Duel

Luo Ling felt like an evil villain.

It was clearly just a normal transaction, yet the scene before him looked exactly like dark forces forcibly taking away an innocent girl.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and Luo Ling's impression of Ning Fengzhi dropped considerably.

The Clear Sky Sect could abandon Tang Hao and seal off its Mountain Gate to preserve its strength; the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could abandon the Clan Leader's son, Yu Xiaogang; and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could send Ning Rongrong away for the Aromatic Silk Beauty.

The Three Upper Sects were all cut from the same cloth.

Within these sects, the sect always came before family.

"Rong Rong will need some time to prepare before going to Spirit Hall. She can leave with Pope in five days," Ning Fengzhi made the final decision.

Neither Luo Ling nor Bibi Dong said anything. After handing the Aromatic Silk Beauty to Ning Fengzhi, they left.

After the two departed, Ning Fengzhi looked at his daughter and let out a sigh after a long while.

"Rong Rong, I know you resent your father, but making the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School has been the lifelong wish of our ancestors for generations."

Ning Fengzhi looked deeply at the Aromatic Silk Beauty in his hand.

"No matter how you may view me as your father in the future, I cannot miss this Immortal Herb."

"Besides, this Immortal Herb was actually prepared for you."

Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong's expression finally shifted.

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Your father is already old. The future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will ultimately have to be handed over to you."

"When you return from Spirit Hall, I will give this Immortal Herb to you."

There was not the slightest trace of falsehood in his words.

Within a sect, the sect's interests truly outweighed those of any individual. Yet Ning Fengzhi was a good father, without question.

The matter of Ning Rongrong's departure was not widely publicized. After all, she was going to Spirit Hall, and only a small number of people knew about it.

While he was still in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Luo Ling began practicing the Distraction Control Method and occasionally sought Ning Fengzhi's guidance.

Ning Rongrong studied alongside him as well.

The former Little Devil Girl had grown quiet. As the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she had always grown up surrounded by adoration.

She had never understood her father's obsession with the sect, and had naturally accepted the privileged life the sect gave her.

Ning Rongrong had originally resented her father somewhat, but then she saw those "shocking" records in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's archives.

In the past, the ancestors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had conducted all sorts of experiments to overcome the flaw in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, even experimenting on themselves.

As a result, a great number of direct descendants of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had died.

That period of history had been too bloody and was deeply buried away. Only each successive Sect Leader knew of it; now Ning Rongrong knew as well.

She also understood why her father had been willing to send her away.

Ning Fengzhi had not lied. The Aromatic Silk Beauty was being saved for her, and she would also become the next Sect Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The former Little Devil Girl seemed to have grown up overnight and was no longer spoiled or willful.

Luo Ling found it strange. Ning Rongrong's change had come far too quickly, yet her relationship with Ning Fengzhi had not grown distant.

"Tomorrow, you're going to Spirit Hall with us. Are you ready?"

At the training grounds, Luo Ling glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him.

"There's nothing to prepare. Didn't you say Spirit Hall would receive me with the highest standards?"

Ning Rongrong shot Luo Ling a sidelong glance. Even though she now knew the sect's secrets, she still disliked the person who was taking her away from home.

"Miss Ning is right." Luo Ling raised his brows helplessly.

As the two chatted idly, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Bibi Dong arrived at the training grounds.

Luo Ling and Ning Rongrong hurried over to greet them.

Luo Ling was somewhat puzzled, unsure why all these important figures had gathered here.

Then, he suddenly sensed a trace of hostility.

His gaze fell upon the young man following Sword Douluo.

He remembered this person. His name seemed to be Bai Yu, a four-ring Soul Ancestor.

"Xiao Ling, we're leaving tomorrow. Before we go, Sect Leader Ning wants to see the strength of you, Spirit Hall's Holy Son."

Seeing Luo Ling's confused expression, Bibi Dong explained.

"Little friend Luo Ling, you won't refuse, will you? Since we'll be friends in the future, we should learn from and exchange pointers with each other more often."

Ning Fengzhi looked at Luo Ling with a smile.

He had heard about Spirit Hall's Holy Son years ago, but had never been able to uncover much information.

Now, he truly wanted to see just how great the gap was between the younger generation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and that of Spirit Hall.

Luo Ling also looked at Ning Fengzhi. He did not know what the man was thinking, but he had no intention of refusing.

"Since Sect Leader Ning wishes to know, then of course that is fine." He nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi gestured for Bai Yu behind him to step forward.

"His name is Bai Yu. He is the most outstanding disciple of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and also Uncle Sword's disciple."

"I am Bai Yu."

"Luo Ling."

Luo Ling nodded at the young man before him. A disciple of Sword Douluo had never appeared in the original story, so he had no idea how strong Bai Yu was.

"You two can spar. Remember to stop before it goes too far."

"Bai Yu, you are a Soul Ancestor, so do not use your Fourth Soul Skill."

Ning Fengzhi instructed.

The two stepped onto the platform. Luo Ling said with a smile, "Actually, I don't mind if you use your Fourth Soul Skill."

Bai Yu frowned. "Are you looking down on me?"

Luo Ling shook his head but said nothing more.

The soul battle began!

"Bai Yu, eighteen years old. Martial Soul: Azure Rainbow Sword. Level 44 weapon-type Soul Ancestor. Please advise me."

"Luo Ling, ten years old. Martial Soul: Raven Shadow Puppet. Level 37 weapon-type Soul Elder. Please advise me."

Following Bai Yu's example, Luo Ling included his age when introducing himself.

After Luo Ling revealed his age, not only Bai Yu on the platform but also Ning Fengzhi and the others below widened their eyes.

At ten years old, he was already close to becoming a Soul Ancestor. It was simply unheard of.

Ning Rongrong was stunned as well. She had always thought Luo Ling was much older than her, but he was only one year older.

A difference of twenty levels of Soul Power in just one year!

She even wondered whether Luo Ling had misspoken.

"Pope, is little friend Luo Ling truly only ten years old?" Ning Fengzhi could not help asking.

"Yes, Xiao Ling is only ten." Bibi Dong answered proudly, as though she were showing off her most treasured possession.

Ning Fengzhi turned his gaze back to the fighting platform. At level 37 at ten years old, his future achievements would surely place him at the peak of the continent.

He suddenly glanced at Ning Rongrong.

If Rong Rong and him... Ning Fengzhi suddenly felt far less resistant to his daughter going to Spirit Hall.

At that moment, Bai Yu had already summoned his Martial Soul on the platform. He held a green longsword in his hand, while four Soul Rings revolved around him.

Luo Ling did not remain idle either. He patted the Crow on his shoulder.

The Crow flapped its wings and flew up, landing on the ground before turning into a mass of black mist. Within seconds, it changed from a crow into a figure resembling Luo Ling.

The First Soul Skill of the Raven Shadow Puppet was unleashed in an instant.

Countless Darkness Threads spread outward.

"Begin." Luo Ling spoke calmly.

"This is your Martial Soul? Where are your Soul Rings?" Bai Yu had never seen such a strange sight and could not help asking.

"Defeat me, and you'll find out." Luo Ling did not wish to explain and made the first move.