"Slash me?!"
Ning Rongrong was instantly stunned upon hearing this.
This guy was up to no good.
"It won't hurt!"
Fang Xuan assured Ning Rongrong with a serious expression.
"I have a lot of experience!"
Ning Rongrong: "..."
…
When night fell, they returned to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect together. With Fang Xuan's help, Ning Rongrong quickly refined the Beautiful Silk Tulip, and her Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial spirit evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, paving the way for her to become a Titled Douluo.
Ning Rongrong entered the sect in high spirits, eager to tell Ning Fengzhi the excellent news. Meanwhile, Fang Xuan followed behind her calmly with a faint smile. He had also successfully replicated the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial spirit, just as he had hoped.
In the main hall of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, Ning Fengzhi sat calmly in the main seat, a warm smile on his face. His silver hair flowed down his back, and he remained as handsome and graceful as ever, exuding the aura of a superior being.
Two elderly men sat beside him, one in white robes and the other in grey. Their auras were incredibly powerful, and their spirit power was as deep as the ocean. They were none other than the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
"Father, look! My Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda has evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda!"
Ning Rongrong's face was full of excitement as she playfully winked at Ning Fengzhi. She held a nine-story pagoda in her jade-like hand, radiating nine-colored divine light illuminating the entire hall. She was proudly showing it off to her father.
"The Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda! It is the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda!"
Ning Fengzhi's face lit up with joy as he stared at the nine-story pagoda in Ning Rongrong's hand, disbelief in his eyes.
As the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and the number one auxiliary-type spirit master in the world, he had limitless glory. However, there was an irreparable regret in his heart: he was only a Rank 79 Spirit Saint.
To ordinary people, a Rank 79 spirit master was incredibly powerful. But it was nothing compared to the strongest forces on the Douluo Continent. The other three sect masters were all Titled Douluo, while he remained a Spirit Saint. Even though he had the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo as his guardians, he still felt inferior to the other sect masters. This had always been a sore spot for him.
If nothing unexpected happened, he would be stuck at Rank 79 for the rest of his life, unable to advance.
It wasn't that Ning Fengzhi lacked talent but that the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda only had seven levels, limiting its strength to Rank 79. That was why he couldn't progress.
Now that he saw Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda evolve into the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, how could he not be astonished? This meant Ning Rongrong could become a Titled Douluo in the future!
"My god, it is a Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda! This is incredible!" Bone Douluo marveled, equally ecstatic.
"How did you do it, Rongrong?" Sword Douluo stroked his snowy white beard, a benevolent smile on his elderly face. He turned to Ning Rongrong, his eyes full of curiosity.
"It was an immortal herb that Fang Xuan gave me called the Beautiful Silk Tulip. After I consumed it, my Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, and my spirit power increased significantly. I'm not far from becoming a Spirit Emperor now," Ning Rongrong explained excitedly.
Her words all slightly took aback Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo, and they turned to Fang Xuan in unison. A look of disappointment crossed their faces.
Yes, it was a disappointment.
Fang Xuan was once supposed to marry into the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and become its next guardian after Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. Unfortunately, the engagement had been annulled, and Fang Xuan became a fugitive.
Seeing Fang Xuan's remarkable achievements now, Ning Fengzhi and the others couldn't help but feel regret. Perhaps this was fate playing a cruel joke.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you back then," Ning Fengzhi sighed after a long silence, looking at Fang Xuan with an apologetic expression.
"No, I should be the one thanking you. Thank you, seniors, for your help during the Spirit Master Tournament," Fang Xuan replied seriously, bowing deeply to Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo in gratitude.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo exchanged glances, feeling reassured. Their investment in Fang Xuan had not been in vain; he hadn't turned his back on them.
They had all heard of the destruction of the Purple Extreme Sect, and Fang Xuan had been standing up for the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. This left Ning Fengzhi and the others feeling deeply gratified.
"Fang Xuan, what rank are you now?" Sword Douluo asked, his eyes sharp with interest. He couldn't see through Fang Xuan's strength and was slightly surprised.
Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo also stared at Fang Xuan, their eyes filled with curiosity.
"Titled Douluo," Fang Xuan said calmly, not hiding anything.
"Titled...?!"
Everyone gasped in shock as if they had just seen a ghost.
