Dispute

The midday sun pierced through the clouds and mist, shining through the glazed tiles to bathe the entire Nine Treasures Glazed Sect in a dreamlike, ethereal glow.

"Truly worthy of being the wealthiest faction on the continent; it's terrifyingly extravagant inside and out."

Gazing at the magnificent, golden-hued mountain gate in the distance, Ning Huan wore an unreadable expression, unable to stop himself from sighing in admiration.

Believing he understood the young master's preferences, Ning Zhen hurried forward a few steps, bowing slightly to explain:

"Young Master Ning, you certainly have an eye for quality!"

"The main gate of our Nine Treasures Glazed Sect was meticulously carved from ancient, thousand-year-old wood."

"Every inch of the patterns upon it was painstakingly etched by over a hundred master craftsmen."

"The value of this gate alone is comparable to a thousand-year Soul Bone."

Ning Huan offered no comment upon hearing this, though his understanding of the sect's predicament grew deeper.

A gate worth a million Gold Soul Coin—if they don't covet you, who would they covet?

"Let's go, to registration. If I recall correctly, today is the final deadline."

With that, Ning Huan strode forward, heading toward the registration desk at the foot of the mountain.

Half an hour later...

"Branch, name, age?"

"Tianluo City, Ning Huan, twelve years old."

"Extend your hand; time for a bone-age test."

Perhaps due to the high-intensity work over the past few days and a lack of rest, the middle-aged man in charge of registration spoke with great impatience, causing Ning Huan to frown slightly.

However, upon seeing the man's prominent dark circles, his slight irritation instantly vanished.

He extended his right hand without saying a word.

A former cog in the machine shouldn't make things difficult for a current one.

"Hmm, just turned twelve. No false reporting."

"Next, test your Soul Power Level."

The middle-aged man didn't even look up as he recorded the information, pushing the crystal ball used for testing soul power toward Ning Huan.

Seeing this, the corners of Ning Huan's mouth curled up, his previously leisurely smile turning incredibly strange.

Not far away, Ning Zhen, who had been watching the situation, felt his brow twitch violently, thinking to himself:

According to past experience, the normal procedure should be to deliberately suppress one's soul power and wait until the finals to unleash it.

But this ancestor... he's eighty percent likely to play by his own rules!

Sure enough, no sooner had this thought crossed his mind than his future master confirmed it.

Ning Huan raised his right hand and slowly placed it on the crystal ball; his unhurried movements made the middle-aged man's temper flare.

"Kid, hurry up and—"

Yet, before his angry shout could fully erupt, an extremely dazzling, brilliant white light suddenly burst forth.

It not only choked back the rebuke on the tip of his tongue but also silenced the noisy, chaotic plaza in the blink of an eye.

In an instant, thousands of gazes converged on Ning Huan.

Fear, wariness, suspicion, bewilderment...

It was exactly that.

"Hm? Senior, what did you say?"

"The wind was loud just now; I didn't hear you clearly."

Gulp...

Accompanied by an almost imperceptible swallowing sound, the middle-aged man learned the meaning of "wanting to cry but having no tears" for the first time.

Without a doubt, if time could turn back, he would have treated the youth before him like an honored guest.

Instead of the current situation, where he was already contemplating where he would be buried.

"Senior, you should record my Soul Power Level and give me my competition credentials."

The underlying mockery in his tone made the middle-aged man shiver instinctively.

He hurriedly snatched up the record book that had fallen onto the table at some point, shouting out loud subconsciously:

"Tianluo City, Ning Huan, level forty-two!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar.

Those who were still looking on, doubting the authenticity of the soul power, felt dizzy and overwhelmed.

Except for a very small number of soul masters who were extremely confident in their own talent, the rest of the applicants immediately gave up any chance of competing for the top spot.

"Many thanks, let's go."

Ning Huan took the exquisitely crafted jade token, whispered his thanks, and gestured for Ning Zhen to follow.

The latter, however, put on an expression of smug pride that made everyone else grit their teeth in frustration.

That little brat, don't let me catch him!

Meanwhile, the two Soul Emperors hidden in the shadows exchanged glances.

In the next second, their figures vanished, and they bolted straight toward the mountaintop.

A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor was rare throughout history; if he didn't die prematurely, he would be enough to stir up the winds and clouds of the continent.

Clack!

The crisp sound of porcelain shattering echoed leisurely through the main hall.

The blue and white teacup scattered across the black jade tiles highlighted just how unsettled its owner was.

"The two of you... did you truly see it with your own eyes?"

The two Soul Emperors, already kneeling, nodded frantically, terrified that the sword qi faintly circling their necks might descend.

"We disciples dare not lie!"

"There were many people on the plaza at the time; everyone witnessed it!"

"Furthermore, we had the elders of the Strange Craft Hall inspect the soul power crystal ball; there was no damage to it whatsoever!"

"Hiss~"

The white-haired old man, surrounded by lingering sword intent, drew a sharp breath.

He immediately turned to look at the middle-aged man sitting on the main throne, whose aura seemed ordinary yet carried immense majesty.

Judging by his instinctive actions, the final decision-making power for such a major event clearly rested in his hands.

As for the two old men beside him, they stood side by side, having not uttered a single word from start to finish.

However, in their hearts, all three were coincidentally hatching their own schemes.

Nothing else—a twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor was something they had only heard of, never seen!

If they could take him as a disciple, wouldn't it be incredibly prestigious to tell others?

"You two may leave first; remember to go to the Gold Wealth Hall to collect your reward."

"Many thanks, Sect Master!"

In the next second, the two rose and left at top speed, not daring to linger for even a moment.

Not until their backs had completely disappeared did the leading old man speak again.

"Sect Master, we must not let such a great talent slip through our fingers!"

"This old man has a premonition that this Ning Huan is destined to be the catalyst for the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect to return to its former glory!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wind Douluo, also a titled elder, hurriedly chimed in, their coordination seamless.

"Indeed, Sect Master!"

"Since Ning Huan was able to cultivate to the rank of Soul Ancestor on his own in such a barren land, his talent is likely even greater than we imagined!"

"Moreover, he is a disciple of our collateral branch; the relationship is naturally close."

However, Shield Defense Douluo, who had remained silent throughout the debate, offered his own perspective.

"But he is, after all, a collateral disciple who was sent to a border city, hidden away for six years, and left completely ignored."

"This old man is not certain whether he can be fully trusted."

His overly blunt words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the enthusiasm of Sword Douluo and Wind Douluo, causing their faces to flush red.

"Then what do you suggest we do?!"

"I don't know."

Sword Douluo, Wind Douluo: ...

Ning Hao: Brilliant~

Unfortunately, to prevent his own roof from being violently demolished, Ning Hao, the current Sect Master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, had to take the initiative to ease the atmosphere.

"Alright, seniors, let us not damage our harmony over a single genius."

"Shield Defense Douluo's concerns are not without reason, but I think no faction would be willing to send a twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor as a spy."

After suppressing the rising tension between the two sides with a few words, a faint smile suddenly appeared on Ning Hao's calm, unruffled face.

"Besides..."