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Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, atop the Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Ning Fengzhi, dressed in a white robe, stood by the window, his slender fingers gently caressing the colorful glazed window frame. He gazed out at the scattered buildings within the Sect, but his eyes seemed to pierce through the scenery, landing on something much further away.
A gentle breeze blew, ruffling his loose hair. The gem on his scepter shimmered with an enchanting luster under the sunlight, yet it couldn't illuminate the depth in his eyes.
Suddenly, ripples like water spread through the space behind him. Gu Rong's hunched figure emerged from the void like an ink stain, his withered fingers still maintaining the posture of tearing through space.
Ning Fengzhi tapped the window frame with his fingertips, and the colorful glazed tiles emitted a crisp sound under his touch: "Uncle Gu, how are things looking?"
Gu Rong's withered fingers rubbed together, and his hoarse laughter echoed at the top of the pagoda: "No mistake." His hunched figure leaned forward slightly, "That old emperor already has one foot in the coffin."
Space subtly twisted around him, making his old face flicker between light and shadow: "What I didn't expect was that Xue Beng actually managed to invite the Clear Sky Sect." A cold sneer tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Three young men came, and all of them are Titled Douluo."
Ning Fengzhi's slender fingers slowly caressed the colorful gem at the top of his scepter, his gaze lowered, overlooking the bustling disciples within the Sect. A gentle breeze brushed against his snow-white robes, yet it couldn't disperse the almost inaudible sigh:
"What a grand gesture..."
The light spots refracted by the gem danced across his gentle face, making his emotions indiscernible: "Three Titled Douluo..." His voice was like a clear spring striking jade, yet it carried a bone-chilling coldness, "It seems everyone wants to..."
The scepter suddenly struck the ground heavily, making the glazed lamps on the pagoda top hum: "...step all over my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School." Gu Rong's withered fingers drew several spatial cracks in the void, and his hoarse voice carried a hint of eagerness: "Feng Zhi, why don't Chen Xin and I go say hello to those three young men?"
Ning Fengzhi suddenly chuckled, the colorful gem on his scepter swirling with an enchanting halo as he moved: "No need, Uncle Gu." He turned to look in the direction of Heaven Dou City, a meaningful curve appearing at the corner of his lips, "I was already worried about..."
"...how to properly 'talk' with that child." His fingertips gently tapped the window frame, "I didn't expect the Clear Sky Sect..." His voice suddenly softened, "...to directly hand the opportunity to me."
Gu Rong's white eyebrows furrowed tightly, his withered fingers unconsciously tearing at the space around him: "Just let it go?" His cloudy eyes were filled with confusion, "Feng Zhi, those are three Titled Douluo with Clear Sky Hammer Spirits!"
Space twisted and warped under his agitated emotions, making his old face appear exceptionally ferocious: "If the Fourth Prince truly succeeds..." His voice suddenly rose, "How much profit will we have to concede?"
His branch-like hand suddenly slapped against the glazed window: "Now that Blue Lightning is destroyed, it's the perfect..." He didn't finish his sentence, but Ning Fengzhi raised his hand to interrupt him.
"Uncle Gu..." Ning Fengzhi's voice was still gentle, but it carried an undeniable force, "No need."
"No need?!" Gu Rong's eyes widened, the wrinkles on his face deepening with shock. He repeated the three words in disbelief, as if he had heard something out of this world.
Ning Fengzhi's fingertips gently traced the colorful glazed tiles on the window frame, his voice like a babbling brook: "Uncle Gu, these past few days I've been thinking..." He turned to look at the bustling disciples within the Sect, "Wealth, after all, is endless."
The scepter gently tapped the ground, emitting a crisp sound: "And the expansion of power..." He shook his head slightly, "...has its limits." Sunlight filtered through the glazed tiles, casting mottled shadows on his gentle face, "The current Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has already reached this ceiling."
Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's hunched figure stiffened slightly. He naturally understood the deeper meaning in the Sect Master's words—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had been as rich as a nation for years, but some things, after all, could not be bought with money.
