Douluo: I Am Unrivaled Thief, Explosive King Returns

"Oh, is that so?" Rebel Son gave a strange smile as the cross dart he had thrown suddenly turned back and attacked Tang San again.

Tang San was greatly alarmed. He had not expected Rebel Son's flying darts to be controllable.

He hurriedly used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, scurrying across the training ground like a rat.

Yet Rebel Son merely flicked his fingers lightly in place, and the dart pursued him like a shadow.

Unrivaled Thief paid no attention to the battle in the arena. He turned to Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo.

"Sect Master Ning, Ning Rongrong should have returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect by now, right? I really don't know what you were thinking, letting her run away from home alone. If not for me, she might have died."

Faced with Unrivaled Thief immediately trying to establish a connection, Ning Fengzhi replied smoothly.

"Thank you, Holy Son, for saving my daughter's life. If not for you, Rongrong might have suffered greatly."

Unrivaled Thief narrowed his eyes at Ning Fengzhi and cursed inwardly, Old fox.

Such an answer clearly showed that he did not want the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to have even the slightest overt connection with Spirit Hall.

But it was all for show. Secretly, he was surely eager to establish ties with Spirit Hall and profit from both sides.

"Sigh, Ning Rongrong is an exceptionally talented support-type Soul Master. I had wanted Sect Master Ning to part with her and let her become my partner. But since Sect Master Ning does not wish to have any connection with Spirit Hall, then forget it."

Unrivaled Thief gave Ning Fengzhi no chance to bargain and directly rejected Ning Rongrong becoming his partner.

Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi began calculating inwardly.

Although Tang San had displayed formidable talent, if he were to die prematurely, then all talk would be meaningless.

But Unrivaled Thief, the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, was different. He had a Titled Douluo secretly protecting him, so the chance of him dying young was very low.

After all, there was a Titled Douluo guarding him!

Tang San had originally had Tang Hao, a Titled Douluo, protecting him as well. But Tang Hao had now become a prisoner, and even his own life and death were uncertain. He simply could not protect Tang San.

Just now, Bone Douluo had transmitted a message to him, informing him that a Titled Douluo was secretly present to protect Unrivaled Thief.

Comparing the two, Ning Fengzhi still did not wish to give up on forming ties with Spirit Hall, and hesitation rose in his heart.

What should he do?

Should he give up on letting Rongrong become Unrivaled Thief's partner?!

For a moment, even Ning Fengzhi, this old fox, could not make up his mind.

Seeing that he had taken the bait, Unrivaled Thief deliberately sighed regretfully.

"What a pity. I had planned to let Ning Rongrong break through her shackles and become the first person to possess the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. It seems there will be no such opportunity after all."

The moment his words fell, the normally gentle, jade-like expression on the face of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's leader froze. His pupils suddenly shrank to pinpoints.

"The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"

Ning Fengzhi's voice abruptly rose. His pupils constricted like needles as he stared fixedly at Unrivaled Thief, his voice trembling with suppressed agitation.

"Holy Son, this is a secret passed down through generations of the Ning Family. Even Uncle Bone and Uncle Sword do not know all of it. How did you learn of it?"

Because of the limitations of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, he had been unable to become a Soul Douluo for his entire life.

How could Ning Fengzhi not be excited upon hearing this news?

The corner of Unrivaled Thief's mouth curved into a meaningful smile as he said calmly, "I saw it in an ancient text from Spirit Hall. I learned that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda can evolve into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."

He paused slightly, gazing deeply at Ning Fengzhi with a trace of distance in his tone.

"But considering the relationship between Spirit Hall and your sect, I cannot tell Sect Master Ning any more. Please forgive me."

At those words, Ning Fengzhi's gaze immediately sharpened, even carrying faint killing intent.

Seeing this, Unrivaled Thief sneered. "What, Sect Master Ning? Are you planning to make a move against me?!"

Ning Fengzhi's Compromise, Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud

At those words, the killing intent in Ning Fengzhi's eyes vanished in an instant.

Yet even that fleeting moment had been noticed by Unrivaled Thief.

