Rumors of Shrek

Shen Tianchen set aside his thoughts. Noticing the trace of worry on Xue Qinghe's face, he could not help asking, "But if I had to say it, this is merely an internal matter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Why does it trouble Your Highness so much? Could it be...?"

"As expected, I still can't hide it from you. It is indeed as you said, but I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to make a trip to Suotuo City."

Xue Qinghe explained the truth.

"An informant in Suotuo City sent word that a large quantity of grain has inexplicably gone missing there. It would have been enough to feed a sect of several thousand people for more than a year."

"Heaven Dou City has been rather unsettled lately. Many people have been flooding into Suotuo City because of the rumors surrounding Sect Master Ning, including nobles of considerable status. If I investigate personally, there will be too much resistance."

The only uncertainty was whether Ning Fengzhi had done it deliberately or whether it was merely a coincidence.

With so much grain vanishing at once, it would also be difficult to explain to Xue Ye.

There was clearly a group of roughly a thousand people involved, though no one knew which faction they served.

What Xue Qinghe wanted to know now was whether this force was a private army secretly cultivated by some power.

If it belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, that would be one thing. What he feared was that this force served the Clear Sky Sect.

Shen Tianchen pondered for a while before speaking to himself, "The situation is indeed troublesome. If it were merely an ordinary grain theft, it could still be blamed on bandits."

Among such bandits were quite a few powerful Spirit Masters, who had turned to robbing grain and passing merchants because they were wanted or had no way to make a living.

After hearing this, Xue Qinghe shook his head and denied his explanation.

He pulled open the desk drawer and laid a report sent back by an informant on the table.

"If I had to put it that way, the grain was not robbed."

"According to the informant, the grain was purchased by a buyer of unknown identity. The suspicious part is that after leaving Suotuo City, it vanished without a trace and was never traded on the market."

Xue Qinghe had originally not intended to concern himself with this matter, but the timing of Ning Fengzhi's rumors and the disappearance of the grain was far too coincidental.

As a result, he had no choice but to suspect that Ning Fengzhi's actions were meant to conceal something.

After pondering for a moment, Shen Tianchen nodded. "It is indeed rather thorny. If they are private troops secretly raised by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, that would still be manageable. So long as your identity remains exposed, those troops will ultimately become your strength."

After hesitating briefly, Xue Qinghe said, "Perhaps you do not know this yet, but the Worship Hall and the Papal Palace have a secret plan. To ensure that it proceeds smoothly, I need to understand the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's arrangements."

"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly maintains an army of over a thousand men, it may have a major impact on the plan. This matter must not be handled carelessly."

As for the details of this plan, Xue Qinghe did not say much. However, Shen Tianchen, with his god's-eye view, could more or less guess it.

The original story had not gone into detail about the Spirit Hunting Plan, but Shen Tianchen knew its purpose and outcome quite well.

He felt that this grain disappearance had little to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always supported the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family. Even if they had raised private troops, with that old fox Ning Fengzhi's mind, it would be difficult for them to leave any clues behind.

Therefore, Shen Tianchen boldly guessed that other major powers were likely already involved.

Xue Qinghe wanted Shen Tianchen to investigate Suotuo City, likely more to keep him away from the political strife at court.

With that thought in mind, he did not decline. After all, he had no desire to be courted and pulled in every direction by those marquises.

"Oh, right, Sister Xue. During this trip to Sunset Forest, I happened to obtain some immortal herbs. They are extremely important for a Spirit Master's daily cultivation."

As he spoke, Shen Tianchen took the immortal herbs from the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch. In an instant, the entire room was enveloped in dense spiritual energy.

"I have already sorted these immortal herbs. Great Grandfather's is Bright Spirit Grass, Second Grandfather's is Earth Dragon Golden Melon, Third Grandfather's is Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Fourth Grandfather's is Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Fifth Grandfather's is Extreme Cold Ice Soul, and my teacher's and Seventh Grandfather's are Dragon Blood Grass."

