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As for Sigewinne behind Wriothesley, Ning Fengzhi greeted her as well.

Sigewinne leaned forward slightly and quickly waved her hands.

Ning Fengzhi did not mind this rather unusual greeting. It was not the first time he had seen Sigewinne greet someone like this, so he and Chen Xin followed Wriothesley into the clinic.

After leading the two men to the stone table where Wriothesley often drank tea, Sigewinne smiled and said, "I still have patients to attend to, so you two can chat slowly."

With that, she headed toward the rooms inside.

Seeing Sigewinne's adorable manner, Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly and said, "Duke, Miss Sigewinne is as adorable as ever!"

"Indeed."

Wriothesley nodded. "In my heart, Sigewinne is like family."

"You and Miss Sigewinne could be considered family too, couldn't you?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded. He had always wanted to find out where Sigewinne had come from.

Her Martial Soul mutation was so unusual, and judging by her appearance, it was impossible to tell what Martial Soul she had awakened. If Chen Xin had not told him that Sigewinne carried no Soul Beast aura whatsoever, he would have suspected that she was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who had rebuilt herself.

Chen Xin said nothing. Although he had already realized earlier that Wriothesley was very strong.

Still, he knew the Duke's identity, and he also knew that the girl before him was no simple person.

If he offended Sigewinne, Ning Fengzhi would have a hard time as well, so he would not speak carelessly.

However, what he most wanted to know now was exactly what sort of relationship Wriothesley and Sigewinne had!

Wriothesley did not think much of Ning Fengzhi asking about their relationship.

In Wriothesley's eyes, Ning Fengzhi was merely a merchant.

Merchants placed profit above all else and rarely did anything irrational.

Besides, Ning Fengzhi was currently a sect master!

"Sigewinne and I have known each other for a long time. She is my friend, I suppose."

And that long time was no ordinary length of time.

Before Wriothesley entered Meropide, Sigewinne had already been there for a very long time. Wriothesley had grown up, yet Sigewinne remained exactly as she was.

Hearing Wriothesley say this, Ning Fengzhi frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

He had originally assumed that Sigewinne was something like Wriothesley's wife. He had not expected this outcome.

But wasn't this perfect?

Although Wriothesley was nearly a full generation older than Rongrong, what did that matter?

When he had married Rongrong's mother, their age gap had been nearly twenty years. Wriothesley and Ning Rongrong were only a few years apart, so there was no issue at all.

As for whether Ning Rongrong would agree?

That was not within Ning Fengzhi's considerations.

It was an unspoken rule that children of a sect must devote themselves to the sect. Moreover, every sect had to do this. Otherwise, how could they obtain an endless stream of resources and continue developing?

That was the purpose of sect disciples.

Oscar of Shrek Academy, who had something ambiguous going on with Ning Rongrong, was even less worthy of Ning Fengzhi's consideration.

If Oscar joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, that would naturally be excellent. But if he wanted to marry Ning Rongrong, that was absolutely impossible!

Because the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's most important rule was—female disciples of the family could not marry auxiliary-system Soul Masters!

Even if Oscar was a food-system Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power.

The two guardian Title Douluo doted on Ning Rongrong only on one condition—she could never betray the sect!

Even if he brought up this matter, the Sword and Bone Title Douluo would agree.

The more Ning Fengzhi thought about it, the more correct he felt he was. A smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

At this moment, Wriothesley had already poured them tea. "Please, have a seat."

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin sat down and began chatting casually.

Although Ning Fengzhi believed Wriothesley was stronger than him, as the sect master of one of the Upper Three Sects, he remained remarkably composed.

Wriothesley knew that Ning Fengzhi had not come looking for trouble, but rather hoping to gain some benefits.

He had anticipated Ning Fengzhi's visit, though he had not been sure when the man would come.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was located near Heaven Dou City. It would have been difficult for them not to learn about what had happened outside the city.

Ning Fengzhi had likely been watching nearby last night.

Although Ning Fengzhi had tried to recruit Wriothesley five years ago, Wriothesley had refused.

Because Wriothesley believed he had no reason to be recruited.

Of course, he still did not.

"The Duke's place is as lively as ever!" Ning Fengzhi said with a smile after taking a sip of tea.

Ning Fengzhi's smile was like warm spring sunlight, gentle and amiable, as though it could make one feel a spring breeze brushing across one's face.

