Join! Must join fiercely, must join even if not allowed to!

Ning Qingyun stood frozen in place.

She disregarded her image as the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, raising her hands to rub her eyes vigorously.

Yet, when she looked again, that off-the-charts configuration of six black and three red rings remained.

She had never seen such a soul ring ratio in her entire life.

Yellow, purple, black, red.

Those were the colors a normal person's soul rings should be.

What kind of decent person had soul rings that went black, red, black, red?

Was this even right?

Ning Qingyun stood where she was, her mouth slightly agape, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Her mind was in complete chaos, a jumble of thoughts swirling together, leaving her momentarily unable to find the words to speak.

Watching her like this, Leng Yaozhu felt a strange sense of satisfaction for reasons unknown.

The soul ring ratios in the third era were all beyond standard.

Usually, no one would be shocked, but compared to ten thousand years ago, it was a dimensional strike.

Still, it was only a small amount of satisfaction; on the surface, she remained as indifferent as ever.

"This soul ring ratio can be considered a reward for your cooperation."

Gu An also spoke up.

"That's right."

He hopped down from Mother Gu's arms, his feet landing steadily on the ground.

Then, he released his martial soul.

A Dragon-Phoenix Phantom appeared out of thin air, a dragon and a phoenix coiling and circling each other, emitting a low dragon roar and a clear phoenix cry.

The two phantoms circled Gu An once before turning into streams of light, sinking into the pearly-white flute in his hand.

At the same time, a soul ring rose from beneath Gu An's feet.

A ten-thousand-year soul ring, black as ink.

Ning Qingyun's gaze was drawn by Gu An's actions, naturally catching sight of that black soul ring.

Her pupils constricted once more.

If it were only Leng Yaozhu whose soul ring ratio was this outrageous, she could have convinced herself not to believe it.

Perhaps it was some divine trial.

Perhaps it was some special inheritance.

There truly existed trials left behind by deities on the continent that could increase the age of soul rings upon completion.

But Gu An?

A child who looked to be eight or nine years old.

His first soul ring was ten thousand years old!

This could not be faked.

A child's body could never withstand the impact of a ten-thousand-year soul ring, unless there was some power standing behind him that far exceeded her imagination.

Ning Qingyun's heart hammered in her chest.

She quickly weighed the pros and cons in her mind.

Even if it were fake, and it couldn't grant her Seven Treasure Glazed Sect those off-the-charts soul rings, investing in two people who might become gods in the future was still a massive profit.

No matter how she calculated it, she wouldn't lose.

Gu An watched the shifting expressions on Ning Qingyun's face, knowing she had already made her decision.

But he didn't mind adding more fuel to the fire.

He would make her completely and utterly devoted.

Gu An raised his hand and summoned the Green Blade Falcon.

A miniature version of the Green Blade Falcon landed in his palm, tilting its head and eyeing Ning Qingyun before it with spirited, intelligent eyes.

It was exactly like a real, living creature.

Gu An held the Green Blade Falcon up and looked at Ning Qingyun.

"Do you know what this is?"

Ning Qingyun's gaze was captivated by the miniature Green Blade Falcon.

Gu An did not wait for her to answer, providing the answer directly.

"A Soul Spirit."

"The soul of a Soul Beast retains its own consciousness and can form a contract with a Soul Master."

"Not only can it assist in battle, but it can also fight independently."

He paused, looking into Ning Qingyun's eyes.

"What do you think this means for an auxiliary-type Soul Master?"

If the previous promise had already left Ning Qingyun feeling full, then Gu An's words practically stuffed her to the brim.

What was a mere promise compared to this? This was happening right before her eyes!

Her mature, beautiful face was a mix of shock and pleasant surprise.

Her excited red lips parted slightly, but she couldn't utter a single word.

A Soul Spirit that could fight independently.

What did that mean for an auxiliary-type Soul Master?

It meant that the auxiliary-type Soul Masters of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect would no longer be lambs waiting for the slaughter.

A Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda Soul Master with a Soul Spirit capable of independent combat standing by their side.

Who would dare to approach them easily?

Hidden weapons?

