Just then, another commotion broke out in the crowd. The disciples from both academies, who had been scattered about moments ago, were now all looking in the same direction.
"Look, someone else has come to visit the Skywater Sect."
"Whoa, th-that's the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"
"It really is... Could the people behind him be the legendary Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo?"
"That's right. Their Martial Souls are the world's number-one defensive Martial Soul, the Bone Dragon, and the world's number-one offensive Martial Soul, the Seven Kill Sword!"
"I can't believe even people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have come to visit the Skywater Sect. Academy Head Shui Yuerong has really made a name for herself!"
As the crowd erupted in another round of chatter, Li Jiuxuan and the other two looked toward the sect gates.
They saw three tall figures standing there, each with an imposing air.
The one at the front was refined and dignified, holding an elegant scepter and wearing a faint smile.
The one on the left was skin and bones, his skin withered and dry. He looked less like a burly man than a skeleton.
The one on the right was imposing and stern, with a massive, unsheathed sword of chilling steel strapped to his back.
They were none other than Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin!
The three had come to the Skywater Sect and explained their purpose to the sect's guard. Now they waited quietly outside.
They seemed sincere and respectful, without a trace of an important person's airs.
As soon as the guard saw who had arrived, he hurried off to report to the sect master. He turned into a streak of light and flew there at full speed.
"Whoa, I didn't expect Sect Master Ning to come in person. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is one of the Upper Three Sects!"
Shui Yue'er's mouth opened into an O of surprise. Then she said with a grin, "Don't be fooled by the fact that Sect Master Ning is only at level seventy. The two behind him are both Titled Douluo—one at level ninety-five and the other at level ninety-six!"
Shui Bing'er gave a cool nod and said, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly deserves its place among the Upper Three Sects. It has the bearing of a great sect. Compared with that overbearing and unreasonable Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, it feels far more sincere."
Li Jiuxuan nodded silently. He had dealt with people from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan many times, and knew well how prideful, overbearing, and domineering they were at heart.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was completely different. Ning Fengzhi was a sect master, and had two of the continent's most powerful fighters at his back, yet he remained so humble and courteous.
That bearing alone put him far above the leaders of ordinary sects.
His gaze sharpened slightly as it fell on Chen Xin and Gu Rong, and he felt a quiet stir of wariness.
The two Titled Douluo appeared to be standing there calmly, their Soul Power restrained like an abyss, showing not the slightest hint of their sharpness. Yet no one could afford to underestimate them.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin in particular. Though he carried an unsheathed sword on his back, Li Jiuxuan could faintly sense a sword intent that seemed to tower over heaven and earth. It was as if with a single thought, Chen Xin could cleave open the void and split mountains and rivers.
The foundations of the Upper Three Sects really are unfathomably deep. Li Jiuxuan mused. Shui Yuerong had only just broken through to Titled Douluo, and the Skywater Sect was at the height of its influence. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's visit surely wasn't just a simple social call.
Shui Bing'er noticed Li Jiuxuan's silence. Her cool gaze settled gently on him as she asked in a low voice, "Jiuxuan, do you think they might have another purpose for coming here?"
"...N-no, could they be hoping to mediate between our Skywater Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
At that, Shui Yue'er suddenly put on an indignant act. "No way! Look at how badly they hurt little Jiuxuan. I'd never agree to that!"
Shui Bing'er and Li Jiuxuan both looked at Shui Yue'er with utterly speechless expressions.
Shui Yue'er, who had been hamming it up, immediately chuckled and scratched her head. "I-I was only joking. Master killed Yu Yuanzhen's younger brother, after all. How could anyone mediate between them..."
Li Jiuxuan turned his head slightly and said softly, "Sect Master Ning is meticulous and always plans carefully before he acts. The continent's situation is rife with undercurrents right now. He's brought the Sword and Bone Douluo here in person, so he's most likely seeking friendship or an alliance."
With the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Skywater Sect on such bad terms, just the fact that Ning Fengzhi had come to the Skywater Sect's gates already meant a great deal.
"Mm." Shui Bing'er agreed and nodded quietly.
Before long, a gentle yet imposing wave of Soul Power swept over from the distant horizon. A figure in an icy-white gown, with a remarkably graceful figure, came soaring through the air.
It was the Skywater Sect's master, the newly ascended Titled Douluo, Shui Yuerong!
She landed before the sect and, upon seeing Ning Fengzhi and the other two, hurried forward. Her tone held a measure of respect. "Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, your arrival is a great honor to the Skywater Sect. We regret not welcoming you sooner. Please forgive us."
Her words were courteous and respectful, but Shui Yuerong's cool face showed little change in expression.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded slightly, holding his scepter with the gentle elegance of jade. "Sect Master Shui, you're too kind. I recently heard that you had broken through to Titled Douluo, so the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect came to offer its congratulations."
Gu Rong's hoarse voice sounded slowly. His gaunt body hunched slightly as he greeted her. "My respects, Sect Master Shui."
Chen Xin looked at Shui Yuerong and gave her a small nod as well. "My respects, Sect Master Shui."
Shui Yuerong raised a hand and invited the three to enter the Skywater Sect. "Everyone, please come inside. We can talk at length there."
"Pfft!"
Li Jiuxuan and the other two watched the important guests walk into the Skywater Sect's main hall. They exchanged glances, then all broke into smiles.
It was certainly a good thing for these great sects to befriend the Skywater Sect. But Sect Master Shui Yuerong had shown no expression from beginning to end, as though she were a stern elder. It was almost as if the three important guests behind her were the juniors.
They just hoped Ning Fengzhi and the others wouldn't get the wrong idea and turn against the Skywater Sect...
"Come on, let's keep looking around, then we'll go train."
Shui Yue'er grinned and nudged the other two, eager to leave this boring part of the grounds.
After all, some matters were beyond the reach of young disciples like them.
"Jiuxuan, I'll take you to the Simulated Environment Chamber. You can set whatever environment you need for your training in there. It'll be much more effective than cultivating at Calm Heart Lake."
Shui Bing'er took Li Jiuxuan's little hand and looked down at him with a faint smile.
"All right. Whatever it takes, I have to speed up my cultivation. One day, I'll surpass both my sisters!" Li Jiuxuan declared boldly.
"Surpass... us?" Shui Yue'er froze.
She had complete faith in Li Jiuxuan's talent, but he was only at level twenty-two, nearly twenty levels behind them.
With the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow as their foundation, their cultivation speed had only increased.
For little Jiuxuan to catch up...
He'd have to work very hard.
"That's right. I'll surpass both my sisters!"
Li Jiuxuan said earnestly, "I don't want to be protected by my sisters forever. I want to protect you both, too!"
Shui Bing'er blinked, her gaze as tender as water, and smiled warmly. "All right. If little Jiuxuan gets that strong, then you can surpass us!"
Those words warmed his heart.
...When the little guy could stand on his own, perhaps he could go avenge his family sooner, too.
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