Chapter 222: The Exasperated Ning Fengzhi
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Yu Luomian nodded: "On every occasion that Ning Fengzhi has appeared recently, he has been accompanied solely by Chen Xin—not once has his companion changed."
He paused, then added: "Furthermore, I heard that over a year ago, Ning Rongrong was assaulted at some academy in Soto City. Gu Rong went there to exact retribution on her behalf, and he has not returned since."
Yu Yuanzhen pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly: "We shouldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. It’s possible that old geezer Gu Rong simply stumbled upon an opportunity for a breakthrough and has gone into seclusion."
Yet, there was a distinct note of uncertainty in his voice. An elder chimed in, "What the Clan Head says makes sense. No news has emerged from the Lower Four Sects indicating that anyone there has broken through to the rank of Titled Douluo. Viewed in that light, the ’Upper Three Sects’ still consist of just our two clans—plus that newly established Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect founded by Jiang Bai!"
Another elder laughed heartily, "Indeed! And I imagine the one with the biggest headache right now must be Ning Fengzhi, wouldn’t you agree? Hahahaha!"
He laughed so hard he doubled over: "The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? That’s practically a slap in the face—an act of blatant mockery!"
The assembled elders couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Even Yu Yuanzhen couldn’t suppress a slight curl of his lips.
Oh, Ning Fengzhi... your troubles have only just begun.
He thought to himself in silence.
...
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—Study.
In stark contrast to the relaxed atmosphere at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the mood here was terrifyingly oppressive.
Ning Fengzhi sat at his desk, his hands clenching a dossier with a death grip.
He had crumpled the document so tightly that the paper was now a wrinkled, distorted mess.
It contained intelligence regarding the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The content was sparse—merely a few brief lines of text.
Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Sect Master: Jiang Bai. Sect Headquarters: The mountainous region northwest of Spirit City.
Yet, the mere mention of those words—"Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect"—was enough to make Ning Fengzhi’s expression turn as foul as if he had just swallowed a mouthful of excrement.
His face was ashen, his teeth were gritted tight, and his entire body trembled with rage!
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?!
He slammed the dossier down onto the desk with a violent thud, his face contorted with fury.
By what right?! By what right does his sect get to call itself the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?!
Even if Jiang Bai’s Spirit is indeed a tower-type Spirit, that still gives him no right to name his sect after the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—the superior, evolved form of my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!
Ning Fengzhi’s chest heaved violently, his breathing coming in ragged gasps.
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—that was the stuff of legend within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!
It existed only within ancient texts—the ultimate, evolved form of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Throughout the sect’s history, every successive Sect Master had heard tales of it, yet not a single one had ever witnessed a disciple actually awaken the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit.
That was the supreme glory of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—an existence that every Sect Master throughout the generations had dreamed of attaining.
Yet now, an outsider—an Elder of the Spirit Hall—had actually used that very name to christen his own sect?
This was nothing short of blatant humiliation!
"Jiang Bai... Jiang Bai..."
Ning Fengzhi murmured the name to himself, his eyes filled with a dark, brooding intensity.
An Elder of the Spirit Hall establishing a sect of his own—what exactly was his objective?
And to make matters worse... he had chosen the name "Nine Treasure Glazed Tile" specifically!
Ah!
Ning Fengzhi—a man usually known for his composure—felt his mind thrown into utter chaos in that moment.
In a fit of rage, he tore the scroll he held in his hands into shreds!
Paper fragments fluttered through the air, scattering across the floor.
"Fengzhi."
An aged yet steady voice drifted in from the doorway.
Ning Fengzhi looked up.
At some point—he knew not when—Chen Xin had appeared at the entrance.
He was still clad in his signature white robes, his expression stern and aloof. Yet, within those sharp, piercing eyes, there now flickered a hint of concern.
"Are you alright?"
Chen Xin stepped into the study; seeing the floor strewn with paper scraps, his brows furrowed ever so slightly.
Ning Fengzhi took several deep breaths, striving to compose himself.
He forced a strained smile. "Uncle Sword... I’m fine. It’s just... sigh..."
He let out a long, weary sigh and leaned back against his chair.
His usually refined and scholarly face was now etched with exhaustion.
"Uncle Sword, I assume you’ve heard the news as well?"
Chen Xin nodded and took a seat opposite him.
Ning Fengzhi rubbed his temples and spoke slowly.
"Whether Jiang Bai has truly struck out on his own, or if the Spirit Hall is merely looking to meddle in our affairs, we must—at all costs—defend our status as one of the ’Upper Three Sects’ during the Sect Hegemony Tournament."
He looked directly at Chen Xin, his gaze solemn and earnest. "Uncle Sword... I’m counting on you!"
Gu Rong had failed to make an appearance for quite some time now; although Ning Fengzhi had secretly dispatched men to search for him, they had returned with absolutely no leads.
He could only accept the grim reality that Gu Rong had likely perished.
Now, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had no choice but to rely entirely upon Chen Xin alone. Chen Xin nodded slightly: "Mm."
He stood up: "Fengzhi, you should get some good rest as well."
