After Zhu Zhuqing left, Jiang Siming didn't immediately enter Mirror Space to train.
"Looks like I've been indulging myself a little too much lately," Jiang Siming muttered to himself. He could overpower the Shrek Seven Devils, had an incredible Soul Ring Configuration, and wielded the peerless Zhuxian Sword. His Second Martial Soul, the Donghuang Bell, was just as powerful. With the system on his side and such a beautiful girlfriend, too...
Jiang Siming suddenly wanted to ask himself why he was even cultivating.
At first, the system had issued missions, and Jiang Siming had simply completed them one by one. Now, there hadn't been any major events, and his Soul Power had been stagnant for a long time. The system hadn't given him a sign-in mission in ages, and Jiang Siming had gradually stopped paying attention to it.
Jiang Siming felt as if he had truly become a part of this world. But something seemed to be missing. What was he cultivating for?
Jiang Siming slowly fell asleep. That night, he didn't enter Mirror Space.
The next morning, Jiang Siming slept in for once.
"Knock, knock, knock."
A knock at the door woke Jiang Siming. He rubbed his eyes, got up, and opened it.
"Ah!" Ning Rongrong shrieked, her face turning bright red.
"Why are you yelling? You're so loud—it could easily lead to a misunderstanding, you know?" Jiang Siming hurriedly covered Ning Rongrong's mouth.
Ning Rongrong's cheeks turned even redder. She pried his hand away and said, "Could you put some clothes on?"
Jiang Siming awkwardly looked down at himself, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. He quickly let go of Ning Rongrong and hurriedly got dressed. This is so embarrassing!
Seeing Jiang Siming fluster about, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but laugh. Then the image of his eight sharply defined abs flashed through her mind, along with his V-line, enough to make any girl swoon. Her face reddened again.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you staring at? What did you want?" Jiang Siming waved a hand in front of Ning Rongrong.
"Ah? Oh, right. Someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is here," Ning Rongrong stammered. Then she hurried off.
"This is so embarrassing. Ning Rongrong, how could you blush?" she muttered as she walked, pressing both hands against her cheeks, afraid someone would notice. She had come to give Jiang Siming a stern warning, but ended up blushing instead. Luckily, Jiang Siming was completely clueless; otherwise, he would have laughed himself silly.
After washing up, Jiang Siming went downstairs and saw a luxurious carriage parked in front of the hotel. It must have been sent by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to pick him up.
Jiang Siming walked over. The attendants on either side opened the carriage door and gestured for him to get in. He was surprised to see Ning Fengzhi there in person to pick him up. Ning Rongrong, sitting nearby, shot him a glare.
Ning Fengzhi took in the scene, then looked at Jiang Siming. Jiang Siming couldn't help feeling that something was off about his expression.
Ning Fengzhi had just seen his daughter run into the carriage with a red face. Of course, he was looking at Jiang Siming strangely. He couldn't help wondering if his intelligence reports had been wrong.
"Hello, Uncle Ning," Jiang Siming said respectfully, ignoring Ning Rongrong's glare.
Ning Rongrong was so annoyed that she pinched Ning Fengzhi's arm.
"Ow! All right, Rongrong. Your father's an old man, unlike you young people. I can't take much more," Ning Fengzhi said, glancing at the two of them.
Jiang Siming was completely baffled. Ning Rongrong blushed and said, "You're the worst, Dad. I'm not talking to you." Then she got out and went back into the hotel.
After Jiang Siming boarded the carriage, Ning Fengzhi signaled to the driver that they could leave.
He turned to Jiang Siming again.
"Siming, the Crown Prince was rather presumptuous that day. As his teacher, I'd like to apologize to you on his behalf," Ning Fengzhi said sincerely.
Jiang Siming hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi to say this. After all, Xue Qinghe—who was actually Qian Renxue in disguise—was the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, and Ning Fengzhi was the Crown Prince's tutor.
Ning Fengzhi naturally saw what Jiang Siming was thinking and continued, "Siming, as they say, the imperial family is the most heartless of all. How could they let an ordinary Soul Master control the production of such a powerful weapon? Any other kingdom, duchy, or the Star Luo Empire would make the same choice. Xue Qinghe was only trying to secure his position as Crown Prince. It was something that would have happened sooner or later."
"Then I should thank you, Uncle Ning. I'm sure you spoke up for me that day," Jiang Siming said calmly. In the end, Ning Fengzhi still wanted him to hand over the method for making bullets.
Ning Fengzhi smiled, realizing Jiang Siming had misunderstood. "Siming, I'm not asking you to hand over your bullet-making method. Emperor Xue Ye is a rare benevolent ruler. He only wants you to supply bullets exclusively to the Tiantou Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. You mustn't supply them to any other sects, kingdoms, duchies, the Star Luo Empire, or Spirit Hall. After you've passed away, you can write down the method for making bullets and present it to the Tiantou Imperial Family. The empire will grant you the title of Earl, and your descendants will enjoy its favor."
This left Jiang Siming a little surprised. He hadn't expected the Tiantou Imperial Family to make such a decision. He couldn't help laughing bitterly. "I don't even know how to make bullets, yet I've earned myself an earldom for nothing."
"Then I was mistaken about you and the Tiantou Imperial Family, Uncle Ning. I'm sorry," Jiang Siming said apologetically. He didn't know the full story, but it couldn't be as simple as it sounded. Something else must have happened within the imperial family, leaving them unable to deal with Jiang Siming for the time being.
Half an hour later.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really is the richest sect in the world," Jiang Siming exclaimed. No wonder Ning Rongrong had a princess complex. Living in a castle every day basically made her a princess.
"Nothing special," Ning Fengzhi replied blandly.
Jiang Siming rolled his eyes and thought, Well, someone finally dares to show off in front of me.
The two walked into the hall. As soon as he entered, Jiang Siming couldn't help raising an eyebrow. This is too much. Money really can do anything. I'm definitely selling the bullets at a premium.
They crossed the hall and arrived at the training grounds.
"Uncle Sword, I've brought him," Ning Fengzhi said respectfully.
"Siming, I'll be off. There are still matters to attend to within the sect," Ning Fengzhi said before leaving.
Sword Douluo stared intently at Jiang Siming. For a while, neither of them spoke.
After a long moment, Sword Douluo said, "Rongrong asked me to beat you up. Let's fight first and see how strong you are. Then I'll decide how to train you."
Jiang Siming was a little dumbfounded. You show up without saying a word—couldn't you at least introduce yourself? You just want to start fighting!
Jiang Siming was speechless and released his Martial Soul at once. His two purple and one black Soul Rings astonished Sword Douluo.
"How did you manage that Soul Ring Configuration?" Sword Douluo asked in surprise.
"Well, I'm in great shape!" Jiang Siming couldn't possibly tell the truth, so he came up with another ridiculous answer.
Sword Douluo didn't press him further.
A Heaven-Piercing Sword Intent erupted from Sword Douluo.