Gu Rong looked grim and felt some regret.
He had never expected that venting a little anger for Ning Rongrong, whom he treated as his own granddaughter, would land both Ning Fengzhi and himself in such trouble.
There was no helping it. He was weaker than Tang Hao.
Even if he called Sword Douluo over and had Ning Fengzhi support them, they might not be able to keep Tang Hao there.
Besides, the Clear Sky Sect's announcement that it had expelled Tang Hao was nothing but a joke.
What sect would drive away a terrifyingly powerful, talented Titled Douluo?
Faced with Tang Hao's aggressive pressure,
Gu Rong said nothing more, unwilling to cause Ning Fengzhi further trouble.
He was not afraid of fighting. Even if he could not win, escaping would be easy.
As long as he did not kill Tang Hao or Tang San, the Clear Sky Sect would remain wary of Spirit Hall and would not act.
More importantly, he understood Ning Fengzhi's fanatical obsession with martial soul evolution. He would give up his life for it.
Gu Rong worried that speaking up would destroy any remaining chance of securing it.
After weighing his options, Ning Fengzhi drew a deep breath and said, "Clear Sky Douluo, I am willing to pay ten million Gold Soul Coins in compensation and have my daughter apologize to your son and his master."
"What do you think?"
Tang Hao's expression softened considerably at that.
Considering that he should not expose his identity, with so many ordinary people nearby, he agreed.
"Ning Fengzhi, remember what you said!"
With that, Tang Hao turned and left.
Gu Rong carried Ning Fengzhi back to the hotel, half of which was now gone.
Both sides had tacitly kept their voices muffled with soul power throughout their exchange.
No one knew that the Black-Robed Man who had briefly appeared was actually Tang Hao, once hailed as the youngest Titled Douluo.
True to his promise, Ning Fengzhi tossed a Gold Soul Card to Tang San and said with a smile,
"Tang San, we gave you a fright just now."
"We were only testing your strength earlier. Uncle Bone loves Rongrong too much and accidentally went too far.
"This Gold Soul Card holds ten million Gold Soul Coins as compensation. I hope you won't hold it against us."
Following the principle that only a bastard would turn down money, Tang San accepted the Gold Soul Card and said, "Be more careful next time."
He knew his father must have had some concerns, since he had not attacked.
He had guessed his father's identity and knew something of the timing involved, but he still did not know what those concerns were.
Under Li Sen's guidance, Tang San felt he should spare some consideration for the people around him, so he did not press the matter.
Still, a trace of hostility lingered deep in his eyes. Clearly, the matter would not be put to rest in his heart so quickly.
If he had not lacked the strength, even if he stopped short of declaring they had courted death, he would at least have severely injured Ning Fengzhi and the others.
Ning Fengzhi breathed a sigh of relief when Tang San put away the Gold Soul Card.
His willingness to accept something meant there was room to negotiate.
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Xiao San, let me call you that."
"I'll trouble you for the next few days. I intend to bring my daughter to apologize to you and your master, then discuss martial soul evolution."
Unwilling to waste energy on Ning Fengzhi, Tang San said indifferently, "I've already told you everything I know and everything that needed saying. Do as you please."
Among the crowd, a lovely figure watched Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong confront the Black-Robed Man, her face deathly pale.
She was Ning Rongrong, hiding in the crowd to watch events unfold.
She knew that, given Gu Rong's affection for her, he would certainly teach Tang San a lesson.
But she had never imagined that, besides Li Sen, whose strength was unknown but comparable to a Titled Douluo's, Tang San also had someone protecting him who could make Ning Fengzhi wary.
There was no hope of teaching Tang San a lesson now. She was the one who would be taught a lesson.
Just as Ning Rongrong expected,
after parting with Tang San, Ning Fengzhi went straight to Ning Rongrong and said through gritted teeth,
"Ning Rongrong, you've certainly done the sect a wonderful service!"
Unable to bear it, Gu Rong was about to speak up and stop him.
