National Preceptor!

Xue Ye had truly gone all out!

He had even brought out the empire's national treasure. It was practically tying the fate of the entire empire to Xu Qing!

The leading prince of the Star Luo Empire panicked at the sight.

If the Heaven Dou Empire got itself such a powerful backer, how could the Star Luo Empire survive afterward?

Without hesitation, he rushed forward and dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Senior Xu!"

"The Star Luo Empire is likewise willing to honor you as our National Preceptor!"

"As long as you agree, the Star Luo Empire is willing to cede ten prosperous cities as Blue Silver Academy's exclusive territory!"

"We will offer ten million Gold Soul Coins every year, without fail!"

The ruthless bidding war between the two great empires made the surrounding sect leaders' scalps tingle.

Just then.

A golden light suddenly rose from the Spirit Hall seats.

Bibi Dong held the Pope Scepter and walked forward with solemn steps.

There was no longer any trace of her usual arrogance or icy aloofness on her breathtakingly beautiful face.

In its place was profound reverence and humility.

She arrived before the high platform and raised a specially made token in both hands, dark gold throughout and engraved with the Six-Winged Angel and Rakshasa Demon Pattern.

Qian Daoliu followed closely behind, taking an Elder Token from his robes that represented the Supreme Pontiff's highest authority.

The two highest authorities of Spirit Hall tacitly dropped to one knee at the same time.

"Spirit Hall respectfully requests that Senior Xu serve as Spirit Hall's highest-ranking Honorary Supreme Pontiff!"

Qian Daoliu's voice was sonorous and forceful.

"This position stands above this old man and is equal in status to the Pope!"

Bibi Dong lowered her eyes, her tone sincere.

"As long as you are willing to accept the title."

"Spirit Hall's million soul masters shall all be at your command!"

"All secret realms and resources within Spirit City shall be unconditionally opened to Blue Silver Academy!"

This series of earthshaking announcements.

Left the several thousand soul masters present completely dumbfounded.

Everyone stood there with mouths agape, their minds utterly blank.

The two great empires were begging him to become their National Preceptor, even willing to cede territory and pay tribute.

Spirit Hall's highest authorities had knelt and offered him the seat of highest-ranking Honorary Supreme Pontiff.

Such overwhelming power, such terrifying treatment.

It had simply never been heard of in the tens of thousands of years of Douluo Continent's history!

Even if a true god had descended, it probably would not have been much more impressive!

The crowd swallowed frantically, countless eyes fixed on Xu Qing.

They were all waiting for this living legend's decision.

On the high platform.

Xu Qing still looked calm and detached.

Not even the slightest greed flashed through his eyes in the face of this astonishing authority that could control all of Douluo Continent.

He slowly raised a hand, and a wisp of azure Soul Power lifted the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and the two tokens symbolizing Spirit Hall's highest authority.

Under the feverish gazes of several thousand people.

Xu Qing spoke indifferently.

"I can accept the titles."

His voice was not loud, yet it reached every person's ears with perfect clarity.

"However, I have never liked being burdened by mundane affairs."

"As for what you seek..."

Xu Qing paused, his gaze sweeping across the influential figures whose eyes were filled with expectation.

"Once every three months, I will give a lecture at Blue Silver Academy."

"How much you comprehend and how far you can learn will depend on your own fortunes."

The instant his words fell.

The entire square sank into deathly silence.

Then, deafening cheers erupted!

"Thank you for your grace, National Preceptor!"

Xue Ye was so excited that tears filled his eyes as he repeatedly kowtowed.

Qian Daoliu trembled all over, his aged face overflowing with wild joy.

"Thank you for granting this, Supreme Pontiff!"

"Everyone in Spirit Hall shall follow Senior Xu's lead!"

The sect masters and Deans below the platform were so jealous that their eyes turned red.

They would have a chance every three months to listen to a god expound the Dao!

Such a heaven-defying opportunity was enough to send the cultivation of old monsters who had been stuck at bottlenecks for years soaring forward!

Everyone wished they could rush into Blue Silver Academy right now and stay there forever.

For a time, the square was filled with tearful voices of gratitude and thanks.

The atmosphere of the birthday banquet reached its peak at that moment.

Night had fallen, and stars dotted the sky.

Though the leaders of the major factions were unbearably reluctant to leave, they knew they could not disturb the senior's secluded cultivation too much.

They rose respectfully and formed lines, preparing to depart.

They did not even dare make too much noise while walking.

They feared disturbing this sacred sanctuary.

Ning Fengzhi was glowing with health, feeling that this trip had been an incredible windfall.

