Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Council Hall
"They've arrived in the Balak Kingdom." Ning Fengzhi suppressed his excitement, smiling meaningfully. "Rongrong also informed me that Dugu Bo can be trusted."
"Dugu Bo values loyalty—wasn't trustworthiness already our consensus?" Sword Douluo looked puzzled at the clan leader.
"No, it's another matter." Ning Fengzhi handed a letter to Sword Douluo. "If the contents are true, our clan will undergo historic strengthening."
"Such exaggeration—what could prompt such words?" Sword Douluo accepted the letter and began reading carefully.
Upon finishing, his half-lidded eyes snapped open. Even as a 96th-rank Title Douluo, his hands trembled uncontrollably—so much that the letter slipped from his grasp unnoticed.
"Can... can this be real?" Shock painted his features.
"Tch—a 96th-rank Title Douluo who can't even hold a letter steady." Bone Douluo shook his head, bending to retrieve it.
"Nine... Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda?!" His mockery morphed into stunned disbelief.
Both elders turned to Ning Fengzhi, seeking confirmation.
After consideration, Ning Fengzhi responded: "You know Rongrong wouldn't jest about such matters. The contents are almost certainly genuine."
"Dugu Bo's herb garden's value far exceeds my wildest expectations."
He'd considered himself worldly, yet...
Immortal herbs effective for Title Douluos? Herbs capable of overcoming innate spirit limitations? And other unnamed plants likely equally extraordinary?
Dugu Bo's worth truly surpassed ordinary Title Douluos.
"Now I understand why Rongrong tested Dugu Bo at that Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
Her letter detailed the process.
Men die for wealth as birds perish for food—no faction would relinquish such a garden.
Had Dugu Bo proven untrustworthy, only one alternative remained...
Thankfully, all sensitive contents were encrypted. Even if intercepted, they'd be indecipherable.
"Rongrong mentioned retrieving three immortal herbs—each tailored for us three."
"Soul power level enhancement..." Bone Douluo marveled. "To think such herbs exist, effective even for Title Douluos like us."
"Indeed." Sword Douluo nodded. "Since Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda detected no malice from Dugu Bo, he's undoubtedly trustworthy!"
"Speaking of which, should we initiate Rongrong's plans?" Sword Douluo studied Ning Fengzhi. "I sense unusual urgency—as if she anticipates impending danger."
"Surprising you noticed too, Sword Guy." Bone Douluo feigned astonishment.
Dark lines creased Sword Douluo's forehead: "Must you insult me daily to breathe comfortably, Old Bones?"
"Enough, Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone—focus." Ning Fengzhi sighed at their bickering.
"Perhaps it relates to... deities. That's my only conjecture."
He pondered before continuing:
"Rongrong's recent efforts overwhelmingly strengthen our clan's foundations. Beyond divine matters, I can conceive no other motivation."
"Could it concern Spirit Hall?" Sword Douluo ventured.
"Spirit Hall..."
"Speaking of which," Bone Douluo interjected, "their High Priest Qian Daoliu—a living 99th-rank Title Douluo—is rumored to be the Angel God's earthly emissary."
"99th rank..." The number silenced all three.
Finally, Ning Fengzhi declared firmly:
"We'll proceed as Rongrong advised—rapidly elevate our clan's strength. Establish both alchemy and soul guidance device research halls."
"Whatever challenges Rongrong may face, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will stand as her unshakable bulwark."
...
While the clan deliberated and constructed, Ning Rongrong's trio reached the Balak Kingdom's second-largest city—its primary grain production center.
Even in the original timeline, this city held renown.
Suoto City.
"What establishment dares display this emblem?" Dugu Bo halted before a shop, eyeing its glaring insignia.
"Grandfather, is the sign unusual?" Dugu Yan followed his gaze to the shop sign featuring a sword, hammer, and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon intertwined.
Lacking experience, she didn't recognize its significance.
"That's Spirit Hall's official certification emblem," Ning Rongrong explained. "The three symbols represent their recognition of the Top Three Clans."
"Spirit Hall's recognition? Do the Top Three Clans need their approval? Is Spirit Hall superior?"
Confusion laced Dugu Yan's voice, though she withheld further questions.
"The hammer denotes the Clear Sky Clan's Clear Sky Hammer. The sword represents our Sword Douluo's Seven Kill Sword. The dragon symbolizes the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."
"Why use Seven Kill Sword instead of Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda for our clan?"
"Yan'er..." Dugu Bo moved to stop her, but Ning Rongrong waved it off: "It's inconsequential."
"Rankings were determined through individual combat. The previous Clear Sky Clan leader overpowered both our clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Our two elders defeated their leader Yu Yuanzhen—more precisely, Bone Douluo lost while Sword Douluo prevailed."
"Thus our current second-place ranking."
"Though our support capabilities are unparalleled, individual strength determines Top Three rankings. Placing a 79th-rank Soul Sage above Title Douluos inevitably drew criticism."
"Of course, we could've insisted on using the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda emblem."
"But you know Sword Douluo's temperament—he wouldn't care about such trivialities."
"So much history behind three symbols..." Dugu Bo mused. While aware of the rankings, as a former rogue cultivator below Title Douluo rank, his knowledge was limited.
Dugu Yan nodded, having assumed the clan was always second-ranked.
"Shall we enter? We've been standing here long enough." Ning Rongrong eyed the still-stunned duo.