"Fengzhi, Rongrong, she..."
The moment he spoke, Ning Fengzhi cut him off.
"Uncle Bone, say no more."
"The excuse that Rongrong is a child has long since worn thin!"
"She's twelve now. Girls from other families could already be married at her age!"
"She understands everything she ought to."
"Martial soul evolution is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's lifelong dream. Nothing can be allowed to stand in its way."
At that, Gu Rong fell silent.
He knew Ning Fengzhi's temperament.
Although Ning Fengzhi still explained out of respect for him, interrupting him meant his anger had reached its limit.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong and said, "Li Sen is away for the next few days."
"In a few days, I'll take you to apologize to him and Tang San."
"If necessary, whatever price you have to pay, you must ensure the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect obtains the martial soul evolution method!!!"
Ning Rongrong's expression changed.
Gu Rong's eyes widened even further.
Whatever price!
What if that price was her life?
Meanwhile, having finished absorbing the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone, Li Sen was on his way back.
He estimated that his strength now surpassed that of most level 95 Titled Douluo.
From now on, whether he needed Soul Rings for Luo Sanpao or the Blue Silver Tree, he could hunt hundred-thousand-year soul beasts alone and absorb their rings.
Even if Spirit Hall's Pope Bibi Dong or Qian Daoliu attacked, he could escape. There was little left for him to fear.
Next, he needed to consider becoming a god, as well as obtaining immortal herbs for his parents, women, and disciple.
With his current strength, he could go straight to Dugu Bo.
Still, to keep things quiet and prevent Spirit Hall from discovering the immortal herbs, an ordinary trade would be better.
Besides, his principles did not permit outright robbery unless his own life or those of his loved ones were at stake.
By the time Li Sen returned to Suotuo City, three days had passed since Tang San's encounter with Ning Fengzhi.
When he saw the Master Hotel again, he was utterly dumbfounded.
Its once-ordinary exterior was trimmed with gold, its bricks had all been replaced with porcelain, and it had tripled in size.
Li Sen walked inside and returned to the familiar first floor of the Heaven-Class section. It was now four times as large, fully furnished with every kind of equipment and furniture.
Tang San, who was still guarding the door, brightened at the sight of Li Sen. He rose to greet him and called out warmly,
"Master, you're finally back!"
Li Sen patted his head and said,
"Xiao San, what happened these past few days?"
Tang San said proudly, "Master, ever since people learned about your martial soul evolution theory and saw my evolved Blue Silver King, they've all come to visit."
As he spoke, Tang San added with some disgust, "Among them, Yu Xiaogang tried moral blackmail and threats to get your martial soul evolution theory."
"And the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect..."
As he mentioned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi, who had been waiting for a long time, appeared with Bone Douluo and Ning Rongrong, interrupting him.
"You must be Tang San's master. What an impressive young man!"
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ning Fengzhi. I'm Rongrong's father and the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
As Ning Fengzhi spoke, he studied Li Sen's appearance.
His usually unchanging expression stiffened for a moment, and astonishment flashed through his eyes.
He was too young!
Judging by his appearance, he was in his twenties at most.
Yet everyone was saying Li Sen's strength rivaled a Titled Douluo's.
If he was above level 90, wouldn't that make him a terrifying young genius even more gifted than Tang Hao?
Li Sen asked with interest, "What can I do for you, Sect Master Ning?"
He bore little malice toward Ning Rongrong and her princess syndrome. At most, he found her irritating, with a slight urge to punish and tease her until she wept with regret.
After all, how entertaining would it be to train a defiant little princess into obedience?
She was also as pleasing to the eye as a porcelain doll.
She was unlike Yu Xiaogang, who wanted to claim everything for himself, acted lofty despite his lack of ability, and ruined his students.
So he felt no disgust toward Ning Fengzhi either.
Li Sen understood the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's longing for martial soul evolution.
Once news of Tang San got out, they were bound to come knocking.
He simply did not know what they intended to offer in exchange.
Before you continue