Both Parties Discuss, Swords Drawn and Bowed

Three days passed since Ning Rongrong was released.

Xu Peinian arrived before a luxurious courtyard.

Ning Rongrong was no longer as lively as before, sitting quietly by the window with her knees clutched to her chest, her eyes harboring an unerasable sorrow.

Having been abandoned by her own friends and teachers, then seized and terrified and tormented by him, even the most proud and willful young miss would lower her lofty head.

Xu Peinian walked into the courtyard at a leisurely pace, pushed open her room door, came to stand beside Ning Rongrong, and kept his gaze calm and undisturbed.

"Miss Ning, are you satisfied with life these past two days?"

To Ning Rongrong, the gentle voice sounded like a devil's whisper, startling her so much that her whole body gave a shudder.

"I... I'm satisfied."

How could she dare say she was unsatisfied? In case she said the wrong thing, this demon would bully her again.

"As long as you're satisfied. As long as Miss Ning obediently cooperates with us, naturally we won't treat you unfairly."

Pausing for a moment, Xu Peinian continued to guide her step by step:

"Look, after such a long time, those partners and teachers of yours haven't even come to rescue you. They weren't even willing to send word to your father; your father probably still doesn't know your situation."

"An academy that is so irresponsible and casually discards its students is simply not worth a heaven-chosen proud daughter like Miss Ning condescending to stay any longer. How could you ever experience such poor treatment here on Spirit Hall's side?"

A trace of fluctuation appeared in the depths of Ning Rongrong's eyes, which was precisely captured by Xu Peinian, so he seized the moment to fan the flames:

"I've already sent someone to notify Sect Master Ning, asking him to come visit his daughter and incidentally discuss matters of cooperation. Moreover, Miss Ning can rest assured that in the future you can enter Spirit Hall Academy to continue your studies, enjoying the best resources and most outstanding teaching staff, and you will never suffer such grievances again."

As Xu Peinian spoke, he reached out to stroke the top of her head, completely playing the part of a caring, understanding older brother.

Yet Ning Rongrong shrank her body even tighter, as if it stirred up bad memories for her.

"Did you hear me, Miss Ning?"

A subtle change appeared in Xu Peinian's tone, and like a conditioned reflex, Ning Rongrong quickly nodded.

"Mm, I... I heard you."

The submissive tone carried a slight tremor, which fully showed just how terrified she was of Xu Peinian.

Xu Peinian couldn't be bothered whether she truly agreed or was merely superficially compromising; as long as she took his words to heart, he had achieved his goal.

You can maintain your guard against my Spirit Hall, but you must no longer hold any favorable feelings toward that Shrek side.

Clinging to such a belief, Xu Peinian left the courtyard.

After a while, Xu Peinian summoned Zhu Zhuqing to keep Ning Rongrong company in her daily life.

Nominally, it was out of fear that Miss Ning would feel lonely and scared living alone, but in reality, it was to let Zhu Zhuqing subtly instill the notion of growing close to Spirit Hall into Ning Rongrong.

Xu Peinian had played the bad cop, and Ning Rongrong would surely be on guard against him, so having Zhu Zhuqing play the good cop would yield an even better effect.

Another three days passed.

Early this morning, Xu Peinian arrived at this luxurious courtyard once again.

He had already notified Ning Rongrong beforehand that her father would come today, telling her to make preparations in advance.

Inside the courtyard, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were talking and laughing about something, and it was plainly visible that her mood was much better than it had been during the previous period.

They didn't even notice Xu Peinian's arrival.

"Miss Ning, what happy things are you two chatting about? Can you share them with me?"

Hearing this familiar voice, Ning Rongrong was visibly startled, her entire body nearly jumping up.

"Can't you give a heads-up before you come? You scared Rongrong."

Zhu Zhuqing did not know what Xu Peinian had done to Ning Rongrong, simply assuming that Xu Peinian's sudden appearance had given Ning Rongrong a fright.

"Hehe, I'll pay attention next time. Miss Ning, let's go; your father and the others have been here for a while, and we should set out to meet them."

"Alright."

Looking at this obedient and sensible demeanor, one could not tell at all that Ning Rongrong used to be a pampered young miss; one would only think she was a well-bred young lady from some distinguished family.

"Zhuqing, are you coming along?"

"I won't go meddle in your serious business."

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, declining Xu Peinian's invitation.

Xu Peinian did not force her either, directly calling for Ning Rongrong to head out together.

He couldn't keep the distinguished guest (fat sheep) waiting too long.

The Spirit Hall Reception Hall.

At this moment, two groups of people were seated separately inside the hall.

Led by Ning Fengzhi, the party from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was seated on the western side.

Meanwhile, Golden Crocodile Douluo and the other hosts sat on the eastern side facing west, yet the central portion of that row of seats remained empty, as if a heavyweight figure had yet to arrive.

An oppressive silence filled the room.

A tense atmosphere permeated the air.

Not until two figures drew slowly closer outside the door did this atmosphere lessen slightly.

Both sides looked toward the arrivals, especially Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who could not help letting out long sighs of relief when they saw their precious apple of the eye safe and sound.

"Xiao Nian, you're here."

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at Xu Peinian and Ning Rongrong stepping through the door, greeting them with lukewarm indifference.

Before outsiders, he naturally had to maintain his air of authority, using it to deter the people opposite on behalf of this kid Xu Peinian.

"Mm, Teacher, Grandpa Golden Crocodile, we have arrived."

Xu Peinian nodded toward Golden Crocodile and Qian Jun Douluo, then led Ning Rongrong to take their seats.

This action caused Ning Fengzhi on the opposite side to knit his brows tightly.

"This little brother must be Xu Peinian?"

The corners of Xu Peinian's lips curved upward; the other party was showing excessive concern and could no longer hold back.

"Peinian greets Sect Master Ning," Xu Peinian gave a cupped-fist salute, then slowly opened his mouth, "Inviting Sect Master Ning to Spirit Hall this time is, first, to lay the foundation for both forces to establish a sound cooperative relationship down the road, and second, to have brought Miss Ning back for you a few days ago so that you could come see her and set your mind at ease."

"What do you mean?"

Hearing Xu Peinian's latter half sentence, Ning Fengzhi's expression turned somewhat unsightly.

This kid clearly intended to keep Rongrong at Spirit Hall as a hostage and had no intention of sending her back at all.

"Sect Master Ning, stay your impatience. Why not first listen to your daughter's own true thoughts?"

With that, Xu Peinian cast a glance toward Ning Rongrong.

Not daring to display the slightest unusual emotion, Ning Rongrong could only obediently say to her father and Sword Grandpa:

"Dad, Sword Grandpa, I think staying to study at Spirit Hall Academy is actually quite good, at least much better than being at that Shrek Academy which abandoned me."

"Rongrong, did they threaten you? Go ahead and speak boldly without worry; your dad and I and your Sword Grandpa will back you up."

Ning Fengzhi's expression was solemn, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin beside him even faintly released the pressure belonging to a ninety-seventh-tier Peak Douluo.

Upon seeing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo on this side similarly released his pressure in response.

Right here in their Spirit Hall's territory, could they allow an outsider to overshadow their momentum?

Seeing that the gunpowder smell between both sides was growing thicker by the moment, feeling as though a fight would break out the next second, Ning Rongrong's voice came from the side:

"Dad, Sword Grandpa, wait!"