The moment Ning Yuan stepped into the Shrek Inner Court's reception hall, he received quite a fright.
He had never imagined that nearly all of Shrek Academy's senior leadership would be gathered in this little reception hall.
Ning Yuan had graduated from Shrek decades ago and had even entered the Inner Court, so he knew almost all the academy's senior figures. He immediately bowed deeply to Mu En in the seat of honor and said respectfully, "My respects, Elder Mu."
Mu En kept his eyes closed, seemingly resting his mind. He merely gave a slight nod, without even lifting his eyelids.
Ning Yuan dared not show the slightest displeasure. He then turned to Xuan Zi and the other elders of the Sea God Pavilion, greeting each in turn. Unfortunately, all he received was distracted disdain.
After all, a Soul Saint was as insignificant as dust before a Super Douluo. What was more, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was already a sun sinking toward the western hills. The entire sect had only two ordinary Titled Douluos left to struggle on, and its towering edifice could collapse at any moment.
Watching her father suffer humiliation in public, Ning Tian could only clench her back teeth while forcing an obedient smile onto her face.
Mu En had deliberately put on this entire display for Qian Chen. As long as he first treated Ning Yuan dismissively, Shrek's senior figures would naturally follow his lead. Before any senior figure of Shrek, the master of a sect had to lower himself by a generation, like a junior. Psychological games and moral blackmail were all standard practice for Shrek.
Only after Ning Yuan finished his greetings did Xuan Zi drawl, "Little Yuan, we haven't seen each other in years. What exactly brought you back to the academy today? Surely you didn't come just to visit us old fellows?"
Ning Yuan forced a wry smile. "Naturally, I came to visit all my former teachers. But I also heard that the academy has found someone with the Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul. The Seven Kill Sword has deep ties to our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. I hope the academy will allow me to meet its successor."
Yan Shaozhe immediately snorted. "So that really is what you came for. Your Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect certainly has a keen nose."
Ning Yuan hurriedly bowed. "Please grant my request, Dean Yan."
Several more senior Shrek figures immediately stepped forward, taking turns criticizing the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. His face flushed crimson, Ning Yuan could only stand there and acknowledge every accusation, not daring to offer the slightest rebuttal.
Qian Chen watched coldly from the side. This scene suited him perfectly. If the forces Tang San had left behind were still a single slab of iron as they had been ten thousand years ago, how could he divide and dismantle them? Though the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's combat strength was not top-tier, its support abilities were unrivaled, and its money-making ability was unmatched under heaven. Put this sect in the right position, and it would be far more useful than two or three brute-force sects that knew only how to fight and kill.
Seeing that things had reached the right point, Mu En figured Qian Chen should already have understood the gulf between Shrek and the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect from everyone's attitudes. He believed Qian Chen would know what to choose. Then it would not be Shrek forcibly keeping a student, but the student himself looking down on the other sect and voluntarily refusing to join.
Mu En finally opened his eyes and looked at Qian Chen. "Qian Chen, Sect Master Ning of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has come specifically to see you. Your forebears had considerable ties to his sect. What do you think?"
"Teacher, please allow me to exchange a few words with Sect Master Ning," Qian Chen said.
"Mm." Mu En nodded his assent.
Ning Yuan looked at Qian Chen excitedly. As long as they could talk, whatever conditions the other party proposed, he could find a way to meet them with the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's wealth.
Qian Chen went straight to the point. "Sect Master Ning, I am Qian Chen, the bearer of the Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul."
Ning Yuan immediately hurried forward and grabbed Qian Chen's sleeve, as though afraid he would run away. "Young friend Qian Chen, we've finally found you! Our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has been searching for the Seven Kill Sword's successor for ten thousand whole years!"
Without even pausing to catch his breath, he continued, "Young friend Qian Chen, as long as you return to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect with me, you will immediately become our grand elder, equal in standing to the sect master!"
