The focus returned to Shu Yan's side.
After everything had been settled, the Snow Empress turned her gaze back to Shu Yan.
"What now? Do you need me to take you away directly?"
Shu Yan thought for a moment, then smiled lightly.
"Forget it. Since we've crossed paths twice, that makes it fate. And if fate has brought us together, why not go and meet them?"
The Snow Empress looked slightly surprised.
"That doesn't sound like your usual style."
Shu Yan chuckled.
"My style tends to change. I treat different factions—and different people—with different attitudes."
The Ice Empress shot him a dramatic eye roll and sneered:
"What fate? From your point of view it's fate— from theirs, it's probably closer to a scare. You're really good at flattering yourself."
Xu Jiujjiu watched Shu Yan and the Ice Empress bicker helplessly, though the smile at the corner of her lips was impossible to hide. Truth be told, Shu Yan and the Ice Empress were increasingly starting to look like a pair of natural rivals—whenever the two of them were together, things were never dull.
…
Yellow sand filled the sky.
With no trees left to block it, the howling wind swept the sand from the ground and hurled it into the air. The desolate, lonely atmosphere of this land had never changed. Sheltered among the group, Ning Xiangxue couldn't help but sigh. Holding Ning Tian's hand, she spoke softly:
"The environment here is becoming harsher and harsher. If this continues, it won't be many years before this ancient battlefield is buried beneath the sands. By then, even paying respects to our ancestors will become even more difficult."
Ning Xiangxue gazed into the distance. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but endless yellow sand. Her emotions were hard to describe, and her grip on Ning Tian's hand unconsciously tightened.
"Ten thousand years pass in the blink of an eye. After Ancestor Ning Rongrong ascended to godhood and departed, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect finally rose to prosperity again. Yet, not a single genius with the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul has appeared since."
"It bears the name 'Nine Treasures,' but in truth, it has long since become little more than a title."
"The Heaven Dou Empire has split, the continent is in chaos, and as the times shift, our sect's position continues to drift into an increasingly awkward place. Where, then, does the future of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect truly lie?"
Her murmured words were quickly swallowed by the wind and sand, receiving no response—much like the situation faced by countless factions in this era. No one could know the outcome in advance.
After passing the collapsed city walls, the group stopped moving forward.
Ten thousand years ago, during the great war, the sect's only two Guardian Douluo—Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo—had fallen here. Their contributions to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had been immeasurable. Without them, it was uncertain whether the sect would even still exist today.
After ascending to godhood, the first sect master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong, once delivered a divine decree: from her generation onward, the sitting sect master and heir must travel to Jialing Pass every five years to pay tribute to the two ancestors. This was an iron rule of the sect.
Even after the continent underwent drastic changes, every generation of sect masters had continued to uphold this rule, never abandoning it.
Crack—
A crisp sound came from ahead. Almost instantly, the many powerful figures accompanying the group turned their gaze toward the swirling sandstorm.
With both the sect master and the young heir traveling together, nearly all the experts assigned to protect them were elite forces.
Aside from Elder Wu, the Red Dragon Douluo, and Elder Zhao, the Divine Shield Douluo, there were also five Soul Douluo and several Soul Saints. Furthermore, only dozens of kilometers away at Jialing Pass, Shadow Douluo Elder Yan led another team, standing by to provide support at any moment.
Such an array was worthy of a sect with ten thousand years of heritage.
A strange yet familiar aura drifted through the air. Elder Wu froze for a moment, then his expression changed drastically. Lowering his voice, he said urgently:
"Sect Master, this aura is almost identical to the one I sensed the last time I escorted the young mistress and those youngsters on a soul-hunting mission…"
Ning Xiangxue frowned slightly and pulled Ning Tian behind her. Amid the increasingly violent storm, she spoke calmly:
"Let's act according to the situation. As you said last time, those two are definitely not ordinary experts. But since they chose to avoid contact back then instead of confronting you directly, it's clear they bear no real hostility or grudge against us."
"Unless absolutely necessary, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect must not make any new enemies. The sect cannot afford such a burden."
"Yes…"
Everyone responded in unison, their eyes fixed warily on the swirling sands.
In the tense, suffocating atmosphere, an irritated voice suddenly rang out:
"Damn it, Shu Yan! Don't touch my head! If you ruin my dignified image later, I'll make you pay with your life!"
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect members: "?"
As Ning Xiangxue and the others were still momentarily stunned, four figures slowly emerged from the sandstorm. The Ice Empress was rubbing her head while glaring fiercely at Shu Yan, looking every bit like a wronged victim.
Xu Jiujjiu and the Snow Empress stood gracefully beside them, both wearing faint smiles, showing not the slightest trace of tension.
By comparison, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's side looked genuinely nervous—almost flustered.
Shu Yan stopped teasing the Ice Empress and shifted his gaze forward, then spoke:
"Everyone, fate has brought us together once again."
After angrily pinching Shu Yan's thigh, the Ice Empress also turned her gaze toward the opposing group.
Ning Xiangxue exchanged a glance with Ning Tian behind her, then spoke in a gentle, refined voice:
"Friends, I am Ning Xiangxue, Sect Master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. The two experts beside me are the sect's honored elders—the Red Dragon Douluo and the Divine Shield Douluo."
"I have already heard about the previous incident from Tian'er and Elder Wu. It was purely an accident. If possible, I would like to invite you to visit the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in the future. We will certainly not disappoint our guests."
Shu Yan smiled lightly and replied:
"Meeting is fate in itself, Sect Master Ning. There's no need to be so formal. Last time, my elder sister was in a bad mood and ended up frightening your friends. If anything, that was our fault."
Ning Xiangxue shook her head gently and gave a wry smile.
"It was simply that our skills were inferior. You're being too kind."
Shu Yan smiled again, his gaze sweeping across the group before pausing briefly on Ning Tian behind Ning Xiangxue.
"Is this Sect Master Ning's daughter?"
Ning Xiangxue paused, then pulled Ning Tian slightly forward and nodded.
"That's right. Tian'er was also part of that soul-hunting team last time, which is why Elder Wu accompanied her…"
"Heh… Young Sect Master Ning already carries herself with remarkable composure at such a young age, and her cultivation talent is exceptional. Sect Master Ning is truly fortunate to have such an outstanding daughter—quite enviable, indeed."
Shu Yan offered the praise casually, his faint smile making him appear even more relaxed and handsome. Ning Tian was still young, and Shu Yan's presence was simply too disarming. Even though she was far more mature than her peers, her small face flushed uncontrollably all the same.