Yu Tianlong couldn't help smiling at that. So the future Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been a mischievous little monkey when he was young.
"Brother Ning, you should bring a few bodyguards along next time you go out. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is rich enough to rival a nation, and plenty of people have their eyes on you."
"Brother Yu is right. I'll remember that." Ning Fengzhi nodded solemnly, then seemed to recall something. His eyes lit up. "Brother Yu, are you here to compete in the Three Sects Grand Competition too?"
Yu Tianlong's thoughts stirred, and he nodded. "That was the plan. But I'm a lone cultivator without a sect to recommend me, so I've been worrying about how to get a spot in the competition."
"Hey, what's there to worry about?" Ning Fengzhi slapped his thigh and said heartily. "You saved my life, Brother Yu. Leave this little matter to me! I know people from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. When the time comes, I'll get you a spot and make sure you can compete!"
That was exactly what Yu Tianlong had been waiting to hear. He accepted without hesitation and cupped his hands. "Then I'm much obliged, Brother Ning."
"Don't mention it! From now on, you're my brother, Ning Fengzhi's!" Ning Fengzhi laughed and slung an arm around Yu Tianlong's shoulder.
"By the way," Ning Fengzhi said, nodding before curiously eyeing the two Luo Sanpaos perched on Yu Tianlong's shoulder. "Speaking of which, Brother Tianlong, your Martial Soul... it's an External Beast Martial Soul, right? Why does it look so familiar?"
He tilted his head, thinking it over, then suddenly clapped his hands. "That's right! Yu Xiaogang from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has a similar Martial Soul, doesn't he? What was it called... Luo Sanpao? Right, Luo Sanpao! But his is pale gold, while yours are one gold and one silver. And yours look much livelier than his."
Yu Tianlong's thoughts stirred slightly, but he kept his face impassive. "Is that so? What a coincidence."
"More than a coincidence!" Ning Fengzhi grew more animated as he spoke. "And honestly, I think your two Luo Sanpaos look much better than his. His just walks around with its head held high all day, acting like it's above everyone. It's irritating just to look at. Brother Tianlong, are you also from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
Yu Tianlong fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "More or less. I'm a collateral-line member of the Yu family, but I wasn't valued much, so I left early and struck out on my own."
He didn't say much, but Ning Fengzhi filled in the blanks himself, imagining a stirring tale of a neglected collateral-line disciple leaving home in anger and making his way in the world through sheer self-reliance. He looked at Yu Tianlong with even greater admiration.
"No wonder you're so formidable! Reaching this level through your own cultivation is far more impressive than relying on family resources like I do!" Ning Fengzhi exclaimed, then thumped his chest. "But don't worry. If I, Ning Fengzhi, have food to eat, you'll have some too, Brother Tianlong! Once we reach the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I'll get you a good spot in the competition. I guarantee you'll shine at the Grand Competition!"
The Three Sects Grand Competition allowed lone cultivators to participate too.
After all, it was a fine chance to make a name for yourself. Anyone who performed well might get the opportunity to join one of the three great sects as an outer disciple.
"Then I thank you, Brother Ning." Yu Tianlong cupped his hands in gratitude, secretly amused.
If Ning Fengzhi knew that the Yu Xiaogang he'd called "above everyone" had risen to prominence by devouring a trace of bloodline from his own Luo Sanpao, he wondered how Ning Fengzhi would feel.
The two chatted as they walked up the mountain path. After about half an hour, a large convoy appeared ahead.
The convoy consisted of dozens of lavishly decorated carriages, each drawn by four magnificent Dragon Scale Horses. The carriages bore the emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect: a seven-story pagoda that gleamed in the sunlight.
Nearly a hundred fully armed guards surrounded the convoy. Each one carried a steady aura, clearly a well-trained fighter.
At the center of the procession was its most luxurious carriage, a massive one built from precious golden-thread nanmu. Its carved beams and painted rafters were adorned with tassels and bells that jingled as it rolled along, making a magnificent display.
It was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's convoy.
"We're here, we're here!" Ning Fengzhi grabbed Yu Tianlong and hurried excitedly toward the most luxurious carriage. "Father! I'm back!"
The carriage curtain lifted, and an elegant, middle-aged man leaned out.
He looked to be in his early fifties, with a lean, clean-cut face and a three-strand beard. He wore a moon-white robe and had a gentle, refined air, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, as though they could see right through people.
He was Ning Yuan, current Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
When Ning Yuan saw Ning Fengzhi, he first breathed a sigh of relief. Then his expression darkened, and he put on a stern face.
"So you do know how to come back? I told you to stay in the carriage, but you just had to sneak off! Do you have any idea how worried your father was?"
"Father, I was wrong..." Ning Fengzhi shrank his neck, then pulled Yu Tianlong over to change the subject. "But, Father, my sneaking off wasn't a total waste! I met Brother Yu here. He saved me!"
"Oh?" Ning Yuan's gaze fell on Yu Tianlong, sizing him up as a glint of scrutiny flashed in his eyes. "And this young friend is...?"
"Father, you have no idea!" Ning Fengzhi cut in. "I ran into three thugs outside who were attacking me. Brother Yu came to my rescue! He took all three of them down with a single move, even though they were at the Soul King and Soul Ancestor levels! Impressive, right?"
Ning Yuan's brows lifted slightly as he gave Yu Tianlong another look.
He could tell that Yu Tianlong was nowhere near eighteen. To take down three opponents at the Soul King and Soul Ancestor levels with one move meant his strength was anything but ordinary.
"Young friend, you have my deepest gratitude for saving my son." Ning Yuan cupped his hands, his tone courteous yet distant. "May I ask your name and who taught you?"
"This junior is Yu Tianlong, a lone cultivator with no teacher." Yu Tianlong returned the salute without being servile or overbearing. "I saw injustice and drew my sword to help. It was only right, Sect Master Ning. There's no need to dwell on it."
"Yu Tianlong..." Ning Yuan repeated the name under his breath, a thoughtful look passing through his eyes before he quickly returned to normal and smiled. "You're so young and already so strong. Your future is limitless. Since you saved Fengzhi, you're an honored guest of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Someone, bring one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins as a token of our gratitude."
A guard immediately stepped forward with an exquisite Storage Soul Tool and respectfully handed it to Yu Tianlong.
Yu Tianlong didn't refuse. He accepted it openly. "Thank you, Sect Master Ning."
He mused to himself: The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really was wealthy beyond measure. They handed over one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins without so much as blinking. No wonder everyone on the continent said they were richer than a nation.
"Father, Brother Yu is also here for the Three Sects Grand Competition!" Ning Fengzhi added. "But he's a lone cultivator without a sect to recommend him. I want to get him a spot in the competition. What do you think...?"
Ning Yuan glanced at Yu Tianlong, pondered for a moment, and nodded. "Since he saved Fengzhi's life, I can certainly do him this favor. Once we reach the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I'll speak to the clan head, Yu Yuanzhen, and arrange a spot in the competition for you."
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning." Yu Tianlong cupped his hands again.
"No need to be so polite." Ning Yuan waved a hand, then said to Ning Fengzhi, "All right, get in the carriage. It's getting late, and we should be on our way."
"All right!" Ning Fengzhi grabbed Yu Tianlong and eagerly climbed into the carriage.
The convoy set off again, winding its way up the mountain in a grand procession.
Inside the carriage, Ning Fengzhi chatted enthusiastically with Yu Tianlong. He talked about the history of the Three Sects Grand Competition, the prodigies of the various sects, and all sorts of strange tales he'd heard. He prattled on endlessly, as if he had no shortage of things to say.
Yu Tianlong responded now and then while gazing through the carriage window at the buildings atop the mountain, growing closer by the minute.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's main hall was already clearly visible.
"Yu Xiaogang, Yu Yuanzhen..."
He silently repeated the two names, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"I'm here."