Ning Fengzhi's plan, Tang San's life for a life

"They're back! They're back!"

In front of Shrek Academy, Ning Rongrong looked delighted as she watched two people emerge side by side from the Dense Forest.

Without question, they were Qin Xiao and Sword Douluo.

"Wonderful! Neither of them lost an arm or a leg!"

After examining them more closely, Ning Rongrong cried out in delight. She thought this was something worth celebrating.

Qin Xiao: ┐(ﾟ~ﾟ)┌.

Sword Douluo: Why do I keep feeling like you were hoping something would happen to us?

"Sect Master Ning."

After taking a few more steps forward, Qin Xiao cupped his fist toward Ning Fengzhi from a distance. "Senior Sword and I have exhausted ourselves. I need to return and recover, so I won't keep you company."

"Of course!"

At those words, Sect Master Ning smiled faintly and returned Qin Xiao's salute.

What the hell?

You're actually claiming you exhausted yourself?

Meanwhile, after hearing Qin Xiao's words, the corners of Sword Douluo's mouth twitched twice.

He knew just how heaven-defying this brat was. He could refine the power of thunder into pure soul power. As for his so-called expenditure of soul power, a couple of lightning strikes would restore most of it.

Fully recovering wasn't difficult, either.

He just had to let lightning strike him a little longer...

"Senior Sword, farewell."

Qin Xiao cupped his fist toward Sword Douluo again.

"Hmph. You've pocketed the gold and gained combat experience. Don't think I can't tell you've reaped all the benefits you wanted and are dusting off your backside to leave."

Sword Douluo snorted irritably.

But would Qin Xiao care what he said?

Obviously not!

After leaving him with a "See you," Qin Xiao turned breezily and walked away without hesitation.

"Is this brat really that cocky?"

Sword Douluo felt utterly out of sorts.

He stood there, disheveled in the wind.

"Dad, Grandpa Sword, I just remembered it's mealtime at the academy. If I get back too late, I'll go hungry."

"Bye!"

When the roof leaked, the rain just had to fall all night. Ning Rongrong, his little cotton-padded jacket that let in every draft, rolled her eyes and suddenly spoke.

Without even waiting for Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo to nod, she dashed after Qin Xiao.

As she ran, she shouted, "Your Holiness, wait for me..."

"That girl..."

Sword Douluo was dumbfounded, utterly at a loss for words.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly and could only sigh. "Once a daughter grows up, there's no keeping her at home."

"Forget it. Let's leave them be for now."

Ning Fengzhi withdrew his gaze and looked at Sword Douluo, speaking with some emotion. "Heroes truly do emerge from the young. I never imagined Qin Xiao would be so powerful. He forced you to use God-Demon Dual Slash, Uncle Jian. That must have been a hard-fought victory."

In his view, since Sword Douluo had used such a powerful soul skill, there was no possibility of him losing.

"Victory?"

At Ning Fengzhi's words, Sword Douluo shook his head bitterly. "Sect Master, you're mistaken. I didn't win against that lightning-struck brat."

"What?"

"You didn't win?"

"I thought I'd already rated Qin Xiao highly enough. To think I still underestimated him."

After hearing Sword Douluo's words, Ning Fengzhi was stunned. "Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable. I'm really curious what trump card that brat possesses to fight you to a draw!"

"Sect Master, stop guessing..."

"Qin Xiao and I didn't draw, either."

"I lost."

Every guess Ning Fengzhi made left Sword Douluo feeling as though he were being mocked.

He simply revealed the truth himself, without waiting for Ning Fengzhi to ask.

"What!"

"You're a level ninety-six Titled Douluo, with combat strength comparable to a powerful level ninety-seven expert. Yet you lost!"

Even someone as calm and composed as Ning Fengzhi paled with shock!

He couldn't imagine just how outstanding that young man was.

I can't even remember how long it's been since I last saw the Sect Master this shocked... Sword Douluo sighed inwardly.

"Sect Master, I truly haven't deceived you about this. In fact, I didn't hold anything back when I fought that lightning-struck brat."

"In all my years, I've seen countless prodigies and experts. But even the finest among them couldn't compare to a tenth of him. He truly defies the heavens. This boy will achieve greatness someday. Even I will have to look up to his accomplishments!"

Sword Douluo's voice was filled with admiration.

He had once considered himself a genius and had possessed pride of his own. But compared to Qin Xiao now, could his former achievements even be called achievements?

They seemed so pale and feeble.

"Phew..."

Only after a long while did Ning Fengzhi let out a lengthy breath. "Now I'll have to revise my plans for him. I'm going to place a heavy bet!"

Hearing this, Sword Douluo frowned slightly. "Sect Master, you've already given him a million Gold Soul Coins. That's already an enormous gesture of goodwill."