Not only had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect suffered no losses, but it had even turned misfortune into fortune and gained the strongest possible patron.

He quickly walked over to Ning Rongrong, his face filled with affection.

"Rongrong, you've rendered a great service today!"

"Come, return to the sect with Father and properly stabilize your cultivation."

Ning Fengzhi reached out, intending to take his daughter away.

However.

Ning Rongrong gently shook her head and took half a step back.

Her beautiful little face was full of determination.

"Father, I'm not going back."

She turned around, her gaze burning as she looked at the figure in azure robes on the high platform.

"I've already made up my mind."

"I want to stay at Blue Silver Academy."

Ning Fengzhi froze abruptly, his outstretched hand stiffening in midair.

"Rongrong, you..."

"I want to stay here and attend Dean Xu at his side."

Ning Rongrong's tone was earnest, without the slightest hint of jest.

"The Dean bestowed upon me the heaven-defying fortune of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. I, Ning Rongrong, could never repay such kindness even if I were ground to dust."

"Even if all I do at the academy is serve tea and pour water, I would be willing."

Hearing this.

Not only was Ning Fengzhi not angry, his eyes suddenly burst with brilliant light.

Stay at Blue Silver Academy?

This was simply a blessing fallen from the heavens!

The outside factions were nearly fighting bloody battles just to compete for a menial position.

If his precious daughter could remain by Senior Xu's side and serve him.

Wouldn't the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect be able to swagger across all of Douluo Continent from now on?

Ning Fengzhi rubbed his hands excitedly, his aged face blooming into a smile.

"Good! Good! Good!"

He said "good" three times in a row, then hurriedly lowered his voice and repeatedly reminded her.

"Rongrong, you've made absolutely the right decision!"

"Once you stay at the academy, you must restrain your temper. You must never be as willful as you are at home!"

"You must carry out every task Dean Xu gives you properly and flawlessly!"

Ning Fengzhi wished he could stuff all his life experience into his daughter's mind at once.

"Don't worry, Father. I know what to do."

Ning Rongrong nodded obediently.

Then, she straightened her nine-colored dress and lightly walked toward the high platform.

When the leaders of the major factions who were preparing to leave saw this.

Every one of them gritted their teeth so hard they nearly shattered their molars from envy.

Why did none of them have such a beautiful and perceptive daughter?

Below the high platform.

The evening breeze stirred the fallen leaves on the bluestone pavement.

Ning Fengzhi leaned close to his daughter, happily explaining all sorts of rules for surviving at Blue Silver Academy.

He wished he could stuff all the experience of his life into Ning Rongrong's mind at once.

Ning Rongrong listened obediently, then gently tugged at Ning Fengzhi's sleeve.

She lowered her voice and leaned close to her father's ear.

"Father, don't leave just yet."

"Your daughter has one more important matter to tell you."

Ning Fengzhi was first stunned. Then, seeing the grave expression on his daughter's face, he immediately wiped away his smile.

He looked around, and only after confirming that the leaders of the major factions had all gone far away did he lean slightly forward.

"Rongrong, what is it?"

"Why are you being so mysterious?"

Ning Rongrong took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling faintly.

She spread open her right hand, and nine-colored light flashed quietly in her palm.

The radiant phantom of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda hovered in midair.

Its dazzling glow illuminated her delicate face.

"Although this Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda has already broken the thousand-year limitation of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"I carefully sensed it on the platform just now."

"Its evolution seems not to have reached its true limit."

Hearing this.

Ning Fengzhi's breathing stopped instantly.

His normally composed eyes widened round in an instant.

Even his hands trembled violently within his long sleeves.

The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda had not yet reached its limit?

What realm would lie another step beyond that!

Ten treasures? Eleven treasures?

Or would it directly transform into some kind of god-tier martial soul?

Ning Fengzhi felt his mind buzzing, his scalp going numb.

"Rongrong, are... are you telling the truth?"

Even his voice had become hoarse and dry, his palms drenched with excited sweat.

Ning Rongrong nodded firmly.

"It's true."

"When Dean Xu unleashed that vast vitality just now, the bloodline within me produced an incredibly powerful resonance."

"As long as I can remain at the academy and bathe day and night in Dean Xu's radiance."

"My martial soul will still have a chance to continue ascending!"

"Perhaps, in the future, it may truly take that final legendary step."

Ning Fengzhi bit his lower lip, forcibly suppressing the urge to throw back his head and laugh wildly.

He grabbed Ning Rongrong by both shoulders, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.

"Good!"

"Wonderful!"

"Rongrong, stay by Dean Xu's side without worry!"

"You need not concern yourself with anything in the sect."

