"Ordinary Cloud Titanium certainly wouldn't work, but the Cloud Titanium used to forge my Silver Cloud Armor isn't ordinary Cloud Titanium—it's spirit-refined Cloud Titanium!"
Seeing her father's shock and confusion, Ning Rongrong proudly explained.
Before returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong had already asked Chu Chengzhou about the matter of spirit-refined armor. He told her it was fine to mention it to her father, so she didn't bother hiding anything.
This wasn't because Chu Chengzhou was indifferent to such matters; rather, he trusted that Ning Fengzhi, this old fox, would make the right decision.
Setting aside his private relationship with Ning Rongrong, just the fact that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now had a Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda soul master meant Ning Fengzhi owed him a favor.
Moreover, since there was no prior animosity between them, the likelihood of Ning Fengzhi choosing to befriend him was far greater than attempting to forcibly seize his forging secrets—and by a wide margin.
Of course, even if Ning Fengzhi did try to take the forging method by force, it wouldn't be a big deal—as long as he didn't go insane and try to kill him.
Forging was a vast field of study, no simpler than the path of soul masters. Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect obtained the forging secrets, they wouldn't see results anytime soon.
And if he gave them ten years to develop, today you take my secret method—then in the future, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect might as well bear the surname Chu.
"Spirit-refined?"
Upon hearing this unfamiliar term for the first time, Ning Fengzhi and the others were somewhat baffled.
"It's Senior Chu's family-secret forging technique!
In their classification of metal forging, there are several levels, ranging from low to high: Hundred-Refining, Thousand-Refining, and Spirit-Refining.
The highly skilled blacksmiths on the continent are only at the Hundred-Refining purification level.
But items forged from Spirit Forged metals can be absorbed into a soul master's body.
My Silver Cloud Armor has excellent defensive capabilities. Papa, why don't you consider buying some from Senior Chu to equip our clansmen?"
Ning Rongrong smiled.
"This armor is indeed convenient, but Rongrong, how strong is its defense?"
Ning Fengzhi asked curiously.
The ability to instantly wear Spirit-Refined armor was undoubtedly powerful, but if its defensive capabilities were lacking, it wouldn't be of much use.
"Hmhm, I won't say anything yet. Let Grandpa and Bone Grandpa test it out!"
Ning Rongrong chuckled and didn't elaborate further.
"That works. Girl, take off this armor."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. When buying weapons or armor, one naturally had to test its quality first.
"That won't do. My Silver Cloud Armor has been bonded to me. If someone else takes it, they can only wear it like ordinary armor. It won't be able to be absorbed into their body, nor can they infuse it with soul power to enhance its defensive capabilities."
Ning Rongrong shook her head.
"Oh? So magical?"
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel surprised. It seemed this Spirit-Refined metal had some profound aspects to it!
Clearly, Ning Fengzhi didn't realize that the value of Spirit-Refined metal far exceeded his imagination.
After all, if Spirit-Refined armor were paired with corresponding soul-guided arrays, it would become what was known in later generations as two-word Battle Armor.
A Soul Emperor wearing two-word Battle Armor could leap two major ranks in strength, rivaling a Soul Douluo!
Spirit-Refined Battle Armor could allow a Soul Emperor to challenge an Soul Douluo. Even without the support of soul-guided arrays, the material itself alone was far from simple.
"Girl, let me test the quality of your armor!"
At this moment, Chen Xin, who had been examining the Silver Cloud Armor, spoke up.
"Alright then, Sword Grandpa, you test it!"
Nodding, Ning Rongrong circulated her soul power and infused it into her Silver Cloud Armor.
Then, Chen Xin stepped forward. Without releasing his spirit weapon, he gathered soul power at his fingertips, forming sword qi, and directed it toward the armor on Ning Rongrong's arm.
Of course, Chen Xin didn't dare to use his full strength, and the speed of his attack was slow to avoid injuring his precious granddaughter if the armor failed to withstand the blow.
"Eh?"
Soon, Chen Xin let out a soft exclamation.
