The next day, in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Flender came to pay a visit.
In the reception hall, after a round of polite greetings, Flender stated his purpose.
"Sect Master Ning, the academy is planning to rebuild a new training ground for the team, to be used after the holiday for special training. Time is pressing, and I was hoping to borrow some skilled craftsmen from your sect."
'Not even offering pay, just looking to freeload?' Bone Douluo immediately felt displeased.
The New Year holiday had already been underway for several days. Why hadn't this been raised earlier, but only now? Ning Fengzhi sensed something unusual and put on a helpless expression.
"Apologies, Dean Flender. It's not unwillingness, but this truly isn't something I can arrange. During the New Year, it's always been our sect's rule and tradition that disciples return home to be with their families. Even as sect master, I cannot break such a rule to forcibly summon them back and cause discontent. Otherwise, my nephew Tang has just been on break, and I would have already had the craftsmen rush new components for hidden weapons to be sent over for him to assemble."
Hearing this, Flender felt helpless. The timing was indeed awkward.
By custom, every family on the continent was either eating reunion feasts or visiting relatives. To summon people back during such a time for something as mundane as building training equipment would not only cause dissatisfaction, but also harm the stability of the sect.
"Dean Flender, if you're in urgent need, why not seek craftsmen from the city nearby? Unlike sect disciples, they aren't bound by unified rules. As long as the price is right, those free craftsmen will always take the job."
Ning Fengzhi suggested calmly.
"Or, you might try the Strength Clan. Their entire clan is filled with skilled craftsmen. And Chief Titan is highly respected in blacksmith circles. Even if his clan is too busy, he could still introduce you to others."
"That would certainly be better than blindly searching at random."
Flender's eyes lit up. Right!
Titan called Tang San "Young Master," and their clan industry was precisely forging. If anyone could build those training devices, they would be the safest and most efficient choice.
Thinking this through, Flender cupped his hands. "Many thanks for Sect Master Ning's guidance. In that case, I won't impose further."
Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly and rose from his seat. "Dean Flender, I'll see you off."
"No need to trouble Sect Master Ning." Flender waved quickly.
"Then I wish you a smooth journey." Ning Fengzhi gave a courteous bow and watched him leave.
After Flender left, Bone Douluo approached.
"Fengzhi, I feel something about this isn't right. Why would Flender show up at this exact time?"
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment, then said, "Leave it be for now. Once Rongrong returns to the academy, everything will be clear."
"True." Bone Douluo nodded.
"Uncle Bone, have Dugu Bo and his group left the academy at all recently?" Ning Fengzhi suddenly asked.
"No," Bone Douluo replied. "Why do you ask?"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered. He sighed softly. "I hope it isn't what I suspect."
"?" Bone Douluo froze, then his face changed. "Fengzhi, you mean Tang Hao may have gone to Heaven Dou Royal Academy again? And Dugu Bo discovered him, choosing to go along with it? Is Dugu Bo planning to…!?"
Tang Hao must have carried something away from Heaven Dou Royal Academy—something tied to its recent state of lockdown. Now, that thing had clearly been delivered to Shrek Academy.
Flender's visit today was preparation to use it.
And Dugu Bo had merely allowed it to happen, passing the blame along. Even if it couldn't be pinned on the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would surely be forced to shoulder it.
'That old schemer Dugu Bo!'
And if Dugu Bo had truly noticed, then his strength—at least his sensing ability—was extraordinary.
"Uncle Bone, send someone to check whether His Majesty's hidden guards are still watching near Shrek Academy." Ning Fengzhi instructed.
"Fengzhi, if this is confirmed, Emperor Xue Ye may also resent us." Bone Douluo frowned.
The shared reputation of the Upper Three Sects sometimes caused more harm than good. He thought of Chrysanthemum Douluo's last manipulation.
"No matter. As far as we are concerned, we know nothing of this." Ning Fengzhi said calmly.
