Ning Fengzhi

Ning Fengzhi

Without the support of Immortal Grade herbs, the strength Shrek Team displayed at this moment seemed rather ordinary. Although Tang San had not revealed the astonishing ten-thousand-year fourth Spirit Ring from the original story, his cultivation had already broken through to Soul Ancestor, which still secretly surprised Feng Yao. Feng Yao had originally estimated that only Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai in all of Shrek had reached Soul Ancestor.

"Looks like Blue Tyrant Academy's Mimicry Training Ground is pretty good too." Feng Yao thoughtfully rubbed his chin. "Yu Xiaogang has put the entire focus of their short-term training on breakthroughs in Soul Power."

The match on the field was almost completely one-sided. Even without using their full strength, Tang San and the others effortlessly beat Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team into utter disarray. This clean and decisive victory stirred up a commotion among the VIP Seats. No one had expected this team in strange uniforms to possess such strength.

Feng Yao keenly noticed that the three education committee members, led by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, were exchanging glances without betraying anything. The humiliation they had suffered when Dugu Bo publicly disgraced them had finally found an outlet—they naturally would not miss this chance to needle Prince Xue Xing.

Xue Ye, seated in the Main Seat, frowned slightly as his gaze shifted back and forth between Prince Xue Xing and Xue Qinghe. This emperor understood perfectly well that the scene before him was merely a political game of wits between the factions of his two sons. In the end, he only gave Xue Xing a mild reprimand before lightly letting the matter pass. Yet Feng Yao clearly saw the flicker of weariness and helplessness on the emperor's face.

The first day's matches came to an end. Feng Yao was just considering returning to study the Tang Sect techniques he had glimpsed today when a tall figure appeared in time to block his path.

"Come with me. I'm taking you to meet some people." Qian Renxue, wearing Xue Qinghe's face, spoke in a tone that allowed no question. Every gesture radiated the authority of one in power.

Feng Yao sighed helplessly. "Sect Master Ning?"

"Not only him." The corners of Qian Renxue's lips rose in a meaningful smile. "The identity of that schoolmate of yours is far more interesting than you imagine."

"Tang San?" Feng Yao raised his brows in feigned surprise.

Qian Renxue nodded lightly, amusement flashing through her eyes.

"Compared to him," Feng Yao suddenly stepped half a pace closer and lowered his voice with a smile, "I'm more curious about Your Highness."

"You'll know in time." Qian Renxue smoothly changed the subject. With a flick of her sleeve, she turned and headed for the carriage. "Let's go."

The gilded carriage passed through the bustling streets before finally stopping in front of an antique tea house.

The two entered a private room, where curling tea fragrance drifted between carved screens. Feng Yao and Qian Renxue sat quietly sipping tea. Before long, footsteps sounded outside the corridor. Both rose to greet their guests, and as the beaded curtain was lifted, Ning Fengzhi arrived with Tang San.

Tang San's eyes flickered slightly upon seeing Feng Yao, but he maintained his silence without giving anything away.

"Uncle Ning." Qian Renxue bowed respectfully to Ning Fengzhi in the manner of a disciple. Her moon-white robe fell with the motion, spreading in an elegant curve across the bluestone floor.

Ning Fengzhi made a token gesture to stop her, a kindly smile on his gentle, jade-like face. "Qinghe, I told you long ago that there is no need for such formality."

"Etiquette cannot be neglected." Qian Renxue straightened, her eyes filled with sincere respect. "You are both my elder and my teacher. If Imperial Father learned that I had been disrespectful, I fear he would punish me."

When her gaze turned to Tang San, there was a touch more scrutiny in Qian Renxue's eyes. "This must be the young talent Uncle Ning often mentions, Brother Tang San?"

"Your Highness overpraises me." Tang San clasped his hands in salute, neither humble nor overbearing, though his gaze inadvertently swept over Feng Yao. Seeing the captain of the Imperial Dou Team standing at the Crown Prince's side, he already understood their relationship.

Ning Fengzhi lightly brushed his sleeve and introduced them. "Xiao San, this is His Highness Xue Qinghe, the current Crown Prince of Heaven Dou."

"I have long heard of you." Tang San saluted once more, composed and measured, showing respect without losing his own bearing.

Appreciation flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes. "No need for so much ceremony. If Brother Tang San does not mind, simply call me Brother Xue." She then turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Uncle Ning, this is Feng Yao, the current captain of the Imperial Dou Team." A meaningful curve touched her lips. "Speaking of which, he has quite a connection with your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Feng Yao elegantly inclined forward, placing his right hand over his left chest as he gave Ning Fengzhi a standard Spirit Master's salute. His voice was clear and gentle as he spoke unhurriedly. "When this junior studied in Nuoding City in his early years, I once made a living playing the zither at Shopkeeper Ning's tea house. Thanks to Shopkeeper Ning's appreciation, he not only gave me a place to stay, but personally wrote me a letter of recommendation upon my graduation, helping me enter Moon Xuan for further study. Speaking of which, Tang San and I are schoolmates."

