hall itself.
Yet as Bone Douluo observed Tang San, he saw only calm determination. There wasn't a trace of petulance in his eyes—just serene refusal, delivered in the most measured tones despite knowing the consequences.
Had it been anyone else, Bone Douluo would have dismissed Tang San as an arrogant fool. But now, he couldn't detect even a hint of such delusion in the young man.
The Bone Douluo and Tang San possessed such temperament and wisdom, but the ten-year-old Ning Rongrong, who was still spoiled and arrogant, certainly did not. Seeing her flaws exposed so bluntly by Tang San, Ning Rongrong's eyes welled up with tears of anger as she glared fiercely and said, "How dare you insult me! Bone Grandpa, teach him a lesson for me!"
Upon hearing this, the Bone Douluo's eyes widened. Teach him a lesson? Here? On the territory of the Clear Sky Sect? Teach a lesson to the young master of the Clear Sky Sect?! Teach a lesson to the only son of the Clear Sky Douluo?!
Me, fight the Clear Sky Douluo?
His bones might be tough, but they weren't tougher than the Clear Sky Hammer! The moment his Martial Soul appeared, the Clear Sky Douluo's hammer would probably come flying from hundreds of miles away.
Hearing this, Tang San couldn't help but chuckle. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was indeed impressive, and the daughter of its sect master was certainly noble, with two Titled Douluo as her godfathers—but it all depended on who she was comparing herself to.
Tang San sat calmly in his chair, his face showing only amusement, not panic, as he smiled and said, "No strength to tie up a chicken, no signs of physical training, yet you think just because you have the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School behind you, you're invincible?"
"There are useless Martial Souls, and there are useless Soul Masters. And you—you belong to the latter."
"You're calling me useless!" Ning Rongrong was so furious she was about to lash out, but the Bone Douluo held her back, afraid she'd be sent flying by a swing of Tang San's hammer.
This son of the Clear Sky Douluo truly wasn't intimidated by the backing of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School!
Ning Rongrong roared, "Who are you to lecture me! You're just a useless Soul Master too! Without a sect, you're nothing!"
Tang San smiled and counted on his fingers, "I'm a forging master capable of crafting tools, a Poison Master skilled in toxicology and poisoning, and a Soul Master with Innate Full Spirit Power."
Ning Rongrong retorted, "What does that prove? Support-type Soul Masters naturally need powerful partners. If I had a strong partner, I could definitely defeat you! You're not invincible! Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don't look down on support types!"
Tang San crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "Fine. If you truly have what it takes, show me how you'll defeat me. Five years from now, I'll be waiting for you at the Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."
"As for the engagement, Senior Bone Douluo, please convey to Uncle Ning that I currently have no such intentions." Tang San slowly stood up and walked to the door, opening it himself—a clear gesture of seeing them out.
Naturally, the Bone Douluo and Ning Rongrong had no intention of staying. The Bone Douluo swiftly left with the speechless, fuming Ning Rongrong in tow.
Not long after they departed, Tang Hao appeared beside Tang San as if teleporting.
It was clear that Tang Hao had been secretly protecting his son all along. After all, the Bone Douluo was no weakling—if he truly lost his temper from Tang San's words, who knew what outrageous things he might do?
"Son, even if you're dissatisfied, there was no need to speak to her like that. Girls have thin skins," Tang Hao said with a wry smile. As for the engagement, he didn't really care either—his personality wasn't the type to use his son's marriage for political gain.
He had kept the engagement mainly to see if his son would like it. If it worked out, great; if not, so be it.
In response to his father's question, Tang San pondered for a moment before countering, "Father, what would happen if we formed an alliance with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School through marriage?"
When Tang San asked this question, Tang Hao was taken aback. After thinking for a long while, he replied, "They would probably become extremely powerful. Although the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is only level 79, the special nature of their Martial Soul allows them to proportionally enhance a Soul Master's abilities regardless of level restrictions. The amplification effect is terrifying even when applied to Titled Douluo. Combined with the presence of two Peak Douluo—the Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo—they probably wouldn't be weaker than the Spirit Hall."
Tang Hao pondered further. If he received all of Ning Fengzhi's enhancements, he might not be able to defeat an Ultimate Douluo at level 99, but holding his own in a fight should be possible.
"That's precisely why our Clear Sky Sect absolutely must not form a marriage alliance."
(End of Chapter)