Ning Rongrong

"I appreciate Sect Master Ning's kindness. As for marriage, forget it. I fear I would only hold the young lady back."

No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps sounded from the side door of the hall.

A little girl of six or seven ran out from behind the screen.

She wore an exquisite dress, her skin fair, and she was fiddling with a hidden weapon in her hand.

She was none other than Ning Rongrong, the treasured pearl of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Father, Grandpa Sword!"

Ignoring the atmosphere in the hall, the little girl ran straight to Chen Xin's side.

Seeing Chen Xin's pale complexion, she frowned.

"Grandpa Sword, why do you look so terrible? Did someone bully you?"

Chen Xin forced a faint smile and reached out to rub the girl's hair.

"It's nothing. I merely loosened up a little just now, and my blood and qi haven't settled yet."

Ning Fengzhi coughed lightly, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.

"Rongrong, don't be rude. We have guests at home. Come over and greet our distinguished guest."

Ning Fengzhi turned toward the young man in azure robes seated opposite him, his gentle smile still in place.

"Young Master Su, your earlier remarks were rather prejudiced. Rongrong has been intelligent since childhood and possesses innate soul power rank nine. The sect has placed great hopes in her. Why not get to know each other first? It never hurts for young people to spend more time together and learn about each other's temperament."

Ning Rongrong turned around and scrutinized Su Chen from head to toe as he sat in his chair.

Her gaze was full of disdain.

"You're Su Chen?"

"I heard you behind the door just now. You look down on me?"

Su Chen did not even raise his eyelids.

"I merely fear I would hold the young lady back."

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened as fury instantly surged onto her face.

"I haven't even said no, and you dared reject me first?"

"I'm the future heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! There are thousands of people in the sect—who would dare say a single word of refusal to me?"

"Who do you think you are, acting wild on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's territory?"

A small pagoda shimmering with seven-colored light appeared in her palm.

"Look carefully! The number one support martial soul in the world! Countless noble prodigies in the Heaven Dou Empire line up to enter the gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect just for a chance to look at me. Father offering me to you is a blessing you've cultivated for several lifetimes, yet you dare despise me?"

Su Chen glanced at the seven-colored pagoda and curled his lips in mockery.

"Number one in the world?"

Ning Rongrong trembled with rage and pointed at Su Chen's nose.

"Grandpa Sword, teach this arrogant bastard a lesson! Throw him out!"

Chen Xin remained where he was and did not draw his sword.

"Rongrong, step back."

His tone was stern, stripped of its usual indulgence.

Ning Rongrong froze, disbelief written all over her face.

Since childhood, Grandpa Sword had never spoken to her in such a tone.

"Grandpa Sword..."

Ning Fengzhi realized that the situation was slipping out of control.

"Young Master Su, children speak without restraint. Ning has absolutely no intention of forcing you. I merely cherish talent and wished to bring about a fine match..."

Xue Qinghe suddenly rose from his seat, cutting him off before he could finish.

"Sect Master Ning."

"Su Chen is someone the Crown Prince's Residence has recruited."

"We came today to discuss martial soul theory and explore the path of cultivation, not to arrange a marriage."

"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wants to force a woman upon someone, it should at least see whether the other party is willing to accept. Such forced political marriages are truly beneath the dignity of the number one sect in the world."

Ning Fengzhi was slightly startled.

Having served as the crown prince's grand tutor for so many years, Xue Qinghe had always been respectful, smooth, and cautious in his dealings.

He had never seen the crown prince display such sharpness.

Xue Qinghe stepped forward, placing himself between Su Chen and Ning Rongrong.

"It is getting late, and the Crown Prince's Residence still has official matters to handle. We cannot stay long. Farewell."

He did not wait for any words of persuasion.

Xue Qinghe turned and walked toward the hall's exit.

"Let's go."

Su Chen rose to his feet, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Sect Master Ning, think carefully before deciding what to do about the flaw in your martial soul. The path has already been pointed out. Whether to take it is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's choice."

The two figures walked out of the gates of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one after the other.

Ning Rongrong's eyes reddened, tears welling up within them.

"Father! You just stood there and watched outsiders humiliate your daughter like that? Why didn't you stop him?"

Ning Fengzhi rubbed his aching temples, his face weary.

"Shut up."

"I have spoiled you too much and made you unable to understand propriety. Go receive your punishment at once. You are confined for one month and may not leave your room without permission!"

