At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's residence, Ning Zihu—who had tried to recruit Yu Yan—stood before Sect Master Ning Fengzhi and the two Elders, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, reporting everything that had happened on his trip and handing over the investigation documents he had compiled in Balak City.
"Zihu, I already know all this. You may withdraw."
After listening to the report, Ning Fengzhi waved him away.
Understanding that the Sect Master wished to speak privately with the two Elders, Ning Zihu bowed to the three most exalted figures of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and turned to leave.
As he departed, Ning Zihu spotted Ning Rongrong hurrying toward the building from afar. To avoid crossing paths with her and inviting unnecessary trouble, he wisely took a detour.
Children this age brim with energy and wild ideas. As the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Rongrong could come up with the strangest notions, and you couldn't refuse—you had to play along.
It wouldn't kill anyone, but it was certainly exhausting.
"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, this boy named Yu Yan is no simple child."
After Ning Zihu left, Ning Fengzhi offered his assessment of Yu Yan.
"I don't see anything special—just youthful arrogance. Like Dugu Bo back then: unwilling to join any power. Yet how many of those rebels ever become Titled Douluo? And this kid doesn't have Dugu Bo's talent."
Bone Douluo Gu Rong skimmed the intelligence in his hand; he saw nothing remarkable about the boy.
"No, no, Uncle Bone, this time you've misjudged." Ning Fengzhi produced a dossier and set it before Bone Douluo. "You only noticed he hasn't joined any faction, but you missed that he hasn't flatly refused any either. He left every door open—he's a slick diplomat."
Astute and worldly, Ning Fengzhi saw through Yu Yan's designs at a glance.
At Ning Fengzhi's prompting, Bone Douluo picked up the file and studied it carefully; Sword Douluo also turned his gaze to the documents.
Just then the door burst open and Ning Rongrong skipped in, calling sweetly, "Daddy, Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, still absorbed in the papers, did not answer immediately.
Ning Fengzhi regarded his daughter with a headache. Whispers of "little demon" had reached his ears, a label he disliked and one that forced him to rethink Ning Rongrong's upbringing.
Rongrong's talent was excellent, and she was adored by the two Titled Douluo; in all likelihood she would one day lead the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was a support Spirit; its Sect Master could not have a "little demon" personality.
"Rongrong's here. Come let Grandpa hug you."
When Ning Rongrong called out a second time, Bone Douluo—having nearly finished reading—smiled and lifted her into his arms with spirit power.
Sword Douluo likewise lifted his eyes from the papers and smiled at her.
Watching his daughter giggling in Bone Douluo's arms, Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly. Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone spoiled her so thoroughly that his every educational effort was undercut.
If only Rongrong's temperament could resemble Yu Yan's.
"Grandpa Bone, Grandpa Sword, what were you reading that was so fascinating you ignored me?"
Grumbling, Ning Rongrong picked up the illustrated report to see what could possibly captivate her doting grandfathers.
Seeing what was written, she exclaimed in disbelief,
"Wow—his Spirit is actually two fish, and it can release two Spirit Abilities? Is that even possible?"
"Of course it's true. We've never seen such a miraculous variant Spirit before. It's called a Companion Spirit, an extraordinary case of One Ring Two Spirit Abilities."
Ever since Ning Rongrong entered, Sword Douluo Chen Xin had remained silent; now he spoke first, giving a brief explanation before Bone Douluo could.
Bone Douluo, robbed of his chance to introduce the material, grumbled, "It's all written right there—did you need to spell it out?"
"Since Rongrong asked, of course I had to answer."
Sword Douluo, who had seized the opportunity, looked smugly at his old comrade, as if he'd won a great victory.
Seated opposite the three, Ning Fengzhi sighed again. Educating Rongrong would be a long and arduous road.
Perched on Bone Douluo's lap, Ning Rongrong grew intrigued by the boy with the Companion Spirit and One Ring Two Spirit Abilities…
Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City, Crown Prince's Mansion.
"He doesn't want to join any power for now, hasn't refused any, and hasn't accepted any—such slick diplomacy really resembles Ning Fengzhi."
Xue Qinghe—rather, Qian Renxue disguised as Xue Qinghe—read the report her subordinates had delivered. Her interest in Yu Yan had grown several-fold.
An intriguing talent; if the chance arose she would meet him in person and extend an invitation…
Spirit Hall was packed with experts; whether Yu Yan joined was of little concern to them. If he joined—fine; if not—no matter. That was their stance.
Balak Academy and the high officials of the Balak Kingdom were delighted. Among all the major powers, Yu Yan seemed most inclined to join them—or so they believed.
Inside the principal's office of Exotic Beast Academy, Gu Yingying informed the School's leadership of her snap decision and relayed Yu Yan's attitude.
The Exotic Beast Academy leadership praised Gu Yingying's decisiveness; they badly wanted Yu Yan to enroll and represent them in the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament—they had not achieved a good result in years…
After dealing with the various powers that sought to recruit him, Yu Yan's life in Balak City settled into routine.
He cultivated with the essence of sun and moon, ingested Whale Dragon to strengthen his body, fought in the Soul Fighting Arena to earn gold coins, occasionally took quests at the Soul Master Guild to raise his Rank and reputation, and attended classes step by step.
Luo Fuji, after being sent flying by a single punch from Yu Yan, trained harder to wipe away the humiliation, determined to reclaim the title of top Balak City youth—though Yu Yan cared nothing for that empty name.
Auerbai, spurred on by Luo Fuji, likewise devoted himself to training.
Because of Yu Yan, Luo Fuji and Auerbai began cultivating seriously; their fathers even sent emissaries to thank Yu Yan and presented him with small gifts. Yu Yan accepted the thanks with wry amusement but declined the presents.
And so time marched on, neither hurried nor slow.