As the little group stood in the arena, Elder Gu Rong gave a curt nod, his gaze lingering on Tang San with a mix of grudging respect and unresolved suspicion.
"Come," Ning Fengzhi said, his voice warm and diplomatic, effortlessly reclaiming control of the situation.
"Let us adjourn to the main hall. We have much to discuss, and standing in an arena is no place for proper conversation."
He gestured, and a sect disciple smoothly stepped forward to guide them. As they began to move, Dugu Yan, who had been leaving the arena, seemed to remember her original, aggravating purpose.
Her face, already pale from defeat, tightened with renewed frustration. She had failed in her duel, but she would not fail in the task assigned by her teacher. It was a matter of salvaging what little pride she had left.
"Rongrong," she said, her voice strained but firm. "We're leaving. Now. For class."
Ning Rongrong, who had been basking in Tang San's reflected glory, whirled around, her expression morphing into one of outrage. "What? No! My friends just got here! I'm not going anywhere!"
"This isn't a request," Dugu Yan retorted, her green eyes flashing. "It was an order from Teacher Qin Ming. My… performance here doesn't change that." The admission cost her, but she stood her ground.
"You're coming back to the academy with us."
"I won't! You can't make me!" Ning Rongrong stamped her foot, her hands balling into fists at her sides. The familiar storm clouds of a world-class tantrum began to gather on her brow. "This is my home! I decide who I see and when!"
Just as she drew a deep breath to unleash a torrent of protests, Mei stepped forward. Her movement was calm, a gentle intervention into the brewing storm. She placed a soothing hand on Ning Rongrong's arm.
"Rongrong," Mei said, her voice a melodic counterpoint to the girl's shrill anger. "It's alright. We're not leaving the city. We'll be enrolling at the academy too."
Ning Rongrong's outrage faltered, her attention caught.
"Of course," Tang San added, seizing on Mei's diplomatic opening. He offered Ning Rongrong one of his rare, gentle smiles.
"We've come a long way for this. When we are properly enrolled and settled, you can be our guide. It will be much better than skipping class and getting your friends in trouble."
His words, logical and kind, worked where commands would have failed. The fight drained out of Ning Rongrong. Being positioned as their future guide appealed to her pride and her desire to be important to them.
She pouted, but it was a theatrical one now, not a genuine threat. "Well… I suppose that's true. I am the only one who knows all the best spots and how to handle the stuck-up teachers."
She shot a final, triumphant glare at Dugu Yan. "Fine. I'll go. But only because I want to, not because you told me to!"
With a flounce of her silk skirts, she stalked past Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, leading the way out of the sect grounds as if it had been her idea all along.
Dugu Yan let out a quiet, weary sigh. She gave a stiff, formal bow in the direction of Ning Fengzhi, then turned and followed, a silent Ye Lingling trailing behind her. The mission was accomplished, but it tasted like ash.
With the departing academy students gone, the atmosphere in the main hall of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect became exponentially more solemn.
The hall has. High, vaulted ceilings were supported by polished pillars of dark wood, and exquisite tapestries depicting the sect's history lined the walls.
Ning Fengzhi took his seat at the head of a long, ornate table, while Elder Gu Rong and Elder Chen Xin took up positions flanking him like twin guardian deities.
Tang San, Mei, and Xiao Wu stood before them, the grandeur of the setting making their simple travel clothes seem even more humble.
Ning Fengzhi formally greeted them, his smile genuine.
"Tang San, Xiao Wu, Mei. It is a pleasure to see you again." His gaze was warm as it rested on each of them.
"You have all grown remarkably."
Elder Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, beamed, his earlier excitement from the duel still evident.
"Remarkable is an understatement! To think the children from Nuoding have progressed so far! Truly remarkable"
Gu Rong, who was at the opposite side, could not deny the staggering talent before him, especially Tang San's. But the memory of Ning Rongrong clinging to the boy's arm was a persistent, thorny problem in his mind.
A talented boy is one thing, he thought, but a boy who distracts Rongrong from her duties and her safety is another. He may be a jewel, but is he a jewel we want set in our most precious treasure?
Ning Fengzhi, ever the master statesman, smoothly moved the conversation forward.
