His Name Spread-and He Caught Someone's Eye

"Th-then Rongrong will give you her entire share..."

Looking at Ning Rongrong's little expression of total surrender,

Ye Xuan was over the moon.

Who said Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, was a spoiled brat?

This girl was just too adorable.

Ye Xuan paid no mind to the incredulous looks on everyone around them.

He simply reached out and pinched Ning Rongrong's flushed little cheek.

"Well... Rongrong, I really would like to develop my career with your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but His Holiness the Pope has shown me great kindness. I certainly can't leave Spirit Hall."

Only when Ye Xuan said this did the stormy expression on Ning Fengzhi's face ease a little.

Hearing Ye Xuan's words, a clear look of disappointment appeared in Ning Rongrong's big eyes.

But soon,

Ye Xuan's next words nearly made Ning Fengzhi spit blood.

"It's just that..."

"If you can get your father to persuade my master, then naturally I can go back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with you."

As soon as he said this,

anyone standing nearby with a little sense could tell

that Ye Xuan was setting a trap for Ning Fengzhi.

And, sure enough,

after Ye Xuan said this,

the dimness in Ning Rongrong's eyes instantly gave way to a bright gleam.

Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi's face grew even darker than before.

Even Chrysanthemum Douluo, standing not far away, looked at Ning Fengzhi with a hint of schadenfreude after hearing Ye Xuan's words.

"Mm-hmm! I'll go find Daddy right now!"

Meanwhile,

Ning Fengzhi watched his sweet little daughter run toward him, full of anticipation.

All the high-ranking members of the great factions around him whistled and hurried out of the way,

wearing expressions that said it had nothing to do with them and they weren't about to get involved.

They huddled in the corner, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

"Hahaha, Sect Master Ning, why aren't you smiling? Were you born unable to smile?"

"Pfft, that little rascal Ye Xuan has a heart of stone. Sect Master Ning's probably going to hold a grudge against him."

"I'm dying! This little rascal is a master at passing the buck. Isn't he basically saying, 'It's not that I don't want to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—it all depends on what your dad thinks'?"

As Ning Rongrong approached, Ning Fengzhi felt the pressure his own daughter brought to bear for the very first time.

"Daddy, I want to..."

"No, you don't."

"Daddy, but I haven't even said anything yet."

"Then don't."

"Waaah~~~~ Daddy, you don't love Rongrong anymore..."

o(╥﹏╥)o

The Martial Soul Exchange Conference ended toward dusk.

Ning Rongrong had actually tried to come find Ye Xuan and play with him again during the event, but Ning Fengzhi, that "kindly" old father, had stopped her every time.

"Goodbye, big brother Ye Xuan! Rongrong will come to Spirit City to visit you someday!"

Just before leaving Heaven Dou City, Ning Rongrong popped out of nowhere and tearfully said goodbye to Ye Xuan and Hu Liena.

"Sure. If you want to come, Rongrong, you're always welcome here."

But before he could even finish saying this,

Ye Xuan felt two murderous glares fixed on him.

Following his sixth sense, he looked over and saw Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong standing across from him with dark expressions.

As the carriage left Heaven Dou City, Ye Xuan finally relaxed and felt his eyelids growing heavy.

Then everything went black, and he fell straight asleep.

The next day.

Spirit Hall.

Lake Heart Island.

After catching up on a little more sleep, Ye Xuan finally felt much more refreshed.

But before he had even fully woken up, Hu Liena pushed open his door and walked in.

"Hm? Senior Sister, did something happen? Why are you looking for me?"

Ye Xuan was a little confused.

"Yes. News of what happened at yesterday's Martial Soul Exchange Conference has already reached Spirit City. Teacher says she wants to see you."

Hu Liena paused.

"It seems the Grand Pontiff is also very interested in your Martial Soul. But for now, hurry and get ready to come with me to Pope Palace."

Hearing Hu Liena's words, a giant question mark appeared over Ye Xuan's head.

(⊙_⊙)?

The Grand Pontiff?

Why would that old geezer take an interest in him?

Though he was confused,

he quickly got himself ready.

The supreme holy site that embodied Spirit Hall's public image.

Pope Palace.

After receiving the summons, Ye Xuan entered under the escort of a guard.

As soon as he stepped inside, he noticed Pope Bibi Dong seated on the high throne.

"Master!"

Ye Xuan dropped to one knee, lowering his gaze to the red-carpeted floor.

"Mm. I already know what you did yesterday. You didn't disappoint me. You did very well."

Hearing the faintly languid tone in Bibi Dong's voice, Ye Xuan wasn't particularly excited. "Thank you for your praise, Teacher."

"I also heard about what happened between you and the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Seeing Bibi Dong bring that up, Ye Xuan couldn't help thinking that this woman was being completely unreasonable.

Ye Xuan looked up at Bibi Dong and saw a hint of amusement on her face.

"Teacher, please stop teasing your disciple."

But when Bibi Dong heard his words, her expression turned serious.

"However, this morning Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sent over a letter. He seems very interested in you."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan understood.

Ning Fengzhi truly was an old fox. This wasn't him thinking highly of Ye Xuan at all; he was clearly trying to make Bibi Dong suspicious of him.

"Please rest assured, Master. You have shown me great kindness, and I would never do anything to tarnish Spirit Hall's reputation."

Hearing Ye Xuan's words, Bibi Dong's lips curved with satisfaction.

"Don't worry. You're my disciple. Ning Fengzhi wouldn't dare lay a hand on you."

As she spoke, a mischievous smile appeared on Bibi Dong's lips.

"I won't interfere in what goes on between you and Ning Rongrong, nor will I ask questions. If she comes to Spirit Hall to see you, I'll allow her to enter Lake Heart Island."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan froze, the corner of his eye twitching.

"All right. The Grand Pontiff may come looking for you in a while. Just be a little careful over the next few days."

As she said this, Bibi Dong waved a hand, signaling that he could leave.

When he walked out of Pope Palace,

Ye Xuan spotted his senior sister standing not far away.

But when he thought of what Bibi Dong had said to him at the end, his head started spinning.

She wouldn't interfere in or ask questions about his relationship with Ning Rongrong, and she'd even allow the girl to come and go from Lake Heart Island as she pleased.

Wasn't she obviously telling him to lure the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into Spirit Hall?

How had he never remembered Bibi Dong being so devious in the original story?

"Junior Brother, what's wrong? You don't look well. Did Teacher scold you?"

Listening to Hu Liena's deadly three questions in a row,

Ye Xuan felt like his brain just wasn't up to the task.