"If we grow any closer to him, I fear there will be trouble. After all, Rongrong said earlier that Qin Xiao and Tang Hao have a serious grudge... and behind Tang Hao stands the Clear Sky Sect..."

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly at those words. "Uncle Jian, are you worried that getting close to Qin Xiao will displease the Clear Sky Sect?"

"They say the Upper Three Sects are branches of the same tree..." Sword Douluo said after a moment's hesitation.

"Hahaha! The Upper Three Sects are branches of the same tree?"

"Looking at things now, that's nothing but a joke..."

Ning Fengzhi laughed. "Back then, after offending Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect hastily withdrew into its shell. They even abandoned the four affiliated soul master clans that had been utterly loyal to them. What wouldn't they abandon? This so-called shared kinship is nothing more than a verbal pact between the three great sects..."

"Then, Sect Master, your plan is..."

Sword Douluo's pupils contracted. In truth, he had already faintly guessed some of Ning Fengzhi's intentions.

"Naturally, to spare no effort in persuading Qin Xiao to join our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

"Qin Xiao is young and powerful..."

Ning Fengzhi said gravely, "No one can know how far an eighteen-year-old Titled Douluo will go in the future. I believe there's a very strong chance he'll reach the level of the Clear Sky Sect's Tang Chen or Spirit Hall's Great Enshrined!

"If he joins our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I'm confident we can change the entire balance of power on the Douluo Continent."

Ning Fengzhi made no attempt to conceal his ambition. "More importantly, he isn't some young sapling. He's already a towering tree. He's a powerful Titled Douluo who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you, which makes him even more valuable! If he joins us, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength will soar instantly! What would the Clear Sky Sect amount to then?"

"You truly deserve to be our Sect Master, weighing the gains and losses so quickly."

Sword Douluo spoke admiringly, but a moment later, another question arose in his mind. "But it'll be difficult to offer terms that tempt him, won't it? I can sense that lightning-struck brat is deliberately keeping his distance from us."

"How could there be no opportunity?"

As Ning Fengzhi spoke, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Tang Hao will help us."

Tang Hao? Sword Douluo couldn't understand why Ning Fengzhi would say that.

"Uncle Jian, you just said yourself that if Qin Xiao were your enemy, you'd find no peace eating or sleeping and would want him eliminated as soon as possible."

"Tang Hao isn't a fool, either. Naturally, he understands the danger of allowing Qin Xiao to keep growing."

Ning Fengzhi's eyes shone with wisdom. "He's already failed once. He should understand that he can't kill Qin Xiao alone..."

Sword Douluo's eyes lit up, and he continued, "So he'll seek help, and the Clear Sky Sect is what Tang Hao has to rely on. Even though he's an expelled disciple, he'll have to swallow his pride and ask the sect for help. Otherwise, letting Qin Xiao grow will spell disaster."

"That's both right and wrong."

"Why?"

"Uncle Jian, have you forgotten? The Clear Sky Sect's master, Tang Xiao, is Tang Hao's own elder brother. Tang Hao can ask Tang Xiao directly for help. There's no need for him to endure the sect's disdain. When fighting a tiger, rely on your own brothers. Tang Xiao will definitely help Tang Hao!"

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Judging by the time, the two of them may already be on their way to Shrek."

Sword Douluo fell silent for a moment before asking again, "Sect Master, is it really worth openly breaking with the Clear Sky Sect for that lightning-struck brat?"

"What is there to weigh?"

Ning Fengzhi waved a hand indifferently. "The Clear Sky Sect has remained hidden all these years, and we've faced Spirit Hall alone anyway. Besides, would the Clear Sky Sect really dare become our enemy? Spirit Hall alone is already enough to give them a bellyful of trouble."

At those words, Sword Douluo's eyes lit up. "Haha, good! Then let me see the might of the Clear Sky Sect's experts."

"Mm." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "For now, I'll have to trouble you to keep a close watch on Shrek Academy. When Tang Hao and Tang Xiao appear, we must appear in time as well. We should strive to deliver charcoal in the snow."

Sword Douluo nodded firmly. "Sect Master, you can leave this to me without worry."

"Ning Rongrong, can't you find the dining hall yourself? Why do you keep following me?"

Qin Xiao frowned at Ning Rongrong, who was trailing him like a little shadow.

Originally, he had planned to return to his lodgings and rest.

But once he fully relaxed, he realized that although he had barely spent any soul power, he had consumed an enormous amount of physical stamina.

Simply put, he was hungry.

Since he happened to be passing the dining hall, he would eat something first.

"You said it yourself. The dining hall is up ahead. I'm only behind you because I walk slowly..."