"Now, Rongrong's words, while enthusiastic, were sometimes lacking in detail. Am I correct to assume you are here to enroll in the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Xiao Wu, never one for formalities, bounced on the balls of her feet. "Yes! We're going to be the top geniuses here, just like we were at Nuoding!"
Tang San winced slightly and placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "Xiao Wu…" he chided gently, before bowing to Ning Fengzhi.
"Our apologies, Sect Master Ning. What she means is that we are here to study and cultivate to the best of our abilities at your renowned academy."
Ning Fengzhi chuckled, a rich, warm sound that filled the hall.
"There is no need for apology. Confidence in one's abilities is not a flaw. In fact, it is a necessity." He leaned forward slightly, his expression turning more serious, though no less kind.
"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the finest in the empire. Its resources, its teachers, its environment… all are top-tier. However, such excellence comes with a high cost. The tuition fees are not insubstantial."
He paused, letting the words hang in the air.
"I would like to make you an offer. Allow the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to sponsor your education. Consider it an investment in the future of three of the most promising young spirit masters I have ever encountered."
It was a generous offer, one that would lift a tremendous burden from their shoulders. But it was also one that came with invisible strings.
It was Mei who spoke first, her voice respectful but firm. "Sect Master Ning, your generosity is overwhelming. But we must decline."
Xiao Wu nodded vigorously. "Yeah! We've always paid our own way! We're not abandoning that!!"
Tang San elaborated, his tone grateful but resolute. "She is right, Sect Master. We appreciate the offer more than we can say, but we wish to stand on our own feet. It is the principle we have always lived by."
Ning Fengzhi observed them, his eyes gleaming with appreciation. He had expected this. Their pride and independence were one of the things that made them so valuable. They could not be bought easily.
"Your integrity does you credit," he said, nodding slowly. "Very well. I will not press the matter of tuition." He then offered a new, more nuanced proposal.
"However, allow me this. While you study, you will need a place to stay. The academy dormitories are functional, but they will lack personal space. I would be honored if you would accept lodging here, within the sect. We have ample guest quarters. You would also be welcome to take your meals here."
He raised a hand to forestall any further refusal.
"This is not sponsorship. This is an invitation from a father who wishes for his daughter to be close to her dear friends. Rongrong's time is often consumed by her duties here. Having you nearby would bring her great joy and, I believe, be a positive influence on her." He smiled, a genuine, paternal expression.
"There would be no obligation to the sect. Once you graduate, you will be free to go wherever your path leads you."
His reasons, of course, were twofold. Firstly, as stated, it would bind these incredible talents to his daughter through friendship and gratitude, ensuring they would look favorably upon the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in the future.
Secondly, and this was a quieter, more long-term thought, having Mei residing within the sect would provide ample opportunity for her to interact with his sons.
A talent and beauty like Mei was rare indeed, and fostering a connection could only benefit the Ning clan in the generations to come.
The trio exchanged a look. This was a different proposition. It wasn't charity; it was hospitality. A safe, comfortable base of operations without the chains of debt.
Tang San looked to Mei and Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu shrugged, her expression saying,
'Free food and a fancy room? Why not?' Mei gave a subtle, approving nod.
Staying here would offer them protection, resources, and a quiet place to cultivate, far from the prying eyes and potential dramas of the academy dorms.
Turning back to Ning Fengzhi, Tang San bowed deeply, with Mei and Xiao Wu following suit. "Sect Master Ning," Tang San said.
"We are truly humbled by your kindness. We would be honored to accept your hospitality."
A genuine smile of pleasure spread across Ning Fengzhi's face. "Excellent! It is settled." He clapped his hands once, and a steward appeared as if from the shadows.
"Please show our guests to the 'Azure Crane Pavilion.' They are to be treated as honored guests of the highest order."
As the steward bowed, Ning Fengzhi addressed the trio one last time. "Get settled in. Rest. Tomorrow, you may present yourselves at the academy for enrollment. I have no doubt you will shine as brightly there as you have here today."
With hearts lighter than they had been since arriving in the vast city, Tang San, Mei, and Xiao Wu followed the steward out of the grand hall, leaving behind the three men.
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