After being teased by the two children working together, Ning Fengzhi only smiled and did not show any sign of blame.
Both of them were juniors he valued highly. If they could form a good friendship, that would certainly be a good thing.
The three of them arrived at a private room and ordered the best dishes from the restaurant.
For Oscar, he had already tried everything in Frost Restaurant before. Although the initial novelty was gone, the flavors still made him reluctant to leave.
While the three enjoyed the food, Ning Fengzhi chatted with Xue Qinghe and Oscar.
After praising Oscar's abilities in front of Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi also told Oscar about Xue Qinghe's wisdom and foresight.
Both Xue Qinghe and Oscar had their own thoughts in mind, but after some back-and-forth conversation, they quickly became familiar with each other.
The meal lasted a full two hours. Xue Qinghe became even more interested in Oscar, while Oscar made full use of his gift for words and his good looks to leave a favorable impression on Xue Qinghe, even hinting that Xue Qinghe should contact him again later.
When the conversation was nearly over and the food was finished, Oscar stood up and said, "Uncle Ning, Brother Xue, it's getting late today. I still need to return to the academy to assign tasks and study tomorrow's opponents. Let's talk again another time. I'll take my leave now."
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe glanced at Ning Fengzhi, who simply smiled without saying anything.
Xue Qinghe looked at Oscar and smiled slightly, taking out a golden token from his robe. The token was simple in design but contained a special flow of energy. On the back was a lifelike golden swan, and on the front was the character "Tai."
Handing the token to Oscar, Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "In that case, I won't keep you any longer. Take this token. If anything happens, you can come to the palace and find me with it."
Looking at the token in front of him, Oscar deliberately hesitated for a moment. Seeing his hesitation, Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "Qinghe means nothing else by this. Take it. The token is just a personal symbol of Qinghe and has no other function."
Hearing this, Oscar was secretly pleased at Ning Fengzhi's assistance. He bowed slightly and accepted the heavy golden token with both hands.
Oscar smiled and said, "Then I will thank Brother Xue for his kindness. I will definitely visit the palace when I have the chance."
Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe personally escorted Oscar to the entrance of the restaurant. After saying goodbye to them, Oscar left.
Watching Oscar's departing figure, Xue Qinghe whispered to Ning Fengzhi, "Teacher, this Oscar is no ordinary person. His speech, manners, and knowledge far exceed that of an average teenager. The young master of the Sword Sect truly is extraordinary."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "That was my impression too. We were both born into great clans, but when we were his age, we were far behind Oscar."
"He is only sixteen. Do you know what level his spirit power has reached?"
Xue Qinghe shook his head. He hadn't asked about cultivation earlier. After all, this was their first meeting, and asking something so personal right away would have been inappropriate.
He had planned to check on it later anyway, so he hadn't brought it up.
Seeing him shake his head, Ning Fengzhi said slowly, "Level fifty-five, and that was half a year ago."
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe was stunned, then turned in disbelief to look at the now-vanished Oscar.
After a long silence, Xue Qinghe looked at Ning Fengzhi and said with disbelief, "Sixteen years old, level fifty-five?! A Spirit King at this age?! How is that possible?!"
Ning Fengzhi smiled at his disciple's shocked expression. When he had first heard Oscar's spirit power level, even with his experience witnessing countless geniuses rise, he had been just as shocked as Xue Qinghe.
For Xue Qinghe, this news was truly explosive.
Other than her grandfather and "sister," as well as a few top-ranking elders of the Spirit Hall, no one knew Xue Qinghe's true identity.
Her real name was Qian Renxue, daughter of the former Pope Qian Xunji. Her grandfather was Qian Daoliu, one of the three strongest on the continent, known as the invincible Angel Douluo, the Grand Worship of the Elder Hall.
When Qian Renxue awakened her martial spirit, it was the god-level Six-Winged Angel. Her innate spirit power reached an astonishing level 20.
Even more impressive was that her first spirit ring was six hundred years, the second nine hundred years, the third three thousand years, the fourth nine thousand years, the fifth twenty thousand years, and the sixth fifty thousand years.
Based on the official Spirit Hall records of maximum spirit ring absorption limits, Qian Renxue had clearly exceeded the limits at every step.
