"It's been a while, Tang San," Ning Rongrong said calmly, without the hostility some transmigrators might show, as if seeing Tang San was like facing a mortal enemy.
"Why are you here?" Tang San's brows furrowed, his heart skipping a beat.
Ning Rongrong was the Young Sect Leader of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Their visit was to secretly meet Lou Gao for some less-than-honest dealings.
Moreover, from the letter they sent earlier and Ning Yun's recent words, it seemed highly likely that this eldest son, stripped of his inheritance, harbored resentment toward his younger sister.
What was going on here?
Before Tang San could ponder further, Ning Rongrong's calm voice spoke again.
"Lou Gao is an indispensable top talent of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. As the Young Sect Leader, I have a good relationship with Pavilion Master Lou Gao."
"Is it so strange that I'd come to Vast Sea City with him for a visit?"
Tang San fell silent at her words.
It was rumored that Dugu Bo, the master of both medicine and poison, was brought back by Ning Rongrong.
The renowned divine craftsman of the Soul Tool Pavilion, Lou Gao, was also invited by Ning Rongrong from Blacksmith City.
For her to accompany Lou Gao, with their close relationship and her status as Young Sect Leader, it was perfectly reasonable.
"What do you think of our deal with Lou Gao?" Tang San hesitated but asked directly.
Don't assume you're clever and everyone else is a fool. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect couldn't be completely unaware of their intentions, so Tang San decided to ask openly.
"As expected of the 'pure and noble' Tang San, as Xiao Wu called you. You're quite honest," Ning Rongrong said, sizing him up.
"Since you and Pavilion Master Lou Gao are acquaintances, I wouldn't stop you from meeting him."
"The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has always valued credibility. As long as no secrets are leaked, we won't interfere with whom Pavilion Master Lou Gao wishes to meet."
With a slight smile, Ning Rongrong continued, "You want the method to craft soul tools, don't you?"
Silence fell. Tang San and the others were at a loss for words.
After a long pause, Tang San gritted his teeth and said, "Yes, soul tools benefit the development of human Soul Masters. To protect the continent from soul beast invasions, more people should know how to make them."
"Pfft—" Ning Rongrong let out a small laugh. "That's quite impressive!"
"Then why haven't you shared what the Tang Sect holds?"
"This…" Tang San's expression stiffened. "Those are the life's work of our past sect leaders, ancestral treasures, and they aren't soul tools."
"Tang San, that's a bit of a weak argument," Ning Rongrong shook her head. "What your Clear Sky Sect and Tang Sect want to do has nothing to do with us. We don't want to get involved."
"But using war to attack the Heaven Dou Empire goes against the unspoken rules of Soul Masters."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
"As for what that emperor of Star Luo plans to do, we'll counter it as it comes."
There were traces of the Rakshasa God's trial on Zhu Zhuqing. After Dai Mubai's death, Davis became the Star Luo Emperor, and the fall of the previous Star Luo Emperor and Empress might be related to this.
But what did that have to do with Ning Rongrong?
Seeing Tang San remain silent, Ning Rongrong continued, "In a month, soul tools will be sold, and Lou Gao's meeting with you will happen then. That's the condition I've secured for him."
"If you're thinking of poaching our Soul Tool Pavilion Master, you can test whether my sword is sharp enough."
"Ning Yun, let's go."
With that, she started walking toward the staircase.
"Wait!"
Hearing the voice, Ning Rongrong paused, her peripheral vision glancing back.
"You don't have the qualifications to negotiate with us!"
"Because you're only a level 94 Title Douluo."
Ning Rongrong withdrew her gaze and continued toward the door.
As she left, Ning Yun followed closely, his eyes carrying a complex expression.
Ning Rongrong and Ning Tian walked through the arched doorway.
The door slowly closed.
The moment it shut, a spray of crimson blood spurted from the mouth of the level 94 Sea Spear Douluo.
