With Tang Ni's admission of defeat, the match came to an end.
Xiao Lin successfully retained his position as captain.As for the vice-captain...
Tang San decisively withdrew from the competition, admitting that he wasn't a match for Tang Ni.
Of course, it's not that Tang San couldn't beat her at all—but without revealing his trump cards, and without it being a life-or-death fight, he didn't want to raise a hand against this "big sister."
So he simply surrendered.After all, relying solely on Blue Silver Grass, Tang San truly had no idea how to deal with Tang Ni's terrifying brute strength.
After the match ended, Xiao Lin spent quite a bit of time canceling his third soul skill's twin energy cores.
By the time the technique was fully deactivated, he was drenched in sweat, looking as though he were severely dehydrated and utterly drained.
Only after removing the skill did Xiao Lin realize:
He still hadn't fully mastered using two energy cores simultaneously.
The internal heat buildup left him extremely weakened.
Normally, Xiao Lin used the soul skill only once.
Just like how fire-type soul beasts could use skills without burning themselves, he wouldn't be affected by his own flames.
But this time, he used it twice.And that made all the difference.
It also made Xiao Lin quietly swear to himself:Next time, don't open with this move again.
He had other trump cards to rely on—the side effects of this one were too intense.
Gulping down large amounts of water with a "glug glug glug", Xiao Lin finally let out a refreshed sigh.
He had recovered.
Off in the distance, Xiao Lin saw that Tang Ni had fully healed under Ye Lingling's treatment.
He found himself slightly envious of her soul skills.
Tang San's healing skill was strong too—but it was limited to targeting one person at a time.
Ye Lingling, on the other hand, could cast multiple healing skills simultaneously.
That made a big difference. Even if Tang San healed one person at full strength, he couldn't match her in multi-target support.
Still, once Tang San awakened his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, he would definitely surpass her.Xiao Lin shook his head and pushed those thoughts aside—Tang San had what it takes, so there was no need to worry.
Just then, a voice came:
"Hello, Xiao Lin. I'm Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Seeing that Xiao Lin had recovered, Ning Fengzhi approached with a warm smile and introduced himself.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning."
Xiao Lin responded politely. He guessed that Ning Fengzhi wouldn't approach him without a reason, and quietly began wondering what he wanted.
"Xiao Lin, shall we talk somewhere more private?"
Ning Fengzhi pointed to the base of a nearby hill within the Heaven Dou team's training area.
"Alright."
Xiao Lin agreed, and as they walked away, he glanced at Tang San's group and noticed that Dugu Bo had joined them.
His brows furrowed slightly.
"Strange... we haven't done anything major.Why are so many powerful figures suddenly paying attention to us?"
At the foot of the mountain, seeing that no one else was around, Ning Fengzhi dropped all pretense and got straight to the point:
"Xiao Lin, can you tell me where your teacher, Xiao Yan, is?"
Xiao Lin was shocked.
What the hell is this!?
From Ning Fengzhi's wording, Xiao Lin quickly realized what he meant... but still...
"Oh, maybe your teacher isn't called Xiao Yan.He might go by Lin Dong, Master Lin Dong.Or perhaps Yao Lao, or even Sky Mink Douluo."
Ning Fengzhi smiled knowingly and continued:
"Ever since the publication of that first paper, I knew your teacher possessed extraordinary wisdom.So, on behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I'd like to invite your teacher to help us evolve our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Eight Treasure Pagoda.Of course, if it could evolve into the Nine Treasure Pagoda, that would be even better."
Seeing that Xiao Lin hadn't responded—still staring, mouth closed in surprise—Ning Fengzhi pressed further:
"I highly respect your teacher's brilliance.Even if he can't help evolve my daughter's martial soul, our clan would still be willing to pay five million gold soul coins per year for his consultation."
At this moment, Xiao Lin saw Ning Fengzhi in a whole new light.
A true wealthy patron...
"My teacher doesn't really like meeting strangers."
Though Xiao Lin didn't know why Ning Fengzhi assumed Xiao Yan was his teacher, he definitely couldn't tell him the truth.
Still, he decided to go along with the story for now.
When you're out in the world, a good disguise can be a powerful asset.
"But... helping evolve Ning Rongrong's martial soul?That's child's play for my teacher."
Now Xiao Lin leaned into the act, painting a grand picture with ease—his relaxed tone made Ning Fengzhi's eyes light up.
"Excellent, excellent!Then we have a deal!"
Ning Fengzhi fully believed Xiao Lin's words.
He knew that true masters rarely liked to be disturbed—so Xiao Lin's explanation made perfect sense.
And hearing Xiao Lin confidently say his teacher could evolve Rongrong's martial soul?That only increased his hope.
If even the student had such certainty, then the master's true capabilities...
Were unfathomable!
Excited, Ning Fengzhi had to forcibly suppress the fire in his chest and asked as calmly as he could:
"Can I ask... how confident is your teacher about evolving it all the way to the Nine Treasure Pagoda?"
"Well... that depends on what kind of payment Sect Master Ning is willing to offer."
Xiao Lin wore a troubled expression, as if not wanting to burden his teacher too much.
"As long as our clan can afford it—Even if it costs us everything we own—So be it!"
Ning Fengzhi didn't hesitate.
He was terrified of losing this once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the fate of the clan.
As for money?That was just a worldly possession.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had so many talented soul masters—just by using the Pagoda's innate sensing, they could identify the world's rarest gemstones.
Earning money was no issue for them.
"Hehe, money's not that important. Let's stick to the five million gold soul coins annually.My teacher doesn't really care for wealth.If anything... maybe you could help gather information about soul tools, and some rare metals used in soul tool crafting?"
At this point, Xiao Lin didn't want to actually demand the entire fortune of the clan.
After all, Ning Rongrong was a future classmate.
Plus, it would all depend on whether Tang San could obtain the Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
No matter what, Xiao Lin needed to discuss this with Tang San first.
They'd talk again after they entered the well.
"That's no problem at all.So your teacher is studying soul tools now?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly, his tone like a spring breeze.
He seemed to sense a new business opportunity—he even knew a bit about soul tools himself.
If they could create defensive-type soul tools for every core clan member, the safety of the entire clan would instantly skyrocket.
And now, Ning Fengzhi looked at Xiao Lin with new eyes.
No wonder Master Xiao Yan hadn't published any new papers in the past five years...
He was working on something this profound!
"Something like that.I don't really know the details."
Xiao Lin laughed awkwardly.
Of course, he wasn't going to say he was also researching soul core condensation and self-condensing spirit rings...
Otherwise, Ning Fengzhi might be so shocked he'd capture Xiao Lin and demand that "Xiao Yan" come save him!
This sort of thing made Xiao Lin... uneasy.
"Then it's settled!Here is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's black card.There's over ten million gold soul coins on it.Please pass it to your teacher.If you ever run low, just find Rongrong—she'll give you a new one."
"Also, this black card is a small gift for you and your two friends.It only has five million gold soul coins, not much—please don't mind."
"Then I'll gladly accept."
Xiao Lin grinned and accepted both cards without hesitation.
This greatly pleased Ning Fengzhi.
If Xiao Lin was so calm while receiving the card, it meant he truly wasn't exaggerating.
There was real hope for evolving Rongrong's martial soul into the Nine Treasure Pagoda.
As someone who had read countless people, Ning Fengzhi believed he wasn't wrong about Xiao Lin.
From his perspective, Xiao Lin didn't show any emotional fluctuation when receiving the card—it was like it was no big deal at all.
End of Chapter