Self-manipulation by Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong in disbelief before speaking to her:

"Rongrong, have you thought this through?"

As he spoke, deep self-reproach gnawed at Ning Fengzhi's heart. He felt that he had failed not only in his duties as the Sect Master but also as a father, forced to trade his own daughter's presence for the safety of the sect.

Seeing her father's silence, Ning Rongrong stepped forward and said:

"Father, don't worry. Once I arrive at Spirit City, I will be obedient and won't cause any trouble for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Then, Ning Rongrong turned to Qian Daoliu:

"Great Elder, I am willing to go to Spirit City to study, but I have one condition that I hope you will agree to."

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu wanted to see what Ning Rongrong was planning, so he replied:

"Speak. Let me see what this condition is."

Ning Rongrong pointed toward Qian Renxue and Tai Yi, then said:

"Great Elder, I hope that after I go to Spirit City, I can cultivate alongside the Young Master and the young master. Even if it's just following them around as a runner, that would be enough."

Ning Rongrong had her reasons for saying this. After returning from Shrek Academy, she had naturally looked into the files on Qian Renxue and Tai Yi. Knowing that one was a twenty-one-year-old Spirit Saint and the other a fifteen-year-old Spirit Emperor, the proud Ning Rongrong had been dealt another blow.

At the same time, Ning Rongrong understood why her father and the two grandfathers wanted to eliminate these two—they were simply too far beyond the norm.

However, Ning Rongrong also understood that while talent was the most important factor in such achievements, external conditions played a role as well. Once she decided she was definitely going to Spirit City, she wanted to attach herself directly to Qian Renxue and Tai Yi.

Firstly, by staying with these two geniuses, she could learn their methods and improve herself. Furthermore, she knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would henceforth be a vassal to Spirit Hall, and these two were clearly the future pillars of the organization. Since she had to be part of Spirit Hall anyway, why not get close to its future leaders? Building a good relationship with them would surely benefit her sect in the long run.

Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu instantly grasped Ning Rongrong's intentions and thought more highly of her. He mused that since his grandson and granddaughter were both assault-type spirit masters, having an auxiliary spirit master from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect by their side wouldn't be a bad thing.

He was inclined to agree. As for the fact that Ning Rongrong was only a Great Spirit Master, that was nothing to the Elder Palace. As long as the Elder Palace desired it and was certain that Ning Rongrong and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect harbored no rebellious thoughts, there was no reason they couldn't cultivate her alongside Qian Renxue and Tai Yi. They even had plenty of immortal herbs; giving one to Ning Rongrong wouldn't be impossible. After all, she was just an auxiliary spirit master; even if she grew strong, she could never threaten his grandchildren.

With this in mind, Qian Daoliu said:

"Since that is your wish, I can agree to it. You may cultivate alongside Xiao Yi and Xiao Xue in Spirit City, but my only requirement is that you do not disturb them or hold them back."

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong smiled and agreed.

Ning Fengzhi, hearing his daughter's words, understood her reasoning. At the same time, he felt a pang of sorrow, feeling that he was an incompetent father.

Once everything was decided, Qian Daoliu smiled at Ning Fengzhi:

"Sect Master Ning, since our negotiations are concluded, let us proceed as agreed. From now on, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect of our Spirit Hall. As for your daughter, as long as the sect remains loyal, she will be well-cared for, and Spirit Hall will even invest in her training."

Hearing these words—seemingly harmonious but filled with warning—Ning Fengzhi replied:

"Great Elder, rest assured. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will follow in the footsteps of Spirit Hall and obey your commands."

After speaking, Ning Fengzhi handed over the three spirit bones over eighty thousand years old, half of the sect's wealth, and Xiao Wu to Qian Daoliu.

This time, Qian Daoliu did not refuse. He accepted everything and turned to hand it all over to Qian Renxue and Tai Yi, allowing them to use the resources to build their own foundations.

Qian Renxue and Tai Yi accepted the items, and with that, Qian Daoliu prepared to lead his people away from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Just as they were about to leave, Tai Yi looked at Ning Fengzhi and said:

"Sect Master Ning, I hope the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will cooperate well with us in the future. If we are satisfied, Spirit Hall has ways to make the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda spirit evolve once more."

Having said that, Tai Yi didn't say another word and walked away.

However, Tai Yi's words had clearly reached the ears of Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Rongrong.

The first three were particularly stirred. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always been trying to find a way to break the limitations of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, which had been trapped at the seventy-ninth rank for generations, but all their efforts had failed.

Back then, they knew that Spirit Hall—the most powerful organization on the Douluo Continent, rumored to have produced gods—might have a way, but given the relationship between the two, they knew Spirit Hall would never share such a secret.

Now that Tai Yi of Spirit Hall had brought it up, how could Ning Fengzhi not be excited? If Spirit Hall truly had a way, then the sect becoming a vassal and Ning Rongrong serving as a hostage in Spirit City were not such unacceptable prices to pay.

Even though he had turned his sect into a subordinate, if he could break the limitations of the Glazed Pagoda, he would finally have an answer for his ancestors.

Ning Rongrong, following behind Tai Yi and the others, had also heard his words. Her heart raced with excitement. She understood that if the limitations of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda could be solved, she—as a hostage in Spirit City and a follower of Qian Renxue and Tai Yi—would be the most likely candidate to be the first to benefit.

As they walked toward Heaven Dou City, Ning Rongrong desperately wanted to ask Tai Yi about it, but considering they weren't close yet and that she was viewed as someone of low status in the eyes of the Spirit Hall members, she kept her silence.