"Senior Yu Feng, Senior Huanyin, you're most welcome!" Tianlin and Ning Rongrong warmly greeted the couple.
They weren't alone—a very pretty girl had come with them, wearing a crop top, miniskirt, and black stockings, the perfect blend of innocence and allure.
"Could she be…?" Tianlin suspected the girl's identity and whispered to Gu Ran, "Go get Hongjun."
Gu Ran nodded and left.
"Xiao Tian, we're here today to thank you. Thanks to your and Rongrong's generosity, our Speed Clan's difficulties are temporarily resolved." Yu Feng bowed in gratitude.
Huanyin looked back at the girl. "Xiao Tian, Rongrong, let me introduce you—this is Bai Chenxiang, granddaughter of Grandpa Bai and representative of the Speed Clan. She's here especially to thank you."
"Xiangxiang, come greet the benefactors you've always wanted to thank in person—Tianlin and Rongrong, an engaged couple. Call them brother and sister."
"Xiao Tian, Rongrong, you don't mind, do you?"
Tianlin and Rongrong exchanged smiles. Ning Rongrong said, "Of course not. So this young lady is the Speed Clan's young leader. Welcome to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!"
Bai Chenxiang walked up and bowed. "Brother Jun, Sister Rongrong, thank you for your great kindness. If not for you, our sect's crisis would not have been resolved. I, Bai Chenxiang, can never repay you."
"Miss Bai, you're too polite. It was nothing," Tianlin replied.
His guess was right—this girl was Bai Chenxiang, Ma Hongjun's official match in the original.
"Boss, you called me—" Ma Hongjun came rushing in, but was immediately captivated by the girl before him.
So cute! How could there be such a cute girl in this world? That was all he could think.
Over the years, Ning Rongrong had tried to introduce sect girls to Ma Hongjun, but none were interested.
It wasn't that Ma Hongjun wasn't outstanding, but Ning Rongrong had overlooked something important. The girls of his age group had all grown up with Tianlin, and under his influence, their standards had become strangely high.
Handsome looks, strong strength, must treat them well—and after the Soul-Hunting Operation, another rule: after reaching Soul Sage, you must at least be able to defeat a Title Douluo!
Tianlin's dazzling victory over two Title Douluo as a Soul Sage had set their hearts ablaze.
Many secretly admired Tianlin, though they dared not express it because of Ning Rongrong. Even if they settled for second best, their husband couldn't fall far short of Tianlin.
Ma Hongjun had the talent, but not the looks. If he had Oscar's pretty face, he'd be surrounded by admirers.
There wasn't much Ning Rongrong could do—she could introduce, but not force anyone. She couldn't be an unscrupulous matchmaker.
Even Ning Fengzhi sometimes sighed. If the girls kept their standards this high, the sect would have no future generations.
But he needn't worry. The girls were only fifteen to eighteen, the age of dreaming. When they got older, they'd realize the difference between dreams and reality.
They might even regret missing out on Ma Hongjun, the infinitely promising chubby guy.
Perhaps Ma Hongjun's gaze was too intense; Bai Chenxiang instinctively stepped back, thinking, "Who is this fatty? Staring at a girl like that—how rude!"
"Hongjun, mind your manners. Let me introduce you—this is Bai Chenxiang, granddaughter of the Speed Clan's chief," Tianlin said. "Miss Bai, this is Ma Hongjun from our sect, Martial Soul: Fire Phoenix. He's already close to Soul Emperor at a young age!"
"What, Fire Phoenix!" Bai Chenxiang was shocked. As an heir of the Speed Clan, she couldn't not know. Among all flying martial souls, it was a top-tier existence.
This unremarkable fatty was such a powerful soul master.
Ma Hongjun's martial soul hadn't fully evolved, not reaching the level she imagined. But even if not a true immortal bird, few martial souls on the continent could compare. Her clan's Needle-Tailed Swift was left far behind.
Tianlin deliberately highlighted Ma Hongjun's talent and strength—he had little else to recommend him.
"It's nothing; I'm not as good as Boss Tianlin," Ma Hongjun said, for once, a little embarrassed.
"Hey, fatty, why so modest? Everyone knows your strength. Even as a real Soul Emperor, I can't beat you one-on-one. Among the younger generation, you're second only to Boss Tianlin," Gu Ran said, patting him on the shoulder.
Ma Hongjun was surprised. Gu Ran usually bickered with him and competed for the title of Tianlin's best follower. Why now praise him?
Then Gu Ran winked and gestured toward Bai Chenxiang, and Ma Hongjun understood—Gu Ran was deliberately playing up his strengths.
He realized Tianlin had had Gu Ran call him over just to help him get acquainted with Bai Chenxiang. He was touched—no matter how much they argued, brothers would always help when needed.
"So looks can be deceiving—he's second only to Tianlin among the younger generation. Though he does seem a bit silly," Bai Chenxiang thought, hearing Tianlin and Gu Ran's words, and noticing Ma Hongjun's modesty. Her opinion of his earlier rudeness softened a little.
"By the way, Miss Bai, you came all the way from Star Luo to our sect. I doubt it's just to say thanks. Is there another reason?" Tianlin asked seriously. He didn't believe Bai Chenxiang would come all this way just to thank them.
"Yes, Brother Jun. I heard you repelled those villains during Spirit Hall's extermination operation and won great merit, and have been appointed Vice Sect Master. Can you make decisions for the sect?" Bai Chenxiang asked solemnly.
"Xiangxiang, don't speak carelessly!" Huanyin hurriedly covered her mouth. This was not something to discuss openly. Everyone knew Spirit Hall was behind the exterminations, but no one dared say it aloud—walls have ears, and if word got out, the Speed Clan would be doomed.