Ning Fengzhi's Big Pie

After hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, Yang Xiong's expression shifted unpredictably. On one hand, quite a few of the things he had hidden had been discovered; on the other, he felt somewhat relieved. At least Ning Fengzhi probably knew nothing about the immortal herbs he had obtained from the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well.

Dugu Bo's remaining Poison Array still surrounded the outskirts of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well. Ordinary Soul Masters could not possibly break in, and even Ning Fengzhi could not send a Titled Douluo to follow him. That meant that, for the time being, what had happened within the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well was still secret.

Seeing the changes in Yang Xiong's expression, Ning Fengzhi assumed that he had seen through Yang Xiong's little thoughts.

"Little Xiong, your experience in the Soul Master world is still too shallow. The Soul Master world is far crueler than you imagine. The major sects stand everywhere. Though our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is known as one of the Upper Three Sects in the Soul Master world, we are not without enemies."

"The various sects and factions are intertwined in a complex web, and they even have many spies planted within one another. This is especially true when it comes to talented disciples from rival forces. If they cannot be recruited, they are often secretly eliminated at all costs. The sect could never rest easy letting a disciple like you travel alone outside. Take your trip to Sunset Forest this time—quite a few people wanted to make a move against you in secret, but we stopped them all."

Yang Xiong hurriedly said, "Thank you, Sect Master. I underestimated the cruelty of the Soul Master world."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "That is not your fault. Although you have read many books and learned much about Soul Masters, what is written in books is ultimately different from reality. You may be able to cultivate alone in the sect and even become very strong, but once you reach the level of an advanced Soul Master, cultivation alone is not enough. You must undergo all kinds of trials and perhaps even face all kinds of dangers. That is one reason why I want you and Rong Rong to go out and study together."

"The environment in Suotuo City may be a little worse, and it will not be as comfortable as the sect, but its teaching staff is fairly capable. It should be beneficial to your growth."

Yang Xiong considered it carefully before speaking. "Sect Master, I am willing to go to Suotuo City, but I have one small request. I hope you will grant it."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi became interested instead. "Go ahead. I told you already—you may treat me as one of your elders."

Yang Xiong said, "Sect Master, you should know that my martial soul is rather special. There have been no successful precedents in the Soul Master world, and I have my own ideas regarding cultivation. Even if I go to Suotuo City, I do not wish for anyone to interfere with my cultivation path, much less pry into certain secrets of my cultivation. Every Soul Master has their own secrets, and they may concern my future safety. Otherwise, I can only return to the sect early."

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Of course. Not probing into another person's secrets is one of the most basic rules of the Soul Master world. If such a thing truly happens, you may return directly."

Only then did Yang Xiong relax. He did not care much about those people from the Original Work. He had his own path to walk, and as long as they did not interfere with his cultivation, that was enough.

After thinking for a while, Ning Fengzhi spoke again. "Little Xiong, there are two more things you should pay attention to."

"On the surface, only you and Rong Rong will be going to Suotuo City this time. Once Rong Rong begins attending school, she may meet many new classmates and encounter many new things. I do not want her becoming overly close with other boys."

Yang Xiong inwardly complained when he heard that. Ning Fengzhi was probably afraid some blond punk would run off with his precious daughter. Why had he not been this cautious in the Original Work? His daughter had even been taken away by a Food Type Soul Master.

"Rest assured, Sect Master. I will stay by Miss Rong Rong's side as much as possible and will not let those who do not know their place approach her."

Ning Fengzhi nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Oh, there is one more thing. Uncle Bone has actually been watching you in secret all this time. Especially after you began cultivating the 'Way of Defense,' Uncle Bone has thought very highly of you. Once you graduate from the academy, I will ask Uncle Bone to accept you as his disciple."

"You should understand Uncle Bone's status within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Especially if you have a Titled Douluo as your teacher, your future cultivation will yield twice the result with half the effort. You may even have a chance to reach Uncle Bone's level of strength."

Yang Xiong was startled as well. He had indeed vaguely sensed that someone among the sect's higher-ups had been paying attention to him, especially judging from the cultivation resources he had received. He had not expected that person to be Bone Douluo.

In the Douluo World, Titled Douluo stood at the very peak of the Soul Master world. Every Titled Douluo was a towering figure in their own right. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family had suffered precisely because it had no Titled Douluo of its own, while the Upper Three Sects had remained beyond reach because Titled Douluo stood guard over them.

"Thank you, Sect Master, for granting this. Thank you to the sect for nurturing me, and thank you to Senior Bone Douluo for thinking so highly of me. I will cultivate diligently and will not disappoint the sect."

A faint smile appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face. "Little Xiong, there is no need for you to be so cautious sometimes. Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not invincible beneath the heavens, it is not a force that just anyone can provoke. Is it not just a Soul Bone? There is no need to hide it away. I refuse to believe anyone would dare provoke the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over a single Soul Bone."

"Remember what I told you: the sect is your home. As long as you do not betray the sect, whatever resources you want, the sect will do its utmost to obtain them for you. Even top-grade soul rings and Soul Bones are no exception. And according to the sect's rules, the sect will not covet your personal opportunities."

Yang Xiong quickly expressed his thanks. "Thank you, Sect Master. I will certainly cultivate diligently and do my best to contribute to the sect."

"Little Xiong, everything at your home will be arranged properly. Go back and prepare first. Set out early tomorrow morning."

After speaking with him for a while, Yang Xiong finally returned home.

However, the moment Yang Xiong returned, the smile on his face vanished and his expression turned solemn.

Ning Fengzhi was even more formidable than he had imagined. He was quite skilled at delivering a blow before offering a sweet reward. If Yang Xiong had been an ordinary twelve-year-old child, he would probably have bowed down in allegiance after hearing those words.

But Ning Fengzhi had clearly underestimated him, especially the secrets he carried. If Ning Fengzhi learned that he possessed numerous immortal herbs capable of changing the entire situation of the Douluo Continent, could he really remain as calm as he was now?

Still, Yang Xiong had witnessed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's foundations and thoroughness. The sect was particularly willing to invest heavily in young geniuses.

And after giving it careful thought, Yang Xiong realized that going to Shrek did indeed offer another benefit.

Given Yang Xiong's personality, he would probably clash with those people from the Original Work after going to Shrek. When that time came, he would see how Ning Fengzhi chose and whether the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was truly worth him giving more of himself.

Yang Xiong briefly explained the sect's arrangements to his parents. Yang Lin and Sun Yu no longer dwelled on the matter of Yang Xiong attending school.