Ning Fengzhi's Deception

Just as the family was deep in discussion, someone suddenly came to the door with word that Ning Fengzhi wished to see Yang Xiong.

Yang Xiong found it strange as well. Ning Fengzhi was occupied with countless matters every day—why would he suddenly summon a minor figure like him? Could he have discovered something unusual about him?

Ever since returning home, Yang Xiong had sorted and hidden the various Immortal Herbs. The Soul Tool on him only held some ordinary Medicinal Herbs, along with a few Immortal Herbs that might prove useful to him.

All the other Immortal Herbs had been placed separately inside a small Soul Tool, which he had hidden atop a beam in his room. He had even deliberately made a small hole in the beam and concealed it carefully. No one would ever be able to find it.

Filled with doubt, Yang Xiong followed the messenger to the sect's Core Area. To his surprise, they were actually headed to Ning Fengzhi's home this time. Ning Fengzhi was even alone; neither Sword Bone Douluo, who usually accompanied him, was anywhere to be seen.

The moment Yang Xiong entered, he hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Sect Master. May I ask why you summoned me so late at night?"

Ning Fengzhi was quite casual. "Little Xiong, you're here. Don't be so restrained. Have a seat."

Still looking puzzled, Yang Xiong sat down beside Ning Fengzhi, looking somewhat at a loss.

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Little Xiong, you're already a core disciple of the sect. Just treat me as one of your elders. I called you here so late because there's a small matter I'd like you to handle."

Yang Xiong was deeply confused. If Ning Fengzhi truly had something that needed handling, how could it possibly fall to a mere Soul Grandmaster like him?

Seeing Yang Xiong's confusion, Ning Fengzhi revealed a hint of awkwardness. "Little Xiong, you know that Rongrong is my only daughter. But over the years, she's become somewhat spoiled within the sect. Especially with Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone indulging her, I haven't been able to manage her too strictly. As a result, she has caused quite a few problems in the sect."

Yang Xiong hurriedly said, "Sect Master, you're overthinking it. Although Miss Rongrong is a little mischievous, she knows her limits. In particular, her talent is exceptional—her Soul Power Level is far ahead of everyone else in our class. It's only natural for her to be a little proud."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Little Xiong, there's no need to comfort me. I understand Rongrong's flaws better than you do. She truly lacks tempering. Today, I deliberately provoked her with my words behind Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone's backs, and she left on her own. She should have already departed from the sect by now."

Yang Xiong was baffled. What did this have to do with him? Even if Ning Fengzhi wanted to send someone to secretly protect her, it would not be a lowly Soul Grandmaster like him.

"Sect Master, as the sect's heir, Miss Rongrong's status is noble, and her safety is of utmost importance. You should still be more cautious. I suggest that she continue studying within the sect. If that truly won't work, she could attend Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where her safety can at least be guaranteed."

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "I've already arranged for people to protect Rongrong in secret, so there shouldn't be any problems with her safety. But I'm a little uneasy about her going out alone. You and Rongrong are classmates and childhood friends, so I'd like to arrange for you to go out and study and train with her."

Yang Xiong's heart jolted when he heard that. It seemed Ning Rongrong had run off to Shrek Academy after being provoked by Ning Fengzhi. He did not have a good impression of those people from Shrek, and there was nothing worthwhile to learn there anyway.

Besides, Shrek's greatest opportunity—the Immortal Herbs—had already been plucked clean by him. They probably had no chance at all of winning the Soul Master Competition now. Rather than go out and make a spectacle of himself, he might as well stay home and cultivate in peace.

"Sect Master, I plan to study at Purple Star Academy. My older brother is there as well, so we can look after each other and encourage one another's growth."

A faint smile appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face. "That works out perfectly. It seems you intend to directly attend an Advanced Soul Master Academy. I know of a very good Soul Master Academy in Suotuo City of the Balak Kingdom. Its teaching staff, in particular, is outstanding. It would definitely be very suitable for your future development."

Yang Xiong could not help complaining inwardly. The academy you're talking about is probably Shrek Academy, isn't it? Could it be that even the dignified Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was fooled by Shrek Academy's false advertising? The future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is looking bleak.

Yang Xiong suddenly shuddered. "Sect Master, you know how close my older brother and I are. I still want to go to Purple Star Academy."

A strange expression appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face. "Little Xiong, don't you know? Because of your older brother's outstanding performance, I've already planned to recall him to the sect and focus on nurturing him here. Perhaps he may even become an elder of our sect in the future."

Yang Xiong's face darkened. Ning Fengzhi was truly too devious, leaving no gaps at all. His older brother was already eighteen and only at level thirty-two. No matter how he looked at it, he had nothing to do with being a genius. How could he possibly become an elder of the sect?

Ning Fengzhi seemed to understand Yang Xiong's thoughts. "Little Xiong, there's something else I should tell you. I told Rongrong that you couldn't stand the fact that her Soul Power Level was higher than yours, and that you were determined to study in Suotuo City. You might even surpass her in Soul Power in the future. That's why Rongrong wanted to study there. If you don't go, I'm afraid Rongrong will raise hell throughout the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect someday."

"You also know that she's my only precious daughter. And with Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone doting on her so much, there are some things even I may not be able to stop."

Yang Xiong: ...

Yang Xiong was utterly speechless. Ning Fengzhi was truly too underhanded. He must have long since investigated what kind of place Shrek was, yet he had still encouraged Ning Rongrong to go there—and even wanted to trick him into going too. He was probably hoping to use those people at Shrek to temper Ning Rongrong's temperament, but what did that have to do with him?

After thinking for a long time, Yang Xiong finally spoke with great reluctance. "Since it is the Sect Master's arrangement, I will certainly urge Miss Rongrong to study diligently. I definitely will not disappoint you."

Originally, Yang Xiong had only wanted to find somewhere to hide and cultivate for a few years. Then, when his strength greatly increased, it would be easy enough to explain. Going to Shrek now would instead be rather troublesome.

Ning Fengzhi suddenly became serious. "Little Xiong, how do you think the sect has treated you over these past few years? I know you have made major contributions to the sect, but what the sect has given you far exceeds what you imagine. Otherwise, after your thirteen consecutive victories at the Heaven Dou City Great Spirit Arena, you would have long drawn the attention of all the major forces. The Heaven Dou Empire, in particular, is desperate for talented individuals. But in reality, has anyone come looking for you?"

"Not to mention the two or three months you spent training in Sunset Forest. Did you think that, with the cultivation of a mere Soul Grandmaster, you could roam Sunset Forest without restraint and face no danger? It was only because someone had been quietly making sacrifices behind the scenes."

Yang Xiong was instantly startled. His training in Sunset Forest had indeed gone far more smoothly than expected. There had been some danger, but he had encountered almost no life-threatening situations, nor had he run into any terrifying spirit beasts.

He had already felt that something was off. Now that he thought about it, someone had probably been watching his every move in Sunset Forest. Didn't that mean all his little actions had been exposed without anywhere to hide?