Feng Yao's words carried sincere gratitude, yet his gaze remained neither servile nor arrogant. "Speaking of which," Feng Yao said with a slight smile, "if not for Shopkeeper Ning's support back then, this junior might never have had the chance to see the world as it is today."

A look of realization flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes. He replied warmly, "So that is how it was. I do recall that a clan cousin once mentioned in a letter that Nuoding City had produced a young Spirit Master with extraordinary zither skills. I never expected to meet you here today."

"This junior will never forget Shopkeeper Ning's kindness in recognizing my worth." Feng Yao inclined himself again.

At that moment, Qian Renxue interjected at just the right time. "It seems that today's meeting has untangled quite a few threads of fate." She gracefully picked up the teapot and poured tea for everyone.

Ning Fengzhi lightly brushed his sleeve and said warmly, "Everyone, please take your seats first. This tea house's Biluochun Tea is exceptional. Xiao San, you should try some as well."

The four took their seats according to status. Qian Renxue lifted the celadon teapot and elegantly poured tea for them. The misty fragrance permeated the room, complementing the antique and refined surroundings and calming the mind.

Tang San's gaze rested briefly on Feng Yao, as though he were hesitant. Qian Renxue spoke at the right moment. "Xiao San, there's no need to be reserved. Feng Yao is not an outsider." She turned toward Ning Fengzhi with a smile in her eyes. "Speaking of which, I stole a fine prospect from my teacher."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a soft laugh. "It matters not. We are all serving the empire."

Only then did Tang San nod, his voice slightly low. "Brother Xue, I heard that you know something about my father's withdrawal from the world back then?"

Qian Renxue's expression turned solemn. "According to the court's consecrated masters, this matter was indeed related to Spirit Hall." Noticing Tang San's body tense in an instant, she continued, "Around fifteen years ago, Spirit Hall mobilized all its forces to search for a certain supreme treasure. Even the Pope at the time was personally drawn in. That item seemed to have been in your father's possession."

Tang San's knuckles had already turned white. "Then my mother..."

Qian Renxue sighed softly, though icy glints flashed deep in her eyes. "There was no mention of her in the information. But not long afterward, the previous Pope suddenly died, and your father also..." Her words stopped there.

Ning Fengzhi added at the proper moment, "The key lies in that treasure and the truth. I'm afraid only those involved know what truly happened."

The private room fell silent for a moment. Cold light flickered in Tang San's eyes before quickly settling. "Thank you, Brother Xue, for clearing up my doubts."

Qian Renxue said gently, "It was nothing. I have already sent people to investigate further, but so many years have passed..."

"You have already helped me greatly." Tang San raised his teacup, the swirling steam obscuring his deep gaze.

The corners of Qian Renxue's lips lifted, her warm, jade-like voice flowing amid the tea fragrance. "Brother Tang, you give me too much credit. It was merely a small effort."

During their casual conversation, Feng Yao sharply noticed that Ning Fengzhi had never once mentioned recruiting him. That unusual silence only made the matter seem more meaningful. After several rounds of tea, Tang San rose to take his leave, when Qian Renxue suddenly drew something from her sleeve.

"Wait, Brother Tang." With a turn of her fingers, a gilded token gleamed brilliantly in the morning light. The gold token was ancient in design, with the character "Heaven" engraved on its face amid coiling dragon patterns. Soul Power faintly flowed within it. "I give this to you, worthy brother. Should you need anything in the future, bring this token to the palace and seek me out."

Tang San's gaze tightened slightly as his fingers tapped softly against Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night, revealing a trace of hesitation. Ning Fengzhi smiled at the right moment. "This is Qinghe's personal seal. Consider it simply a token of trust."

The gold token was heavy in his hand. Without showing anything, Tang San placed it inside his Soul Tool and clasped his hands in farewell. The three personally saw him off, watching until the blue-clad figure vanished at the end of the long street.

Watching Tang San's retreating back, Qian Renxue's eyes flashed with admiration. "Teacher truly has sharp eyes. This child is indeed unlike an ordinary youth. His thoughts are meticulous and his conduct steady. He truly deserves to be of the Haotian Bloodline."

Ning Fengzhi gently stroked his teacup and shook his head with a smile. "His excellence has nothing to do with his sect. It is entirely his own achievement. In his hands, the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul can rival the finest Martial Souls. Such talent..." His gaze became distant. "If he can resolve the backlash of Twin Martial Souls, his accomplishments will certainly surpass his father's."

Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully. "I will accelerate the investigation into what happened that year. As for Tang San..." Her fingers lightly tapped the tabletop. "It is still too early to win him over."

"Qinghe." Ning Fengzhi suddenly became serious. "If you want his wholehearted assistance, remember this—" He paused, each word carrying immense weight. "Do not seek to recruit him with power and influence. Befriend him only with sincerity."

