Allies

"This is the finest Century Mulberry Tea of the Skywater Sect. Everyone, please partake."

Shui Yuerong sat upright in the seat of honor, a cold and detached aura permeating the entire Sect Master's hall.

On the side of the hall, three figures sat quietly, all of them heavyweights who held significant sway over the continent.

"There is no rush for tea. As guests, we naturally understand the proper etiquette."

Ning Fengzhi, sitting at the front, smiled and gestured into the void. "To congratulate Sect Master Shui on stepping into the realm of Title Douluo, I have brought some modest gifts. I hope Sect Master Shui will graciously accept them."

As his voice fell, a gilded brocade box materialized.

Ning Fengzhi raised his hand to guide it toward Shui Yuerong, his tone warm and modest. "There are two items inside. The first is a Concentration Jade Bed crafted from Deep Sea Cold Jade, which can assist a Title Douluo in calming their mind and stabilizing their Soul Core. The second consists of three Purple Heart Ganoderma, treasured by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for ten thousand years; they can strengthen one's foundation and resolve hidden injuries... These are but a small token of sincerity from our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Shui Yuerong lifted her eyes for a faint glance. She neither rose nor showed much expression, her tone cold and distant, neither humble nor arrogant. "Sect Master Ning is too kind. I have merely been fortunate enough to break through to the Title Douluo realm; there is no need for such heavy gifts. Furthermore, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and my Skywater Sect have never had any dealings. I cannot accept such a generous offering."

Ning Fengzhi's smile did not fade at these words. He tapped his fingertips against the table, his tone remaining gentle. "Sect Master Shui, that is where you are mistaken. A Title Douluo is the pinnacle of combat power on this continent. The Skywater Sect stands in the Northern Territory, guarding its people. Now that you have broken through to this realm, it is a grand event worthy of celebration by the entire soul master world. How can you say we have no dealings?"

"My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has always respected the strong. That you have stepped into the Title Douluo realm at such a young age is a testament to a talent and temperament that warrants our initiative to show goodwill. This is not an attempt to curry favor, nor is it a request for anything in return; it is simply a gesture of congratulations between peers. If you insist on declining, it would only make my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's intentions seem shallow."

Beside him, Chen Xin, who had been sitting with his arms crossed, lifted his gaze slightly. His cold voice rang out softly. "My Sect Master speaks the truth. The Skywater Sect cultivates the ultimate water and ice elements, forming a unique lineage. Now that you have produced a Title Douluo, you deserve to be taken seriously. These few external items are merely a token of respect; there is no need for you to take them to heart."

On the other side, Gu Rong shifted slightly. He did not speak, merely offering a gentle smile.

Shui Yuerong lowered her eyes, the cold aura around her not diminishing in the slightest. After a moment of silence, she spoke slowly. "Since the three of you have put it this way, if I were to decline again, it would be ungracious."

She did not touch the brocade box, only looked up at Ning Fengzhi, her gaze calm and unruffled. "I will accept the gifts for now. The Skywater Sect acknowledges this favor."

...As they spoke, Chen Xin faintly sensed Shui Yuerong's current cultivation level.

A ninety-two or ninety-three-level Title Douluo.

Within her body resided an unparalleled, profound power of extreme ice, and the age of her ninth soul ring was likely exceptionally high.

Even though Shui Yuerong kept her aura restrained, Chen Xin felt that even the "Old Bone" did not possess soul power as deep as hers.

It was truly terrifying.

How did she leap from Soul Douluo to this point?

After Ning Fengzhi and Shui Yuerong exchanged a few more polite pleasantries, he cut to the main topic. "Over these years, Sect Master, are you aware that the momentum of Martial Soul Hall has grown increasingly formidable..."

Shui Yuerong picked up her teacup and took a shallow sip of the Century Mulberry Tea. "Martial Soul Hall is recruiting soul masters, establishing branch halls, and winning over small and medium-sized sects. Their movements are not small; I have naturally noticed."

"Sect Master Shui is a perceptive person."

Ning Fengzhi sighed softly, his expression turning solemn. "Martial Soul Hall's ambitions are gradually being exposed, aimed directly at the continent. On the surface, the Upper Three Sects act in solidarity, but that is mostly a facade put on for Martial Soul Hall under the pressure of their oppression..."

"The Clear Sky Sect has now retreated into seclusion, avoiding the world—how can we speak of fighting together? And the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan acts too ostentatiously, their stance wavering. Especially that Yu Luomian; as far as I know, he has been walking particularly close to Martial Soul Hall..."

