Compared to Ning Rongrong's astonishment, the two Title Douluo, Ci Xue and She Long, had their expressions drastically change.
Especially since standing beside Ning Rongrong was a black-haired girl named Tokisaki Kurumi.
Not long ago, Bibi Dong had sent word that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan possessed the ability to heavily injure Di Tian, and it seemed to be somehow connected to Tokisaki Kurumi. Though it wasn't certain, the two Title Douluo couldn't afford to let their guard down.
Just what kind of existence was the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian?
A terrifying soul beast that even the Grand Priest wouldn't dare claim he could definitively defeat.
Yet, during the confrontation with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he had coughed up blood, and beside him was another figure, Bi Ji, who was very likely also at the level of a 99th-ranked Title Douluo.
Although the information Bibi Dong relayed indicated that both sides eventually disengaged and left, the fact that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could emerge unscathed from an encounter with two soul beasts comparable to 99th-ranked Title Douluo was proof of their capability.
The Spirit Hall's wariness toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had already risen to a level second only to that of the Clear Sky Clan.
While the two Title Douluo remained on high alert, the spatial portal flickered a few more times.
Dugu Yan, Shui Cangyue, Shui Yue'er, and Shui Bing'er stepped out one after another.
Seeing two Title Douluo with their martial souls activated inside her home, Shui Cangyue immediately grew vigilant. However, after noticing that Ning Rongrong didn't seem too concerned, she suppressed her unease.
"Long time no see, Miss Qian Renxue," Ning Rongrong spoke first.
"Indeed, Ning Rongrong. Your method of arrival is quite unique," Qian Renxue replied, examining Ning Rongrong. "Did you also go to the Extreme North?"
Shui Cangyue had gone to the Extreme North to help her granddaughter obtain a soul ring. Since they had met and returned together, it was highly likely that Ning Rongrong and the others had also gone to the Extreme North.
But why would the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan travel so far to the Extreme North?
"The herbs we needed could only be found in the Extreme North. We happened to run into Dean Shui along the way," Ning Rongrong answered.
The conversation between Qian Renxue and Ning Rongrong eased the tense atmosphere.
Qian Renxue then signaled for Ci Xue and She Long to retract their martial souls—there was no need for hostilities.
"You're Shui Cangyue?" The Ye Family's ancestor, Ye Mu, couldn't help but speak up.
The plainly dressed young woman standing behind Ning Rongrong bore an uncanny resemblance to Shui Cangyue in her youth.
There was only one possible explanation for this, though Ye Mu found it hard to believe.
"I was fortunate enough to break through to Title Douluo," Shui Cangyue said calmly, her voice steady and devoid of arrogance, though a hint of excitement was detectable.
"Title Douluo?!"
Shui Cangyue's words didn't just shock Ye Mu—Qian Renxue and the two Title Douluo she had brought along also wore expressions of disbelief.
Wasn't Shui Cangyue only an 85th-ranked Soul Douluo? How had she become a Title Douluo after just a few days in the Extreme North?
"You… how did you become a Title Douluo?" Ye Mu's voice trembled slightly. Though he had his suspicions, the truth was simply too unbelievable!
"I knew you'd be shocked, but… I'll have to disappoint you further."
Shui Cangyue's soul rings began to rise one after another.
Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one—red.
"A… a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?!"
Ye Mu, and even She Long and Ci Xue, exclaimed in shock.
Hundred-thousand-year soul rings were exceedingly rare. Even within Spirit Hall, only Bibi Dong, the Golden Crocodile Douluo, and Qian Daoliu possessed them.
Yet here was the former head of the Shui Family, not only having reached Title Douluo but also wielding a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
Didn't that mean her future prospects were limitless?
"How… how did you obtain it?" Ye Mu felt as if something was stuck in his throat.
A hundred-thousand-year soul ring meant facing a terrifying hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Forget killing one—most would turn tail and flee at the mere sight of such a creature.
"Ara ara, old man, do you have doubts about my strength, Tokisaki Kurumi?"
Before Shui Cangyue could finish, Tokisaki Kurumi stepped forward.
Shui Cangyue wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but since Tokisaki Kurumi had intervened to stop her from revealing information, she decided not to say anything more. It seemed that even the young master of her newly affiliated Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had some unclear relationship with Spirit Hall.
"Might I ask how I should address you, Your Excellency?" Ye Mu shuddered. Today, including Shui Cangyue, he had already encountered three Title Douluo. One more wouldn't be too surprising.
"You may call me the Nightmare Douluo. A rather pleasant-sounding title, don't you think?"
"Uh… yes, very pleasant."
Nightmare—a demon?
But even so, could he really say it wasn't pleasant?
Ye Mu's eyelid twitched.
"Your Excellency Shui Cangyue, would you consider joining Spirit Hall?"
"Name your conditions, and we will do our best to meet them…" A Title Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring was a force that every major faction on the continent would be willing to pay a hefty price to recruit. It signified that her potential might reach the level of a Super Douluo—or at the very least, she would likely surpass Rank 95.
"Miss Qian Renxue, Her Excellency Shui Cangyue and the Shui Family have already joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan," Ning Rongrong interjected before Shui Cangyue could respond.
"Is that so? What a shame!" Qian Renxue expressed her regret.
Her earlier question had merely been a probe, and she had already suspected that Shui Cangyue had likely joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
However, what truly shocked Qian Renxue was this:
Did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan possess a method to rapidly elevate a Soul Douluo to the Title Douluo level?
If so, the strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was terrifying. Coupled with the mysterious and formidable presence of Tokisaki Kurumi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan now had five Title Douluo—none of whom were like the disgraceful Dugu Bo from back in the day.
Rumors suggested that the soon-to-emerge Clear Sky Clan had a number of Title Douluo roughly on par with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, according to Spirit Hall's intelligence.
Hiss—
Truly fearsome.
In comparison, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, another of the Top Three Clans, seemed almost irrelevant.
"Might I ask the purpose of Miss Qian Renxue's visit to Tian Shui City?"
Since Ning Rongrong and Qian Renxue appeared to be on good terms, the atmosphere between the two sides had relaxed considerably.
Shui Cangyue even instructed the Shui Family to prepare some pastries for refreshments.
"You don't know?" Qian Renxue looked surprised. "Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing have colluded with the Star Luo Empire. Emperor Xue Qinghe has invited Spirit Hall to assist in defending against a potential invasion from Star Luo."
"A portion of Spirit Hall's soul masters have already been stationed at the border to monitor Star Luo's movements."
"Our purpose in coming here is primarily to reintegrate the various vassal kingdoms and duchies under the rule of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Isn't that right, Mr. Ye Mu?"
"Y-Yes, yes, yes." Ye Mu broke out in a cold sweat. Did he have any other choice but to agree?
Shifting her gaze away from Ye Mu, Qian Renxue turned back to Ning Rongrong.
"Rongrong, what are your thoughts on my relationship with Xue Qinghe?" After hesitating for a moment, Qian Renxue decided to ask. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's stance would influence future events.
"Your relationship, huh…" Ning Rongrong sighed softly. "Having a like-minded person as a partner does seem like a wonderful thing."
"I heard Emperor Xue Qinghe mention that she met a very beautiful girl, and they got along quite well in conversation."
"Yes, that's right. I like him—really, really like him."
Qian Renxue tapped her fingers lightly against the stone table, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
Ning Rongrong: "…"
Qian Renxue, why are you blushing?! Are you so deep into your act that you've even fooled yourself?