Qian Renxue Regains Her Composure; Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong Develop Killing Intent

Heaven Dou City, Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

Night had deepened, and palace lanterns swayed beneath the corridors, casting light on two swift figures.

"Has the Young Master retired?" Blood Stab Douluo briskly tore off his face covering, revealing his slightly hurried expression.

The Shelong Douluo shook his head. "Not yet. What has you in such a hurry?"

"It's the Soul Master the Young Master ordered me to watch in secret. Something has changed." Blood Stab spoke rapidly.

She Long pondered briefly. "That kid named Zhao Linchuan from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"Exactly." Blood Stab had no mind to say more. Turning sideways, he moved to enter. "The Young Master values this person greatly. I must report immediately."

She Long stepped aside. "Go quickly."

Inside the study room, the candles burned brightly.

Dressed in the Crown Prince's usual robes, the noble and imposing "Xue Qinghe"—or rather, Qian Renxue hidden beneath that identity—was intently reviewing memorials.

After hearing Blood Stab's report, her hand holding the brush paused slightly, leaving a faint ink dot on the memorial.

"He truly left?" She set down her brush, her voice calm and steady. Only her slightly curled fingers betrayed her emotions.

"This subordinate saw it with his own eyes." Blood Stab bowed as he replied. "He walked out of the sect alone and never looked back."

"Even the jade pendant Ning Rongrong gave him to keep close was abandoned atop the stone lion."

"Judging by his expression, he had already made up his mind to leave."

Qian Renxue slowly rose to her feet. Her luxurious sleeves trailed across the floor as she paced soundlessly over the thick carpet.

Candlelight flickered in her deep eyes. After contemplating for a moment, she suddenly stopped.

"I know Zhao Linchuan's character well. He is by no means a heartless or ungrateful man."

Her voice remained steady. "If Ning Rongrong had merely acted willfully and caused trouble, he might have left in anger for a time."

"But if Ning Fengzhi personally stepped in and appealed to him for the sake of the sect, there was an eighty or ninety percent chance he would still choose to return."

"Even if he insisted on leaving, would that old fossil Gu Rong really let such a genius go so easily?"

Blood Stab froze for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Then what does the Young Master mean...?"

A sharp gleam flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes as she gave the order decisively. "Leave at once for the Spirit Hall of Heaven Dou City. Tell Bishop Salas to find a way to procure a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone for me!"

She emphasized each word. "Remember, spare no expense! The quality does not matter, but it must be fast!"

"I will personally arrive at his side when he is most isolated, helpless, and disheartened! I will give him warmth and someone to rely on!"

"Do you understand?!"

"Yes! This subordinate obeys!" Blood Stab immediately understood. Without hesitation, his figure flashed and vanished into the night beyond the study room.

Qian Renxue slowly walked to the window, looking toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. A confident curve rose at the corner of her lips.

"Ning Rongrong, Ning Rongrong. I have recruited him time and again, only for him to politely decline because of his gratitude and loyalty to the sect."

"This time, you personally pushed away the person who cherished you most... I only hope you will not regret it someday!"

She slightly lifted her arms and lowered her gaze to examine the somewhat oversized Crown Prince's robes on her body. A trace of annoyance passed through her eyes.

"This dreary outfit should be changed as well..."

"This Time, I will not give you another chance to refuse me, Zhao Linchuan."

At dawn, within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi wore an unusually angry look as he stared at his daughter below, who had lowered her head and was twisting the corner of her clothes.

"You... you really drove him away this time?!"

Ning Rongrong pouted and nodded instinctively, her voice filled with grievance. "Dad, I... I didn't mean to... I just thought he was too rigid and too serious, so I wanted to provoke him a little..."

Bang!

Ning Fengzhi slammed his palm heavily onto the rosewood table beside him, making the teacups buzz. "You didn't mean to? You still dare say you didn't mean to?!"

He abruptly rose, pointing at his daughter in anguish. "Do you know what you have done? The person you drove away was a peerless genius, one in ten thousand! A thirteen-year-old Soul Ancestor!"

"A future peak powerhouse who would one day stand at the summit of the continent!"

"A towering pillar capable of protecting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's prosperity for centuries!!"

"Do you know how grave your mistake was?!"

Frightened by her father's unprecedented fury, Ning Rongrong shrank back, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Dad... Rongrong knows she was wrong..."

