Ning Fengzhi's Magnanimity

Upon seeing Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo, Dugu Bo hurriedly rose to his feet.

It was Dugu Yan's first time seeing her grandfather act so restrained, so she stood as well.

"There is no need for this, Dugu Mianxia." Ning Fengzhi's voice was like bathing in the spring breeze, carrying a natural warmth and affinity. "Mianxia and I have conducted several transactions before. We can be considered friends. Just treat this as a chat between friends."

Ning Fengzhi gestured for Dugu Bo to sit down. There was no need for such formality.

Dugu Bo fell silent for a moment before slowly sitting back down.

Dugu Yan, however, did not dare to sit.

Ning Fengzhi looked at her and said with a smile, "There is no need to be so concerned, Miss Dugu Yan. Whether or not Dugu Mianxia joins the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Mianxia and I are still friends."

"Y-You know me?" Dugu Yan's voice trembled slightly. It was hard to imagine that the sect master of the greatest sect in the world, second only to Spirit Hall, actually knew a nobody like her.

That was right—she was a nobody.

On the road here, Dugu Bo had given Dugu Yan a rough introduction to all the major powers of Douluo Continent.

He had also clearly told Dugu Yan that, although he was a level 91 Titled Douluo and appeared impressive on the surface, among Titled Douluo, he was nothing special.

Only then had Dugu Yan learned that Titled Douluo were ranked in different tiers—and that her grandfather was at the very bottom.

"Miss Dugu's talent and strength are rather well-known at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"I have also heard of you from some Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples studying at the academy," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.

"I-Is that so?" Under Ning Fengzhi's praise, Dugu Yan's uneasy emotions gradually settled.

After reassuring Dugu Yan, Ning Fengzhi turned his gaze back to Dugu Bo. "May I ask what impression Mianxia has of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is wealthy enough to rival a nation; everyone knows of it. Its support abilities are unmatched in the world," Dugu Bo answered carefully.

"Then would Mianxia be willing to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Ning Fengzhi let Dugu Bo's praise go in one ear and out the other, but the invitation still had to be made.

"If I say no, will Sect Master Ning refuse to sell Dugu Bo the antidote?" Dugu Bo asked in return.

As soon as those words fell, the entire living room became somewhat quiet.

Bone Douluo's brows furrowed slightly.

Wasn't this Dugu Bo far too arrogant?

However, catching Ning Rongrong subtly shaking her head from the corner of his eye, Bone Douluo quieted down and swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

Bone Douluo knew very well that he could not compare to Ning Fengzhi when it came to using his brain.

Even Rongrong was better than him at twists and turns. Otherwise, he would not have been talked into joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect back then, only to later be won over by Ning Fengzhi's magnanimity.

He should leave the brain-taxing matters for Ning Fengzhi to handle himself!

"Hahahahaha!" Ning Fengzhi's laughter broke the somewhat tense atmosphere. He waved his hand. "Dugu Mianxia, you truly know how to joke. We of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are merchants. Helping Mianxia remove the poison naturally counts as a transaction."

"There is no need to conceal an equivalent exchange. Besides, the favor of a Titled Douluo is extremely valuable."

"However, for the sake of mutual benefit, I still hope Mianxia can join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"I can promise Mianxia this: so long as you join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and do not betray the sect, the medicinal herbs within the sect will be open to Mianxia at all times."

"I believe this promise should hold some value, should it not?"

"Hiss—"

Dugu Bo sucked in a breath, his emerald green pupils widening slightly.

It had to be said that Dugu Bo was tempted by these terms.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had become one of the wealthiest sects in the world primarily because of the unique nature of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Soul Masters with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda possessed powerful treasure-appraising abilities, including the ability to identify rare medicinal herbs.

As an expert in medicinal substances, Dugu Bo greatly wished to have someone like that helping him.

After all, his secret Medicine Garden contained many things that were obviously rare medicinal herbs at a glance, yet he had no idea how to use them.

"Dad..." Ning Rongrong spoke up, unable to quite grasp her father's intentions.

Although she had considered fully opening the medicine repository to Dugu Bo while speaking with him earlier, such a decision could sometimes be extremely dangerous. There should be certain conditions.

Her emotions could accept it, but her reason could not.

What if Dugu Bo harbored some ulterior motive? The entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could suffer a devastating blow!

"Rongrong, I am the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Ning Fengzhi glanced at Ning Rongrong, who seemed to want to speak but held herself back, then shifted his gaze slightly. "I believe in Dugu Mianxia's value."

Ning Rongrong: "..."

Why did that sound so familiar?

But never mind.

As long as nothing went seriously wrong, it was fine. Dugu Bo's character should be trustworthy.

"Sect Master Ning, your proposal is very tempting," Dugu Bo said with a sigh.

"But how confident are you that you can cure the poison in Yan Yan and me?"

"Nothing can be guaranteed one hundred percent," Ning Fengzhi replied.

"The poison in your bodies requires a combination of extreme cold and extreme heat before it can possibly be purged."

"But the specific steps still require further detailed discussion."

"I suggest that you visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for further observation. That way, we can choose a more suitable course of treatment."

"I understand. I need to think it over." Dugu Bo rose to his feet.

"After the Crown Prince's Apprenticeship Ceremony, once Sect Master Ning has returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for some time, I will decide whether to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"As for whether I go or not, I will contact you then. Is that acceptable?"

"Of course. Your Excellency is free to come and go, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a sect that honors its word."

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly, then took an exquisite Jade Box from his Storage Soul Tool.

"Consider this a meeting gift for Your Excellency."

"This is?" Dugu Bo accepted the Jade Box and slowly opened it. When he saw what was inside, his expression turned quite stunned.

A spirit bone. It was actually a spirit bone.

A spirit bone more than ten thousand years old.

"Sect Master Ning, this is far too precious."

Dugu Bo pushed the Jade Box back, intending to return it to Ning Fengzhi.

But Ning Fengzhi stopped it with his hand and smiled.

"Once a gift has been given, there is no reason to take it back."

"Inside is a Thirty Thousand Year Defensive Spirit Bone. There is a note on it describing all of the spirit bone's abilities," Ning Fengzhi continued.

"Although this spirit bone may not suit Your Excellency, it may still have other uses."

"But how you use it is entirely up to you. After all, the spirit bone is already yours. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect interfered further, it would be somewhat against propriety."

Dugu Bo gave Ning Fengzhi a long look.

Then he looked at the note beside the Jade Box, which recorded the various details of the spirit bone.

After a long while, Dugu Bo sighed.

"Sect Master Ning, Dugu Bo is deeply grateful for your sincerity. After this ceremony, I will certainly visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Afterward, Dugu Bo left the residence with Dugu Yan.

The room fell silent once more.

"Giving a Thirty Thousand Year Soul Bone to Dugu Bo just like that—isn't that a bit wasteful? He hasn't agreed to anything yet," Bone Douluo could not help saying.

"Bone Elder," Ning Fengzhi said.

"After Dugu Bo confirmed it was a spirit bone, his first reaction was to immediately push it back rather than keep it for himself. A person's first reaction often reveals what lies in their heart."

"He is a man who values loyalty and righteousness. Knowing that alone makes it worthwhile."