Liu Erlong's Sudden Appearance

Seeing the center of the conversation shift to her without warning, Ye Lingling's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She pondered for a moment before responding in a calm tone:

"At an auction, the highest bidder wins. I have no other thoughts on the matter, and I shouldn't impose any further."

Ye Lingling was being somewhat insincere. Although she was extremely reluctant to give up the Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng, she did not want to bring unnecessary trouble upon the others because of her own desires.

Everything seemed to be within the middle-aged man's expectations. He reached up and removed his mask, revealing a gentle and handsome face, and smiled slightly at the group:

"My apologies for the intrusion earlier. I am Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. May I ask how to address you young friends?"

The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect?

Mo Li immediately snapped back to reality. No wonder he felt this scene was somewhat familiar, and Ye Lingling and the others were equally stunned.

Mo Li was the first to respond: "So it is Sect Master Ning. I have long admired your reputation. My name is Mo Li, and these are my companions."

Out of politeness, Mo Li also removed his mask; after all, in front of a Spirit Saint, a mask did not hold as much significance as one might imagine.

Ning Fengzhi's gaze fell upon Mo Li, his eyes narrowing for a split second before returning to normal without a trace. He looked toward Dugu Yan, who stood behind, and said:

"This must be the granddaughter of Jade Phosphor Douluo, correct? I wonder how Jade Phosphor Douluo has been lately?"

Facing the leader of one of the Upper Three Sects, Dugu Yan's attitude was noticeably more solemn. "My grandfather is elusive; I rarely see him myself."

Ning Fengzhi nodded and smiled. "Now that you know my identity, can you young friends set your minds at ease?"

He had noticed the group at the auction earlier purely because he had taken an interest in Ye Lingling, who had been bidding.

Later, when meeting with Mo Li and the others, he naturally recognized Dugu Yan's identity, which was why he had extended the invitation.

Dugu Yan looked at Mo Li. Mo Li understood her intent and smiled. "Since Sect Master Ning is so hospitable, it would be rude of us to refuse."

"Wait." A sharp, crisp voice came from behind them.

Hearing this familiar voice, Mo Li's eyes lit up. He turned around to see Liu Erlong, dressed in a black gown, walking over with a slightly darkened expression.

Seeing this, Mo Li was both pleasantly surprised and caught off guard.

"Sister Erlong, why are you here?"

"Dean!" Jiang Zhu was equally surprised.

Liu Erlong gave the two of them a look before turning to Ning Fengzhi. "May I ask what business Sect Master Ning has with my students?"

"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi looked toward Liu Erlong.

Mo Li smiled and introduced her: "This is our respected Dean."

"Blue Tyrant Academy, Liu Erlong." Liu Erlong glared at Mo Li and spoke directly.

"So it is Dean Liu. I found myself quite taken with your students at the auction and truly wished to make their acquaintance."

Hearing this, Liu Erlong glanced at Mo Li, who gave her a look that signaled everything was under control.

Liu Erlong's brows furrowed slightly, but she said nothing more.

Mo Li looked at Ning Fengzhi and asked with a smile: "Then, may we go together?"

Ning Fengzhi's gaze swept between Mo Li and Liu Erlong. Seeing the cold, indifferent expression on Liu Erlong's face—yet noting that she had no intention of refusing—he couldn't help but feel a bit of curiosity about the relationship between the two.

However, he did not show it on his face and said in a gentle tone: "No problem at all. Please, Dean Liu."

"I won't be joining you. Since Sect Master Ning is interested in these children, you may chat amongst yourselves." Liu Erlong shook her head.

"Return to the academy early," she said to Mo Li and Jiang Zhu. Liu Erlong then nodded toward Ye Lingling, whom she recognized, took one last look at the group, and turned to leave.

Although Mo Li was surprised by Liu Erlong's inexplicable behavior, he knew her personality well and did not stop her.

Ning Fengzhi, however, watched Liu Erlong's retreating figure, lost in thought.

Shortly after, the group followed Ning Fengzhi into a private room.

"Although it may be presumptuous, I would like to ask: are you all students of the Blue Tyrant Academy?" Ning Fengzhi asked after they had taken their seats.

"Lingling and I are from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Dugu Yan corrected.

"We are friends," Mo Li added.

Ning Fengzhi nodded. It was no wonder that when Liu Erlong appeared earlier, only Mo Li and Jiang Zhu had shown surprise, while Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan had remained relatively calm.

His gaze swept over the people in the room and finally rested on Mo Li. He smiled and said: "You young friends are truly gifted. To have reached such a level of spirit power at your age is remarkable."

If he had initially only been interested in Ye Lingling among the four, he was now undoubtedly even more intrigued by this child named Mo Li, who was only eight or nine years old.

Mo Li's thoughts stirred. He knew that Ning Fengzhi possessed a skill that could detect spirit power levels, so he feigned confusion.

"Sect Master Ning can tell our spirit power levels?"

"I simply happen to possess a spirit skill that allows me to perceive spirit power. Please, do not take offense."

Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly.

"It is all thanks to our Dean's guidance," Mo Li laughed.

"To be able to cultivate such outstanding students, Dean Liu is indeed a skilled educator," Ning Fengzhi acknowledged with a nod.

"I wonder, young friend Mo Li and Miss Jiang Zhu, what are your plans after graduation?"

Ning Fengzhi did not ask Dugu Yan or Ye Lingling, but instead inquired first about the graduation plans of Mo Li and Jiang Zhu, his gaze fixed firmly on Mo Li the entire time.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan wore strange expressions; in their eyes, Ning Fengzhi's actions clearly lacked a certain decorum. Who poaches talent the moment the academy dean has barely arrived?

Although students were free to choose their own paths after graduation, they still had quite a long time before that day arrived, making his approach seem rather hasty.

As he asked the question, Ning Fengzhi's gaze remained locked on Mo Li from start to finish.

Mo Li naturally heard the intent to recruit him behind Ning Fengzhi's words, and he met his gaze without the slightest avoidance.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master Ning."

Mo Li paused, then shook his head with a smile, "I have only just entered the academy, so it is far too early to consider what happens after graduation. Besides, I think our academy is excellent, and I have no other intentions."

Seeing Mo Li politely decline, Jiang Zhu followed suit, offering a standard response.

"Very well."

Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly, thinking it a pity; a Great Soul Master under the age of ten was truly a rare sight.

However, he was also well aware that the background of Blue Tyrant Academy was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, which was also one of the Upper Three Sects.

He figured this child might already be under the secret observation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, so even if he were testing the waters, he could not afford to be too aggressive.

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, a maidservant arrived, delivering the items he had won at the auction.

Ning Fengzhi produced a red card and settled the bill with effortless grace, looking as though he had merely purchased a small trinket.

Mo Li sighed silently to himself, It's truly great to be rich!

"Is this the Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng?"

The group turned their gazes toward the jade tray, where the Ice-Skin Snow-Jade Ginseng lay—its entire body an icy blue, possessing several long roots and emanating a chill along with an inexplicable, refreshing fragrance.