Ning Rongrong covered her mouth and ran out of the hall crying.

Only Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin remained in the hall.

"Uncle Sword, that sword strike just now..."

Chen Xin let out a long sigh.

"This old man lost."

"In a clash of sword intents, mine crumbled at the first touch."

"That youth's sword intent held no killing intent, yet it carried a pressure like one suspended above the nine heavens, looking down upon all living beings."

Ning Fengzhi looked troubled.

"He is only six years old."

"Yet he could directly repel even Uncle Sword's sword intent."

"And he could see through the hidden flaw of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda at a glance."

"This has already surpassed the realm of genius."

Chen Xin's expression was grave.

"Fengzhi, put away those thoughts of recruitment and calculation."

"A monster like him is not someone the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can control. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's attitude was also highly unusual. For this youth, he was even willing to discard years of pretense."

Ning Fengzhi looked toward the empty doorway.

"Rongrong, I hope you will grow closer to Young Master Su. At the very least, do not become his enemy."

Inside the carriage on the return journey.

The carriage was utterly silent.

The atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

Xue Qinghe sat opposite him.

Her cheeks were tense.

Su Chen picked up the teapot, poured a cup of warm tea, and pushed it before her.

He spoke first, breaking the silence.

"What happened to the refined and gentle demeanor of the crown prince in the hall just now?"

"You directly rebuked your nominal teacher. Aren't you afraid Prince Xue Xing will make an issue of it?"

Xue Qinghe turned her head, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is wealthy and powerful. They were even willing to offer up their treasured daughter as a bargaining chip. Faced with such temptation, you weren't moved?"

Su Chen chuckled.

"Are you jealous?"

A faint blush crept over Xue Qinghe's ears.

"Who's jealous? I simply didn't want to see Spirit Hall's Holy Son deceived by such trifling benefits."

Su Chen leaned forward.

"No matter how precious the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda is, it is only an incomplete product."

"Ning Fengzhi's calculations were written all over his face. Recruiting me would be nothing more than turning me into a high-level guard for the sect."

"The girl raised by someone like that is selfish and spoiled. I have not the slightest interest in her."

Xue Qinghe's expression eased somewhat.

"You really left no room for courtesy."

"I wonder what sort of person could catch His Highness the Holy Son's eye?"

Su Chen reached out, pulled her into his arms, and exposed her little thoughts.

The sudden contact made Xue Qinghe's body stiffen instantly.

She instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but he held it firmly.

"How could all the mediocre beauties in the world compare to even one ten-thousandth of my Renxue?"

It was an overbearing promise.

Those words struck the deepest part of her soul.

Her cheeks quickly grew hot, flushing red.

Her heartbeat accelerated beyond her control.

"In the Heaven Dou Imperial City, walls have ears. Mention my real name less often."

She neither denied nor admitted it.

Su Chen did not care.

"What is there to fear? Before long, even the imperial throne of the Heaven Dou Empire will be yours."

"And yet you, the dignified young master of Spirit Hall, lost your composure because Ning Fengzhi tried to offer you a woman."

"If the Great Consecrated Elder of the Hall of Consecrated Elders found out, his jaw would probably drop."

Xue Qinghe turned her head away.

"Shut up. Say another word, and I'll throw you out of the Crown Prince's Residence tonight."

She allowed him to hold her wrist, utterly falling for him.

Seeing that he had pushed far enough, Su Chen released her hand and leaned back against the soft cushion.

"Let's talk business."

"Ning Fengzhi now knows of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda's flaw. He will certainly devote all his energy to finding a way to replenish its origin."

"Next, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's focus will shift. For the time being, they will not interfere in the struggle between the Crown Prince's Residence and Xue Xing."

Xue Qinghe took a deep breath and forcibly pulled her thoughts back on track.

"Xue Xing has lost control of the Royal Academy, and Dugu Bo has switched sides. He is now completely isolated and helpless."

"Should we close the net directly?"

Su Chen shook his head.

"A cornered beast will still fight."

"An old fox like Xue Xing, who has spent his life rolling around in the arena of power, is capable of anything once driven into a corner."

"Over the next few days, strengthen the hidden sentries around the Crown Prince's Residence. Let's see what kind of waves this old fox can still stir up before he dies."

Xue Qinghe nodded.

"Understood."

"After returning tonight, continue cultivating the Divine Art. Only by raising your cultivation will you have enough say in matters."