"Uh… can we really keep that under wraps?" Ning Yun's eye twitched slightly.
You didn't exactly hide your presence when you arrived, you know?
How are we supposed to keep it secret?
Noticing Ning Yun's speechless expression, Ning Rongrong said unhurriedly, "Don't worry about the details. Just do as I say. Don't forget, in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I'm the Young Sect Master."
Ning Yun: "…"
Your Young Sect Master status is impressive, okay.
"Got it."
Ning Yun didn't know what Ning Rongrong was planning, but he wasn't one to ask too many questions.
"By the way!" Ning Rongrong's sudden raised voice startled Ning Yun.
With a face full of exasperation, Ning Yun said, "Don't do that! Can't you just say everything at once?"
"Big Brother, you're really not fun," Ning Rongrong chuckled, her wrist's storage soul tool flickering slightly as a pitch-black spear appeared in her hand.
"A soul tool?"
Ning Yun reacted, his surprised gaze falling on the black spear in Ning Rongrong's hand.
"Black Tassel Spear! A level 6 soul tool."
"Though it can't compare to the two level 7 soul tools you and Ning Tian have, it's still pretty decent."
Ning Rongrong casually tossed the Black Tassel Spear to Ning Yun. "I remember the soul tools the Nine Treasure Chamber of Commerce sells externally are all below level 4. Putting this out there should stir up quite a commotion, right?"
"Selling a level 6 soul tool—did you get Father's approval?" Ning Yun frowned, gripping the black-handled spear with both hands, feeling the texture of the soul tool.
"Don't worry, Father won't say anything," Ning Rongrong said with a shrug. "I just want to muddy the waters in Vast Sea City."
"Besides, I've infused it with fifteen formations. Unless someone understands my techniques, even Poseidon himself wouldn't be able to analyze the soul tool's principles."
"And if someone uses mental detection, it'll instantly trigger the soul tool to explode completely."
"This has the equivalent power of a Soul Emperor self-destructing."
As Ning Rongrong finished speaking, Ning Yun shuddered.
The Black Tassel Spear fell to the ground with a clatter.
Cold sweat beaded on Ning Tian's forehead.
"Holy crap, Ning Rongrong, are you trying to murder your own brother?!"
"I didn't compete with you for the Sect Master position; is this really necessary?!"
He had just used mental detection on the soul tool, nearly getting himself killed.
He wasn't a Soul Emperor, just a mere Soul King.
"Relax, the safety's still on," Ning Rongrong said with a smile. "Isn't your heart pounding? Pretty thrilling, right?"
"Thrilling my foot!" Ning Yun's face was covered in dark lines.
No wonder Ning Tian often felt Ning Rongrong was unreliable—this was beyond unreliable!
"Once this thing is sold, just turn off the safety. It's one-way anyway."
"Announce at the auction that this was found in an ancient ruin, and Pavilion Master Lou Gao used it to comprehend the method of making soul tools."
"What do you think of that hook?"
"Are you trying to sell something or harm people?!" Ning Yun's scalp tingled.
"It's fine. We'll give a heads-up in advance. If anything happens, it's not our fault."
"Which sect would dare come after the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over this?"
"We gave you the manual and warned you about the dangers."
"If the sold soul tool still blows up, isn't that just your gunner's E-rank luck?"
After Ning Rongrong's explanation, Ning Yun understood her plan.
"Rongrong, the auction is only three days away. There's no time to spread the news."
"Postpone it!" Ning Rongrong blinked. "This is an ancient item that Senior Lou Gao used to comprehend soul tool production, a level 6 soul tool never seen in the outside world."
"Isn't that enticing enough?"
"This is straight-up false advertising," Ning Yun's mouth twitched.
"Where's the false advertising? It's always been like this, okay?" Ning Rongrong retorted righteously. "Didn't Senior Lou Gao comprehend level 7 soul tool production from this level 6 soul tool?"
"Isn't this a level 6 soul tool?"
"Aren't the minerals used to make this level 6 soul tool rare metals, many of which likely come from ancient times?"
Ning Yun: "…"
"I'm speechless," Ning Yun's eye twitched, his peripheral vision glancing at Lou Gao and Dugu Yan calmly sipping tea and eating fruit nearby. He sighed silently. "No wonder Father favors you. It's not just your strength—your thick skin matches his."
"Oh ho, I recorded that. You actually called Father shameless."
At some point, Ning Rongrong was holding a recording soul tool again.
Ning Yun: "…"
…
In a certain part of Vast Sea City.
Inside a room of a luxurious hotel, the door was pushed open from the outside.
An old man rushed in hurriedly.
"Young Master, Young Master, something's happened!"
"What is it?"
Tang San looked up toward the door, where five or six disassembled soul tools lay scattered in front of him.
"It's like this, Young Master. This old servant got news about Lou Gao," Tai Tan said, striding into the room with his graying beard. A middle-aged man studying soul tools alongside Tang San raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Divine Craftsman Lou Gao, he's really here?" Tang San stood up abruptly.
"That's right. I told you, Lou Gao values relationships the most," Tai Tan said, patting his chest confidently. "With my friendship with him, getting some low-tier soul tool blueprints shouldn't be a problem."
"That easy?" The middle-aged man sitting cross-legged voiced his doubts. "Lou Gao is backed by the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
With Sword Douluo Chen Xin breaking through to Limit Douluo, plus Ning Fengzhi's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda support, even the High Priest wouldn't be guaranteed a victory.
"Tch, Your Excellency is overthinking," Tai Tan waved dismissively. "Level 1, 2, or 3 soul tools, though not widely circulated, are out there. As long as Lou Gao gives us the blueprints, we can say we researched them ourselves."
"Lou Gao can explain it away, and we get the benefits."
"Everyone's happy!"
"Do as you wish. I'm not getting involved in this," the middle-aged man sighed, looking at Tang San. "After the Vast Sea City matter is settled, we should be able to get you to level 70."
"Then we'll go hunt for a soul ring. Don't forget the plan, and don't reveal it carelessly."
"Whatever happens in Vast Sea City in the future has nothing to do with Poseidon Island."
"Tang San, do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Excellency!" Tang San nodded.
If the attack on the Heaven Dou Empire hadn't failed, losing so many people.
With his Blue Silver Grass's special abilities, he might already be a Soul Sage.
He would never forget Spirit Hall killing his father, nor the Star Dou Great Forest and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"You all have a debt to pay!"
Tang San suppressed the anger in his heart and turned to Tai Tan: "Find a way to contact Lou Gao. Let's arrange a meeting. If possible, can we pull him…"
"Forget it, just the soul tool production methods will do."
He had initially thought of pulling Lou Gao into the Tang Sect, but doing so would likely thoroughly offend the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
With Spirit Hall and Star Dou Great Forest already as enemies, provoking the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wasn't wise.
But one day.
"I, Tang San, will make you pay in blood."