After speaking, Ning Fengzhi cast Feng Yao a seemingly casual glance.

Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi looked at each other for a long while before she finally nodded solemnly. "I have been taught." She turned to look out the window. Sunlight edged her profile in gold, yet could not penetrate those unfathomable eyes.

Feng Yao stood quietly at the side, taking in every word of their exchange. He rubbed the strings of "Fuxi" within his robes, a trace of mockery flashing deep in his eyes as an almost imperceptible smile curled his lips.

Not long afterward, Ning Fengzhi's carriage slowly departed, the sound of its wheels rolling over the bluestone road gradually fading into the distance.

"What are your thoughts?" Qian Renxue stood by the window, sunlight filtering through its carved lattice and casting mottled shadows across her face.

Feng Yao lightly stroked the zither strings and let out an almost inaudible sigh. "In Sect Master Ning's eyes, I am probably nothing more than an opportunist currying favor with the powerful." The corners of his lips rose slightly. "That saves quite a bit of trouble."

Qian Renxue lightly tapped the window frame, producing a crisp sound. "The sect is rife with factions. As a direct descendant, for Shopkeeper Ning to be sent to manage a tea house in a remote border city like Nuoding City, his position within the sect..." She stopped, leaving the rest unspoken.

Feng Yao's gaze grew distant, as if crossing time to see again that look of appreciation cast upon him amid the fragrance of tea. Even back then, he had clearly known that Shopkeeper Ning's care stemmed purely from his appreciation of a zither master, not from the sect's customary investments for profit.

"Some bonds..." His fingers slid over the body of the zither, his voice so soft it seemed like a murmur to himself. "Were never about one's position to begin with."

Feng Yao's gaze settled on the receding shadow of the carriage outside the window as his fingers gently tapped the zither's body. "In Sect Master Ning's eyes, I am not suited for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect either." A nearly imperceptible smile played at his lips. "What he needs are people like Gu Rong and Chen Xin to help his daughter secure the Sect Leader's position, or someone like Tang San—"

"Support with a powerful background who would not threaten the Sect Leader's position." Qian Renxue took up his words, admiration flashing through her eyes. "Someone who can strengthen the sect's alliances without shaking its foundations."

Feng Yao lowered his gaze. "As for Oscar..." He sighed inwardly. He was nothing more than a backup choice for when the sect declined.

Qian Renxue nodded in satisfaction. "It seems you understand everything clearly." Her meaningful gaze swept over Feng Yao's profile. "Such clarity is rare."

Feng Yao's fingers hovered over the strings. He lifted his eyes toward the window.

"Though the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is honored as the world's foremost Support System Martial Soul, in the end..." His fingers gently passed across the zither's body, releasing an almost inaudible sigh. "It must depend upon the branches of the strong in order to bloom with brilliance. This is the shackle that Support System Soul Masters find difficult to escape."

The reflection in the teacup rippled with the water, mirroring Feng Yao's deep eyes. "Without the protection of top-tier battle Spirit Masters, even the most glorious sect is nothing but a castle in the air." He turned to Qian Renxue, a faint smile at his lips. "Sect Master Ning understands this principle well."

The teacup in Qian Renxue's hand paused lightly, porcelain touching its saucer with a crisp sound. Her eyes shifted as she stared at Feng Yao with an ambiguous smile. "Speaking of which, you did not seem at all surprised by Tang San's background. I am curious—how did you 'see' things so clearly?"

Feng Yao's fingertips stroked the strings, producing a clear harmonic note. "Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang is a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, so his standards are naturally high." He raised his eyes to meet Qian Renxue's gaze, his tone composed. "How could a disciple to whom he taught everything possibly be an ordinary Spirit Master?"

"Reasonable." Qian Renxue lightly tapped the tabletop, the gilded armor on her fingers gleaming coldly in the sunlight. "With the pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon line, they indeed would not casually associate with ordinary people."

She suddenly leaned forward, and the faint scent of Dragon Saliva Incense drifted from her robes. "However..." Her voice lowered to nearly a whisper. "Knowing too much is not always a good thing."

Feng Yao gently set down his teacup, porcelain meeting the sandalwood table with a crisp sound. He lifted his eyes and looked directly at Qian Renxue, an almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "Your Highness has laid plans far ahead and put much thought into them. But permit me one presumptuous remark."

Qian Renxue raised a brow slightly and waited for him to continue.

Feng Yao's voice suddenly became incomparably clear. "In this world where Spirit Masters reign supreme, any scheme or calculation is like thin ice before absolute strength." His long fingers drew an arc through the air. "The borders of an empire must ultimately be measured by the ranks of Soul Power."

Sunlight spilled through the tea room, casting shadows across Feng Yao's sharply defined profile. His words were like an unsheathed sword, concealing the keen edge of a warning.