"You jest, Holy Son. How would I dare harm you?" Ning Fengzhi's refined smile returned, and his tone was gentle.

"Is that so? Perhaps I was mistaken. Sect Master Ning, you know there are quite a few people on the continent who want my life. So I'm very sensitive to things like killing aura and killing intent."

Naturally, Unrivaled Thief did not believe the words of this smiling tiger, but he did not expose him either.

Instead, the two began conversing like old friends despite their age difference.

"Sect Master Ning, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect already possesses the continent's number one support-type Martial Soul. If it evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, it would certainly rise to another level. Perhaps it might even break through some kind of shackle."

Though he did not say it outright, Ning Fengzhi had been unable to break through to Titled Douluo precisely because of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

But the implication was so obvious that anyone who was not a fool could understand it.

Ning Fengzhi narrowed his eyes slightly and said softly, "I never expected the Holy Son to understand the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul so well. Ning is truly astonished. However, because of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul, my Soul Power has stopped at rank seventy-nine."

This was no secret, so he admitted it openly.

Unrivaled Thief smiled at him but said nothing.

For a moment, an eerie silence fell between them.

Seeing this, Bone Douluo thought to himself, To possess such scheming at only twelve years old, Spirit Hall's Holy Son truly is no ordinary person.

After what had just happened, he also understood why Ning Fengzhi wanted to send Ning Rongrong to the side of Spirit Hall's Holy Son.

Because what made Spirit Hall's Holy Son formidable was not merely his cunning. His talent and strength were even more terrifying.

How many geniuses had there been throughout the continent's history who became Soul Ancestors at the age of twelve?

Most importantly, he had absorbed a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring as his fourth Soul Ring. It was simply unheard of.

The battle in the arena continued. Tang San's Hidden Weapons could not contend against Rebel Son's flying darts, and he was beaten into a frantic scramble.

Tang San's Hidden Weapons were indeed exceedingly sinister. Some struck the Golden Dart King armor, instantly producing a loud series of clanging sounds with tremendous momentum.

Yet after that entire chain of attacks, not even a trace had been left on the Golden Dart King armor, much less any damage to its defenses.

Unrivaled Thief nodded in satisfaction, knowing that it was only a matter of time before Rebel Son defeated Tang San.

He turned to Ning Fengzhi but did not rush to speak.

Because the initiative was now in his hands.

Whoever spoke first would fall into the weaker position.

Ning Fengzhi narrowed his eyes. For an instant, he wanted to attack Unrivaled Thief.

But he knew full well that doing so would only make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall tear off all pretenses.

Not only that, Spirit Hall would then have a perfectly legitimate reason to move against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

By then, even if the Heaven Dou Empire wanted to mediate, it would be powerless to do so.

Ning Fengzhi tightened his grip slightly, and several cracking sounds came from the crystal ball atop his cane. Fine, nearly imperceptible cracks appeared within it.

He had never imagined that he, the dignified leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, would be forced into such a position by a twelve-year-old boy.

Ning Fengzhi had been trapped at rank seventy-nine for a long time. Breaking through to rank eighty had long become an obsession in his heart.

Yet after searching bitterly for many years, he had never found a way to evolve the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Now, the opportunity was right before him. Though he did not know whether it was true, claiming he was not tempted would be a lie.

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, his voice low and restrained.

"I wonder what price Ning must pay for you to tell me the method of evolving the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."

A glint of triumph flashed through Unrivaled Thief's eyes, but he casually waved his hand. "No rush. Sect Master Ning, why not hear my conditions first?"

He raised one finger. "First, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will publicly announce cooperation with Spirit Hall. Once that is done, I guarantee that Sect Master Ning's Martial Soul will evolve into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."

His second finger slowly rose. "Second, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will secretly cooperate with me personally. I will first help Ning Rongrong evolve her Martial Soul and tell you the method of evolution as well."

Ning Fengzhi fell silent and pondered for a moment. A trace of resolve flashed through his eyes.

He turned to look at Tang San, who was still fighting fiercely, then turned back to stare at Unrivaled Thief. "I choose the second option. I will cooperate with you personally in secret."

