Seeing Ning Tian fall into contemplation, Ning Yun continued: "Father is now a 97th rank Title Douluo, Elder Gu has just broken through to 99th rank, and Elder Jian has been at 99th rank for some time."
"Rongrong... being able to help a 98th rank break through to 99th rank—do you think her strength would be weaker than the two elders?"
"And plus, that twin-tailed treasure pagoda essence."
"What do you think our purpose in hiding is?" Ning Yun said. "Aside from gods, I can't think of anything else."
"Father's current behavior is basically sitting by and watching the Spirit Hall swallow up the Tian Dou Empire."
"He doesn't seem worried at all about being suppressed and liquidated later."
The current scale of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect exceeds what a major power can tolerate.
Not only does the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect overlook the development of the Tian Dou Empire, but the Tian Dou Empire similarly allows the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to grow unchecked, without setting any obstacles.
"How likely do you think it is?"
"So what?" Ning Tian fell into contemplation.
"So, we're just small fry who aren't even pawns."
"There's no need to think about so much."
"In other words, you turning into a girl isn't a big deal." Ning Yun's topic nearly made Ning Tian twist her waist.
"Get used to it."
"You damn!"
Ning Tian reacted—this Ning Yun was just beating around the bush to tease her.
"Anyway, I hope you investigate the situation in the Tian Dou imperial capital. As a girl, it might be easier to get some words out of Xue Ke's side. This is Father's intention, of course, it's not mandatory."
"You're trying to get me killed?"
"Don't worry, you won't die." Ning Yun waved his hand. "The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't afraid of Spirit Hall—this is something Father told me personally, and he's certain that Spirit Hall won't turn against us."
"He might even deliberately leak some information."
"Is this your meaning, or Father's?" Ning Tian was suspicious.
"A bit of both mine and Father's." Ning Yun didn't refute. "I hope to confirm Xue Ke's current status in the Tian Dou Empire—whether she's a puppet."
"That should be easy to do!"
"Fine, I promise you." Ning Tian really didn't want to argue with Ning Yun anymore; it was pointless.
"Speaking of which, there are two uninvited guests arriving today; Father wants you to go over."
Uninvited guests?
Ning Tian was stunned for a moment.
If they're uninvited guests, why send her over?
"It's the assassins who killed Xue Qinghe; Father seems to have had a very pleasant conversation with them."
"That's why I'm suspicious about whether Xue Qinghe is really dead." Ning Yun shrugged. "You know, Rongrong is always so mysterious, and I can't beat her either."
"So, you're saying you can beat me?" Ning Tian's eye twitched. They were both auxiliary soul masters, but she was a Soul Emperor, while Ning Yun was just a Soul King.
Her wrist being grabbed earlier was because she hadn't used soul power.
Generally speaking, even auxiliary soul masters had combat strength stronger than regular soldiers—that's why soul masters were so noble.
"Hehe, I didn't say that." Ning Yun laughed. "But seeing your expression is pretty amusing; this must be what having a sister feels like!"
"Anyway, with Ning Rongrong, I'm constantly getting shot down. When she was little, I'd go play with her, and she'd often say I was immature."
"You know what you look like right now?" Ning Tian rolled her eyes. "Your current behavior is no different from those weird lollipops-wielding Shuli in the Tian Dou capital."
"Eh heh." Ning Yun didn't refute. "Anyway, be careful above all."
"Oh right, have you noticed? Over these two months, Ye Lengleng has been getting more and more interested in you. Alright, that's it then, bye." Ning Yun didn't wait for Ning Tian to retort and quickly left.
Ning Tian: "..."
Interested—as in coming over every other day to make me wear all sorts of weird clothes?
"Hoo—" Ning Tian took a deep breath.
This Ning Yun must have been infected by Ning Rongrong; he used to be such a serious person.
"Whatever."
Ning Tian slapped her forehead, feeling utterly exhausted.
Then, she stepped forward, heading toward the central council hall.
...
In the council hall.
Seated in the main position was Ning Fengzhi, with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo standing on either side.