Seeing this, Gu Rong stepped forward with heartache and tried to persuade him. "Fengzhi, why get so angry? It was nothing more than a childish quarrel."

"Our Rongrong is so lovely and clever. It is Zhao Linchuan who does not know his place and does not understand compromise or tolerance. How can Rongrong be blamed?"

"Hmph!" Ning Fengzhi let out a long breath, forcibly suppressing his surging rage. His gaze suddenly locked onto the item tightly clutched in Ning Rongrong's hand—a jade pendant with a warm, smooth texture.

"Is that the pendant you gave Lin Chuan back then?"

Panic flashed through Ning Rongrong's eyes. She hurriedly hid her hand behind her back and stammered, "N-no! This... this is something I picked up on the road..."

"Hand it over!" Ning Fengzhi did not believe her at all. Rising to his feet, he stepped forward and snatched the jade pendant from his daughter's hand without another word. With only one look, his heart sank.

This jade pendant had been personally commissioned by him in the year Zhao Linchuan underwent Martial Soul Awakening, carved by master craftsmen before being given to Ning Rongrong to present in her own name.

Its purpose had been to deepen Zhao Linchuan's bond with his daughter and the sect.

Over the years, Zhao Linchuan had treasured this jade as dearly as his life and never let it leave his person.

Now that the jade pendant had returned to Rongrong's hands, the reason needed no explanation.

Seeing her father's iron-blue face and cold eyes, Ning Rongrong finally realized that she had caused a catastrophe. Terrified, she hurriedly hid behind Gu Rong's broad body and pleaded through tears:

"Dad, I know I was wrong. Please don't punish me, all right..."

Ning Fengzhi looked at his daughter like this, both furious and disappointed. Pointing at her with an angry look, he said, "Rongrong! Right now, immediately, this instant! Go bring Zhao Linchuan back!"

"If he refuses to return, then you... you need not return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect either!!"

"I'll go right away! I'll go right away!" As though granted a pardon, Ning Rongrong did not dare say another word. She hurriedly turned around and rushed out of the Seven Treasure Grand Hall as if fleeing for her life.

After she left, Ning Fengzhi seemed to have all strength drained from him as he collapsed back into his chair, pounding the armrest with a heavy fist in frustration.

"I, Ning Fengzhi, have been clever my entire life. How could I give birth to such a... such a daughter who accomplishes nothing and ruins everything!"

Chen Xin frowned slightly upon hearing this. "Fengzhi, that is too harsh."

"It is only natural for young people in love to have the occasional quarrel."

"Let Rongrong persuade him to return. In the future, just discipline and guide her properly."

Ning Fengzhi's brows remained furrowed. He shook his head and sighed. "I hope so."

He then turned to the silent Gu Rong, his tone grave. "Uncle Gu, I must trouble you to make A Trip with Rongrong."

"I truly cannot rest easy with her going alone."

"Moreover, Lin Chuan is still angry right now. If Rongrong loses her temper again, I fear... there will be no room left to salvage matters."

Gu Rong nodded, but did not leave at once. Instead, he asked meaningfully, "Fengzhi, what if that kid... has made up his mind not to return?"

Ning Fengzhi focused his gaze. "Uncle Gu, what do you mean by that?"

A fierce glint flashed through Gu Rong's eyes as he slowly said, "That kid possesses Innate Full Soul Power. His talent is so exceptional that even this Old Man envies him."

"What is rarer still is that he is not one to follow rules blindly. He often does astonishing things, possesses limitless potential, and has created miracle after miracle."

"What if... his departure this time was not out of anger, but because he had decided to join another force..."

He did not finish his sentence, but all three people in the hall understood the unspoken threat.

Ning Fengzhi fell silent for A Long Time. "Lin Chuan... is ultimately a man who values loyalty and affection."

"If he truly refuses, then reason with him and appeal to his emotions. Remind him of the sect's years of training and protection."

"I believe... he will return."

Gu Rong pressed on, asking, "What if he refuses to listen to reason and is determined to leave?"

Ning Fengzhi closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them again, his voice low. "If that is truly the case... then do as Uncle Gu suggests."

"Such a genius, if he cannot be used by us... would be far too regrettable."

"Mm." Gu Rong had received the answer he wanted. He said no more, his figure swaying slightly as he stepped out, silently merging into the gradually brightening morning light beyond the hall.