However, there were still a few things he needed to clarify.
Ning Fengzhi spoke up, "Do you have any family? Where are they?"
Tang San fell silent for a moment, then replied openly, "My home is in Holy Spirit Village. I only have my father, who works there as a blacksmith."
Hearing this, a hint of tenderness flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes—the kind of affection an elder naturally feels for a promising younger generation.
This boy, like his Rongrong, was raised by a single father.
Ning Fengzhi asked again, "What is your martial soul, and what level are you currently at?"
"I possess innate full soul power. My martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, and I've just reached level nine."
"What?!"
Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong exclaimed in unison.
Ning Rongrong sized Tang San up with wide eyes. "You look like an ordinary person. How can you have innate full soul power? But your martial soul is Blue Silver Grass? Sigh, what a waste."
"Rongrong!"
Ning Fengzhi shot her a glare.
Realizing her blunder, Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue sheepishly and stayed quiet.
Tang San shook his head and said calmly, "It's alright. The soul master who awakened my martial soul said the same thing."
But Ning Fengzhi's gaze grew even softer.
Young, raised by a single parent, good character, innate full soul power, and even a Blue Silver Grass martial soul!
It was like he had every advantageous trait stacked—completely tailor-made for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
As the Clan Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and someone who had spent years researching auxiliary-type martial souls, Ning Fengzhi naturally understood the significance of innate full soul power.
A soul master with such a talent had limitless potential!
Their starting point was already far beyond that of ordinary soul masters. In terms of cultivation speed, martial soul strength, and soul skill power—they would be among the elite at every stage.
And Blue Silver Grass—though looked down upon—was actually a perfect fit for an auxiliary-type martial soul.
Other soul masters might dismiss it as useless, but Ning Fengzhi knew otherwise. With the right development, it could become a formidable control-type auxiliary martial soul—or even tread the path of an agility-type attacker. The future ahead of this boy was filled with potential.
Martial souls were innately determined, but they could mutate through the absorption of certain soul rings or through fortuitous opportunities.
Even if Blue Silver Grass was weak now, who's to say it wouldn't evolve after fusing with the right soul rings?
Martial soul mutations were something Ning Fengzhi had been pursuing for a long time.
He cast a subtle glance at Ning Rongrong and sighed softly. Despite the fame of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—touted as the continent's number one auxiliary martial soul—he knew its limitations all too well.
What he truly sought was a way to evolve it into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
But after all these years, no solution or clue had emerged.
Ning Fengzhi refocused his thoughts and looked at Tang San. "I would like to take you as a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Are you willing?"
Tang San was slightly stunned, but then joy filled his heart.
Although he hadn't gone to Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was still one of the three upper sects, a dream destination for countless soul masters across the continent.
Wasn't this another form of destiny?
He nodded enthusiastically. "I, Tang San, am willing to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!"
"Hahaha! Excellent! I'll have someone show you around the sect."
A smile broke out across Ning Fengzhi's face. A genius with innate full soul power—this was truly a huge gain!
"Dad! Let me! I'll show him around!"
Ning Rongrong called out eagerly.
"Alright, alright, go on then," Ning Fengzhi said helplessly.
"Yay!"
Ning Rongrong turned excitedly to Tang San. "Come on, I'll show you around!"
"O-okay!"
Tang San nodded. He was just about to thank Ning Fengzhi when Ning Rongrong grabbed him and pulled him away from the main hall toward the interior of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
As the two figures disappeared into the distance, the smile on Ning Fengzhi's face slowly faded.
His expression became solemn.
Though he had accepted Tang San as a disciple, things were far from over.
What mattered now was how Spirit Hall would respond.
Hopefully, Chrysanthemum Douluo would return unharmed.
Ning Fengzhi let out a long sigh and turned to leave.
"The winds of change are coming..."
Spirit Hall – Supreme Pontiff Palace
"Your Holiness, that's the full account of what happened. Please make a decision."
Chrysanthemum Douluo stood below the throne, head lowered, waiting quietly for Bibi Dong's response.
Seated atop her throne, Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes flickered coldly, her expression icy and emotionless.
"How dare they! Evil Soul Masters acting as if we're powerless?"
Her voice was frosty, a trace of murderous intent brewing between her brows.
She had never imagined that a genius, personally scouted by Spirit Hall, would be lost in an ambush by Evil Soul Masters.
This was a significant loss!
Innate full soul power—such talents were exceedingly rare across the entire continent.
Even Hu Liena, whom Bibi Dong had personally taken under her wing, paled slightly in comparison to the youth Chrysanthemum Douluo had described.
At the same time, a question lingered in Bibi Dong's mind: why were the Evil Soul Masters becoming increasingly active lately?
It felt like something—or someone—was stirring them into action.
She turned to Chrysanthemum Douluo and asked with concern, "Elder Chrysanthemum, are you injured?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo shook his head. "Thank you for your concern, Your Holiness. I'm fine. Just... a few of those Evil Soul Masters escaped."
"No matter. It seems the time has come to cleanse the rot!"
A chilling light flickered in Bibi Dong's eyes as she instructed, "Elder Chrysanthemum, go rest. Once the academy is completed, you'll assume the position of Vice Dean. As for the rest—I'll have Elder Ghost handle it."
"Yes."
Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed and left the Supreme Pontiff's Palace.
But just as he turned around, a flash of blood-red light flickered in his eyes, and a strange, fleeting smile curled at his lips.
Then, just as quickly, his expression returned to normal, and he headed toward his quarters in the Elder Hall.
"Old Chrysanthemum!"
Just as he exited the Supreme Pontiff's Palace, a familiar voice called out.
Chrysanthemum Douluo paused and looked back. "What is it, Old Ghost?"
Ghost Douluo clapped him on the shoulder. "You've been missing for days. Where've you been?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo frowned. "You know I've had this shoulder issue for years—don't go slapping it."
Ghost Douluo narrowed his eyes and laughed. "Hahahaha! I was just checking on you, old flower. You still seem lively enough!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed. "At our age, can you stop being so childish? Anything else?"
"Nah, nothing. Go do your thing."
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded and left after a brief farewell.
Watching him walk away, Ghost Douluo's eyes behind the mask gradually relaxed.
"Seems I was just overthinking things…"
****
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