Yet behind that smile lay carefully calculated skill. It was clearly something he had meticulously practiced. As the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he was certainly not some softhearted and weak-willed man.

Every smile seemed like a finely crafted weapon. It could warm people's hearts, yet when necessary, it could also deliver a fatal blow without hesitation.

Watching the crowds come and go around them, Ning Fengzhi had always been curious why a Title Douluo would live in such a place.

Normally, once someone cultivated to the rank of Title Douluo, even if it was not for enjoyment, they would move their residence somewhere sparsely populated for quiet meditation!

Someone like Wriothesley, who had made his home on such a bustling street, was exceedingly rare.

Naturally, Wriothesley would not say that he had chosen to place his residence on the street simply because he was lazy.

As for the reason...

Of course, it was because of Sigewinne!

Back in Meropide, although it had become more lively due to his improvements, it was still fundamentally a prison and retained a certain lifelessness.

So Wriothesley wanted to find a home in the outside world if possible, to give Sigewinne a better environment.

That was also why Wriothesley had chosen to live here.

There might be matters to deal with on the street, but Wriothesley did not think those troubles were more vexing than facing the boundless waters of the Primordial Sea.

Wriothesley refilled Ning Fengzhi's tea and said, "Sect Master Ning, I imagine you did not come here today merely to chat with me?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded. "I came uninvited. This is but a small gift, insufficient to express my respect."

As he spoke, he took out two boxes from his storage Soul Tool and pushed them before Wriothesley.

Having known Wriothesley for five years and Sigewinne for five years as well, Ning Fengzhi had long heard of their preferences.

Thus, when he came this time, he had specifically brought some gifts.

One box was for Sigewinne, while the other was for Wriothesley.

Seeing how considerate Ning Fengzhi was, Wriothesley could not help smiling. "Sect Master Ning, you are too courteous."

Wriothesley did not care what was inside the gift meant for him, but the one intended for Sigewinne was no ordinary thing.

If he was not mistaken, it contained medical books.

Everyone could see Sigewinne's dedication to healing the sick and saving lives.

As the wealthiest sect on the continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's riches were not limited to Gold Soul Coins. They also possessed a considerable number of treasures, such as ancient texts and books, all of which Ning Fengzhi collected.

It could be said that if something existed on Douluo Continent and could be bought with money, Ning Fengzhi could find it for you.

Even if it could not be bought, he had plenty of ways to obtain it.

That was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's true extravagance.

Wriothesley put away the medical books Ning Fengzhi had given Sigewinne, then poured Ning Fengzhi another cup of tea.

"May I ask what Sect Master Ning has come here for?" Wriothesley asked calmly.

Seeing Wriothesley bring up business, Ning Fengzhi did not waste words. He said directly, "I came to visit the Duke today for two reasons. First, to pay the Duke a visit. Second..."

"Oh? I would like to hear the details." Wriothesley lifted his teacup and took a sip.

"The Duke has been in Heaven Dou City for many years. What are the Duke's views on the continent?" Ning Fengzhi did not get straight to the point, instead taking a more roundabout approach.

He first needed to know Wriothesley's stance before determining whether he could recruit him. If he brought a ticking time bomb into the sect, the deal would be a tremendous loss.

Ning Fengzhi knew Wriothesley somewhat. He knew the man before him was highly calculating and shared many similarities with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in various respects.

Wriothesley's reaction was equally calm. "I look at it while sitting down."

"Duke, please do not joke." Ning Fengzhi was not angry, merely smiling faintly.

"Then isn't Sect Master Ning asking something he already knows?" A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at Wriothesley's lips.

In truth, he did not wish to get involved in the conflicts between these sects.

However, since Ning Fengzhi had personally come, and since the two were old acquaintances, he still needed to say something.

Talking cost him neither responsibility nor effort.

"Haha, I like hearing such honest words from the Duke." Ning Fengzhi laughed. "But I still wish to hear the Duke's opinion."

"Very well." Wriothesley nodded, his expression becoming much more serious. "My view is actually simple. No matter what the continent is like now, everyone must be prepared for any change.

Spirit Hall has always been the strongest Soul Master organization on the continent. Yet during Qian Xunji's tenure as Supreme Pontiff, and even before it, though conflicts existed throughout the continent, things were generally relatively stable.