Bone Douluo's eyes narrowed, then he nodded. "Fengzhi, good thing you responded quickly and didn't agree to lend Flender those men. Otherwise, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be dragged into this."
Then his voice grew cold. "But I am curious—where does Flender get such courage?"
"More accurately, it comes from Xiaogang." Ning Fengzhi's tone was steady. "Tang Hao would only hand things to him."
Bone Douluo curled his lip. "That one truly has an unbelievable confidence. To think of his so-called 'Ten Core Competencies' theory—only Xiaogang would dare make such claims."
"I'll go make arrangements now." With that, Bone Douluo strode out.
That night, craftsmen from the Strength Clan secretly entered Shrek Academy.
Time passed quickly. A few days later, at Heaven Dou Royal Academy—
The half-month holiday ended, and the Heaven Dou team members reunited to begin their new round of training.
Meanwhile, in the Heaven Dou palace—
"Is this information accurate?" Xue Ye sat on the throne, frowning.
"Your Majesty, it is beyond doubt," the black-robed elder before him bowed. "These days, I have watched Shrek Academy closely. I saw members of the Strength Clan coming and going. The food they purchased also increased, enough to feed dozens more."
Xue Ye nodded slightly. "You may leave."
"Yes!" The elder bowed again and withdrew.
"Outrageous!" Xue Ye's face darkened. "Shrek Academy truly dares such audacity!"
"Father, calm yourself," Xue Qinghe interjected. "I believe this may not involve Teacher. According to reports, Flender visited Teacher. He must have gone to borrow craftsmen. I know the sect's rules—at that time, all Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect craftsmen would have been on holiday."
"So I think Flender, desperate for workers, turned to Teacher for help, and Teacher referred him to the Strength Clan. What surprises me is how readily the Strength Clan agreed."
Xue Ye looked up sharply. "Flender went three days after the incident, correct?"
"Yes."
"How convenient." Xue Ye's eyes glinted coldly.
"Dugu Bo and Yang Yunhai were staying in the valley at the time. That intruder likely bypassed them." Xue Qinghe followed up.
"You suspect Flender?" Xue Ye asked.
Flender was a flying-type Soul Saint—he could have the ability.
"Father, based on what we know of his character, I don't believe he has such boldness." Xue Qinghe said firmly.
Xue Ye nodded slowly. "Since he didn't borrow craftsmen from your teacher, then your teacher's sect cannot be at fault either. Which leaves only one likely suspect."
"So, Father—right now, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan bears the greatest suspicion. They already resent Dugu Bo and Yang Yunhai. This incursion may not have been for the training grounds at all. Perhaps Yang Yunhai or Dugu Yan were the true targets, but seeing Dugu Bo present, they abandoned the attempt."
"Yet why deliver what they saw to Shrek Academy? That part confuses me."
"Perhaps Yu Tianheng leaked it again," Xue Ye growled. He had not forgotten Tianheng's repeated betrayals.
"Father, whether it was or not, we should not act rashly for now," Xue Qinghe advised.
Xue Ye breathed deeply, forcing his anger down. "Withdraw the dark guards."
That same evening, in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—
"Fengzhi, Xue Ye has withdrawn his men," Bone Douluo reported. "It seems he has confirmed Shrek Academy is behind this."
"Heh, I look forward to Tang San revealing the Clear Sky Hammer in the Soul Master Tournament," Sword Douluo said with a smile.
"The look on Xue Ye's face will be priceless," Bone Douluo sneered. "The Strength Clan was far too quick to agree. And with Tang San being heir to the Clear Sky Sect, once Fengzhi drops a hint, Xue Ye will connect the dots himself about who entered the academy."
"That also means the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan clears their name."
"Let them. It has nothing to do with us anyway," Sword Douluo shrugged. "We don't know why Shrek Academy wanted craftsmen, nor do we know what Heaven Dou Royal Academy was hiding. The Strength Clan are blacksmiths by trade—Fengzhi's recommendation was perfectly reasonable."
"..."
(End of Chapter)
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