At first, he had controlled the sword qi's power to match that of a typical three-ring thousand-year offensive soul skill. To his surprise, the Silver Cloud Armor remained unbreakable, so he increased the power to that of a fourth-ring Soul Elder's strongest offensive soul skill.
But to his utter astonishment, even sword qi equivalent to a Soul Ancestor's strongest offensive soul skill couldn't penetrate the armor.
Immediately, Chen Xin raised the power of the sword qi another level, reaching the strength of a typical Soul King's ten-thousand-year offensive soul skill.
However, to Chen Xin's amazement, even though the sword qi from his fingertip reached such intensity, it still couldn't pierce through the seemingly thin Silver Cloud Armor worn by his granddaughter.
"Goodness, it can still hold up against this?!"
Gu Rong exclaimed in shock.
As a Titled Douluo, he undoubtedly perceived the current intensity of the sword qi emanating from Chen Xin's fingertips.
"Stop! Sword Grandpa, don't exert yourself anymore—you'll damage my Silver Cloud Armor."
There was a special connection between blood-bonded metals and their owner. Sensing that the Silver Cloud Armor was nearing its defensive limit, Ning Rongrong quickly called for Chen Xin to stop.
"Fengzhi, this armor is extraordinary! I can guarantee you that very few soul masters below Level 60 can penetrate this armor!"
Withdrawing the sword qi from his fingertips, Chen Xin turned to Ning Fengzhi with an expression of awe.
For a Titled Douluo like him, a mere Soul King was nothing impressive.
But among the hundreds of thousands of soul masters on the continent, the vast majority had soul power levels below 40. Those who reached Level 60 or higher were already considered experts.
Take, for example, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—one of the top three sects on the continent, with thousands of disciples. The sect had two nine-ring Titled Douluos, more than a dozen eight-ring Soul Douluos, over eighty seven-ring Soul Sages, and two to three hundred six-ring Soul Emperors.
In other words, after wearing this armor, the number of people in the entire sect capable of harming this little princess would amount to only about three hundred?
And if non-combat auxiliary soul masters were excluded, that number would be even smaller.
Of course, Chen Xin also understood that wearing this armor didn't mean one could ignore most five-ring Soul Kings.
Though the armor's defense was strong, there were bound to be areas it couldn't fully protect.
Moreover, when facing poison-type or control-type soul masters, the practicality of the armor would undoubtedly be greatly diminished.
Still, flaws didn't overshadow virtues. Even with obvious shortcomings, it couldn't change the fact that this Silver Cloud Armor was an extraordinary piece of equipment.
Furthermore, who said only auxiliaries could wear armor?
Just because you're an auxiliary doesn't mean I, a powerhouse, can't wear it?
A Soul King wearing this kind of armor would have both offense and defense—perhaps even rivaling a Soul Emperor!
Hearing Chen Xin's evaluation, Ning Fengzhi's interest in Spirit-Refined armor grew significantly. Turning to Ning Rongrong, he asked, "Girl, how long does it take for your Senior Chu to forge a set of armor?"
"If it's just one set, it shouldn't take more than an hour. I'm not sure about armor made from other metals, but for mine, it definitely takes less than an hour."
After thinking for a moment, Ning Rongrong replied.
"Less than an hour?"
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow. It seemed the production rate of this armor was quite decent.
"What about the price? Did your Senior Chu mention how much he'd sell a set of armor for?"
Ning Fengzhi pressed further.
Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong hesitated for a moment, then extended her right hand and spread her fingers.
"Five thousand gold spirit coins?"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled. So it seems young people these days still have modest expectations—five thousand gold spirit coins per set, no big deal!
But the next second, Ning Rongrong shook her head. "Papa, it's not five thousand~"
"Huh? Fifty thousand gold spirit coins?"
Ning Fengzhi exclaimed in surprise.
Goodness~! This youngster is bold! Charging me fifty thousand gold spirit coins for a set of armor?
But this sect leader isn't short on money. Fifty thousand it is! Considering the armor's excellent performance, I'll take it!
"You wish! When I asked Senior Chu, he said five million gold spirit coins per set—not a single copper coin less!"
Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes.
"Five million gold spirit coins?"
Instantly, Ning Fengzhi and the others widened their eyes in unison.
Good grief! Underestimated this youngster. This isn't just fleecing a wealthy customer—it's outright robbery! No, even robbery isn't this fast!
An hourly labor fee of less than an hour's work, demanding five million gold spirit coins—a Titled Douluo's service fee isn't even this expensive!
"By the way, Papa, I have a gift for you."
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong remembered the gift Chu Chengzhou had entrusted her to bring back. She quickly retrieved the jade box containing the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia and handed it to Ning Fengzhi.
"Oh? You're giving me a gift, girl?
Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, it seems our Rongrong has grown up—she knows to bring gifts for her father!"
Seeing his beloved daughter bringing him a gift, Ning Fengzhi felt deeply gratified.
He didn't care what the gift was—as long as it was from his precious daughter, that was enough!
"Yes, our little princess has grown up! But Rongrong, did you only bring a gift for your father and not for Grandpa Bone?"
Gu Rong teased with a smile.
"Rongrong, tell us—did you bring something for your Sword Grandpa too?"
Chen Xin also looked at his precious granddaughter curiously.
"Uh…"
Seeing the two elders acting like children, asking her for gifts, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but feel a bit flustered.
Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, I'm still a child! Shouldn't you be giving me presents? How can you ask me for gifts?
Looking at her grandfathers' expectant gazes, Ning Rongrong quickly put her clever mind to work.
After all, she couldn't just bluntly say, "I didn't bring you anything," could she?
Her thoughts raced, and within less than a second, Ning Rongrong brightened, coming up with an idea. "How could I possibly forget to bring gifts for two grandpas who love me so much?"
"Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, there's a snack shop in Tian Dou City with particularly delicious snacks. I specially brought these for you!"
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong took out two bags from her storage soul-guided device and handed them to Chen Xin and Gu Rong.
"Snacks?"
Receiving the snack bags, Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged glances.
"Eh? Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, don't you like the gifts Rongrong brought you?"
Blinking innocently, Ning Rongrong slyly asked.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
Thankfully, before leaving Lan Ba Academy, she had noticed a snack shop on the street that smelled amazing and bought a bunch of snacks. Otherwise, her storage soul-guided device really wouldn't have had anything suitable as a gift.
"Of course we like them! Sword Grandpa loves them immensely!"
Embarrassment flashed briefly across Chen Xin's face as he hastily spoke.
"Exactly! As long as it's from Rongrong, Bone Grandpa will love it!"
Gu Rong immediately chimed in.
Any gift from his precious granddaughter, no matter what it was, he would cherish.
And even if he didn't like it, he couldn't say so! Otherwise, how could he expect his precious granddaughter to remember him next time?
"Rongrong, what's the story behind this purple lingzhi?"
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi pointed to the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia inside the jade box.
"I don't know either. Just eat everything except the stem, Papa!"
Chu Chengzhou hadn't explained to Ning Rongrong that the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia could help break through spirit weapon limitations. To avoid raising false hopes only to disappoint, he simply instructed Ning Rongrong to have her future father-in-law eat it.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi looked at his beloved daughter suspiciously.
You're giving me this thing, but you don't even know what it is?
"Cough, uh, this Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia was given to me by Senior Chu."
Noticing the doubt in her father's eyes, Ning Rongrong awkwardly added.
"Hmm? Why would your Senior Chu give me this?"
Narrowing his eyes, Ning Fengzhi asked in a grave tone, sensing something amiss.
"Uh well… uh, I helped Senior Chu with some things, so it's only natural for him to give you something!"
Ning Rongrong fibbed.
Does a son-in-law giving gifts to his future father-in-law need a reason?
"Is that so?"
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow, still somewhat skeptical.
Of course, one thing was certain: this purple fungus was a good thing. At the very least, eating it wouldn't harm him. However, the intent behind it—that was where things got interesting.
After careful consideration, Ning Fengzhi stopped hesitating and directly consumed it.
If this young man, Chu Chengzhou, proved to be exceptional enough, he might as well give him a chance!
