It took less than a minute to finish off their opponents. The Shrek Academy team exited the arena in high spirits under a wave of thunderous cheers, marking a perfect start for their very first tournament.
Although the second team from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy consisted only of Soul Elders, they were by no means weak. For the Shrek team to crush them in such a decisive way, while using no more than their first and second spirit skills, was clear proof that they were indeed a dark horse of the competition.
Perhaps starting today, the Shrek Academy team's black uniforms with gold trim would become the most eye-catching and intimidating sight in the entire tournament.
There was only one opening match today. After Shrek Academy's victory, everyone began leaving the venue in an orderly fashion, looking forward to the official matches starting tomorrow.
Oscar led the little monsters out of the Great Spirit Arena, planning to take them to relax a bit and study information about the other academies.
After giving Oscar a few words of instruction, Flender and the other teachers disappeared somewhere. Judging from Flender's expression, he seemed to be off to meet someone he had been waiting for.
Just as the group stepped out of the arena, a familiar voice made them stop in their tracks.
"Rongrong."
Hearing the voice, everyone turned to look. Ning Fengzhi, now dressed in simple clothes, stood near the entrance waving at them.
Dustheart was still in his white robes, calmly standing at Ning Fengzhi's side.
"Father, Grandpa Jian!" Ning Rongrong cried out excitedly and ran over, throwing herself into her father's arms.
Everyone had seen Ning Fengzhi speak earlier and naturally knew who he was.
He was the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the top three sects, and the number one support-type soul master in the world. Any one of Ning Fengzhi's titles would place him at the very peak of the soul master world.
Seeing him up close, Tai Long, Jing Ling, and the others couldn't help but feel a little excited. Even Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, who came from great clans themselves, couldn't help but straighten their backs in front of someone of this level.
Holding Ning Rongrong's hand, Ning Fengzhi walked over with a warm smile. "Hello, little friends of Shrek Academy."
Faced with Ning Fengzhi personally greeting them, the Shrek team hurried to bow and return the greeting.
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "No need to be so formal. Right now I am just Rongrong's father. Don't treat me as some sect master. Just think of me as your elder."
His approachable demeanor immediately made a good impression on the Shrek team. Ning Fengzhi's gaze fell on Oscar, and he smiled slightly. "Little Ao, with your strength, do you really need to participate in this kind of tournament?"
Ning Fengzhi had long known that Oscar had already reached the Soul King level, since Oscar had once stayed at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for several days.
During that time, Dustheart had even discussed some sword techniques with Oscar and given him many valuable pointers.
Oscar smiled. "Uncle Ning, this is just a clone I left behind. My real body is in seclusion training with my teacher."
"I stayed behind just in case something happens. By the way, Rongrong is already a Soul Ancestor now, but we didn't let her fight in order to save her strength."
Ning Fengzhi was already aware of Oscar's clone ability, since Ning Rongrong had told him much about the academy during her last visit home.
What had shocked Ning Fengzhi the most was discovering that Oscar was a twin martial soul owner.
Being born with full innate spirit power was already extremely rare, but the young heir of the Sword Sect turned out to have twin martial souls as well.
Even more, Oscar's fifth spirit ability had given Gu Rong an astonishing boost in strength, allowing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to grow much stronger.
Over the past few months, Ning Fengzhi sometimes thought that allowing Rongrong to leave home had been the best decision he had ever made.
After a year away, Ning Rongrong not only returned with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda but also brought them such a powerful ally. Ning Fengzhi liked Oscar more and more.
Unfortunately, according to Rongrong, Oscar already had a girlfriend, and her talent was not much worse than Oscar's own.
Still, there was something that pleased Ning Fengzhi — Rongrong now seemed to be quite close to Ma Hongjun.
According to Rongrong, Ma Hongjun's talent was probably on par with Oscar's.
So young, about the same age as Rongrong, and already close to breaking through level fifty.
