Time flies, and before they knew it, the day for Tang San's birthday celebration had arrived.
South of Heaven Dou City.
The mansion that once belonged to the mighty Zhu family had now been transformed into the Tang Sect's headquarters under the efforts of the Yu family.
In the early morning, beneath a plaque engraved with the characters "Tang Sect," the gates stood wide open.
One luxurious carriage after another arrived in front of the gate, as the nobles of Heaven Dou City stepped out.
The nobles, who often crossed paths in their daily lives, were all familiar with each other and exchanged polite nods and gestures.
Before entering, the servants of the nobles presented their invitation cards. After their identities were verified, they were welcomed into the grounds by the disciples on guard.
At this moment, two carriages arrived side by side on the street, one in front and the other behind, and both came to a stop at the Tang Sect's entrance.
The first carriage bore a white swan design carved from Hanbai jade, while the second carriage had a seven-story pagoda delicately carved in colored glaze.
Almost simultaneously, three individuals stepped out of each of the two carriages.
"Lord Ning, Bone Douluo, Young Master Ning," said one of the attendants.
"Your Highness, the Prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Fourth Prince," the other servant called out.
Among the six, apart from an unusually tall and gaunt elder, the other five exchanged polite nods.
"Lord Ning, I originally thought that only the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince were sent by the Emperor to attend the feast. I didn't expect that Prince Xuexing would also deign to join us," said Ning Fengzhi, standing between the two of them, with a warm and approachable smile.
On the other side, Prince Xuexing stood between Snow Qinghe and Snow Beng.
Although they stood in the same formation, it was quite telling.
Ning Rongrong stood to the left of Ning Fengzhi, and Bone Douluo Gu Yong stood to his right.
As for the royal family, the Fourth Prince Xue Beng stood on the left side of Prince Xuexing, while the Crown Prince Snow Qinghe stood to his right.
In ancient times, the left side was considered the more prestigious position.
Ning Rongrong, as the Young Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, enjoyed deep favor from Gu Yong, which made her standing on the respected left side both logical and appropriate.
But the royal family's arrangement carried deep meaning.
Prince Xuexing, as the younger brother of Emperor Xueye, had every right to stand at the center.
However, although Crown Prince Snow Qinghe was of a higher rank, he stood on the right of Prince Xuexing, while the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, occupied the more esteemed left side.
Ning Fengzhi, who was sharp-eyed, instantly noticed the discrepancy in the royal family's positioning.
Although as a teacher to Crown Prince Snow Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi would not make a scene over such trivial matters, he couldn't resist a subtle jab.
"Lord Xuexing, I thought that the Emperor had only sent the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince. I didn't expect the Prince would personally come to oversee the celebration."
Prince Xuexing replied in an equally indifferent tone: "Lord Ning, you flatter me. I'm here simply because my mischievous nephew might cause trouble at the celebration. I thought I should come along to prevent any damage to the royal family's reputation."
"Lord Ning, speaking of which, weren't you the one who brought your Young Sect Master to such an event for an eight-year-old child's birthday? Seems like everyone is lowering their status to make an appearance."
Ning Fengzhi wasn't bothered by the comment. His smile remained warm, and he replied casually: "The Tang Sect is an important partner of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and we have frequent business dealings. Now that the Tang Sect Master is hosting his first grand celebration, it's only natural for me to give face and attend."
While they exchanged words, a carriage carrying Lin Rong also arrived at the scene.
"Hmm?" Gu Yong, who had been silent, suddenly turned his gaze to the side. His eyes widened in surprise as he observed Lin Rong and his steward, Yu Yuan, getting off the carriage.
More precisely, it was Yu Yuan, Lin Rong's steward, who caught Gu Yong's attention.
Gu Yong observed Yu Yuan's figure with suspicion. "Could it be my imagination? Why do I feel a sense of danger emanating from a mere Soul Douluo?"
Ning Fengzhi, with his keen insight, immediately noticed the slight change in Gu Yong's expression. Without making it obvious, he turned his gaze toward Lin Rong and his steward.
"You are not going inside? Is there something worth talking about here?" Lin Rong asked with the innocent curiosity of an eight-year-old.
Lord Ning Fengzhi was the first to speak: "Lord Lin, I've heard much about you from my daughter. It's a pleasure to meet you today; truly, a man of great character."