Having said this, he was just about to turn and leave when he suddenly halted his steps.
"Oh, and Fengzhi..."
He turned his head back: "Regarding Tang San—you’ll need to keep a close eye on him."
Ning Fengzhi nodded: "Understood."
...
Night fell.
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Tang San’s courtyard.
It was a self-contained compound situated deep within the sect grounds, offering a serene and secluded environment.
The courtyard was modest in size, yet it was fully equipped with every necessity: a cultivation chamber, a bedroom, a study—everything one could possibly need.
At this moment, the cultivation chamber was brightly lit.
Tang San sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes closed.
Faint ripples of soul power swirled around his body.
His breathing was steady and deep.
With every breath, the soul power would gently rise and fall in rhythm with his respiration, as if it possessed a life of its own.
Level 51.
In just over a year—advancing from Level 43 to Level 51—he had achieved a full eight-level increase.
Such a pace would be enough to astonish anyone, anywhere.
Yet, Tang San was not satisfied.
It wasn’t enough.
He thought to himself silently.
It wasn’t fast enough.
He needed to become stronger.
Strong enough to kill that person.
Outside the door, a soft knocking sound was heard.
Tang San opened his eyes and reined in his aura.
His soul power receded back into his body like a retreating tide, and the room returned to a state of tranquility.
He stood up, walked over, and opened the door.
Standing outside in the moonlight was Ning Fengzhi.
He wore a long robe the color of moonlight, his demeanor refined and scholarly, a gentle smile gracing his face. The moonlight spilled down, casting a faint, ethereal glow around him.
"Xiao San, still cultivating?"
Tang San bowed slightly: "Uncle Ning."
Ning Fengzhi waved his hand dismissively: "I’ve told you before—there’s no need to be so formal."
He stepped into the courtyard and took a seat on a stone bench.
Tang San followed him and sat down on the bench opposite him.
Ning Fengzhi gazed at him, a flicker of satisfaction glinting in his eyes. "I have come to tell you something."
Tang San asked in puzzlement, "What is it?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "The Seven Great Sects Tournament is set to begin in three years. When the time comes, as a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you will be expected to participate."
Tang San paused for a moment, slightly taken aback.
Me—as a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
You certainly have a way with words.
He sneered inwardly.
Hmph! In life, I belong to the Tang Sect; in death, I remain a ghost of the Tang Sect!
Yet, his expression remained impassive; he simply nodded.
Unaware of Tang San’s inner thoughts, Ning Fengzhi continued, "Given your current strength, I doubt there is anyone among the younger generation who could stand as your equal."
Tang San offered no verbal reply.
However, a glint of self-assurance flickered within his eyes.
His Soul Power rank had now broken through to Level 51, and he possessed a ten-thousand-year Soul Bone. With the sheer might of the Clear Sky Hammer—combined with his...Tang Sect hidden weapons...
As long as that Jiang Li’er from the Spirit Hall didn’t show up, among the younger generation, there truly was no one who could stand against him.
But even if she wanted to come, she likely couldn’t, could she?
After all, this was a tournament open only to the major sects.
Tang San had evidently heard tales of Jiang Li’er’s exploits during the Spirit Master Tournament and regarded her with considerable wariness.
That woman with the golden hair and crimson eyes was a Titled Douluo.
A twenty-year-old Titled Douluo.
Whenever Tang San thought of her, a complex swirl of emotions would rise within his heart.
There was wariness, there was envy, and there was also... a sense of bitter resentment.
Why?
Why were some people born standing at the very pinnacle?
While he, on the other hand, had to climb his way up step by step from the very bottom?
It wasn’t fair.
He thought to himself in silence.
Ning Fengzhi watched him, a flicker of satisfaction passing through his eyes.
This lad was indeed making rapid progress.
Moreover, he had even produced those "hidden weapons" of his, using them to arm the sect’s disciples.
This investment was absolutely worth it!
He mused inwardly.
With Tang San on their side, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s standing in this Sect Hegemony Tournament should rise to even greater heights.
The Clear Sky Sect was no more... and that old dragon, Yu Yuanzhen, likely wouldn’t be a match for Uncle Sword...
On that day, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would draw one step closer to becoming the greatest sect under the heavens.
The only variable remaining was Jiang Bai’s... Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
At the mere thought of this, Ning Fengzhi felt another surge of teeth-grinding frustration.
Yet, on the surface, he maintained his refined and gentle smile.
He rose to his feet and patted Tang San on the shoulder: "Prepare yourself well. When the time comes, Uncle Sword and I will personally lead the team."
Tang San nodded: "Thank you, Uncle Ning."
Ning Fengzhi smiled, then turned and took his leave.
The sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
In the courtyard, Tang San was left entirely alone.
He sat upon a stone bench, gazing out at the moonlight beyond the window.
The moonlight flowed like water, spilling across his youthful face.
Upon that face, at this very moment, there rested an expression of chilling malevolence.
The Sect Hegemony Tournament...
He murmured the words silently to himself.
Jiang Bai... just you wait.
One day, I will kill you with my own two hands. He clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.