After Ao Tian and the other two left, the room fell silent.
Zhu Zhuqing felt deeply conflicted, unsure whether she should continue being friends with Ao Tian and the others.
She recalled everything that had happened over the past few months. By following Ao Tian and his group, she had seen through Dai Mubai's true nature and completely severed ties with Dai Mubai and the Zhu family.
When she was at her most vulnerable, it was Xiao Wu and the others who comforted her.
It was Ao Tian who enhanced her cultivation talent and bestowed upon her an invaluable cultivation technique.
And now, Ao Tian had even given her a God-bestowed soul ring.
At this thought, Zhu Zhuqing's heart quickly steadied.
"Humans have slaughtered so many soul beasts, yet they can still treat me as a friend. So why can't I treat them as friends?"
"Ao Tian's kindness toward me is so great that even sacrificing my life wouldn't be enough to repay it. If I were to leave him now, that would be nothing but ingratitude."
A smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face. She lowered her gaze to the soul ring in her hand and began absorbing it.
Outside the door, Xiao Wu asked worriedly, "Zhuqing won't really leave us, will she?"
Gu Yue Na replied, "You should have faith in her—and in yourself. Come on, let's go see what we're having for dinner tonight."
…
Inside the room arranged by the butler for Dugu Bo, only Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan were present.
Dugu Yan was emotionally excited, her delicate face slightly flushed. The moment she entered the room, she prepared to absorb the soul ring Ao Tian had given her.
"Yan Yan, wait," Dugu Bo called out.
"What is it, Grandpa?"
Dugu Bo asked, "Let me ask you something—what do you think of our Lord?"
Dugu Yan didn't hesitate at all. "He's very good! He's incredibly powerful, and he saved both of us. He has shown us immense kindness. He's a venerable senior worthy of respect. Grandpa, you must serve him wholeheartedly from now on and repay his kindness properly."
"That's not what I meant," Dugu Bo said. "I'm asking—do you think he's suitable to be your boyfriend?"
"Grandpa, what are you talking about?" At the mention of a boyfriend, Dugu Yan became shy.
Dugu Bo burst into laughter. "Look at how embarrassed you are—could it be that you fell in love with our Lord at first sight?"
"Absolutely not! Grandpa, don't talk nonsense," Dugu Yan hurriedly said.
"I'm not talking nonsense at all," Dugu Bo said with a broad smile. "Look—Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing are even younger than you, yet they both seem to be our Lord's women. So you might not be without a chance."
"Oh Grandpa, stop imagining things. He's older than you—he could be my grandfather!"
Dugu Bo could only sigh. "Fine then. Compared to those girls, you do fall a bit short. Our Lord may not even take a liking to you."
"That's awful—how can a grandfather talk about his own granddaughter like that?" Dugu Yan said angrily.
"Alright, enough. Hurry up and absorb the soul ring."
"Mm."
Dugu Yan began absorbing the soul ring while Dugu Bo watched anxiously from the side.
It was his first time seeing such a soul ring—he was curious, but also worried.
The absorption process went very smoothly. Two hours later, night had fully fallen, and Dugu Yan finally completed the absorption, advancing to the rank of Soul Ancestor.
Another hour later, Zhu Zhuqing also finished absorbing her soul ring and became a Soul Ancestor as well.
Zhu Zhuqing pushed the door open and immediately saw Xiao Wu waiting outside.
She smiled and said, "Sister Xiao Wu, let's go eat."
Xiao Wu linked arms with Zhu Zhuqing. "Let's go—call Sister Na'er and Ao Tian. We'll eat together."
Dugu Yan stayed for the meal as well.
Early the next morning, Ao Tian arranged for a servant to escort Dugu Yan back to the Royal Academy, while Dugu Bo remained at the Ao residence.
Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's castle, Ning Rongrong woke up early. After having breakfast with Ning Fengzhi, she asked to go out for a walk.
This time, Ning Fengzhi did not refuse.
After Ning Rongrong left, he secretly dispatched several experts to follow her and ensure her safety.
Finally able to go out, Ning Rongrong was in an excellent mood.
She did want to go shopping—but even more than that, she wanted to go to the Ao residence.
It had only been a few days since she last saw Ao Tian and the others, yet she already missed them terribly.
From the moment she stepped out of the castle, numerous hidden eyes were already fixed on her.
Among them were spies sent by Liu Erlong.
Ning Rongrong walked lightly, stopping here and there along the way, buying many things as she headed toward the Ao residence.
Many forces quietly followed her.
Before long, several groups tried to invite her for a private talk, but she rejected them all.
Finding it troublesome, Ning Rongrong quickened her pace. Not long after, she arrived at the Ao residence and walked straight inside.
Ao Residence!
All those following in secret silently memorized the location.
Upon seeing the words "Ao Residence," the spy sent by Liu Erlong showed an ecstatic expression and immediately rushed back to Shrek Academy.
After he left, those tracking Ning Rongrong gathered in front of the Ao residence, hoping to visit its owner.
Since Ning Rongrong had entered, it clearly meant the owner of this residence had an extraordinary relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Perhaps the owner even knew the secret behind the sect's disbandment.
If they could enter, they might not only meet the master of the residence but also get close to Ning Rongrong.
Only by learning the reason behind the sect's dissolution could they possibly persuade Ning Fengzhi to return to the world.
However, they were disappointed.
No matter how they pleaded, the steward of the residence refused to let them in.
These people were all from sects and major forces, and naturally they were unwilling to stop there.
But in broad daylight, they couldn't act rashly, so they could only begin closely monitoring the Ao residence.
Half an hour later, inside Shrek Academy, the young Soul Master responsible for monitoring Ning Rongrong rushed back in great haste.
"Dean, we have news!" he shouted as soon as he arrived.
Hearing this, Liu Erlong hurried out, followed by Flender, Zhao Wujie, and the Grandmaster.
The Grandmaster stepped forward quickly and asked, "What news? Have you found where Ao Tian lives?"
The young man nodded. "Early this morning, Ning Rongrong left the castle. She wandered the streets for over an hour, then entered a residence in the central area of Heaven Dou City. The plaque at the entrance read 'Ao Residence.'"
"Ao Residence?" Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up as he shouted, "That's it! Ao Tian must be hiding there! Otherwise, why would it be called the Ao Residence?"
The Grandmaster nodded. "That's most likely the case. Over the years, I've investigated Ao Tian many times, yet never found out which force he belongs to. I never expected there to be an Ao Residence right here in Heaven Dou City."
Dai Mubai sneered. "I thought he was from some major power. Turns out he's just from an unknown family in Heaven Dou."
At that moment, the guard commander from the Star Luo Empire and Zhu Zhuqing's second uncle arrived with a group of Soul Masters.
"Now that we've found that brat, what are we waiting for?" the guard commander Chen Xiong said coldly. "Capture him and Zhu Zhuqing immediately and escort them back to the Empire for trial!"
He looked at the young man who delivered the report and barked, "You—lead the way immediately!"
"Wait!" the Grandmaster shouted.
Chen Xiong turned to him and asked, "We're arresting criminals of the Star Luo Empire. Do you have a problem with that?"
~~~~~
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