Chapter 279: Ning Fengzhi Becomes an Elder of Spirit Hall
Inside the Supreme Pontiff Hall's VIP lounge, Qian Xunji had changed clothes, while Ning Fengzhi sat on a soft-cushioned seat. In front of him was a steaming cup of tea, but he had no mind to drink.
Qian Xunji spoke: "Fengzhi, what on earth happened at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? If Grand Priest Bo Saixi hadn't unexpectedly come to our Spirit Hall, I'd still be in the dark about who truly destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—and my Hall would still be bearing all the blame."
"Grand Priest Bo Saixi… Your Holiness, do you mean the High Priest of Sea God Island? That peerless Douluo on par with your father?" Ning Fengzhi asked. Ning Rongrong had told him of the events in that other timeline, so he was aware of Sea God Island and Bo Saixi, the woman known as the strongest on the Continent, virtually a demigod.
"That's right. I didn't expect you to know of Sea God Island," Qian Xunji replied, guessing that Ning Rongrong had filled him in. He continued, "Bibi Dong is the Sea God's inheritor, yet she's committed countless atrocities. She even slew the Guardian Douluo of the Sea God's holy pillars. After Bo Saixi discovered this and came ashore to investigate, she confirmed it was Bibi Dong's doing and concluded Bibi Dong was unfit to inherit the Sea God's power. She's asked our Spirit Hall to eliminate her."
"Your Holiness, do you believe Bone Uncle and I wrongly handled Bibi Dong? Our clan did raise her, giving her only the very best, and yet she wanted to leave us for that worthless Yu Xiaogang after only a few months with him—some complete nobody from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Naturally, he was referring to the incident in the clan's secret chamber. First, he had to clarify that matter before explaining everything else.
Qian Xunji replied calmly, "There's no absolute right or wrong in it. In this survival-of-the-fittest world, strength determines who's in the wrong. Surely you know that better than most."
Ning Fengzhi let out a bitter laugh. "You speak truly, Your Holiness. I never imagined a day would come when I'd ask such a question."
Relieved that Qian Xunji showed no resentment about the secret-chamber incident, Ning Fengzhi, with a note of disbelief, went on, "But Your Holiness, I find it hard to fathom. Bibi Dong clearly died years ago at our clan's hands; I saw it with my own eyes. How could she still be alive?"
Standing up, Qian Xunji's face turned grave. "If what you say is true, then I can only suspect that it was the work of a god reviving her."
"A god!"
"If the soul still exists, it's child's play for a god to recreate a body and bring someone back to life. If a god wants to create a powerful expert, it's likewise simple. Such lofty beings can shift the entire continent's fate with a mere wave of the hand."
Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet, trembling. "Your Holiness… does that mean we're powerless to stop Bibi Dong from toying with the Continent? She's gone utterly insane—she's not just avenging herself, but also avenging Yu Xiaogang."
"Given that Yu Xiaogang is infamous across the Continent, and Bibi Dong slaughtered even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan he hailed from, it seems likely she intends to target everyone in her rampage."
Qian Xunji sneered. "This Continent won't be so easily ravaged by Bibi Dong. If a god chose her, then another god-backed power can deal with her."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes shone. "Your Holiness, are you saying… there's someone in Spirit Hall who has been chosen by a god as well?"
"You'll learn in time," Qian Xunji said with a faint smile. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed out a Supreme Pontiff's token, letting it land on the table before Ning Fengzhi. "Fengzhi, even though you're only a Spirit Sage, you're the Continent's top support-type spirit master—a valid candidate for an Elder of Spirit Hall. Since you've joined us, I present you with this Elder's Token."
"Thank you, Your Holiness, for your high regard. Fengzhi will give all he has to aid Spirit Hall." Ning Fengzhi carefully put away the token, feeling relief. Possessing it meant he had a solid footing in the Hall, guaranteeing his safety.
Once Ning Fengzhi had departed, Qian Xunji's warm veneer vanished. With a gesture, Ghost Douluo appeared.
"Your Holiness."
Clasping his hands behind his back, Qian Xunji said, "Ning Fengzhi still isn't entirely sincere. After he's settled in the Elders' Hall, have the elders there needle him a bit, to keep him in line."
"As you command."
"Little Ning Rongrong truly does like handing my Spirit Hall freebies."
A faint grin tugged at Qian Xunji's lips. He knew full well that Ning Fengzhi, privy to the events of that other world, was feigning ignorance, using moralizing rhetoric to tie Spirit Hall into confronting Bibi Dong. Still, as their immediate aims coincided, he was willing to play along.
A few days later, Spirit Hall issued a new statement: according to their newly appointed elder—Master Ning Fengzhi of the late Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—the annihilation of both the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was the work of a deranged Bibi Dong. Liu Erlong had joined Bibi Dong in attacking the clan to avenge Yu Xiaogang.
The entire Douluo Continent stirred once more. Who would have expected such a truth? With a former clan master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—and current Spirit Hall elder—testifying, it carried immense weight.
Some factions, however, remained skeptical, especially those who knew Ning Fengzhi's cunning nature. They suspected Spirit Hall had destroyed the clan, then captured Ning Fengzhi and coerced him into perjury. After all, Ning Fengzhi always ensured no loose ends, and it was said Bibi Dong had been kept under lock and key, so how would she still live? And how could she have grown strong enough to pull off that slaughter? Moreover, if she hated Yu Xiaogang's clan, why would Liu Erlong, from that very clan, side with her?
It all sounded odd and illogical.
Still, Ning Fengzhi's declaration did a great deal to lift the stain from Spirit Hall's name. The pressures from the two great empires eased considerably, and the armies on Heaven Dou's borders no longer swelled daily. Their shops resumed normal operations.
Several days later, Spirit Hall arranged quarters for Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong. He donned a crimson formal robe adorned with gold and silver patterns. Set into the chest was a gold-glowing gemstone as large as an infant's fist—a mark of lavish wealth. It was the attire worn by an Elder of Spirit Hall.
"Rongrong, there's something I wish to discuss with you."
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen