A moment later, with the Tang brothers leading the way, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin followed a narrow path through the bamboo grove and arrived in front of the pavilion.
"Heh heh, Sword Douluo, Sect Master Ning."
Tang Zhen and Yu Yuanzhen rose at the same time to greet them, polite smiles on their faces.
"Sect Master Tang, Sect Master Yu."
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged their own pleasantries and greetings. After a few words of small talk, Ning Fengzhi continued:
"It's been a long time since I last saw you two uncles."
"I've specially prepared a few modest gifts and come to visit you today."
As he spoke, he took out two Storage Soul Tool rings and gently set them on the stone table.
"I hope you'll both accept them."
"Heh heh, it's rare for you to be so thoughtful."
Tang Zhen replied with a genial laugh. He picked up one of the rings, weighed it in his palm, then casually slipped it into his sleeve.
Yu Yuanzhen merely nodded, said nothing, and quietly put away the other ring.
"Of course, of course."
Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile, his gaze shifting between Tang Zhen and Yu Yuanzhen. His tone carried a hint of heartfelt sincerity.
"We Upper Three Sects should return one courtesy with another."
"Only by standing united and sharing the same breath can we stand against the colossal force that is Spirit Hall."
As he spoke, he turned around and looked at the Tang brothers, admiration showing on his face.
"I presume these two brothers are the renowned Clear Sky Twin Stars who have made a name for themselves across the continent?"
At his words, the Tang brothers merely nodded, making no effort to respond to Ning Fengzhi.
Tang Hao's gaze passed over Ning Fengzhi, cool and dismissive, as though he thought little of him.
Ning Fengzhi didn't feel awkward. His smile remained warm and natural.
He took the cue and continued:
"You two brothers are indeed fine specimens of men."
"From what I can see, you both have the makings of Super Douluos!"
The Tang brothers still said nothing. Being praised by someone inferior to them, and in the tone of an elder at that, was hardly anything to be pleased about.
Tang Hao shifted his gaze to the bamboo grove in the distance, too lazy to look at Ning Fengzhi again.
Even so, Ning Fengzhi didn't feel awkward.
His smile unchanged, he shifted the subject, his tone taking on a note of worry.
"With your strength, I believe taking the top three places in this competition will be a piece of cake."
"As for first place..."
He stopped halfway and said no more.
His hesitant silence was just enough to pique Tang Hao's curiosity.
"Is Sect Master Ning doubting my brother's and my strength?"
Tang Hao couldn't help speaking up, displeasure coloring his voice.
"Not at all." Ning Fengzhi smiled and waved his hand, his tone sincere and natural. "It's just that Spirit Hall has sent different contestants this time."
He sighed and shook his head, looking as though he had their best interests at heart.
"As far as I know, besides that Holy Maiden, Spirit Hall now has two more genius Soul Masters, and both have already reached the Soul Emperor level."
"One of them is a Soul Master named Zhao Linchuan, who possesses the top-tier tool Martial Soul, the Supreme Ease Golden Edge..."
"So what?"
Before Ning Fengzhi could finish, Tang Hao cut in, his voice full of disdain.
"Even if he's only a Soul Emperor, let alone a Soul Saint, I'm completely certain I can beat him!"
"Oh? Brother Tang Hao, you're that confident?" Ning Fengzhi promptly pressed him.
"Of course!" Tang Hao replied arrogantly. "A mere Soul Emperor—I don't even take him seriously."
"Before the competition has even begun, he's already lost to me."
"Is that so? Then please, Brother Tang Hao, tell me more..."
"Heh heh. Listen closely. I have three advantages over him."
Tang Hao gave a cold laugh and held up three fingers, folding them down one by one as he explained to Ning Fengzhi.
"First, my Clear Sky Sect's inherited Martial Soul, the Clear Sky Hammer, counters every tool Martial Soul under heaven."
"Zhao Linchuan hasn't even competed yet, and he's already a step behind me."
"Second, the Soul Masters in Spirit Hall are all hothouse flowers. They've never experienced any real fighting."
"Facing me, he'll be like a three-year-old pretty boy against a grown giant."
"Third, our Clear Sky Sect has the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, left behind by our ancestor, Tang Chen."
"With this technique, he won't even be able to fight back."
He lowered his fingers, crossed his arms, and looked down at Ning Fengzhi, his expression arrogant.
"What does he have to compete with me?"
"Even if I can't claim the title of 'number one under heaven' among the younger generation, it'll undoubtedly go to my big brother!"
"It seems Fengzhi was worrying over nothing."
Ning Fengzhi quickly apologized, cupping his hands with a slightly sheepish smile.
"In that case, Fengzhi will offer his congratulations in advance to you both for claiming the title of number one under heaven."
Ning Fengzhi then went on to flatter them a little more, saying things like "The Clear Sky Twin Stars truly live up to their name" and "Given time, you'll surely become pillars of the continent."
He praised them so extravagantly that the Tang brothers were left completely carried away.
Tang Hao's smile grew wider and wider, and even Tang Xiao showed a rare hint of a smile.
The two stood in the pavilion with their backs straight and chins raised, exuding the arrogance of men who believed, "Among all the heroes under heaven, who could compare to us?"
Seeing that the time was right, Ning Fengzhi took his leave and turned to go, Chen Xin accompanying him.
On the way back.
Ning Fengzhi walked ahead, with Chen Xin at his side. Their footsteps echoed softly along the stone path.
Chen Xin was silent for a moment, then couldn't help asking:
"Fengzhi, weren't we going to ask them to join forces with us and put pressure on Spirit Hall?"
"Why didn't you bring up the real business?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, a wry smile on his lips.
"The Clear Sky Sect are a bunch of brutes—arrogant, conceited, and blind to everyone but themselves."
"Joining forces with them would be like making a pact with a tiger."
He drew a deep breath, then sighed it out, a hint of ruefulness in his voice.
"If they didn't have that ancestor of theirs, Tang Chen, they'd be nothing..."
A long while later.
Night quietly fell.
Zhao Linchuan arranged the dishes on a tray and carried them to Bibi Dong's room.
"Dinner's ready. Should I bring some to your room?"
As he spoke, he set the tray on the table in the outer room and began arranging the bowls and chopsticks.
"No need." Bibi Dong's voice came from the bedroom. "I can walk now."
"Then take it slowly..."
A moment later, Bibi Dong walked out of the inner room.
Her steps were still a little awkward, but she was doing much better than when she'd gotten up to use the bathroom that morning.
She came to the table and sat down. Lowering her head, she picked up her chopsticks but didn't reach for any food, merely tapping the rim of her bowl with the tips.
As Zhao Linchuan served her some porridge, he said:
"That Yu Xiaogang has already handed over the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique. Your teacher said you should go copy it down later."
"I'll go copy it tomorrow."
Bibi Dong took the bowl of porridge from him and lowered her head for a sip. Steam curled up, blurring her features.
She set down the bowl, hesitated, then asked with a hint of anticipation:
"Are you... staying tonight?"
Before you continue