A Sudden Upheaval

Chen Xin put aside all suspicion of the man before him. He cupped his fists in salute and stood behind Ning Fengzhi.

Only then did Jiang Nian's expression soften. "A wise man knows when to yield. Sword Douluo, you made a wise choice."

Jiang Nian had a favorable impression of Chen Xin, but if Chen Xin laid a hand on Jiang Nian's disciple, Jiang Nian could not let him live.

This was the first time Ning Fengzhi had seen Sword Douluo wear such an expression, and he held the white-haired young man before him in even greater respect.

At the same time, he could not help glancing at Ah Yin, who was wrapped in long hair. He had not expected to encounter a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast here.

Seeing the situation at an impasse, Dugu Bo stepped in to smooth things over. "Sect Master Ning, this senior is the one who refined the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pill. Whatever business you have, you can discuss it with him."

Ning Fengzhi stepped forward. "I am Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Greetings, senior."

"Whatever it is, sit down and we can talk."

Dugu Bo hurriedly brought several stools out from the residence, making Ning Fengzhi regard Jiang Nian with even greater importance.

Many factions had Titled Douluo as subordinates, but this was the first time Ning Fengzhi had seen anyone make a Titled Douluo go to such lengths.

Once they were seated, Ning Fengzhi explained why he had come. "Senior, is it true that you can refine a considerable number of Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pills?"

"What? Does the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect want more?" Jiang Nian made no attempt to conceal his intentions. "I want the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to swear allegiance to me. Can you do that?"

Ning Fengzhi hesitated.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was the Ning Family's legacy, built over generations. For it to bow its head and submit to another under his leadership was no easy matter.

Chen Xin watched Ning Fengzhi as well. From what he knew of Ning Fengzhi, the sect master was clearly tempted.

Compared with the benefits of completing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's transformation, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect itself was not as important as one might imagine.

After all, it was only because of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect existed.

Now that there was a chance to transform the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, no member of the Ning Family could fail to be tempted.

He offered a word of counsel. "Sect master, think carefully!"

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect belonged to the Ning Family, but it did not belong to the Ning Family alone.

If he truly swore allegiance to someone else, the pressure Ning Fengzhi faced would come from more than just the Ning Family.

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath. "Senior, might you allow me a few days to think it over?"

"Of course. You can go back to think or stay here, as long as you don't disturb my disciples."

"Then, senior, sorry for troubling you these next few days."

As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi finally noticed Qian Renxue hiding beside Jiang Nian, and his eyes flickered.

Ning Fengzhi asked, "Senior, is this child your disciple too? Why do I feel like I've seen her somewhere before?"

Jiang Nian nodded. "Of course you know her. She's Qian Xunji's daughter."

Qian Xunji?! Spirit Hall!

Ning Fengzhi's whole body jolted. "Senior, are you from Spirit Hall?"

"I am not from Spirit Hall. This girl and I simply had an affinity, so I took her as my disciple. I have no connection to Spirit Hall."

"That makes sense. If Spirit Hall had someone like you, senior, I'm afraid it would have begun a campaign against the seven great sects long ago."

Ning Fengzhi did not know how powerful Jiang Nian was, but even Spirit Hall had no one who could make Sword Douluo afraid.

Seeing that the two had finished talking, Chen Xin finally could not hold back. "Senior, I would like to exchange a few moves with you!"

His Martial Soul was a sword, and a swordsman had a heart that pressed courageously forward.

He admitted that Jiang Nian put him under tremendous pressure, but if he did not even have the courage to draw his sword, his path would come to an end.

Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow. If he wanted, throwing out Bone Spirit Cold Flame alone would be enough to give Chen Xin a hard time.

But if he did that, Chen Xin would likely be crippled on the spot.

Jiang Nian rose. "Xue'er, stay here and watch over your junior sister Ah Yin. I'll be back shortly."

Chen Xin finally smiled. "Thank you, senior!"

Dugu Bo followed them out. Ning Fengzhi had also wanted to go and watch, but this was a battle between Titled Douluo, and his presence would only make both sides hold back. He decided to stay in the Yin Yang Well and ask Qian Renxue about Jiang Nian.

The battle did not last long.

Or rather, in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, the three had only just gone out before they returned.

Jiang Nian came in smiling, with Dugu Bo and Chen Xin following close behind, both laughing.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Sword Douluo in confusion. "Uncle Jian, what happened?"