Daughters always had to get married someday. And to ensure their heritage spirit weapon wasn't leaked, he would naturally prefer a son-in-law who moved in.
As for background? That wasn't important. In fact, he preferred someone without a background—less risk of outsiders eyeing the Ning family's vast fortune.
And what about this young man having a girlfriend? He'd just have to break up with her later.
---
Under the setting sun, a noble crimson figure flew in from the northwest sky outside Nuoding City.
Tian Dou City was far from Nuoding City, over 2,500 miles away.
However, this distance wasn't much for the ten-thousand-year summoned Fire Phoenix Xiaohong.
Summoned beings weren't living creatures of flesh and blood. As long as Chu Chengzhou's soul power could keep up, there was no concept of fatigue for the summoned being.
Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu departed from Tian Dou City in the morning, rested for an hour at noon to eat and recover soul power, and arrived at Nuoding City before nightfall.
They didn't have Xiaohong fly directly into the city. Instead, they landed in a small forest outside Nuoding City and walked in.
They didn't return home. Since Nuoding Academy hadn't started its holiday yet, they headed straight there.
At Nuoding Academy, it was just dinner time, and the playground was filled with students rushing to the cafeteria.
Suddenly, Chu Chengzhou spotted a middle-aged man with a buzz cut and a weary appearance heading toward the cafeteria.
"Brother, isn't that Master Yu Xiaogang—the good brother of Principal Flender and Teacher Liu Erlong?"
Xiao Wu also noticed Yu Xiaogang and whispered to Chu Chengzhou.
When Flender had brought the Shrek group to Lan Ba Academy, she had heard Flender mention Yu Xiaogang, knowing he was part of the former 'Golden Iron Triangle.'
"Mm, that's him!"
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
Yu Xiaogang was far from as lively as he was in the original story. Without Tang San as his 'good disciple,' Yu Xiaogang was still just a useless freeloader at Nuoding Academy.
But Chu Chengzhou and Yu Xiaogang weren't close. He had no obligation to help Yu Xiaogang.
As for the original story's spiritual wife, Liu Erlong—the Imperial Tutor of the Tian Dou Empire and teacher of the Sea God—there was no way she'd end up with Yu Xiaogang now.
Speaking of which, Flender, that simp, was useless. Any normal person, upon seeing Yu Xiaogang abandon his sister Liu Erlong due to societal pressures, should've comforted her and taken her for himself!
But Flender just left, no wonder he stayed single his whole life!
Though Liu Erlong was a bit older and looked like a mature beauty—not as youthful as Bibi Dong—she still wasn't a bad match. If not for her age, Chu Chengzhou might've pursued her himself.
"I heard Principal Flender and Teacher Liu miss Yu Xiaogang. Should we tell them?"
Looking at Yu Xiaogang in the distance, Xiao Wu hesitantly asked.
"Don't you dare!"
Chu Chengzhou quickly dissuaded her.
"Why not?"
Blinking, Xiao Wu was confused.
"Silly! What relation do we have with Yu Xiaogang?"
"Seems like none."
Xiao Wu shook her head.
"Not 'seems'—absolutely none!
Didn't you see Principal Flender relentlessly pursuing Teacher Liu? If you tell them, Principal Flender won't be able to freeload anymore!
Besides, what's so great about Yu Xiaogang? Other than his looks, in what way is Principal Flender inferior to him?"
Rolling his eyes, Chu Chengzhou explained.
"You're right!"
Xiao Wu suddenly realized and nodded.
At this moment, the sharp-eyed Chu Chengzhou spotted a middle-aged couple walking out of the teaching building—it was none other than Su Nan and Li Wan.
"Grandpa, Grandma!"
Chu Chengzhou quickly pulled Xiao Wu and ran up to them.
"Eh? Little Chengzhou and Xiao Wu are back?"
Seeing their figures, Su Nan and Li Wan were surprised, followed by uncontrollable joy.
"Xiao Wu, let Grandma take a look at you. Mm, you've grown taller! Has your brother been bullying you?"
