Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, and strode over to the platform.
He didn't go to help the badly injured Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. Instead, he faced Lin Qiu on the platform and bowed deeply.
A ninety-degree bow.
He was as respectful as a student standing before his teacher.
"Your Highness the Holy Son, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will never forget your great kindness!"
Ning Fengzhi's voice trembled. He was so overwhelmed with emotion that he'd lost his composure. "I was blind before and offended His Holiness the Pope and Your Highness the Holy Son. I'm willing to accept any punishment!"
The representatives of the various major powers watched, dumbfounded.
Hadn't he been ready to fight to the death just moments ago?
Hadn't he been prepared to take everyone down with him?
Was this really the bearing of the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects?
He changed his tune faster than a page turned!
Standing on the platform, Lin Qiu watched Ning Fengzhi's deferential bow and let out a bored yawn.
"Enough."
Lin Qiu waved a hand. "It's just a fruit. I don't like sour things, so I gave it to that girl as a snack. Don't try to play the tragic victim with me."
Didn't like it...
Sour...
A snack...
Ning Fengzhi's mouth twitched violently.
That was a Sacred Herb capable of evolving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!
And to you, it was just a sour fruit?
If anyone else had made such a shamelessly boastful remark, Ning Fengzhi would have slapped them across the face.
But coming from Lin Qiu, it only struck him as... unfathomable!
Was this the world of the strong?
Ning Fengzhi's eyes shifted as his mind sprang into action.
Lin Qiu's strength was unfathomable, his backing was Spirit Hall, and he possessed countless rare treasures.
Most importantly, he and Rongrong seemed to get along well.
Rongrong had been staying at Spirit Hall for days. Not only was she unharmed, she'd also received such an incredible boon.
What did that mean?
It meant His Highness the Holy Son had taken a liking to Rongrong!
Ning Fengzhi glanced at his daughter.
She was still young, but already had the makings of a beauty. And now, with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, her talent was unmatched in the world.
They were a match made in heaven!
If he could secure this marriage alliance, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would stand firm for the next hundred years—not a thousand!
At that thought, Ning Fengzhi's smile instantly turned warm and friendly.
He raised his head to look at Bibi Dong, his voice utterly sincere.
"Your Holiness the Pope."
Ning Fengzhi cupped his hands. "Today's events were entirely a misunderstanding. Since Rongrong and His Highness the Holy Son seem to get along so well, I have a humble request."
Bibi Dong still held the Dragon Pattern Black Gold rod. She gave him a cold look. "Spit it out."
In the past, Ning Fengzhi would never have put up with such a tone.
But now, he was grinning like a flower.
"His Highness the Holy Son and my daughter, Rongrong, are about the same age, and they seem to get along wonderfully."
Ning Fengzhi finally revealed his true intentions. "How about we arrange a childhood betrothal between our families? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to offer the strength of our entire sect as the dowry, to support His Highness the Holy Son!"
The entire sect as the dowry!
The crowd erupted once again.
Wasn't that going a bit too far?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was richer than a nation. Were they going to hand the whole sect over to Spirit Hall?
Everyone looked toward the platform, waiting for Bibi Dong's answer.
This was like a pie falling from the sky. Only a fool would turn it down, right?
And yet.
Bibi Dong merely let out a cold laugh.
Her smile was full of scorn and mockery.
"Ning Fengzhi, do you think you're buying vegetables at the market?"
Bibi Dong slammed the black rod down, making the ground tremble again. "Your spoiled daughter thinks she's worthy of my son?"
Ning Fengzhi's smile stiffened. "Your Holiness the Pope, Rongrong has the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda now..."
"So what?"
Bibi Dong cut him off, her phoenix eyes brimming with pride. "The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is nothing more than something my son created on a whim. I can make as many as I want."
"You think that little thing is worthy of Lin Qiu?"
Bibi Dong lowered her head to look at Lin Qiu, who stood beside her with an indifferent expression. The coldness in her eyes instantly melted into boundless affection.
"My son is destined to ascend to the heavens and become a god."
"His partner may not have to be a god, but she must be one of the most outstanding beings in this world."
"As for your daughter..."
Bibi Dong glanced at Ning Rongrong, who was still munching on her fruit. "I might consider letting her serve tea and water as a maid."
A maid?!
The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the sect's future heir, could only be a maid?
That was outrageous!
What an insult!
And yet, as everyone looked at Lin Qiu's calm expression, they couldn't help thinking that Bibi Dong's words... seemed to make a little sense?
He could toss Titled Douluo around like they were nothing and hand out Sacred Herbs at a whim.
Someone like him had already surpassed the limits of ordinary people's understanding.
Ning Fengzhi's face shifted between pale and red, but he still didn't dare lose his temper.
He knew Bibi Dong was telling the truth.
It was harsh, but it was the truth.
Just as the atmosphere grew awkward,
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who had been silent beside the distant crater, suddenly struggled to his feet.
He pushed Gu Rong away when he tried to help and staggered forward a few steps.
He didn't look at Bibi Dong or Ning Rongrong.
His eyes were fixed on Lin Qiu.
The hostility from before was gone. In its place was a fervor like a hunter who'd finally found his prey.
As a pure sword cultivator, he had lost just now.
But he had lost to an indestructible rod, to its terrifying physical weight.
On Lin Qiu, he'd sensed a fluctuation that was faint yet razor-sharp.
The presence of one of his own.
"Your Highness the Holy Son."
Chen Xin's voice was hoarse. His chest wound made him cough up blood with every word. "I have a request."
Lin Qiu tilted his head. "Do you want to marry your granddaughter off to me too?"
Chen Xin shook his head. A solemn look appeared on his aged face.
"I have devoted my life to the sword. I've always believed that no one on the Douluo Continent could surpass me in the way of the sword."
"Though I lost today through sheer strength, I can see that Your Highness has an extraordinary build and is a natural-born sword cultivator."
Chen Xin took a deep breath. Despite his grievous injuries, his sword intent gathered once more. "I want to pass on the 'Seven Kill Sword Path,' the knowledge I've spent my life acquiring."
Pass down his sword path!
This was Sword Douluo Chen Xin's legacy!
The Seven Kill Sword was said to have the greatest offensive power in the world. If Lin Qiu could learn it—even a move or two—he would be able to roam the continent unhindered.
Every Soul Master present heard those words with burning eyes.
Was Lin Qiu just too lucky?
Not only did he have an invincible mother, now even a Titled Douluo from an enemy faction was practically begging to teach him?
Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up too.
If Uncle Sword became Lin Qiu's teacher, wouldn't that bond be even stronger than a marriage alliance?
"Your Highness the Holy Son, Uncle Sword's Seven Kill Sword Technique is peerless on the continent..." Ning Fengzhi hurried to chime in.
Before you continue