Nine Treasures Glazed Sect — Main Hall.
The sun shone softly through the stained-glass windows, casting prismatic reflections on the polished stone floor. Inside the stately meeting hall, three elderly men were deep in conversation. At the head of the room sat Ning Bowen, Sect Master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect. As the leader of the wealthiest sect in the world, his responsibilities were endless—particularly when it came to the complex dance of intercontinental trade.
Stacks of documents were spread across his desk—most of them trade reports and intelligence dispatches from the Sun and Moon Empire.
Ning Bowen frowned as he read the latest scroll. "It seems the Sun and Moon Empire's new tariff reforms are far from friendly to our merchants," he muttered, lightly tapping his cane against the floor. His gaze was sharp, but his brows were deeply furrowed with concern.
Across from him sat the two supreme elders of the sect—Ye Xuanji and Zhiyong. Together, the three made up the strategic brain of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.
Ye Xuanji leaned forward, his voice calm. "They're drawing lines. The peaceful exchange we've enjoyed since the war four thousand years ago is fading."
Zhiyong grunted in agreement. "Their ambitions are growing faster than our profit margins."
Indeed, the Sun and Moon Empire had begun to heavily tax imports from the original Douluo Three Kingdoms. While the two continents had tolerated each other for centuries, trading necessities even amid tension, that balance was rapidly shifting. Vital goods—food, clothing, transport—were being hit hard by new taxes. The sect's business network, long used to smooth trade, was taking a hit.
"And the timing..." Ning Bowen sighed. "Too perfect. Almost like a test run for something bigger. This... this smells like pre-war maneuvering."
For a few seconds, the hall fell silent.
Then Zhiyong raised his head, eyes full of a stubborn fire. "Even if war returns, we're not helpless. We're old, but not done yet. You give me twenty years—I'll make my breakthrough. Level 98. And Xuanji's just a step behind me. With Junting, Wu Feng, Ning Tian… we'll have more than five Super Douluos on our side. That's a force to be reckoned with."
Ye Xuanji nodded firmly. "Twenty years is more than enough for us to prepare."
But Ning Bowen didn't share their optimism—not entirely.
He didn't voice it, but he couldn't shake his doubt. The power of soul guides was evolving fast. If the Sun and Moon Empire's Mingde Hall really did manage to develop a soul tool that could rival an Limit Douluo..
Even a Super Douluo might not be safe.
That's why he had a different goal: the sect needed a Level Nine soul engineer. Someone who could stand toe to toe with the engineers of the Sun and Moon Empire. Only then could the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect ensure its future in a world where spirit power and technology were rapidly intertwining.
At that moment, a disciple in white robes rushed in and knelt.
"Master. Young Mistress Ning Tian, Young Master Chen Junting, and Miss Wu Feng have returned from Shrek Academy. They've just arrived at the sect square."
Ning Bowen's face instantly lit up.
"Ah! Right on time," he said, chuckling. "A year already. Between soul ring hunts and travel, they've returned at the perfect moment."
He turned to the disciple. "Go inform the kitchen. Prepare a full banquet. Spare no expense—we'll host them properly."
"Yes, Master."
As the disciple left, the atmosphere in the hall softened. The heavy conversation of war and economics faded, if only briefly.
Ning Bowen glanced at his old friends. "I remember the first time I returned from Shrek. I brought back five promising juniors—they're elders now. Zihan, Taiyu, Qinglan... Now we welcome the next generation."
Ye Xuanji smiled, stroking his beard. "And this generation is even stronger."
A few minutes later, the doors to the hall swung open.
The sunlight behind them painted long shadows across the floor as three young figures stepped in.
Ning Tian stood in the center, elegant in her white palace dress, golden hair cascading over her shoulders like silk. To her right was Wu Feng, confident in red, her fierce energy radiating like flames. And on her left—Chen Junting, dressed in golden robes, hair like white snow, his aura calm yet commanding.
The pride of Shrek, and now, the pride of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.
The three bowed in unison.
"Greetings to the Sect Master and Supreme Elders."
Behind them, several Shrek students entered the hall more cautiously, gazing wide-eyed at the legendary figures before them.
Ye Xuanji and Zhiyong approached, flanking Ning Bowen.
"Welcome home," Ye Xuanji said warmly.
"And welcome to the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect," added Zhiyong, smiling at the nervous Shrek students.
The group bowed again—this time more awkwardly.
But Ning Bowen waved it off. "No need for formalities. You're Xiaotian's classmates, and from now on, you're among family. Uncle Ye, Uncle Zhi, and I aren't just elders—we're your elders."
The tension eased. The Shrek students straightened, their stiff postures softening.
Ning Bowen turned to his daughter. "Come on, Xiaotian, introduce your friends."
Ning Tian walked over to Huo Yuhao first.
"Dad, this is Huo Yuhao. His martial soul is his eyes, directly linked to his brain. He chose the soul guidance track and became a second-level soul engineer in just one year."
"Impressive," Ning Bowen said, his gaze sharpening.
Yuhao bowed deeply. "Greetings, Sect Master."
Ning Bowen chuckled. "You can call me Uncle Ning. Becoming a second-level soul engineer in just a year… Not bad at all. I think we may see the Nine Treasures Sect's first ninth-level engineer in you."
Yuhao's face flushed red with pride.
"Th-thank you, Uncle Ning!"
Ning Tian moved on, introducing one student after another.
"Dugu Xin... Xiao Xiao… Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo…"
When Ning Bowen heard about twin spirits, fusion skills, and their potential, his expression turned from pleased to absolutely delighted.
Meanwhile, Chen Junting stepped closer to Ye Xuanji.
"Master."
Ye Xuanji squinted at him, then grinned. "You little rascal. Broke through to level 40 already? Did you use the soul bone?"
"No," Junting replied. "Remember the soul-devouring carving knife? I purified it. Turns out, doing so gave me quite the benefit."
"The ten-thousand-year golden demon bird's ring is my fourth."
Ye Xuanji's eyes widened slightly, then he let out a satisfied grunt. "Excellent. I knew you'd do something crazy. That knife—well, as long as it helps you, I won't ask questions."
He nudged Zhiyong. "See? My disciple is a monster."
Chen Junting wisely looked away, pretending not to notice the elder's smug glance.
Ye Xuanji's voice lowered. "You've hit level 40. Time to claim one of the sect's secret skills from the treasury. I'll take you myself."
"Thank you, Master."
"Bah, no need to thank me. You'll inherit it all eventually."
Just then, a disciple entered quietly.
"Lunch is ready."
"Perfect timing," Ning Bowen said. "Let's not keep the food waiting."
He looked out over the new and old faces gathered in his hall—family, students, friends, and future pillars of the sect.
This was what made it all worth it.
And with that, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect welcomed its rising stars home.
-----
(End of Chapter)
-----
Stones meee~