Yet despite such a foundation and talent, she had only recently broken through to Spirit Emperor at the age of twenty. And now she had just heard what?
That there was a sixteen-year-old Spirit King with at least level fifty-five spirit power?
Did this mean Oscar's talent was on par with hers? Or even slightly above her?
If that were true, what was supporting Oscar's growth? A god-level martial spirit? Resources and background?
Qian Renxue was certain that her talent and resources were already among the very best on the entire continent. Yet now there was someone whose talent rivaled or surpassed hers?
Even the so-called Golden Generation of Spirit Hall, the most gifted trio in its history, were only just reaching Spirit King level at around twenty years old.
Qian Renxue had always believed that with her talent and the resources her grandfather provided, her future would be unimpeded and boundless.
But at this moment, Qian Renxue felt a sense of crisis for the first time.
Oscar might be the young master of the Sword Sect, and Qian Renxue had investigated this recently re-emerged hidden sect. Although she didn't have complete information, she knew enough to be sure that the Sword Sect, even combined with the Bi Lin family, could have at most five or six Titled Douluo.
Even if they had a few more, they still could not compare to Spirit Hall.
Her grandfathers were all Super Douluo. Together with the elders of Spirit Hall, there were more than ten Titled Douluo under their command.
Not to mention that as the holy land of spirit masters, Spirit Hall had far greater resources than any hidden sect could ever match.
Qian Renxue was no fool. She had been able to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire for many years and successfully take the position of Crown Prince, which already proved her intelligence.
It only took her a moment to figure out that Oscar's talent was at least equal to, if not greater than, her own.
Because in terms of resources and background, the Sword Sect could not compare with the Spirit Hall, so there was only one explanation for Oscar's current level talent.
"Could it be that he also possesses a god-level martial spirit? If not, how could he compare to me?" Qian Renxue thought to herself, countless ideas flashing through her mind.
She even wondered whether the Sword Sect, like her own Qian family, once had a god's inheritance. Perhaps the sect had re-emerged because Oscar awakened a god-level martial spirit and needed the sect's full support to help him ascend to godhood.
As Qian Renxue's thoughts were running wild, Ning Fengzhi said with a smile, "Don't overthink it. My reaction at the time was the same as yours."
"Xiao Ao is a twin martial spirit user. Although he currently cultivates a food-type martial spirit, his swordsmanship has never been neglected. You could say he cultivates both paths at once."
"When Sword Douluo first discovered Oscar's swordsmanship talent, his shock was several times greater than ours."
"A genius like Oscar might not appear even once in ten thousand years."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's emotions were still in turmoil.
Twin martial spirits? That immediately reminded her of her "sister."
If that were the case, perhaps Oscar wasn't as terrifying as she first thought. After all, Qian Renxue had seen a successful case of twin martial spirit cultivation before.
According to records, there had only been three twin martial spirit users in history. Two failed because they trained incorrectly and died, while the third was her "sister."
Qian Renxue knew that twin martial spirit users advanced much faster than normal spirit masters since they could absorb eighteen spirit rings.
Even so, Oscar's talent still nearly matched her own.
But Qian Renxue still had one more question. "Has he attached any spirit rings to his second martial spirit yet?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "No. If he had, Sword Douluo would not have said his talent was one in ten thousand years."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue was certain that the Sword Sect probably had not produced a god like her own Qian family had.
But one thing was certain: Oscar's talent was no weaker than her own, even though she possessed a god-level martial spirit.
Faced with a genius like this, Qian Renxue knew she had only two options either make him an ally, or…
Ning Fengzhi saw Xue Qinghe's slightly unnatural expression and smiled. "If he had no background, he could indeed be eliminated early. But his background is too great. Even my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan might not be able to match it."
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Qinghe, I am telling you all this so that you can appreciate his value and befriend him in the future."
Qian Renxue nodded. She agreed with Ning Fengzhi's words.
For the Sword Sect, Oscar was as important as she was to her grandfather and to Spirit Hall.
If Oscar were harmed, those responsible would face unending wrath.
And with Spirit Hall's plan at a critical stage, no accidents could be allowed to happen.
Moreover, Hu Liena was already close with Ao Yue, and considering all factors, befriending Oscar was clearly the best choice for Qian Renxue.
