"Rongrong, Rongrong?"
Ning Fengzhi's urgent calls snapped Ning Rongrong out of her thoughts.
"Ah, what is it, Dad?"
Seeing her distracted state, Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Rongrong, I don't know what you're thinking, but is this really necessary?"
It wasn't that he cared about the lives of death row prisoners—killing was an inevitable part of being a Soul Master.
But he didn't want Rongrong to solve problems this way, especially since, judging from her tone, restoring Tokisaki Kurumi wouldn't be as simple as sacrificing one or two prisoners.
"Dad, let me put it this way." Ning Rongrong sighed quietly. "We're still unsure about Bi Ji and Xue Ke's identities, but if our speculations are correct, then..."
She paused briefly before continuing, "For a 99th-rank Bi Ji to personally take care of Xue Ke, and for the Ten Thousand Demon King to obediently act as a bodyguard—Qian Renxue doesn't have that kind of authority. Even Di Tian couldn't enforce such a thing."
Making the Ten Thousand Demon King serve as Qian Renxue's guard? If Di Tian tried to force that, the Ten Thousand Demon King would rather die than submit—it would be an absolute humiliation.
Bi Ji might be different, given her gentle nature, but becoming a mere imperial princess's teacher? That wasn't something just anyone could arrange!
"To make these two serve humans without the slightest resentment, the only one who could issue such an order is the true ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest."
Ning Rongrong didn't elaborate further, but how could Ning Fengzhi and the others not understand? They had discussed the power structure of the Star Dou Great Forest before.
"Is… is it that Silver Dragon King?" Dugu Yan ventured cautiously.
"Very likely." Ning Rongrong glanced at Dugu Yan and sighed. "Sister Yan, we need to prepare for the worst. There might be a major battle in Wuhun City, possibly involving Limit Douluo from both the Star Dou Great Forest and the Spirit Hall."
"Bone Grandpa is still breaking through to the 98th rank, and Senior Dugu is advancing to the 95th rank. But to be blunt, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's current strength is still too weak."
The Clear Sky School might have the Asura God backing them. The Spirit Hall might lack divine support, but they had the Star Dou Great Forest.
What did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School have? Not even a single proper 99th-rank powerhouse.
Among the three major powers, the weakest was undoubtedly the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
What?
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon School?
What backwater faction was that? Did they even deserve to be mentioned?
"Sorry." Ning Rongrong sighed softly. "Actually, I think Qian Renxue and I might be the same kind of people—willing to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals."
"I might try to choose methods others can accept, but perhaps it's just to ease my own conscience."
"That's not true!" Dugu Yan patted Ning Rongrong's shoulder.
"I've never thought that way! Rongrong, whether it's toward Uncle Ning, the two Title Douluo elders, or even a weak little Soul Master like me, you've always treated everyone with as much respect as possible..."
"Given my status, I shouldn't say this, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's current growth isn't due to Uncle Ning—it's because of your efforts, Rongrong."
"R-Really?" Ning Rongrong blinked in surprise.
"Of course! Rongrong, don't overthink it. No matter what you decide to do, we'll support you."
Sword Douluo grinned.
Back in the day, he had struggled endlessly just to reach the 96th rank.
From the time Rongrong awakened her martial soul to now, only eight years had passed, yet he had leaped from peak 96th rank to peak 98th rank.
And it wasn't just him—that old coot Gu Rong was almost at the 98th rank too.
As for Dugu Bo, in just a few years, he had gone from the "Shame of Title Douluo" to now breaking through to the 95th rank.
In terms of high-level combat power, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School might not match the Spirit Hall or the Clear Sky School, but overall, they were now on equal footing.
"Rongrong, don't put too much pressure on yourself. As for the death row prisoners, if you think it's necessary, then go ahead. I, Ning Fengzhi, support you."
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.
"Tomorrow night, I'll bring you all the information on the locations of every death row prison in the Heaven Dou Empire."
Ning Fengzhi wasn't an indecisive man. In principle, he didn't want Ning Rongrong to do this, but Limit Douluo—multiple Limit Douluo at that.
And possibly involving the Star Dou Great Forest and that Silver Dragon King…
If they didn't prepare, the consequences could be dire.
Besides, aside from Rongrong, none of them were in a position to make such preparations.
After finishing their discussion, Ning Fengzhi and the two elders left the room, leaving only Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong behind.
"Rongrong, don't be so hard on yourself." Dugu Yan walked to the table, first pouring Ning Rongrong a cup of tea before serving herself.
"You once told me that power is just power—that concepts like good and evil are meaningless. I remember you saying that when you helped me condense the Misfortune Poison Body."
"The way you're acting now makes it seem like you were just fooling me back then."
"No, I truly believe that. It's just…" Ning Rongrong sat down beside Dugu Yan, taking a sip of the tea she had just poured.
"I'm not a Dark Devilgod Tiger. I can't kill so many people without hesitation, even if I justify it by saying they're Heaven Dou's death row prisoners."
"Rongrong, you just want the people you care about to live better, safer lives. So what if your methods are a bit extreme?" Dugu Yan countered.
"Since they're death row prisoners, they've already brought their fate upon themselves."
"Dying a little earlier just saves Qian Renxue some food—it's killing two birds with one stone!"
"You regain your strength, and the Heaven Dou Empire's food reserves take less of a hit. If anything, Qian Renxue should be thanking you!"
Ning Rongrong's lips twitched. "Sister Yan, since when did you become so eloquent?"
"Eh, have I?" Dugu Yan widened her eyes before bursting into laughter. "If I have, then I learned it from you."
"Didn't you say to always look at problems from different angles?"
"That way, you can find many different answers—even ones entirely in your favor."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
Damn, did I really teach you that?
"Anyway, regardless, we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the specifics." Dugu Yan continued. "Maybe Bi Ji and Xue Ke's relationship is all just in your imagination, Rongrong."
"You're getting more and more ridiculous." Ning Rongrong couldn't help but retort.
…
The next day.
After a morning battle, the afternoon matches finally arrived.
Ning Rongrong addressed the team. "For the match between Glazed Academy and Blazing Wind Academy, I'll be replacing Ning Tian. Qiu Ruoshui, step down—Shui Bing'er will take your place."
"There's no major reason, but if we want a flawless victory, it'll be difficult without both Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er on the field this time."
"Then… why are you going up?" Ning Tian's eye twitched.
"Because that Blazing Wind Academy's instructor isn't simple. I can display the strength of a four-ringed Soul Ancestor while secretly applying seven-ringed buffs. No one will notice, so it'll be a guaranteed win."
Ning Tian: "..."
You sneaky bastard.
Even if you didn't fight directly, just unleashing seven-ringed buffs from the backline would crush the opponent.
But you think that's not safe enough, so you're adding a five-ringed Soul King and stacking seven-ringed buffs on top?
Absolutely outrageous—