"How old are you, and you're already a Titled Douluo? How am I, an old man who only became a Titled Douluo in my fifties, supposed to show my face?!" Bone Douluo huffed in frustration, blowing his beard and glaring, clearly feeling down.
"Grandpa Bone, relax. This guy isn't human at all..."
A mischievous smile appeared on Ning Rongrong's face as she patted Fang Xuan's shoulder.
"He's a monster! How can a human be compared to a monster? So, don't worry about it."
"I didn't expect you to become a Titled Douluo so quickly. The younger generation truly surpasses the old."
Ning Fengzhi had mixed emotions as he nodded at Fang Xuan with admiration.
"Fang Xuan, thank you for helping Rongrong upgrade to the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda. The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect will remember this kindness. If you ever need assistance, please come to me."
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning!"
Fang Xuan smiled and glanced playfully at Ning Rongrong, who was pulling a funny face. "Giving Rongrong the immortal herb wasn't exactly helping her—it was more like a fair exchange, don't you think?"
At this, Ning Rongrong remembered how Fang Xuan had ruthlessly slashed her with his sword not long ago. She shot him a fierce glare, gritting her teeth in frustration.
In truth, Fang Xuan had given Ning Rongrong the Beautiful Silk Tulip to upgrade her Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, which made it easier for him to slash her and steal the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial spirit. This top-tier auxiliary-type martial spirit was his real objective.
Imagine unleashing a series of buffs on himself during battle; his strength would increase exponentially, making him unstoppable.
"You didn't come to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect just to give Rongrong an immortal herb, did you?" Ning Fengzhi eyed Fang Xuan knowingly, waving the paper fan as though he had already seen through Fang Xuan's intentions.
"Yes, I want to know about the current situation in the Heaven Dou Empire," Fang Xuan replied seriously.
"I figured as much," Ning Fengzhi sighed.
"But unfortunately, the Heaven Dou Empire severed all ties with our Sect a year ago. Even I don't know the current state of affairs."
Ning Fengzhi gazed deeply into Fang Xuan's eyes. "All I can tell you is that the situation in the Heaven Dou Empire is... extremely dire."
Extremely dire?
Fang Xuan's brows furrowed slightly. According to the timeline, changes in the Heaven Dou Palace should have started a year later. Could his presence have triggered these events earlier?
If there was a coup in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, it was something Fang Xuan wanted to avoid at all costs. The mastermind behind the coup was the one person Fang Xuan least wished to encounter.
"Fang Xuan, you've returned to the Heaven Dou Empire to settle that old debt, haven't you?"
Ning Fengzhi's expression was complicated. He had already guessed most of Fang Xuan's motives.
Even though the Heaven Dou Empire had betrayed him, Ning Fengzhi couldn't bear the thought of a father and son fighting each other.
"Yes."
Fang Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "I plan to visit the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace soon."
Everyone fell silent at these words. It was well-known that the Heaven Dou Empire was undergoing a once-in-a-decade upheaval, and the mastermind behind the turmoil was in the imperial palace.
In other words, the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace was a tiger's den, a place of extreme danger. Entering it without permission could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Moreover, Fang Xuan was a wanted criminal by the Martial Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire. Going to the palace would be like walking straight into a trap.
"Are you out of your mind?" Ning Rongrong snapped.
"You're a wanted criminal! Why would you head to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace to die? Just because you're a Titled Douluo doesn't mean you can act recklessly. The Heaven Dou Empire has ruled the Douluo Continent for centuries. The palace has countless hidden experts—some old masters might come out and beat you!"
Though her words were sharp, Ning Rongrong indirectly tried to persuade Fang Xuan not to go. The palace was genuinely dangerous.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo remained silent, not interfering in Fang Xuan's decision.
Ning Fengzhi, however, chose to support him. "If you need help, I can have Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu accompany you."
"Thank you. If I run into any real trouble, I won't hesitate to ask for help," Fang Xuan replied with a faint smile, expressing his gratitude.
Everyone knew the situation in the Heaven Dou Empire was grim. The imperial palace was as perilous as a tiger's den. But even if it were a sea of flames or a mountain of blades, Fang Xuan would still march into it.
He had to go to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
But before he did, he needed to be fully prepared for any dangers.
Fang Xuan stayed at the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect for the next week, cultivating peace. He also perfected the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, further increasing his strength.