"Grandpa Gu, Dad, I want to go too! Please take me with you."
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were just about to leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect when Ning Rongrong, its notorious Little Demoness, stopped them.
Dressed in a sky-blue princess gown, Ning Rongrong scrunched up her adorable face and shook Ning Fengzhi's arm, pleading with him.
"You little troublemaker. We're going to the Crown Prince's Residence on important business today. What would you do there?"
Ning Fengzhi had quite a headache over his Little Demoness. Who in the sect, from top to bottom, hadn't been tormented by her? She hadn't earned that nickname for nothing.
And with her being the sect master's daughter, protected by two grandfathers who were Titled Douluo, who would dare stand up to her?
"Oh, come on, Fengzhi. If Rongrong wants to come, let her."
"What's the harm? Besides, that boy Yun Chen is about her age. They should get to know each other."
"Taking Rongrong along could help us build a closer relationship with him."
At that, Ning Rongrong threw her arms around Gu Rong's arm and showered him with affection. He was utterly charmed, his grin growing wider.
"Well... But..."
Ning Fengzhi still had reservations. Rongrong had been spoiled since childhood, and with her troublemaking nature, what if she couldn't get along with Yun Chen at the Crown Prince's Residence?
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll behave."
Ning Rongrong knew her father well enough to see what was bothering him at a glance.
She immediately straightened up, dropping her playful grin for a perfectly proper expression. She even looked at Ning Fengzhi with a hint of hurt in her eyes.
Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes so pitifully that Gu Rong's heart nearly melted. Seeing that Ning Fengzhi still hadn't agreed, he grew impatient.
"Fengzhi, that's enough."
"Rongrong promised you. Don't you trust her?"
"All right, all right. Rongrong, you mustn't cause trouble."
In the end, Ning Fengzhi couldn't outlast Gu Rong and Ning Rongrong's persistence. He had no choice but to let her come.
Hehe, it worked!
Let's see whether that Yun Chen boy is really so amazing.
Grandpa and Dad are both making such a fuss over him.
Hmph! I hear he's a genius with Innate Full Soul Power. I'm no worse. If support-type soul masters could have Innate Full Soul Power, I'd have it too.
The Little Demoness clearly hadn't changed her ways. Not yet, at least.
She had insisted on going to the Crown Prince's Residence because she had somehow learned that her grandfather and father had both been paying attention to a genius staying there.
What was more, the genius was her age, and even the servants were saying he was more talented than she was.
How could Ning Rongrong, the cherished darling everyone praised for her exceptional talent, put up with that? Today, she would see what Yun Chen was really capable of.
Hmph! Just you wait!
Meanwhile, Yun Chen had no idea a certain Little Demoness had set her sights on him. At that moment, he was cultivating on a small bed in the study of the Crown Prince's Residence.
Beside him, Qian Renxue was bent over the desk, reviewing documents.
"Xue'er, why do you think Sect Master Ning suddenly wants to visit in such a hurry?"
After finishing his cultivation, Yun Chen looked over at Qian Renxue and asked curiously.
"Isn't it obvious? He's coming for you, little Chen."
Qian Renxue answered casually in a gentle voice without stopping her work. But Yun Chen noticed her troubled expression and faint frown. He couldn't tell what was on her mind.
A moment's thought was enough for Yun Chen to understand the real purpose of Ning Fengzhi's visit. After all, the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were supposed to help each other. Otherwise, Ning Fengzhi would never have become Xue Qinghe's teacher.
As someone with the potential to become a Titled Douluo, Yun Chen was bound to attract the sect's attention. A visit to win him over early was hardly surprising.
But Yun Chen wasn't from the Heaven Dou Empire. He belonged to Spirit Hall, which made any attempt to win him over rather awkward...
"Ning Fengzhi is certainly coming to win you over today. But little Chen, don't forget that you belong to Spirit Hall. Don't get too close to them."
"And that old man Xue Ye won't want you getting too close to them either."
With those words, Qian Renxue laid bare the delicate relationship between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Their mutual support was mostly for Spirit Hall to see, like cattle and sheep gathering in a herd to scare off a lion or tiger.
But if the lion or tiger actually pounced, the herd would scatter.
Hadn't that been exactly what happened when the Upper Three Sects were attacked in the original story? Setting aside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was very close to Heaven Dou City, and the battle had lasted quite some time. Surely the Heaven Dou Empire could have sent at least some reinforcements.
Unless the Heaven Dou Empire simply hadn't wanted to.
"I know, Xue'er."
"Good. I'm glad you understand. Don't worry, though. I'm here."
That afternoon, the crown prince brought Yun Chen and a group of servants to the entrance early to await the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's carriage.
After all, Ning Fengzhi was publicly Xue Qinghe's teacher. However unwilling Qian Renxue might be, she had to show him the proper respect—or at least give no one grounds to gossip.
Qian Renxue was in a fairly good mood today. Using what Yun Chen had said as her justification, she had cleared everyone who wasn't loyal to her out of the residence.
"Teacher, you've arrived."
As soon as the carriage arrived, Qian Renxue stepped forward and gently helped Ning Fengzhi down.
"Your Excellency Bone Douluo, welcome."
"Rongrong, you're here too. It's been a long time."
"Haha, Qinghe, you've grown steadier still. Excellent. You're beginning to carry yourself like a future ruler."
"You flatter me. I owe it all to your guidance, Teacher."
Watching from the side, Yun Chen couldn't help but wonder how much fifteen-year-old Qian Renxue had endured to become so tactful and composed.
In his previous life, Yun Chen could manage a few polite words with his elders at fifteen, but that was all. He had never been so warm, nor could he put people so completely at ease.
"This must be young Yun Chen?"
Ning Fengzhi turned the conversation to Yun Chen, and everyone looked his way. Yun Chen didn't mind. Lately, he had grown used to being put on display like this.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Your Excellency Bone Douluo. I'm Yun Chen."
"Excellent. Such composure at your age, with an open manner and a confident bearing."
Ning Fengzhi began by heaping praise on Yun Chen, who merely smiled without replying.
"Indeed. The boy is full of vitality and has Innate Full Soul Power. He ought to find a Titled Douluo to be his teacher."
Bone Douluo made it sound like an idle observation, but the purpose of their visit was now plain.
Qian Renxue's brows drew together almost imperceptibly. Yun Chen remained calm, as if he had missed the implication, but inwardly he felt a flicker of distaste.
So the old man really did come to make me his disciple.
I'm from Spirit Hall, and publicly, I'm a future pillar of the Heaven Dou Empire. How could I take someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as my master?
On Douluo Continent, becoming someone's disciple is a serious commitment, especially when they teach you cultivation. A teacher for a day is a father for life.
If I agreed today, what would happen when our interests clashed tomorrow?
"Come, Teacher. Let's talk in the meeting hall. I'll have the servants prepare dinner, and tonight we can drink to our hearts' content."
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