At the Summit of Glazed Mountain, Meeting Ning Fengzhi for the First Time

The main peak of Glazed Mountain towered into the clouds, its stone steps winding upward between ancient trees that reached for the sky, shrouded in mist. The higher they climbed, the richer the spiritual energy became. The air carried a faint fragrance of glazed tile and medicinal herbs.

Madam Ning personally accompanied Ling Yun up the mountain. Her manner remained exceedingly gentle along the way as she occasionally introduced the scenery and described the Sect's circumstances. Little Ning Rongrong, meanwhile, curiously held Ling Yun's hand and chattered away with endless questions. She felt especially close to the big brother who had saved her. Though Ling Yun was not a man of many words, he occasionally replied, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

The guards followed behind them, their gazes toward Ling Yun filled with awe and curiosity. They had witnessed his almost miraculous skills firsthand.

When they reached the mountainside, an imposing mountain gate appeared before them. Above it hung five gilded characters: "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Their strokes were powerful, radiating authority. On either side of the gate stood Sect disciples in matching fitted azure uniforms. Their bearing was sharp and capable, and upon seeing Madam Ning, they all bowed in greeting.

After passing through the mountain gate, the view suddenly opened up. Pavilions and towers were built along the mountain slopes in an orderly arrangement, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, luxurious to the extreme. On the plaza, disciples practiced martial arts as the light of soul skills flickered in perfect order. The entire Sect gave off an impression of both magnificent splendor and profound heritage.

Madam Ning led Ling Yun straight toward the main hall, Glazed Hall.

Inside the hall, a refined middle-aged man in a moon-white robe was playing chess with an elderly man who was tall and lean, standing as straight as a spear. Beside them sat another old man with a burly build and an ancient-looking face, leisurely sipping tea.

These three were the pillars holding up the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Sect Master Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong!

Hearing footsteps, all three looked up at once. When Ning Fengzhi saw that his wife and daughter were safe, a gentle smile appeared on his face. But when his gaze settled on Ling Yun, a trace of barely noticeable surprise flashed through his eyes. With his discernment, he could naturally tell that Ling Yun was no ordinary person. His composed bearing and restrained yet unfathomable aura were not things an ordinary youth could possess.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin's gaze was as sharp as a sword as it swept over Ling Yun, and his brows lifted slightly. Bone Douluo Gu Rong set down his teacup and studied Ling Yun with great interest.

"Fengzhi, Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone." Madam Ning quickly stepped forward and briefly recounted the assassination attempt in Glazed Town, emphasizing Ling Yun's life-saving deed.

"What? Such a thing happened?!" Ning Fengzhi's face darkened, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! I want to see who dares lay a hand on my, Ning Fengzhi's, daughter on the territory of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo's expressions also turned grave, killing intent faintly emerging. Ning Rongrong was the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the treasure of their hearts. Anyone who dared attack her had undoubtedly touched their reverse scale.

"Daddy! Grandpa Sword! Grandpa Bone!" Ning Rongrong threw herself into Ning Fengzhi's arms and said sweetly, "Big Brother Ling Yun saved me! He was amazing! He caught the bad man's dagger in one move!"

Ning Fengzhi comforted his daughter, then rose to his feet and walked before Ling Yun. He solemnly bowed. "Little Brother Ling Yun, I am endlessly grateful for saving her life! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect owes you an enormous debt!"

For the master of one of the Upper Three Sects to bow to a young man was proof enough of his sincerity.

Ling Yun shifted slightly aside and avoided the bow. "Sect Master Ning, you overstate it. I merely acted when I saw injustice."

Neither humble nor overbearing, he remained calm and composed. The admiration in Ning Fengzhi's eyes deepened.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin suddenly spoke. His voice rang like a sword, carrying a sharp edge. "Boy, what technique did you use just now? Even this old man failed to see it clearly."

As a Titled Douluo, his eyesight was incredibly keen, yet Ling Yun's movement had been so fast that even he had been momentarily dazed.

Ling Yun looked at Chen Xin. This man, known as one of the Titled Douluo with the greatest offensive power, truly possessed an incomparably sharp aura. He answered indifferently, "Just a minor trick, not worth mentioning."

