Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, First Visit to the Sect

West of Heaven Dou City, the terrain gradually rose, where a vast and magnificent complex of buildings had been constructed against the mountainside. Glazed tiles reflected seven-colored light beneath the sun, making it look from afar as though a heavenly palace had descended into the mortal world. This was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, known as the number one Support Type sect in the world.

The towering sect gate was exceptionally imposing. The four grand characters, "Seven Treasures Glazed Tile," danced across its plaque like dragons and phoenixes, carrying a faint pressure of Soul Power. Beneath it stood sect disciples in uniform attire, alert and spirited, their sharp gazes sweeping over all passersby.

Qin Mo's group immediately drew the attention of the guarding disciples upon their arrival. Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling in particular possessed distinctive temperaments and outstanding beauty; it was impossible for them not to attract notice.

"Stop! This is the grounds of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Unauthorized persons are forbidden from approaching!" A leading disciple stepped forward and blocked their path. Though his tone was relatively polite, the scrutiny in his eyes was unmistakable.

Qin Mo stopped, his expression calm. Bing'er stepped forward, took out a visiting card of unusual material stamped with strange cloud patterns, and handed it over. Her voice was cool as she said, "Qin Mo, Young Sect Master of the Myriad Manifestations Sect, has come to pay a visit to Sect Master Ning Fengzhi. Please announce us."

"The Myriad Manifestations Sect?" The leading disciple accepted the card, frowning slightly as confusion flashed through his eyes. He had never heard this name before. He knew of virtually every sect of even modest renown in the Heaven Dou Empire and across the continent, yet he had never heard of the Myriad Manifestations Sect. Looking at these people again, aside from the black-clothed old man whose aura was deep and impossible to gauge, the rest were all young boys and girls. This so-called Young Sect Master was especially young to an absurd degree.

A hint of contempt rose in his heart, but the visiting card was clearly no ordinary item, and the cloud patterns upon it seemed to contain some strange power. It did not look forged. After hesitating, he said, "The Sect Master is occupied with important matters. He is not someone just anyone can meet. Wait here while I report to the steward for a decision." With that, he turned to leave.

At that moment, a gentle yet unquestionable voice of authority came from within the sect. "What is all this commotion?"

A middle-aged man in white robes slowly walked out, carrying an elegant and scholarly air. Two old men followed behind him. One had white hair and beard, a longsword cradled in his arms, his eyes as sharp as sword edges when they opened and closed. The other had a broad frame and a somewhat gloomy complexion, his aura as profound as an ancient mountain above an abyss. They were Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.

The guarding disciple quickly bowed. "Greetings, Sect Master, Elder Sword, Elder Bone. These people claim to be from the Myriad Manifestations Sect and seek an audience with the Sect Master." As he spoke, he presented the visiting card.

Ning Fengzhi accepted the card. When his gaze fell upon the words "Myriad Manifestations Sect," the smile on his refined face did not change, though a flicker of shock passed deep within his eyes. Behind him, Chen Xin and Gu Rong's gazes instantly sharpened, sweeping over Qin Mo's group almost tangibly.

"The Myriad Manifestations Sect..." Ning Fengzhi gently rubbed the cloud patterns on the card, sensing that faint and elusive strange fluctuation. In his heart, he already believed it seven or eight parts out of ten. He had seen scattered records of this sect in the oldest archives of his sect. It was said to be an incomparably mysterious and ancient sect of unfathomable strength that had long secluded itself from the world. He had not expected its successor to come knocking today.

The smile on his face grew warmer as he put away the card and looked at Qin Mo, who stood at the front. His heart gave another slight start. Though the boy was young, his bearing was composed and his gaze deep. Facing three renowned Titled Douluo, he showed not the slightest fear, as if he were merely meeting ordinary elders. The two girls behind him, one pure and icy, the other lively as flame, both possessed extraordinarily remarkable martial soul auras. Could they be... ultimate attributes? And that black-clothed old man's aura was as deep as sea and abyss. Even Ning Fengzhi could not quite see through him.

"So you are honored guests of the Myriad Manifestations Sect. Ning has failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me." Ning Fengzhi cupped his hands with a smile, his manner as pleasant as a spring breeze. "This is not a place for conversation. Please come inside with me."

"Sect Master Ning is too courteous. We came uninvited, so we are the ones causing a disturbance." Qin Mo returned the gesture without servility or arrogance, his movements calm and proper.

Under Ning Fengzhi's personal guidance, the group passed through layer after layer of halls and corridors toward the main reception hall. The interior of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was even more extravagantly luxurious, with carved beams and painted rafters, rare treasures and curiosities everywhere, displaying the wealth and foundation of the world's number one support sect at every turn.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong appeared to follow casually from behind, but their auras had long locked onto Qin Yuan. From this black-clothed old man, they sensed an extremely concealed yet incomparably dangerous aura. His strength was definitely no weaker than theirs! This shocked them greatly and made them raise their guard against the suddenly emerged Myriad Manifestations Sect.

They arrived at a spacious, magnificent, brightly lit reception hall and took their respective seats. After serving fragrant tea and pastries, the maidservants quietly withdrew.

