Ning Rongrong continued along that line of thought. "After the Soul Master Tournament ended, I returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and helped Father handle sect affairs. At first, I didn't understand many things. I couldn't even make sense of the entries in those documents, but I gradually adapted."
She paused, as though confirming whether her wording was appropriate. "Father had me take over some external liaison work: correspondence with various factions, as well as coordinating material allocations. At first, I was very slow. I had to read a single letter over and over before I dared write a reply. Later, once I got used to it, I became a little faster."
Ge Duo listened without interrupting. She merely lifted her teacup for an occasional sip, unhurried and composed, as though using her own method to determine whether Ning Rongrong's words concealed any other meaning.
As Ning Rongrong reached the end, her tone shifted slightly. "Teacher Ge Duo, there is actually one more matter I wanted to discuss with you during this visit."
Ge Duo's hand holding the teacup did not move. She merely raised her eyelids slightly, signaling for her to continue.
Ning Rongrong's gaze rested on Ge Duo's face for a moment. "Father asked me to ask you whether the pill cooperation between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and you... can be established again?"
The wind in the courtyard seemed to soften slightly at that moment.
The leaves of the plants by the wall stopped swaying, as if they too were awaiting her answer.
Ge Duo set down her teacup. The cup's base made an extremely faint, crisp sound against the table.
She leaned back in her chair. A knowing glimmer flashed through her dark green eyes, as though at a point in time she