Ning Rongrong caught sight of the members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family inside and immediately furrowed her pretty brows.
As the heir to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, her instincts told her that this meeting was definitely not simply a meeting.
What lay beyond that simplicity, she did not know.
It probably had something to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Rongrong looked at Chen Ci and said with some concern:
"Brother Chen Ci, I feel like this meeting isn't as simple as it seems.
"But I can't quite say what isn't simple about it."
Chen Ci stroked Ning Rongrong's head and said:
"Don't worry. I'm here.
"Even if the sky falls, I'll patch it back up."
After all, Ning Rongrong had little experience of the world, and she was the first Soul Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's direct line in centuries to possess level-nine innate Soul Power.
She was already the undisputed heir to the sect, with none of the scheming and deception that came with competing for power.
Moreover, as Ning Fengzhi's only daughter, she had been doted on by Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong since birth,
so no one dared compete with her for the position of heir.
But a colossal entity like the Heaven Dou Empire was different. The imperial family's power structure was tangled and complex, with factions springing up around the princes as they competed for the throne.
Perhaps some princesses had even developed the ambitions of a ruthless sovereign, aspiring to become the first empress in all history.
Chen Ci believed that these people wanted to meet them for no reason other than to invest in him and Ning Rongrong, hoping to win the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over to their side.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect held the prestigious position of one of the Upper Three Sects within the Heaven Dou Empire's sect system. Securing its support would be a tremendous help to these imperial descendants.
But to Chen Ci, a transmigrator familiar with the broad course of events on the Douluo Continent-but as a transmigrator familiar with the broad course of events on the Douluo Continent, Chen Ci knew very well that everything they were doing was wasted effort.
Just then, the voice of Chief Education Commissioner Meng Shenji came from inside:
"Students Chen Ci and Ning Rongrong, since you're here,
"please come in."
Chen Ci took a deep breath and led Ning Rongrong into the Education Committee's hall by the hand.
The princes and princesses each had their own seats. Across from them were two empty seats reserved for Chen Ci and Ning Rongrong.
The seats of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's three education commissioners were right beside those empty seats.
They could be said to have shown Chen Ci and Ning Rongrong every respect-or perhaps it was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect they were showing every respect.
Without any stage fright, Chen Ci led Ning Rongrong over to the empty seats and sat down.
"This junior, Chen Ci (Ning Rongrong), greets Commissioner Meng Shenji, Commissioner Bai Baoshan, and Commissioner Zhi Lin.
"And greetings to all the princes."
The three education commissioners nodded kindly at Chen Ci and Ning Rongrong, though more of their attention rested on Ning Rongrong.
"Rongrong, has your father been well lately?"
"Chief Meng, Father's been well in every way. He's been researching all sorts of novel things lately."
Meng Shenji nodded, exchanged a few more pleasantries, then said to Ning Rongrong:
"Rongrong, these are the princes and princesses of our Heaven Dou Empire. They heard that you and Chen Ci had joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy,
"and wanted to meet you."
Just then, Prince Xue Beng said:
"Rongrong, it's been so many years. I never imagined you'd grown this much.
"My Soul Master team happens to be short of a support-type Soul Master. If you're willing to join my team,
"I'll devote every resource I have to nurturing you and Chen Ci."
The moment Xue Beng spoke, quite a few princes frowned.
This Xue Beng really was an idiot.
But more of them were pleased, because after what Xue Beng had said, Ning Rongrong would most likely have nothing to do with him.
Sure enough, even without a reminder from Chen Ci, Ning Rongrong rejected Xue Beng outright.
After Ning Rongrong rejected him, Xue Beng's expression turned rather ugly, and he said nothing more.
The other princes then named their prices in turn. Their offers were astonishingly high, extravagant enough to make flowers rain from the heavens.
Had Chen Ci not come from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, even he might have been tempted.
It was not that these princes were generous, but that one could not snare a wolf without sacrificing a child.
Since the eldest prince, Xue Qinghe, had already become Ning Fengzhi's student, their only way to secure the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's support was through Ning Rongrong, the heir to its leadership.
As more and more people approached, Ning Rongrong gradually found herself unable to handle them all.
Dealing with the situation here fell to Chen Ci.
Only then did the princes notice Chen Ci, the rising talent whom Sword Douluo had taken as his disciple.
But they did not concern themselves with Chen Ci, because the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's support was more important.
Chen Ci politely declined the princes one by one, but did not reject them outright, leaving some room to maneuver.
Qian Renxue sat in the seat of honor, watching the princes extend olive branches to Ning Rongrong and Chen Ci one after another without saying a word.
She was observing Chen Ci and Ning Rongrong.
She had heard that Sword Douluo Chen Xin had taken a new disciple, but she had not cared before. What she cared about was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
But meeting him today, she realized that Chen Ci truly was extraordinary. No wonder Chen Xin had taken him as his disciple.
From their behavior, she felt that Chen Ci and Ning Rongrong seemed unwilling to become embroiled in the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's power struggle.
She therefore intended to shield them, because she had already become Ning Fengzhi's student and no longer needed to compete for Ning Rongrong to gain the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's support.
Qian Renxue took a sip of tea to moisten her throat and said:
"Chen Ci, Rongrong.
"Since you aren't very interested in the other princes and princesses, join my team.
"If you join my team, I can guarantee that the other princes won't trouble you again."
Chen Ci looked at Qian Renxue, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
I've finally been waiting long enough for you.
Then Chen Ci smiled and said:
"All right."
Qian Renxue froze for a moment. She had not expected Chen Ci to agree so readily.
Her years of experience surviving in the imperial court told her that there was surely more to this.
But she could not say what that might be.
Surely she could not suspect that something was wrong with this boy in his teens.
Qian Renxue suppressed her misgivings and continued:
"Then head back for now.
"In a few days, my people will deliver two Soul Bones for you and Rongrong."
Soul Bones?
Was Qian Renxue really that generous?
Without standing on ceremony, Chen Ci left with Ning Rongrong.
Chen Ci did not return to the dormitory. Instead, he left the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and headed straight for the Dugu Family's manor.
Chen Ci said to the attendant at the gate:
"Hello. I'm Chen Ci of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, here to request an audience with Senior Poison Douluo."
Upon hearing that Chen Ci came from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the attendant invited him and Ning Rongrong inside.
He then relayed the purpose of Chen Ci's visit to Dugu Bo.
Chen Ci waited for quite some time without receiving a reply and decided to leave.
If this attempt failed, he would make contact through Dugu Yan instead.
Just as they were about to leave, Dugu Bo's voice rang out from deep within Dugu Manor:
"Boy from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, go back and think first.
"In exactly what capacity do you wish to see me?
"As the disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sword Douluo, or as a friend of the eldest prince, Xue Qinghe..."