Several months had passed since returning from Heaven Dou City, and many events had occurred during this time.
As the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and one of its most domineering figures, Ning Rongrong naturally received intelligence about the outside world from Ning Fengzhi.
Xue Qinghe had pressured the Balak Kingdom to hand over Xue Beng and others.
However, the various kingdoms and duchies merely put on a show and did not truly intervene.
Especially after that particularly unusual incident in the Balak Kingdom, the major kingdoms and duchies chose to sit back and watch the tigers fight.
The former king of the Balak Kingdom abdicated, nominating Xue Beng as the new king and Prince Xue Xing as the regent, while he himself retreated entirely behind the scenes.
This incident infuriated Xue Qinghe, who accused the kingdoms and duchies of disregarding righteousness, smashing countless pots and pans in his rage.
Meanwhile, Xue Beng accused Xue Qinghe of obtaining the throne through illegitimate means, including the murder of the previous emperor and his brothers.
Additionally, Xue Qinghe's policies consistently favored commoners, causing dissatisfaction among many nobles.
With the two brothers seemingly on the verge of conflict, the other powers adopted a wait-and-see approach.
As for Ge Long's death, compared to real interests, it was insignificant.
With the Spirit Hall present, it was nearly impossible for the Star Luo Empire to invade.
"It seems she only controls five provinces of the Heaven Dou Empire, and even that might not be absolute. The rest..." Ning Rongrong placed the intelligence report on the table, "I suspect the Spirit Hall is secretly involved."
Speaking of which, Xue Qinghe had not actively sought the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's assistance over the past two months.
As the emperor's teacher, Ning Fengzhi should have been summoned to stabilize morale and public sentiment when Xue Beng made his move.
Yet, Xue Qinghe had not done so.
Had Bibi Dong seen something and reported it to her?
Ning Rongrong had no way of knowing.
"But, Qian Renxue... heh."
Rumors in Heaven Dou City suggested that the Heaven Dou Emperor had a close female companion.
The woman's name shared the character "Xue" with the emperor, and nobles had seen the two entering and leaving the palace together.
Though no official documents confirmed this, it was likely spread by Xue Qinghe herself.
"Has she really abandoned all concern for her reputation? Is she planning to be self-sufficient now?" Ning Rongrong shook her head, not paying it much mind.
For Qian Renxue to smoothly enter the upper echelons of Heaven Dou, Xue Qinghe still needed time to test the waters.
Heaven Dou was not as politically stable as Star Luo.
Knock knock—
The sound of knocking drew Ning Rongrong's attention.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing a woman with silver-white hair who strode confidently to Ning Rongrong's side, playfully ruffling her brown hair before whispering in her ear:
"Reading intelligence reports again? It feels like you're busier during your rest periods than usual."
"No choice." Ning Rongrong shrugged. "I don't want to return from a trip to find the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda gone."
"Speaking of which, when did you become so polite? You never knocked before—always climbed through the window."
"Ahem, a lady must be refined!" Dugu Yan coughed lightly.
After getting to know her better, Ning Rongrong realized Dugu Yan was somewhat rough around the edges.
She didn't mind, casually asking, "Is Senior Dugu free lately?"
It was time to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and return the skeletons of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings.
"He's at a critical stage and asked us to delay our trip." Dugu Yan sighed. "He's refining some special pill that can increase innate soul power levels."
"Honestly, I don't know what he's doing. Every day, he comes out of the alchemy room covered in soot from explosions."
"The Profound Origin Pill... that's only theoretically possible." Ning Rongrong smiled without elaborating.
A pill that could increase a Soul Master's innate soul power—even for Title Douluo—would undoubtedly spark a bloodbath across the continent if it were ever made public.
Ning Rongrong had mentioned it before, but she hadn't expected Dugu Bo to be so persistent.
"Sister Yan, what if just the two of us go?" Ning Rongrong suggested. "The poison barriers around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well won't affect us anyway."
Dugu Yan, with her Misfortune Poison Body, was more toxic than the barriers themselves.
As for Ning Rongrong, after being tempered by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and adapting to Dugu Yan's poison while helping her condense the Misfortune Poison Body, she had developed significant resistance.
She might not reach Dugu Yan's level of toxicity, but ordinary poisons were meaningless to her.
"Just the two of us?" Dugu Yan pointed at herself, then at Ning Rongrong, stunned. "A Soul King and a Soul Sage? What if we get eaten by soul beasts in the Sunset Forest?"
Ning Rongrong's face darkened. "Do you really think we're that weak?"
"Aren't we?" Dugu Yan blinked.
"During the incident with Qian Renxue in Heaven Dou, Grandpa dragged me back by the collar and scolded me for being reckless despite my lack of skill."
"And you, Rongrong, needed months of rest just to recover."
"Compared to Di Tian and his group, even ordinary Title Douluo are weaklings."
"Like my grandpa... uh—" Under Ning Rongrong's "what a filial granddaughter" look, Dugu Yan awkwardly cut herself off.
"Are... are you sure it's safe?" After hesitating, Dugu Yan pressed again.
"It's fine, Sister Yan." Ning Rongrong patted her shoulder. "Isn't that silly black cat in my tower asleep?"
"If there's danger, I'll just throw her out. I doubt she'll keep sleeping then."
Dugu Yan: "..."
The two informed Dugu Bo of their plans—receiving a perfunctory "go ahead"—before heading to Ning Fengzhi.
"We want to see the world," they declared.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo were still adjusting to the new abilities granted by Tokisaki Kurumi's gifts, making it impossible to spare a Title Douluo as an escort.
Moreover, they unanimously agreed that an escort was unnecessary.
What could a Title Douluo do that Ning Rongrong couldn't?
And what they couldn't do—like severely wounding Di Tian—she had already accomplished.
What was left to protect?
Knowing Dugu Bo had approved, Ning Fengzhi simply waved them off, releasing the two "beasts" to wreak havoc outside rather than within the sect.
"Rongrong, why did Uncle Ning look like he couldn't wait to get rid of you?"
On the road, Dugu Yan recalled Ning Fengzhi's relieved expression and couldn't help but ask.
"A certain cat who doesn't act human has been scaring people at night." Ning Rongrong sighed. "She's restrained, but it's still caused quite a stir."
"Kurumi?"
Dugu Yan's lips twitched.
"Yeah. She's mad I didn't give her the dragon bones." Ning Rongrong was exasperated. Was this how a Dark Devilgod Tiger behaved? No wonder they were universally disliked.
"You're not stopping her?"
"After all she's done for Father and the two grandpas, I can't bring myself to."
The memories and experience Kurumi had shared with Ning Fengzhi and the others were priceless.
Since Ning Fengzhi didn't complain, Ning Rongrong pretended not to notice. A few midnight scares were no big deal.
"I see..." Dugu Yan nodded, trusting Ning Rongrong's judgment.
Tokisaki Kurumi wasn't human—suppressing her beastly nature was already commendable. Expecting more would be unreasonable.
"Will placing the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings' bones in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well really restore its function? You said before that key components were missing."
"It'll have an effect, but fully revitalizing the well will take more work." Ning Rongrong pondered. "Let's handle this first. We'll figure out what's missing later!"