"Spirit Hall?"
Right. How had he forgotten? This madman standing before him had even dared to kidnap Spirit Hall's saintess and force her to sign a promissory note. He didn't care who he offended.
If Ning Fengzhi refused, Qin Feng really would go to Bibi Dong.
With Spirit Hall's ambition and strength, they'd be even more ruthless and willing to do whatever it took! When that happened, forget the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—even the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect might cease to exist!
He had no choice.
Qin Feng had never given him one.
"Dad! Don't listen to him! He's bluffing!" Ning Rongrong was so anxious she was nearly in tears. She had never seen her father look so utterly lost.
Ning Fengzhi paid no attention to his daughter. He slowly raised his head and looked at Qin Feng. His eyes, once sharp and perceptive, now held nothing but the crazed resolve of a gambler.
"Fine."
The single word seemed to drain every last bit of strength from him.
"I'll sign."
"Sect Master!"
"No!"
Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong cried out in alarm at the same time.
They could tolerate their sect master waiting in line. They could tolerate him apologizing. But they could never accept him staking the foundation of their entire sect on an uncertain future!
"Enough. Don't say another word."
Ning Fengzhi waved a hand.
He bent down and picked up the agreement. Those few thin sheets of paper now felt as heavy as a mountain.
He walked to the operating table and picked up the pen.
"Dad! Don't!" Ning Rongrong rushed forward, trying to snatch the agreement from him.
"Stop her," Ning Fengzhi ordered without looking back.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong blurred into motion and blocked Ning Rongrong's way.
He looked at Ning Fengzhi's back, his weathered face full of pain and inner conflict. But in the end, he reached out and gently pressed a hand to Ning Rongrong's shoulder.
"Rongrong, listen to your father."
"Grandpa Bone! Even you..." Ning Rongrong's tears spilled over. She couldn't understand why everyone had gone mad.
Ning Fengzhi hesitated no longer.
"Swish, swish, swish."
The pen glided across the paper, leaving behind a signature that could shake the business world of the entire continent.
When he wrote the final stroke and pressed his seal onto the page—
Sword Douluo Chen Xin closed his eyes. The long sword in his hand let out a mournful cry.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong tipped his head back with a long sigh, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
An era had come to an end.
"Excellent." Qin Feng took the agreement, blew on the ink, and casually handed it to Grey Wolf behind him. "Brother Wolf, file it."
"Another piece of scrap paper." Grey Wolf took it and stuffed it disdainfully into a box labeled "Pending Documents."
Ning Fengzhi watched this, his feelings a tangled mess. He had wagered everything, only to end up with his agreement tossed into the other man's filing box as a piece of "scrap paper."
"Boss Qin, I've signed the agreement," Ning Fengzhi said hoarsely. "Now, can you give me the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda technology..."
"Not so fast." Qin Feng cut him off. "I don't believe in empty promises. I only believe in things I can see and touch."
He pulled a palm-sized, oddly shaped silver metal disc from his pocket and tossed it to Ning Fengzhi.
"This is your down payment."
Ning Fengzhi caught it reflexively. The disc felt cool in his hand. It had several complex markings and a button.
"What is this...?"
"Universal Frequency Converter, basic model," Qin Feng explained calmly. "Place it against the person you want to support, then release your Martial Soul. It'll automatically scan their Soul Power frequency and adjust the frequency of your support Soul Power, amplifying it without causing any loss."
Amplification without loss!
Ning Fengzhi's heart pounded. Clutching the disc tightly, he glanced at Gu Rong behind him.
"Uncle Gu Rong, come here."
Gu Rong stepped forward, still wearing a grim expression. He didn't believe this little gadget could be so miraculous.
Ning Fengzhi pressed the disc against Gu Rong's chest.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
He called out, and the pagoda appeared in his palm.
"First Soul Skill: Strength Amplification!"
A brilliant beam shot from the pagoda and enveloped Gu Rong.
The instant the light touched Gu Rong, the markings on the silver disc spun rapidly. At last, it gave a beep and locked onto a number.
The next moment—
Gu Rong's body jolted!
His eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face.
"This... this is..."
He could feel an incredibly pure, gentle power flowing into his body. It blended perfectly with his Soul Power, without the slightest resistance or conflict, as if it had simply appeared within him!
It felt wonderful!
Incredible!
Whenever Ning Fengzhi had amplified him before, his strength had surged, but it always felt as if some external force were wrenching and tearing at him. Now, that feeling was completely gone!
"How does it feel?" Ning Fengzhi asked nervously.
"My strength... it's increased by forty percent!" Gu Rong's voice trembled. "That's a full ten percent more than usual! And... and my Soul Power feels completely fine! I even feel like my bottleneck has loosened a little!"
What?!
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were both stunned.
Ten percent more, and without any strain!
It worked!
Everything Qin Feng had said was true!
Ning Fengzhi could no longer contain himself. He stared excitedly at the disc in his hand, then at Qin Feng. His gaze held no trace of a mere business transaction now—only fervent admiration.
"A miracle... This is a miracle!"
"It's not a miracle. It's science," Qin Feng corrected him. "And this is only the basic model. Once my Vibranium energy core is ready, the full version of the frequency converter will double your amplification effect."
Double it!
Ning Fengzhi felt he might faint from happiness.
He suddenly thought that trading those mineral veins for all this had been worth it. More than worth it!
"Good. You've received your down payment." Qin Feng clapped his hands, instantly shifting back into boss mode. "Now it's your turn to fulfill the agreement."
"Just give the word, Boss Qin!" Ning Fengzhi bowed at once, as respectful as an apprentice.
"Starting today, you're the Chief of Mineral Resources Integration at Umbrella Corporation. In short, you're the mine manager." Qin Feng pointed toward the door. "Your first task is to return to your sect and compile the contracts for every mineral vein, the geological maps, and the miners' rosters. Bring everything here within three days."
"Also, tell your miners to get ready to work overtime."
Ning Fengzhi paused, then nodded firmly. "Understood! I'll make sure the task is completed!"
As Ning Fengzhi hurried away with two Titled Douluo who had been thoroughly convinced, and a completely dejected Ning Rongrong—
A faint smile finally appeared on Qin Feng's face.
He turned toward Orochimaru, who had remained silent in the corner.
"Doctor, the materials problem is solved."
"Now it's time to clean up the 'trash' in this city."
Orochimaru let his long tongue slip out. Excitement glinted in his golden, snake-like eyes.
"Seventeen Spirit Hall spies are hiding in Nuoding City. I need you to find every last one of them."
Qin Feng's voice was icy and utterly devoid of emotion.
"Conveniently, those 'little darlings' you've just finished developing could use some fresh... hosts."
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the milestone task: getting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to cooperate willingly!]
[Task rating: Perfect!]
[Shock points obtained: 20,000!]
[Technology unlocked: Citywide Biological Neural Network Surveillance System!]
[New task released: Within three days, transform Notting City into your first 'hive' base and eliminate all potential threats!]
Before you continue