After exchanging greetings and introducing himself, Ning Fengzhi pulled Ning Rongrong forward.
"My daughter offended you both a few days ago. I've brought her here to apologize."
"As her father, I failed to discipline her properly. First, let me apologize to you and Tang San. I'm sorry!"
As Ning Fengzhi spoke, he nudged Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong looked aggrieved and close to tears, her face scrunched up. "Teacher Li, Tang San, I'm sorry."
Tang San said nothing, standing respectfully behind Li Sen like a door guardian.
Ning Fengzhi had brought a Titled Douluo to intimidate him. A single apology could not erase his resentment.
Of course, if Li Sen chose not to pursue it, he would not say anything more or target them.
Li Sen waved a hand. "It's fine. I accept your apology."
"She grew up in comfort. It's perfectly normal for her to have a bit of a temper."
As he spoke, Li Sen gave Ning Rongrong an amused look. "Besides, she wasn't wrong. I really am lustful. I already have three women."
Seeing that Li Sen's expression and tone showed little concern, Ning Fengzhi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
His smile grew more genuine, and his confidence in securing a deal for the method of martial soul evolution increased.
People said men forged their three strongest bonds by shouldering rifles together, sharing a classroom, and visiting brothels together...
Li Sen's lust offered an excellent opening.
Ning Fengzhi pushed Ning Rongrong aside and said with a broad smile, "You jest, Teacher Li. Strong men should spread their branches and leaves, passing on their genes."
"I have dozens of concubines myself. When would you have some free time? We should arrange an outing."
Li Sen smiled but did not take him up on it.
Once he had used something, it was his. He did not like anyone else using it afterward.
Besides, Tang San had just been about to tell him about something the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—or rather, Ning Fengzhi—had done.
Knowing Tang San, he would not bring it up unless they had crossed a line.
His own disciple was his to cherish. Any cooperation could wait until he understood the situation.
Li Sen wore a smile, but his tone was flat.
"Sect Master Ning, let's forget about that outing. If you need something, you can say it directly."
Sensing the change in Li Sen's tone, Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered, his mind racing.
He could not understand why a lustful man would respond so indifferently to such an offer.
With his standing, he could get his hands on most noble beauties.
Even marrying a princess was possible, provided he made things a little more formal.
So why had Li Sen refused?
Lust was human nature, a desire ninety-nine percent of people could not resist.
Li Sen's ability to control it meant he was certainly a clever man. Negotiating this deal would be difficult.
Ning Fengzhi thought it over. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's situation was no secret among the upper ranks, so he offered an astronomical price and stated his request outright.
"Teacher Li, word has been circulating throughout the city that your disciple said you developed a martial soul evolution theory."
"According to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's records, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is a degraded form of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"I would like to ask whether you can evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"If you cannot, would you be willing to give me the Martial Soul Evolution Theory you researched?"
"I am willing to pay one hundred million Gold Soul Coins. Name any other conditions you have. As long as they won't destroy the sect, I can agree to them!"
Li Sen's brow twitched.
The wealth he and his parents had accumulated through decades of hard work amounted to only a little over twenty million Gold Soul Coins, and after his spending, only a few million remained.
Ning Fengzhi had offered a hundred million right off the bat. What an extravagant move.
Li Sen wanted to establish an academy. Both medicinal herbs and construction required money, making this offer tremendously tempting.
Unfortunately...
Li Sen said evenly, "You certainly have boldness, Sect Master Ning. But before we discuss a deal, I need to hear my disciple finish telling me what happened recently."
"We've been together for over six years, and we understand each other. From his expression just now, it seems someone bullied him."
"As his master, he respects me, and I cannot let him be bullied either. So our deal will have to wait."
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed.
He had never imagined Tang San held such an important place in Li Sen's heart.
When he first arrived, he had immediately heard Tang San about to mention what they had done and interrupted him. Yet he still could not avoid it now.
Behind him, Ning Rongrong trembled, her legs going weak. Her eyes nearly rolled back, filled with the realization that she was doomed.
