Refusal, Teasing Ning Rongrong

"Senior Dugu, you jest." Ning Fengzhi smiled gently. "I absolutely have no such intention."

"Rongrong, apologize."

Ning Rongrong's eyes reddened further, her little mouth puckered enough to hang an oil bottle from it.

Yet she knew full well that although Grandpa Jian doted on her, once her father had made his stance clear, he would absolutely not continue indulging her antics.

Ning Rongrong stiffened her neck and reluctantly squeezed out three words through clenched teeth. "...I'm sorry."

Dugu Yan was not hard-hearted, and Ning Rongrong was merely a little girl, so she did not dwell on it and simply nodded.

Ning Fengzhi's gaze swept over everyone present before finally settling on Lu Yan. His desire to recruit him grew ever stronger.

A youth with such temperament and talent—if he could join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he would surely become a pillar supporting the sect in the future.

And if he could bring... Dugu Bo into the sect as well, that would truly be like adding wings to a tiger.

"Lu Yan," Ning Fengzhi said gently, with complete sincerity.

"Have you ever seriously considered your future?

"With your talent, if you have a good teacher and sufficient resources, then given time, you will surely become one of the continent's most outstanding Soul Masters."

Ning Fengzhi paused, then offered terms enough to drive any young Soul Master mad.

"If you are willing, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to devote the full strength of the sect to nurturing you and search for the most suitable top-tier Soul Beasts for you.

"Even when you break through to the realm of Titled Douluo in the future, the sect's two Protection Douluos can personally act to hunt a... Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring for you."

At those words, even Dugu Bo could not help raising an eyebrow.

What a grand offer.

Still, he had to admit that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly possessed such strength and confidence.

With two Douluos in one sect, along with the number one support Soul Master in the world, hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was not impossible.

Dugu Bo looked toward Lu Yan, wanting to know what choice the kid would make.

"Sect Master Ning, I am deeply grateful for your favor." Lu Yan remained calm as he cupped his hands in salute. "However, I have no intention of joining a sect for the time being."

Anyone could make empty promises.

Even with his talent, it would take at least another ten years for him to cultivate to Titled Douluo. There were far too many variables.

What was more, after what had just happened, he could not muster even the slightest favorable impression toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—especially that young miss.

"That is fine."

Seeing how resolute he was, Ning Fengzhi did not press him. His bearing remained impeccable.

"In that case, the doors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will always remain open for you."

Ning Fengzhi understood that after such an unpleasant beginning, being rejected was not difficult to accept.

Ning Fengzhi and his group took their leave.

"Hey, Kid, you really aren't tempted?" Dugu Bo leaned closer, his tone carrying a hint of appraisal. "That's a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Even I'm tempted just hearing about it. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength, they really can pull it off."

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan also looked at Lu Yan, wanting to know what he truly thought.

"The future is too distant. Promises are ultimately empty." Lu Yan shook his head, his tone indifferent. "Besides, what happened just now left me displeased. I have no desire to belong to the same sect as people like that."

A trace of approval flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes.

The kid would not abandon his principles for great profit. He was to Dugu Bo's liking.

His main purpose in coming here had been to resolve the Green Phosphorus Snake Poison.

Now that he had a way to temporarily suppress it, he naturally could not wait to regain his "freedom."

So he simply decided to stay at "Heaven" for the time being.

The Next Day, afternoon.

"Lu Yan, you can let me experience 'Dream Entry' this time, right?"

Ning Rongrong appeared at the entrance again, her tone much softer than it had been yesterday.

"The slots are full. Come early tomorrow."

Lu Yan did not even raise his eyelids before returning to meditation.

With Heaven's current popularity, the slots were practically sold out the instant the doors opened.

Coming now was naturally pointless.

"Y-you can't make an exception just once? It's not like you have anything important to do right now."

Whatever Ning Fengzhi had said to her after they returned, Ning Rongrong had become much more obedient.

Her tone no longer held yesterday's arrogance.

"Rules cannot be broken." Lu Yan finally looked up at her, his gaze cool. "Besides, I have no favorable impression of you."

"You..." Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes widened as anger rose within her again, but remembering her father's warning, she forcibly suppressed it. "Fine. Just wait."

The following day, the morning sunlight had only just begun to fall.

"This time, I'm early enough, right...?"

Before Ning Rongrong could finish speaking, she had already stepped into the shop. Yet her voice abruptly stopped.

Five or six customers were already lying comfortably on the lounge chairs inside.

"It's full."

Those light words sent her packing once again.

Ning Rongrong puffed out her cheeks and left without looking back.

On the third day, before dawn had broken and while the thin mist had yet to disperse.

The moment Lu Yan opened the shop doors, he saw Ning Rongrong standing at the very front with her hands on her hips.

"Today, I'm early enough, right?"

The fact that this pampered young miss had come for three days in a row made Lu Yan somewhat surprised by her "perseverance."

"Come in."

A triumphant smile instantly bloomed across Ning Rongrong's face. She raised her head and strode inside with her chest puffed out.

Anything she wanted, she would definitely get.

Under the effects of Illusionary Incense and Dream Butterfly Power, Ning Rongrong quickly sank into slumber.

Watching her dream,

Lu Yan smiled.

She really was a spoiled young miss. In her dream, she actually wanted him to obey her every command and serve her like an ox or horse.

How could Lu Yan possibly let her have her way? He altered the dream and infused it with emotion.

The situation quietly reversed.

Ning Rongrong became the obedient one, serving tea and water, washing clothes and cooking, warming his bed... She no longer had the status of a young miss.

She lived as a little maid.

The crucial part was that under the influence of those emotions, she felt not the slightest discomfort or resistance. She even relished it.

The dream faded.

"Whew..."

Ning Rongrong panted heavily. Her eyes were somewhat unfocused as she looked at Lu Yan before her and blurted out, "Master..."

Reality instantly came flooding back. Ning Rongrong snapped her mouth shut, her pretty face flushing crimson. Then she glared at Lu Yan.

"What did you do to me?! What kind of Heaven is this?!"

Lu Yan shrugged. "I only guided the desires deep in your heart. What dream you have has nothing to do with me.

"Perhaps that was what you truly wanted deep down."

Lu Yan spouted nonsense with a perfectly serious face.

"How could I possibly..."

Ning Rongrong wanted to retort, but stopped herself in time. She had no desire whatsoever to recall those embarrassing scenes from the dream.

"You're a liar!"

She cursed bitterly, then fled in panic.

How could everything in that dream possibly be what she desired?

Lu Yan chuckled, completely unconcerned.

He had no intention of getting further entangled with this young miss. Hopefully, after this, she would stop coming to bother him.

Afterward, Lu Yan continued tempering Dream Butterfly Power in the dreams of the other nine people, absorbing emotions and improving without pause.

By midnight, a Soul Power Fluctuation rippled out from his body. After absorbing the Immortal Herb, he had already stood at the peak of Level 26.

His Soul Power naturally broke through to Level 27.

Dugu Bo, in the room next door, sensed the disturbance and could not help sighing.

"This kid really is a monster."

His cultivation speed far surpassed that of ordinary people. He would likely reach the realm of Soul Elder in less than a year.

A few days later.

Lu Yan went to Moonlight Pavilion.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling followed along as well. Given their status, Moonlight Pavilion was not an unfamiliar place to them.

They wanted to watch Lu Yan attend class.