A gleam flashed in Chen Xin's eyes. He did not press further, but his assessment of Ling Yun rose another level. This boy was no ordinary talent.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong laughed heartily, his voice booming like a great bell. "Good boy, you've got character! You can stay this calm even before three old men like us. Not bad! Not bad!"

Ning Fengzhi smiled as well. "Little Brother Ling Yun, please sit. May I ask where you are from, and who your master is?"

Everyone took their seats, and a maidservant brought fragrant tea.

Ling Yun had prepared for this long ago. "This junior comes from a small village in the Balak Kingdom. I have no master. I merely encountered a fortunate opportunity and explored cultivation on my own."

He cultivated on his own? Ning Fengzhi and the other two exchanged glances, each seeing the shock in the others' eyes. To reach such a level without a teacher—this talent was simply terrifying!

After pondering for a moment, Ning Fengzhi asked, "May I ask what your Soul Power Level is now, Little Brother?"

"Level thirty," Ling Yun answered truthfully. (His outwardly disguised level.)

An eleven-year-old Soul Elder! Although they had already heard of it, hearing the confirmation firsthand still made Ning Fengzhi and the other two tremble inwardly. This had already surpassed every young disciple in the Sect, including Ning Rongrong, in whom they had placed such high hopes.

Ning Fengzhi suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and his tone became even gentler. "Little Brother Ling Yun is extraordinarily gifted. Your future is limitless. What plans do you have for the future?"

At last, they had reached the main point. Ling Yun knew that Ning Fengzhi was trying to recruit him.

He set down his teacup and calmly looked at Ning Fengzhi. "This junior has only recently arrived in Heaven Dou City and has nowhere to settle for the time being. I only wish to find a quiet place to cultivate wholeheartedly and improve my strength."

Joy flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes, and he hurriedly said, "If you do not find it beneath you, Little Brother, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to provide you with the finest cultivation environment and resources! You may freely use the Sect's Library Pavilion, Mimicry Training Ground, and herb garden! Furthermore, I can ask Uncle Sword or Uncle Bone to personally guide your cultivation!"

The terms were extremely generous! Personal guidance from Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo was an opportunity countless soul masters dreamed of!

Yet Ling Yun shook his head. "Thank you for your generosity, Sect Master Ning. However, this junior is accustomed to cultivating alone and dislikes restraint. There is no need for guidance. If I may borrow your Sect's treasured grounds for cultivation and exchange for some cultivation resources, I would be deeply grateful."

He did not want to join any Sect and be controlled by others. What he needed was equal cooperation, not dependence.

Ning Fengzhi was stunned for a moment, not expecting Ling Yun to refuse. But he was, after all, a formidable figure, and he immediately understood Ling Yun's meaning. This boy was proud and ambitious; his aspirations did not lie here.

After a brief consideration, he smiled. "Since Little Brother wishes to live freely, I will not force you. From today onward, you shall be a Guest Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Your status will be equal to Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone's. You may freely enter any place in the Sect and draw upon the Sect's resources. You need only lend a hand when the Sect faces danger. What do you say?"

Guest Elder! A status equal to that of Titled Douluo! These terms were outrageously generous! Even Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo revealed looks of surprise. Ning Fengzhi had truly spared no expense to win Ling Yun over!

Ling Yun was also somewhat surprised by Ning Fengzhi's boldness. The position of Guest Elder granted him freedom of identity while allowing him to enjoy the Sect's resources. It truly suited his needs. Moreover, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had a good reputation and a delicate relationship with Spirit Hall, which was exactly what he wanted.

After pondering for a moment, he nodded. "In that case, this junior will respectfully accept."

Ning Fengzhi was overjoyed. "Good! Excellent! From this day on, Elder Ling Yun is a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! Rongrong, quickly greet Elder Ling!"

Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes and obediently said, "Greetings, Elder Ling!"

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo also nodded slightly at Ling Yun, acknowledging this young "colleague." Though Ling Yun was young, his strength and potential had earned their respect.

And so, in an unexpected manner, Ling Yun smoothly became a Guest Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and gained a foothold in Heaven Dou City. Next, he would use the Sect's resources to accelerate his growth in strength and prepare for the coming storm.

Meanwhile, with Ling Yun's arrival, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect quietly gained a trump card capable of changing the balance of the continent.