"Your Majesty Sea Spear!"
Tang San and Tai Tan were shocked, their eyes filled with disbelief.
"So… so terrifying!"
Sea Spear Douluo's body trembled slightly. He wiped the blood from his mouth with a shaky wrist, his pupils flickering with fear. "What level of Soul Master is she?"
No soul rings were released, no Martial Soul possession.
She was supposedly a support-type Soul Master.
Although support Soul Masters typically had strong mental strength, compared to combat Soul Masters, they were supposed to be weak.
Yet a single glance from her had injured him, a level 94 Title Douluo.
Such an ability—perhaps not even Bo Saixi could do that.
Could she already be…?
Seeing Tang San look his way, Sea Spear Douluo retracted his Martial Soul, no longer exuding arrogance, and sighed, "Let's go back. Unless the High Priest comes personally, you won't see Lou Gao within a month."
He had thought his Title Douluo strength would make meeting someone a simple task.
But he hadn't expected this.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was terrifying.
Tang San and Tai Tan exchanged glances but nodded, following Sea Spear Douluo out of the Nine Treasure Chamber and back to their hotel.
Inside the now-closed door, Ning Rongrong's mouth overflowed with a few traces of blood, startling Ning Yun.
Ning Fengzhi's precious daughter—if something happened to her, wouldn't the sect elders tear him apart?
"Rongrong!"
Ning Yun thought the Title Douluo had done something to her.
"It's fine, big brother."
She took a tissue from her soul tool, wiped the blood from her mouth, and tossed it back into the soul tool. Meeting Ning Yun's worried gaze, she explained, "I used a mental attack on that Title Douluo. As expected of a level 94 Title Douluo, heavily injuring him with my current mental strength is still a bit difficult."
Indeed, the effect of using a mental attack inside the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda versus outside it was quite different.
Hearing her words, Ning Yun was speechless.
"That was too reckless!"
"It's fine," Ning Rongrong smiled. "For the next month, I plan to help Zi Zhenzhu and Wang Quan Fugui break through their bottlenecks. If we don't show Tang San and his group some strength, they'll probably come back to cause trouble soon."
"I don't have time to waste dealing with them."
"You, you!" Ning Yun shook his head. "No wonder Father always says you act recklessly."
"Sea God Island is behind them. Is that really okay?" Ning Yun asked with concern.
"By the time Sea God Island sends someone, I'll probably already be gone," Ning Rongrong said, patting Ning Yun's shoulder with a smile. "I'll make sure to build you a monument and remember you during holidays."
Ning Yun's face darkened instantly.
What the hell!
She's already planning to eliminate her big brother before even taking over?
That's not how you play politics!
Besides, I've already stepped back, haven't I?
"Don't worry!"
Unaware of Ning Yun's overthinking, Ning Rongrong explained, "With Dugu Bo's deterrence, Sword Douluo, and the strength of a Limit Douluo, unless Bo Saixi wants an all-out war, she won't dare target Vast Sea City."
"Besides, we haven't done anything excessive."
She didn't believe Sea God Island could overlook the current standing of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
So what if it's Sea God Island?
Even Bo Saixi probably couldn't guarantee her power could neutralize Dugu Bo's poison!
That was the infamous Green-Eyed Yama King, Dugu Bo, who had poisoned hundreds of thousands to death!
His fearsome reputation could make the people of the Star Dou Empire tremble.
And it wasn't just Dugu Bo. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now had Limit Douluo Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
With the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, even the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare provoke them lightly.
Especially when both sides had primary enemies, they wouldn't push the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to either side.
What, you say killing people from the Star Luo Empire?
That was war. If you kill the Sect Leader's disciple, and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't respond, what face would they have left?
After explaining the stakes to Ning Yun, leaving him dazed, Ning Rongrong planned her next step: gaining experience.
Helping Zi Zhenzhu and Wang Quan Fugui unblock their meridians.