Ning Rongrong and Tianlin's Bond (1)

On a night with a bright moon and sparse stars, in the Orchard Grove of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Tianlin emerged from within with a broad smile, looking utterly refreshed by a joyous occasion.

"Feels great. I may not have gotten dinner, but I'm in a good mood. Time to head back and continue meditating!"

Tianlin left, while inside the grove, Ning Rongrong lay on the ground with tears all over her face, clutching her sore little backside and gritting her teeth. "Damn it, what an utter humiliation! I will definitely avenge this!"

Meanwhile, the four others who had been sealed in ice were communicating through their eyes.

Three of them looked at Gu Ran, their meaning obvious. "Boss, the Little Princess has been bullied. What should we do?"

Gu Ran shot them a look in return. "What do you mean, what should we do? The question is, what can we do? Can't you see I'm frozen too and can't get out? Who knows how long until the sun comes up? I'm freezing to death here—achoo!"

The next morning, Tianlin awoke from meditation and was summoned to the Main Hall by a disciple as soon as he got up.

Inside the Main Hall, Ning Fengzhi sat silently in the sect master's seat with a stern expression. Ning Rongrong and the four disciples from the night before were kneeling before him.

The four looked deeply ashamed, while Ning Rongrong was both unconvinced and aggrieved.

Still not understanding what had happened, Tianlin asked Ning Fengzhi, "Uncle Ning, what's going on with them?"

"Xiao Tian, I already know what happened last night. I spoiled Rongrong too much. I apologize to you on her behalf," Ning Fengzhi said.

Ning Fengzhi knew?

Tianlin could not help wondering who had told him. He glanced at Ning Rongrong. Surely this little fool had not told him herself?

If so, he really would have to question Ning Rongrong's intelligence.

Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluo loved Ning Rongrong dearly, but that did not mean they would allow her to make a mistake of principle. Bringing several teenagers to gang up on a fellow junior disciple who was only six years old—how could she even do something like that?

What angered Ning Fengzhi even more was that she had actually come to him to complain. How was that any different from turning herself in? Under the intimidation of the two Douluo, her four subordinates did not dare conceal a thing and confessed everything in one go.

Well then, she had come to complain after losing a four-against-one fight. He, Ning Fengzhi, was so wise—why was his daughter's intelligence nothing like his? Was she really his biological daughter? "Uncle Ning, Rongrong is still young. It's normal for her to be immature, so please don't be angry. Besides, I already taught her a lesson last night." Tianlin did not want Ning Rongrong to be punished again. Otherwise, would she not put the entire blame on him? He was not afraid of her, but she was troublesome.

Ning Fengzhi tapped the Sect Master Scepter in his hand angrily. "Hmph, how could once be enough? Xiao Tian, Uncle Ning would like to ask you for a favor. From now on, how about you help us discipline Rongrong?"

"What, me?" Tianlin's eyes widened. He did not want to invite trouble, yet Ning Fengzhi was dumping the biggest trouble of all directly on him.

"That's right. You've seen it yourself. In the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, no one but you can manage her. The older generation dotes on her far too much, while the younger generation doesn't dare defy her. Only you would completely disregard her status," Ning Fengzhi sighed.

"No, Dad! He'll spank me!" Ning Rongrong turned pale with fright. The moment she thought of last night, her backside began to ache faintly again.

But Ning Fengzhi was truly angry this time and ignored her completely. Ning Rongrong could only turn to the two grandfathers who loved her most for help.

Gu Rong could not bear it and took a bottle of medicine from his robes. "Rongrong, if Fengzhi doesn't love you, Grandpa does. Here, take this medicine. Whenever Tianlin spanks you in the future, apply it yourself afterward. You'll be better soon."

Ning Rongrong looked at the medicine bottle in her hand, not knowing what to say. This is what you call loving me? This medicine is practically an Imperial Decree giving Tianlin permission to spank me whenever he wants.

"Sword Grandpa!" Ning Rongrong's final hope was Chen Xin.

"I am the sword; man and sword are one!"

Sword Douluo was even more ruthless. He actually used a Self-Created Soul Skill, transforming directly into a sharp sword and cutting himself off from all things in the world.

What did you say, my precious Rongrong? Grandpa can't hear you. And if I can't hear you, I can't help you.

That was what Sword Douluo meant.

"Fine, it's decided. Pass down the order: from now on, every command Rongrong gives to sect disciples must be approved by Xiao Tian. Without Xiao Tian's approval, no one needs to obey her orders." In the end, Ning Fengzhi made the final decision, placing a heavy shackle upon Ning Rongrong's willfulness.

It seemed there was no way to refuse. Tianlin could only clasp his hands and say, "Uncle Ning, since that is the case, leave Rongrong to me. I'll take good care of her."

With that, Tianlin left the Main Hall with the sulking Ning Rongrong. The other disciples also withdrew. They were to receive punishment as well, though it was not too severe—they merely had to clean the Outer Sect Disciple Dormitory of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

At that moment, Chen Xin awoke from meditation and said, "Fengzhi, I hope Rongrong and Xiao Tian can understand your good intentions."

"Mm." Ning Fengzhi nodded.

In his heart, Tianlin was the future Sect Protecting Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, while Ning Rongrong would inherit the position of sect master. Therefore, their relationship had to be good—good enough that they could entrust their backs to one another.

It would not be bad if they even became husband and wife. With Tianlin's talent, he was more than worthy of Ning Rongrong. Although the two appeared to have some friction now, in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, it was merely childish squabbling.

Feelings could be cultivated gradually. This was the true reason Ning Fengzhi had entrusted Ning Rongrong to Tianlin's care.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo understood this as well, which was why they had not stopped him. Otherwise, given how much they spoiled Ning Rongrong, how could they bear to let her suffer even the slightest grievance?

Elsewhere, Tianlin brought Ning Rongrong back to his courtyard. From now on, the room beside his would be hers.

"Hey, what are we doing now?" Ning Rongrong asked.

"In the morning, I practice swordsmanship while you practice Heart Separation Control, the inherited secret technique of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. In the afternoon, we study Soul Master theory. At night, we meditate. Every day will be like this from now on!" Tianlin told her his plan.

Ning Rongrong's head swelled after hearing it. "Heavens, then my entire day will be gone! I want to go out and play. Right now!"

"No. Since Uncle Ning entrusted you to me, I have to take responsibility. If you don't behave, then I'll..." As Tianlin spoke, his gaze drifted behind her.

Ning Rongrong hurriedly covered her backside and backed away. "No! It still hurts from yesterday. You're awful! Fine, if I can't play, then I won't!"

She angrily found a spot to sit down. This was her silent protest. I won't go out, but I won't cultivate either. What can you do to me?

"How about this? Let's both take a step back and implement a vacation schedule. Every seven days, you'll cultivate diligently for the first five days, and I'll give you the last two days off." Tianlin crouched in front of her with a smile.

He had never truly intended to make Ning Rongrong cultivate bitterly like him every day. That was unrealistic for a child. Balancing work and rest was necessary too.

But the so-called strategy of asking for the sky and bargaining on the ground meant that Tianlin had proposed harsh conditions from the start to give Ning Rongrong a stick before offering her a sweet date.

Sure enough, six-year-old Ning Rongrong, still innocent and carefree, was tempted. "Really?"

Tianlin nodded. "Otherwise, let's pinky swear! But let's make this clear first: your days off are only during the day. Nighttime meditation cannot be skipped, because Soul Power is the foundation of everything. You can't slack off for even one day!"

"Deal!" Ning Rongrong held out her little finger and hooked it with Tianlin's.

This was the beginning of the bond between the two future gods of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.