Ning Rongrong

"Rongrong." The smile faded from Ning Fengzhi's face.

"You are mistaken. It was only some of Shrek's people who formed a grudge with Imperial Dou Team 3.

Not all of them—for example, you.

You must be clear about that."

"No! I won't go!" Ning Rongrong instantly understood her father's intentions. The grievance of being betrayed surged up in her heart, and she protested emotionally, "What's so great about them? Didn't Shrek make it into the promotion rounds too?!"

She was the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Having been influenced by her surroundings since childhood, how could she not know how her father—the continent's number one auxiliary-system Soul Master and the wealthy sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—maintained the sect's transcendent status?

The Sword Bone Twin Douluo were its foundation, but her father's ever-invincible stance and his exquisite ability to play both sides were the ultimate wisdom that kept the sect standing firm.

What her father was doing now was precisely applying that "wisdom" to her!

"Rongrong, look at me!"

Ning Fengzhi's hands settled steadily on Ning Rongrong's slightly slender shoulders, his gaze leaving no room for doubt.

"This Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is mine now, and in the future, you will become its sect master." His voice was not loud, yet it carried exceptional solemnity. "The sect's continuation, rise and fall, honor and disgrace—all rest upon the sect master's decisions.

Personal feelings must sometimes give way to the sect's overall interests."

Ning Rongrong opened her mouth, wanting to refute his mention of "personal feelings," but Ning Fengzhi gave her no chance.

"The fact that Dai Mubai has lost an arm cannot be changed, and his future is uncertain.

Ma Hongjun's martial soul may be unusual, but his temperament is impetuous and his foundation unstable. He will not amount to much.

As for Tailong, his limits are already apparent.

The only ones truly worth watching are Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar, the food-system Soul Master."

Then his tone shifted, carrying an unquestionable judgment.

"But even those three fall considerably short of the five from Imperial Dou Team 3—

Duanmu Ci, Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiluo, and Shana.

Whether in talent, strength, or the potential and disposition they have displayed, the gap is not small.

Rongrong, this is a fact you must see clearly."

Ning Fengzhi bent slightly, bringing his gaze level with his daughter's. "I am not asking you to break with the people from Shrek.

But you have only known them for a little over a year.

How can the young sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect allow personal feelings to create an irreconcilable rift between herself and people like Duanmu Ci, who are highly likely to stand at the pinnacle of the continent in the future? That is neither the act of a wise person nor the way of a sect master!"

Ning Rongrong's body trembled slightly. After a long while—

"...I understand, Father."

Ning Rongrong's voice was tired and hoarse. The stubbornness in her eyes gradually gave way to resignation.

"I'll go."

The tension in Ning Fengzhi's expression finally eased, and a satisfied smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"That is my good daughter—the future hope of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

He gently patted Ning Rongrong's shoulder, then turned and left, his steps light with the satisfaction of having achieved his goal.

Left where she stood, Ning Rongrong seemed to have had all her strength drained away. Her vacant eyes followed the direction of her father's departure as complicated emotions churned within her.

Outside Duanmu Ci's residence, carriages and horses streamed past.

With Imperial Dou Team 3 soon departing for Spirit City to compete in the finals, Xue Ye did not delay and quickly arranged this gathering.

Nominally, it was a farewell banquet for all five teams from the Heaven Dou Empire that had advanced, wishing them outstanding results in their matches at Spirit City.

Early that morning, Xue Qinghe's carriage had already arrived at the residence.

Qian Renxue had come personally to take Duanmu Ci, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others to the imperial palace.

Inside the carriage, Qian Renxue explained to him the etiquette and procedures for meeting Xue Ye, as well as the topics that might arise and how to respond to them.

Duanmu Ci leaned back against the soft brocade cushions, but his gaze drifted toward the streetscape flashing past outside the window.

As for this banquet filled with political maneuvering and social niceties, he only intended to be a passerby.

Qian Renxue's voice flowed beside his ear, but he had completely drifted off, his thoughts already wandering who knew where.

The imperial palace was majestic, its atmosphere solemn.

Representatives from the five teams that had advanced—Shrek, Elephant Armor, Heavenly Water, and the Imperial Dou Main Team and Team 3—had all arrived.

Tang San and the others from Shrek had naturally been invited as well, though they had been arranged to wait in the outer hall.

When Duanmu Ci and his group passed through the outer hall under Qian Renxue's guidance, they immediately felt several hostile gazes.

Tang San stared coldly at Duanmu Ci at the front. Xiao Wu's eyes were likewise filled with anger, while Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and the others wore hostile expressions. Especially when they saw Zhu Zhuqing following closely at Duanmu Ci's side, their fury nearly burst forth.

Duanmu Ci did not slow his pace. He could not even be bothered to lift his eyelids. These people were not worth his notice.

Accompanied by Qian Renxue, he walked straight through the crowd toward the more central inner hall.

The atmosphere within the inner hall was completely different from that outside—luxurious and solemn.

When Duanmu Ci saw Xue Ye seated in the place of honor, he retained that almost arrogant calmness. He showed not the slightest nervousness or reverence due to the other man's status as emperor, offering only a flawless yet utterly impersonal formal salute.

Xue Ye was not offended in the least. Instead, he appeared exceptionally enthusiastic, his face glowing as he greeted him.

"Little Friend Duanmu, such youthful talent is a blessing for Heaven Dou! Please, take a seat."

He then turned to a refined middle-aged man beside him, who wore a gentle smile.

"Come, allow me to introduce you. This is Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the continent's number one support-type Soul Master, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi."

Only then did Duanmu Ci truly focus his gaze on Ning Fengzhi, a faint trace of amusement flickering across his eyes.

The young girl standing behind Ning Fengzhi—the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and one of the Shrek Seven Devils, Ning Rongrong—was actually in the inner hall as well. At that moment, Ning Fengzhi gently pushed her forward.

"Young Master Duanmu, I have long heard of your great name. Now that I see you in person, your bearing is indeed extraordinary." Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly, his tone sincere, as though he and Duanmu Ci were old friends. "This is my daughter, Rongrong. Rongrong, why don't you greet Young Master Duanmu?"

Pushed forward by her father, Ning Rongrong's body stiffened slightly.

She raised her head and looked at Duanmu Ci with complicated emotions.

This was the first time she had examined this "enemy," whom her father valued so highly and who had severed Dai Mubai's arm, from such close range.

The youth before her stood tall and straight as a pine. His handsome features were almost sharp, and his deep eyes seemed capable of seeing through one's heart.

He radiated an indescribable, unique aura—a mixture of immense strength and aloof detachment.

Setting aside their grudges, as a person alone, he truly possessed a charm that could move one's heart.

Ning Rongrong's feelings were a tangled mess. Under her father's silent urging gaze, she forced out a smile, her voice carrying an almost imperceptible tension. "Hello, Young Master Duanmu."

Duanmu Ci's gaze rested on Ning Rongrong's face for a moment, taking in both her feigned composure and the struggle hidden deep within her eyes. "Miss Ning, a pleasure."