Although Spirit Hall still acted domineeringly at the time, it remained within the limits of what people could accept. Soul Masters often fought each other for resources, and battles between sects were common. That was what made people feel that the continent still had vitality."

"I do not deny that." Ning Fengzhi nodded.

Wriothesley continued, "However, things changed after Bibi Dong became Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall. Turmoil among Soul Masters on the continent became less frequent, and the entire continent grew increasingly peaceful. Not only did Spirit Hall establish branch halls even in small cities, but subsidies for Soul Masters of different ranks also increased. Every year, they even uniformly helped commoners awaken their Martial Souls. Whenever a talented commoner appeared, Spirit Hall was always one step ahead in recruiting them. As one side rose and the other declined, Spirit Hall grew stronger while the two great empires grew weaker."

Ning Fengzhi was startled by this. He knew the continent had become peaceful in recent years. He was from the same generation as Qian Xunji, so he naturally knew how domineering Spirit Hall had been during Qian Xunji's rule. Yet that dominance had at least had limits and would not cause panic among ordinary people.

If a major power was not somewhat domineering, how could it be called a major power?

If you acted too low-key instead, people would think you were plotting something.

Yet he had never expected the situation after Bibi Dong took control of Spirit Hall to be like this.

A bad premonition rose in his heart.

In recent years, the number of commoner geniuses recruited by the major advanced Soul Master Academies had steadily declined. This was no longer a secret.

Meanwhile, Spirit Hall's experts emerged one after another, and its strength continued growing. Yet it made no moves, as if it were the calm before the storm.

It seemed that the continent would eventually face an unavoidable war, and it was obvious that the war would be started by Spirit Hall.

Wriothesley no longer needed to continue. With Ning Fengzhi's intelligence, he should be able to infer the rest.

In fact, Clear Sky Sect's seclusion back then had already shown that Spirit Hall was preparing to unify the continent.

Tang Hao had grievously injured Supreme Pontiff Qian Xunji, leading to his death from his wounds. Spirit Hall would certainly not let Clear Sky Sect off, while Clear Sky Sect chose to avoid its edge and close itself off in seclusion. Clear Sky Sect urgently shut its gates, recalled its disciples outside, and abandoned the Four Single-Attribute Clans.

Clear Sky Sect was known as the "number one sect under heaven" and had been founded by Tang Chen, who had once been hailed as the strongest on land. Its influence on the continent was immense, yet it had now retreated before Spirit Hall. If even the number one sect under heaven showed weakness before Spirit Hall, then other forces would be even less willing to oppose Spirit Hall.

Under Bibi Dong's leadership, Spirit Hall was indeed becoming increasingly powerful. It had the greatest number of Title Douluo, controlled nearly eighty percent of all Soul Masters on the continent, and possessed the deepest influence across the entire continent.

"Since the Duke has put it this way, I shall stop beating around the bush. I came to seek the Duke today because there is an important matter on which I would like to ask the Duke's advice." Ning Fengzhi's tone shifted, becoming serious.

Before Wriothesley, Ning Fengzhi did not mind lowering his stance. After all, he was asking the other man for help.

A forceful attitude would only be counterproductive.

"Oh? Go ahead." Wriothesley also put away his frivolous demeanor and answered seriously.

"If Spirit Hall starts a war one day, where will the Duke stand?" Ning Fengzhi truly wanted to test Wriothesley's position now. If Wriothesley really chose to join Spirit Hall, he would have only two paths left: surrender, or kill Wriothesley here and now.

However, Chen Xin was the only Title Douluo present. Even Tang Hao, fighting with nearly all his strength, had been unable to defeat Wriothesley. Chen Xin needed no further mention. If they fought Wriothesley, he feared that before they even made a move, he himself would be beaten to death on the spot.

Naturally, he could not gamble with his own life.

"Whatever Sect Master Ning thinks, that is what I will do." Wriothesley did not answer Ning Fengzhi directly, instead responding with a question.

What kind of attitude was that?

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged a glance, then smiled helplessly.

Wriothesley was as slippery as ever.

No wonder even Xue Qinghe could not recruit him.

Unlike Dugu Bo, Wriothesley had no family. As for his only family member, Sigewinne, he had no need to worry about her at all. He could be said to be a lonely old bachelor.

Therefore, Wriothesley had no weakness for others to seize.

Thoughts on Release:

No thoughts.