When Ning Rongrong spoke up, Ning Fengzhi immediately felt a headache coming on. Across from him, Gu Rong and Chen Xin exchanged glances, both covering their mouths as they chuckled quietly.
Of course, Ning Fengzhi understood his daughter's thoughts. This was nothing but a little provocation. But Rongrong was now at the critical age where her cultivation speed was at its peak. How could she waste precious time just to research the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda's original soul skill?
With a wry smile, he said, "Alright, Rongrong, stop teasing me. I'll do everything I can. But you need to focus on cultivating your soul power first. Learn the secret method of distraction control as soon as possible to fully grasp the Three Aperture Governing Heart technique. Otherwise, you'll fall behind Xiao Tian. Is that what you want?"
Chen Xin added with a gentle laugh, "Yes, Rongrong. I can tell—don't try to deny it—you have feelings for Xiao Tian, right? Honestly, the three of us would love to see you and him together. But… it's a pity, Xiao Tian already has Xiao Wu. That makes things complicated. Still, no matter what, we support you. If it doesn't work out as lovers, staying good friends is perfectly fine."
Gu Rong's expression immediately turned dark. "What do you mean 'the three of us'? Don't lump me in! I didn't agree to this nonsense. Rongrong is our sect's little princess—how could she possibly be like other women, sharing her husband with someone else?"
"Ah? Father! Grandpa Jian! Grandpa Gu! What are you even talking about all of a sudden?!"
Ning Rongrong's pretty face flushed red in an instant. Her cheeks turned crimson to the point that steam seemed ready to rise from her head.
"Hmph! I'm ignoring you all!"
She said this with a mix of anger and embarrassment, then turned on her heel and bolted for her room, looking as though she escaped a battlefield.
"Oh, this child…" Ning Fengzhi could only smile helplessly, shaking his head.
Chen Xin chuckled. "Still, it's good the topic came up today. I was worried that Rongrong might back down for the sake of her pride. If you truly like someone, you should pursue them bravely. At worst, just marry him straightaway. Xiao Tian is talented, powerful, and capable. His future is destined to be extraordinary!"
Gu Rong muttered with frustration, "Hmph, you two always make me play the bad guy… Fine, I'm not really against it. I just don't like the thought of it. Rongrong has grown up under the three of us watching over her since birth. Of course I care deeply…"
That entire scene earlier was not accidental. Ning Fengzhi had discreetly conveyed a message to the other two beforehand.
With narrowed eyes, Ning Fengzhi said thoughtfully, "Uncle Gu, I'll repeat myself—it doesn't matter if it succeeds or not, I won't interfere with Rongrong's decision. But you saw what just happened. The shock she gave us today proves one thing—although the continent seems peaceful now, hidden dangers still exist. Our sect, as an auxiliary sect, will always be at risk when storm clouds gather. If a war breaks out in the future, relying on just you and Uncle Jian to hold up the defenses won't be enough."
"And besides, didn't you notice Rongrong's reaction? Her anger just now was the embarrassment of a girl whose heart had been exposed. I was simply nudging her along."
What he did not say aloud was perhaps more important. With Xiao Tian's talent and growth rate, once he revealed his strength in the upcoming Soul Master Tournament, Spirit Hall's eyes would inevitably fall upon him. Pope Bibi Dong would definitely attempt to recruit such a prodigy.
But the problem was—what was Xiao Tian's stance? He came from a commoner's background. Compared to the two great empires and sects, Spirit Hall had far greater resources and faster means of promotion. Wasn't it the most advantageous choice for him to side with them?
Meanwhile, in her room, Ning Rongrong buried her face into her soft quilt, cheeks blazing red until she nearly suffocated. Only when she couldn't breathe did she weakly poke her head out.
"Huuuh~~"
She sighed heavily, her heart a knot. Father, Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Gu—what are you all thinking? How could you… pair me with Xiao Tian of all people…
But as soon as Xiao Wu's figure appeared in her thoughts, an empty, sour ache welled up in her chest. He already has Xiao Wu… What chance do I even have?
