"Uh…" Cold sweat broke out on Wang Teng's forehead, his voice trembling slightly. "Miss Dugu Yan deserves the soul bones and soul rings. Don't mention just these few—even if it were more, it would still be rightfully hers."
"And Young Sect Master, you don't want any soul bones?"
A hundred-thousand-year soul bone—something that even Title Douluo would fight to the death over—yet their Young Sect Master seemed completely unconcerned.
"I have the Sea Princess's soul bone. The rest can all be distributed to the sect!"
Ning Rongrong explained the situation, including the agreement with Sea God Island, naturally omitting certain details that didn't need to cause unnecessary conflict.
"So the beast tide was orchestrated by those people from Sea God Island!" After hearing Ning Rongrong's explanation, most of the enshrined elders below widened their eyes in fury.
The Haotian Sect and Sea God Island were truly birds of a feather. No wonder a limit Douluo-level soul beast had attacked the city. Well done, Haotian Sect and Sea God Island!
An elder with graying hair stood up from the left side.
Level 85 soul power circulated around his body.
Seeing that this quite elderly Soul Douluo wanted to say something, Ning Rongrong shook her head.
"Enshrined Ling Tian, I know you're angry, but this matter ends here."
"We are not yet in a position to make enemies of them. Vast Sea City is my fief."
"There may be some localized conflicts during this period, but they will most likely remain within controllable limits. I need two Title Douluo with hundred-thousand-year soul rings to hold the fort here."
"Today, we will select the soul masters willing to stay in Vast Sea City. Two Soul Douluo who are willing will be chosen to break through to Title Douluo and be granted hundred-thousand-year soul rings."
"Of course, it won't be permanent—just around five years!"
"What do you all think?" Ning Rongrong looked around the room. "We'll use a lottery system. Those who are willing can participate and draw lots."
"Those who don't wish to stay can opt out. Of course, those who remain must be battle soul masters."
A hundred-thousand-year soul ring was something every soul master dreamed of. To obtain one, some price naturally had to be paid.
Five years was not long for a Title Douluo. There might be danger, but it depended on whether anyone was willing. Not long after Ning Rongrong finished speaking, seven battle soul master Soul Douluo raised their hands one after another.
Aside from Ye Renxin, the support-type Nine Heart Begonia soul master, all of them intended to stay.
Ning Rongrong nodded, wrote the word "stay" on two slips of paper, and put them together with five blank slips into a paper box. She gently shook the box, then let them draw.
A moment later.
The soul masters chosen to stay were…
Level 85 Soul Douluo Wang Teng and level 85 Soul Douluo Ling Tian.
Seeing the lottery results, Ning Rongrong nodded. "I will find a way to get both of you to level 90. Even if you fall short, I will use ten-thousand-year soul bones to stack you to level 90."
"Those who weren't chosen don't need to worry too much. The remaining two hundred-thousand-year soul rings and the four soul rings over ninety-five thousand years will be used back at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School to select qualified Soul Douluo. You will all still have the chance to step into the realm of Title Douluo."
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong's tone shifted.
"Vast Sea City is part of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's future strategic layout. Enshrined Ling Tian, Enshrined Wang Teng—I'll have to trouble you both to remain here."
"Young Sect Master, you're too polite. Five years in exchange for a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and at least one ten-thousand-year soul bone—we are already more than satisfied."
Wang Teng and Ling Tian waved their hands. Only a fool would act modest after gaining such benefits. They were all old veterans; they understood that whatever you receive, you must give something in return.
With so many people in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, it was impossible for them to monopolize every advantage. Five years—for a Title Douluo—was simply nothing.
Ning Rongrong nodded and continued,
"No matter what, safety comes first. If it truly becomes untenable, abandoning Vast Sea City is also fine."
"By rights, I shouldn't bypass Father and give you direct orders." Ning Rongrong gave an embarrassed smile. "It feels like I'm sidelining my own father."
"Uh…"
Everyone exchanged glances. Ning Fengzhi's face was full of black lines. Those who dared answer didn't dare speak, and those who didn't dare answer stayed silent. For a moment, the entire hall fell quiet.
It concerned the sect leader and the Young Sect Master. Although everyone knew the two had a good relationship…
But…
Anyone with eyes could see it.
If Ning Rongrong wanted to kick Ning Fengzhi out of the sect leader position, it really wouldn't be difficult.
Even if the two heaven-supporting white jade pillar elders—Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo—remained neutral, Ning Rongrong's own faction was extremely strong. Not to mention that pagoda spirit who once beat the entire Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School from top to bottom, the Soul Guidance Pavilion and the Medicine Refining Pavilion basically all supported Ning Rongrong.
And then there was Ning Rongrong's strength…
Others might not know, but how could this group not?
When Ning Rongrong went to clean up the beast tide and kill a level 99 soul beast, Ning Fengzhi and the other two had been right here in the Nine Treasure Merchant Association!
The setting sun that was Ning Fengzhi, and the rising sun that was Ning Rongrong.
Who didn't know which side to stand on?
"Rongrong, can you at least give your father some face?" Ning Fengzhi said helplessly. "Just talk normally. Even though I, Ning Fengzhi, have thick skin, it's not to this extent."
"Uh… sorry, sorry." The corners of Ning Rongrong's mouth curved up. "I only said it because we father and daughter have such a good relationship, right?"
"Anyway, I'll probably make another breakthrough soon and will need to enter seclusion for a while."
"These six days, the soul rings must be dealt with. As for the soul bones, Father, you can distribute them as you see fit."
"After all, you are the sect leader."
Ning Fengzhi: "…"
After the topic had flown off to the ninth heaven, Ning Rongrong forcibly dragged it back.
"Alright, you two enshrined elders, come forward. I'll help you break through to Title Douluo right now."
Ning Rongrong gestured for Ling Tian and Wang Teng to come to the center of the hall.
"What should we do?" The two looked at each other and stepped forward together.
"Sit cross-legged and meditate. Leave the rest to me. And no matter what happens, you must keep your spirit clear and conscious."
"The process may be very painful. I hope you're mentally prepared."
After Ning Rongrong finished speaking, Wang Teng and Ling Tian exchanged a glance and said seriously,
"Young Sect Master, rest assured. Throughout history, countless have died failing to break through to Title Douluo. Since there is hope now, we will naturally give everything we have."
"Good."
Ning Rongrong said no more. "Then let's begin!"
Wang Teng and Ling Tian sat cross-legged in the center of the hall. The surrounding enshrined elders held their breath and watched intently.
As time passed second by second,
both entered a deep meditative state, and their martial souls gradually emerged.
Two yellow, two purple, four black—an optimal ring configuration for ordinary soul masters.
Ning Rongrong raised her right palm. Two platinum-colored orbs of light spun above her hand.
"Go—"
With a soft command,
the two orbs of light shot forward and entered Wang Teng's and Ling Tian's bodies respectively.
"Ugh—"
Both let out a muffled groan. Veins instantly bulged all over their foreheads and bodies. Beads of cold sweat rolled down from their temples along those veins, and their faces contorted ferociously.
Suddenly, both spat out a mouthful of blood at the same time. The pungent smell of blood instantly filled the air.
Their soul power auras plummeted at terrifying speed.
The surrounding soul master enshrined elders looked at each other. The hesitant expressions in their eyes seemed to spell out a single sentence:
"They aren't going to die, right?!"
Soul power aura dropping so drastically—this was clearly walking the path of death!