A mad gleam flickered in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

Such a heaven-defying opportunity to change one's fate was right before him. Even if it meant losing everything, he could not afford to miss it in the slightest.

"Even if it means emptying the treasure vaults of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, even if we have to dig out every last bit of our reserves!"

"I'll spare no cost to make Dean Xu happy!"

"When I return, I'll immediately take inventory of the sect's treasury and send over those few peerless immortal herbs we've been saving!"

"And bring over every black-gold card in the vault to cover Blue Silver Academy's daily expenses!"

"As long as Dean Xu is pleased and casually gives you a few pointers, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will prosper!"

Ning Rongrong smiled brilliantly, her eyes full of anticipation for the future.

The father and daughter spoke for a while longer. Only then did Ning Fengzhi leave Blue Silver Academy reluctantly, looking back every few steps.

Night had fallen deep.

In the rear courtyard of Blue Silver Academy, within a secluded bamboo grove.

Xu Qing sat alone beside a stone table.

A pot of freshly brewed hot tea sat on the table, white steam curling upward.

A gentle breeze drifted past, carrying a faint, unusual fragrance.

Several silver ripples of space spread through the void.

Gu Yue Na, clad in a silver gown, slowly emerged from the ripples with elegant steps.

Her silver hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, while her amethyst eyes shimmered enchantingly beneath the moonlight.

Her exquisitely beautiful, ethereal face carried a touch of languid ease.

Gu Yue Na walked straight to the stone table without the slightest reserve.

She extended her fair, jade-like hand and naturally poured Xu Qing a full cup of tea.

Then she leaned forward slightly, placing her delicate hands gently on Xu Qing's shoulders.

Her cool fingertips began kneading them with just the right amount of pressure.

The faint fragrance of a maiden mingled with the scent of tea, filling the courtyard.

The atmosphere between them was somewhat ambiguous.

Xu Qing lifted his teacup and gently blew away the foam on its surface.

He did not reject her rather intimate gesture.

"Today's grand display was quite impressive."

Gu Yue Na parted her red lips, her breath fragrant as orchids.

"That group outside, just to please you, even brought out their nation-protecting treasures."

"They were just short of worshipping you as a god."

Xu Qing took a sip of tea, his expression calm and unruffled.

"They are merely ordinary mortals."

"Still, their fervor reminded me of something."

Gu Yue Na's hands paused briefly, curiosity flashing through her violet eyes.

"What is it?"

Xu Qing set the teacup back on the stone table and looked toward the bright moon in the sky.

"The Power of Faith."

"On the path of cultivation, aside from overwhelming strength, faith is also an important factor."

"Since they are willing to place me upon an altar."

"Then I might as well use this momentum to gather the faith of this Douluo Continent."

Gu Yue Na raised a delicate brow.

"What do you plan to do?"

"Don't tell me you truly intend to become that so-called Heaven Dou Empire's Grand Preceptor?"

Xu Qing shook his head, a faint, indifferent smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

"Such empty fame means nothing to me."

"If I want them to believe in me with all their hearts, martial intimidation alone will not be enough."

"I need to give them something that can truly touch their souls."

Having said that.

Xu Qing swept his long sleeve.

A massive scroll of pristine white beast-hide parchment instantly spread across the stone table.

He pointed into the air, and a wisp of azure Soul Power transformed into a brush.

It began writing across the parchment in swift, flowing strokes.

Gu Yue Na leaned closer, her gaze falling upon the beast-hide parchment.

After just one glance, her amethyst eyes instantly widened.

Even her breathing became hurried at that moment.

What Xu Qing had written was actually a systematic, advanced theory of soul master cultivation!

Soul Master Study Canon!

The contents recorded within completely overturned every existing understanding on the Douluo Continent.

It not only provided a detailed analysis of the essential origins of martial souls.

It even clearly and thoroughly explained the Soul Ring Age-Limit Breakthrough Method, Deep Utilization of Martial Soul Mimicry Environments, and the High-Level Soul Power Compression and Purification Technique.

This was top-secret knowledge that, in the countless years to come, would only be summarized after tens of thousands of years of evolution on the Douluo Continent and the efforts of innumerable geniuses!

Yet Xu Qing had casually written it all upon this sheet of beast-hide parchment.

"Th... this was written by you?"

Gu Yue Na's red lips parted slightly as she stared at Xu Qing in utter shock.

"Using Soul Power compression to forcibly strengthen the resilience of the meridians, thereby absorbing Soul Rings beyond one's age limit?"

"And this Martial Soul Resonance Theory?"

"My heavens!"

"If those soul masters outside were to see this, the entire Douluo Continent would go mad for you!"