First Meeting with Ning Rongrong: A Challenge for Zi Tian?

"Grandpa Bone, I want to go to the Star Luo Empire and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"

Sitting atop the bone dragon, Ning Rongrong watched the clouds whip past behind her and shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Rongrong, I think you just want to see those two brats on the rankings.

They don't even rank as high as you. What's there to see?"

Hearing Bone Douluo say that, Ning Rongrong thought it over and found it made sense.

"Then let's fly toward the Star Luo Empire and see what looks fun along the way!"

"All right, off we go."

On her first trip far from home, Ning Rongrong found everything fresh and exciting.

But just after they flew out of the Heaven Dou Empire, the bone dragon suddenly jolted to a stop, then plunged straight toward the ground.

"What's going on?"

Bone Douluo's expression changed. He hurriedly dismissed the bone dragon, grabbed Ning Rongrong, and landed on the ground.

The moment they landed, Bone Douluo activated his Martial Soul Avatar and shielded Ning Rongrong behind him.

"Be careful, Rongrong. Someone knocked my Martial Soul out of the sky just now. There's an expert nearby."

Hiding behind Bone Douluo, Ning Rongrong quickly looked around, but she saw no one.

Only a massive purple palace stood silently on the open plain in the distance.

"Grandpa Bone, I don't see anyone, but there's a palace over there."

Bone Douluo carefully sensed his surroundings again. Only after confirming there was no danger did he dismiss his Martial Soul Avatar and look toward the palace.

Above its main gate hung a plaque bearing three characters: "Zi Tian Palace."

"Rongrong, let's go. There's something strange about this place."

Bone Douluo had become a Titled Douluo, and he had naturally traveled far and wide in his youth.

Yet he had never seen this purple palace before.

What was more, it stood on the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, not far from the Star Dou Great Forest.

Anyone who dared build a palace here might face pressure from all three sides at any moment.

The palace's owner had to be one of the continent's strongest experts.

"This palace looks so expensive. It looks even grander than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's businesses spanned the Heaven Dou Empire. The other two Upper Three Sects combined were not as wealthy.

As the young mistress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong had naturally seen countless rare treasures.

But as she looked at the palace's outer walls, she sensed a solidity and preciousness she could not put into words.

"Grandpa Bone, come on, let's take a look."

Faced with something new, Ning Rongrong could no longer bring herself to leave. She grabbed Bone Douluo's hand and began coaxing him.

"All right, but hold on to me tightly. If anything happens, we run."

He was confident in his strength, but Ning Rongrong was with him.

Bone Douluo dared not take risks and approached Zi Tian Palace with utmost caution.

"What should we do? Throw them straight back?"

In the void, several Deities discussed how to deal with the pair.

They were the ones who had just knocked Bone Douluo's bone dragon out of the sky.

"That little one has a fine Martial Soul. Young Master Tian has been recruiting talent lately. Why don't we let them in?"

"Are you stupid? Young Master Tian already has a girl keeping him company, and you want to let another one in?

I say we scare them off. Don't spoil Young Master Tian's good time."

"What nonsense. Let them in."

A voice suddenly reached the Deities' ears. Their expressions changed, and they immediately sprang into action.

"Oh, we're just passing through the Douluo Realm. Let's go, let's go."

"Wait for me! I'm coming too."

With the Deities no longer interfering, Bone Douluo soon reached the outside of Zi Tian Palace with Ning Rongrong.

Looking at the magnificent, imposing palace, Bone Douluo coughed softly and knocked on the door.

"Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect requests an audience with the palace's owner."

"Come in."

A gentle voice sounded, and the doors slowly opened.

Bone Douluo and Ning Rongrong looked inside. On the palace throne sat a young man who looked no older than a youth, with jade-like features and extraordinary good looks.

Beside his throne sat a girl with a cool, delicate face and a striking figure.

"Welcome, Ning Rongrong and Bone Douluo. I'm Zi Tian, the owner of this palace."

"Palace Master Zi... er, you know us?"

Bone Douluo thought for a moment. Instead of calling him "young Zi," he settled on "Palace Master Zi."

After all, the palace's interior was lavish beyond measure. That wealth alone told him Zi Tian was no ordinary person.

Yet Bone Douluo could not sense any Soul Power from him.

An ordinary person? Impossible. Could this be some old monster pretending to be young?

Bone Douluo knew powerful experts often had strange hobbies.

For all he knew, the young man before him was a Titled Douluo old monster in disguise, out to experience life.

Since this was the young man's territory, Bone Douluo decided to be polite for now.

Ning Rongrong was beside him, after all. If a fight broke out, things would be difficult.

"Of course I know the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's guardian elder and young mistress."

Zi Tian smiled, and two chairs appeared beside them.

Before Bone Douluo could ask anything else, Ning Rongrong rushed forward and touched the palace's interior decorations.

"Wow, Zi Tian, how was this palace built? How much did it cost? It looks incredible."

Zi Tian glanced down at Zhu Zhuqing, met her eyes, and could only repeat what he had said before.

"I was passing through, found the palace empty, and moved in."

"I see. You're so lucky to live in such a huge palace."

Seeing Ning Rongrong's eager expression, inspiration suddenly struck Zi Tian.

"Since you like this palace so much, how about joining Zi Tian Palace?"

"Join Zi Tian Palace?"

Ning Rongrong froze, then began to think.

"No, no! Rongrong, you're the young mistress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. How can you join some strange faction?"

By now, Bone Douluo had pegged Zi Tian as a reclusive old monster pretending to be young and deceiving people.

Besides, what did he mean, he had found the palace empty and simply moved in?

Who would actually believe a tale like that, meant to fool children?

"No, Grandpa Bone. I've decided. I'm joining Zi Tian Palace!"

Whatever had occurred to Ning Rongrong, it made her suddenly light up with excitement.

"There are only two of you in Zi Tian Palace right now, aren't there? Since you're the palace master, I want to be the vice palace master!"

Zi Tian had only asked on a whim. He had not expected Ning Rongrong to agree so readily.

"Uh, sure. Then you..."

Ning Rongrong's enthusiasm left even Zi Tian at a loss.

"Palace Master, Zi Tian Palace is going to establish itself on the Douluo Continent, isn't it?"

"Yes, and we won't stop at merely establishing ourselves..."

"Good. Then if we want a place on the Douluo Continent, shouldn't the strongest person be palace master?"

"I suppose that makes sense..."

"In that case, Palace Master, I challenge you!"

Ning Rongrong planted her hands on her hips, every inch the spoiled young mistress.

"If you lose, you become vice palace master and give me the throne!"