Chapter 41: Ning Fengzhi's Trickery
While the family was still talking, someone outside suddenly came to inform Ning Fengzhi that Yang Xiong was wanted for a meeting.
Yang Xiong was puzzled. Ning Fengzhi was extremely busy, so why would he suddenly want to see someone like him? Had he discovered something unusual about him?
Since returning home, Yang Xiong had carefully hidden all the celestial herbs he had collected, categorizing them. The soul tools he had only contained some common herbs and a few celestial herbs that might be useful to him.
The rest of the celestial herbs were stored separately in a small soul tool, which he had placed on the beam of his room. He even made a small hole in the beam to hide it, ensuring that no one could find it.
Yang Xiong, still feeling confused, followed the person to the sect's core area. Unexpectedly, they arrived at Ning Fengzhi's residence, and it was just the two of them—no sign of the usually present Sword Bone Douluo.
Upon entering, Yang Xiong quickly greeted him: "Greetings, Sect Master. I'm not sure why you summoned me at this late hour."
Ning Fengzhi casually replied, "Ah, Xiong, don't stand on ceremony, just sit down."
Yang Xiong, still confused, sat down beside Ning Fengzhi, feeling somewhat awkward.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "Xiong, you're a core disciple of the sect now. Just treat me like a family elder. I asked you here because I have a small matter for you to handle."
Yang Xiong was puzzled. If Ning Fengzhi had something to handle, why would it be a small Great Soul Master like him?
Seeing the confusion on Yang Xiong's face, Ning Fengzhi let out a sigh. "Xiong, as you know, I only have Rongrong as my daughter. But over the years, she's become a little spoiled in the sect, especially with the indulgence of Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu. I haven't been able to strictly manage her, so she's caused a lot of trouble in the sect."
Yang Xiong quickly responded, "Sect Master, you're overthinking it. Miss Rongrong is a bit mischievous, but she knows the limits. She's very gifted, and in our class, her soul power is far ahead. A little pride is normal."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Xiong, don't comfort me. I know Rongrong's shortcomings better than you. Over the years, she's lacked proper discipline. Today, I secretly persuaded her, without telling Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu, to go out on her own. She should have already left the sect by now."
Yang Xiong was even more confused. What did this have to do with him? Even if someone was needed to secretly protect her, why would it be him, a mere Great Soul Master?
"Sect Master, Miss Rongrong, as the sect master's heir, holds a noble status, and her safety is crucial. We should still be cautious. I suggest she stays within the sect to study. If necessary, she can go to Tiandou Royal Academy; at least her safety would be guaranteed there."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "I've already arranged for someone to secretly protect Rongrong. There shouldn't be any problems. But I'm still worried about her going out alone. You and Rongrong are not only classmates but have grown up together. I want to arrange for you to go out with her for some practical training."
Yang Xiong's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that Ning Rongrong had been provoked by Ning Fengzhi and was planning to go to Shrek Academy. He didn't have a good impression of Shrek Academy's group, and he felt he wouldn't learn anything useful there.
Besides, he had already taken all the biggest opportunities at Shrek—celestial herbs—and they probably wouldn't win the Soul Master Competition. He might as well stay at home and study.
"Sect Master, I plan to go to Zixing Academy. That way, I can stay with my older brother, and we can look out for each other and grow together."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "That's just perfect. It looks like you're planning to go to an advanced Soul Master Academy. I know there's a very good Soul Master Academy in Soto City, Barak Kingdom. They have excellent faculty, and it will definitely be very suitable for your future development."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but scoff internally. The academy Ning Fengzhi mentioned was probably Shrek Academy. Was the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really fooled by Shrek Academy's false advertisements? It seemed the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was in jeopardy.
Yang Xiong suddenly became alert. "Sect Master, as you know, my brother and I are very close. I still want to go to Zixing Academy."
Ning Fengzhi gave him a strange look. "Xiong, don't you know? Because of his excellent performance, I've already planned to bring your older brother back to the sect. I intend to focus on his cultivation, and he might even become an elder of our sect in the future."
Yang Xiong's face darkened. This Ning Fengzhi was too tricky. His older brother, Yang Wei, was only 18 years old and at level 32—hardly a genius. There was no way he could become an elder of the sect.
Ning Fengzhi seemed to understand Yang Xiong's thoughts and continued, "Xiong, there's one more thing I need to tell you. I told Rongrong that it was because you couldn't bear the fact that her soul power level was higher than yours, and that you wanted to go to Soto City to learn. I said that you might surpass her in soul power one day, which is why she wanted to go there to study. If you don't go, I'm afraid Rongrong will cause a huge uproar in the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"You know she's my only precious daughter. With the indulgence of Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu, some things I can't stop."
Yang Xiong: ...
At this moment, Yang Xiong was utterly speechless. Ning Fengzhi was so tricky. He had clearly done his research on Shrek Academy, and now he was encouraging Ning Rongrong to go. He probably wanted to use Shrek to temper her character, but what did this have to do with him?
After thinking for a while, Yang Xiong reluctantly said, "Since it's the Sect Master's arrangement, I'll make sure Rongrong studies hard and not disappoint you."
Yang Xiong had originally planned to find a place to hide and focus on his cultivation for a few years. Afterward, with his greatly improved strength, he could explain things easily. Now, going to Shrek seemed like more trouble than it was worth.
Ning Fengzhi suddenly became serious. "Xiong, how do you feel the sect has treated you over the years? I know you've made significant contributions, but the sect's support for you far exceeds what you might imagine. Otherwise, how would you have gained thirteen consecutive victories at the Great Soul Arena in Tiandou City? That would have attracted the attention of major forces, especially the Tiandou Empire. They are extremely eager for geniuses. But has anyone sought you out?"
"Not to mention, you spent two or three months in the Sunset Forest for training. Do you think with your level as a Great Soul Master, you could just roam freely in the Sunset Forest without facing any danger? You've had someone silently backing you up all along."
Yang Xiong was suddenly struck with realization. His training in the Sunset Forest had indeed gone much more smoothly than he had imagined. While there had been some danger, he hadn't faced anything life-threatening, nor had he encountered any terrifying soul beasts.
He had felt something was off, and now it dawned on him that someone must have been watching his every move in the Sunset Forest. That meant none of his small actions had escaped notice.
(END CHAPTER)
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