Ning Fengzhi's Gift, Bringing Old Jack to Enjoy His Later Years

Ning Rongrong's small courtyard.

A white jade table stood in the courtyard, covered with steaming dishes.

An earthenware pot simmered with old mountain ginseng and century-old lingzhi, its rich medicinal fragrance filling the entire courtyard.

Ning Rongrong held a small silver spoon and filled a bowl to the brim with medicinal soup before pushing it directly in front of Gu Feng.

"Drink up. I personally watched over this in the sect's back kitchen, simmering it slowly over a low flame. It's excellent for replenishing your blood and vital energy."

Gu Feng picked up the bowl and took a sip. The medicinal soup was warm and sweet on his tongue, its immense medicinal power spreading down his throat.

"It really does taste good. Rongrong, you put a lot of thought into this."

Ning Rongrong propped her cheek up with one hand, poking at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks as she looked at him with a grin.

"Of course. With this young lady personally overseeing things, how would those chefs dare slack off?"

She placed a piece of tender venison into Gu Feng's bowl, then suddenly recalled something. Setting down her chopsticks, she slapped her forehead.

"Oh, right. We were so busy dealing with Grandpa Bone that we seem to have forgotten about Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Gu Feng swallowed the medicinal meal in his mouth and replied,

"We were tested by His Excellency Bone Douluo as soon as we arrived today, then I was busy stabilizing my breath and breaking through. It was normal that we didn't get a chance to mention it. We can speak to Uncle Ning tomorrow."

Ning Rongrong nodded in agreement and picked up her spoon to continue drinking soup.

"That's true. The academy is in Heaven Dou City anyway, so there's no need to rush."

The two chatted as they ate, and the dishes on the stone table were soon picked clean.

Just as the servants finished clearing away the empty bowls and plates, faint footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

Dressed in a moon-white robe, Ning Fengzhi entered the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

"Little Feng, have you gotten used to living here? If there's anything you lack, just have the servants procure it."

Gu Feng rose to his feet and bowed.

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Ning. The side room is spacious and very comfortable."

Ning Fengzhi walked over to the stone table and sat down, gesturing for Gu Feng to sit as well.

After sitting down, Gu Feng sorted through his thoughts. Ning Fengzhi had certainly investigated his background. After all, his Martial Soul had awakened under a Spirit Hall deacon, so Spirit Hall naturally had it on record.

He had relied entirely on Grandpa Jack's support to grow up, and had only entered Notting Academy through the village's work-study student quota.

Now that he had chosen to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and use its resources to grow stronger as soon as possible, it was time to bring Grandpa Jack over and let him enjoy his later years in comfort.

Gu Feng looked at Ning Fengzhi and said,

"Uncle Ning, you should have already sent people to investigate my background records."

Ning Fengzhi did not hide it and frankly replied, "It is customary for the sect to conduct an investigation when accepting core disciples. There was no intention to offend you."

Gu Feng nodded to show his understanding, then continued,

"This junior is an orphan and grew up living off the kindness of others."

"Old Jack, the village chief of Holy Soul Village, treated me like his own grandson. Without his frugal support, I would not have lived to this day."

"Now that I have received Uncle Ning's favor and joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, this junior has an unreasonable request."

Ning Fengzhi responded warmly,

"Go ahead."

Gu Feng said directly,

"This junior wishes to bring Grandpa Jack to a town under the sect's jurisdiction so he can spend his old age in peace. May I ask if Uncle Ning would permit it?"

The smile on Ning Fengzhi's face became more pronounced.

"Repaying kindness and valuing loyalty and affection—this is a great virtue. Why would I refuse?"

"You needn't concern yourself with this matter. Tonight, I will send a sect deacon to lead a team to Notting City and bring the old man here safely in the most comfortable carriage."

"Then we will assign him a separate courtyard at an estate directly under the sect and arrange several attentive servants to care for his daily needs. He certainly will not suffer the slightest grievance."

Gu Feng clasped his hands again in thanks.

"Thank you, Uncle Ning, for granting my request."

With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect caring for Old Jack, he would no longer have to worry about food or clothing within the Heaven Dou Empire. Gu Feng's lingering concerns were completely gone as well.

The future held only one path: becoming stronger!

Stronger still!

Ning Fengzhi raised a hand and brushed the Storage Soul Tool at his waist. More than a dozen large medicine packets sealed in oiled paper suddenly appeared on the stone table.

"These are medicinal bath packets specially prepared by the sect's medicine hall. They contain more than a dozen premium herbs that strengthen the foundation and nourish vitality."

"Starting tonight, prepare one packet each evening for a bath. It will dissolve the fatigue in your meridians caused by intense training to the greatest extent and greatly help strengthen your foundation."

"In addition, there is a wind-element imitation cultivation chamber exclusively for you at the rear mountain. The craftsmen are working urgently on its modifications, and it will be fully completed by tomorrow morning."

Gu Feng looked at the valuable medicine packets on the table and thanked him sincerely.

"Uncle Ning, you have gone to great trouble. This junior will certainly cultivate twice as hard and not disappoint the sect's high expectations."

Ning Rongrong, who sat beside him, quietly tugged at Gu Feng's sleeve with two fingers.

Gu Feng understood and smoothly brought up the matter of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

"Uncle Ning, after our match at the Great Soul Arena today, Qin Ming, the teacher leading the Imperial Fighting Team, approached us of his own accord."

"He invited Rongrong and me to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy and represent the Imperial Fighting Team in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament two years from now."

"May I ask what Uncle Ning thinks of this matter?"

After hearing this, Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily.

"Qin Ming certainly has a sharp eye."

He turned to Ning Rongrong and lightly tapped her forehead with an outstretched finger.

"I repeatedly urged you to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and study diligently, but you kept finding one excuse after another and even secretly slipped out of the sect to wander around."

"Now, with Gu Feng accompanying you, I can finally put my mind at ease."

Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue at her father and retorted coquettishly.

"That was because I didn't know anyone there before. Having to face those aristocratic brats spouting fake pleasantries every day was utterly unbearable."

"Now that Gu Feng is going with me, if anyone dares provoke me, I'll have Gu Feng beat them up for me."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a helpless smile.

"You little girl, always thinking of relying on others."

His smile faded as he turned to Gu Feng.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the empire's highest institution of learning. Not only does it have every kind of imitation environment, but three elders at the Soul Douluo level preside over its Education Committee."

"You will also be able to spar and exchange insights with Soul Masters of your generation while cultivating there."

"I approve of this matter. Tomorrow, I will have a convoy under the sect send you to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to enroll."

Gu Feng nodded in acceptance. "Thank you, Uncle Ning."

Ning Fengzhi stood, smoothed his robe, and teasingly glanced at the two sitting together before leaving.

"Alright, it's getting late. You two are close in age, so chat more often and get along well."

"I won't stay here and disturb you two any longer."

With that, Ning Fengzhi left the small courtyard with light steps.

The moment the courtyard gate closed, Ning Rongrong skipped over to Gu Feng in two steps and planted her hands on her hips.

"Hey, Gu Feng, my father has prepared the best medicinal herbs and imitation environment for you. You can't slack off from now on!"

Gu Feng casually grabbed a medicine packet from the table and headed toward his eastern side room.

"Don't worry. When it comes to cultivation, I'm far more disciplined than you."

"You should hurry up and cultivate so you can break through soon!"

Ning Rongrong stomped her feet behind him in anger. "Hmph! So what if your Soul Power is high? This young lady isn't a pushover either. Just you wait!"