For the matters being discussed, the two kept their eyes on their noses and noses on their hearts, completely playing the role of mere guards—whatever you discuss has nothing to do with us.
In the nearby guest seats sat several familiar faces.
They were Haotian Sect's Tang Chen, Tang San, the heir of the now-destroyed Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Yu Tianheng, and Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang's somewhat greasy face had become even more weathered, still at 31st rank strength; he hadn't broken through even a single rank in these years.
"Sect Master Ning, if this continues, Spirit Hall will destroy the Tian Dou Empire. You and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really won't help us?"
The one speaking was Yu Tianheng; compared to his youthful self a few years ago, he had gained much more maturity.
"Nephew Yu, Xue Ke inheriting Xue Qinghe's management of the Tian Dou Empire was a decree issued by Qinghe before resisting the Xing Luo Empire. I have no reason to help you."
"Moreover, the Tian Dou Empire is peaceful and prosperous; I don't want to cause chaos."
"The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a merchant sect, dealing in rare treasures. From an interest perspective, we also wish for Tian Dou to remain stable."
"But do you really think that when the time comes, there won't be a case of 'when the rabbits die, the hounds are cooked'?" Yu Tianheng said.
"Xue Ke is just a puppet; pulling Spirit Hall into the Tian Dou camp—what difference is there from letting a wolf into the house?"
Xue Qinghe still had a mutual love relationship with Qian Renxue, but what was Princess Xue Ke worth?
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi sighed: "I don't know what you all are thinking. Qinghe was my disciple; as for who killed him, I won't say more. We don't want to get involved in power struggles."
"Last time was for revenge; Qinghe's matter is over. Our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't want to get entangled again."
"Sect Master Ning, have you considered that perhaps there really is no Xue Qinghe—that this person might have died long ago?" Seeing the timing right, Tang San spoke up.
"What do you mean!" A hint of anger appeared in Ning Fengzhi's tone. "You killed him, and now you want to whip the corpse too?"
"No, we don't have such intentions." Tang San, ultimately possessed by the Tang God King, wasn't intimidated by Ning Fengzhi's tone. "Xue Qinghe's behavior has always been very strange. Whether the army or the court halls, most of the important positions above are filled with Spirit Hall people."
"Logically, no matter how much trust, it's impossible to go to such an extent."
"My divine examination once told me that the Angel Clan possesses soul bones capable of altering a person's aura and martial soul aura—even a Title Douluo might not be able to see through it."
"If Xue Qinghe wasn't Xue Qinghe at all, wouldn't that make sense?"
"And the soul master tournament back then..."
"You're still bringing up the soul master tournament; whether the Sea God mentioned back then was real or fake, we'll set aside for now." Ning Fengzhi said coldly. "But you, Tang San, inherited the Sea God divine examination, right?"
"Whether Sea God or Angel God, our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't trust them much and doesn't want to become cannon fodder."
Ning Fengzhi was resolute.
"Sect Master Ning, gods will appear in the future; I hope you consider the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's position carefully." After a long silence, Tang San said, "My great-grandfather truly did not kill Xue Qinghe, because at the final strike, Xue Qinghe vanished."
"If it was just Xue Qinghe, he couldn't have escaped."
What strength did Xue Qinghe have, and what strength did Tang Chen have? If Xue Qinghe was Qian Renxue, that would be another story.
"Qian Renxue is participating in the Angel God divine examination, and I'm participating in the Sea God divine examination."
"She and I are destined to fight."
"I hope Sect Master Ning thinks it over... wallflowers may not have a good end."
Tang San said sincerely, "I'm telling the truth; on our side, besides me, Zhu Zhuqing is also a divine examination inheritor."
"Qian Renxue can't win."
For something like slaying Qian Renxue, the Tang God King was still quite experienced and confident.
Back then, he could do it, let alone now, having lived for tens of thousands of years.
Ning Fengzhi, don't be too ungrateful. If it weren't for Rongrong's sake, and your Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's current decent strength, hmph!
Of course, Tang San didn't say this aloud.