"Do you think..." Ning Fengzhi suddenly raised his eyes, a hint of sharpness flashing within them, "...where exactly does the gap between us and Spirit Hall lie?"
Gu Rong's withered fingers unconsciously rubbed the spatial cracks, and he said hoarsely: "Top-tier combat power...the difference is too great." He gave a bitter laugh, "With just us, trying to destroy the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" He shook his head, "It's as hard as ascending to heaven."
Ning Fengzhi gently shook his head, the tassels hanging from his gilded hair crown shimmering with fragmented light in the sunlight: "Once upon a time, I also thought like Uncle Gu..." His fingertips gently caressed the gem on his scepter, his gaze distant, "Until I witnessed Feng Xiao's exchange with you..."
A colorful halo swirled across his gentle face: "Only then did I suddenly realize..." His voice suddenly deepened, "The gap isn't in strength, but in..." The scepter drew an arc, "...the word 'inclusiveness'."
He slowly walked to the window, overlooking the busy disciples within the Sect: "A Sect established based on a Spirit, even as prosperous as the Clear Sky Sect was back then..." A bitter smile touched his lips, "...was still only a few thousand strong."
As he turned, his white robe gently swayed in the wind: "But Spirit Hall, under the name of 'Holy Land'..." A sharp glint appeared in his eyes, "...targets Spirit Masters across the entire continent."
The scepter gently tapped the ground, and Feng Zhi's voice suddenly softened: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can prosper in my hands..." He looked at Gu Rong, his gaze sincere, "...not because I possess some grand strategy."
A glazed tree leaf floated down outside the window, landing perfectly in his palm: "Rather, it was hardship that forced me..." His fingertips gently twisted the leaf stem, "...to seek out, to win over..."
The leaf refracted colorful light spots in the sunlight: "Fortunately..." He smiled slightly, "...Heaven has been kind to me, allowing me to meet you and Uncle Jian."
Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's hunched figure trembled slightly. His withered fingers froze in mid-air, and even the surrounding twisted space solidified for a moment.
His cloudy eyes gazed into the distance, as if penetrating the river of time.
Ning Fengzhi's fingertips gently caressed the gem on his scepter, the colorful flowing light reflecting in his deep eyes: "The vision of Spirit Hall's founder..." His voice was like an echo from across millennia, "...was never limited to a single powerful Spirit."
He slowly walked to the window, his white robe gently swaying in the wind: "Instead, it encompassed Spirit Masters across the entire continent..." The scepter drew a rainbow arc in the sunlight, "...which is why they can gather all the talents under heaven."
The clouds outside the window suddenly parted, and a beam of golden light pierced through the glazed tiles, stretching his silhouette long: "Look at Feng Xiao..." He tilted his head slightly, "Such geniuses are emerging like bamboo shoots after rain."
As he turned, a bitter smile appeared on his face: "And our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School..." His gaze fell on Ning Rongrong, who was cultivating in the distance, "...after all these years, has only managed to cultivate one Rongrong."
Gu Rong's withered fingers dug deep into his palm, and space twisted and warped around him: "Ning Fengzhi..." His hoarse voice carried an unprecedented solemnity, "Have you truly decided?"
Ning Fengzhi's lips curved slightly, revealing a meaningful smile: "No rush, the Clear Sky Sect is an important bargaining chip for us to negotiate with that child. In my opinion, my good disciple has probably already become one of their people by now."
Gu Rong's expression changed abruptly upon hearing this, and deep worry appeared between his brows: "Even the imperial family has been infiltrated by them?"
Ning Fengzhi's lips held a faint, almost imperceptible smile: "Uncle Gu, have you noticed that child Feng Xiao's conduct?" He raised his eyes to look at the falling sycamore leaves outside the window, "Do you know what Rongrong's evaluation of him is? He's single-minded in his cultivation, yet such a person frequently enters and exits the Crown Prince's mansion, running errands for Qinghe..."
