With the cultivation resources provided by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Qin Yuan had now reached level 60 and urgently needed a Spirit Ring to advance to Spirit Emperor.
His talent wasn't top-notch. Before he obtained the Immortal Herb, making such rapid progress as a Soul King had already been no small feat.
In the past, he'd had a small team of around twenty people by his side. Even if his Fifth Spirit Ring came from a twenty-thousand-year-old Spirit Beast, they'd had a chance of success as long as they prepared thoroughly in advance.
Now, only Chen Ze remained by his side, and Qin Yuan hadn't recruited anyone else.
Chen Ze was only a high-level Soul Ancestor. How could he help Qin Yuan hunt a Spirit Beast?
Because he'd absorbed a Spirit Ring beyond his level, the age of his Sixth Spirit Ring matched that of other Soul Masters' Seventh Spirit Rings.
Without the help of a Spirit Saint, he'd probably have to wait a long time before obtaining his Sixth Spirit Ring.
Just as he was feeling dejected, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sent him an invitation.
"Mr. Qin, the sect master invites you to meet him in a private room on the top floor of the Heaven Dou Grand Hotel tonight. Please arrive on time."
With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's help, he'd surely be able to secure his Sixth Spirit Ring.
But he knew how things would develop in this world. Becoming too closely tied to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would make him a thorn in Spirit Hall's side sooner or later.
He couldn't withstand Bibi Dong's pressure. Besides, he also wanted to make some money from Spirit Hall.
As for Ning Fengzhi's invitation, he still had to go.
After all, he'd promised to guide Ning Rongrong onto the right path, and he still hadn't received the generous gift Ning Fengzhi had promised.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi's study.
"Rongrong's become so cheerful and eager to improve, and she has Qin Yuan to thank for it. Sect Master, you should show him your gratitude," Sword Dao Chenxin said softly.
Bone Douluo, standing nearby, wore a strange expression and furrowed his brows. "Come on, you old swordstick. How many times have you praised that kid over the past two years? Anyone who didn't know better would think he was your son!"
"I should remind you that his Martial Soul is a blade, which falls short of a sword-type Martial Soul. Even if you want to pass on your legacy, you can't just pick anyone."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Whatever the case, Rongrong's improvement is clear for all to see. I, Ning, always keep my word. I'll give him every bit of what I promised."
After a pause, he took a document from his desk drawer. "Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, there's something I think we should discuss."
According to the document, one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's mining carts had gone missing. A report from the local city lord's office said that a cartload of gem raw material had most likely been seized by bandits in the nearby mountains.
"Fengzhi, when did this happen? They dared to target the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's convoy? They must be tired of living!" Gu Rong said indignantly, looking ready to rush off and take revenge.
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "That batch of gem raw material came from an illicit source, and the cart didn't bear the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's insignia."
"I got this report from Qinghe. For now, the outside world doesn't know that the gems had anything to do with our sect."
Chen Xin picked up the thread. "Old Bone, the sect master means the incident has nothing to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. But we can't let our disciples die for nothing. We need to get justice for them, but whoever does it can't be from the sect."
"Ask that kid to handle it?" Gu Rong said.
Ning Fengzhi tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "The disciple driving the cart was a high-level Soul King. If Qin Yuan hasn't reached Spirit Emperor, we'll have to find someone else."
"If he's strong enough, he'll be our first choice."
They had seen how much Qin Yuan had done for Ning Rongrong.
More importantly, Qin Yuan knew his limits. He didn't exploit Ning Rongrong for profit, charge extra for anything beyond the agreed commission, or misuse the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's name.
Someone like him was indeed suited to working for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Chen Xin sounded a little dissatisfied. "If that's the case, we won't be able to recruit him into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect anytime soon. Fengzhi, shouldn't we think it over? He has plenty of secrets. If he's willing to share them with the sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could attract even more Battle Soul Masters in the future."
Ning Fengzhi was no ordinary man; he'd become the leader of a sect, after all.
Even if Qin Yuan revealed how to absorb Spirit Rings beyond one's level, how many people in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could actually do it?
In private, Ning Fengzhi had consulted the great scholars across the continent.
Their conclusion was that it might be feasible with the help of rare treasures, but the demands on the Soul Master were exceptionally high.
"Uncle Jian, I understand what you're thinking, but Qin Yuan isn't the type to live under someone else's thumb. We should maintain our current partnership and not bring this up."
"Besides, some things can be settled through an exchange of benefits. There's no need to insist on recruiting him into the sect."
That evening, at the Heaven Dou Grand Hotel.
The hotel's top floor was lined with private rooms.
To ensure complete privacy, Ning Fengzhi had booked the entire top floor, so that nothing discussed that night would leak out.
When Qin Yuan arrived, a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect led him into the hotel through a back entrance and took him to the top floor through an internal passage. Almost no one noticed him.
Ning Fengzhi didn't have to wait long in the private room upstairs.
When Qin Yuan appeared, Ning Fengzhi greeted him with a smile. "Brother Qin Yuan, meeting you is even better than hearing about you. You're just as Rongrong described: handsome and distinguished."
Qin Yuan shook his hand and replied with a smile, "You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. I'm grateful that Miss Rongrong thinks so highly of me."
After some pleasantries, they took their seats.
Sword Douluo stood behind Ning Fengzhi with his arms folded across his chest.
He was merely a "bodyguard" and wouldn't take part in the discussion.
"Could this be Senior Sword Douluo?" Qin Yuan knew of him from books, but had never met him and didn't recognize him.
Chen Xin gave a slight nod without speaking, unwilling to interrupt Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi chuckled and leaned closer to Qin Yuan.
He took a Soul Tool from his robes and placed it on the table. "I said I'd prepare a small gift for you, Brother Qin. I've been busy with affairs lately and haven't had the time."
"Rongrong told me you don't have a Soul Tool yet, so you can have this as an extra gift. It's a small token of my appreciation."
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning." Qin Yuan didn't refuse.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "No, no, I'm the one who should be thanking you. Without your guidance, who knows when Rongrong would've gotten her studies back on track? You deserve this."
After taking the Soul Tool, Qin Yuan sent his spiritual power inside.
He couldn't help marveling at Ning Fengzhi's generosity.
Inside were tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins, a vast quantity of gems, and plenty of cultivation resources—enough to keep Qin Yuan cultivating for a long time.
Ning Fengzhi was like a parent, asking Qin Yuan again and again about Ning Rongrong's studies and daily life while she was with him.
After they'd talked for quite a while, Ning Fengzhi still hadn't called for the food. Qin Yuan realized he had something else important to discuss.
Discussing business before serving the food was an unspoken custom at the dinner table.
Ning Fengzhi was currently Qin Yuan's biggest source of income. If Qin Yuan wanted to make money, he naturally had to go along with what his client wanted.
Before long, Ning Fengzhi got down to business. "Brother Qin, there's something I need you to do. It'll be very dangerous, and you'll need to be at least a Spirit Emperor. I wonder if you'd be interested?"
At last, they were getting to the point.
Qin Yuan smiled inwardly.
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