Reputation Forged, and Marked

"Then... then Rongrong will give you all of her share..."

Looking at the desperate little expression on Ning Rongrong's face.

Ye Xuan was going crazy with joy inside.

Who said the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong, was willful and arrogant?

This girl was just too cute.

Ye Xuan ignored the incredulous gazes of the people around him.

He simply reached out and pinched Ning Rongrong's flushed, chubby cheeks.

"Well... Rongrong, I actually would love to develop my future at your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but the current Pope has shown me great favor, so I certainly cannot leave Martial Soul Hall."

As Ye Xuan said this, the dark, stormy expression on Ning Fengzhi's face finally eased slightly.

Upon hearing Ye Xuan's words, a clear trace of disappointment appeared in Ning Rongrong's large eyes.

But soon.

Ye Xuan's next sentence nearly made Ning Fengzhi cough up a mouthful of old blood.

"However..."

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

As these words fell.

Anyone standing nearby with a bit of wit could see.

Ye Xuan was digging a pit for Ning Fengzhi.

Sure enough.

After Ye Xuan said this.

Ning Rongrong's previously dim eyes instantly brightened up.

And Ning Fengzhi's face turned 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!"

On the other side.

Ning Fengzhi watched his darling daughter running toward him full of anticipation.

At this moment, the high-ranking members of the major factions around him were all whistling and dodging to the side.

They wore expressions of "this has nothing to do with me," hiding in the corners to enjoy the drama to their hearts' content.

"Hahaha, why isn't Sect Master Ning laughing? Is he naturally not fond of smiling?"

"Pfft, this brat Ye Xuan is too devious; Sect Master Ning is probably going to hold a grudge against him."

"I'm dying of laughter, this kid's ability to shift the blame is top-tier. Doesn't this just mean: 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, it was the first time Ning Fengzhi felt the pressure brought on by his own daughter.

"Daddy, I want to..."

"No, you don't."

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

"Then don't say it."

"Waaaah~~~~ Daddy doesn't love Rongrong anymore..."

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The Martial Soul Exchange Conference concluded near dusk.

Ning Rongrong had actually wanted to come find Ye Xuan to play halfway through, but she was stopped every time by her "kind" father, Ning Fengzhi.

"Goodbye, Brother Ye Xuan! Rongrong will come to Martial Soul City to play with you in the future!"

As they were about to leave Heaven Dou City, Ning Rongrong popped out from somewhere, teary-eyed, to bid farewell to Ye Xuan and Hu Liena.

"Mm, if little sister Rongrong wants to come, we are always welcome."

However, before he could finish his sentence.

Ye Xuan felt two murderous glares.

Following his sixth sense, he saw Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong standing opposite him with dark faces.

As the carriage drove away from Heaven Dou City, a relaxed Ye Xuan felt his eyelids growing heavy.

Then, everything went black as he drifted off to sleep.

The next day.

Martial Soul Hall.

Lake Heart Island.

Only after catching up on some sleep did Ye Xuan feel his energy return to a better state.

However, before he had even fully woken up, he saw Hu Liena push open his door and walk straight in.

"Hmm? Senior Sister, did something happen that you've come to find me?"

Ye Xuan was somewhat bewildered.

"Yes, the news of yesterday's Martial Soul Exchange Conference has already reached Martial Soul City, and Teacher says she wants to see you."

Having said this, Hu Liena paused for a moment.

"It seems the Grand Pontiff is also quite interested in your martial soul, but you should hurry up and get ready so we can head to the Pope Palace."

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

(⊙_⊙)?

The Grand Pontiff?

Why would that old geezer be paying attention to him?

Though he was puzzled, he still finished his morning routine as quickly as possible.

The supreme holy land that symbolizes the outward image of Martial Soul Hall.

Pope Palace.

After receiving the summons, Ye Xuan was guided inside by the guards.

The moment he entered, he noticed the Pope, Bibi Dong, sitting upon the high throne.

"Teacher!"

Ye Xuan knelt on one knee, eyes lowered to the red-carpeted floor.

"Mm, I have already learned of what you did yesterday. You truly did not disappoint me; you did very well."

Hearing Bibi Dong's slightly languid voice, Ye Xuan didn't feel overly excited. "Thank you for the praise, Teacher."

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

Seeing that Bibi Dong would actually bring this up, Ye Xuan felt that this woman was truly being unreasonable.

Ye Xuan looked up at Bibi Dong, only to see a hint of teasing on her face.

"Teacher, please stop teasing your disciple."

However, after hearing his words, Bibi Dong's expression turned serious.

"But this morning, Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sent a letter; he seems quite interested in you."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan finally understood.

Ning Fengzhi was indeed an old fox. This wasn't about him being valued; it was clearly an attempt to sow discord between him and Bibi Dong.

"Please rest assured, Teacher. You showed me great kindness by taking me in, and I will certainly never do anything to tarnish the reputation of Martial Soul Hall."

Hearing Ye Xuan's words, a look of satisfaction appeared at the corners of Bibi Dong's mouth.

"Rest easy. You are my disciple; Ning Fengzhi would not dare lay a hand on you."

Having said this, a mischievous smile touched Bibi Dong's lips.

"I will not interfere with or inquire about the matters between you and Ning Rongrong. If she comes to Martial Soul Hall to find you, I will even permit her to enter Lake Heart Island."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan stood frozen in place, the corners of his eyes twitching slightly.

"Very well, the Grand Pontiff may seek you out in a while. Just be mindful of that in the coming days."

With that said, Bibi Dong waved her hand to signal that he could leave.

Walking out of the Pope Palace.

Ye Xuan saw his convenient Senior Sister standing not far away.

But after thinking about the words Bibi Dong had just said to him, his head felt dizzy.

Not interfering, not inquiring, and even allowing the other party to enter Lake Heart Island at will regarding his relationship with Ning Rongrong.

Wasn't this clearly telling him to go and trick the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into joining Martial Soul Hall?

How did he not remember Bibi Dong being this black-bellied in the original story?

"Junior Brother, what's wrong? Why do you look so pale? Did Teacher scold you?"

Listening to Hu Liena's lethal triple-question, Ye Xuan felt his brain couldn't quite keep up.