Yu Tianming didn't waste any time. He walked straight to Ning Rongrong and introduced, "This Qiluo Tulip—just lightly inhale the flower's core, and its essence will gradually flow into your body. Then slowly cultivate your soul power. Let the medicinal effects spread to every corner of your body, and you'll be able to absorb its power perfectly."
She looked at the giant flower that stood as tall as she was, then turned to glance at the smiling Yu Tianming beside her. Excitement gradually filled her heart.
Clinging to Yu Tianming's arm, she wiggled playfully and giggled. "Brother Tianming, I can't just take such a precious herb for nothing. How about I repay you with my body?"
Just a moment ago, Ning Rongrong still had the air of a sweet, well-mannered girl. But now that she had grown more comfortable with the surroundings and shed her earlier restraint, her true nature came bursting out. Her gaze was filled with excitement, and if she kept talking, who knew what wild words she'd say next.
Yu Tianming let out a helpless sigh and peeled the clinging Ning Rongrong off his arm. "Absorb the immortal herb first. You can get excited afterward."
Ning Rongrong stopped bothering him, folded her arms across her chest, pouted, and turned to face the Qiluo Tulip. She took a few deep breaths, then gently inhaled the essence of the flower. A wisp of white mist visibly floated into her nostrils with each breath she took.
She summoned her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began circulating her soul power to absorb the medicinal energy of the Qiluo Tulip.
As the medicinal power spread throughout her body, a dazzling golden light radiated from her, making her look like a celestial maiden descended to earth. Each time the golden light flared brighter, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda floating silently in front of her also shimmered more brilliantly with multicolored light.
Yu Tianming smiled as he watched her absorb the herb's energy. With a wave of his hand, he released a ray of white light imbued with divine energy that enveloped Ning Rongrong's body. Instantly, the radiant multicolored light retracted into her body, leaving only faint flickers on the Seven Treasure Pagoda, which now began to grow taller.
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda stopped changing, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Instinctively turning toward Yu Tianming, she chirped excitedly, "I didn't expect this! Just by absorbing the Qiluo Tulip's essence, it's like I've trained for a whole year. I jumped up three levels in an instant. I'm only one soul ring away from becoming a Soul Ancestor! And I have a feeling that after I absorb my third ring, I'll advance even more."
Yu Tianming glanced meaningfully at her palm and interrupted her. "Rongrong, count the layers of your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. How many are there now?"
Ning Rongrong paused at his reminder, then hurriedly looked at the pagoda in her hand. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine? What?! How did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda become nine layers?"
A surge of hot blood rushed through her chest, and even her voice trembled.
What did it mean for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to become nine layers? It meant this was no longer the Seven Treasure Pagoda—but the legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda! The very dream her father, Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, had pursued all his life.
Just reaching the Soul Ancestor level by absorbing the flower's essence had already thrilled her, and even in her wildest dreams, she had only hoped to awaken the Eight Treasure Pagoda. But now—out of nowhere—she had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
After a brief rush of excitement, she gradually calmed down, though the hand holding the pagoda still trembled slightly. She turned to Yu Tianming and said softly, "Brother Tianming, come with me back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Oh? Why? You planning to make our relationship official with Sect Master Ning?" Yu Tianming teased with a grin.
Ning Rongrong clung to his arm again, giggling. "I already have the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda as my martial soul. Who in the sect could possibly object to us being together now? The only question is—are you willing to marry me?"
Yu Tianming looked at the proud girl holding the Nine Treasure Pagoda and smiled after a brief silence. "Of course I am."
—
Heaven Dou City, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Ning Rongrong sat on a couch in the main hall, swinging her slender legs and occasionally glancing at Yu Tianming beside her.
She had already been back for most of the day, but her father was nowhere to be seen. Her earlier excitement was gradually fading, replaced by a tinge of impatience.
Across from her, a skeletal-looking old man known as Bone Douluo was slowly sipping tea.
Due to his martial soul, Bone Douluo's skin was shriveled, his eyes sunken, and his clothes seemed to hang on a skeleton. A few sparse white hairs clung to his scalp. He looked absolutely grotesque—like a massive walking skeleton.
Even though the Seven Treasure Sect's sofa was an oversized one, it still looked small under his over-2.5-meter-tall frame.
Putting down his teacup, Bone Douluo glanced at Yu Tianming before turning to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, don't be anxious. With something this major, your father is already on his way back."
His voice was raspy and unpleasant—like leaves rustling in the wind.
But Ning Rongrong, hearing that grating voice, suddenly seemed to realize something. She hopped off the couch and sat on his lap. The fair and pretty girl sitting atop a man who looked like a living skeleton was a jarring, eerie sight.
She stood again and tugged on his few strands of white hair. "I've been gone for so long and finally came back, but Dad isn't here. Is he avoiding me? Grandpa Bones, don't tell me you're also against me and Tianming being together?"
Bone Douluo's dried face twitched. "My little princess, stop messing with what little hair your Grandpa Bones has left, or I'll go bald and that sword freak will make fun of me again. As for you and Tianming… I can't make that decision. It's up to you."
Ning Rongrong sighed helplessly. "Grandpa Bones, my future happiness is in your hands. When Dad comes back, you don't have to speak for me—but you can't speak against me either."
