Ning Fengzhi's Delight

"All right, it seems you've understood." Dugu Bo spoke up. "It's time I went out and saw a bit of the world."

"What?" Dugu Yan raised her head. "Grandpa, you're going out to see the world?"

"Yes. The poison that plagued our family is gone, and my Soul Power has increased. Single-minded, arduous cultivation won't do me any good anymore. If I want to grow stronger, I can only go out and explore."

There was a hint of wistfulness in Dugu Bo's voice. Poisoned in his youth, he had never properly taken in the continent's sights. After marrying in middle age, he had rushed about trying to cure his son. After becoming a Titled Douluo, he had been forced to live under another's roof in Heaven Dou so his granddaughter could grow up happily. Now that the things troubling him were gone, all he could do was find his granddaughter a good husband. But with Lin Changgeng around, his granddaughter probably wouldn't take a fancy to anyone else. He would have to see how the two got along.

Dugu Bo didn't want to force a husband on his granddaughter. Marriage depended on both parties. Even after they fell for each other, he would still have to see what kind of person the other party was before giving his approval. Still, with Lin Changgeng around, Dugu Yan probably wouldn't take a fancy to anyone else.

As for his impression of Lin Changgeng, he could only describe him as someone whose thoughts ran deep, but who treated his own people fairly well. That much was clear from his arrival at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to his dealings with Ning Fengzhi. He had told Ning Fengzhi whale rubber's true effects on their very first meeting. Dugu Bo had also read the book on immortal herbs; there was an immortal herb that could help the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

With the Soul Tools added to the mix, Ning Fengzhi could be kept firmly in his grasp from then on, because all of these things benefited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. However, there was only one aromatic silk beauty. Ning Rongrong had rank-nine innate Soul Power, while Ning Fengzhi was at rank seventy-nine. Whichever of them Ning Fengzhi gave it to, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength would increase tremendously. One represented the present, the other the future. Judging by Ning Fengzhi's manner, though, he would probably give it to Ning Rongrong. If necessary, they could find a way to refine a pill.

"Oh, okay. Then what am I supposed to do?" Dugu Yan looked up at Dugu Bo. This was the first time since she could remember that she had heard him say he was going away.

"You'll stay home and cultivate with Her Eminence Qiu'er and Changgeng." Dugu Bo stroked Dugu Yan's head. "I don't know how long I'll be gone. It could be six months to a year, or as long as three to five years."

"All right." Dugu Yan pouted. "Then remember to come back soon."

Although Dugu Yan was very reluctant, the stronger her grandfather became, the better. Besides, cultivating with Wang Qiu'er and Lin Changgeng wasn't bad. They weren't far apart in age, so being with them felt more comfortable. Lin Changgeng also came up with ideas from time to time, and she wanted to learn from him. She didn't expect to catch up to him, but she couldn't fall too far behind either. Although she currently had the advantage in Soul Power, Lin Changgeng might well surpass her.

"Then I'll have to trouble Your Eminence Qiu'er to look after Yanyan." Dugu Bo spoke to Wang Qiu'er somewhat sheepishly.

"It's fine." Wang Qiu'er waved a hand. "Just go do what you need to do."

Dugu Bo nodded at her words, then left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

The Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

After a busy day, Master Xue dragged her exhausted body back to the crown prince's residence. Just as she was about to change into women's clothing, Snake Lance Douluo appeared.

"Uncle She, you're back?" Delight flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes. "What did Grandpa say?"

"The Great Enshrined said to act according to your own judgment, but that it would be best to befriend them. He also asked me to tell you not to worry about the plan. If you no longer wish to remain in Heaven Dou, fake your death and extricate yourself." Snake Lance Douluo relayed the message Qian Daoliu had entrusted to him.

"Is that so?" Qian Renxue nodded. "Then I'll win him over myself. It would be best if a talent like him could serve me. If not, I'll just kill him. At worst, I'll call the other grandpas over. As for the plan, I'll have to think about it."

Qian Renxue wanted to win Lin Changgeng over personally. She believed that few people in the world could compare to her, aside from Bibi Dong. With her beauty, winning over a mere Lin Changgeng would be as easy as turning her hand. She didn't believe he could ignore her looks. The only difficulty was that he was a little young, but that wasn't much of a problem. She would first approach him as the crown prince. Once he grew up, she would tell him she had a younger sister, then approach him in her true appearance. If he didn't take the bait, she would summon Qian Daoliu to deal with him directly. They only had two Titled Douluos, while the entire Spirit Hall stood behind her.

As for the nation-stealing plan, she intended to continue with it for now. If Lin Changgeng truly failed to appreciate her favor, she would take advantage of Qian Daoliu's arrival to extricate herself and return to cultivate.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong's nearly six-hundred-year Soul Ring, unable to hide the smile on his face.

It strengthened the body, enhanced spiritual power, and even raised the age limit of the Soul Rings one could absorb-if used properly, this substance could shore up many of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's weaknesses.

"Someone, attend me." He set down the whale rubber and issued his orders. "Use every channel available to purchase whale rubber in bulk. Whether it's thousand-year or ten-thousand-year, buy as much as you can find."

His subordinates left to carry out his orders.

Whatever else the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacked, money was certainly not one of them.

Its businesses spanned half the continent, and its intelligence and procurement networks were first-rate. In just a few days, a considerable quantity of whale rubber had piled up in its warehouses.

Ning Fengzhi personally oversaw the process, setting aside the high-quality pieces for their own use and storing the average-quality ones separately.

A month later, a piece of news suddenly spread across the continent-whale rubber's true effects were to improve physical fitness and spiritual power, as well as raise the age limit of the Soul Rings one could absorb.

No one knew where the news had originated, but it spread with such vivid detail that even Heaven Dou City's auctions used it as a selling point.

At first, many people didn't believe it. Whale rubber had been used to spice things up in the bedroom for centuries. How could it possibly have such effects?

But their disbelief couldn't stand against the people who tested it and found that it really worked.

The news spread farther and farther, and whale rubber prices soared. Thousand-year whale rubber went from an initial starting bid of one Gold Soul Coin straight to over a thousand Gold Soul Coins, and the price was still rising. Ten-thousand-year whale glue was even harder to find at any price; the moment any appeared, it was snapped up.

Ning Fengzhi sat in his study, looking over the accounts submitted by his subordinates, the corners of his mouth lifting.

Lin Changgeng, oh, Lin Changgeng. Your information has earned me a fortune. I really must thank you, Ning Fengzhi thought. Fortunately, he hadn't acted rashly. If he had, never mind making money-even his sect would have been gone.

"But what did you hope to achieve by doing this?" A trace of puzzlement flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. Logically, there was no reason not to pursue such a profitable business. Why had Lin Changgeng told him about it?

Ning Fengzhi couldn't understand. This business was no different from picking money up off the ground. With Wang Qiu'er backing Lin Changgeng, there was no reason not to do it. If he lacked money, there was still Dugu Bo, an imperial enshrined who received a considerable sum each year. Whale rubber wasn't particularly expensive, either. Even buying a small quantity could earn a fortune. Could Lin Changgeng have something else more important than whale rubber? Had he told Ning Fengzhi about its effects merely to build a bridge for the future?