"I will personally deliver the herbs for the grandfathers when they arrive."

"As for you, there are two herbs. Aside from a stalk of Bright Spirit Grass, there is also this one, known as the King of Flowers—the Lovesick Heartbreak Red."

"The herbs for the grandfathers mostly enhance the attributes of their respective martial spirits. What I want to focus on next is the Lovesick Heartbreak Red."

"This immortal herb is rather special. Legend has it that a flower lover fell ill from longing for his beloved and eventually died in despair. After his death, a drop of blood from his heart splashed onto this flower, creating the Lovesick Heartbreak Red."

"When picking it, one must think of the person they love, with no distracting thoughts, and drip a drop of blood onto the petals. Only then will there be a chance of success."

After hearing this, Xue Qinghe lowered his head in thought. "The person one loves... How interesting."

"After the grandfathers take these immortal herbs, there is a high chance they will break through the bottlenecks that have plagued them for years, allowing them to advance even further."

Xue Qinghe smiled and replied, "If this truly succeeds, Tianchen, you will have rendered a great service. I do not know how Grandfather will reward you."

"After all, at their level, increasing their strength is not something that can be accomplished overnight."

"I have never hoped for Great Grandfather and the others to reward me with anything. I only hope that the people of the continent can continue living in peace. That is enough for me. In that regard, my goal is the same as yours, Sister Xue."

Xue Qinghe nodded with a smile in response.

Afterward, the two discussed some matters concerning future developments. Shen Tianchen then clasped his hands in farewell and returned to the academy.

Meanwhile, within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

After learning from the sect's scouts that Ning Rongrong had ridden recklessly through the streets—and in front of the Crown Prince's Mansion, no less—Ning Fengzhi was furious.

Given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's standing in the Heaven Dou Empire, let alone Ning Rongrong riding wildly through the streets, even if she had killed someone, Ning Fengzhi could settle it through his status as the Crown Prince's teacher. At most, they would have to pay some gold and silver in compensation.

But that was not the outcome Ning Fengzhi wanted. As Ning Rongrong's father and the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had long ago confirmed Ning Rongrong as the sect's successor.

However, under the prolonged indulgence of Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, Ning Rongrong had developed her current willful, arrogant, and domineering nature.

As the future successor of the sect, with such a temperament, she could never lead the sect to greater heights.

Do not forget that Ning Rongrong was a Support-type Spirit Master. Was the saying, "A thousand-mile dike can collapse because of an ant hole," not clear enough?

The long vine lashed across Ning Rongrong's palm, leaving bloody welts behind!

As her father, Ning Fengzhi naturally watched with pain in his heart.

But if he did not do this, she likely would not remember the lesson.

"Rongrong, how many times has Father told you not to cause trouble in the city? Our sect may be the wealthiest on the continent now, but do you know how many people are secretly waiting to see us make fools of ourselves?"

"Your actions are handing them leverage. Do you think we are not dying fast enough?"

Ning Fengzhi was not only the master of a sect, but also a merchant. What was most important for a merchant? Insight.

The continent had been peaceful for several decades. Although there appeared to be no disturbances on the surface, he had sensed, through his astonishing insight, that undercurrents had long been surging beneath it all.

Ever since Bibi Dong succeeded as Spirit Hall's new Pope, her actions had become increasingly overbearing.

Ning Rongrong's face was filled with grievance.

I didn't do it on purpose. I was clearly tricked by that unscrupulous merchant into buying that fierce horse. Who knew it would cause such a mess? She felt utterly miserable.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo hurriedly tried to dissuade him. "Feng Zhi, Rongrong did not do it intentionally. We can simply compensate those who were injured."

Ning Fengzhi sighed, his face full of helplessness. "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, you have spoiled Rongrong rotten."

Seeing the situation, Ning Rongrong became even more determined to go out and study, leaving the sect behind.