The Hypocritical Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Scheme

Xue Qinghe vaguely sensed that something was wrong. He had no patience to waste time with Ning Fengzhi, so he went straight to the point.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, after just a few days apart, you seem rather restless."

"Could it be that someone has influenced you?"

Ning Fengzhi's words carried a hidden meaning, but everyone present understood that he was referring to Fang Xuan.

Dugu Bo frowned at those words, deeply dissatisfied with Ning Fengzhi's attitude.

Of course, he was not displeased by Ning Fengzhi's attitude toward Xue Qinghe, but by the veiled mockery directed at his beloved disciple.

"Teacher, you jest. It is only that your sudden visit after several days has taken this disciple somewhat by surprise."

"As for whether I have been influenced by someone, there really is one person."

As he spoke, he turned and smiled at Dugu Bo behind him.

"Senior Dugu has taught me quite a few things about cultivation these past few days, and I have benefited greatly. Could it be that Teacher noticed this?"

Both sides understood perfectly well, yet neither exposed the other's petty thoughts.

Although Ning Fengzhi was the Crown Prince's teacher, he did not behave like one at all.

As the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a super sect supported by the Empire, he possessed countless riches and resources.

Talented soul masters emerged from the sect in an endless stream. Within the Heaven Dou Empire, whenever they discovered a genius, they would spare no effort to bring them under their command.

This had caused the Heaven Dou Imperial Family to grow steadily weaker. By now, they had only one Title Douluo-level expert—Dugu Bo.

Now, the sect even showed faint signs of meddling in the Empire's political power. If not for their lack of ability, the first target of the Heaven Dou Empire would likely have been the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is so diligent even as the heir apparent. It is truly a blessing for the Empire."

"However, there are times when you should pay attention to your health as well. You must not exhaust yourself."

"As it happens, I brought quite a few medicinal ingredients for nourishment on this visit. I hope Your Highness will not find them unworthy."

Originally, Ning Fengzhi had not wanted to fall out completely with Xue Qinghe. After all, Dugu Bo had not previously stood on Xue Qinghe's side, leaving him with no choice but to rely on Ning Fengzhi.

But Fang Xuan's appearance had broken that balance and caused Xue Qinghe to slip out of his control, which displeased him greatly.

As for things beyond his control, he generally chose to destroy them outright, even if the other party was the Crown Prince.

Of course, if the other party was willing to come back around, he might not be unable to forgive him.

"Since it is Teacher's kindness, this disciple will naturally accept it."

It was not yet time to completely fall out with him, so Xue Qinghe did not refuse.

As for how the gifts would be handled after accepting them, that was another matter entirely.

"That is good, then. The sect has been rather busy lately, so I hope Your Highness will forgive us. Oh, I nearly forgot the true reason for my visit."

As though he had suddenly remembered something, Ning Fengzhi took an exquisitely designed invitation from his pocket and handed it to Xue Qinghe.

"This is my daughter's engagement invitation. In a few days, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will hold an engagement banquet. I hope Your Highness will honor us with your presence."

As he spoke, he looked at Dugu Bo beside him and smiled.

"If Senior Dugu has the time, you are welcome to come as well. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will surely receive you as an honored guest."

After all, Dugu Bo was a Title Douluo, so Ning Fengzhi still gave him due respect.

"No time. In a few days, I still have to settle accounts with that old bastard Yu Yuanzhen. Besides, it is only an engagement banquet. There is no need to make such a grand fuss over it."

Giving Ning Fengzhi no face at all, Dugu Bo refused directly.

He had never thought highly of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. More precisely, he had long found them displeasing. They were far too hypocritical, enough to disgust him.

"Heh, since Senior Dugu is busy, then I shall not disturb you."

Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet and left directly with Gu Rong and Chen Xin. He did not even bid Xue Qinghe farewell, his attitude arrogant to the extreme.

Xue Qinghe's expression remained unchanged. His gaze fell upon the luxurious invitation before him, inlaid with gilded patterns.

When he opened it, Ning Rongrong's name appeared inside.

Beside Ning Rongrong's name was Tang San's.

"Tang San..."

Xue Qinghe softly repeated the name. When he had investigated Fang Xuan, he had also looked into everyone from Shrek.

Tang San had been among them.

The name had left some impression on him. After all, Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Soul Power was indeed rare.

Yet although Tang San possessed Innate Full Soul Power, his martial soul was the useless Blue Silver Grass. Had Ning Fengzhi gone blind to betroth his daughter to him?

"No! Something is wrong here."

Ning Fengzhi was incredibly shrewd. This Tang San was definitely not simple. It seemed the information Xue Qinghe had uncovered was incomplete.

But it was already too late to investigate further. With that old fox Ning Fengzhi's nature, he would have erased all traces immediately.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly is a scourge."

At that moment, Xue Qinghe silently marked the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in his heart. When the time came to move against them in the future, they would certainly be listed as a primary target.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first."

Ning Fengzhi left. There was no need for him to stay here either.

Why stand guard here when he could go mooch a meal off his precious disciple instead?

He had a feeling that, at this rate, he would reach Rank 93 in half a year at most.

Every rank among Titled Douluo was worlds apart. Breaking through two ranks in a single year was unbelievably fast for him.

More importantly, the process was easy. All he had to do every day was eat and drink to raise his cultivation. Where else could he find such a good deal?

Dugu Bo found Fang Xuan more pleasing the more he looked at him. He almost wanted to drug him and his granddaughter, then simply let things run their course.

Fang Xuan was far more valuable than that Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Besides, it seemed that the toxins no longer needed to be dealt with through that spirit bone. What he had told Ning Fengzhi earlier about going to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had not been an excuse.

He truly intended to make a trip there and return the spirit bone.

But he could not simply give it back. He needed a suitable reason, lest they go mad over it.

He still remembered what had happened last time. After all, how could he have known that Yu Xiaogang himself was actually in Heaven Dou City? That had made the other side fly into a rage.

"I wonder if that useless fool is dead yet. Still, he is Old Thunder Dragon's biological son. He probably wouldn't go so far as to kill him, right?"

Just as Dugu Bo was about to leave, Xue Qinghe suddenly called out to stop him.

"Senior Dugu, please wait a moment. I happen to have something to discuss with Brother Fang Xuan as well. Please take me with you."

Ning Fengzhi's arrival made Xue Qinghe vaguely feel that it had something to do with Fang Xuan. It had also been a while since she had seen him, so she might as well use this opportunity to go take a look.

Come to think of it, she was not very sure what Fang Xuan had been busy with lately.

Ever since he had taken the identity token from her last time, he had never sought her out again.

As the Crown Prince, her status was what it was. She could not exactly keep going to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to look for him.

Moreover, she had heard that Ye Lingling seemed to be living with him as well, which left her feeling a little jealous.

But he was someone else's husband—a legally married couple, officially certified. No one could interfere.

"Damn it, why isn't he mine?!"

"No, I have to have him, even if..."