Gu Rong had nearly inflicted serious injuries on Tang San for her sake, yet Li Sen valued him so highly.
Ning Fengzhi's determination to obtain martial soul evolution had been firm and decisive.
He had confined her for several days so they could wait for Li Sen and apologize.
Even a Titled Douluo speaking up had been useless.
She had no doubt that if Li Sen asked to kill her, her father would agree.
In just a few short days, the Little Princess had fully experienced what it meant to lose her standing and power, and the suffering of ordinary people.
Li Sen ignored whatever Ning Fengzhi might be thinking. After speaking, he turned a gentle gaze toward Tang San.
"Xiao San, what were you about to say? Go on and finish. Especially if you've suffered an injustice, don't bottle it up."
Tang San's eyes immediately grew wet, tears nearly gathering.
He loved this master so much.
Care, guidance, standing up for him.
Li Sen had done what a father should do, and he had also done what a master should do.
Starved of affection, Tang San felt that everything he had given before had been worthwhile.
Tang San took a deep breath. "This Sect Master Ning came a few days ago, wanting to make a deal with you for your Martial Soul Evolution Theory, Master."
"I told him you weren't here, so he said he wanted to make a deal with me instead. Then the Titled Douluo beside him suddenly unleashed his pressure and nearly injured me severely."
"They only stopped because my father happened to be nearby."
To avoid influencing Li Sen's judgment, Tang San explained that his next statement was only a guess.
"Perhaps this Titled Douluo deliberately struck so hard because I taught Ning Rongrong a lesson a few days earlier."
At those words, Li Sen's smile vanished completely. He turned toward Ning Fengzhi, his gaze icy.
"Sect Master Ning, is this the attitude you bring when seeking a deal with me?"
"Your daughter provoked someone and got beaten, so you attacked my disciple for revenge?"
Ning Fengzhi swallowed, at a loss for what to say.
Resentment burned within him. If Tang Hao were not possibly nearby, backing Li Sen, what was there to fear from an unaffiliated Titled Douluo?
Li Sen was simply using his backing to bully others.
Ning Fengzhi did not know that Tang Hao had left as soon as he saw Li Sen return.
Tang Hao was confident that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would not dare offend the Clear Sky Sect, and equally confident that Li Sen could protect Tang San.
Thinking of the Martial Soul Evolution Theory he craved, Ning Fengzhi gritted his teeth and spoke.
"What happened before was the result of my failure to discipline her. I am unworthy of being a father.
"How about this? As long as you can evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, I will leave Rongrong in your hands from now on. Whatever you do with her, whether she lives or dies, I will not object."
Li Sen paused, his gaze softening slightly.
If he remembered correctly, in the original story, Ning Fengzhi had spoiled Ning Rongrong beyond all bounds. At a single request from her, he had been willing to take a loss to purchase Hidden Weapons from Tang San.
Why was he now offering up his daughter?
Did anyone need to spell out what might happen if he handed his daughter to a man who openly admitted his lust?
If she ended up with some pervert with a cuckold fetish, he might even run into his daughter at a trading venue someday.
Li Sen suddenly recalled that, in the original story, Ning Fengzhi had only begun investing in Tang San at all costs after Ning Rongrong's martial soul evolved.
Whatever the case, he was somewhat satisfied with Ning Fengzhi's attitude.
Of course... this matter would not simply end here.
After all, Bone Douluo was the one who had attacked.
Seeing Li Sen deep in thought, his expression easing slightly, Ning Fengzhi could not help breathing a sigh of relief.
He pressed, "What do you think, Teacher Li?"
Beside him, Ning Rongrong finally could not bear it anymore. Overwhelmed by grief and indignation, she shouted, "Dad, I'm scared! Don't give me to him!"
"Please, I'm begging you!"
She was on the verge of breaking down. Overnight, her father's attitude had changed drastically, and she was about to go from a princess to a plaything in a scumbag's palm.
Before you continue