After inspecting Xiao Wu, Li Wan patted her head and smiled.
"Grandma, you're wrong about that! How could I ever bully Xiao Wu?"
Chu Chengzhou sighed, feeling his status in the family drop yet again.
"Grandma, don't worry! Brother treats me really well!"
Hugging her grandmother's arm, Xiao Wu cooed affectionately.
"Aren't you two studying at Shrek Academy? It's not holiday time yet—why are you back?"
Su Nan asked.
"Grandpa, Shrek Academy has closed down. We're now students at Lan Ba Academy in Tian Dou City. Xiao Wu and I thought it had been over a year since we left home, so we took leave to come visit you."
"What? A high-level soul master academy closing down?!"
Hearing that Shrek Academy had shut down, Su Nan was incredulous.
Upon hearing this, Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu exchanged a smile.
Legitimate high-level soul master academies rarely closed down—even once a century might not see one. But the problem was, Shrek Academy wasn't exactly a legitimate high-level soul master academy, was it?
"You two came back in such a hurry. Grandma didn't have time to prepare anything. Let's go to the academy cafeteria for dinner, and you can tell me all about your past year."
"Mm-hmm!"
After dinner at the academy, the four returned home.
"Grandpa, Grandma, we brought something special for you this time!"
In the courtyard, Chu Chengzhou took out the pots containing the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid from his treasure sack.
"These two plants are good stuff?"
Examining the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid in the pots, Su Nan asked, puzzled.
"Yes, they're called the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. I'll tell you how to consume them—"
Chu Chengzhou didn't elaborate on the effects of the immortal-grade herbs.
Elders of the older generation tended to ask too many questions and had the 'bad habit' of wanting to save good things for their descendants. It was better to let them consume the herbs while they were still confused, avoiding unnecessary delays.
Unaware of the value of immortal-grade herbs, the grandparents didn't hesitate. Since it was brought back by their grandson, they followed the instructions and consumed the herbs.
Once the elders began circulating their soul power to refine the medicinal properties, Chu Chengzhou retrieved the remaining roots and stems of the herbs along with the pots and stored them back in his treasure sack.
Including the previously consumed herbs, Chu Chengzhou collected all the roots and stems he could, planning to replant them in the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well when he had time in the future.
Immortal-grade herbs were invaluable. Though Chu Chengzhou wasn't sure if they could regrow from leftover roots and stems, at least it would leave something to remember them by.
Of course, the growth cycle of immortal herbs was extremely long. By the time the next batch matured, he'd either be ashes or ascended to godhood—there was no way he'd personally benefit from them.
But he'd surely have descendants in the future, and this would leave a stroke of fortune for his future generations.
"Brother, after Grandpa and Grandma consume the immortal herb, will they become geniuses too?"
Watching the two elders refining the medicinal properties of the herbs, Xiao Wu turned to Chu Chengzhou and asked.
"The younger you are when consuming immortal-grade herbs, the better the absorption effect. While they won't become peerless geniuses, they'll definitely qualify as ordinary geniuses."
Clicking his tongue, Chu Chengzhou replied.
If they had received the herbs in their youth, even if their talent was as poor as his or Yu Xiaogang's back in the day, they likely would've achieved the rank of Titled Douluo in the future.
But Chu Chengzhou knew that his grandparents were nearly sixty years old—this lifetime's potential was pretty much maxed out. Even with the help of immortal-grade herbs, it would be difficult for them to reach the Titled Douluo stage through their own efforts.
After all, their current soul power levels were only around three or four rings, far from the nine-ring requirement.
And for soul masters below Level 90, their lifespans weren't much longer than ordinary people's. Even if their cultivation talent was sufficient, they likely wouldn't have enough time to become Titled Douluos.
But personal effort wasn't the only factor, was it? After all, there was still their doting grandson, wasn't there?
As the saying goes, 'When one achieves enlightenment, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.' How much more so for the grandparents who had loved and cared for him since childhood?
Once he ascended to godhood, he could arrange a divine trial—with a little backdoor included. He couldn't guarantee much, but achieving the Titled Douluo rank for them would be a sure thing.
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