Down the Mountain

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

Chen Xin and Chen Yuan had returned, but before they could tell Ning Fengzhi about their hunt for the Spirit Beast, Ning Fengzhi gave them another piece of news.

Ning Rongrong had run away from home.

"What?!"

Chen Xin was utterly shocked. His angry voice echoed continuously through the room.

"Rongrong ran away from home? Did someone in the sect bully Rongrong? That silly girl—if someone bullied her, why didn't she tell me?!"

Looking at Chen Xin, who was exactly like Gu Rong, Ning Fengzhi shook his head and smiled helplessly.

"Sword Uncle, with you and Bone Uncle protecting her, who in the sect would dare bully Rongrong? It would already be good enough if she did not bully others. If we must say whose fault this is, it is all mine."

"These past few years, I have constantly traveled back and forth to Heaven Dou City for official matters. I neglected to spend time with Rongrong, yet I was strict in disciplining her. Perhaps I placed too much pressure on her. So, in my view, it would be good to let her go out and relax."

"However, Rongrong is only a Support Spirit Master and has no combat ability. Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's guards can protect her in secret, they cannot watch over her at all times. She still needs someone to accompany her, so..."

At this point, Ning Fengzhi looked toward Chen Yuan.

"Chen Yuan, you are now a Soul Elder. What Spirit Beast's Spirit Ring did you absorb? How many years was it? And what effect does your soul skill have?"

Chen Yuan immediately replied upon hearing this.

"Sect Leader, I am now a Soul Elder. I absorbed a five-thousand-year Spirit Ring from a Golden Feather Divine Eagle. My Third Soul Skill is Sword Wings Soar, which allows Sword Flight and grants a 100% Speed Amplification."

Ning Fengzhi was deeply shaken after hearing this. A five-thousand-year Third Spirit Ring greatly surprised him. A thoughtful glint flashed through his eyes before he said,

"Here is the situation. Rongrong has run away from home and needs someone to protect her. Your strength is now plain for all to see, so I want to arrange for you to protect Rongrong. I am not making this arrangement as the Sect Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but as a father. I bear the primary responsibility for Rongrong running away. I cannot stay by her side, but someone must be there to look after her."

Upon hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, Chen Yuan knew he could not refuse. Besides, he also wanted to go Down the Mountain and see the world. Now that he had strength, it was time to retrieve some of the opportunities meant for him.

He solemnly clasped his hands and said,

"Sect Leader, since you have entrusted me with this important task, I will certainly do my utmost to complete it. I will immediately go Down the Mountain to search for Rongrong's trail, then protect her in secret. I will reveal myself only when necessary, tell Rongrong that this was your arrangement, and let her know of your care for her. Whether I ultimately bring Rongrong back or accompany her outside for a while will depend on the circumstances."

Ning Fengzhi was delighted. This child was so thoughtful. Though he was the same age as Rongrong, he was mature and steady, and the arrangements he made suited Ning Fengzhi's wishes perfectly. The more Ning Fengzhi looked at Chen Yuan, the more satisfied he became.

Ning Fengzhi then took a gold token engraved with the image of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda from the Storage Soul Tool ring on his hand and placed it in Chen Yuan's palm.

"Chen Yuan, your arrangements are exactly what I had in mind. I can rest easy leaving Rongrong to you. With this token, you can mobilize the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's forces throughout the various regions. Finding Rongrong's trail will not be a problem. I will leave everything afterward entirely in your hands."

Holding the token, Chen Yuan did not refuse. This would save him the time of searching for Ning Rongrong himself, since others would help locate her. He said,

"Sect Leader, I know what to do."

Ning Fengzhi was quite satisfied, but Gu Rong and Chen Xin still had some doubts. Gu Rong spoke directly.

"Sect Leader, I do not understand. If we are talking about safety, we should simply bring Rongrong back to the sect. Only under our watch will she be truly safe. No matter how talented this little fellow is, he is only a Soul Elder in his thirties. His strength is still far from sufficient."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi smiled and said,

"Bone Uncle, Rongrong must grow up eventually. Even a fledgling beneath our wings must one day learn to fly into the sky on its own. Letting her travel the continent will do her much good. Besides, I was too strict with her in the past and caused her immense pressure. It is good for her to go out and relax. It will also give the other disciples in the sect some relief. This little girl may be obedient and well-behaved in front of you, but before the other sect disciples, she is a lawless little devil."

Only after Ning Fengzhi's persuasion did Gu Rong finally agree.

As for Chen Xin, he had already begun instructing Chen Yuan.

"Yuan'er, Rongrong grew up before our eyes. She has never suffered much grievance since childhood. After you find Rongrong, make sure to protect her from suffering any grievance."

Faced with Chen Xin's instructions, Chen Yuan still answered with maturity and composure.

"Teacher, I understand. I will definitely protect Rongrong from suffering any grievance."

Chen Xin was reassured upon hearing this.

After receiving the task, Chen Yuan returned to pack up and prepared to officially go Down the Mountain.

There was not much to pack. He had a Storage Soul Tool, and it contained tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins. Food, drink, clothes, and lodging along the way could all be settled with money.

He merely changed clothes, taking off the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect uniform and putting on ordinary clothing suited for travel. Beneath, he wore close-fitting white martial attire, ideal for combat. Over it, he wore a blue cloak cinched at the waist with a belt. Its sleeves were short, reaching only to his elbows, so they would not hinder Chen Yuan's swordplay.

Finally, he neatly tied his long black hair behind his head, revealing a handsome, valiant face with sword-like brows and starry eyes. Born of a prestigious family, his looks were absolutely first-rate.

Before going Down the Mountain, Chen Yuan learned of Ning Rongrong's last known destination. She had not gone to Heaven Dou City but had instead headed south. Before long, she might enter the territory of one of the kingdoms subordinate to the Heaven Dou Empire.

Thinking about it, if Ning Rongrong had gone to Heaven Dou City, she would still be under Ning Fengzhi's watch. That absolutely would not count as running away from home.

After going Down the Mountain, Chen Yuan summoned his Martial Soul. The Seven Kill Sword appeared in his hand, while one yellow and two purple Spirit Rings rose beneath his feet.

Chen Yuan then threw out the Seven Kill Sword and used his Third Soul Skill. The Seven Kill Sword instantly grew larger and hovered in midair.

Chen Yuan bent his legs slightly, then launched himself into the air with a fierce leap. He spun once in midair before landing upon the Seven Kill Sword in an exceptionally dashing pose. With one hand behind his back and the other formed into a Sword Finger, he controlled the Seven Kill Sword as it shot into the heavens.

From now on, he too was someone capable of Sword Flight. When stepping onto a sword, he naturally had to look as cool as possible.

Standing atop the Seven Kill Sword, a strange gleam flashed through Chen Yuan's eyes. He could not help thinking, Is this coincidence or inevitability? I might as well go take a look and see if I can gain some benefit—such as the Eight Spider Lances. I have no use for an External Soul Bone myself, but I can still use it as a favor...