By now, everyone had sat down in the pavilion in the front courtyard.
"Xiaoming, may I call you that?"
Ning Fengzhi sat across from Wang Xiaoming. There wasn't even a cup of tea at his side, so he could only grip the jeweled scepter in his hand and put on a gentle expression.
"Of course, Uncle Ning. You're Rongrong's father, so you're my elder. You can call me whatever you like."
Wang Xiaoming sat obediently on the stone stool and answered earnestly.
If he had a choice, he really didn't want to chat with someone who liked scheming like this.
The man before him was one of the sect masters of the Upper Three Sects, as well as the richest merchant in the world.
In his dealings with others, he cared only about profit.
Whenever something stood to benefit him, he would spare no effort investing in it.
Of course, if it was something he couldn't obtain... anyone could guess what would happen.
Before his awakening, his plan had been simple: use Ning Rongrong to hug the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's thigh.
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect didn't meet a good end, he still had plenty of time to grow before the Soul Hunting Operation began.
Until then, as long as he didn't run up to Spirit Hall and take a shit in front of it, he wouldn't have to worry about anything that happened.
But plans couldn't keep up with changes.
He hadn't expected his talent to bring him into contact with Ning Fengzhi so soon...
Seeing how well-behaved Wang Xiaoming was, Ning Fengzhi spoke gently.
"Xiaoming, you have Innate Full Soul Power. You can hunt for a Soul Ring right away and become a One-Ring Soul Master.
You're Rongrong's friend, so we can help you obtain your First Soul Ring. Consider it a gift from your uncle on our first meeting. What do you say?
You don't need to feel burdened. Just get along with Rongrong and be her partner."
Wang Xiaoming's Martial Soul ability was quite powerful. If he controlled enough Martial Souls, he might even be able to disregard the ways Soul Masters countered one another.
If he didn't bring a first-rate genius like this into the sect, it would hurt more than losing several mines.
Besides, he was so close to Rongrong. If they still felt the same way once they were a little older, Ning Fengzhi could consider letting them be together.
This move was for both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and his precious daughter.
Wang Xiaoming was taken aback, then quickly waved his hands in refusal.
"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Ning. I appreciate the thought. But there's no need to trouble the people of your sect to hunt for a Soul Ring.
Besides, I still need some time to think carefully about what kind of Soul Ring to absorb..."
What a joke. They wanted him to owe them a favor for a mere hundred-year First Soul Ring?
They said it was a gift and he shouldn't feel burdened, but no matter what Ning Fengzhi said in the future, he would have to remember this favor.
That old fox even wanted to scheme against a six-year-old child. Shameless bastard...
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong naturally understood that he was refusing.
But just then, Ning Rongrong suddenly came running out and slapped Wang Xiaoming on the shoulder. It was a solid blow that landed with a smack.
Wang Xiaoming looked at Ning Rongrong in pain, only to see that the girl wore an expression of frustration at his failure to seize the chance.
"Are you stupid? Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can hunt down the best Soul Ring in the whole world for you, so why are you talking so much?
It's settled. You're not allowed to refuse. As for the Soul Beast, I'll pick it with you.
Right, Daddy?"
As she spoke, she looked at Ning Fengzhi and blinked her big eyes.
Ning Fengzhi nodded.
"Rongrong is right. Ordinary Soul Beasts can be obtained at will, but if you want a higher starting point, help from professionals is indispensable.
At the very least, we're more reassuring than a Soul Hunting team hired from outside, aren't we?"
Although he was very pleased with Rongrong's handling of the matter... why did he feel as though his own daughter's elbow was bending outward?
Unfortunately, in my view, a business relationship built on money is actually quite solid.
Besides, if these people were all present, it would be difficult for him to absorb a Soul Ring beyond the limit.
To absorb a Soul Ring beyond that so-called limit, he had prepared several pieces of thousand-year Whale Rubber long ago, solely to improve his physique before absorbing it.
A person could be a salted fish and lie back waiting to win, but they absolutely couldn't really be weak.
But they had pressed him this far... he could only play it by ear when the time came.
He cupped his hands toward Ning Fengzhi.
"Then thank you for your kindness, Uncle Ning."
Seeing Wang Xiaoming agree, Ning Fengzhi stopped trying to suppress the smile on his lips.
"Hehe, it's nothing. What I want most is for Rongrong to make friends with little geniuses like you. This time, Rongrong's eye for talent is better than mine."
His words made Ning Rongrong swell with pride. She waggled her eyebrows wildly at Wang Xiaoming, looking as though she were the greatest of them all.
It could only be said that Ning Fengzhi deserved a great deal of credit for raising such an adorable child as Ning Rongrong into a Little Demoness.
Just then, Meng Zhuang, the steward of Wang Xiaoming's residence, hurried over.
But he paid no attention to the two people who had suddenly appeared in the courtyard, as if he hadn't seen them at all, and jogged straight up to Wang Xiaoming.
His expression was grave.
"Young master, an important person has come to the door... two of them, in fact."
"Important people? What important people would come here?"
Wang Xiaoming scratched his head.
He didn't know any important people.
Could they have been drawn here by his Innate Full Soul Power?
The only people he could think of who could get the news and investigate him so quickly were from Spirit Hall.
After all...
He glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him.
The Little Demoness had pulled him straight away, and he hadn't even gotten his Martial Soul certificate.
They must have come straight to his door now.
But... Uncle Meng had said there were two important people. Who was the second?
Seeing Wang Xiaoming look at her, Ning Rongrong said as though it had nothing to do with her, "Why are you looking at me? They must be here for you."
In any case, her father and Grandpa Bone were both here. She refused to believe anyone could snatch Wang Xiaoming away.
Ning Fengzhi sat there as steady as an old dog. As the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he certainly wasn't going to move his backside.
So Wang Xiaoming instructed Uncle Meng, "Uncle Meng, please welcome them in. Remember to tell the servants to bring tea."
But now the rotten old man beside them finally had his chance.
Standing outside the pavilion, Gu Rong spoke in a sarcastic tone.
"Hey, kid, you really do serve different dishes to different guests.
We've been here so long without seeing a single tea leaf, but the moment you hear there are important people outside, before you've even seen their faces, you go scampering off to have water brought in. What kind of treatment is that?"