Ning Zi

Ning Quan introduced her to Tang Yue. "Sect Master Tang, this is my brother's daughter, Ning Zi. She's seven, with Soul Power at level eleven and Innate Soul Power at level seven. She's one of the rare talents of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Let her go with you."

At those words, the tension in the hall vanished.

Relief finally flashed through Tang Yue's eyes. He rose slowly and cupped his fists to Ning Quan. "Thank you for granting my request, Sect Master Ning. The Clear Sky Sect will remember your kindness."

Ning Quan waved a hand. "No need for thanks, Sect Master Tang. Once I've had a word with my niece, you may take her."

Tang Yue nodded quickly. "Of course. I'll give you some privacy."

With that, Tang Yue rose and left the sect master's hall.

Once Tang Yue was gone, Ning Quan turned to Ning Zi.

"Zi, your uncle has a task for you."

"What task, Second Uncle?"

Seeing Ning Zi's puzzled look, Ning Quan explained, "The Clear Sky Sect wants to form a team, but they lack a support Soul Master. I've decided you should join them."

Ning Zi said nothing. Her eyes held only the clear, unclouded gaze of someone who hadn't understood a word.

That settled it for Ning Quan. She had completely missed his point.

So he had no choice but to break it down for her, piece by piece.

"The main reason I'm sending you is to see whether you can marry the Clear Sky Sect's young sect master. He's the most talented person I've seen in nearly a century. If you marry him, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may rise to even greater heights."

"But what if he doesn't like me?" Ning Zi asked after hearing his explanation.

"Then find a way to make him like you. If that doesn't work, the first elder's son will do. His talent is decent enough."

Ning Zi looked as though she understood. That only made Ning Quan worry more.

But things had come this far. He would let them take their course.

Ning Quan led Ning Zi toward the doors.

Seeing them emerge, Tang Yue stepped forward. "Sect Master Ning, have you finished talking?"

"We have, Sect Master Tang. She can leave with you. But I have one more favor to ask." Ning Quan cupped his fists.

"Please, go ahead."

"Zi is my niece, and she's never known hardship. Once she reaches the Clear Sky Sect, sorry for the trouble, but please look after her. I'd be deeply grateful," Ning Quan said sincerely.

Tang Yue nodded. "Of course."

With everything settled, Tang Yue took Ning Zi and flew toward the Clear Sky Sect.

After they left, Aodebiao asked Ning Quan, "Sect Master, why lend Zi to them? Aren't you afraid it'll be like throwing a meat bun to a dog—gone for good?"

Ning Quan only said, with an inscrutable air, "I have my reasons."

Only one thought came to Aodebiao's mind: People who talk in riddles should get out of Douluo Continent!

Aodebiao wrestled with himself but decided not to ask.

Obviously. If I ask, won't I look stupid?

It took Tang Yue only a day to bring Ning Zi back to the Clear Sky Sect.

As soon as he returned, Tang Yue eagerly handed Ning Zi over to the second elder.

He told him, "Second Elder, this is Sect Master Ning's niece, a support Soul Master I invited from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I'm leaving her in your care. Be sure to treat her well."

"I'm taking Second Brother to obtain his ninth Soul Ring now." With that, Tang Yue flashed away.

The second elder was left standing there, utterly bewildered.

Once he recovered, the second elder said to Ning Zi, "Come with me, little girl." He led her to a fairly decent cottage.

"This will be your home for now. A maid will bring over everything you need. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to the rest of the team." With that, the second elder left.

Ning Zi was alone in the cottage.

A sudden idea struck her. Why don't I go meet that famous young sect master first?

No sooner thought than done.

Ning Zi pattered out of the cottage.

The moment she stepped outside, she realized she had no idea where the young sect master lived.

Then she shrugged it off. She hadn't seen what the Clear Sky Sect looked like yet, so she could explore first.

She wandered at random, looking here and there, fascinated by everything.

There are places this poor?

Wandering and looking around, Ning Zi found herself at the sect market.

"Medicinal herbs for sale!"

"Meat from a thousand-year Soul Beast! First come, first served!"

"Century-old Iron Essence, thousand-year Iron Essence—we've got it all! Come take a look!"

The vendors' cries fascinated Ning Zi.

She headed into the market to see what she could find.

As she walked, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand suddenly gave off a peculiar pulse.

It was the pagoda's special ability: Treasure Appraisal!

Ning Zi followed the direction it sensed and went straight to a shop.

"A Shop"

Once inside, Ning Zi headed directly for a piece of ore.

"How much is this?" she asked the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper glanced at it. "Fifty Gold Soul Coins."

Before he had even finished speaking, Ning Zi tossed fifty Gold Soul Coins from her Storage Ring, then slipped the ore inside.

"I'm taking it." With that, Ning Zi left the shop.

After leaving, Ning Zi lost interest in wandering and went straight back to her cottage. (This was the advantage the author gave Ning Zi. Otherwise, she would be too weak for the protagonist. Besides, the author didn't want Ning Zi to inherit the Nine-Colored Goddess's divine position, but would rather she become the Love God.)

Back in the cottage, Ning Zi took the ore from her Storage Ring.

She first tried to melt it, but she lacked the power.

Then she tried cutting it apart, with no more success.

Ning Zi tried countless methods, but nothing could damage the ore.

Just as she was about to give up, she accidentally cut her hand on the Hundred-Forged Blade she had taken out.

Blood dripped onto the ore.

Pink light suddenly burst from it. The ore split in two, and the jade pendant inside turned into a streak of pink light that sank into Ning Zi's forehead.

Ning Zi jolted. A vast yet gentle voice sounded in her mind.

"I am the Love God."

"I fell during the wars of the Divine Realm long ago. That you have awakened me is your good fortune."

"I can grant you the Love God's Nine Trials."

Ning Zi froze at the voice.

What does that mean? Am I going to become a god? Whoa!