So half an hour later, an enormous, extravagantly luxurious carriage drawn by four magnificent horned horses rolled out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, surrounded by a company of elite guards, and headed toward Sunset Forest.
Inside the carriage sat Ning Fengzhi, Ning Xiaochun, Shui Bing'er, and Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, who stood like two guardian deities.
Along the way, Ning Xiaochun made full use of his sweet talk and easy familiarity. Though Shui Bing'er kept her eyes closed and rested, her expression cool, only occasionally responding with a quiet "Mm" or "Oh," he persisted in finding things to talk about.
"Bing'er, are you thirsty? I have some delicious fruit juice!"
"Bing'er, I hear the scenery in Sunset Forest is beautiful. Have you ever been?"
"Bing'er, do you get tired when you cultivate? Remember to balance work and rest!"
"Bing'er..."
Shui Bing'er was getting a headache from all the noise, but when she looked at Ning Xiaochun's tender face, beaming with an ingratiating smile, she couldn't bring herself to scold him coldly.
All she could do was occasionally open her eyes, glance at him coolly, then close them again, trying to fight this excessive "enthusiasm" with silence.
Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluo watched, unable to keep from smiling. Bone Douluo even sent a telepathic message to Sword Douluo: "You old sword, look at that kid. He's got a lot more going for him than his father did at that age—look at that thick skin, that persistence."
Sword Douluo's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, but he didn't respond.
The carriage was extremely fast, and with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's custom soul-guidance shock absorbers, they barely felt a bump.
In less than half a day, they had reached the outskirts of Sunset Forest. Following the rough directions Ning Fengzhi knew, they ventured toward the place where Dugu Bo might be living in seclusion.
Dugu Bo's residence wasn't hidden in the depths of the forest. It stood at the edge of a valley wreathed in poisonous miasma, built against the mountains. Its rugged style gave it a gloomy air that warned strangers to keep away.
There were no guards outside the residence, only brightly colored poisonous herbs and flowers growing haphazardly, releasing a sweet yet dangerous scent.
The carriage stopped in front of the residence. Ning Fengzhi and the others had just climbed down when, before they could even announce themselves, the front gate creaked open. But the person who emerged wasn't Dugu Bo. It was a young woman.
She looked about thirteen or fourteen, tall and dressed in a fitted purple outfit that outlined the curves just beginning to develop.
She had vivid short purple hair and uncanny green eyes, their outer corners slightly upturned with a naturally alluring quality. Yet a persistent air of arrogance and gloom hung between her brows. She was Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
When Dugu Yan saw the imposing group at the entrance, especially the carriage so extravagant it was almost blinding and the guards with their steady auras, she first furrowed her brows.
But when her gaze swept over the group and landed on Shui Bing'er, her green eyes suddenly widened, and undisguised astonishment crossed her face.
"Shui Bing'er? You?!"
Dugu Yan's voice was full of surprise. Her gaze shifted between Shui Bing'er and Ning Fengzhi's party, and when she spotted Ning Fengzhi's distinctive moon-white robe and the scepter in his hand, her pupils contracted slightly.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Why are you with people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Both among the most talked-about young women of the Heaven Dou Empire, and both outstanding in appearance, Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er were naturally compared by many people.
Dugu Yan was a little older and currently ahead in cultivation, but Shui Bing'er's Ice Phoenix Martial Soul had enormous potential, and her cultivation speed was astonishing. She had always been regarded as one of Dugu Yan's strongest rivals.
Seeing Shui Bing'er with the wealthiest sect on the continent, Dugu Yan was instantly overcome by jealousy and resentment. Didn't this mean Shui Bing'er would have access to even better resources from now on?
Would she surpass her?
When Shui Bing'er saw Dugu Yan, her cool face remained unchanged. She only gave a slight nod in greeting. But she found Dugu Yan's question difficult to answer.
Was she supposed to say she'd been "bought" with resources as someone's child bride? How could her pride bear that?
Just as Shui Bing'er remained silent and the atmosphere grew awkward, a clear child's voice cut in.
"She's my new big sister! Is there a problem, purple-haired big sister?"
Ning Xiaochun poked his little head out from behind Ning Fengzhi, blinking his big eyes as he looked at Dugu Yan with an innocent expression. He also gave Shui Bing'er a little look that said, "Follow my lead."
Big sister? Dugu Yan paused and looked at Ning Xiaochun. He was a handsome boy of six or seven, with big eyes.
He looked lively and clever, but his Soul Power was weak; he seemed to have only recently acquired a Soul Ring. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young master? When had Shui Bing'er become his big sister?
Hearing Ning Xiaochun's words, Shui Bing'er was also taken aback and looked at him. Seeing the sincere protectiveness in his eyes, she felt a warmth rise in her heart.
This title was certainly much easier to accept than "child bride" and the like. She gave Ning Xiaochun an almost imperceptible look of gratitude.
Ning Xiaochun caught her glance and felt delighted: Affection +1. Steady!
Dugu Yan curled her lip, clearly unconvinced, but didn't press the matter. She only said in a sour tone,
"Heh, you've found yourself a powerful patron. No wonder. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really is loaded—even the genius from Skywater Academy was worth poaching."
Just then, a hoarse, low voice with the grating quality of metal scraping rang out as if from all directions, carrying a chilling aura:
"My residence is certainly lively today. Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo—you've come together. What brings you here?"
As the voice faded, a dark green figure appeared at the entrance to the residence like a ghost.
The newcomer was tall and thin as a spear. His hair and beard were both dark green, and his eyes gleamed like emeralds. His expression was blank, but just standing there, he gave people the chilling feeling of being watched by a venomous snake.
It was Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.
His gaze first swept over Ning Fengzhi and the other two, lingering briefly on Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. A trace of gravity flashed deep in his eyes.
Two Super Douluo! Had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect brought its entire strength? Then his gaze fell on Ning Xiaochun, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Finally, he looked at Shui Bing'er, seeming surprised to see her as well.
"Senior Dugu, forgive us for coming unannounced and disturbing you." Ning Fengzhi stepped forward with a smile, his manners impeccable.
"To be frank, I've come to discuss a business deal with you."
"A business deal? The old man has no dealings with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Dugu Bo's voice was cool.
"We didn't before, but we can now." Ning Fengzhi's smile didn't change. He took a card glimmering with a faint golden light from inside his robe and held it between two fingers, offering it to Dugu Bo.
"I've heard that deep in Sunset Forest, you have a carefully tended medicinal garden with a remarkable landscape and unique produce. My son is quite fond of gardening and has his heart set on that garden. I'm willing to offer five million Gold Soul Coins to purchase the rights to it. What do you say?"
Five million Gold Soul Coins!
Even Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo with a steady temperament, couldn't stop the corner of his eye from twitching sharply at that figure.
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