Shui Yuerong suddenly looked at Ning Fengzhi with a cold, piercing gaze.

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "However, he has now been slain by Sect Master Shui."

Shui Yuerong pondered for a moment before finally speaking. "...So, Sect Master Ning came to my Skywater Sect today to form an alliance and face these hardships together?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded sincerely. "Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has Brother Gu and Brother Chen, two Title Douluos, to hold the fort, we are still unable to stand alone. Martial Soul Hall now possesses a vast number of Title Douluos and acts with increasing impunity. If this continues, the continent will surely fall into chaos. Every independent sect, if they do not become their vassals, will..."

"Will be suppressed one by one, devoured, until they are annihilated."

Shui Yuerong remained expressionless; this was how she had judged the situation from the start.

"Exactly!"

Ning Fengzhi nodded heavily this time.

"Sect Master Ning, since you have reached this conclusion, I must ask: since you cannot even trust Yu Yuanzhen, why do you dare to trust me—a nameless woman who has only just established her sect's reputation?" Shui Yuerong looked into Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

Ning Fengzhi met her gaze without the slightest evasion. "Because the Skywater Sect teaches without discrimination, regardless of status or power. Since your founding, you have never brought humiliation upon anyone. You have been diligent, following your own heart. Even you, Sect Master Shui, before you became a Title Douluo, dared to shake the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan of the Upper Three Sects to protect your disciples!"

"...Because of that firm stance, I am willing to trust you. Because you do not fear the powerful, I am willing to trust you. Because you love your people like your own children, I am even more willing to trust you!"

The sun set behind the mountains.

Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin strolled along a winding path.

At this moment, Gu Rong asked, "Fengzhi, do you truly believe Shui Yuerong is an ally worth turning your back to? She is too young, her cultivation and background are both mysteries, and her actions are so ruthless and aloof. What if, in the future..."

Ning Fengzhi paused his steps, looking back at the cloud-shrouded main hall of the Skywater Sect in the distance.

He smiled softly, his gaze distant and resolute. "Brother Gu, you and Brother Chen must have sensed it back in the hall..."

Gu Rong and Chen Xin slowly turned their gazes as well.

"Her soul power is deep and restrained, her source of extreme water and ice is pure and unparalleled. With a cultivation of ninety-two or ninety-three, she possesses a foundation not inferior to a ninety-five-level Title Douluo. Such talent and fortune are rarely seen on this continent in ten thousand years..."

Chen Xin immediately curled his lips, looking at Gu Rong provocatively. "Indeed. Judging by the divine charm contained within her body, I think she is even stronger than that old bone..."

"Hey, you old sword, you're turning against your own! I see you've fallen for that young and beautiful woman."

Gu Rong pointed at Chen Xin's chest in annoyance, wanting to start a fight with him again.

Ning Fengzhi, accustomed to this, shook his head helplessly. Then, in a tone that was soft yet incredibly firm, he said, "I have seen too many people twist their hearts for bloodlines, for power, and for the glory of their sects. But Shui Yuerong gives me a different feeling. She has nothing, yet she protects a group of the most unremarkable, impoverished disciples. She has no one to rely on, yet she dared to confront the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan with her own strength. Her heart is as cold as ice, yet she guards the cleanest, most unshakeable bottom line."

"That is why I believe... such a person will not betray an alliance, will not compromise, and will certainly not bow her head to Martial Soul Hall."

"She may appear cold, but she possesses more integrity than the vast majority of sect masters in this world."

Ning Fengzhi's heartfelt words caused both Gu Rong and Chen Xin to fall into a gradual silence, their bickering ceasing as they looked toward the main hall of the Skywater Sect with a sense of profound agreement.

They nodded instinctively.

Indeed...

If even someone like Shui Yuerong could betray her trust and disregard the alliance, then there would truly be no one left in this world with a backbone of steel!

"Whoosh!"

Just then, two extremely subtle streaks of light flashed across the distant horizon, their speed so great they were nearly invisible, their auras deliberately suppressed.

However, with the heaven-defying cultivation of Gu Rong and Chen Xin, they still managed to capture the fluctuations of their soul power.

And they recognized who had come!

Ning Fengzhi glanced over, merely raising an eyebrow without bothering to give chase. He gazed toward the direction of the Skywater Sect, a faint yet confident smile curling at the corners of his lips.

"The people from the Martial Soul Hall have finally arrived after all..."

"It is just a pity that you have come too late..."