Even though Spirit Hall might not fear the Sword Sect's strength or foundation, provoking such a powerful enemy could disrupt both her own and her "sister's" plans.
After a brief silence, Qian Renxue's smile returned. "I understand, teacher. I will make full use of every opportunity to befriend this once-in-ten-thousand-years genius."
Seeing Xue Qinghe regain confidence and composure, Ning Fengzhi felt even more satisfied with this disciple.
Although Xue Qinghe's cultivation talent wasn't the best, as a future ruler, scheming and statecraft were his most important skills.
As a future imperial mentor, Ning Fengzhi truly had high hopes for Xue Qinghe. That was why he arranged for him to meet Oscar and carefully paved the way for him.
But Ning Fengzhi's good intentions were destined to be in vain, because from the very beginning, the disciple he admired most had never stood on the same side as him.
Looking at Xue Qinghe's restored smile, Ning Fengzhi said seriously, "Qinghe, I must remind you of one thing. From my interactions with Xiao Ao, if you really want his help in the future, never try to recruit him with authority or money. Be his true friend."
Xue Qinghe met Ning Fengzhi's gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Teacher, I understand. Thank you for your guidance."
Qian Renxue did have a teacher-student bond with Ning Fengzhi. In her early years, she had not been as calculating as she was now.
Ning Fengzhi had truly taught her many things. In her heart, unless something forced her otherwise, she hoped her teacher could enjoy a peaceful life in the future.
Moreover, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support ability was truly top-tier. If she could reach the ultimate level someday, she hoped her teacher could still support her.
If that happened, Qian Renxue would ensure Ning Fengzhi and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would be remembered forever…
…
On the other side, Oscar was naturally unaware of the conversation between Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe, but he could guess. Given Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe's relationship, it was likely that Xue Qinghe would now know about him.
This was actually part of Oscar's plan. Since some things could no longer be hidden, why not turn them into advantages?
Ever since he first saw Qian Renxue in the Star Dou Forest, Oscar had anticipated this moment. He had wondered what Qian Renxue would do once his talent was revealed.
It wasn't hard to guess. There were usually only two options recruit him or eliminate him early.
In the past, Oscar would have had no choice but to be recruited, since he certainly didn't want to die.
But now it was different. He was no longer alone he had the Sword Sect behind him, and the Bi Lin family of Dugu Bo as well.
When both sides had enough power to deter one another, no one would choose a path of mutual destruction. Oscar could already predict Qian Renxue's decision she would try to win him over and draw him into her camp.
After all, Ao Yue's relationship with Hu Liena was already very close, and Hu Liena was nearly smitten. If things worked out, Oscar wouldn't mind using Ao Yue's identity to firmly tie Hu Liena to him.
From Spirit Hall's perspective, both Oscar and Ao Yue were geniuses of the Sword Sect. Even if Ao Yue was slightly weaker, the difference wasn't too big. If they could win over one, they would surely try to win over the other.
So Oscar wasn't worried about exposing his talent to Qian Renxue. In fact, this exposure might bring him gains beyond his imagination.
Even in the worst-case scenario, if Spirit Hall tried to eliminate him, they might not even find his true body.
Oscar always preferred careful planning to gambling. Otherwise, when he absorbed his second spirit ring, he would have risked a thousand-year ring.
Playing it safe might make things less exciting, but if every outcome was carefully planned and every accident accounted for, the result would always be under his control.
Oscar enjoyed having everything under control. Only then did he feel truly secure.
…
When Oscar arrived at the private room where Dugu Yan and the others were meeting, they had already finished discussing their battle strategy.
That night, back at the Great Spirit Arena's lounge, Oscar drew lots for the second round of opponents. Just like in the original story, the opponent was Elephant Armored Sect, one of the current lower four sects.
Tomorrow, Shrek's team would face the Elephant Armored Academy team in the first match of the second round. After dinner, Oscar handed the decision-making and planning over to Tang San.
Since Dugu Yan wouldn't participate, Tang San was the only control-type spirit master on the team, so he had to be given full authority over the battlefield.
Over the years, Oscar had put much effort into cultivating Tang San's abilities in this area, and now that Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had evolved into Blue Silver Emperor, he had become an excellent control-type spirit master.
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