By now, Ma Hongjun was probably already a level fifty Soul King.
A fourteen-year-old Soul King? Ning Fengzhi had never even heard of such a thing. He almost wished he could recruit every one of these Shrek monsters into his own sect.
But he understood, and had also heard from Rongrong, that this group of little monsters had such strength not only because of their talent but also because of Oscar's personal investment in them.
So it was unlikely that any of them would join his sect — they would probably all enter the Sword Sect in the future.
This did not affect the friendship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Sword Sect, however. And if Rongrong could end up with Ma Hongjun, Ning Fengzhi would be very happy to see that outcome.
Rongrong was extremely talented, born with level nine spirit power. Even without the immortal herb, she could likely have cultivated her martial soul to evolve into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Now her martial soul had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and her talent had grown even further, making it even harder for Ning Fengzhi to find her a suitable partner.
This was why he secretly hoped Rongrong and Ma Hongjun could end up together. After all, what father doesn't wish for his daughter's happiness?
Hearing Oscar's words, Ning Fengzhi nodded. "I see."
After exchanging a few more words with Oscar, Ning Rongrong introduced him to the rest of the Shrek team, but Ning Fengzhi didn't try to recruit anyone — there was no point.
When Ma Hongjun faced Ning Fengzhi, he was a little nervous. After all, this was his potential future father-in-law.
Ning Fengzhi could see Ma Hongjun's nervousness and didn't make things difficult for him. Instead, he praised him a few times to show goodwill.
Finally, seeing that time was getting late, Ning Fengzhi said, "I have high hopes for all of you. Perhaps only in the finals will you meet your true opponents."
"I'm a member of the tournament organizing committee now, so I won't chat with you too long — otherwise people will accuse me of favoritism."
After saying this, he patted Ning Rongrong's head, then turned to Oscar. "Little Ao, do you have some time now? Would you come sit with Uncle Ning for a bit?"
Hearing this invitation, Oscar glanced at Dugu Yan, then nodded and followed Ning Fengzhi and Dustheart away.
Watching them leave, Tai Long spoke in a low voice. "Rongrong, the man beside Sect Master Ning just now must have been Sword Douluo, right? I heard you call him Grandpa Jian."
Hearing this, the others became visibly excited. The title of Titled Douluo was incredibly attractive to them.
Especially for Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiang Zhu — this might be the only time in their lives they would ever get to be this close to someone of such a level.
Rongrong smiled and nodded. "Grandpa Jian isn't as cold as he looks. He just doesn't like talking much when we're outside."
This little encounter over, Dugu Yan led everyone to a large hotel where they booked a private room to relax.
Ma Hongjun whispered something to Ning Rongrong, his expression excited. Ning Rongrong's pretty face turned red as they spoke quietly together, clearly talking about something embarrassing.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi led Oscar to an elegant, traditional tea house.
The tea house was small, only three stories tall, and decorated in a classical style. At this hour, there were only a few customers inside, making it very quiet.
The three of them went to a private room on the second floor, pushed open a folding screen, and went in.
After sitting down, Ning Fengzhi personally poured Oscar a cup of excellent tea and handed it to him.
Oscar accepted it with both hands, a little embarrassed. "Uncle Ning, you don't have to be so polite. How can I, a junior, let you serve me tea?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, poured tea for Dustheart and then for himself.
After pouring, he sat down and smiled. "There's nothing to be polite about. You just said it yourself — you're the junior, so as the elder I should take care of you."
"I don't know if young people like you drink this kind of clear tea. Want to try it? This is one of my treasured collections."
Oscar smiled, took a sip, and nodded. "It really is good. I think my teacher would like it even more though."
"I'm just a rough guy — this kind of fine tea is wasted on me."
Ning Fengzhi laughed. "If that's the case, take some with you when you leave. Consider it a small gift for your teacher."
Oscar waved his hands quickly. "I can't do that. How could I just take your treasured tea without doing anything in return?"