At Tiandou Royal Academy, under the evening sky…
Xiao Tian and Xiao Wu stood together by the railing, enjoying the cool breeze brushing against their faces. For a moment, it was quiet and peaceful—until suddenly, a familiar, mechanical voice echoed in Xiao Tian's mind.
[Ding! Oho, Host! Your wicked Cao Cao-like ambitions have tugged right at my heart. Congratulations—by completely breaking up Xiao Wu from the Shura Scabbard God King Tang and making her your lover, you have triggered a critical-hit bonus reward: Dionysus Curse!]
[The Dionysus Curse, created by the Shushan Immortal Sword Sect's drunken genius, the "Drunken Sword Immortal" Situ Zhong, is a fearsome killer move! By igniting one's meridians with alcohol, it unleashes a burst several times one's strength, inflicting catastrophic damage upon enemies. However—mortals below the God tier can only use it nine times in their lifetime! Upon the ninth use, meridians rupture, tendons shatter, death inevitable!]
Xiao Tian nearly froze in place. Dionysus Curse?!
This reward was far beyond what he expected. He thought the system might give some ordinary upgrade—not the Drunken Sword Immortal's ultimate move!
In his vague memories, the Dionysus Curse consumed astonishing amounts of inner energy. The more energy poured in, the more explosive the backlash—but also the greater its destructive force. To properly activate it, one had to drink alcohol to stimulate blood and meridian flow.
It was a technique of paradoxes—conceived by using internal force to drive external styles. The result was an attack devastating enough to annihilate opponents, but one that tore the body apart at the same time. A double-edged sword, feared as much as it was revered.
On the Douluo Continent, inner force naturally equated to soul power. Which meant… this was now his most terrifying trump card besides the Jie-character secret technique.
After all, the Jie character's miracle required luck to trigger. With Dionysus Curse, however, he could guarantee results. With his current strength, it wouldn't be impossible to slay even a Soul Douluo as just a Soul King using this technique.
The level of destruction was comparable in concept to the Haotian Sect's Exploding Ring technique. But compared side by side? The Dionysus Curse eclipsed it entirely.
If his memory was right, the attack multiplied one's strength ninefold compared to the soul power consumed!
In other words… if he cast a soul skill right after activating Dionysus Curse, it would be nine times stronger than normal. Nine times!
Terrifying was an understatement.
Of course, the system's warning was clear: this isn't a free gift. The cost was severe damage to the body. Unless one reached godhood, nine uses—that was the maximum. Past that, one would certainly die.
But Xiao Tian's lips curved slightly. Then again… there's me. I already comprehend the first layer of the Zhe-character secret. That sacred recovery method should allow me to gradually heal the damage after each use.
If so, then this was no curse at all—it was a blade that only he could wield.
Xiao Wu seemed oblivious to his internal excitement. Resting her head softly against his chest, she suddenly asked, "Brother… after the Soul Master Tournament ends, what are your plans?"
She asked gently, her eyes filled with curiosity. With their team's strength, she was confident about taking the championship. The question was—what came next?
Xiao Tian thought quietly, then replied, "Maybe… I'll establish my own sect. I want to spread my sword-controlling techniques across the continent. Douluo has followed the same paths for thousands of years. If new professions emerge, maybe it can reduce the relentless hunting of soul beasts by soul masters."
His words stunned Xiao Wu.
She had expected him to perhaps mention joining Spirit Hall. After all, wasn't that the natural path for a prodigy? But instead—he wanted to build something for himself. A sect dedicated to sword cultivation.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized it truly fit him. Spirit Hall might offer resources and prestige, but with their sheer number of experts, how could Xiao Tian establish his own system there? Only outside their shadow would his ideas flourish.
"Brother…" she bit her lip before speaking again, "You mean… sword cultivation? Abandoning the traditional path of martial soul plus rings, instead focusing on cultivating with the sword itself? Don't you realize how difficult that is? Soul masters have dominated the continent for countless years. Creating an entirely new profession… can it even be done?"
Her tone carried worry, but also awe. Sword cultivation, breaking away from norms—wasn't this something truly against the heavens?
Xiao Tian's eyes, however, remained firm, reflecting the gleam of an unshakable conviction.
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