Chen Xin smiled and patted Ning Fengzhi on the shoulder. "Submit. There's nothing more to say."

That left Ning Fengzhi even more baffled.

Chen Xin's thoughts had indeed cleared. If Jiang Nian had been an ordinary Titled Douluo, he would have despised his own fear.

But when those nine-colored Soul Rings descended, Chen Xin knew he had been terribly wrong.

He and Jiang Nian were on entirely different levels. Each of the nine-colored Soul Rings had an aura of extreme antiquity, and each contained a rule.

And when he saw the Emperor Flame in Jiang Nian's palm, he became completely obedient.

If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could swear allegiance to such a person, it might even be a great stroke of fortune.

Ning Fengzhi did not know what had happened, but he took Sword Douluo's advice to heart. The fact that Jiang Nian could make Sword Douluo act this way was enough.

Sword Douluo had no will to fight, and Bone Douluo would surely be no match for this senior either.

In that case, why not enjoy the shade beneath this senior's protection?

He rose. "Senior, I will first return to the sect and handle its affairs. Might I ask you for another pill? It would help me persuade the Ning Family."

"You certainly dare to ask." Jiang Nian glanced at him and took a pill from his Storage Ring. "Take it. Remember, once you accept something from me, if you have regrets, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect cannot bear the price."

Faced with the blatant threat, Ning Fengzhi dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction. He cupped his fists. "I understand! Thank you for the pill, senior!"

After that, Ning Fengzhi left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with Chen Xin.

Dugu Bo asked, "Senior, you gave away another pill just like that?"

"It's only a pill with a little medicinal potency. As long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't stupid, it will make the right choice."

On the way back.

Ning Fengzhi could not help asking, "Uncle Jian, just how powerful is that senior?"

Chen Xin said frankly, "In a spar, I could withstand a few of his moves."

Ning Fengzhi asked again, "What if it weren't a spar?"

Chen Xin let out a long sigh. "In a life-or-death battle, I wouldn't last a single exchange against him. Even if I joined forces with Old Bone, I'm afraid we would have trouble giving him any trouble."

Ning Fengzhi could not help feeling a lingering fear. He had spoken face-to-face with such a person just like that-something he would never have dared imagine before.

At the same time, he felt a sense of anticipation.

The future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect might undergo a heaven-and-earth-turning change because of this choice.

Now, while that senior wanted the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's allegiance, he ought to declare his position immediately.

Ning Fengzhi tightened his grip on the pill. It would naturally be best if everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was willing to follow him in submitting to this senior.

If anyone objected, then they could not blame him for being ruthless.

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath. "Uncle Jian, I'm afraid I'll need to trouble you to help intimidate that bunch of old stubborn fools in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Chen Xin immediately understood what Ning Fengzhi meant. "I understand."

Meanwhile, Jiang Nian had also assigned Dugu Bo a new task.

Jiang Nian instructed him, "This bottle contains Heavenly Wolf Pills. Take it to Suotuo City and find Pang Dun, the head of the Pang Family. Tell him I sent them to him and that I'll return in a few days."

Dugu Bo cupped his fists. "I will certainly complete the task!"

Seeing how eager Dugu Bo was to improve, Jiang Nian smiled. "Don't worry. If you handle this well, I'll start preparing a pill to transform your Martial Soul."

Dugu Bo grew even more excited. "Rest assured, senior. I won't fail you!"

After Dugu Bo left, Jiang Nian continued standing guard over Ah Yin. At the same time, he spread out his Soul Power to search the Sunset Forest for a Soul Ring suited to her.

Meanwhile, in Suotuo City.

For the past few days, Suotuo City had been on edge, with Spirit Hall patrols visible everywhere in the streets.

They had no choice. Even Qian Xunji had not expected Pang Dun, a mere Soul Ancestor, to be so hard-boned. So far, they had not extracted a single useful thing from him.

Qian Xunji summoned Yue Guan. "Has Pang Dun talked?"

Yue Guan's expression was grave. "Your Holiness, he has not."

Qian Xunji rubbed the space between his brows. "Increase the severity of the torture. You must make him spit out the identity of the person who refined the pills!"

Yue Guan said with difficulty, "Your Holiness, if we increase the severity of the torture any further, I'm afraid Pang Dun won't last more than a few days before he dies."

Qian Xunji's face was expressionless. "That is for you to worry about. I only want results!"

Yue Guan could only grit his teeth and accept the task.