Days Before the Storm

Gu Rong and Chen Xin took the letters, still bickering as they fought to be the first to read Ning Rongrong's.

"This is Rongrong's handwritten letter."

Seeing the two Titled Douluo about to come to blows over this, Ning Fengzhi said that.

The effect was immediate. The two stopped fighting at once, afraid of damaging the letter.

After reading it, both sighed. Gu Rong was more optimistic, though, and said,

"Sect Master, this is a good thing. It shows that Rongrong has grown up."

"Old Bone, are you stupid? Rongrong changed so much in just a few days. Phantom Star Academy must have used some kind of trick."

Chen Xin immediately shot him down.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two guardian Douluo had known each other for many years and usually delighted in undermining each other.

Yet this time, Gu Rong rarely offered no rebuttal, because he thought the same. He and Chen Xin then turned to look at Ning Fengzhi.

With both gazes fixed on him, Sect Master Ning naturally understood. He drew a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and said,

"I have the same suspicion. Her writing style simply doesn't resemble Rongrong's. It feels as though she has experienced something that gave her a profound awakening."

At that, both Douluo became somewhat agitated, because they could not bear to see Ning Rongrong suffer.

They had even opposed Ning Fengzhi's decision to send Ning Rongrong away.

"I only have that suspicion. As for using underhanded methods, I don't really agree, because there is no need for it.

I arranged for Shrek Academy. The dean there received my personal letter.

But the dean of Phantom Star Academy did not receive one. After learning about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, I don't think they would make the girl suffer."

Ning Fengzhi explained his reasoning. Based on his understanding of Ning Rongrong, if she had not agreed to it,

how could she have chosen Phantom Star instead of Shrek Academy?

What he said was merely supporting evidence.

"Mm, I think we should still visit this so-called Phantom Star Academy and see what is going on."

Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a look before Chen Xin finally spoke.

"I agree."

Gu Rong also stated his position.

"Of course we should go, but first we need to find out where Phantom Star Academy is and investigate its background."

As the master of a sect, he naturally prioritized caution in all matters.

Moreover, he still bore the title of Imperial Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire. Investigating matters within Heaven Dou's territory would be effortless.

"Alright."

After answering, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo went off to duel, since both wanted the chance to see Ning Rongrong.

After the two Douluo left, Ning Fengzhi picked up the letter and read it from beginning to end once more.

"Her concern is genuine, but what does it mean when she says I should be more wary of other factions?"

How could he fail to notice the traces of embellishment in the letter? The little girl was clearly trying to conceal something.

After finishing the letter, Ning Fengzhi muttered, "It seems I have no choice but to go this time."

He had no objection to Ning Rongrong joining an academy, so long as it could temper her character.

Besides, the letter had specifically stressed that this choice was her own...

Meanwhile, within Spirit Hall's sacred palace.

Bibi Dong sat high upon the throne, listening to the offerings below report on the situation.

In the end, they were all discussing one matter.

"Within Suotuo City, a Soul Douluo unleashed a full set of hundred-thousand-year soul rings."

This topic should not have caused too great a stir within Spirit Hall.

Such cases were rare, but not unheard of. Those who possessed Twin Martial Souls could achieve it.

However, they should have records of any such Titled Douluo, yet none of the records they found matched.

"Silence!"

Bibi Dong's voice descended from the throne, and everyone present shut their mouths.

Clearly, the argument had greatly irritated her.

"Grand Offering, what do you think?"

Bibi Dong could sometimes be ruled by love and held resentment toward the Qian family, but when it came to serious matters, she was capable of setting everything aside and focusing on her work.

Qian Daoliu showed her sufficient respect and bowed as he replied.

"Whether he possesses Twin Martial Souls is not important. Even if he is only level eighty, a full set of red soul rings would be enough for him to contend against some Titled Douluo who have only just reached level ninety.

And his aura at the time was very powerful."

At Qian Daoliu's words, Bibi Dong also fell into thought.

"Focus on recruiting him. The plan is still being prepared; we cannot suffer heavy losses because of this matter."

Bibi Dong herself possessed Twin Martial Souls, yet even she had not achieved a full set of red soul rings.

This was the first time she was so uncertain that she could take someone down without paying a grievous price, because she knew the strength of hundred-thousand-year soul rings.

"Yes."

After arranging for people to contact Chen An, the meeting adjourned.

Compared to the pressure on Spirit Hall's side, the higher-ups of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, after learning such a person existed, no longer dared pursue Lin Ran's matter.

They even took the initiative to suppress the news, but this was not something they could keep contained. There had been too many witnesses, and they could not control them all.

Within just a few days, everyone except those living in seclusion knew about it.

Including the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Uncle Sword, what do you think?"

"It is hard to say whether I can suppress him."

Sword Douluo had no hundred-thousand-year soul rings and did not know how much of a boost they could provide.

Thus, he did not dare be overconfident, even with Ning Fengzhi present.

"I heard that this dean has entered seclusion. At present, no one in Phantom Star is above level sixty."

Thus, rather unexpectedly, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall reached an understanding and both sent people to help guard Phantom Star Academy.

This allowed the students of Phantom Star Academy to live their days in peace.

"Why has everything been so calm lately?"

The trio and Lin Ran were gathered together in the academy, discussing matters. As the highest-ranked among them, Lin Ran looked at the noisy children outside and said this.

They had all experienced their share of trouble, and Zhu Zhuqing had also told them about Shrek's situation.

"Let's all be more careful."

Lin Ran thought about it, but she had no particularly good solution.

In contrast to Phantom Star's calm, undercurrents were surging beneath the surface among the other factions.

Above, in the God Realm, the five chief gods of the God Realm Committee convened.

"An anomaly has appeared on Douluo Continent. What are your thoughts?"

Asura spoke with great solemnity.

Normally, they adopted a hands-off policy toward Douluo Continent, yet now they sat gathered together to discuss Chen An.

The last time there had been such a great disturbance was over the Gold and Silver Dragon Kings.

"I believe it would be best to eliminate him in advance."

The God of Destruction spoke. The gods present essentially all agreed with this proposal.

Even though the Goddess of Life and the Goddess of Goodness were dissatisfied with such an approach, they still approved it.

"But the problem is, where is this anomaly?"

Asura said coldly.

"Before coming here, I investigated the Douluo World and found nothing. It is as though some force has concealed his exact whereabouts."

The expressions of the gods grew even more grave.

One after another, they attempted to use divine power to verify whether Asura's words were true.

"Damn it, divine power cannot penetrate below."

The other gods' faces darkened further.

This situation reminded them of the battle against the Golden Dragon King that day.

The reason for this meeting was that they feared Chen An, this anomaly, would become a second Golden Dragon King.

They also feared that he would one day impact the existing order of the God Realm.

"Asura, why don't you try?"

The four God Kings were at a loss, because they discovered they could not send incarnations down.

Only the path of entering reincarnation remained.

"Mm? Let me try... How strange."

Asura's divine power was also restricted now, but he sensed a passage that would allow him to proceed somewhat more smoothly.

"I am restricted as well, but I can enter through the inheritance? Why can I not interfere now, then?"

After Asura spoke, he fell silent, clearly deep in thought. The other God Kings also remained silent.

"Could it be assistance from the world's will?"

As one of the God Realm's earliest gods, the Goddess of Life naturally knew a great deal.

After pondering for a long time and rejecting many possibilities, she finally guessed that this might be the reason.

"That may be it."

Asura could no longer maintain his cold expression, because his face had turned utterly foul.