Hearing Oscar's words, no one was really surprised. After all, Oscar was the young sect master of the Sword Sect. It was impossible that he really came to propose marriage, right? And who brings up marriage by suddenly showing up with a child?
By now the meal was more or less finished, and there was no one in the room who needed to be avoided. Ning Fengzhi then spoke. "I wonder what it is you want to say, Oscar. Since it has something to do with Rongrong, just say it."
Ning Rongrong, at the side, looked blankly at her senior. How could she not know there was something about her involved? During the half month of travel, he had not mentioned a word, and now she was curious.
Oscar did not beat around the bush. Sitting up straight, he replied. "I came here to make a deal with Uncle Ning."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow. He was not foolish enough to ask whether Oscar had the authority. Since Oscar was sitting here, it proved that he did.
Thinking of this, Ning Fengzhi was even more surprised. According to the letters from Ning Rongrong, Oscar was only fifteen now, right? The Sword Sect had handed him power so early?
But then again, a fifteen year old Soul King might not be found anywhere else on the continent.
If he were not the Sword Sect's young sect master, Ning Fengzhi would only have two options for such a genius: recruit him or eliminate him.
But because of his status, elimination was impossible. Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was one of the upper three sects, the Sword Sect's strength was in no way weaker.
What is more, Oscar had come alone. Perhaps that itself was a test. It was possible that outside the sect there were already one or more Sword Sect Titled Douluo in hiding.
Ning Fengzhi did not show any reaction, but asked directly and concisely. "What deal do you want to make?"
"A treasure that can evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda," Oscar said with a slight smile. "What can I trade it for?"
"What?!"
Oscar's words stunned the four others present, including Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong knew her senior would not speak nonsense, but how could this be possible?
As Ning Fengzhi's most beloved daughter, she might have been playful before, but she was very clear about her family's martial soul.
Since the very first ancestor, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had always been the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Even though Ning Rongrong was hailed as possibly breaking through to the Eight Treasure Pagoda, that was only a prediction made by Ning Fengzhi and the clan elders.
Although Ning Fengzhi looked about forty, he was already over fifty. He had spent his whole life seeking a way to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into eight or even nine treasures, but had never found anything.
Or rather, countless ancestors had searched for generations, yet to this day there had been no progress.
To Ning Fengzhi, evolving the Pagoda was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. But now a fifteen year old boy told him he could evolve it into the Nine Treasure Pagoda.
Even without considering whether this was possible, if the speaker were not the Sword Sect's young sect master, Ning Fengzhi would think he was being mocked. No matter how good his temper was, Oscar would never leave this hall alive.
But the one speaking was the heir of a hidden sect, and the present Frost Sword Sect was rising like the sun. Its power was already no weaker than the Seven Treasure Sect or even the former Clear Sky Sect.
So perhaps it was not impossible.
But still, how could the method that the Seven Treasure Sect had sought fruitlessly for generations be in his hands?
Moreover, if the Frost Sword Sect was willing to hand over such a method, what could be equal in value? If it were an ordinary person, they might not understand its meaning, but Oscar, as young sect master, could not be ignorant of it.
So what kind of price would be required in exchange?
Truthfully, even Ning Fengzhi himself could not think of anything equal to such a method.
No one knew better than him how terrifying the Nine Treasure Pagoda would be. Even the Seven Treasure Pagoda alone was enough to support the power of the ninety-sixth level Sword Douluo Chen Xin and the ninety-fifth level Bone Douluo Gu Rong. What then of the Nine Treasure Pagoda?
According to fragments of records left by the ancestors, once the Nine Treasure Pagoda reached the Titled Douluo level, its support abilities would be unique under heaven, even strong enough to allow a ninety-ninth level Douluo to rival the power of gods.
That might be exaggerated, but since the Seven Treasure Pagoda was already the most top-tier of support martial souls, then it was imaginable how high the Nine Treasure Pagoda could reach. Could it be equal to a god-level martial soul?
Ning Fengzhi's gaze suddenly sharpened, no longer soft but burning, fixed firmly on Oscar. "Oscar, I trust you have no reason to toy with me, do you?"
Oscar calmly replied. "So, Uncle Ning, if I give you the treasure that allows the Seven Treasure Pagoda to evolve into the Nine Treasure Pagoda, what can you, or rather your sect, give me in return?"
He had not answered Ning Fengzhi's question directly, but his words were the strongest reply.
Boom.
In that instant, Ning Fengzhi's mind roared. It was true. The other really did have a way to evolve the Pagoda.
But what could he offer in exchange?
He would not delude himself into hoping it would be given freely. Even with the Sword and Bone Douluo here, that was impossible.
Because the Sword Sect's power was no weaker than the Seven Treasure Sect's, robbery was not an option.
Ning Rongrong asked dazedly, "Senior, is… is what you say true?"
Oscar looked at the girl beside him and patted her head. "Do not worry, I have no need to deceive you, nor to deceive Uncle Ning."
After a pause, Oscar sighed. "If not for you, I would not have brought this method. The Sword Sect has returned to the world, which is bound to touch others' interests. As one of the upper three sects, your sect may well clash with us in the future."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's eyes flashed as if he had caught on to something.
