"Teacher." Qian Renxue stood up from the sofa and bowed slightly to Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Qinghe, as the Crown Prince, you should have the dignity of a Crown Prince. That remains true even when facing me."
Although Ning Fengzhi said this, the slight upturn of his lips showed that he clearly enjoyed Xue Qinghe's respect.
Ning Fengzhi was extremely satisfied with this disciple of his.
It wasn't because of his status as Crown Prince, but because of the refined, scholarly aura about him, which was exactly identical to his own when he was young.
"Etiquette cannot be forsaken," Qian Renxue said indifferently. "Teacher, is there a reason for your visit?"
After speaking, Qian Renxue glanced at Lu Feng without leaving a trace.
Lu Feng's thoughts stirred. The two's gazes met instantly, and a cunning light flashed in both their eyes.
At this, Ning Fengzhi walked up to Lu Feng and chuckled lightly. "This brother, I am Ning Fengzhi. It is truly rude of me to come uninvited."
His smile easily made people feel a sense of affinity, without a trace of threat.
Looking at Ning Fengzhi, Lu Feng was not fooled by his appearance.
On the contrary, Lu Feng's first impression of him was: A formidable figure.
Although Ning Fengzhi looked handsome and refined, his words carried a sense of grandeur. This was clearly not something an ordinary person could possess.
Lu Feng put on a smile and cupped his fists. "So it is Clan Master Ning from the number one auxiliary clan in the world. I have long admired your name. I am Lu Feng, just a nobody."
"Hahaha, do not speak of youth and humble origins; wait and see when the storm of opportunity rises," Ning Fengzhi recited.
He took the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow he had just bought from his Soul Tool and placed it on the table.
"In my opinion, Brother Lu Feng is no nobody. Based on this Zhuge Repeating Crossbow alone, one day, Brother Lu Feng's great name will surely resound throughout the Douluo Continent."
Hearing this, a faint smile touched Lu Feng's lips. As expected of a Clan Master, his words are certainly pleasant to hear.
However, Lu Feng instantly realized. The auction house claimed to protect guest privacy, but he hadn't even left before Ning Fengzhi tracked him down. Qian Renxue wasn't lying when she said the auction house's backing was complex.
Ning Fengzhi sat on the sofa, smiled slightly, and said, "Brother Lu Feng, I heard from the auction house that this weapon is yours. Please forgive my forwardness, but may I ask if you came across this weapon by chance, or did you craft it yourself?"
A smile appeared on Lu Feng's face. The fish... pah, the number one spender... is hooked.
"When I was training in the Star Dou Great Forest, I once stumbled into an ancient sect's secret realm." Lu Feng didn't answer Ning Fengzhi's question directly, but instead kept him in suspense.
"An ancient sect's secret realm?" Two doubtful voices sounded at the same time.
The Douluo Continent has existed for tens of thousands of years. Time has sifted the sands, and new generations replace the old. Many things from ancient times have been lost, such as the manufacturing methods for Soul Tools.
The existing Soul Tools are basically those passed down through the great families, or those discovered by adventurers in secret realms or tombs.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Oh? Could Brother Lu Feng tell me about it?"
After witnessing the power of this crossbow, his first thought was mass production.
The direct disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan have no combat power and can only rely on other Soul Masters for protection. Although the power of this crossbow is only at the Soul Elder level, it at least gives them some ability to protect themselves.
Lu Feng coughed lightly and said seriously, "In ancient times, there was a mysterious sect called the Tang Sect. For Tang Sect disciples, soul power cultivation was only supplementary. What they majored in was Soul Tools."
Ning Fengzhi looked thoughtful. He took a pistol-shaped object from his robes. Lu Feng looked closely; it was the first auction item he had seen after arriving.
"According to the clan's ancient records, a long time ago, Soul Tool manufacturing on the continent was very advanced. It's just unknown why it suddenly declined," Ning Fengzhi said in a low voice.
Lu Feng nodded and smiled faintly. "I obtained several Soul Tool manufacturing methods from that Tang Sect secret realm. This crossbow is one of the simplest among them."
At the same time, he silently thought in his heart, Tang San, the waters of the great clans are too deep. You can't handle it. Let this elder brother help you bear the burden of those wretched Gold Soul Coins.
"So that's how it is," Ning Fengzhi said in sudden realization.
After obtaining the crossbow, Ning Fengzhi had also studied it briefly. With his keen eye, he could naturally tell that this weapon's production time was absolutely within the last three years.
Ning Fengzhi had sought out the seller of this crossbow just to try his luck. He hadn't expected the other party to actually be the weapon's creator.
And, from what Lu Feng said, he had even more powerful weapons!
A thoughtful light gleamed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. "Lu Feng, I wonder if this item of yours can be mass-produced? If so, I would like to purchase it directly from you."
Lu Feng smiled. "Of course it can. The process for the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow isn't complicated. It's just 36 steps, 24 points of caution, 12 temperature control points for forging, and 6 special material processing methods."
As he spoke, he took a blueprint from his Soul Tool.
"This is the manufacturing blueprint. If Clan Master Ning needs it, please take it," Lu Feng said with a faint smile.
As his voice fell, Qian Renxue couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Hmph, you money-grubber! You say it's simple, but you've practically written 'add more money' on your face, Qian Renxue complained inwardly.
"Hahaha." Ning Fengzhi burst out laughing.
"Brother Lu Feng is truly interesting. Although I, Ning, do not understand the technology, I respect every technician."
"How about this: I would like to hire Brother Lu Feng as the chief consultant for the crossbow's manufacturing. Name your price. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Lu Feng couldn't help but grin.
He nodded and said seriously, "Clan Master Ning, for this weapon's production, the fewer people who know, the better. I hope your esteemed clan will handle the confidentiality well."
Ning Fengzhi's expression was serious. "Brother Lu Feng, rest assured. I, Ning, have my own arrangements. Moreover, I, Ning, swear on my Martial Soul that I will not leak Brother Lu Feng's information."
Lu Feng smiled slightly. "Clan Master Ning is too serious. In that case, here's to our happy cooperation."
Ning Fengzhi stayed a while longer, then left the private box, citing other matters.
After the door was completely closed, Qian Renxue said mockingly, "Brother Lu Feng, this teacher of mine is no simple character. You'd better watch out. After you get to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, don't suddenly end up becoming a live-in son-in-law."
"Brother Qinghe, is it right for you to slander your own teacher like that?" Lu Feng said with a faint smile.
"Besides, what's wrong with being a live-in son-in-law? I, Lu, have had a weak stomach since childhood. I was born to eat soft rice!"
"Hmph." Qian Renxue snorted coldly and said no more.
She found that Lu Feng was just a little trickster.
Normally, when a Soul Master accepts a gift from a faction, it's a tacit agreement to join that faction.
But Lu Feng?
He takes benefits from Spirit Hall, hangs around the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy all day, and then goes to woo a young miss from the Star Luo Empire. And now, he's thinking of becoming a live-in son-in-law for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?
In all her life, Qian Renxue had never seen such a thick-skinned person.
Ning Fengzhi walked out of the auction house entrance. An old man had been waiting for a long time. "Clan Master, it is time for us to return."
The old man wore a snow-white robe. His features were simple, and his long silver hair was neatly combed back.
Although his aura was retracted, his every move revealed a sharp edge. If one had to describe it, he was like a sharp sword.
The middle-aged man (Ning Fengzhi) nodded. "It is time to go back. Uncle Jian, what do you think of that Lu Feng?"
The old man opened his half-closed eyes, a sharp light flashing within. "It is as you said: This child will definitely become a great figure in the future!"