As far as Ning Tianchen was concerned, as long as nothing happened to him along the way, he was destined to become a Titled Douluo in the future—and potentially even a top-tier one among them.
In contrast, for the Blue Lightning Twin Stars, starting with innate soul power at level eight, becoming a Titled Douluo would require a stroke of great fortune. Even if they managed to reach that stage, it would be difficult for their soul power to surpass rank 95.
No matter how you looked at it, Ning Tianchen's future strength would exceed that of the Blue Lightning Twin Stars.
If Ning Tianchen were to die, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would no longer be able to suppress the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in the future.
"Uncle Jian, based on your speculation, that possibility definitely exists," Ning Fengzhi said, brows tightly furrowed.
Fortunately, he had timely dispatched Gu Rong for support. Fortunately, Ning Tianchen was strong enough. Otherwise, both he and Ning Rongrong might have perished.
"Sect Master, I also feel this isn't something Old Long would have done," Chen Xin added. "Although he has always regarded our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as a competitor, based on his character, he wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics."
Ning Fengzhi quickly took out the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's reply letter from his soul tool.
"You, go to my study and fetch the folder located on the third spot of the sixth row in bookshelf number seven," Ning Fengzhi instructed.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had archived handwritten letters from Yu Yuanzhen. By comparing the handwriting, they could determine whether this recent letter was indeed penned by him.
Not long after, a disciple returned with a dust-covered folder.
With a casual wave of his hand, Chen Xin dispersed the dust from the folder and took out the letters inside.
These were correspondence letters exchanged between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan from years ago.
Chen Xin carefully compared the handwriting on both letters.
After a long while, he concluded, "Sect Master, at first glance, this letter does seem to be written by Old Long. But on closer inspection, there are several strokes that appear unnatural."
"This handwriting carries 90% of Old Long's style, but I can confirm—it wasn't written by him. It must've been forged by someone extremely familiar with his writing."
Ning Fengzhi asked, "Uncle Jian, are you suggesting that the original reply was written by Sect Master Yu, but someone switched it midway? And the contents of this letter were copied and selectively altered from the original?"
Chen Xin nodded.
Ning Tianchen exclaimed, "Does that mean Yu Yuanzhen has been sidelined?"
On the Douluo Continent, where soul masters reigned supreme, as long as Yu Yuanzhen remained the only Titled Douluo of the sect, his authority was unshakable.
Still, the reason Ning Tianchen said that was to make himself seem more like a naïve eleven-year-old boy in the eyes of others.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, his expression serious. "Vice Sect Master Yu. Aside from him, very few in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have prolonged access to Sect Master Yu."
"I suspect Old Long is currently in seclusion and has entrusted all sect affairs to Yu Luomian," Chen Xin speculated. "But Luomian isn't the sect leader, and even in the future, he's unlikely to become one. Why would he do this?"
Ning Fengzhi didn't dare delve deeper into the implications. "Let's leave it at that. Tianchen, do not speak of this matter to anyone—not even to Rongrong. After all, this is an internal affair of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. It's not our place to interfere."
"Oh, right. Tomorrow night, I'm hosting a family banquet. You should come, Tianchen."
"Huh? I can come too?" Ning Tianchen asked in surprise.
Inviting outsiders to a family banquet? Would it still count as a "family" banquet then? He had a hunch that Ning Fengzhi wanted to discuss something important during the dinner.
"Could it be about me and Rongrong?" he thought.
Mentally, he was quite mature, but physically he was still just an eleven-year-old boy. Wasn't it a bit too early to discuss marriage?
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. Just come," Chen Xin said calmly.
Ning Tianchen didn't overthink it any further.
After leaving the main hall, he returned to the training grounds to continue practicing his sword techniques.
The training ground wasn't empty—several sect disciples from the special training camp were still there.
Given his current strength, there was no longer a need for him to remain in the special training camp. In fact, he had already applied for early graduation a year ago.
Some of the trainees had advanced to the level of Soul Grandmaster, but compared to Ning Tianchen, their strength still fell far short.
A now-chubby Chen Huayu said with envy, "Sigh, the gap between me and big bro keeps growing. When will I ever catch up to his level?"
Qi Huan nudged him. "Fat Chen, give it a rest. Big Bro's getting top-tier training and resources from the sect. If you had what he has, then you could talk about catching up."
Chen Huayu huffed, "Hmph! I'm going to take a leave tomorrow and head to the mission hall to accept some assignments. Once I get enough rewards, I'll catch up to him eventually!"
Qi Huan shrugged. "Good luck with that."
The Next Evening
At dusk the next day, under the guidance of an attendant, Ning Tianchen arrived at the estate within the sect where Ning Fengzhi and his family resided.
The estate was vast, with a garden full of colorful flowers blooming in a wide variety of species.
In the center stood the grand main building, towering and impressive. Rows of multicolored soul-powered lamps hung on the walls, creating a spectacular and radiant display.
As Ning Tianchen walked along the paths of the estate, he noticed that all the lamp posts were shaped like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Tonight's family banquet was being held on a lawn within the estate.
The venue had already been prepared in advance, and Ning Rongrong was currently sitting on a bench with a gloomy look on her face.
Curious, Ning Tianchen walked over and asked, "What's bothering you, Rongrong?"
Upon hearing his voice, a rare smile appeared at the corners of Ning Rongrong's eyebrows.
But her tone remained glum as she replied, "Brother Tianchen, Father has already decided to send us to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
"It's so boring there. I really don't want to go."
As she said this, her eyes flickered with an idea. She leaned close to Ning Tianchen and whispered, "Brother Tianchen, why don't we sneak away instead? I have a map of the route to the Balak Kingdom—we can go to Shrek Academy together."
There was no way Ning Tianchen could agree to that.
After all, Ning Rongrong was Ning Fengzhi's treasured daughter, the apple of his eye—and also beloved by the sect's two powerful protectors.
Even if the idea to leave didn't come from him, he would still be accused of "abducting Ning Rongrong."
If that happened and Chen Xin (Sword Douluo) stopped teaching him swordsmanship, the consequences would be unbearable.
"Rongrong, I plan to enter closed-door cultivation for the next few days. Why don't you wait a little longer?" Ning Tianchen responded, using the classic delay tactic.
Ning Rongrong pouted, but inwardly she began to plot her next move.
Before long, Ning Fengzhi arrived at the estate, accompanied by Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
Though Sword and Bone Douluo were not blood relatives, after spending so much time together, they were already considered family in all but name.
In Ning Fengzhi's household, besides Ning Rongrong, he had a few sons as well.
However, none of them had an innate soul power above rank five—essentially, they were considered completely unfit for cultivation.
In addition, several of Ning Fengzhi's wives were present—each one noble, graceful, and dignified in bearing.