Homeward Bound, Returning Laden with Rewards!

Three days after the award ceremony, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's party finally set out for home.

The convoy slowly drove out of Spirit City, the emblem of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda on the carriages gleaming brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

Zhao Tian sat inside the carriage, lifted the curtain, and looked back at the magnificent city.

Spirit City gradually shrank in his view, eventually becoming a blurred outline on the horizon.

"Why? Can't bear to leave?"

Ning Fengzhi sat opposite him. Seeing Zhao Tian's movement, he asked with a smile.

Zhao Tian lowered the curtain and shook his head.

"It's not that I can't bear to leave. It's just that... this journey brought more gains than I expected."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, his eyes full of satisfaction.

This trip to Spirit City had indeed yielded tremendous gains.

Zhao Tian had won the competition, displayed the power of the Radiant Phoenix Spirit, and brought great honor to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

More importantly, his poem, "Bring in the Wine," had spread throughout Spirit City, earning him the reputation of being both scholarly and martial.

Now, all the major powers across the continent knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had produced a peerless genius—not only capable in battle, but also possessed of extraordinary literary talent.

Once this news returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it would surely greatly boost the sect's morale and make those forces coveting it in secret think twice.

"Tian'er, what are your plans after we return?"

Ning Fengzhi asked.

Zhao Tian considered it before replying, "Continue cultivating and strive to break through to level thirty as soon as possible."

"Level thirty..."

Ning Fengzhi raised his brows slightly.

"You're currently level twenty-two. There's still quite a gap before level thirty, but given your cultivation speed, it shouldn't take too long."

"This disciple will give it his all."

Zhao Tian said earnestly.

He knew that in this world, strength was the foundation of everything.

No matter how resounding one's reputation, without strength to match it, it would ultimately be nothing but a castle in the air.

Only by becoming strong enough could he protect those around him and safeguard what he wished to protect.

Ning Rongrong leaned over from the side and chimed in, "When Zhao Tian cultivates, Rongrong will cultivate beside him too!"

"Rongrong will work hard too and won't hold him back!"

Seeing her serious expression, Ning Fengzhi could not help but laugh.

"Alright, alright. You can cultivate together, keep each other motivated, and improve together."

The journey home was much more relaxed than the trip there.

With the pressure and tension before the competition gone, everyone was far more at ease.

During the day, Zhao Tian cultivated the Radiant Divine Canon inside the carriage. At night, he continued tempering his body at inns, never relaxing for even a moment.

Ning Rongrong cultivated alongside him as well. Although her cultivation speed was not as fast as Zhao Tian's, her attitude had become far more serious than before.

The once spoiled little girl was gradually changing.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong occasionally rode ahead to patrol and ensure the convoy's safety.

The journey passed without incident, and five days later, the mountain gate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect finally came into view.

"We're back!"

Ning Rongrong cheered, lifting the curtain to look outside.

The mountain gate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stood lofty and imposing. Disciples stood on both sides to welcome them, and upon seeing the convoy return, they all saluted.

The convoy slowly passed through the mountain gate, traveled up the mountain road, and finally stopped at the plaza before the sect's main hall.

Several elders were already waiting before the hall. When they saw the convoy return, they hurried forward.

"Sect Master! You've returned!"

"I heard Tian'er caused quite a stir in Spirit City and even won the championship?"

"I heard that poem too—Heaven gave me talents for a purpose; though a thousand gold is spent, it will return! What a poem! What a poem!"

Several elders crowded around them, talking all at once. Their gazes all fell upon Zhao Tian, filled with curiosity and admiration.

Surrounded by the elders, Zhao Tian felt somewhat uncomfortable, but he still responded to each of them politely.

Ning Fengzhi smiled and waved his hand. "Alright, alright. The children have had a hard journey. Let them rest first. Whatever it is, we can discuss it tomorrow."

Only then did the elders disperse.

Zhao Tian and Ning Rongrong headed toward the rear courtyard. As they walked along the path, Ning Rongrong chattered about what she wanted to eat and do after returning, clearly in excellent spirits.

Listening to her, Zhao Tian's lips curved upward slightly as well.

These carefree, pleasant days were what he wanted.

That night, Zhao Tian sat cross-legged on his bed and circulated the Radiant Divine Canon.

The day's calm had not made him lower his guard.

Although the journey to Spirit City had ended successfully, he knew clearly that all of this was only the beginning.

Bibi Dong had appeared generous on the surface, but her final remarks had clearly been meant to drive a wedge into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

She wanted discord to arise between Zhao Tian and Ning Fengzhi. She wanted Zhao Tian to grow suspicious of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

If it had been a child with an unsteady mind, those words might very well have influenced him, gradually causing him to distrust the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

But Zhao Tian was different.

Having lived two lives, how could he fail to see through such a trick?

"Bibi Dong..."

Zhao Tian silently repeated her name in his heart.

This woman was indeed formidable.

Without making a sound, she could lay down a chess piece.

Although Zhao Tian had clearly rejected her recruitment now, no one could say whether some unexpected change might occur in the future.

"One must never let down one's guard."

Zhao Tian silently reminded himself.

Whether it was Spirit Hall or other forces, he had to remain sufficiently vigilant.

Only by becoming strong enough could he gain a firm foothold in this world.

At the same time, inside the sect's study.

Ning Fengzhi sat behind his desk, holding a cup of tea as he gazed out the window.

Chen Xin stood beside him, and neither of them spoke.

After a long while, Ning Fengzhi finally opened his mouth.

"Uncle Jian, tell me... how far do you think Tian'er can go?"

Chen Xin thought for a moment before answering, "If nothing unexpected happens, Title Douluo will merely be his starting point."

A trace of shock flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

There were only a few dozen Title Douluo across the entire continent.

Yet Chen Xin's assessment was that Title Douluo would only be the starting point.

"You think that highly of him?"

Ning Fengzhi asked.

"It isn't a matter of thinking highly of him."

Chen Xin shook his head.

"It's a fact."

"His talent, temperament, and literary gifts are all unparalleled in my life."

"If even he cannot become a peerless powerhouse, then no one can."

Ning Fengzhi fell silent for a moment, then smiled.

"You're right."

"Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has truly found a treasure this time."

The night grew deeper, and the starry sky glittered.

Zhao Tian stood before the window, gazing at the stars above, his heart tranquil.

The clamor of Spirit City was already far behind him. From here on, all he needed to do was settle down and continue growing stronger.

He could not stop cultivating the Radiant Divine Canon. His Soul Power Level had to rise, and his body and soul had to continue being tempered.

Once he reached level thirty, he would hunt a stronger spirit ring and take his strength to another level.

"One step at a time."

Zhao Tian muttered softly.

"One day, I will stand at the peak of this world."

The wind blew in through the window, carrying the fresh fragrance of grass and trees.

He closed his eyes and immersed himself in cultivation once more.