Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's blunt words, which even carried a hint of accusation,
Huang Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of displeasure flickering through his heart.
However, Huang Yan didn't lose his temper. His expression remained calm.
Since these two girls had already entered Divine Radiant Academy, he would have plenty of time to train them gradually.
Huang Yan's gaze swept over the two girls without a change in expression.
He had to admit, both of them were breathtaking beauties with figures to match.
They were a pleasure to look at, even just staying within the sect.
More importantly, they had special identities.
Ning Rongrong was the beloved daughter of Ning Fengzhi and the two Titled Douluo, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
If he kept her in his grasp, he could use her to deal with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and rake in a mountain of resources. It would be as easy as turning over his hand.
Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, was the legitimate daughter of the Nether Duke Mansion in the Star Luo Empire.
He would inevitably set his sights on the Star Luo Empire in the future, and taking Zhu Zhuqing in now would give him a perfect pawn.
After all, although Huang Yan's ultimate goal was to become a god at level one hundred,
unifying the Douluo Continent was an essential foundation on his path to the heavens.
At the thought, the smile at the corners of Huang Yan's mouth deepened.
He casually pulled two delicate jade bottles from his Storage Ring and tossed one to each of them.
"Want resources?
Of course. No problem.
These are the secret medicines mentioned in the notice."
Zhu Zhuqing caught the jade bottle. A flicker of eagerness passed through her cool eyes.
"Can we use it now?"
"Whenever you like."
Huang Yan spoke lazily, his tone indifferent.
"These pills can cleanse your marrow and improve your cultivation aptitude.
But their effects are fierce, and the process will be painful. It depends on whether you can endure it."
Huang Yan had made these pills from the top-grade medicinal herbs growing around the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
His alchemy technique was a little crude,
but thanks to his own Flame of Radiance, the results had been unexpectedly good.
He had named the pills the Divine Radiant Pill.
Making Divine Radiant Pills wasn't exactly difficult, but it wasn't easy either.
Relying on his natural talent and his knowledge of the pills from several later eras in the original story,
Huang Yan had given it a try.
He hadn't expected to succeed on his very first attempt at alchemy.
The effects were comparable to those of the Mystic Water Pill from Douluo II.
Ning Rongrong curiously pulled out the stopper. A strange, refreshing medicinal fragrance immediately filled the air.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Huang Yan.
"You're just handing us something this precious?
Hey, aren't you worried we'll take the goodies and run straight back home?"
Huang Yan folded his arms and looked at her with a faint, knowing smile.
"Go ahead and try.
But I guarantee that once you've experienced the benefits of this secret medicine,
you won't be willing to leave even if I chase you out with a broom."
Zhu Zhuqing put the jade bottle away without hesitation and met Huang Yan's gaze.
"As long as it gives me the power to change my fate, I'll obey the rules of the Divine Radiant Sect without fail."
"Good."
Huang Yan nodded with satisfaction, his tone carrying an unquestionable arrogance.
"Since you've accepted my things, from this day on, you belong to the Divine Radiant Sect.
Remember, here, my word is the only rule!"
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, council hall.
Ning Fengzhi studied the secret letter that had just arrived. His brow furrowed, and he let out a soft sigh.
"Fengzhi, what's wrong?
Did that girl Rongrong get herself into trouble out there?"
Bone Douluo Gu Rong strode in, his booming voice echoing through the spacious hall.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin stopped polishing the Seven Kill Sword and looked up, his gaze sharp.
"Did someone from Shrek Academy bully her?
If she's been wronged, I'll go chop that wretched village to pieces!"
"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, don't get worked up."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly and set the secret letter on the table.
"Rongrong wasn't bullied. It's just... she left Shrek Academy."
"Good! She was right to leave!"
Gu Rong slapped his thigh and snorted.
"I've always said that stupid Shrek place Flender runs isn't fit for our Rongrong!
Has that girl had enough fun and started heading back to the sect?"
"No, she hasn't."
Ning Fengzhi gave a wry smile, his gaze deep.
"The letter says Rongrong went with that girl from the Zhu Family in the Star Luo Empire,
then turned around and enrolled at a newly established academy called Divine Radiant Academy."
"Divine Radiant Academy?"
Chen Xin furrowed his brow, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
"When did the Heaven Dou Empire get an academy like that?
I've never even heard of it. Is it another shoddy outfit set up to swindle people out of their money?"
Ning Fengzhi's expression grew grave.
"This Divine Radiant Academy—or rather, the Divine Radiant Sect—is no simple matter.
According to the information our scouts brought back, the Peerless Dragon and Serpent couple, and even Poison Douluo Dugu Bo,
have all taken the title of Supreme Elder in the Divine Radiant Sect."
"What?!"
Gu Rong's eyes widened in disbelief.
"That Old Poison always keeps to himself. He doesn't even care about the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's face. He actually joined a newly established sect?!"
Chen Xin's eyes turned cold as he tightened his grip on his sword hilt.
"What exactly is the Divine Radiant Sect?
With even Dugu Bo there, what if Rongrong is in danger on her own?
Fengzhi, I'll go there myself and bring her back!"
"Uncle Sword, wait."
Ning Fengzhi raised a hand to stop Chen Xin. Wisdom and contemplation shone in his eyes.
"Rongrong may be spoiled, but she isn't stupid. If she chose to stay there, there must be something unusual about the place.
Besides, the letter mentions something even more unbelievable."
"What is it?"
Gu Rong pressed urgently.
"The sect master of the Divine Radiant Sect isn't Dugu Bo, nor is he Dragon Duke Meng Shu."
Ning Fengzhi drew a deep breath and spoke slowly.
"Instead, he's a boy of twelve or thirteen. His Martial Soul seems to be some extremely rare kind of phoenix."
The hall fell silent at once.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong looked at each other, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.
"A sect master of twelve or thirteen?
And Old Poison and the Dragon Duke and Snake Granny willingly submit to him?
How is that possible!"
Gu Rong sucked in a sharp breath.
"That's what the facts say."
Ning Fengzhi tapped his fingers lightly on the table and spoke in a low voice.
"Since Rongrong has already gone in, we'll watch and wait for now.
I want to see just how capable this mysterious Divine Radiant Sect—and its young sect master—really are."
Ning Fengzhi paused, then turned to Gu Rong.
"Uncle Bone, I'll have to trouble you to go there in secret.
As long as Rongrong's life isn't in danger, don't reveal yourself yet.
While you're there, look into that boy's background."
"Don't worry. Leave it to me!"
Gu Rong replied gravely. His figure flashed, turning into a cloud of black mist that vanished from the hall.
Divine Radiant Academy, inner courtyard meditation room.
"You can take them in this meditation room."
Huang Yan pointed at the two meditation cushions in the center of the room.
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