Feeling her grip tighten, Bone Douluo quickly covered his remaining hairs and nodded repeatedly.
Anyone from the soul master world seeing this would be stunned. The famously mysterious Bone Douluo, feared across the continent, was being tormented like this by a teenage girl? No one would believe it.
"I knew Grandpa Bones is the best." Ning Rongrong didn't seem to mind how ugly he looked. She gave his cheek a kiss before hopping off his lap.
Bone Douluo's eyes softened. He'd watched her grow up, and she was spoiled rotten by him and Sword Douluo. This little demoness had been molded by the two of them.
She and Yu Tianming were both top talents of their respective sects. Their union should've been a perfect match. But as a support-type soul master, Ning Rongrong's role was inherently weaker. If she married into the most aggressive sect—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—it could mean the eventual downfall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Just as Bone Douluo was lost in thought, a warm and refined voice called out, "Tianming, long time no see. What brings you and Rongrong back to the Seven Treasure Sect today?"
A handsome middle-aged man entered the hall accompanied by a white-robed elder. It was Ning Rongrong's father, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi—the continent's number-one support-type soul master. The elder beside him was none other than the legendary Sword Douluo.
Ning Fengzhi ignored his daughter for now and sat beside Yu Tianming. "Tianming, it's been three years. I hear your cultivation is now unfathomable. Seems I didn't misjudge you—your Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan has a worthy successor."
Yu Tianming's eyes gleamed. This old fox was heaping praise without once mentioning Rongrong. Clearly stalling.
But Yu Tianming's soul power was already over level 90—he had stepped into the divine realm. Even if Bone and Sword Douluo teamed up with Ning Fengzhi's support, they couldn't touch him. With that confidence, he didn't hold back.
"Ning Sect Master, Rongrong and I are already together. I came here today to seek your blessing."
Ning Fengzhi hadn't expected him to be so direct, and all the polite lines he had prepared went out the window. He forced a smile. "Oh? When did that happen, Tianming? Why don't you tell Uncle Ning about it?"
Before Yu Tianming could reply, Ning Rongrong said mockingly, "Dad, you're still pretending? You don't know about me and Tianming? Why are you, the Sect Master, acting clueless?"
Seeing his daughter dismantling his act as soon as they reunited, Ning Fengzhi sighed. But he wasn't angry. Instead, he looked at her with affection and reached out to hug her. "Sweetheart, why are you so upset? It's been almost a year. Didn't you miss your dad?"
She dodged and ran straight into Sword Douluo's arms. "Grandpa Sword! I missed you so much. Waaaah…"
Sword Douluo quickly embraced her. "There, there, my little darling. Grandpa Sword missed you too. Missed you terribly."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong instantly stopped crying, looked up, and said, "Then say something fair. What kind of dad plays dumb like this?"
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a glance and turned to look at Ning Fengzhi. Normally, they'd take Ning Rongrong's side. But marriage… that wasn't their call.
Feeling their eyes on him, Ning Fengzhi dropped all pretense and addressed Yu Tianming. "Tianming, I watched you grow up. Uncle Ning doesn't want to oppose your relationship. But according to sect rules, Rongrong must find a husband willing to marry into the sect. As heir of the Blue Lightning Clan, I'm sure you understand."
Yu Tianming nodded. Ning Fengzhi's reasoning was fair—Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, being a support-type sect, followed such traditions. But that was only binding to ordinary soul masters. At his level of power, he could wipe out the sect. So what rule could stop him?
Still, Ning Fengzhi had treated him kindly in the past. Yu Tianming wouldn't use force.
He turned to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, show your martial soul to the Sect Master."
Hearing that, Ning Rongrong remembered her martial soul's evolution. She stepped proudly before Ning Fengzhi. "Dad, I came here as your daughter, hoping for your blessing. But all I got was coldness and excuses. Fine—I'll lay it all out. I am the hope of the Seven Treasure Sect."
Under Ning Fengzhi's shocked gaze, she slowly raised her right hand. A dazzling nine-colored light began to form in her palm.
Ning Fengzhi stared at the light, momentarily forgetting her bold words. Something felt off—the glow wasn't the familiar seven-colored one.
Before he could inspect it closely, the white-robed Sword Douluo suddenly exclaimed, "Nine layers, nine colors—Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
"What?!" The refined Sect Master Ning Fengzhi lost all composure and shouted in disbelief.
He finally realized what was strange—the pagoda in her palm had nine colors instead of seven, and nine layers to match.
He never imagined that the dream he had chased his entire life—the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—would appear this way, through his daughter. The joy hit him so suddenly, he was completely stunned.
The two Title Douluo beside him, both over level 95, were equally shaken. As longtime elders of the sect, seeing the nine-layer pagoda in the hands of their beloved Rongrong left them frozen in disbelief.
The rainbow light faded as Ning Rongrong withdrew her pagoda. Looking at the three stunned men—and remembering how they'd all once opposed her relationship—her satisfaction peaked.
The little witch, Ning Rongrong, leapt onto the table before them, planted her hands on her hips, and raised her chin. "Everyone saw my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, right? Now I declare—I will marry Brother Tianming! I've said my piece—who's for it, and who's against?"
(End of Chapter)
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