As he spoke, he pulled his daughter Ning Tian over from beside him. "This is my daughter, Ning Tian, a genius with Innate Full Soul Power such as our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect hasn't seen in thousands of years. As long as you return to the sect, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will surely flourish again!"
At the words "Innate Full Soul Power," Xian Lin'er scoffed and muttered disdainfully, "Innate Full Soul Power? Hmph. In the end, she'll still be nothing more than a Soul Saint stuck at rank seventy-nine for life."
She kept her voice low, but aside from Ning Tian, whose Soul Power was only rank twelve, everyone present heard every word.
Ning Yuan's expression instantly turned utterly ghastly. At that moment, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into, yet he dared not show the slightest temper.
He had originally intended to have the young sect master, Ning Tian, say a great deal to win Qian Chen over. Now, he dared not let his daughter utter so much as half a sentence, lest she suffer further humiliation when she spoke. Ning Yuan could only grit his teeth and make one final attempt. "Young friend Qian Chen, for the sake of the bond of life and death between the Seven Kill Sword and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ten thousand years ago, please consider returning to the sect."
Qian Chen shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sect Master Ning, but I won't be going to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for now. I've already entered Shrek's Inner Court, and I don't intend to join any sect before I officially graduate."
At that, Ning Yuan's heart instantly sank to rock bottom. But then Qian Chen spoke again. "However, the bond between the Seven Kill Sword and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ten thousand years ago will always remain. I acknowledge the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect as a friend."
Qian Chen continued, "Also, I happened to make a friend whom I would like to send to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. I hope you can nurture him well."
"Who is it? Just say the word, young friend Qian Chen. We will certainly do it!"
"His name is Yan Feng. His Innate Soul Power is rank nine and a half, and his Martial Soul is the Bone Dragon," Qian Chen said. "Exactly the kind of Bone Dragon you're thinking of. His Martial Soul is special. As long as Sect Master Ning is willing to invest in nurturing him, Yan Feng will surely become a pillar holding up the heavens for the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Yuan was so excited that even his voice trembled. "Of course! Young friend Qian Chen, you've actually brought us Bone Douluo's successor. Our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will remember this kindness until our teeth fall out!"
As he spoke, he immediately took a gold card from his Storage Soul Tool. Four gold characters reading "Nine Treasures in Person" were engraved on its face. He offered it with both hands. "Young friend Qian Chen, this card holds twenty million Gold Soul Coins, redeemable at any bank on the continent. With this card, you may take anything from any business owned by the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and request any assistance, without restrictions or limits on how often you use it."
Qian Chen nodded and accepted the gold card. He had intended to send Yan Feng to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect anyway. This deal was no loss.
Ning Yuan gritted his teeth and took a wooden box from his Storage Soul Tool. This time, his expression was extraordinarily solemn. Holding the box in both hands, he deliberately raised his voice a little, as though he meant to vent all the indignities he had suffered today through these words. "After Sword Douluo Chen Xin sacrificed himself to save Lord Sea God ten thousand years ago, our sect master at the time, Ning Fengzhi, compiled these manuscripts of Sword Douluo's sword techniques, along with the insights he gained over a lifetime of swordsmanship. Having met the Seven Kill Sword's successor today, I can return them to their rightful owner."
Qian Chen had not expected such a gain either. He immediately accepted the box and said solemnly, "Rest assured, Sect Master Ning. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is under my protection."
Qian Chen sneered inwardly. Of course I'll protect my own wallet. Given the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's obsession with and devotion to the successors of Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, taking control of the sect is only a matter of time.
After a few more words, Ning Yuan took his daughter Ning Tian and bid farewell. Seeing that it was getting late, Mu En turned to Zhang Lexuan. "Little Lexuan, Qian Chen has only just arrived. Please arrange accommodations and daily living arrangements for him and Bing Ling."
At Mu En's words, Zhang Lexuan's heart began thumping. Why did she have to face Qian Chen, who could throw her heart into turmoil, again?