"The Ning family? As in the present-day Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Admiration appeared on Chen Yu's face as well. "Yes. After the Ning family left, even two Titled Douluos couldn't protect all their Soul Masters, so they recruited Soul Masters from outside the family and established a sect."
"What no one expected was that they would eventually become one of the Upper Three Sects. Still, they built themselves up through open, honorable means."
"As you said, the Ning family's Martial Soul is precise and meticulous, and excels at treasure hunting. Their people also have long sleeves to dance with-social grace, elegant bearing, foresight, and sound judgment. With good management, they could practically throw enough money into building a great sect. Later, they seized their opportunity to become one of the Upper Three Sects."
"You can't help admiring their ability to turn a crisis into an opportunity."
Chen Xiaojun rubbed his chin again, a habitual gesture whenever he was thinking. "So they recruited Soul Masters and flourished, but there's a problem."
"If they raised or recruited other Titled Douluos themselves, then added the retainers supported by the Twelve Families, they could easily have three or four Titled Douluos. Surely the other major powers wouldn't allow that?"
Chen Yu chuckled. "That's why, right from the start, the Ning family refused to budge on having at least one Titled Douluo retainer position."
Chen Xiaojun felt immense admiration for whoever had led the Ning family back then.
"Brilliant! No wonder those major powers demanded that the Ning family leave Soul Fighting City. Otherwise, who knows how terrifyingly powerful the city might have become by now?"
Beside them, Chen Cong tapped his celadon teacup with a bent finger. A hint of amusement threaded through the sound of shattering jade as he interjected, "Xiaojun, it