Then he paused and asked, "Uncle Ning, you called me here alone — was there something you wanted to talk about?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly. "Talking with you is easy, no need to hide anything."
"Then I'll be direct. I wanted to discuss something with you — make a little deal."
Oscar smiled. "Please speak. If it's something I can decide on, I'll do my best to cooperate."
Ning Fengzhi didn't beat around the bush. "The Dark Devilgod Tiger Whip Sausage you gave Bone Uncle last time helped him a lot, but there weren't enough. He is currently in seclusion, trying to comprehend the ultimate space attribute. If possible, I'd like to trade you some items of equal value for more of them."
Oscar wasn't surprised that Ning Fengzhi knew the sausages were his spirit skill — Rongrong would never have hidden that from her father.
In fact, Oscar had been looking for an excuse to ask Ning Fengzhi for something, so this was the perfect opportunity.
He smiled. "Is that all?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Don't worry, this will be handled fairly. Your fifth spirit skill is extremely valuable to Bone Uncle. I won't let you provide it for nothing."
Oscar drained his cup, refilled it, and even poured tea for Ning Fengzhi and Dustheart.
"You're joking, Uncle Ning. With our relationship, why talk about a deal?" Oscar smiled. "Since Bone Douluo needs it, I will of course do my best to supply it. But each use of my fifth spirit skill takes a lot out of me, so I can't provide too many."
Ning Fengzhi was briefly surprised, then smiled in delight. "Little Ao, you really mean it?"
Oscar nodded. "Of course. I can provide thirty Dark Devilgod Tiger Whip Sausages per month. Will that be enough?"
Ning Fengzhi and Dustheart exchanged a glance, unable to hide their joy.
Although Ning Fengzhi had expected Oscar wouldn't refuse, he hadn't imagined Oscar would be so generous.
Thirty per month was more than he had hoped for.
What Ning Fengzhi didn't know was that this amount was nothing to Oscar, who had left a clone specifically to produce sausages daily. His stockpiles had already reached an astonishing level.
Ning Fengzhi said, "That's more than enough. But if you're this generous, I'd feel bad not to give something in return."
"How about this — from now on, any cooperation involving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will give priority to the Sword Sect. Your sect has deep roots but only recently reemerged. With our help, you can establish a strong network of influence on the continent much faster."
Oscar smiled. "Then thank you, Uncle Ning."
After thinking for a moment, Oscar turned to Dustheart. "Actually, I have a small request I'd like to discuss with Sword Douluo."
Dustheart smiled. "No need to be so formal. You're about the same age as Rongrong. Just call me Grandpa Jian."
He paused, then added, "You've given that old bone such a great opportunity. Whatever request you have, just say it — I'll make it happen."
Oscar smiled even more brightly. "Then I'll thicken my skin and call you Grandpa Jian."
"Grandpa Jian, I would like to have some of your blood. If possible, I'd also like some from Bone Douluo."
Dustheart was briefly startled, then understood. Ning Rongrong had already told them about Oscar's heaven-defying spirit skills.
Oscar's fourth spirit skill could copy someone's martial soul, and even spirit bones, using their blood.
Oscar quickly explained, "I know this is a bit of an impolite request, but I just want to keep a trump card for myself. Of course, I would never use your blood or Bone Douluo's blood in any way that would damage your reputation."
"If this is too much, then forget I said anything. I know it's a big ask."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi and Dustheart were momentarily at a loss for words.
Oscar's request was indeed bold. If they didn't know about his ability, it wouldn't matter.
But since they knew, letting Oscar copy their martial souls would expose their techniques and trump cards.
For any soul master, that was a dangerous thing — if someone with ill intent used that information against them, it could be disastrous.
But Oscar had spoken so openly that Dustheart felt conflicted.
And he had just promised to fulfill Oscar's request — to hesitate now would be a blow to his dignity as a Titled Douluo.
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