He had weighed this decision countless times in his heart.

Publicly cooperating with Spirit Hall meant completely breaking with the Heaven Dou Empire, while secretly cooperating with Unrivaled Thief personally would at least preserve a way out.

Unrivaled Thief revealed a satisfied smile. "A wise choice. However..."

His tone shifted. "Before I fulfill my promise, I need to see Sect Master Ning's sincerity."

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath. "What does the Holy Son want?"

"Don't be so nervous. Just a Soul Tool." Unrivaled Thief spoke calmly.

"A Soul Tool? What does the Holy Son need a Soul Tool for?! If you want one, Ning can give you several."

Ning Fengzhi was puzzled. He did not believe that the Holy Son of Spirit Hall lacked even a mere Soul Tool.

But the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had great wealth and influence. Producing a few Soul Tools would be easy enough.

Unrivaled Thief shook his head. "The Soul Tool I want is in the hands of the Heaven Dou Empire. It is a three-dimensional triangular Soul Tool, entirely crystal-clear blue in color."

"What? You want the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?! That is the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure!"

As a guest of honor to Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi was quite familiar with certain matters of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Hearing that, Unrivaled Thief gave a mocking laugh. "A national treasure? It is merely a Soul Tool that lets people travel freely across the sea. If Sect Master Ning does not even have that much sincerity, then forget it."

Although the Heaven Dou Empire had discovered that the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was extraordinary.

For someone not accepted by it, it was merely a somewhat more powerful Soul Tool.

And they called that a national treasure?

What kind of national treasure was that supposed to be?

In the hands of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was completely meaningless. To put it bluntly, it was just a piece of junk.

Its many functions could only be used after the soul imprint within the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud acknowledged its owner.

Unrivaled Thief did not believe that, given the current relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire, they could not obtain even a Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.

Ning Fengzhi had intended to use the words "national treasure" to drive up the price, but he had not expected the other party to be unmoved.

Seeing Unrivaled Thief preparing to give up, he grew anxious.

"Holy Son, I can obtain the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud from the Heaven Dou Empire. But surely you must show me some sincerity as well? Otherwise, empty words are no proof. How can Ning be convinced?"

"Sincerity?" Unrivaled Thief asked in return. "Is my sincerity not enough? Allowing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to cooperate with me personally is already my greatest concession."

Was letting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect maintain its relationship with the Heaven Dou Empire not concession enough?

Otherwise, Unrivaled Thief could have used this to coerce Ning Fengzhi into making the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect publicly cooperate with Spirit Hall.

Seeing that Unrivaled Thief would not yield at all, Ning Fengzhi was ultimately defeated.

"Fine. Ning will obtain the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud as soon as possible. I only hope the Holy Son will not break his promise. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not made of clay."

With no other choice, he could only offer a threat.

Hearing this, Unrivaled Thief smiled. "Rest assured. Once Ning Rongrong obtains her third Soul Ring, I will evolve her Martial Soul into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and tell you the method as well."

"I hope so!" Ning Fengzhi could only agree helplessly.

They did not continue discussing the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. Instead, they both turned their attention to the battle in the training ground.

Rebel Son Beats Up Tang San, Deep-Fried Golden Dart King?!

At this moment, Tang San was being toyed with by Rebel Son until he was in an utterly miserable state, completely lacking the ease he had shown when facing Dai Mubai earlier.

"Sect Master Ning, what do you think of this Tang San?" Unrivaled Thief asked as if casually.

Ning Fengzhi's expression remained unchanged, though his tone carried admiration. "Becoming a Soul Elder at twelve years old—he is a genius among geniuses."

"Oh." Unrivaled Thief was not surprised and asked again, "Then what does Sect Master Ning think of my second brother?"

"The Holy Son's second brother can suppress Tang San so thoroughly. Naturally, he too is a genius among geniuses."

Ning Fengzhi did not deliberately compare the two. He simply praised them both.

Such a smooth answer did not reveal whether he held any particular thoughts about Tang San.