"Uncle Jian, where on earth did you find such a monster? From the looks of him, he doesn't seem to belong to any of those factions."
The fantasy ended, and Ning Fengzhi marveled inwardly, clicking his tongue in amazement.
If this boy truly was as monstrously talented as he seemed, then Heaven really was blessing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"I didn't find him. He came to us himself."
Sword Douluo replied with a cheerful smile, then briefly recounted what had happened at the ancestral tomb.
After hearing him out, Ning Fengzhi didn't know what to say for a moment.
He was probably feeling the way those lucky bastards who played dog-themed card games did when they casually picked up a box and pulled sixty-six jewels from it.
After chatting for a while longer, Ning Fengzhi prepared to call in the disciple waiting outside and have Xu Bai settled in first. They could discuss everything else once he woke up.
Then he could use threats or enticements. Unless Xu Bai was a saint, Ning Fengzhi would find a way to win his loyalty to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
And even if he really was a saint with no desires, it would be easy enough to leave him with a favorable impression or a bond.
As he considered this and was about to act, Sword Douluo raised a hand to stop him.
"Is there something else, Uncle Jian?"
"No need to trouble yourself settling him in. The boy's already awake. You can talk to him now."
Sword Douluo lifted Xu Bai and strolled over to the window. "Quit pretending. Keep it up, and I'll drop you."
"I just woke up, I just woke up! Senior, wait—please, wait!"
Xu Bai hurriedly opened his eyes and stared straight at Sword Douluo, not daring to glance down. He could only speak with an awkward grin, his heart full of speechless frustration.
He didn't understand. In his previous life, he'd been afraid of heights, but only slightly. It had never been enough to scare him unconscious.
He'd thought this minor quirk would disappear after he transmigrated, so why had it gotten even worse?
Sword Douluo chuckled and carried Xu Bai back in front of Ning Fengzhi, then let go.
After spending the whole time with all four limbs dangling in the air, Xu Bai finally felt the solid ground beneath him again. He was so moved, he nearly burst into tears.
"You should have figured it out while you were eavesdropping. This is Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He wants to talk to you."
After introducing them, Sword Douluo stepped aside, folded his arms, and watched the two in silence.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning~"
Xu Bai looked at the man before him. At first glance, his clothes seemed plain, but a closer inspection revealed their extraordinary finery. One glance around the magnificent hall only made Xu Bai more envious.
So much money, so much money! If only it were all mine.
Sigh, I'm so pitiful. I'm so young, yet I have to worry about making ends meet. Truly, the children of poor families grow up early...
After sighing to himself, Xu Bai suddenly thought of the culprit behind his current predicament, and his mood turned indignant.
Second Uncle, you really are asking for it. Once I'm powerful, I'll make you Zhu Gaoxu and turn you into Uncle Pot.
Mm, that was a fine bit of daily self-reflection.
Naturally, all of that was going through his mind. Xu Bai kept his expression calm, with just the right touch of grievance.
He looked like a child who'd been bullied and was trying to stay strong, but would break down the moment someone comforted him.
And given his age, Ning Fengzhi never suspected he was putting on an act. He assumed the boy really had been frightened, but was still trying to be brave. His gaze softened even more.
In the past, Xu Bai had always suffered for being young. This time, he was getting to enjoy the benefits of it.
"Don't be afraid, child. Will you tell me your name, how old you are, and whether you have any elders at home?"
Ning Fengzhi spoke gently, hoping to avoid leaving a bad impression on this monstrous genius.
"My name is Xu Bai. I'll be ten in a few months. I'm all alone at home..."
Xu Bai launched straight into his performance. He smiled, but the smile was strained.
No family? That was great—ah, no, how pitiful.
Ning Fengzhi held back a laugh and forced a sympathetic expression. "It must have been hard, growing up all by yourself."
"It wasn't hard. I've gotten used to it after all these years." Xu Bai spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something inconsequential.
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly. So young, and already so strong. What a good child.
"Even if you're used to it, would you like to have a home? Living alone is hard for a child like you, after all."
He continued, gently coaxing him.
Xu Bai pretended to ponder, then asked in return:
"From what Sect Master Ning is saying, do you want to give me a home?"
"If you agree, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be your new home."
Ning Fengzhi smiled as he spoke. He'd been confident, but he hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.
Xu Bai was a monstrous genius, and geniuses like him all had their pride.
To win him over, Ning Fengzhi absolutely couldn't use force. That would most likely breed defiance and end up doing more harm than good.
So for now, the best approach was to appeal to both emotion and reason, just as he'd once persuaded Sword Douluo:
"Only assassins who stake their lives need to press forward without hesitation. True swordsmen have a heart to protect, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect needs a blade to break through the enemy..."
Back then, he'd seen Sword Douluo's loneliness, and used the idea of protection to persuade him.
This time, he saw a child with no one to rely on, and planned to win him over with the warmth of a home.
But Ning Fengzhi would never have guessed, even on his deathbed, that there was such a thing in the world as a transmigrator. Xu Bai simply wasn't buying it.
Though his plan had fallen through, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had money, and Sword Douluo had made an extremely reasonable threat. Xu Bai wanted to join, and had no choice but to join. You could call that a happy accident.
Xu Bai didn't like trouble. When Ning Fengzhi had offered him an olive branch, he'd actually wanted to accept right away.
But he understood one thing: when something came too easily, people didn't cherish it.
That was where his damned Second Uncle came in handy.
"I'm very tempted by your offer, Sect Master Ning, but... well, actually, I still have one relative by blood."
Xu Bai hesitated for a long time, then spoke quietly, as if he'd finally made up his mind.
"Oh? A relative by blood?"
Ning Fengzhi seized on the key point.
"That's right. He's my Second Uncle. After my parents died, he took my family's estate. If a loyal servant hadn't risked his life to protect me, I might already be dead."
Xu Bai clenched his fists. He couldn't quite manage to make his eyes bloodshot, so he lowered his head slightly and spoke in a low voice, as though suppressing his anger.
"You want revenge? Fine. As long as you're willing to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I'll send people to capture your Second Uncle right now. Whether he lives or dies will be up to you."
Ning Fengzhi was supremely confident. If that was all it took to win Xu Bai over, then it was far too worthwhile—and far too easy.
Xu Bai waved a hand slightly. "I'll take revenge myself. There's no need to trouble Sect Master Ning. I mentioned my Second Uncle because of his position. If you know who he is and are still willing to accept me, then I'll gladly accept your offer."
"What position?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
"A Purple-Robed Bishop of Spirit Hall!" Xu Bai replied calmly.
Ning Fengzhi: ?????
That's it?