So Eager?

Amid the slightly strange looks from the crowd, Ning Fengzhi said to Ning Rongrong beside him, "Rongrong, hadn't you been asking when Brother Jiang He would come?"

Ning Rongrong's mind went blank.

I asked? When did I ask?

Before she could react, Ning Fengzhi continued, "Now that Brother Jiang He is here, go on."

Hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, Ning Rongrong pursed her lips.

She might have been young, but she was not stupid.

The children of Douluo Continent matured early to begin with, and having been born into such a family, she had long understood certain things.

So, despite her reluctance, she got up and walked over to sit beside Jiang He.

After glancing at Jiang He, Ning Rongrong said with obvious reluctance, "Hello."

Seeing her expression, Jiang He could not help but laugh.

"You don't look very willing."

"Heh."

Ning Rongrong did not answer, merely letting out a cold laugh.

Jiang He smiled at that and said nothing more.

As for Ning Fengzhi, he acted as though he had not seen his daughter's expression at all.

Watching this scene, everyone present understood.

No wonder Ning Fengzhi had emphasized that Jiang He was only seven.

If he had not made that clear, his actions would have given plenty of people something to gossip about.

Though everyone was still gossiping about him in their hearts...

Still, they could all see that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect placed extraordinary importance on Jiang He.

Barring any surprises, even the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be given to him.

Yet no one thought there was anything wrong with it.

After all, Ning Fengzhi's behavior was far too common in their circle.

Although Ning Rongrong was rather young, Jiang He was not much older either!

He just looked a little more mature...

As their thoughts shifted, the coming-of-age ceremony officially began.

After the tedious rituals were completed, disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect began serving wine and food to those in the banquet hall.

From beginning to end, Ning Yi, the protagonist of this coming-of-age ceremony, only briefly appeared during the ritual.

Afterward, he left.

The coming-of-age ceremony was merely an excuse for a gathering. The true protagonist had never been the unfavored Ning Yi.

As the fifth son, neither too old nor too young, and without any particularly outstanding cultivation talent...

Such a start doomed him to have no connection with the core of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

His greatest use in the future would likely be marrying, having children, and continuing the bloodline that inherited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Martial Soul.

To put it bluntly, his status in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not even as important as Ning Rongrong's.

Aside from Ning Rongrong being the only daughter, the more important reason was that Ning Rongrong could be used by Ning Fengzhi as a means of winning people over.

Just like now...

Everyone looked at Ning Rongrong, who was sitting beside Jiang He with her head lowered as she stuffed herself with delicacies, and sighed inwardly.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had made its position clear. Whoever dared compete with them for this person would be disrespecting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Even Crown Prince Xue Qinghe did not speak much with Jiang He throughout the entire banquet.

When the banquet ended and the guests departed, only Jiang He, Ning Fengzhi, and Xue Qinghe remained in the vast banquet hall.

Even Ning Rongrong had been taken away by Chen Xin.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Jiang He and asked with a smile, "I heard from Qinghe that you broke through to Soul Elder?"

Jiang He replied with a smile, "I was fortunate. I broke through to level thirty some time ago and obtained a Soul Ring with my teacher's help."

Ning Fengzhi pressed, "Another Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring?"

"Over thirty thousand years."

Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow slightly.

He calculated inwardly that Jiang He's words were much the same as Chen Xin's guess. The intensity of the Soul Rings his body could withstand was indeed exceptionally high.

Then, with a sigh of emotion, he said to Jiang He, "A three-ring Soul Elder with three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings—this number has already caught up to mine. It seems we really are getting old."

"You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. Everyone's physique is different. This junior's physical strength is merely a little higher."

A little higher... This was far more than a little higher. The difference between him and ordinary Soul Masters was like heaven and earth!

Ning Fengzhi's expression remained unchanged as he probed, "If you can absorb a thirty-thousand-year Soul Ring for your third ring, I fear it will not be long before you absorb a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. In that case, wouldn't reaching the realm of Title Douluo be as natural as water flowing downhill—a certainty?"

How could Jiang He fail to understand Ning Fengzhi's implication? He shook his head and said, "You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. Obtaining a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring is no easy matter.

Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are exceedingly rare across the continent. Each possesses an absolutely top-tier bloodline and astonishing strength.

Even my teacher has no absolute confidence in helping me kill a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Perhaps in the future, I will choose an ordinary Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast instead."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi raised his wine cup for a sip, a smile lingering at the corner of his lips.

However, Xue Qinghe spoke up from the side. "Killing a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is certainly difficult, but being able to absorb a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring is an even rarer talent. With such talent, how can you let it go to waste? If you need help, Jiang He, just say the word. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family will certainly spare no effort to lend you a hand."

Ning Fengzhi glanced at Xue Qinghe, then smiled at Jiang He. "Qinghe is right. There are countless Soul Masters on the continent, but I fear one could not even gather five people capable of absorbing Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings. You possess such talent; it should not be wasted. If you need help from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, just say the word."

Listening to them, Jiang He clasped his hands with a solemn expression. "Then this junior thanks Sect Master Ning and Your Highness in advance."

As he spoke, he looked at Ning Fengzhi and said, "When the time comes, I may truly need to trouble Senior Sword Douluo."

"Of course, of course. We are all family. There is no need to speak of trouble."

Faced with Ning Fengzhi's probing, Jiang He maintained his smile and remained silent, choosing to leave it at that.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe's expression became somewhat unpleasant.

Still, he forced himself to maintain a smile. "It is getting late. Qinghe will not disturb Teacher any longer. I will return to the palace first."

Ning Fengzhi nodded at Xue Qinghe. "Be careful on the way."

At that, Xue Qinghe bowed to Ning Fengzhi, then quickly left the banquet hall.

After he had gone, Ning Fengzhi looked at Jiang He and asked, "Jiang He, what do you think of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Jiang He answered without hesitation, "Your sect is ranked among the Upper Three Sects, so its strength is naturally formidable. It is also praised by Soul Masters throughout the land as being 'wealthy enough to rival a nation.' With this junior's limited knowledge, I would never dare evaluate it casually."

"Ah..."

Faced with Jiang He's praise, Ning Fengzhi instead sighed and said, "The Upper Three Sects may sound like an honor, but in truth, it is also a burden.

Due to the flaw in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's inherited Martial Soul, its bearers can only ever reach Soul Saint.

To maintain such a massive sect, every generation of sect masters has exhausted their efforts, treading carefully for fear of making even the slightest mistake.

Things are still manageable now, with Uncle Sword and Uncle Gu, two Title Douluo, guarding the sect. Outsiders do not dare covet the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

But a hundred years from now, if the sect loses its Title Douluo, then its reputation for being 'wealthy enough to rival a nation' will become a death warrant. Soul Masters throughout the land will all want to take a bite. This truly gives me a headache."

Jiang He: ...

What did this guy mean? Was he trying to take my life after dangling a big promise in front of me?

You casually mentioned that Sword Douluo could help me, and now you wanted me to join your sect? Even the capitalists in my previous life were not this eager!

At least they would have made me sign an employment contract. You wanted me to work myself to death without giving me anything?