Ning Fengzhi took a sip of tea and smiled at Qin Mo. "May I ask what brings Young Sect Master Qin here today?" He already had many guesses in his heart, but he still needed to hear it from the other party's own mouth.

Qin Mo set down his teacup and met Ning Fengzhi's gaze calmly. Getting straight to the point, he said, "I have long heard that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is the number one support-type tool martial soul in the world, unmatched in might. Sect Master Ning has also brought the sect to ever greater heights, which is truly admirable. However, all things in this world have their limits. Though the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is powerful, it is bound by the shackles of seven rings and cannot advance any further. That is truly regrettable."

The atmosphere in the reception hall changed instantly.

The smile on Ning Fengzhi's face faded slightly, and a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. Chen Xin's fingers, resting around the Seven Killings Sword in his arms, twitched faintly. Gu Rong snorted coldly, his aura turning slightly heavy. The seven-ring restriction was the greatest pain and regret of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Having it stated so bluntly by an outsider—especially a child—left them deeply displeased.

"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi's tone remained mild, but it carried a hint of distance. "From what Young Sect Master Qin says, could it be that you have a way to solve this ancient problem of our sect's martial soul?" His words contained clear doubt and scrutiny. Countless powerful predecessors had failed to resolve this problem. What method could a mere youth possibly have?

As if he had not heard the doubt in Ning Fengzhi's words, Qin Mo smiled faintly. "An ancient problem does not necessarily have no solution. Though I am hardly remarkable, I may be able to help one disciple of your sect glimpse the realm of eight treasures—or even nine."

"Arrogant!" Gu Rong could not help but bark, his voice like muffled thunder. "Boy, do you know what you are saying? The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is only a legendary realm. How could you possibly—"

"Uncle Gu." Ning Fengzhi raised a hand to stop Gu Rong. He stared deeply at Qin Mo, trying to find even a trace of bluster or deception in the boy's eyes. Yet all he saw was bottomless calm and confidence.

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly smiled. "In that case, how does Young Sect Master Qin intend to help? And what price does he expect my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to pay?" He did not believe there was such a thing as a free lunch.

"For now, let us not speak of the price." Qin Mo shook his head slightly. "I merely wish to prove to Sect Master Ning that my words are not empty. Perhaps you could invite your sect's most gifted disciple out for a meeting?"

Ning Fengzhi's gaze flickered. He immediately understood who Qin Mo was targeting. His precious daughter, Ning Rongrong, possessed Innate Spirit Power Level Nine and was the sect's most promising genius in a century. Yet precisely because expectations for her were so high, recent setbacks in cultivation had made her increasingly spoiled and rebellious, giving him no end of headaches.

This Young Sect Master of the Myriad Manifestations Sect certainly knew how to choose his target.

Just as he was about to speak, a crisp but impatient girl's shout came from outside the hall. "Who is it? Why are you being so noisy? Won't you let anyone rest?"

With the voice came a girl wearing an exquisite pink court dress, her hair styled in a princess's bun. Her features were delicate and adorable, like a porcelain doll's. Pouting with displeasure, she walked inside. Her lively large eyes swept over the people in the hall, and when she saw Qin Mo and the other unfamiliar faces, her gaze took on a hint of scrutiny and arrogance.

She was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Ning Rongrong.

"Dad, Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, who are they?" Ning Rongrong walked to Ning Fengzhi's side and tugged on his sleeve, though her eyes continued to examine Qin Mo and the others. When she saw that Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling possessed looks and temperaments not inferior to her own, her little mouth pouted even higher.

Ning Fengzhi smiled helplessly and patted his daughter's hand. "Rongrong, do not be rude. These are honored guests from the Myriad Manifestations Sect."

"The Myriad Manifestations Sect? Never heard of it." Ning Rongrong curled her lips, clearly not taking Qin Mo's group seriously.

Qin Mo looked at the spoiled little princess without anger. Instead, he smiled faintly, stood up, and made an inviting gesture toward Ning Rongrong. "Miss Rongrong, could we speak privately? Perhaps I can resolve some of your recent... little troubles."

Ning Rongrong looked at him suspiciously. "You? What troubles can you solve? Do you even know what troubles I have?"

"About... how to make your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda become a little more." Qin Mo's voice was not loud, yet it exploded beside Ning Rongrong's ears like thunder.

The arrogance on Ning Rongrong's face instantly froze, replaced by shock and disbelief. She abruptly looked at her father, then back at Qin Mo.

A sharp light flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes. He was somewhat surprised by Qin Mo's method of striking directly at the heart of the matter. After pondering briefly, he nodded to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, go with Young Sect Master Qin."

He also wanted to see what methods this mysterious Young Sect Master of the Myriad Manifestations Sect truly possessed.

Ning Rongrong looked at Qin Mo with doubt and hesitation, but in the end, her curiosity won out. She huffed. "Fine. I want to see what tricks you can pull."

Under the complicated yet expectant gazes of Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong, Qin Mo led Ning Rongrong toward a side hall off the reception room.