Gu Rong frowned deeply and said in a low voice: "We watched Xue Qinghe grow up from a young age, so logically...there shouldn't be any problems."
Ning Fengzhi's voice was low and meaningful: "Uncle Gu, young eagles must eventually spread their wings. Qinghe is no longer the child who needed our support. How can the path of an emperor always be that of a puppet in someone else's hands? This is also the reason why we have delayed his formal ascension to the throne."
Gu Rong frowned tightly: "You mean to use the Clear Sky Sect as a blade?" A sharp glint flashed in his cloudy eyes, "And when both sides are exhausted, we will step in to save them?"
A profound light flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes: "Uncle Gu, that's not quite right." He shook his head slightly, his sleeves gently swaying with the movement, "With Feng Xiao's current cultivation, he might not even fall behind when facing a Titled Douluo. As for Qinghe..." He paused meaningfully, "This Crown Prince, I'm afraid, still has trump cards hidden that we don't even know about."
Gu Rong's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this, and he saw Ning Fengzhi standing with his hands behind his back: "The only thing we need to do is wait and see."
Gu Rong's aged fingers gently tapped on the sandalwood armrest, making a dull sound: "If the Clear Sky Sect truly succeeds...won't our foundation in Heaven Dou be shaken?"
Ning Fengzhi's lips curved slightly: "Uncle Gu, you worry too much." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "If the Clear Sky Sect can truly achieve their goal, it would instead be an excellent opportunity for my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to show its prowess."
A gust of wind outside the window blew, ruffling the hair on his forehead: "At that time, we will be Spirit Hall's sharpest hidden blade in Heaven Dou. Firmly embedded in the depths of their heart."
Gu Rong slowly said: "What if that Xue Qinghe kid wins?" A complex emotion flashed in his cloudy eyes.
Ning Fengzhi slightly raised his head, looking at the magnificent light swirling in the sunlight: "Uncle Gu, have you ever seen a young eagle leave its nest?" He looked at the circling birds in the courtyard, his voice distant: "If Qinghe truly wants to soar through the nine heavens, he will ultimately be inseparable from our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
As Ning Fengzhi turned, his robes fluttered, "We can very well turn the authority of Heaven Dou into a stepping stone to heaven, and secure a more splendid future in Spirit Hall." The splendor of the Glazed Tile Pagoda was reflected in his eyes, "After all, the Sect cannot have any problems."
Upon hearing this, a relieved smile appeared on Gu Rong's wrinkled face, and he gently patted his knee: "Since you have considered everything, Feng Zhi, I will not say more."
Ning Fengzhi smiled broadly, the gloom that had lingered on his brows for days clearing away: "To be honest, Uncle Gu, these past few days have been the most relaxed moments I've had in years."
"Hahahaha!" Gu Rong stroked his beard and let out a long laugh, but his laughter carried a hint of self-mockery, "I'm always a step behind that old fellow Chen Xin; what I lack is this state of mind cultivation. I truly can't compare."
Ning Fengzhi picked up his teacup and took a small sip: "In terms of dedication, neither of us can compare to Uncle Jian."
Gu Rong stood up, his robes moving without wind: "Then these next few days, I'll also learn from that sword fanatic Chen Xin and seclude myself for some enlightenment." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "Perhaps I can even make further progress in my spirit power."
Ning Fengzhi's lips held a calm smile: "Before the situation becomes clear, we just need to wait and see. If Qinghe visits..." He paused, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes, "...just say that you two took Rongrong to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for spirit rings."
Gu Rong stroked his beard with an understanding smile, his figure gradually turning into nothingness, leaving only his last words drifting in the air: "You little fox."
Once Gu Rong's aura had completely dissipated, Ning Fengzhi slowly walked to the white jade railing. The sunlight cast a golden edge on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda as he looked down at the disciples moving back and forth within the Sect, his slender fingers unconsciously tightening their grip on the railing. A gentle breeze brushed the stray hairs on his forehead, and his usually gentle eyes now shone with resolute light.
