"Divine... divine artifacts?" The three men thought they had misheard, but seeing Ning Rongrong's serious expression, they suppressed their shock.
"Rongrong, are you certain?" Though Ning Rongrong often spoke mysteriously, this matter was truly earth-shattering.
Divine inheritance, divine artifacts...
No gods had appeared on Douluo Continent for millennia—could they really be this close?
"What exactly is this divine artifact in the Heaven Dou Imperial treasury?" After recovering from the initial shock, Ning Fengzhi asked.
A god—that was a god! Even a cup used by a deity might hold immense value, potentially aiding soul master cultivation.
"A triangular object emitting an aqua-blue glow. The energy was so intense I didn't dare probe further."
"A blue triangle?" Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged glances.
Ning Fengzhi, however, frowned.
A divine artifact, triangular in shape...
Could it be the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was a national treasure of the Heaven Dou Empire, more symbolic than practical.
"Is it about palm-sized, resembling a gemstone?"
"Ah, yes." Ning Rongrong nodded.
"So it is indeed that." Ning Fengzhi understood now.
"Fengzhi, explain what it is—you seem to know?" Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo turned to Ning Fengzhi simultaneously.
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "The Heaven Dou Imperial family's national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. I've seen it a few times before..."
"So it's that thing!" Sword Douluo's eyes gleamed with fervor.
Unlike Bone Douluo, who was a rogue cultivator, Sword Douluo had once belonged to a clan and knew of this imperial treasure.
"Should we obtain it at all costs?"
Anything divine—even fragments—would be coveted by soul masters.
Ning Fengzhi didn't answer. All three turned to Ning Rongrong.
"I..." After a long silence, Ning Rongrong shook her head.
"I don't recommend it. The imperial family has held it for years without uncovering its secrets."
"Even we likely couldn't..."
"Rongrong, do you have reservations?" Knowing his daughter best, Ning Fengzhi sensed she'd recognized the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud's divine connection yet chose an unknown soul guidance device core instead—highly peculiar.
Previously, Ning Fengzhi had been interested but not desperate for the shroud.
But if it was truly divine, that changed everything.
Even at great cost, they should acquire it from the imperial family.
Realistically, if Ning Rongrong presented the shroud, Ning Fengzhi could pressure Xue Ye into compliance through wealth, despite any reluctance.
After all, with such information asymmetry, could Xue Ye really use the shroud to bind the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—from leader to disciples—into servitude?
"Father, Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, let me explain." After another long pause, Ning Rongrong spoke carefully. "My cultivation doesn't originate from this world. I'm uncertain how that deity would view me."
"Secondly, even if we obtained the shroud, no one in Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could currently activate it. It would just be decorative."
"It might also contain divine consciousness that could monitor our clan."
"I..."
"Enough." Ning Fengzhi waved her off. "Rongrong, we don't absolutely need it. If you deem it unwise, we'll drop the matter."
"Fengzhi?" The two Title Douluos were stunned. Bone Douluo nearly protested before a look from Ning Fengzhi silenced him.
As longtime partners, they understood much from glances alone and quieted accordingly.
"Let's check on Dugu Bo's decision regarding the detoxification." Ning Fengzhi changed topics.
"Ah, right—the Poison Douluo matter takes priority."
Ning Rongrong sighed inwardly, unsure how to explain properly.
Should she admit she didn't want the clan committing prematurely?
Bringing the shroud would essentially install divine surveillance within Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Currently, no one there could activate the Sea God's Heart anyway.
Moreover, the Asura God and Sea God might have already chosen Tang San.
Who knew?
Unless absolutely necessary, why place something potentially monitored by deities in their headquarters?
At least not before choosing sides.
...
Dugu Bo opted for the intermediate solution—consolidating a poison core to fully detoxify.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo pledged assistance, as this concerned strengthening the clan.
Night fell swiftly.
Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong gathered privately without Ning Rongrong.
"I don't understand why we're not acquiring the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."
Bone Douluo had restrained himself all day.
With Ning Rongrong present earlier, he couldn't speak freely—her opposition was practically written on her face.
But they couldn't indulge their daughter in everything.
Yes, Rongrong was remarkably mature and independent, but Ning Fengzhi—you're the clan leader!
Obtaining the shroud might lead to breakthroughs that could greatly enhance the clan's power.
"Uncle Bone, it's not that I don't want it, but Rongrong... sigh." Ning Fengzhi sat heavily, exhaling deeply.
"She knows the shroud is divine, likely even aware of whose consciousness resides within."
"She doesn't want us to have it."
"But what harm could come from acquiring it?" Bone Douluo argued. "Divine surveillance? So what?"
"Frankly, our treasures might be mere scrap to a god. What's worth spying on?"
"True enough." Ning Fengzhi smiled wryly internally.
Uncle Gu could be even more blunt than Uncle Sword sometimes.
While logically sound, must he phrase it so crudely?
"Uncle Bone, gods may have rivalries like humans!"
"Rongrong mentioned her divine inheritance isn't native to Douluo Continent."
"Could we interpret that her cultivation methods might conflict with local deities?"
"If so, doesn't that explain avoiding the shroud?"
"This... is that it?"
"Perhaps." Sword Douluo interjected.
"Rejecting the shroud only makes sense if it's useless to us, or if Rongrong's methods would provoke divine hostility."
"I can't think of other reasons."
"Enough, old bone." Sword Douluo concluded. "Compared to gods and demons, Rongrong's safety matters most."
"Besides, it's just a seemingly meaningless object."
"The Heaven Dou Empire studied it for years without results. Even if we got it, short-term gains seem unlikely!"