Ning Tian's Home Turf, the Sect Master's Personal Welcome

Ning Tian emerged from behind Ning Qiushui, his short, silver-gray hair standing out strikingly in the sunlight.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming!" Ning Tian rushed over. "Have you finished everything?"

Dai Huabin nodded. "That's about it. I wanted to send you a message beforehand, but the itinerary changed too much along the way, so I came directly."

Ning Qiushui watched her daughter run away, then looked at the blond boy and the four girls behind him, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Xiao Tian, what's this?"

Ning Tian ran up to Dai Huabin and stopped, then turned to introduce him to his mother:

"Mom, this is Dai Huabin, whom I told you about before. He's from the Shrek Academy, the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and the captain of the champion team in this Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."

Ning Qiushui's expression changed.

The initial solemnity and vigilance turned into surprise.

"So you're Dai Huabin!"

Ning Qiushui strode forward, a smile spreading across her face.

"Xiao Tian has been talking about you a lot since he came back. Come on, don't stand outside, come in quickly."

She turned to look at the two Titled Douluo who had been terrified by the Ice Empress, their faces turning pale, and her tone carried a hint of reproach:

"You two are just like that, unable to properly entertain important guests?"

The fat old man frowned, thinking to himself, "How was we supposed to know there was a Level 98 monster inside?"

The thin old man was in an even worse state; his lips were still bluish-purple, and he stood there looking like a radish that had been frozen all night.

Dai Huabin cupped his hands in greeting. "Greetings, Sect Master Ning. I apologize for the intrusion and for causing you trouble."

"Don't mention it!"

Ning Qiushui smiled and waved her hand, her gaze sweeping over Zhu Lu, Ice Empress, Snow Empress, Di Lingxi, while secretly making a calculation in her mind.

The four girls were all exceptionally beautiful, especially the one with long emerald green hair and the one with white hair, whose temperament far surpassed that of ordinary people. There was also a blonde girl whose aura made even a level 79 Soul Sage like herself feel that something was amiss.

"Who are these people...?"

"My fiancée is Zhu Lu." Dai Huabin pointed to Zhu Lu beside him, and then introduced them separately, "This is Bing Hanyue, Xue Qingyao, and Di Lingxi. They are all my friends."

Zhu Lu bowed slightly and nodded politely.

Ice Empress, with his hands in his pockets, gave a perfunctory "hmm" as a greeting.

Snow Empress was very polite, and said softly, "Greetings Sect Master Ning."

Di Lingxi was squatting by the roadside staring at a clump of spiritual herbs when she heard her name called. She stood up and patted the dust off her skirt.

Ning Qiushui's smile froze slightly. Wasn't that girl with the bright green hair being a little too casual with her?

But when she recalled the terrifying fluctuations in Soul Power she had just witnessed, her smile immediately returned to normal.

"Very well, they are all talented young people. Come, have a seat inside. Xiao Tian, take them to the front hall to rest, I'll make the arrangements."

Ning Tian tugged at Dai Huabin's sleeve. "Let's go, come with me."

The group followed Ning Tian deeper into the sect.

"Did you make a move at the door just now?" Ning Tian asked.

"It wasn't me, it was Bing'er. Your two seniors weren't very nice, and she lost her temper."

Ning Tian glanced back at Ice Empress, who was listlessly looking at the buildings along the roadside, his expression clearly showing his boredom.

"Won't something bad happen?"

"Don't worry, I just released some Soul Power; I didn't hurt anyone."

"That's good." Ning Tian breathed a sigh of relief.

After walking a few dozen steps, Di Lingxi suddenly spoke up, "There are lots of delicious grasses here."

Zhu Lu quickly pulled her back. "Those are spiritual herbs belonging to other sects; you can't eat them."

"Why?"

"Because it's not yours."

Di Lingxi thought for a moment and said, "Then let him buy it."

She was referring to Dai Huabin.

Ning Tian turned his head, his lips twitching involuntarily. "Ling Xi, you still love to eat so much."

Di Lingxi smiled and said, "Xiao Tian, I'm just curious."

The front hall was large and tastefully furnished.

The dark purple curtains were paired with glass lamps, the table was made of rosewood, and the tea set was a set of celadon.

The financial strength of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can be seen from these details.

Ning Tian had tea and snacks served, and the group sat down.

After a few cups of tea, Ning Qiushui reappeared.

Several sect disciples followed behind her, carrying various gift boxes.

"Huabin, you must be tired from your journey. I've already arranged for you to have superior guest rooms ready, and a banquet will be prepared at noon to welcome you back."

"Sect Master Ning, you're too kind."

"Don't be so polite, we're family."

Ning Qiushui laughed warmly.

"After Xiaotian came back, he told me a lot about you. A tournament champion, a young Soul King, a genius that Shrek Academy has seen only once in a century. It's a blessing for our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to befriend you."

That's a very strong statement.

Dai Huabin noticed that Ning Qiushui used the phrase "one of our own."

It seems that after Ning Tian returned, he told Ning Qiushui about their agreement in detail.

The sect leader's attitude was very clear: she approved of the cooperation and was quite positive about it.

"Sect Master Ning, you flatter me."

Ning Qiushui glanced at the Ice Empress and the Snow Empress, and tentatively asked, "How should I address these two?"

"Friends." Dai Huabin only said these two words.

Ning Qiushui tactfully refrained from pressing further, simply smiling and nodding, "That's good, that's good. It's an honor to have you all as guests of our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

After arranging the accommodations, Ning Qiushui gave Ning Tian a few more instructions before leaving to handle clan affairs.

Ning Tian leaned back in his chair and looked at Dai Huabin: "You came here just to see me on the way?"

"Half and half." Dai Huabin put down his teacup. "It's true I was just dropping by, and it's also true I needed to talk to you."

Ning Tian nodded and didn't ask any more questions, but he was already very excited.

A short while later, Ning Tian stood up.

"While lunch is still ready, I'll give you a tour. It'll be a good opportunity for you to see the resources of our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect School."

She walked to the door, then turned back and added, "Oh, right, I'll call Wu Feng too..."

Dai Huabin nodded. "Okay."

The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was much larger than Dai Huabin had anticipated.

Just walking along the central axis, you pass three main halls, two treasure pavilions, and a warehouse area specifically for storing rare metals.

Every building is exquisitely constructed, with rosewood beams and glazed tile roofs, and strings of colorful glazed wind chimes hanging under the eaves, tinkling in the breeze.

Ning Tian introduced the place as he walked, his tone revealing his undisguised pride.

"This is our sect's Hundred Treasures Hall, which stores over a thousand kinds of rare ores and metals. This is the outer sect disciples' training ground. That's the Offering Hall over there; the two Guardian Douluo usually cultivate in seclusion there..."

As they reached a corner of a garden, a red-haired girl was sitting cross-legged, cultivating. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw it was Wu Feng.

"Xiao Tian, what's this...?" Wu Feng's words trailed off as he saw Dai Huabin and paused, "Dai Huabin? What brings you here?"