Soul Guidance Devices?

Those were merely external objects.

Nothing was as practical as an increase in one's own strength.

Furthermore, possessing a Soul Spirit did not mean one could no longer use Soul Guidance Devices.

The two did not conflict at all.

After realizing this, Ning Qingyun's face flushed, her breathing grew rapid, and her chest heaved violently.

Join.

She must join.

She had to join no matter what.

Even if they didn't let her join, she would force her way in.

Ning Qingyun decided that even if she had to kneel on the ground and beg today, she would drag the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect into this faction.

Meanwhile, Wu Yunshan, upon learning that his Sect Master had gone alone to face that Titled Douluo, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

He sped toward the location, following the trail of residual soul power.

"Sect Master! You cannot let anything happen to you!"

When he finally arrived at the scene, he was completely stunned.

His Sect Master, usually so dignified, elegant, and graceful, was currently holding a little boy, her face covered in a fawning smile.

"Young Master, our Seven Treasure Glazed Sect has three estates in the east of the city, covering a vast area—they would be perfect for building an academy!"

"If you don't think the east side is good enough, there is another plot of land in the north, backed by mountains and facing the water, with excellent scenery!"

"Don't worry about the Golden Soul Coins at all; leave everything to our Seven Treasure Glazed Sect!"

"Building materials, craftsmen, array arrangements—a one-stop service, guaranteed to satisfy you, Young Master!"

Wu Yunshan was utterly bewildered.

His mouth hung open, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.

Was this really his Sect Master?

This wasn't right.

Where was the Ning Qingyun who could remain neither servile nor overbearing even when facing the envoys of Shrek Academy?

Where was the Sect Master Ning who spoke with absolute authority and radiated power at the sect assembly?

Why did she look like a real estate agent trying to make a sale?

And that little brat.

Being fawned over by his Sect Master like that, he actually wore an expression of utter listlessness.

Wu Yunshan felt his teeth itch.

Did this little brat have any idea how many people dreamed of the burden resting on his shoulders, you bastard?

Ning Qingyun caught a glimpse of Wu Yunshan standing not far away with a blank expression.

She immediately stood up, her fawning smile instantly switching to the majesty of a Sect Master.

"Elder Wu, you've arrived."

Wu Yunshan opened his mouth to speak.

"Sect Master, this..."

Ning Qingyun walked up to him, lowered her voice, and recounted everything that had just happened as quickly as possible.

After hearing her out, Wu Yunshan's expression shifted dramatically.

He turned directly toward Gu An, his aged face creasing into a heap of smiles.

"Young Master."

"Once my unfilial granddaughter Wu Feng returns from Shrek Academy, you must discipline her properly."

"You may beat her or scold her as you please."

"As long as she can keep pace with you, anything is acceptable."

Ning Qingyun hurried over as well.

"Yes, yes, yes, I leave my Ning Tian to you as well, Xiao An."

She patted her ample chest, causing a slight tremor, her face brimming with confidence.

"As for the academy, leave it entirely to our Seven Treasure Glazed Sect."

"Spirit Transmission Academy, was it?"

"Within ten days."

"My Seven Treasure Glazed Sect will absolutely have it built."

"We will build it even more perfectly than Shrek Academy."

As she spoke, she lifted her chin slightly, her eyes gleaming.

Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect had declined somewhat, if she claimed to be the second wealthiest in the world, no one would dare claim the first.

Did they not understand the sheer weight of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect?

Gu An watched her pumped-up demeanor, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

He hadn't expected it to be even simpler than he had planned.

He nodded.

"Fine, then I'll leave it to you both."

"We can discuss other matters once the academy is built."

Ning Qingyun nodded repeatedly, her head bobbing like a chick pecking at rice.

"Yes, yes, yes."

"I will send word to Ning Tian and the others immediately, telling them to return as quickly as possible."

Wu Yunshan nodded vigorously beside her.

"Exactly, exactly. This old man will go write a letter right now."

"I'll tell that wretched girl Wu Feng to get back here at once."

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination; whether the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect could rise again depended entirely on this opportunity.