Ning Fengzhi Comes Calling

"But don't rush. Give me a few days to get a Wood Attribute Cultivation Method for you. In the meantime, learn about the body's Meridians and Acupoints from Zhu Qing."

"Understood. Sorry for the trouble, Young Master's wife."

Ye Lingling bowed slightly to Zhu Zhuqing.

Young... Young Master's wife...

Zhu Zhuqing blushed and hurriedly helped her up.

Meanwhile, Dugu Bo seemed to have found a way to speak.

He worked what he wanted to say into his song.

But the contract's power still controlled him. He kept hopping on one leg and spinning in circles, his voice swaying with his body, rising and falling.

"My young friend~ Could you please stop this~ I was wrong~ Truly wrong~"

Lu Chuan chuckled, his tone airy.

"All right, stop. Your howling is hurting my ears."

At last, Dugu Bo stopped and let out a long breath.

He gave Lu Chuan a resentful look.

Honestly... This brat holds a grudge. He can't even take a joke.

Grumbling aside, he immediately put on a fawning, hopeful expression and edged closer.

"My young friend, I'm your loyal subordinate too. So, those Immortal Herbs and Cultivation Methods..."

"Oh~~"

Lu Chuan drew out the word and nodded as though he had just remembered.

"Ah~~"

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. His tense old face relaxed into the delighted smile of a man who had finally found someone who understood him.

But the next second, Lu Chuan's smile vanished. He spoke flatly.

"No. Wait until I'm not angry anymore."

"..."

Great. Fooled again.

Lu Chuan ignored the dejected Dugu Bo, took out a Human Meridian and Acupoint Diagram, and handed it to Ye Lingling.

"Use this diagram while Zhu Qing teaches you. Once you've learned everything on it, make a few copies for me."

"Yes, Young Master." Ye Lingling accepted the diagram with both hands and nodded earnestly.

Zhu Zhuqing then took Ye Lingling into the room.

Five days later.

A gentle voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Rongrong? When did you come back? Why didn't you send word ahead? I could have had your Grandpa Sword pick you up himself."

Ning Fengzhi entered the hall at an unhurried pace, dressed in a simple, elegant robe. His manner was warm and refined. Then he spotted his daughter sprawled in the seat of honor, and helplessness flashed through his eyes.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin followed close behind. At the sight of the little princess he had not seen in so long, his face filled with affection, and he opened his arms.

"My little princess, you're finally back! Come give Grandpa Sword a hug!"

Ning Rongrong broke into a sweet smile and ran straight into his arms, calling out in a soft, bright voice.

"Dad~ Grandpa Sword~ I missed you both so much."

"Grandpa missed you too."

Ning Fengzhi watched the two of them and shook his head with a smile.

"Rongrong, aren't you studying at Shrek Academy? You should be in class right now. Why did you suddenly come back?"

At that, Sword Douluo's smile vanished. His brows shot up, and his tone turned sharp.

"Did someone bully you?! Tell Grandpa, and I'll cut him down myself!"

"No! I met a merchant with lots of Self-Created Soul Skills that can give support-type Soul Masters the power to attack. But he wants Spirit Bones in exchange, and I don't have any money, so I came back."

Ning Rongrong hurried to explain. All she wanted was for her father to take some Spirit Bones and complete the trade.

She had no desire to miss the deadline and suffer the same painful torment as Tang San.

Ning Fengzhi frowned deeply. Disbelief filled his face, along with a trace of worry.

"Rongrong, are you sure you haven't been tricked?"

A support-type Soul Master gaining the power to attack was almost unheard of across the entire Douluo Continent.

Throughout history, it had been accepted as an ironclad rule that support-type Soul Masters had poor defenses and no means of attack.

Besides, Self-Created Soul Skills were developed to suit one's own Martial Soul. Creating an offensive skill for a support-type Martial Soul was harder still.

Sword Douluo nodded repeatedly beside him, clearly agreeing.

Definitely a swindler, preying on a sweet, innocent girl like Rongrong!

Faced with their doubts, Ning Rongrong raised her voice, utterly certain.

"It's true! Even Crown Prince Senior Brother bought things from him. He said they were worth every bit of the price!

"He also told me to bring what I need for the trade to the Crown Prince's Residence and find him there."

At those words, Ning Fengzhi's and Sword Douluo's expressions changed at once.

Crown Prince Senior Brother!

That could only mean Xue Qinghe, crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire!

Xue Qinghe held an exalted position and had discerning tastes. He was exceptionally shrewd, steady, and cautious. How could someone deceive him so easily?

Sword Douluo's expression turned grave.

"Fengzhi, if that's the case, we have to take this seriously."

Ning Fengzhi understood the implications just as well.

A mysterious merchant who had won the approval of the Heaven Dou crown prince was no common charlatan.

If he truly had Spirit Skills that could give support-type Soul Masters the power to attack, it would be an extraordinary stroke of fortune for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, whose weakness in combat was so severe.

Ning Fengzhi composed himself and looked at Ning Rongrong, his voice serious.

"Rongrong, tell me everything about your encounter with him."

"Okay! So, I was taking my beauty sleep, and then..."

Ning Rongrong nodded vigorously and launched into her story, gesturing with her little hands.

The more the two men heard, the more astonished they became.

Not only did this man possess all kinds of Self-Created Soul Skills and Cultivation Methods that improved the speed and quality of Soul Power cultivation, he even had miraculous medicines that could raise a Soul Master's talent and Soul Power Level!

According to Rongrong, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was willing to keep spending money on Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid for disciples of middling talent,

the sect could steadily produce experts capable of reaching the Titled Douluo level!

Ning Fengzhi made his decision on the spot.

"We're buying it! We must! Ideally, we'll buy out his entire stock! Uncle Sword, send someone to the treasury for the Spirit Bones now. If we don't have enough, pay whatever it takes to buy more!"

Some time later.

At the Crown Prince's Residence.

Xue Qinghe was reviewing memorials.

A maid hurried into the study, bowed her head, and respectfully announced,

"Your Highness, Sect Master Ning and Sword Douluo are waiting in the hall."

"Understood. You may go."

Xue Qinghe set down his brush, straightened his clothes, and headed for the hall.

Inside, Ning Fengzhi sat calmly to one side.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood beside him with his hands behind his back, watching Ning Rongrong eat pastries.

At the sound of footsteps, all three looked up.

Xue Qinghe entered at an unhurried pace, wearing a courteous smile.

"Teacher, Senior Sword Douluo, Rongrong. It's been a long time."

Ning Fengzhi quickly rose to greet him.

"Qinghe, forgive us for calling without warning."

Sword Douluo nodded slightly, his expression calm.

Standing nearby, Ning Rongrong waved the moment she saw Xue Qinghe.

"Crown Prince Senior Brother!"

"Rongrong, it really has been a long time. I've recently acquired a few interesting things. I'll give you one as a present in a moment.

"And Teacher, there's no need to be so formal. Please, sit."

He returned to the seat of honor and gestured toward the chairs nearby.

A maid served tea, then bowed and withdrew, leaving only the four of them in the hall.

"What brings you here, Teacher?"