Ning Knows the Rules

"Greetings, Monarch. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to see me."

Ning Fengzhi bowed slightly, keeping his attitude exceedingly humble.

As the sect master of one of the Upper Three Sects, he was ordinarily revered by countless people. Yet before this mysterious powerhouse, he felt such respect was necessary.

The blurry figure in the darkness did not rise. Only a gentle voice came through.

"Sect Master Ning, there is no need to be so formal. Just call me Dark Night."

"When the Duel Arena was first established, funds were scarce. Sect Master Ning generously lent a hand and contributed greatly."

Leaning back in his chair, Qin Chen lightly tapped his fingers against the desk. "I have always remembered this favor."

Those words immediately eased Ning Fengzhi's tightly wound nerves.

He secretly rejoiced, yet also felt some regret.

Back then, his disciple, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, had come to him and said he wanted to help a friend build a venue, asking to borrow money for turnover.

He had only agreed for Xue Qinghe's sake. Afterward, he had provided the money without giving it another thought, and had not even come to take a look in all these years.

Had he known that this friend possessed such terrifying backing, he would have brought lavish gifts long ago. Even if he had to wear down the threshold, he would have come to befriend him!

But he still could not understand it. You are all this powerful, so why would you be short of money?

Ning Fengzhi steadied himself and voiced the doubt in his heart. "Lord Dark Night, I would like to know whether that Golden Heavenly Curtain outside..."

"Was it created by the legendary God Realm?"

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possessed numerous ancient texts, including a few records about the elusive God Realm.

Other than gods, who else could possess such heaven-reaching means?

"The God Realm?"

The man in the darkness chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.

"No. It is an existence countless times more powerful than those so-called gods of the God Realm."

"What?!"

Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted sharply, and his heart seemed to skip a beat.

More powerful than gods?

That answer completely exceeded the bounds of his understanding.

But he was, after all, an old fox. He knew some matters could not be probed too deeply; the more one knew, the worse it could be.

He immediately fell silent and did not press further.

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath and swiftly adjusted his state. "Lord Dark Night, now that the Peerless Beauty Ranking has been revealed, your Duel Arena has become the target of public scrutiny."

"Those people from Spirit Hall act tyrannically, and the other major factions must all be eyeing this place covetously. They will certainly send people to seize the women on the ranking."

At this point, Ning Fengzhi's tone turned earnest.

"If Lord Dark Night does not mind, my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to go all out and lend you our full support!"

He had originally only wanted to sound things out and earn some goodwill along the way.

But after encountering three people in succession on his way here, each absurdly powerful, he had completely changed his mind.

This was no longer offering help in a time of need. While there was still some lingering connection between them, he needed to cling to this mysterious, enormous thigh at once!

However, the man behind the desk merely declined calmly.

"Sect Master Ning, I appreciate the thought."

"They are merely a bunch of clowns. If I cannot even handle this little trouble, there is no need for me to run this Duel Arena."

"But if I truly need help, I will not stand on ceremony."

Though Ning Fengzhi had been refused, he also sighed in relief. The other party had not shut the door completely, and that was a good thing.

"As it happens, I have also prepared a gift in return for Sect Master Ning's assistance back then."

Qin Chen's voice sounded again.

"Qingzhu, take him to Green Garden."

"Have Ah Yin pick a Keling Fruit for him to eat. I believe Sect Master Ning will like it."

"Huh? This..."

Ning Fengzhi froze. He had wanted to chat a little longer and draw closer to him, but he had not expected to be served tea and shown out so soon.

And what was this Keling Fruit? Who was Ah Yin?

Before he could think further, the curvaceous Black-clad Girl who had been standing in a dark corner stepped forward.

Her face was cold and beautiful, her voice flat. "Sect Master Ning, this way."

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi could only nod in thanks. "Thank you, Lord Dark Night. Then I shall accept without further ceremony."

Once he left that oppressive room, Ning Fengzhi felt that the clothes on his back were soaked through, as though he had just been pulled from the water.

He followed the Black-clad Girl named Qingzhu down the corridor leading deeper into the Duel Arena.

As they walked, Ning Fengzhi could not help secretly studying the girl's back.

Her black form-fitting outfit perfectly outlined her exceptionally voluptuous figure.

"Strange..."

Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, muttering inwardly.

"Why does this back feel so familiar?"

"She looks somewhat like someone from the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire..."

Just as he was racking his brains.

"Tap, tap, tap."

A rhythmic series of footsteps suddenly sounded from a deep, dim corner ahead.

In the silent corridor, they seemed especially crisp.

Ning Fengzhi instinctively looked up.

A woman dressed in the same white Butler Uniform as Ice Steward slowly emerged.

She had long Silver-White hair, fair skin, exquisite features, and a tall, slender figure that exuded an innate elegance and nobility.

Most peculiar of all, although she was clearly indoors, tiny snowflakes seemed to dance around her.

The instant she appeared, the surrounding air dropped to freezing.

Ning Fengzhi shuddered all over, his hairs standing on end. This feeling was even colder than Ice Steward!

Another reclusive Titled Douluo?

How was everyone who casually appeared in this Dark Night Arena so terrifying?!

By now, he actually felt that the Qingzhu Girl before him was the most normal one.

At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing, who had walked ahead, stopped and asked curiously, "Sister Xue, where are you going?"

Xue Linglong did not stop walking. She did not even glance at Ning Fengzhi beside her.

Her voice was like icicles striking the ground—clear and pleasant, yet piercingly cold.

"To kill someone."

Three simple words, yet they carried an indifference that regarded all living beings as ants.

With that, she passed by the two of them.

In that instant, Ning Fengzhi felt as though his heart had stopped beating, as if the god of death had passed right beside him.

Only after the Silver-haired Woman's back vanished into the darkness did Ning Fengzhi begin gasping for breath, still shaken.

"Th-That woman is...?"

Zhu Zhuqing was already accustomed to it. She merely shook her head and offered no explanation.

After all, aside from her blazing enthusiasm toward the Monarch, Sister Xue had always been like this toward everyone else.

"Let's go."

Zhu Zhuqing continued leading the still-dazed Ning Fengzhi deeper inside.

After passing through several corridors, the two finally stopped before an Emerald Green Door.

The door was carved with intricate patterns and radiated a rich aura of life. Simply standing there and taking a breath made one feel refreshed and clear-headed.

Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, "Sect Master Ning, after you enter, no matter what you see or hear..."

"You must not mention a single word of it to anyone after you leave."

"Otherwise..."

Zhu Zhuqing did not state the consequences, but the warning was already self-evident.

Looking at the girl before him, who was not much older than his own daughter, Ning Fengzhi instinctively nodded, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"Miss, rest assured. Ning knows the rules."

Only then did Zhu Zhuqing reach out and push open the Emerald Green Door.

"Creak—"

As the door opened, spiritual energy a hundred times denser than outside rushed toward them.

Ning Fengzhi looked inside. Once he saw the scene beyond, his entire body instantly froze in place.