Chapter 19. The Seven-Treasures Pagoda
As had been casually decided earlier, I and Ning Rongrong, as soon as we were settled into our dorm rooms, immediately left the academy grounds and headed together towards her sect, which was located not far from the capital.
The girl was incredibly excited. She hadn't been home for some time, and more importantly, she wasn't returning alone, but with an immensely talented friend who not only intended to join their sect but would also bring them great benefit.
The walk wasn't too long (by Soul Master standards), and soon the view of a majestic residential complex opened before me. The sect's abode, due to its location, resembled a fairytale palace floating among the clouds. Against the clear sky, the multi-tiered pagodas stood out clearly, their roof tiles covered with a special colored glaze. In the sunlight, they shimmered with all shades of azure, emerald, and gold, justifying its status as the Battle Continent's wealthiest sect.
"We're almost there, let's go faster," the excited girl, unable to restrain herself, grabbed my hand and, speeding up, pulled me towards the gates where Soul Masters stood guard. This was a clear distinction compared to the capital, where ordinary people stood guard.
Recognizing the young princess of the clan instantly, we were let through without a moment's delay; the only thing I managed to notice was a man running ahead of us at full speed towards the main palace. Apparently intending to report to the sect master the arrival of his daughter and her guest.
Looking around, honestly speaking, the strength and wealth of the sect were evident everywhere. Everything was made only from the finest materials, and even the decorative fish in the artificial streams clearly belonged to rare species. Even though I was born into the Star Luo Empire's second most powerful family, I had to admit that just by the feel of the place, despite the serene atmosphere and without knowing facts about this sect, one could say the Zhu Clan falls far behind in comparison. To give an example, it feels like comparing the home of immortals with the home of merely powerful mortals. Although that might be an exaggerated comparison.
"This is truly a beautiful place," I remarked.
"Of course. Our sect is one of the best in the world for a reason," Ning Rongrong declared proudly and happily.
"I'm sure the Seven-Treasures Pagoda will prosper even more in the future," I smiled. After all, I really did have high hopes for this sect. Moreover, since I had already decided to oppose the Spirit Hall, it was natural to think about who would replace it, and the Seven-Treasures Pagoda was undoubtedly the best option.
Soon, we finally arrived at the main palace, where the sect master was already waiting for us, seated on a throne, with two Titled Douluo standing on either side of him. Though Ning Rongrong called them grandfathers, due to slower aging they looked like handsome men in their prime, yet seeming like opposites: the Sword Douluo adhered to a bright, almost pure white color scheme, matching his hair, while the Bone Douluo opposite adhered to a dark, nearly black color scheme.
"Father!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed joyfully and immediately ran to her father, who rose from his throne and caught her in mid-stride.
"Well? Did you miss me?" the girl asked provocatively.
"Of course, I missed you," a smile appeared on the face of Ning Fengzhi, the sect master, combining his helplessness and natural joy at seeing his lively daughter.
"Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, I missed you," immediately flitting from her father's arms, the girl addressed the two Titled Douluo.
"Haha, good girl, Grandpa Sword missed you too," Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, laughed heartily.
"I missed you even more!" Gu Zhong, the Bone Douluo, immediately chimed in, not to be outdone.
"You're talking nonsense!" the Sword immediately snapped back.
"What, you don't believe me? Let's go, step outside."
"Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, you've been fighting your whole lives, and today I've brought my friend," the girl immediately hurried to stop the two men. And since I had just approached at a measured pace, she ran over to me to make introductions.
"This is Zhu Zhuqing. She is amazingly talented and she's already a Spirit King at 12 years old!" She said this so proudly, as if speaking about herself.
"It's an honor to meet you, Seniors," I bowed respectfully to the men frozen in bewilderment.
"The honor is mine," Ning Fengzhi quickly recovered before looking at his daughter. "By the way, Rongrong, perhaps your father is getting old, could you please repeat what you just said?"
"I said that Zhuqing is already a Spirit King! And, by the way, she's younger than me," the girl repeated, clearly amused by everyone's reaction.
"Impossible!" Chen Xin immediately exclaimed.
"Yet it's possible," came Rongrong's reply before she came over to me, took my hand, and looked pleadingly right into my eyes. "Zhuqing, show them."
Rolling my eyes at her presentation, I looked at her father and asked, "You don't mind?"
"Of course not," he replied immediately, staring intently in return.
