"You're right. Make sure to hire a healing Soul Master for him."
Chen Xin chimed in with a chuckle, his tone teasing.
"So when he gets hurt and is stuck in bed, he'll have someone to wait on him."
For a while, the two chatted and laughed, and the mood was light and easy.
They didn't care in the slightest whether Gu Rong had encountered any danger.
After all, in their eyes, Gu Rong was currently "the best defender under heaven."
Unless three or more Titled Douluo of the same rank attacked him at once, no one could possibly keep him there.
After a long while, Ning Fengzhi brought the conversation to an end. The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a serious expression tinged with calculation.
"Uncle Jian." He lowered his voice slightly, his gaze settling on Chen Xin's face. "Let's go take a look at the Clear Sky Sect's residence."
"What for?" Chen Xin asked.
"To see if we can join forces with them and put pressure on Spirit Hall, so they'll hand over some of the control of that newspaper..."
After a long while, at the Clear Sky Sect's residence.
It was a vast estate.
Ancient trees towered over the courtyard, while rockeries and flowing streams lined winding paths that led to secluded corners.
Deep in the rear courtyard, a pavilion stood nestled among green bamboo. Inside, a stone table and stools sat beside a chessboard, its black and white pieces interlocked in a fierce contest.
Tang Zhen, Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, sat on a stone stool, holding a black piece and looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
He glanced at Yu Yuanzhen across from him, then placed the piece on the board with a crisp snap.
"Brother Yu, I remember you reached level ninety-five more than a dozen years ago."
"So much time has passed. Why hasn't your Soul Power changed at all?"
His tone was casual, as though he were discussing something trivial. Yet there was a barb in his words, one that stung.
Yu Yuanzhen's hand paused slightly as he held his piece. After a moment's hesitation, he set it down on the board.
His expression darkened, a faint frown creasing his brow. He fell silent for a moment, then slowly replied:
"You don't know the whole story, Brother Tang. I've spent all these years exhausting myself for my youngest son."
"Without some special opportunity, I'm afraid this is as far as I'll get."
"Oh?" Tang Zhen raised his brows in feigned ignorance, curiosity in his voice. "You mean your youngest son, Yu Xiaogang?"
"That's right."
Yu Yuanzhen sighed and lightly tapped his fingers against his knee twice.
"My youngest son has only half a level of Innate Soul Power. To help him cultivate, I used my own Soul Power to clear his meridians."
"I spent more than a decade doing that. It took a heavy toll on me, delayed my cultivation, and drained my potential."
He seemed unwilling to say more about it and waved a hand, his tone evasive.
"Ah, let's not talk about that anymore."
"Brother Tang, how have your two sons been doing lately?"
"Heh."
That was exactly what Tang Zhen had been waiting to hear. His pride nearly spilled from his eyes.
"My eldest son, Tang Xiao, has been a Soul Saint for quite some time."
"My youngest son, Tang Hao, is already a Six-Ring Soul Emperor."
"Oh? Your two sons have made such rapid progress?"
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes widened in surprise. Then he sighed, his voice carrying a hint of envy.
"If only my two good-for-nothing sons could be like yours, Brother Tang."
"Hahahaha!"
Tang Zhen burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the pavilion and making the bamboo leaves outside rustle.
He slapped the stone table, his whole bearing brimming with triumphant satisfaction.
"Brother Yu, to be honest, both my sons have the makings of Super Douluo!"
His voice rose, and his eyes flashed.
"Especially my youngest son, Tang Hao. He has the makings of a Limit Douluo!"
At the mention of Tang Hao, Yu Yuanzhen's eyelid twitched.
The rumors from before were still flying everywhere.
Things like "Tang Chen knocked on his daughter-in-law's door at night," "the Clear Sky Twin Stars are actually Tang Chen's sons," and "Tang Hao secretly met with his own aunt by marriage."
The stories were told with such detail and spread so widely that he couldn't avoid hearing them, even if he wanted to.
Looking at Tang Zhen's smug expression, he couldn't help imagining a few things—and barely managed to keep from laughing.
"Father!"
Footsteps sounded as two figures walked side by side along the bamboo-lined path.
The brothers Tang Hao and Tang Xiao strode forward, one on either side, their bearing tall and impressive.
Seeing them, Tang Zhen pointed toward Yu Yuanzhen, his tone carrying a hint of boastfulness.
"Brother Yu, take a look. These are my two sons."
He turned toward the brothers.
"Xiao'er, Hao'er, this is Sect Master Yu. Greet him."
At his words, the two hurriedly clasped their hands and bowed, their postures respectful and their voices loud and clear.
"This junior pays his respects to Sect Master Yu!"
"No need for formalities!"
Yu Yuanzhen raised a hand slightly and forced a smile. His gaze moved between Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, and his voice held sincere admiration.
"Haha, Brother Tang, your two sons are indeed fine young men!"
"Just as you said, they both have the makings of Super Douluo!"
"With time, it wouldn't be impossible for them to reach the realm of Limit Douluo!"
"Thank you for your praise, Uncle Yu!"
The Tang brothers replied in unison, their pride nearly spilling over.
"Hahaha, Brother Yu, you flatter them."
Tang Zhen was grinning from ear to ear. He glanced at Tang Hao and Tang Xiao and asked, "What brings you here?"
"Father."
Tang Xiao stepped forward and clasped his hands. "Sword Douluo Chen Xin has come with Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, to pay you a visit."
"Oh? Sword Douluo?" Tang Zhen raised his brows in surprise. "What does he want?"
"And Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master Ning," Tang Xiao added.
"So Ning Fengzhi is here too."
It was hard to tell whether Tang Zhen hadn't heard him or was pretending not to. He nodded and said casually:
"Show them in."
"Yes!"
The Tang brothers departed, their footsteps gradually fading along the bamboo path.
The pavilion fell quiet again.
Tang Zhen turned to Yu Yuanzhen and said with a smile:
"Brother Yu, Ning Fengzhi is no simple man."
"Ever since he brought back the two Douluo, Sword and Bone, his status has risen steadily. He's almost on equal footing with us."
"Not only that."
Yu Yuanzhen shook his head, his tone grave.
"With the support of the two Douluo, Sword and Bone, and your sect's former sect master nowhere to be seen, Ning Fengzhi's status is already above ours."
"Hmph."
Tang Zhen snorted. The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a dark scowl.
He said nothing more, only lowering his head to stare at the chessboard in silence.
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