"A deal with Tang Chen, huh?" Qian Daoliu let out a long sigh.
Given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's status and power, it wasn't impossible for them to pay a price to send Ning Rongrong to the City of Slaughter for training while ensuring her safety.
After all, the Clear Sky Sect lacked money, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did not.
In short, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could use their wealth to carve out an alternative path in the City of Slaughter.
Even Tang Chen, a 99th-ranked Limit Douluo, had a large group of sect elders and disciples behind him who needed to be fed. A lone wanderer might not care, but Tang Chen clearly wasn't one.
In other words, under the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's "money power," the City of Slaughter...
Had lost its purity!
Indeed, money corrupts everything.
Even a paradise of sin like the City of Slaughter was no exception.
"Actually, that young sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect likely noticed me and Qian Daoliu," Gu Yuena suddenly interjected.
Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu froze.
Bibi Dong's face showed confusion. "Lord Gu Yuena, what do you mean by 'noticed'?"
Even she, a Limit Douluo, hadn't detected Gu Yuena's hiding spot—she had only deduced that someone must have interfered in the Yu Xiaogang incident, likely Gu Yuena.
But now, Gu Yuena was saying that she and Qian Daoliu had been discovered long ago.
Didn't that make her, a Limit Douluo, seem utterly clueless?
"Yes," Gu Yuena replied, seemingly oblivious to the change in Bibi Dong's expression. "While you were talking, Ning Rongrong's gaze swept over our hiding spot several times, intentionally or otherwise."
"For some reason, she didn't expose us."
"The killing intent on her is indeed related to the City of Slaughter, the location of the Asura God's trial. However, there's no trace of a solidified domain on her."
"To put it simply, as you said, she left without completing the Hell Road. I'm not entirely clear on this point, so we'll discuss it further when we have more answers."
"Moreover, Ning Rongrong is not a possessor of twin Martial Souls," Gu Yuena added. "If she were, I should have been able to tell. It's also possible she deliberately concealed it, preventing me from noticing."
After all, compared to her peers, Ning Rongrong's behavior was far too abnormal. Even Tang San hadn't given Gu Yuena such a feeling.
It was worth noting...
Currently, in the Star Dou Great Forest, two Limit Douluo-level soul beasts had "fallen victim."
The first was Di Tian, who still hadn't fully recovered.
The second was the Ten Thousand Demon King. Though there was no evidence linking this to Ning Rongrong...
When it came to the power of time, and the ability to sever the pseudo-Demigod-level Ten Thousand Demon King's divine abilities and cultivation...
Such an unreasonable feat could likely only be accomplished by Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu grew concerned.
Especially Bibi Dong, who couldn't help but ask, "Lord Silver Dragon King, do you think Qian Renxue can win this Soul Master Tournament?"
Logically, with the Angel Family's heritage and Qian Renxue's current strength—especially after further training in the Star Dou Great Forest—she shouldn't lose.
But there was still a nagging worry.
Gu Yuena looked at Bibi Dong for a long moment before speaking. "I will do my best to prepare her and help her adapt to her power and faith. But as for victory... I can't guarantee it."
Even if Ning Rongrong didn't use those irregular, supernatural powers...
Her true strength was definitely not just that of a four-ringed Soul Ancestor.
Before arriving, Gu Yuena had also probed Dugu Yan's level—she was now a 68th-ranked Soul Emperor.
And prior to visiting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Bibi Dong had handed over Dugu Yan's records for Gu Yuena to study. After careful review, she concluded...
She had reason to suspect that Ning Rongrong, as the captain of Glazed Academy, was even stronger than Dugu Yan.
Gu Yuena collected her thoughts and said to Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu, "I will remain at Blazing Wind Academy. I won't compete for the championship—you can rest assured of that."
The 100,000-year soul bone gifted to Qian Renxue was just that—a gift.
As the ruler of soul beasts, she still had some pride. There was no need to participate in the tournament just to win the bone back.
Wouldn't that be like unscrupulous merchants selling the same bird seven or eight times, only for it to fly back each time?
"Also, regarding the Sea God's power that infiltrated the Angel God's statue..."
"I've already sealed it."
"Unless a God King intervenes, it will be nearly impossible to break. At most, the Sea God will assume it's residual power from the fallen Angel God. Just avoid approaching it."
Under the watchful eyes of Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu...
The Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena, turned and left.
She departed with a wave of her sleeve, taking not even a wisp of cloud with her.
After Gu Yuena left, worry surfaced on Bibi Dong's face.
"Can we trust the Silver Dragon King? The first ones she contacted were you and Xue'er."
Even if she was a god, she was still a soul beast. It was impossible not to be concerned!
"Those of a different race will always have ulterior motives."
If not for certain gods in the Divine Realm pushing too far—even planning to destroy the Spirit Hall—
Qian Daoliu would never have agreed to cooperate with the Star Dou Great Forest, a decision that defied their ancestors' will.
Soul beasts and humans had always been mortal enemies.
Moreover, the Spirit Hall had been founded partly to resist soul beasts and protect humanity.
Thinking of this, Qian Daoliu sighed deeply. "We have no choice. Neither do the soul beasts. We're all just forming alliances. If possible, it'd be best to drag the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into this as well."
"That Ning Rongrong seems to be of great importance to the Silver Dragon King."
"Understood," Bibi Dong said. "Once I send someone to investigate the City of Slaughter, I'll decide how the Spirit Hall should handle the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Time flew like a white steed flashing past a gap.
Soon, it was the day of the finals for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.
The day before the finals began, Yu Yuanzhen took Yu Xiaogang away, handing over all historical records related to the Nine Crowns of the True Dragon.
On the day of the competition...
Ning Rongrong instinctively glanced toward the Shrek Academy's private booth.
"Huh? Yu Xiaogang is still holding on?"
Just yesterday, she had received news from her father that Yu Xiaogang had been taken away by Yu Yuanzhen.
Yet now, in such a short time...
Yu Xiaogang had reappeared at Shrek Academy.
Didn't Yu Yuanzhen say he would lock this trash up to prevent him from embarrassing himself further?
Truly, a man's words are as deceptive as a ghost's!
So much for father-son affection.
"He must have paid some price," Ning Rongrong mused, then turned her gaze to another booth. "Hmm... Could it be a shady deal?"
"Liu Erlong is actually at the Thunderclap Academy?"
Had Liu Erlong pledged her loyalty to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in exchange for Yu Xiaogang's freedom?
Thinking about it, it wasn't impossible.
After all, this was the Douluo Continent!
A Soul Sage like her could have any man she wanted.
Even Bibi Dong, a Limit Douluo—what man couldn't she have? Yet she still clung to Yu Xiaogang...
...Love-struck fools are terrifying!
Just then, the loudspeaker announced:
"The first match of the finals: Glazed Academy versus Thunderclap Academy!"
"The match will begin in half an hour. All participating teams, please prepare accordingly."