"Alright," giving a short nod, I summoned my spirit, and along with the characteristic features of Spirit Fusion, 5 spirit rings appeared: White, Purple, and 3 Black.
"How is this possible?" Gu Zhong whispered, stunned.
"Just becoming a Spirit King at such an age already surpasses all limits, but what about these rings?" Chen Xin spoke next.
"Now that we've met, gentlemen, allow me to say that I asked Ning Rongrong to arrange this meeting to discuss something important, which will naturally also include the secret of my ring configuration, as well as joining your sect if we reach an agreement," I decided not to drag it out.
"Very well," Ning Fengzhi said, casting a full-of-pride look at his daughter. Who better than him to know the importance of forging connections with powerful spirit masters while being a support-type master himself.
"This hall is not the best place to discuss such matters. Therefore, Rongrong, please take our guest to the conference room, and we will join you shortly," he addressed his daughter.
"Okay," the girl immediately nodded. "Come with me." Taking my hand, she led me deeper into the palace.
Looking at our joined hands, I followed Ning Rongrong, lost in my own thoughts and not paying much attention to her cute chattering.
To be honest, it was a bit embarrassing. This little girl clearly didn't even understand what a test this was for my heart. Her enthusiasm and how she acts cute and sometimes provocatively really is a bit tempting.
No, I shook my head, pushing such thoughts away. After all, I already have my own plans, and I'm not planning to change them so easily because of a fleeting temptation. Besides, even though she is cute, I don't like her enough to really want anything more.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, Ning Fengzhi silently waited for his daughter to lead her guest away before finally speaking.
"What do you think?"
"Without a doubt, she will become a Titled Douluo in the future. With such a foundation, unless she dies prematurely, she might just become the dominant figure of this era," Chen Xin praised before frowning. "Only her origins... She's clearly from the Star Luo Empire, that could be a problem."
"Maybe, or maybe it will bring much greater benefit than one could imagine."
"One thing is important: if we can't reach an agreement, she might become an enemy in the future, and then it would be better to eliminate her," the Bone declared grimly.
"That's out of the question," Ning Fengzhi shook his head.
"Why?"
"The Spirit Hall... I feel they will start acting soon, and now is not the time to make enemies."
"You're too cautious," Gu Zhong snorted.
"No," the Sword suddenly objected. "Maybe you didn't pay attention, but the little girl was clearly self-assured. Of course, we can't rule out overconfidence due to her rate of progress, but if she has a way to escape and we offend her..."
"Since when did you become such a coward?"
"What did you say?! Come on, let's go outside!" the Sword immediately became angry.
"Calm down. First, we should hear what our new guest has to say. My intuition tells me we are in for something remarkable," Ning Fengzhi stopped them.
Hearing his words, both Titled Douluo, being intimately familiar with the fact that most of this sect's wealth was acquired precisely due to the spirit's unique ability to find treasures, would not neglect his intuition.
"We'll sort it out later," Chen Xin grunted.
"Don't you dare run away," Gu Zhong snorted in response.
5 minutes later.
I sat at the table next to Ning Rongrong, across from the sect master and the two Titled Douluo; during this time, a table had been set for us. It was clear Ning Fengzhi wanted to first discuss details in a more informal setting over dinner before finalizing a deal. So, while sampling the delicacies, the conversation began.
"Tell me, Zhu Zhuqing. The method you mentioned for obtaining rings that far exceed the usual age limit – did someone teach you this?" asked Ning Fengzhi.
"No," I shook my head. "I devised this method myself and was the first to test it on myself, before helping three other people follow the same path."
"Three others? So it's definitely confirmed that this method can be freely replicated?" This was truly important information for the sect master. After all, if he could personally cultivate potential Titled Douluo, it would greatly strengthen his sect in the long term.
"Correct, but there are, naturally, problems. Leaving aside the fact that it takes too long for spirit beasts to mature – I believe spirit masters will find an alternative in the future. The problem lies in the fact that the resource that makes this possible can generally only be obtained with the support of truly powerful spirit masters, and even Titled Douluo would find it difficult to acquire it frequently. But even so, by not being greedy, worthy candidates can be periodically selected to become the pillars of the sect."
"Well, that's to be expected," Ning Fengzhi nodded.
Using the utensils, I cut myself a piece of incredibly delicious meat and, after eating it and thoroughly savoring the taste, set the utensils aside and turned serious.