"Rongrong, don't you want to greet Lord Lin?" he added with a smile.
Upon hearing her father's words, Ning Rongrong turned her gaze to Lin Rong.
Coincidentally, Lin Rong's eyes met hers at that very moment.
"The benefits of elite education show!" Lin Rong thought to himself as he observed Ning Rongrong.
Her bearing, her demeanor—if not for the fact that her face hadn't changed, he would hardly believe this was the same Ning Rongrong.
Though they hadn't seen each other for over two years, Ning Rongrong immediately recognized Lin Rong.
It was precisely because of Lin Rong's words that she had transformed into the person she was today.
In the beginning, Ning Rongrong resented Lin Rong deeply.
But as time passed, with the benefit of proper education, she came to understand what responsibility meant.
The change in her self-awareness made her realize she bore the hopes of the entire sect.
Thus, she no longer resented Lin Rong, but after two years, seeing him again still stirred some old feelings within her.
However, her education had taught her to mask her emotions, and she didn't let her discomfort show.
"Hello, Lord Lin, long time no see."
"Hello, Young Sect Master Ning, long time no see," Lin Rong responded politely, before subtly scanning the soul power levels of the people present.
In terms of soul power, the six individuals are ranked as follows:
Bone Douluo Gu Yong: 95th-level peak Soul Douluo
Ning Fengzhi: 79th-level peak Soul Douluo
Xue Xing: 55th-level Soul King
Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue): 52nd-level Soul King
Ning Rongrong: 36th-level Soul Master
Xue Beng: 22nd-level Soul Scholar
"Thirty-sixth-level for Ning Rongrong?" Lin Rong was surprised after probing.
"So that's it. Two soul bones—one from a 50,000-year-old torso bone and another from a 60,000-year-old head bone. Both are gemstone-type soul bones."
"Ning Fengzhi spent a lot to create this monster!"
"An eight-year-old, 36th-level Support Soul Master, all built with two priceless soul bones over 50,000 years old. This is what Ning Fengzhi's money and resources have created."
"I'm lucky to be slightly younger than her and have higher soul power," Lin Rong thought. "Otherwise, if I were surpassed by a native of the same age, it'd be a huge blow to my pride as a transmigrator."
Currently, Lin Rong was eight years and six months old, with a soul power of 37th-level, just one level higher than Ning Rongrong.
The soul power levels of the others didn't surprise Lin Rong.
Gu Yong had his natural talents, but his soul power had stagnated at the 95th level.
Ning Fengzhi's soul power was limited by his martial soul, always stuck at the 79th level.
Qian Renxue (Snow Qinghe) in the original story had soul power around the 70th-level at age 30, so having around 50th-level soul power now was perfectly normal.
Xue Xing, as a royal prince, had a martial soul of a swan, though not of exceptional quality; his soul power at the 55th level was still quite reasonable.
Xue Beng, under his uncle's guidance, intentionally held back on cultivation, so his soul power of 22nd-level was to be expected.
"Lord Lin, it's been a while!"
Suddenly, Snow Qinghe spoke up to greet Lin Rong with a warm and welcoming smile.
"Yes, yes!" Just as Lin Rong was about to respond, Xue Beng interjected casually, "Lord Lin, you've never attended any of the social gatherings in Heaven Dou City before. This is the first time I've seen you in person."
"I know all the best places in Heaven, Dou City. How about I take you around next time?"
"..." Lin Rong fell silent, a little stunned by Xue Beng's forwardness.
His acting skills were impeccable. If Lin Rong hadn't read the original story and known Xue Beng's true nature, he might have been deceived.
Snow Qinghe, noticing Xue Beng's interruption, slightly furrowed his brow. He was about to say something when Prince Xuexing spoke up first.
"Haha, please don't mind, Lord Lin!" Prince Xuexing chuckled and stepped forward.
"My nephew is known for his reckless behavior. If he offended you with his words earlier, I ask for your forgiveness."
Seeing the situation unfold, Lin Rong quickly realized that Xue Xing and Xue Beng were trying to prevent him from conversing with Snow Qinghe.
As a hereditary duke, the Lin family held considerable weight in Heaven Dou. Prince Xuexing didn't want Lin Rong to be swayed by Snow Qinghe's side.
Thus, the uncle and nephew had cleverly used their earlier words to break up any potential conversation between Lin Rong and Snow Qinghe.