Taking Ning Rongrong Away

"Yesterday, Pope said that if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect joined Spirit Hall, she would give us the Aromatic Silk Beauty. I wonder, in what form would we join Spirit Hall?"

Ning Fengzhi voiced the concern that had been weighing on his mind.

Joining Spirit Hall was not something that could be settled with a few words. There were many details involved.

For instance, would the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect be wholly absorbed into Spirit Hall, or would they cooperate as equals? And if it was cooperation, what form would that cooperation take?

Ning Fengzhi had no desire for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to become Spirit Hall's slave. If they became slaves, then even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect became the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, it would be meaningless.

Faced with Ning Fengzhi's question, Bibi Dong felt somewhat awkward. She had never planned to recruit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the first place. Luo Ling had brought it all up.

She turned to glance at Luo Ling, her beautiful eyes clearly saying, You started this, so you explain it yourself.

Luo Ling shrugged and turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Sect Leader Ning, there is no need to worry."

"Our invitation for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to join Spirit Hall is naturally one of cooperation."

Ning Fengzhi looked strangely at Luo Ling and Bibi Dong.

Once again, Luo Ling was speaking in Bibi Dong's place. It had been this way from the beginning, as though Bibi Dong were merely an accessory.

This Holy Son's status in Bibi Dong's heart is far too high... Ning Fengzhi thought.

"Our method of cooperation is as follows," Luo Ling continued.

"On the surface, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will maintain an ordinary relationship with Spirit Hall. But in secret, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect must support Spirit Hall's operations."

"This includes, but is not limited to, support in resources such as money, intelligence, and Soul Masters."

Ning Fengzhi tapped his fingers against the table. "And what will the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect receive?"

"The Aromatic Silk Beauty, as well as Spirit Hall's assistance should the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect encounter a crisis," Luo Ling answered calmly.

The room fell silent as Ning Fengzhi weighed the gains and losses.

There was no issue with secretly supporting Spirit Hall. As long as it was not exposed, they would remain one of the renowned Three Upper Sects.

All they needed to provide was some money and intelligence.

To be honest, Ning Fengzhi did not wish to become enemies with Spirit Hall.

According to the information he had obtained, Spirit Hall's strength was far more terrifying than it appeared on the surface. If they could secretly rely on Spirit Hall while maintaining the same outward appearance, it would count as leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a path for the future.

With that thought, Ning Fengzhi had already made his decision.

"I can agree to your terms. Every year, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will provide Spirit Hall with supplies worth ten million Gold Soul Coins, along with any intelligence you require."

"Then may our cooperation be pleasant." A smile appeared on Luo Ling's face.

Bibi Dong watched quietly, feeling as though it were all somewhat unreal.

One of the mighty Three Upper Sects, the wealthiest sect in the world, had truly chosen to defect to Spirit Hall's side.

All because of a single immortal herb.

"Since that is the case, may I ask if you can hand over the Aromatic Silk Beauty now, young friend?" Ning Fengzhi also relaxed somewhat, but at the thought of the Aromatic Silk Beauty, he grew impatient.

Yet Luo Ling shook his head.

Ning Fengzhi froze for a moment before his expression darkened. "Could it be that you are playing with me, young friend?"

A powerful Soul Power pressure surged through the room.

Bibi Dong's willow brows furrowed as she released an equally powerful wave of Soul Power.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo stepped forward at the same time.

Only then did Luo Ling speak. "Sect Leader Ning, please calm down. I am not refusing. It is simply that this cooperation is of great importance, and a verbal agreement would be rather hasty."

Seeing Luo Ling's calm expression, Ning Fengzhi settled himself.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"To ensure that our cooperation will not be undermined, I believe..." Luo Ling paused and looked at Ning Rongrong beside them.

Under Luo Ling's gaze, Ning Rongrong's body trembled for no apparent reason.

"I think Miss Ning should come to Spirit Hall as our guest for a while." Luo Ling continued with a smile.

"No!" Before Ning Fengzhi could speak, Sword Douluo was the first to object.

Ning Rongrong finally became frightened and hurried behind Sword Douluo.

Ning Fengzhi, meanwhile, fell silent. He was a smart man and naturally understood Luo Ling's meaning.

Ning Rongrong was to be a hostage, meant to prevent the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect from going back on their word.

After all, Spirit Hall would genuinely provide the Aromatic Silk Beauty, while there was no guarantee whatsoever for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's support.

"Fengzhi! Are you really going to send Rongrong to Spirit Hall?"

Seeing that Ning Fengzhi remained silent, Sword Douluo could not help but speak.

"Sword Douluo, there is no need to worry. If Miss Ning comes to Spirit Hall, we will certainly receive her with the highest standards and will not allow her to suffer any grievance." Luo Ling smiled faintly at Sword Douluo.

Everyone's gazes fell upon Ning Fengzhi.

Only he could decide this matter. He was both the Sect Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Ning Rongrong's father.

The room fell silent. After about a minute, Ning Fengzhi finally said, "As long as Rongrong goes to Spirit Hall, you will give us the Aromatic Silk Beauty?"

"Fengzhi!" Sword Douluo could not believe that Ning Fengzhi truly intended to send Ning Rongrong to Spirit Hall.

"Uncle Sword, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is of immense importance to us..."

"No matter how important it is, we cannot sacrifice Rongrong! Even if we cannot evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect fears no one!" Sword Douluo said heatedly, fierce sword aura radiating from his body.

"Your Excellency Sword Douluo, we are inviting Miss Ning to Spirit Hall as a guest. Isn't it a little excessive to say we are sacrificing her?"

Luo Ling interjected, "It will merely be normal learning and exchange. We will not harm Miss Ning."

"Moreover, Miss Ning only needs to remain at Spirit Hall for three years."

"Three years?" Ning Fengzhi inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Sword Douluo was also stunned. He had initially thought that Spirit Hall intended to keep Ning Rongrong bound there forever, in which case she might never have a happy life.

But three years were different.

Bibi Dong also frowned, feeling that three years was too short, yet she did not question Luo Ling's decision.

Luo Ling wore a smile. Three years might seem short, but controlling a Ning Rongrong would be far too easy.

His Soul of Desire was no joke. If he truly got serious, it would not even take three years to make Ning Rongrong acknowledge Spirit Hall!

"What do you think? This condition is not excessive, is it?"

Luo Ling waited for Ning Fengzhi's response. Three years later would be when Tang San arrived at Shrek Academy. He wondered whether Ning Rongrong would still go to Shrek as she had in the original story after returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

In any case, Luo Ling intended to go.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong behind Sword Douluo. This condition was indeed not excessive. Even if Ning Rongrong stayed at Spirit Hall for three years, she would only be twelve.

"Rongrong, Father wants you to stay at Spirit Hall for three years. What do you think?" Ning Fengzhi asked somewhat awkwardly.

Ning Rongrong looked at her father, her eyes red. Only nine years old, she did not understand why she had to be sent away.

"Can I not go?" Ning Rongrong asked softly.

Ning Fengzhi fell silent. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo beside him both wore pained expressions.

Looking at her father and her two grandfathers' expressions, Ning Rongrong understood. She stopped crying and walked over to Luo Ling.

"I'll go with you," she said softly.