Gathering

"Han Tao, did you run into some trouble this time?"

Ning Fengzhi lifted his teacup and asked.

Zhao Wuji had arrived at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and in less than half a day, Han Tao had come looking for him.

There were no shortcuts in theoretical exploration. Ning Fengzhi believed Han Tao must have encountered a problem.

"I've achieved some preliminary results."

Han Tao's answer was somewhat unexpected.

"Data from twenty-seven vibration feedback tests—comparison, distribution, arrangement, and the resulting summary of findings."

Han Tao stacked the Data Manuscript pages together one by one, compiling them into a file of materials.

He took out adhesive, bound the side pages, and then handed it to Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi set down his teacup, accepted the file, and casually flipped through it.

His gaze drifted slightly past Han Tao's waist, to a Porcelain Vial engraved with the word "Rainbow."

"Yang Wudi was right. No Spiritual Sense."

Inwardly, he made an assessment of Han Tao.

He skipped over the data materials and looked straight at the conclusion section.

"Vibration promotes the circulation and transformation of the internal organs."

This was one piece of information Han Tao had recorded, and it did not seem particularly important.

But to Ning Rongrong, it was immensely important.

Because the medicinal power of the Immortal Herb Ning Rongrong had consumed had not been fully absorbed. Proper use of external forces such as "vibration" and "pressure" could speed up the absorption of that portion.

However, the premise for all of this was that the theory was correct, and that treatment could be guaranteed.

"Manager Ning!"

As he pondered, he called out to the Guard at the entrance of the Sect Leader's Residence.

Afterward, the Guard summoned Manager Ning over.

"Go out and invite Ye Junlan here."

On the Douluo Continent, there were many Healing Type Soul Masters, but if one spoke of the strongest, there was only the Nine Heart Begonia.

Manager Ning went out.

As expected, he hit a wall.

This time, Ye Junlan refused.

The first time she had come was because Ye Lingling had been treated as a pawn, which had snubbed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's reputation.

The second time she had come was because she had deceived Han Tao and obtained the theory of Deep Treatment.

The third time, Ning Fengzhi had no reason to invite her.

"Interesting. Truly interesting."

Ning Fengzhi was not surprised. The one who understood you best was often your enemy.

He paced around the room, thinking as he walked, then suddenly asked Han Tao a question.

"Han Tao, you've been rather close with Ye Lingling recently?"

Han Tao stood to the side, quietly watching how things developed. He had not expected the flames of war to suddenly burn onto him in the blink of an eye.

"Yes." He immediately nodded.

"Then could you go invite her?"

Even Ye Junlan refused. What use is there in me inviting Ye Lingling?

Master, what are you thinking?

"Don't worry. She'll agree," Ning Fengzhi continued.

The Blue Silver King was a piece of the Puzzle for the Seven Star Begonia. Was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda not one as well? For the Seven Star Begonia to evolve into the Nine Heart Begonia—even if their ancestors had once studied the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, perhaps they had achieved nothing.

But had they ever studied the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? Ye Junlan had been able to use "Fallen Red" to entice Han Tao into handing over "Deep Treatment."

Ning Fengzhi could likewise use the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda as bait to make Ye Lingling come and provide treatment.

Why Ye Lingling, and not Ye Junlan, when Ye Junlan's Healing Effect was clearly better?

Because she was not suitable. She was too seasoned.

Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling were the same age, and they did not have so many schemes. If luck was good, they might even become friends.

Hearing his Master's answer, Han Tao could only agree.

And so, Han Tao set off.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Library Pavilion.

At that moment, Han Tao came to this place once again.

Ye Lingling liked hiding in a corner of the Library Pavilion, holding a thick book and reading it carefully.

Han Tao did not know how to put it. He felt that when this girl read, she did not seem to have any particular purpose.

To her, reading seemed to be a kind of pastime.

She was different from him. Han Tao read to learn knowledge and theory, to break through the limits of his own talent.

But she read books purely out of interest.

Tap! Tap!

Han Tao sat down opposite her and lightly rapped the table twice, drawing her attention.

"Do you need me to provide treatment?"

As usual, Ye Lingling asked Han Tao.

Han Tao hesitated, and for a moment, he actually did not know how to begin.

Seeing Han Tao's conflicted expression, Ye Lingling seemed somewhat pleased, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly.

"Go ahead. No need to agonize over it."

Her eyes were like a clear spring.

"My Master wants to invite you to the Sect to provide treatment."

Perhaps feeling that what he had said was not quite appropriate, Han Tao added another sentence.

"This is on behalf of the Sect, not in my personal capacity."

Han Tao sensed a trace of quiet stillness on Ye Lingling's face. From her eyes, he could not read any emotion at all.

Her gaze moved to the book. She sat upright, as though time had been paused.

Only the faintly drifting fallen leaves outside the window, and the mottled sunlight shining on the book, proved that time was still passing.

Han Tao also froze where he was.

He did not know what to say. Even if she refused, she should at least give him an answer.

"You don't need to agonize over it. If you're unwilling, you can refuse."

Han Tao did not intend to make things difficult for her.

Ye Lingling was thinking. The way she thought was rather unique, and Han Tao could not understand it.

"All right." Her voice was still utterly calm.

Han Tao looked somewhat happy.

If Ye Lingling came to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he would no longer need to run back and forth for his cultivation.

Originally, whether Han Tao was evolving his Martial Soul or undergoing Gravity Pressure Training, he had to travel between Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which was extremely troublesome.

Outside the academy gates, Manager Ning's carriage had long since been prepared.

Very soon, the group arrived at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

When Ning Fengzhi saw Ye Lingling arrive, he hurriedly brewed several cups of "Mind Concentrating Tea."

This tea was not as expensive as Mind Calming Tea, and was more suitable for entertaining guests.

But it was not exactly low-grade either. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect simply did not have low-grade tea leaves.

For a bumpkin like Han Tao, for example, he could not taste the difference between the two kinds of tea at all.

"Master, it's rare to see you being this generous."

With a lift of his hand, Han Tao drank the tea down in one gulp.

Ye Lingling's movements were elegant. She picked up the teacup, gently sniffed it, then savored it unhurriedly.

After a bit of small talk, Ning Fengzhi began discussing the main matter.

"The main reason I invited you here this time is because I'd like your help."

"Because Han Tao and Ning Rongrong's upcoming cultivation plans will make them very prone to injury."

Ning Fengzhi opened his mouth and explained.

Ye Lingling's expression froze. She knew Han Tao was prone to injury; she had been the one treating him these past few days.

But why would Ning Rongrong be the same? Could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, like Blue Silver Grass, become stronger after being injured?

Ning Fengzhi did not answer her. This was something she needed to explore on her own.

Very soon, Ye Lingling met Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong came trotting over, knocked open the door of the Sect Leader's Residence in one go, and barged into the hall.

"You're Ye Lingling?"

"The healing Soul Master my Father found?"

Even as Ning Rongrong spoke, her hands did not stop moving.

She darted to the Sect Leader's side and reached out to snatch away his teacup.

She walked over to Ye Lingling, then used Ning Fengzhi's tea to fill Ye Lingling's cup.

Ning Rongrong seemed very proud. She believed there was nothing wrong with the way she treated guests.

"I'm a genius!"

Han Tao wordlessly patted his forehead.

Young Phoenix would always be Young Phoenix. She had a way of thinking unlike ordinary people.

"Sorry, you had to see that."

Ning Fengzhi smiled awkwardly and explained to Ye Lingling.