He silently recited in his heart, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the Sect jade pendant at his waist, "I will definitely protect all of you."
Three days later, the morning mist had not yet dispersed.
By the Emerald Lake at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, morning dew rolled on the blades of grass. Feng Xiao, dressed in a plain white robe, sat on a bluestone, his slender fingers gently plucking and strumming the Seven Stringed Zither. The zither's music flowed like a clear spring, startling a few egrets drinking water.
Ye Lingling held Xiao Wu and sat under a sycamore tree not far away. The girl's slender fingers gently stroked Xiao Wu's soft fur, her eyes filled with a gentle smile.
As the zither music reached its peak, Feng Xiao suddenly noticed an interesting phenomenon—Xiao Wu, in his arms, unconsciously nudged towards the direction of the zither music, her fluffy rabbit ears trembling slightly, appearing even calmer than when she usually snuggled in Ye Lingling's arms. Ye Lingling also noticed this and exchanged a surprised glance with Feng Xiao.
The last lingering note of the zither gradually faded with the ripples on the lake, and the midday sun filtered through the sycamore leaves, casting mottled shadows on the grass. Feng Xiao put away his zither and stood up, his gaze falling on Xiao Wu in Ye Lingling's arms, and a mischievous smile suddenly appeared on his lips.
"You, you!" Before Ye Lingling could stop him, Feng Xiao had already lightly picked up Xiao Wu. The snow-white rabbit met his gaze in mid-air, her ruby-like eyes still holding a hint of annoyance.
"Don't always bully her." Ye Lingling lightly frowned and reached out to snatch Xiao Wu back.
Feng Xiao deftly sidestepped, his eyes sparkling with mischief: "I'm just curious." He gently tapped Xiao Wu's pink nose with his fingertip, "Sister Xiao Wu, did you understand the zither piece just now?"
Xiao Wu immediately bristled upon hearing this, her two long hind legs kicking vigorously in the air, her snow-white fur puffing up in anger, looking like a moving ball of fluff. Her indignant appearance made Feng Xiao burst into laughter, and even the usually aloof Ye Lingling couldn't help but cover her lips and chuckle softly.
Seeing this, a hint of tenderness flashed in Ye Lingling's clear eyes, and she quickly reached out to snatch Xiao Wu back. Her slender fingers gently stroked Xiao Wu's ruffled fur, her movements as gentle as if comforting a frightened child. "Good girl, don't be angry," she whispered softly, her fingertips glowing with a faint healing spirit power, and that lustrous light gradually calmed the little rabbit in her arms.
Feng Xiao was about to head to the dining hall when a familiar spirit power transmission suddenly reached his ears: "Little Feng, the Young Master's operation is tonight."
His steps halted, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He turned to look at Ye Lingling beside him, and before her puzzled gaze could fully appear, Feng Xiao had already lowered his voice and said: "Lingling, you take Sister Xiao Wu to eat, and then go straight back to the mansion. Tonight, no matter who comes to visit, do not go out."
Ye Lingling's eyes flickered, and she instantly understood. Heaven Dou Imperial City was currently in a period of power transition, and she naturally understood the stakes involved.
"Be very careful." She tightened her grip on Xiao Wu, her voice soft but every word serious, "If things become impossible..."
Feng Xiao's lips curved into a confident arc: "Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can't trap me, don't worry."
Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. Xiao Wu in her arms disdainfully pouted her three-lobed mouth—with her Spirit Ability's enhancement, ordinary Titled Douluo indeed found it difficult to harm Feng Xiao in the slightest.
A gentle breeze blew, and amidst the rustling of sycamore leaves, Feng Xiao's figure had already disappeared from the spot, leaving only a few swirling leaves falling. Ye Lingling looked in the direction he had left, gathered Xiao Wu closer into her arms, and turned to walk towards the dining hall.