Douluo: You Call Yourself a Theory Master?

But he still wanted to make excuses for himself, so he looked toward Ghost Douluo, whose senses were sharper.

He wanted Ghost Douluo to say something.

Unfortunately, Ghost Douluo simply shook his head.

"That kid is a Soul Grandmaster. That Spirit Ring really is a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring he just absorbed."

Unknowingly, his words carried a trace of envy. He had only absorbed a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring as his fifth Spirit Ring.

A Soul Grandmaster with a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring—his future was promising.

Ning Qinghe could clearly sense the situation in the audience from the stage.

For instance, after he finished speaking, some people looked at him with fanatic eyes, while people around Ning Fengzhi began making polite overtures and currying favor.

It was as though they had somewhat overlooked him, as if he were merely a researcher.

Fortunately, he did not care.

What he cared about more was Spirit Hall's probing. He arranged for people to pack up the surrounding items.

His gaze kept drifting in that direction. Fortunately, no conflict broke out.

There were only a few arrogant remarks.

"Isn't it just a Spirit Ring?"

"No matter how strong a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring is, it's still just one Spirit Ring."

"Besides, this has already been exposed. With the power of our Spirit Hall, could we possibly lose to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect claims to be as rich as a nation, could we..."

Hu Liena spoke up indignantly beside them, looking as though she was ready to start a fight. She fully carried herself like the Holy Maiden. Forget being as rich as a nation—even a real empire was beneath their notice.

At that moment, on one hand, she was dissatisfied with Ning Qinghe on the stage. Especially when she saw him stand up and look at her with those arrogant eyes—he was just a Soul Grandmaster. How dared he?

A twenty-year-old Soul Grandmaster? Anyone who did not know better would have thought he was a twenty-year-old Spirit Emperor.

On the other hand, people around them had clearly already gathered around Ning Fengzhi because of this matter, most of them eagerly trying to ingratiate themselves.

Clearly, the Extreme Research Institute's decision to reveal this matter on its own had made them realize that the Research Institute was interested in cooperating this time.

And in their eyes, Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, was the true decision-maker of this Research Institute.

Yet Ning Fengzhi's words quickly left them bewildered.

"Alright..."

"Now isn't the time to discuss this."

Before Hu Liena could finish, Ghost Douluo stopped her from continuing.

What she said did make sense, but this was not the place to say it.

As he spoke, he glanced at the silent Dugu Bo beside him.

"Old Poison, no wonder you think so highly of him. This kid really is outstanding."

Those words drew a faint smile from Dugu Bo, who had been keeping a low profile nearby. He looked utterly composed.

As though he had known all of this long ago.

He had tremendous faith in Ning Qinghe.

Being interrupted only made Hu Liena angrier.

But she did not act recklessly in front of an elder who was a Titled Douluo.

The other two members of the Golden Generation beside Hu Liena began soothing her emotions.

"There's nothing that can't be said. Whether you want to research it yourselves or cooperate with us, that's up to you."

"But don't entertain any thoughts you shouldn't have. Just don't cause trouble for the director."

"It's rare for an old man like me to take a liking to a faction and want to contribute something for its sake. I hope you won't come looking for trouble with us."

"Otherwise, if things happen that nobody wants to see, that would be unfortunate."

Dugu Bo showed no weakness even when facing Ghost Douluo.

Even though the two of them really were stronger than him, and he had even been defeated and pursued by them before.

Still, he truly had nothing to fear.

His confidence did not come solely from the two Titled Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

It also came from his own abilities and the danger he posed.

He did not know about other matters, but he knew very well what kind of devastation he could cause if he chose to act recklessly.

That was also why he did not want his poison techniques to disappear.

"I truly never expected that someone who once kept talking about freedom would now speak to us like this for someone else."

"You look ready to risk your life now. I really have to hand it to you. We have no intention of casually killing anyone."

"Our Spirit Hall is quite reasonable. We're not some cult, alright?"

Faced with the threat, Chrysanthemum Douluo seemed utterly unconcerned, still speaking in that effeminate tone.

What he was considering now was how to explain the situation to their Pope.

As for everything else, it was not his concern.

The exchanges between them had all made their positions clear.

After a brief discussion on Ning Fengzhi's side, he stated the situation outright.

"I understand everyone's stance."

"However, forgive me, but I cannot directly agree to anything. Everyone likely does not understand the situation of the Extreme Research Institute."

"Qinghe handled all of it himself and led the research team. Therefore, whether you wish to study it, cooperate, or do anything else, you must all speak to him."

Surrounded by many people, Ning Fengzhi spoke with a helpless expression.

The people present initially felt that he was shirking responsibility, but they quickly realized that Ning Fengzhi was serious.

Some were still confused, while those who reacted quickly had already spoken up.

"Then we ask Sect Master Ning to introduce us."

"Your son is truly a young hero, a prodigy among the young."

"Young Master Qinghe has accumulated his strength quietly before making a name for himself. Sect Master Ning will be blessed in the future."

Several people immediately began offering compliments.

This left those slower to react feeling frustrated and helpless.

But they could only join in with polite words.

Sometimes, that was simply how things worked. If you spoke, you might seem fake and hypocritical, but if you did not, you might be resented or lose an opportunity.

Others might not remember those who offered praise, but they would easily remember those unwilling to say even a kind word.

Truth and falsehood, substance and pretense—many things could not simply be judged as right or wrong.

Whether Ning Fengzhi meant it or not, these people simply went along with the situation.

But there were always exceptions. Some people clearly did not think that way—or rather, they had already begun to lose their reason.

"He absorbed the Spirit Ring, but we still don't know how effective it is."

"Sect Master Ning's son just said that they needed to test his condition and display the results. In my opinion, there's no need for all that data nobody else can understand. Just have him test himself in the arena."

"I trust Sect Master Ning won't refuse such a small matter."

While everyone around them was praising Ning Fengzhi, Yu Xiaogang suddenly cut in, his eyes red. His abrupt and grating words stood out sharply.

Even Yu Yuanzhen beside him was somewhat stunned. He stared wide-eyed at him. What the hell was this old fellow saying all of a sudden?

He had originally been talking about cooperating.

He had even been thinking about whether Yu Xiaogang's problem could be resolved.

After all, no matter what, he was still his son. Yet this was what he did?

The others nearby looked at the aged man, who appeared even older than Yu Yuanzhen. Since he had come with Yu Yuanzhen, those who did not know him might have assumed he was some senior figure from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Those who knew him would not say much in this situation either. They merely watched the show, unsure of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's stance.

For a moment, his words silenced the lively social gathering. The entire place fell deathly quiet, not a sound to be heard, as everyone waited for Ning Fengzhi's response.

Some people clearly revealed eager expressions.

His words were sharp, vicious, and grating.

They carried a sarcastic, provocative tone.

Amid all the flattery, they stood out glaringly.

The people present were all figures from the continent's major factions. It was not as though they could not see what he was trying to do. Such a matter should not—and could not—have been raised by him.