"Sect Master Ning, I prefer to be straightforward, so allow me to be frank and immediately outline the benefits I am prepared to bring to your sect."
"Very well, I'm all ears."
"First, I will join you, which in the coming war with the Spirit Hall (and it will definitely happen in the future) will grant you another Titled Douluo on your side. Second, I will share my self-created skills with the sect, which will allow even support-type masters to move faster and also have the ability to attack no weaker than attack-oriented spirit masters. Ning Rongrong can confirm this."
"Rongrong?" Ning Fengzhi looked at his daughter.
"Father, I witnessed with my own eyes how Sister Zhuqing, before obtaining her 5th ring, defeated Zhao Wuji, who was a Saint, using her technique. It's a very powerful technique."
"The Unmoving Bright King Zhao Wuji?" Chen Xin immediately clarified.
"Correct, he is one of the teachers at Shrek Academy," I replied.
"That is indeed tempting. However, overcoming a gap of more than 20 levels? That's hard to believe," Ning Fengzhi said.
"Father, don't you believe me?!" Ning Rongrong immediately protested.
"Of course he believes you," the Sword Douluo immediately answered for him.
"As for the movement technique, it's slower than my maximum speed, but if ordinary agility-type spirit masters could keep up with me, there would be no point in me absorbing rings from ten-thousand-year spirit beasts. So, in most cases, it will give support masters a chance to escape attacks."
At these words, despite how well Ning Fengzhi restrained himself, it was already obvious that he was immensely excited. I had literally just promised solutions to three important problems for his sect. First, a stable ability to cultivate a protector for the sect; second, support masters gaining offensive power; and third, them gaining the ability to always escape – which for a sect primarily composed of support-type spirit masters was simply incredibly important.
"Third," I raised my hand, showing three fingers. "I am willing to give Ning Rongrong the opportunity to evolve her spirit to the Nine-Treasures Pagoda. And there is another advantage, but that needs to be discussed without her present."
"Why now?" the girl immediately protested, realizing something was about to be kept from her.
"Rongrong, not now," Ning Fengzhi said sternly. Hearing about the possibility of spirit evolution, he almost jumped from his seat. This was literally what his family had dreamed of for generations.
"Father!"
"Rongrong, some things truly aren't worth knowing prematurely," the Sword Douluo spoke up. No matter how much he spoiled Ning Rongrong, he could understand this was clearly not the time.
"Fine then," Ning Rongrong pouted, turning away from everyone.
"Fourth," waiting for silence, I continued. "I will share... I will give two rare fruits that theoretically should, if not immediately raise them by one level, at least significantly ease the breakthrough for the Sword Douluo and the Bone Douluo."
After these words, a fire seemed to ignite in the eyes of both Douluo. At their levels, progress comes extremely slowly. It was clear they were already almost ready to agree to anything.
"And fifth, since even if you don't agree to the terms, we'll still be in the same boat opposing the Spirit Hall, I'll tell you now the truth about the death of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and who is really hiding behind his identity."
"What?!" Ning Fengzhi, who was already excited by the promises, was now extremely shocked and jumped up. After all, if my words were true, it meant he had accepted an impostor as a disciple.
"The Crown Prince was killed long ago by the Spirit Hall, and in his place, impersonating Xue Qinghe, is the daughter of Bibi Dong, born from the former Spirit Hall Pontiff. She has played this role since childhood to secretly seize power in the Heaven Dou Empire. She is also the inheritor of the Angel God's divine position upon awakening, possessing a 20th-level innate full spirit power. And I think you know without me telling you how bad an idea it would be to expose her, much less kill her, right now. At the moment, if the Spirit Hall were to attack out of revenge, even if the two empires united, they would stand no chance against the Spirit Hall. Then a Peak Douluo would take the field, as well as the Angel God's high priest, Qian Daoliu, who has the right to wield divine power. While she is playing her role, she is wasting her talent, giving us a chance to build up strength for the future confrontation."
"This is hard to believe," Chen Xin frowned, while Ning Fengzhi, who had sat back down, tried to organize his thoughts.
"Girl. You are promising us a great deal, even too much. So what is your request in return?" the Bone Douluo spoke.
"I want you, in the future, to not cling to the Heaven Dou Empire, but rather stand on the side of the Star Luo Empire, and also replace the Spirit Hall when it is destroyed, becoming the main power of the Battle Continent. And I will do everything necessary to ascend to godhood and achieve this outcome."