Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin's Shared Curiosity

When Yu Yuanzhen left Yu Tianheng's room, his expression was as still as a dead pond.

But those who knew him understood—

the more expressionless the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patriarch was, the greater the turmoil churning within him.

His footsteps through the clan corridors were noticeably slower than usual.

His grandson's words, spoken while kneeling on the floor, replayed over and over in his mind.

"Three purple Soul Rings," "Level 40 at sixteen"...

Every word was like a thorn stabbing into the clan honor he had always taken pride in.

Yu Tianheng might not have been some monstrous genius.

But among his peers in both the clan and Heaven Dou City, he was undoubtedly among the very best.

For someone to beat him until he could not fight back at all, even forcing him to say the words "I admit defeat"—

just who was this boy named Ye Qing?

"Someone."

Yu Yuanzhen's deep voice echoed through the empty corridor.

A black shadow appeared soundlessly behind him and dropped to one knee.

"Investigate that student named Ye Qing from Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"Within three days, I want every detail about him."

"Where he came from, who his master is, the exact abilities of his Martial Soul, and what his relationship with Dugu Bo truly is."

The black shadow hesitated slightly. "Patriarch, as for Dugu Bo..."

"Investigate."

"Keep it discreet. Do not alert Old Poison."

"Understood."

The black shadow melted into the shadows cast by the corridor pillars and vanished.

Yu Yuanzhen stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the cold moon half-hidden behind the clouds beyond the corridor.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's honor was not something just any stray cat or dog could challenge.

But if this boy's background truly involved Dugu Bo, then this was no simple sparring match between juniors.

He needed an answer.

Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi sat before his desk, holding a report that had just been delivered.

He had already read it three times.

With every reading, the trace of amusement at the corners of his lips deepened.

"Dugu Yan's fiancé... defeated Yu Tianheng... three Thousand-Year Spirit Rings..."

He set down the report, lifted his teacup, and took a light sip.

As the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had witnessed far too many geniuses rise and fall.

Yet the sheer amount of information in this report still surprised him.

Old Poison actually had a grandson-in-law?

And it was the young man who had saved Ning Rongrong in that alley?

Ning Fengzhi recalled his daughter's description when she had returned to the sect that day.

"A black-haired big brother knocked down three bad guys without even using a soul skill."

At the time, he had merely assumed Ning Rongrong was exaggerating.

But in light of this report, not only had she not exaggerated—she might even have understated it.

"How interesting."

Ning Fengzhi murmured softly.

"Old Poison's granddaughter actually found a fiancé capable of crushing the young clan master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

Suddenly,

a white figure entered the hall.

The man was tall and slender.

His spotless white robes were untouched by dust.

Though he merely approached at an unhurried pace,

an invisible sharpness naturally radiated from him.

It was as though he himself were a peerless sword concealed within its sheath.

"Fengzhi, what are you reading so intently?"

Ning Fengzhi looked up and rose slightly to greet him. "Sword Grandpa."

The newcomer was none other than one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two guardian Douluo, the Level 96 Title Douluo, Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

Across the entire Douluo Continent, there were very few people whom Ning Fengzhi would address as "uncle."

And Chen Xin was not only the guardian Douluo he trusted most, but also an elder who had watched him grow up.

"I just received an interesting report."

Ning Fengzhi handed the secret letter to Chen Xin. "Sword Grandpa, take a look at this."

Chen Xin accepted the letter. After one glance, his brow rose slightly.

When he saw the words "three purple Soul Rings," a clear hint of surprise flashed through those ancient, tranquil eyes.

When he saw "defeated Yu Tianheng," his brow lifted even higher.

"That old dragon Yu Yuanzhen's grandson was defeated by Old Poison's grandson-in-law?"

Chen Xin set down the secret letter, his tone carrying a trace of disbelief.

"Yu Tianheng is one of the foremost geniuses among his generation in Heaven Dou City. For someone to beat him so badly, what is this Ye Qing's background?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head and admitted frankly, "I do not know either."

"According to the report, he seems like a genius who appeared out of nowhere. The only connection we could find was Dugu Bo."

"And—"

He paused. "Sword Grandpa, do you remember when Ning Rongrong was in danger in that alley?"

"The ones who saved her were Ye Qing and Dugu Yan."

Chen Xin's expression finally changed noticeably.

A deeper curiosity appeared in those eyes where sword intent lay restrained. "The person who saved Ning Rongrong?"

"Chen Xin became even more curious about this young man."

Just then,

a burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, accompanied by a young girl's clear voice.

"Father! Sword Grandpa!"

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged a glance.

Before they could respond, a pink figure had already rushed in like a whirlwind.

Ning Rongrong had clearly run all the way here, and her long pink hair was still somewhat disheveled.

She grabbed Ning Fengzhi's sleeve.

Tilting up her head, her beautiful eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Father! I heard everything outside just now!"

"Did you find the people who saved me that day?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled helplessly.

This girl had been mischievous and clever since childhood. Eavesdropping on adults was hardly a first for her.

He had intended to tell Ning Rongrong at a more suitable time, but it seemed he could no longer keep it hidden.

"Yes, we found them."

Ning Fengzhi gently stroked his daughter's hair and briefly explained the information on the desk.

"The black-haired young man is called Ye Qing, and the green-haired girl beside him is called Dugu Yan."

"They are now students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and members of the Imperial Fighting Team."

Ning Rongrong's eyes grew brighter and brighter as she listened, soon replaced by even greater excitement.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy?!"

Her voice abruptly rose several octaves. "Ye Qing and Dugu Yan are at Heaven Dou Royal Academy now?!"

"Yes."

Ning Fengzhi nodded.

Then he noticed the dangerous upward lilt in his daughter's voice.

"Ning Rongrong, what are you planning?"

Ning Rongrong planted her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and declared in the solemn tone of someone announcing a major decision, "Father, I want to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

The hall fell silent for a full two seconds.

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged another glance.

Both saw a trace of complicated emotion in the other's eyes.

Ning Rongrong was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

She had been cherished by everyone in the sect since childhood. She had dedicated tutors for cultivation and guards accompanying her whenever she went out.

When had she ever needed to go to an academy and squeeze into dormitories with others?

"Why do you suddenly want to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Ning Fengzhi asked gently.

"It is not sudden at all!"

Ning Rongrong argued confidently, counting on her fingers.

"First, my benefactors are there. I need to thank them in person. That is proper etiquette!"

"Second, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the best academy in the Heaven Dou Empire. Cultivating there will benefit me too.

"Third—"

She paused, then added the final reason with perfect justification.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy must be much more fun than the sect!"

Ning Fengzhi looked helplessly at Chen Xin.

It seemed the final reason was Ning Rongrong's true motive.

That made sense. She had already wreaked havoc throughout the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

A meaningful smile rose at the corner of Sword Douluo's lips.

"Fengzhi, letting Ning Rongrong attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy may not be a bad idea."

"Sword Grandpa is the best!"

Ning Rongrong cheered and threw herself forward to hug Sword Douluo's arm.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly.

His gaze settled on his daughter's excited, flushed little face, but he had already begun considering whether this was feasible.