Black, black, black, black, black, black, radiant gold.
This utterly bizarre configuration of soul rings left many present utterly stunned, their eyes wide as if they'd seen a ghost.
Even Ning Tian—who had been silently speculating about Ning Rongrong's strength and whom she addressed as "Second Brother"—was left speechless for a long time.
"Rongrong, your soul rings..." Ning Tian's voice trembled.
Now he finally understood why their father had been so tight-lipped. He must have been afraid of causing a commotion!
Six ten-thousand-year soul rings, and judging by the profound darkness they emitted, these weren't just barely over ten thousand years. Even the first soul ring was likely several tens of thousands of years old.
This was simply outrageous. Even Ning Tian couldn't immediately process what he was seeing.
As for the seventh golden soul ring, the unusual aura it exuded was clearly superior to the previous six. Ning Tian couldn't tell what kind of soul ring it was, but this golden ring—which likely wasn't a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—was absolutely extraordinary.
As Lou Gao's disciple, Ning Tian had seen his master's eighth soul ring, a hundred-thousand-year one.
But that aura couldn't even compare to the fluctuations from this soul ring.
Back then, Lou Gao had told Ning Tian:
The reason he could absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring was because Ning Rongrong had forcibly extracted the Evil Spirit Orca King's lingering resentment.
Though he didn't know how Ning Rongrong had done it, Lou Gao had made it clear that even as his disciple, if it came to the sect's interests, he would stand firmly on Ning Rongrong's side.
So, in essence, the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan belonged to Ning Rongrong.
No wonder the pressure was so intense around her. No wonder Ning Yun had fled so quickly.
"Ara ara, are you all surprised?" Ning Rongrong's playful voice snapped everyone out of their daze.
"How did you do this?" The former Tian Shui Academy team members, especially Yu Hairou, were burning with curiosity.
They weren't just curious about Ning Rongrong's age but also why her first soul ring was already ten-thousand-year level.
"There are many methods," Ning Rongrong said casually. "For example, twin martial souls, inheriting a god's trial, or different cultivation methods."
She listed a few examples and even mentioned Tang Chen's and Qian Daoliu's soul ring colors.
"Title Douluos with eight black and one red soul rings?" Every piece of information Ning Rongrong revealed shocked those present.
After all, these were just ordinary students. Their exposure to the world couldn't compare to Ning Rongrong's.
Out in the world, the people and soul beasts she encountered were all above rank 97. Those below Title Douluo level weren't even worth noticing.
"Are there different tiers among Title Douluos too?" Gu Qingbo and the others asked, their voices filled with awe.
"Alright, these concepts are still too advanced for you," Ning Rongrong said with a light laugh. "As for my soul rings, they involve certain secrets of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. It's not something that can be replicated yet."
"Just look at Ning Tian. He couldn't achieve a ten-thousand-year first soul ring like me."
Ning Tian: "..."
If you want to show off, just show off. Why do you have to lift yourself up by putting me down?
Are you really my biological sister?
Ning Tian did know a little about Ning Rongrong's circumstances.
Back when she first started cultivating, the amount of medicinal resources poured into her was insane.
It had left a deep impression on the young Ning Tian.
Medicinal baths every few days—wasn't that just like brewing rabbit wine with a Soft Bone Rabbit?
Not that Ning Tian dared say or ask anything!
He had no idea what kind of cultivation method Ning Rongrong used, but the expenditure of resources flowed like water. Only a wealthy sect like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could afford it.
However, the investment clearly hadn't been in vain. Looking at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan now, even Ning Fengzhi's words might not carry as much weight as Ning Rongrong's.
This unconventional Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master had brought immense benefits to the sect.
Ning Rongrong clapped her hands, pulling everyone back to reality.
"Mine and Dugu Yan's strength will be our secret weapons. Absolutely do not reveal it to outsiders."
"Oh right, I'm the captain. Is there any problem with Dugu Yan being vice-captain?"
The Glazed Academy students exchanged glances before shaking their heads. "No problem."
A Soul Emperor and a Soul Sage participating in the tournament? What objections could mere Soul Elders and Soul Ancestors like them have?
"Rongrong, isn't revealing your soul rings risky?" Ning Tian asked worriedly.
"We might have to reveal them during the tournament, but let's try to keep it under wraps for now," Ning Rongrong said breezily. "Just don't leak the information before I decide to make it public."
As someone who could escape unscathed from a rank 99 powerhouse—just your ordinary support-type Soul Master—there weren't many things she needed to fear now.
"But if you compete, won't your soul ring colors immediately draw attention?" Ning Tian asked, puzzled.
"Oh, this?" Ning Rongrong pointed at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her palm.
"No one will notice. Otherwise, how do you think I've been hiding all these years?"
As she spoke, the six black and one radiant gold soul rings around the pagoda began to change color.
Within seconds, the soul rings had transformed into two yellow, two purple, and three black.
"See? Now it just looks like an ordinary Soul Sage's configuration. Much less eye-catching, right?"
"Definitely less eye-catching," Ning Tian said, his lips twitching.
So soul rings could change color too?
But a 14-year-old Soul Sage was still terrifying!
Before Ning Tian could speak, the seventh soul ring on Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda vanished, followed by the sixth, until only four remained.
"I can still use my full strength even without displaying all my soul rings."
Watching Ning Rongrong wield a four-ringed Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda while saying such outrageous things left Ning Tian utterly speechless.
Damn, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan actually had someone like you?
Using a four-ringed Soul Ancestor facade to unleash seven-ringed Soul Sage buffs?
Absurd. Just as cunning and deceitful as their father Ning Fengzhi—ahem!
Ning Tian caught himself before insulting his own father.
"As expected of Rongrong. Truly, just like Father—far-sighted and wise."
That sounded much better.
While Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan were bonding with their Glazed Academy teammates, academies and sects across the continent were also making preparations for the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
After all, the Spirit Hall had dropped a bombshell announcement:
"This year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament will be the grandest in history, with the highest rewards ever offered!"
"The champion will receive one hundred-thousand-year soul bone and multiple ten-thousand-year soul bones."
"The runner-up and third-place teams will also receive ten-thousand-year soul bones—two for second place and one for third."
Just these three pieces of news had sent shockwaves through the continent's major powers.
Soul bones were priceless treasures, not something just anyone could obtain. Not every faction was as wealthy as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
But even the "wealthy" Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan coveted hundred-thousand-year soul bones.