Ning Rongrong spoke boldly despite having no ground to stand on.

"Oh."

Qin Xiao drew out the word. "So that's how it is. You should've said so sooner. I'll help you."

"W-what do you mean?"

Ning Rongrong's pretty face changed slightly. The next instant, she discovered in horror that lightning was already flickering between Qin Xiao's fingers.

She began backing away, her face filled with panic. "N-no..."

But Qin Xiao had only one way of dealing with a disobedient Little Demoness: shock her!

He flicked a finger, and sparks carrying lightning landed on Ning Rongrong.

"Stop!"

"Ah!"

Ning Rongrong screamed and ran faster than a rabbit.

Qin Xiao called after her, "Helping others is the foundation of my happiness. Next time you need help, just tell me."

When Qin Xiao entered the dining hall, he was somewhat stunned.

"Damn, unbelievable!"

"There really is mushroom soup in the dining hall, and the mushrooms even have red caps and white stems..."

Qin Xiao turned his gaze toward Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar.

With a fawning expression, Ma Hongjun said, "Your Holiness, have a taste. This mushroom soup is delicious."

Qin Xiao shook his head.

There are always unruly subjects plotting against their emperor...

But before he could take a seat, he noticed another problem.

"Flender, Zhao Wuji..."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Li Yusong, Lu Qibin, and the other teachers. "What's wrong with you all? If you have something to say, say it."

He had noticed that the way they were looking at him was rather strange.

"Your Holiness, we just wanted to know who the expert you fought today was."

Zhao Wuji rubbed his hands together and asked somewhat nervously.

Qin Xiao's expression remained unchanged as he answered calmly, "Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Everyone froze for a moment before admiration filled their faces.

Regardless of the outcome, anyone capable of fighting Sword Douluo was undoubtedly among the greatest experts on the Douluo Continent.

It was a level they could never reach, even with a lifetime of effort!

"That's badass!"

"Your Holiness, give me your autograph! I'm your fan!"

Zhao Wuji's face was positively fanatical.

Qin Xiao: "..."

Honestly, he didn't consider being worshipped by a rough fellow like Zhao Wuji something worth celebrating.

I could ride a galloping horse all my life and still never catch up to his strength! Is there really no chance of washing away my humiliation?

Dai Mubai was utterly dejected. He had even begun to feel despair.

Immediately, he picked up the mushroom soup on the table. "Come on, Little Ao, Fatty. Let's drain these bowls."

He hoped to use soup in place of wine and forget all his sorrows.

That night, Qin Xiao received some news.

Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun had been severely poisoned after drinking too much mushroom soup.

Fortunately, Flender had flown a hundred li through the night and brought back a healing-type soul master, saving all three of their lives.

"Tang San, do you regret making Er Ming provoke Qin Xiao?"

In the Star Dou Great Forest, Xiao Wu suddenly asked Tang San, who stood some distance away.

Hearing her, Tang San froze. I regret it?

Why should I regret it?

The Titan Giant Ape failed to kill Qin Xiao. All I feel is disappointment!

The third rule of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record: once you have confirmed that your opponent is an enemy, if they have done anything deserving of death, show no mercy. Otherwise, you will only bring trouble upon yourself.

Now that he had confirmed Qin Xiao was an enemy, he would stop at nothing to kill him whenever he had the chance.

Leaving a scourge like Qin Xiao alive would only add to his troubles!

But faced with Xiao Wu's response, could Tang San tell her the truth?

The answer was no!

Tang San understood. Hadn't Xiao Wu been giving him the cold shoulder for so long simply because she wanted to hear him express regret?

Had they been outside the Star Dou Great Forest, he would still have had the confidence to declare, What wrong have I, Tang San, committed?

I, Tang San, have never regretted anything I have done in my life!

But this was the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest. Without Xiao Wu, his strength was nowhere near enough to get him out!

A true man knows when to bend and when to stand tall. I'll endure this... Tang San made up his mind. His expression shifted, filling with guilt as he said, "Xiao Wu, I've thought it through, too. It was my fault. If I hadn't stubbornly insisted on having Er Ming test Qin Xiao, things wouldn't have gone wrong."

"I was too eager for quick results. I bear undeniable responsibility for Er Ming's death!"

As he spoke, he swept his hand, and a dagger gleaming with cold light appeared in his grasp. He raised it high.

"Xiao San, what are you doing?"

Xiao Wu's face drained of color.

"I've thought it through. Living with this guilt is unbearably painful for me, too. I'm willing to repay Er Ming with my life!"

Tang San gave a bleak smile as he spoke. "Xiao Wu, goodbye!"

With that, he drove the coldly gleaming dagger viciously toward his chest.