The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi's Request
The next morning, Lin Chen and Dugu Bo boarded the carriage prepared by the Crown Prince's Residence and set off openly from the Crown Prince's Residence.
Dugu Bo sat at the front of the carriage, driving, while Lin Chen leaned against the carriage, meditating with his eyes closed. The carriage left the east gate of Heaven Dou City and headed southeast along the Official Road.
Dugu Bo's voice came from ahead. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School is located in the Seven Treasure Mountain in the southeastern part of the Heaven Dou Empire. It will take about five days to reach it by fast horse."
Lin Chen lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside, saying lazily, "Five days isn't too far. Let's just treat it as a trip."
"You really think this is a picnic?" Dugu Bo sneered. "Those people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are all cunning and scheming. Once we get there, keep your mouth shut and let me handle things."
Lin Chen lowered the carriage curtain and continued cultivating with his eyes closed, "Then I'll have to trouble Senior Dugu."
Seven Treasure Mountain, southeast of Heaven Dou City
Five days later, the carriage entered a range of mountains.
The mountains are not high, but they are undulating and layered, with lush vegetation and occasional pavilions and towers nestled among the trees.
The carriage traveled up the mountain road, and after rounding a bend, the view suddenly opened up ahead.
A huge complex of buildings came into view, built against the mountain in a staggered and orderly manner.
The main tower is located at the highest point. The tower is blue-green in color and has seven stories. It is shimmering with a precious light. The tower is built with wood and stone as its main elements. The hexagonal eaves extend outwards and the spire reaches straight into the sky.
The main tower is surrounded by dozens of slightly shorter auxiliary buildings, which are predominantly green, with upturned eaves, white walls and blue tiles. The overall layout is both rigorous and dynamic.
"This is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Dugu Bo stopped the car and looked up at the main tower. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is the number one support-type Martial Soul on the continent."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was able to maintain its position among the Upper Three Sects in the Heaven Dou Empire, and this tower is the foundation of their success."
"So this is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. It's quite beautiful." Lin Chen jumped down from the carriage, stretched his limbs, and looked up at the main pagoda.
The tower gate ahead had opened, and a group of people walked out.
The leader was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a blue robe, with a gentle face and a perfectly measured smile.
Behind him followed a tall, elderly man dressed in a gray-white outfit, with a full head of silver hair, a stern face, and a long sword hanging at his waist.
Lin Chen's gaze lingered on the old man for a moment.
Titled Douluo.
He was all too familiar with that aura; it was present in Dugu Bo, the Snake Lance Douluo, and the Porcupinefish Douluo. This old man's aura was even more composed than Dugu Bo's; it must be Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Young friend Lin Chen, you must be tired from your journey." Ning Fengzhi stepped forward, smiling and cupping his hands in greeting.
Lin Chen smiled and returned the greeting, "Sect Master Ning, you are too kind. How could I trouble you to come out and greet me personally? I am truly flattered."
Ning Fengzhi waved his hand and said gently, "What are you saying? You are a talent personally promoted by Qinghe."
"Such a talented young man has graced my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with his presence; it would be impolite of me not to personally come out."
He glanced at Dugu Bo behind Lin Chen, smiled and nodded, "I didn't expect Mr. Dugu to come as well. Please forgive me for not greeting you properly."
Dugu Bo replied expressionlessly, "Sect Master Ning, you're too kind."
Ning Fengzhi didn't care about Dugu Bo's attitude. He stepped aside to make way for the doorway and led the two inside. "Please come in, I've already had tea prepared."
The three of them walked through the front yard and into the lobby on the first floor of the main tower.
The hall was spacious and bright, with elegant furnishings. In the center was a long table with tea set and several plates of snacks.
Ning Fengzhi sat down in the main seat, with Lin Chen and Dugu Bo sitting on either side.
"Young friend Lin Chen, I've been wanting to meet you ever since I heard about your deeds." Ning Fengzhi picked up the teapot and personally poured a cup for Lin Chen.
"A seven-year-old Soul Ancestor with four Soul Rings, two purple and two black—you probably can't find another like him in the entire history of the continent."
Lin Chen took the teacup, a smile spreading across his face. "Sect Master Ning, you flatter me. I was just lucky."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and shook his head, "What are you talking about? If geniuses like you can appear just because of good luck, then our luck is absolutely terrible."
He took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and his smile faded slightly. "Young friend Lin Chen, the reason I invited you here today is actually because I need your help with something."
Lin Chen put down his teacup, knowing they were about to get down to business, and a look of doubt appeared on his face. "I'm just a Soul Ancestor Master, I'm afraid I can't be of any help to Sect Master Ning, can I?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a wry smile, "This favor really does require your help."
Lin Chen asked curiously, "Ning Fengzhi, please tell me. Is there something troubling you?"
"I have a daughter named Ning Rongrong." Ning Fengzhi sighed as he said this, "This girl has good talent; her Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and her Innate Soul Power is also at level nine."
"But precisely because of this, she was spoiled by the people in the sect, becoming arrogant and complacent all the time, lawless and ignorant of her own limitations, and eventually even her cultivation gradually became lax."
"I've told her so many times, but she won't listen." Ning Fengzhi looked at Lin Chen helplessly. "So I want to find someone many times more talented than her to appear in front of her, so she'll understand what it means to be outmatched."
"So, I came here just to put Ning Rongrong down? But it feels kind of satisfying..."
Although Lin Chen wanted to laugh inside, he said seriously, "Sect Master Ning, I can consider it, but I can't guarantee I can be of any help."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded, "There's no rush. You can stay at the Guest Courtyard for a few days and rest before we talk about it."
He stood up and called out towards the door, "Someone, take young friend Lin Chen and Mr. Dugu to the Guest Courtyard."
A young disciple walked in and respectfully led Lin Chen and Dugu Bo toward the Guest Courtyard.
The Guest Courtyard is located on the east side of the sect. It is an independent courtyard with two side rooms and a main hall. An old pine tree grows in the courtyard. The environment is quiet and secluded, and the noise from the main tower can be heard.
Lin Chen casually glanced around the courtyard before entering the side room and beginning his daily cultivation.
The next morning, Lin Chen finished his night of cultivation and got out of bed to stretch his muscles when he heard a commotion Courtyard Gate.
"Let me in! I want to see what kind of person my father has brought back!"
"Who's making such a racket so early in the morning?" Lin Chen frowned, walked to the door, and opened it.
Standing Courtyard Gate was a little girl in a blue dress, who looked about six or seven years old. She had two small braids and was very pretty. But her face was full of resentment.
Ning Rongrong glanced at Lin Chen, her face full of arrogance, and said, "You're that genius who came all the way from Heaven Dou City? You don't look that impressive."