Ning Fengzhi: "???"
Ning Fengzhi looked puzzled and bewildered, seemingly unable to understand or keep up with Gu Yang's train of thought.
Gu Yang instantly realized that he had misunderstood and hurriedly put on a serious expression to cover for himself. "Sect Master, what I meant was that if Rongrong wants to become the next sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, her current temper and disposition aren't suitable."
Only after hearing Gu Yang say this did Ning Fengzhi nod.
"Gu Yang, you're right. Ever since Rongrong's Martial Soul Awakening revealed her ninth-level Innate Soul Power, I have indeed unconsciously given her a great deal of preferential treatment. Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu have done the same. That's what led to Rongrong developing her current temper and disposition, and even held back her cultivation considerably."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is no minor sect. As its heir, she needs more than talent and strength. Her character is equally crucial. If only Rongrong could be as steady as you."
"I've spoiled Rongrong rotten, and even now, I can't bring myself to discipline her. If she's still like this in a few years, I'll have no choice but to..."
Hearing Ning Fengzhi say this, Gu Yang suddenly thought of something.
Could it be?
Sure enough, Ning Fengzhi continued, "In a few years, when Rongrong reaches the age for admission to an intermediate academy, I intend to send her somewhere. I believe someone there will be able to straighten out her temper and character."
Here it comes, here it comes-Ning Rongrong's makeover!
Although Gu Yang already had an answer in mind, he still feigned puzzlement and asked, "Oh? There's a place like that on the continent?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and continued, "Far away in the Balak Kingdom, near Suotuo City, there's a small academy called Shrek. Its dean is Flender, a Soul Saint and the Flying Corner of the Golden Iron Triangle from years ago."
"From what I understand, the students who graduate from Shrek are generally decent in both character and conduct, so I'm also considering sending Rongrong there for a while."
"Most importantly, Flender loves money. As long as he's paid enough, I imagine he'll have no reason to refuse."
At this, understanding finally dawned on Gu Yang.
Now he finally knew why, in the original story, the sheltered young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, who never ventured beyond her own gates, had inexplicably gone to Suotuo City to seek out an obscure academy called Shrek.
It turned out that Ning Fengzhi had been stirring the waves behind the scenes all along.
Still, he had to admit that Ning Fengzhi had a sharp eye. After Ning Rongrong went to Shrek Academy, the lessons she received had indeed brought considerable growth to her temper and character.
"Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, and I simply can't bring ourselves to be strict with her. Given Rongrong's status, everyone else is even less willing to offend her. With no other choice, we can only find an outsider to discipline her on our behalf."
Before long, Ning Rongrong returned, and Ning Fengzhi and Gu Yang had to end the conversation.
After the meal, Gu Yang and Ning Rongrong left one after the other.
Only after Gu Yang had left did Ning Fengzhi let out a heavy sigh.
Before long, Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo appeared beside Ning Fengzhi in succession.
"It seems Gu Yang really doesn't have much interest in Rongrong..."
Bone Douluo also felt somewhat sorry for his grandson. "Fengzhi, there's no need to force matters between the children. Let nature take its course. Gu Yang belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. That won't change, so you needn't worry..."
Ning Fengzhi could only nod helplessly.
What had happened just now had indeed been a probe.
Had Gu Yang misunderstood?
No!
It had merely been an impromptu response from Ning Fengzhi after he noticed Gu Yang's clear rejection.
Ning Fengzhi wanted to bring them together, but he did not want to push Gu Yang too hard, so he had let the matter drop.
As for sending Ning Rongrong to Shrek Academy to temper her character, that was not solely so she could shoulder the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's heavy responsibilities in the future.
It was also for Gu Yang, because Ning Fengzhi felt that Ning Rongrong's temper and character were precisely what Gu Yang disliked.
Ning Rongrong was not bad-looking herself. If she could change her temper, perhaps there would still be hope of her and Gu Yang ending up together.
Gu Yang was indeed a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Fengzhi could not deny that, but sometimes, only a special relationship could bind someone securely.
Gu Yang returned to his residence.
After checking that no one was around to disturb him, Gu Yang immediately took out the sixty-thousand-year mental Soul Bone Ning Fengzhi had given him.
Absorbing a Soul Bone involved far fewer restrictions than absorbing a Soul Ring.
One's Soul Power Level did not affect the absorption of a Soul Bone, no matter how high or low it was.
Moreover, absorbing a Soul Bone was not as dangerous as absorbing a Soul Ring.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Gu Yang used both hands to lift the skull, which shimmered with red light, from its brocade box and slowly closed his eyes.
Before long, a trace of unusual fluctuation arose from Gu Yang.
It was different from Soul Power. Had Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, or Ning Fengzhi been present, they would certainly have recognized it as a mental fluctuation.
As that trace of mental fluctuation slowly flowed into the sixty-thousand-year Head Soul Bone, the red light on the skull suddenly intensified, illuminating the entire room in an instant.
Then the red light enveloped Gu Yang completely.
Within the red light, the first thing Gu Yang felt was wisps of warm Soul Power fluctuations flowing into his mind. The warmth entered directly between his brows, gradually stimulating his brain. Under this continuous stimulation, Gu Yang felt all his senses become clear and unobstructed.
His perception of things also became clearer.
Without even needing to look with his eyes, Gu Yang could clearly perceive everything in the outside world.
Everything inside the room, and even outside it.
Wherever his mental power reached, everything within nearly a hundred meters lay within Gu Yang's perception.
The moment he withdrew his mental power, Gu Yang's eyes snapped open, red light flickering in them.
At some point, the skull in his hands had also moved above his head, taking on roughly the same size as his own head before slowly descending and merging completely with it.
Yes, merging completely!
Gu Yang felt no discomfort whatsoever. The moment the Head Soul Bone entered his body, it seemed to truly become a part of him.
Gu Yang kept feeling that, although he had only just absorbed and fused with this Head Soul Bone, he had already developed its potential to the utmost.
Perhaps it was all because it was bone. Soul Bones were bones too. Once it became part of his body, it naturally fell within the scope of Shikotsumyaku's control.
After sensing it carefully, Gu Yang gained a precise understanding of the skill and effects this Head Soul Bone granted.
Light of Piercing Illusions.
It saw through all illusions, reaching straight to the true essence.
From now on, no illusion or hallucinatory phenomenon, or even anything false, would escape his eyes.
Immunity to mental attacks!
Aside from that, when Gu Yang used the Head Soul Bone's skill, he noticed that the level of Soul Power within his body had also surged, and his own strength had increased as well.
This was no illusion. It was simply that, because he had yet to obtain his Third Soul Ring, his Soul Power Level was restricted to thirty, preventing it from fully manifesting.
Soul Bones were bones too. Absorbing a Soul Bone enhanced his mental power, while his physical strength had not remained at a standstill either, instead increasing further upon its original foundation. Thus, the upper limit for absorbing his Third Soul Ring would also be affected.