Guests Arrive

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, over a month had passed.

Everything within the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect was proceeding according to the established plan.

The allocation and relocation of disciples, both internal and external.

The construction of the secluded retreat and the new academy.

Even the batch-purchasing of fixed-station soul cannon shells.

All of it was being carried out covertly with the unsparing support of Ning Hao, gradually nearing its conclusion.

Even the news of the impending establishment of the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy had been spread far and wide under his deliberate orchestration.

Without a doubt, once this news broke, it instantly caused a massive sensation.

However, compared to the wait-and-see attitude and curiosity of ordinary sects and numerous academies, those that were also top-tier sects on the continent were more confused and disdainful.

After all, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect was, at the very least, an ancient power with ten thousand years of heritage.

Although its situation had been awkward in recent years, remaining in a position of being better than the worst but worse than the best, its foundation was still there.

The current sect master was also an enterprising individual.

Even the empire would have to weigh the consequences before daring to make a move against them.

Why, then, would they suddenly lose their minds and want to grandiosely transform the sect into an academy?

They were voluntarily handing a handle to the imperial royal family, subjecting themselves to their restrictions.

Could it be that they saw the Tianhun royal family getting cozy with the Body Sect and were seeking a way out for themselves?

Unfortunately, no matter how curious the various continental powers were, they could never know the underlying reasons.

They could only remain in their respective territories, making bold guesses that could not be verified.

Only a small number of powers that were on good terms with them, or those with transcendent status like Shrek, dared to send people to inquire in person.

In front of the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy, two graceful women with black hair stood side by side.

"Senior Sister, what exactly is the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect aiming for?"

"Why not just remain a proper sect instead of exhausting their wealth to buy land and build an academy?"

Looking around at the massive complex before them—which, though not yet fully completed, already possessed the aura of a top-tier academy—the younger woman, whose aura was slightly weaker, looked very puzzled.

The slender figure who had been asked also shook her head, indicating she did not know.

"Who knows."

"However, I once had the fortune of meeting Ning Hao; he is very shrewd and highly capable."

"Since he dares to push through this reform under pressure from many sides, it means he must have foreseen something!"

"That is why the Elder Pavilion sent us to 'inquire' if they need... 'help'."

At the end of her sentence, the leading woman paused for half a breath, a flicker of imperceptible hesitation flashing through her beautiful eyes.

Is the academy... really doing the right thing?

Recalling the instructions given by the elders before their departure, and that final 'privilege' to 'use force to pressure others if necessary,' she suddenly felt a sense of bewilderment.

At this moment, the years of teaching from her mentors and her own conscience were clashing, leaving her thoughts in a chaotic mess.

Fortunately, she was not alone on this trip.

Noticing her abnormality, the woman beside her stopped thinking about her own concerns and began to call out repeatedly:

"Senior Sister, Senior Sister, Zhang Lexuan!!"

"Ah, Ruoruo, what is it?"

"Don't ask me what's wrong, you were the one spacing out!"

"Apologies, I suddenly thought of something else."

As she spoke, Zhang Lexuan rubbed her temples, temporarily suppressing her thoughts on the distinction between right and wrong.

"Let's go; I imagine Sect Master Ning has already received our visiting card."

"Mm!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the originally closed gate suddenly opened.

Immediately following, a middle-aged man dressed in magnificent attire, yet carrying a heavy sense of majesty, strode toward the two of them.

The old man following closely behind him was dressed in a simple white robe, with a faint aura of sword intent circling around him.

The arrivals were none other than Ning Hao and Sword Douluo, who were overseeing the academy.

"Friends coming from afar should be treated with great ceremony, but as the academy is still in its infancy, our hospitality is lacking. I ask for your understanding."

The steady, powerful voice echoed in their ears, causing the imperceptible resentment in Han Ruoruo's heart to vanish in an instant.

Zhang Lexuan, however, felt a chill in her heart, thinking to herself that this man was difficult to deal with.

"Sect Master Ning is too kind. It was already improper for my junior sister and me to arrive unannounced; we would not dare ask for more."

"Hahaha, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect and Shrek share a deep history. How could there be any talk of impropriety?"

Hearing this, Ning Hao could not help but laugh heartily, stepping aside to extend an invitation:

"For Shrek's elite to visit my Nine Treasures Academy today, it truly brings light to my humble dwelling!"

"Come! Please, both of you, follow me inside to talk in detail."

Seeing this, Zhang Lexuan said no more, turning to signal for her sister to follow quickly.

Afterward, on the way to the reception hall, Ning Hao did not stop talking for a single moment.

He continuously introduced the structure of the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy to the two women.

From the architectural style and functional areas to the academy's mission and future vision.

Excluding the secret parts, he could be said to have laid out every idea he had conceived recently.

Even just from the sincerity in his words, anyone who came would have to acknowledge the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's determination in establishing this academy.

Zhang Lexuan and Ning Ruoruo felt the same.

However, unlike the latter, who was chirping with questions, the former always felt that something was not quite right, and thus remained silent throughout the journey.

She did not notice the playful glint that flashed inadvertently in Ning Hao's eyes.

Young, too little experience, thoughts unable to be hidden at all, just like Xiao Huan.

But this is also good; it is still easier to deal with than if that fellow Yan Shaozhe had come himself...

Thinking of this, a trace of gloom, unnoticed by anyone, suddenly appeared in those shrewd eyes.

Shrek...

As overbearing as ever!

Sending junior disciples from the Inner Court to question me, a Sect Master...

Time and time again, do they really think Ning has no temper!

Yet, his own overall strength was far inferior to theirs.

Even if his heart was filled with indignation, he had to endure it until his plans were complete.

One day, I will not allow anyone to speak loudly to me!

Suppressing the anger of being easily slighted, Ning Hao finally led Zhang Lexuan and her companion to take their seats in the reception hall.

He then lowered his posture, personally stepping forward to pour two cups of clear tea.

This caught the two women off guard, and they immediately stood up to thank him repeatedly.

It seems one cannot generalize when dealing with Shrek...

At least these two little ones still understand what politeness and upbringing are.

Seeing this, Ning Hao nodded imperceptibly, and the dissatisfaction hidden beneath his surface finally eased slightly.

He then feigned confusion and said:

"There were too many people earlier, so to avoid idle chatter, it was not convenient for me to ask."

"Since the two of you have traveled thousands of miles to my humble home, does your academy have any requests?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Lexuan's movements suddenly stiffened; she clearly had not expected him to be so blunt.

As her brain raced, she realized that her mission was already more than half complete.

The information the academy required had been mostly revealed.

Only the reasons for the reforms and the genius who summoned the ancestor remained unstated.

Yet, because Ning Hao had taken the initiative to explain everything, she had no topics left to discuss.

Let alone guiding him to reveal the most important parts of the intelligence.

Helpless, Zhang Lexuan had to go along with his candor, trying as much as possible to turn passive into active.

"The academy is doing well, Sect Master Ning, please do not worry."

As she spoke, she took a letter from her wrist, stood up, and respectfully presented it.

"This is the letter Dean Yan entrusted me to bring to you."