The Return
"Tons… tons… tons…"
"Rongrong, don't pull me, I can walk fine by myself!"
Originally meant to be a two-day trip, Lu Yuan and Ning Rongrong took five. The reason was obvious.
He drank.
Every.
Step.
Of the way.
When they finally trudged up to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Outer Gates, the courtyards were eerily empty. Not a disciple dared peek their head out, except for the poor souls on duty.
Lu Yuan swayed, looking around. "Eh~ Rongrong, where'd everyone go? Place looks deserted."
"…Don't mind them," she replied smoothly, tugging his arm. "I'll take you to Dad."
She didn't need to explain. Everyone knew once rumors spread that he was coming back, the so-called "little devil," disciples vanished like smoke.
Reunion at the Gates
Ning Fengzhi himself came down to greet them, eyes shining with both relief and pride as he clapped Lu Yuan on the shoulder.
"Just come back! You stinky brat, you disappear four years and return as a Soul Sect. Do you have to scare your Uncle Ning half to death?"
"Tons… tons… ha!" Lu Yuan laughed, swaying. "Old fellow, don't glare at me like before."
At once, Chen Xin's face stiffened coldly.
"Pfft—hahaha!" Gu Rong burst into laughter. "Xiao Yuan, you really spoke our thoughts aloud. Sword Douluo's frown could scare souls out of the air!"
"You're not much better," Chen Xin snapped.
"Who said I was?" Gu Rong shot back smugly.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, smiling bitter despite himself. "…Let's talk inside."
Supporting Lu Yuan himself, he guided them back toward the Inner Sect.
"This brat really hasn't changed one bit," Fengzhi muttered.
"Annoying as ever," Chen Xin grumbled—but his eyes betrayed the faintest relief.
The Surprise
Inside the main chamber, the trio of elders gathered.
"Dad! Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Bone!" Ning Rongrong's smile gleamed with mischief. "I've prepared a surprise for you three. Get ready to have your eyes pop out."
Chen Xin chuckled dryly. "Little Princess, your grandpa's lived long. There's little left in this world that could surprise us."
"That's just because you sit in here too long." Lu Yuan swayed down into a seat, pouring from his jar. "When I wandered, your dad was still running around in crotchless pants."
"…."
"…."
Ning Fengzhi could only pinch his forehead. The same uncouth brat as always. But hidden under the banter, he felt a warmth. This was familiarity.
"Then, watch carefully!" Rongrong spun gracefully in place, and in her hands materialized the gleaming Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Light flared, nine layers gleaming brilliantly within the chamber.
"...Nine floors."
The three men staggered back at once, eyes wide, jaws slack. For veteran Titled Douluo to look like village farmers—it was that shocking.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda had carried a centuries-old curse: a Martial Soul never able to exceed the limits into Title Douluo. Nobility and power, shackled by fate.
But now—Rongrong's pagoda ascended straight past that ceiling.
"Rongrong, this… how…?" Ning Fengzhi's voice trembled from excitement.
Her chin lifted proudly. "Credit goes to Lu Yuan Big Brother!"
The three elders blinked in unison. Lu Yuan? The little devil?
Even Gu Rong scratched at his beard nervously. Of course, they often checked in with Tiandou Academy these past years and had long known his monstrous reputation. But hearing that he caused this miracle stirred cold sweat down their backs.
When Ning Rongrong explained about the Qiluo Tulip, they listened in disbelief.
And when she revealed that with the Immortal Grass, her spirit power had broken through to Soul Lord candidacy, only one ring short—shock doubled.
"Impossible…" Gu Rong muttered. But both he and Chen Xin quickly checked her condition out of worry.
Not only stable—her body was stronger than normal auxiliary masters.
The impossible had turned reality.
"…This kid," Chen Xin muttered, glaring sideways at Lu Yuan—who was tipping back another jar without care. "Too reckless. But… damn effective."
A Duel Brewing
Chen Xin's lips curled, muscles twitching. "Then it's decided. Tomorrow, brat, you fight me. Let's see exactly how strong you've gotten!"
"Hah!" Lu Yuan slammed his jar down. "Finally, someone agrees to play with me. Tomorrow, I'll show you a fun fight!"
The others facepalmed, but the spark in both men's eyes was unmistakable. One sought vengeance, the other sought release. Either way, sparks would fly.
A Late-Night Talk
Later that night, Ning Fengzhi himself visited Lu Yuan's quarters, carrying a porcelain pot.
"Xiao Yuan, I asked the kitchens to prepare this porridge for you. Warm your stomach before tomorrow."
"Uncle Ning, porridge?" Lu Yuan waved dismissively. "Bring me two jars of good wine next time."
Fengzhi could only sigh. "…Then promise me, drink less. Uncle Jian will duel you tomorrow. Everyone in Sect will come to watch."
Lu Yuan blinked, then chuckled slyly. "Them? Please. They'll hide the moment they see me, like always."
Before Fengzhi could scold him further, he sank to sit at Lu Yuan's table. "Fine, fine. I'll at least share a drink tonight with you."
Lu Yuan's smile widened. "That's more like it! Uncle Ning, cheers!"
As cups clinked, Fengzhi leaned closer, tone cautious. "Xiao Yuan. Do you still have Immortal Grass like the one you gave Rongrong?" His eyes betrayed faint embarrassment—this Sect Master lowering himself to beg a child. But who could resist the Nine Treasure's lure?
Lu Yuan shook his head after a sip. "No. If I find more, I'll give it."
Relief mixed with disappointment in Fengzhi's eyes. "It's enough. Just that you thought of me is enough."
The Past Revealed
Three cups later, Lu Yuan's blurred eyes narrowed suddenly.
"Uncle Ning… tell me the truth. What happened the year my Martial Soul awakened? Why does no one talk about it? Why did everyone stare at me like a monster?"
Ning Fengzhi stiffened. He exhaled long, pouring another drink to buy moments. Then, in a voice softened by alcohol, he spoke.
"The day your Martial Soul awakened… the sword in your back erupted. The force was… beyond Sect's ability to contain. Uncle Jian stepped forward to shield you. He was injured as a result."
Lu Yuan's brows furrowed. "…So that's why."
"You left, not because you feared the others' eyes… but because of him."
Lu Yuan slammed his palm on the table suddenly, wine sloshing. "Bah! Who cares about that old fellow. Don't pin pity on me. I left because—well—because I wanted to drink in peace!"
Fengzhi chuckled warmly, even as weariness tugged his lines. "Still the same stubborn brat. Drink, then."
They drank deep into the night.
When Fengzhi finally staggered out, face pale from excess, he had only strength for one muttered thought before vomiting into the courtyard.
This kid… is too damn good at drinking.
Back inside, Lu Yuan raised his jar again, eyes unfocused.
"Chen Xin, you old bastard…" he muttered. His sword pulsed faintly behind him, black flames twitching.
Tomorrow would not be quiet.
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