Yes. If the Seven Treasure Pagoda evolved, the sect would rise even higher. For the newly returned Sword Sect to hand over such a method was like helping a potential rival.
Unless the two sides were already allies, then this problem would not exist.
And Oscar's words made it clear. He was willing to bring out the method mainly because of Ning Rongrong.
But why? No one present was foolish enough to believe it was only because she was his classmate.
Yet from Oscar's behavior, there was no sign of the relationship they had worried about.
Could it be only because of friendship? Or was he truly so kindhearted that just because she was his classmate he was willing to hand over such a priceless method?
That was clearly impossible. Even if Oscar himself were simple-minded, the Sword Sect was not foolish.
If the Sword Sect were truly so naive, how could it hold such strength?
The Sword and Bone Douluo both fixed their eyes on Oscar, but they too could not think of a reasonable explanation.
Surely it was not mere kindness. At their level, they knew best there was no free lunch in the world.
And Oscar had not said what he wanted, only asked what they could give.
That meant it would depend on their offer. If he was dissatisfied, would the deal be canceled?
But now that Ning Fengzhi knew the method existed, could he really accept giving it up if the price was rejected?
Honestly, if it came to that, he might even attempt to seize it by force.
Though the Sword Sect was powerful, no Seven Treasure Sect soul master could resist such temptation.
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Ning Fengzhi simply stared at Oscar, silent for a long time.
Oscar was not in a hurry. He calmly picked up his chopsticks again and placed a piece of meat into Ning Rongrong's bowl.
Oscar's quiet voice sounded. "Rongrong, what do you think would be most appropriate to trade for a method that lets the Pagoda evolve into nine treasures?"
Ning Rongrong was stunned. She did not know.
In her eyes, such a method was priceless.
But the one to decide was her father, not her.
Surely she could not suggest that since she was dating Ma Hongjun, her senior could just give the method as her dowry.
She was free-spirited, but not stupid.
No one knew how much time passed before Ning Fengzhi slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, it was as if he had made a major decision.
He spoke slowly. "Oscar, since you have mentioned this method, you must already know what it means to me and to the Seven Treasure Sect.
In terms of value, perhaps to others it would mean little. But to us, it is worth even our lives to exchange.
But you must also understand, if we lost our foundation and even our lives, then what use would this method be? Without the strength to guard the secret, it would all be meaningless.
If you can guarantee this method can one hundred percent allow the Pagoda to evolve into nine treasures, then the Seven Treasure Sect is willing to offer everything we can in exchange.
But there is one condition. We cannot allow our foundation to be shaken. If that is the case, we would rather not have it."
Hearing these words, Oscar knew this was the wisest choice. If the method threatened their foundation, they might as well seize it by force.
But Oscar had never intended to harm the sect's foundation. The reason he left the decision to Ning Fengzhi was only to make him truly consider the method's value.
Since arriving in this world, aside from being tricked by Flender, Oscar had never suffered a loss to anyone.
Oscar replied, "Uncle Ning, you are too serious. Since I came, I naturally came with sincerity.
If the idea were to strip your sect bare, it would not be me here. As I said, I came because of Rongrong. For her sake, I will not make an excessive demand."
Seeing Ning Fengzhi's brow relax, Oscar added, "I also came on behalf of my sect to make friends with you."
At these words, Ning Fengzhi felt inexplicably relieved. At least it seemed Oscar would not make an impossible demand.
A smile returned to Ning Fengzhi's face. "In that case, our sect will also show full sincerity."
He did not let Oscar make the request. If Oscar named something he could not provide, it would ruin everything.
Here his wisdom shone. He would offer something precious, not harming the sect's foundation, but still bringing real benefit to the Sword Sect.
Facing a method to evolve the Pagoda, Ning Fengzhi's decisiveness was absolute.
Without pause, he continued. "We are willing to offer three ten-thousand-year spirit bones, one hundred million gold soul coins, the town of Mori a hundred miles south of Heaven Dou City, and a permanent alliance with the Seven Treasure Sect in exchange."
Hearing these conditions, Oscar raised an eyebrow. He realized Ning Fengzhi was truly perceptive. Everything he offered was exactly what the Sword Sect needed now.
Clearly, during his long silence earlier, Ning Fengzhi had thought everything through.
The three spirit bones, no matter who or what faction, were absolute treasures.
The one hundred million gold coins likewise, but this was especially what the Sword Sect lacked. As a hidden sect, they had little economic base. From the Frost Escort Agency and Frost Tavern, it was clear they needed money.
The land too was needed, since they had yet to establish an official headquarters.
And Mori Town, one hundred miles south of the capital, though called a town, was in truth a small city. It was the Seven Treasure Sect's fief, near both their sect and the capital, and not far from the Sunset Forest. It was the perfect choice for the Sword Sect's public base.
Finally, a permanent alliance with the Seven Treasure Sect.
All together, everything offered was exactly what the Sword Sect needed most.
Ning Fengzhi's conditions made Oscar feel as if someone had offered him a pillow when he was already sleepy.
No wonder he could lead the Seven Treasure Sect. His wisdom and strategy were of the highest level.
Yet even having made such an offer, Ning Fengzhi still worried Oscar might raise the price.
Such thinking was natural, just like when Oscar first dealt with Dugu Bo and wanted access to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but feared tricks.
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