Chapter 93: Ning Fengzhi's Ambition
While Zu Zong was secretly observing the other party, the middle-aged man was likewise sizing up Zu Zong and Xiao Wu.
From the fluctuations of their soul power, he could sense that this pair of youths was very young, no older than fourteen or fifteen at most, perhaps even younger. Yet their soul power had already reached the level of Soul Grandmaster.
In particular, the blue-haired boy was even close to level forty. How could that not shock him? In his memory, only those few geniuses in the Spirit Hall known as the Golden Generation could reach such a level.
The middle-aged man detected Zu Zong's discreet gaze. Though subtle, it did not escape his notice.
The man smiled calmly and said, "It seems this young friend knows me?"
Zu Zong was momentarily taken aback. Indeed, this was an old fox. He had almost forgotten the man's unparalleled skill at reading people in the Douluo Continent.
He saw no point in playing games—Ning Fengzhi was not someone like Oscar or Ma Hongjun who could be easily fooled.
Zu Zong said, "I wouldn't say I know you. You just resemble someone I know."
"Oh?" The man was clearly intrigued. Could it be that the other party knew one of his children? If so, it might be a good opportunity to befriend him, for such geniuses were rare.
"Then might you tell me who it is?"
Zu Zong shook his head and clasped his fists. "I'm sorry, but I cannot reveal that person's name."
Whether or not the man was Ning Fengzhi, Zu Zong had no intention of becoming involved with him for now. Ning Fengzhi cherished talent, yes, but when faced with someone he could not win over—or someone who posed a threat to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—he would not hesitate to act ruthlessly.
Assassinating geniuses was not beyond him. Zu Zong's remark about resemblance was merely a smokescreen to divert suspicion, suggesting the person he resembled might be a relative, thus avoiding unwanted attention for himself and Xiao Wu.
At that moment, Xiao Wu, listening from the side, uncharacteristically used her head.
She leaned close to Zu Zong's ear and whispered, "Xiao Zong, now that you mention it, this uncle really looks like Rong Rong."
Zu Zong's face darkened. Damn it, rabbit, could you at least lower your voice when whispering? Even the man had heard her.
The man's eyes lit up. "Rong Rong? You mean Ning Rongrong?"
Xiao Wu said with surprise, "You know Rong Rong too? We met her in Soto City and even went shopping together!"
"Hehe." The man chuckled. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ning Fengzhi, Rong Rong's father."
As he spoke, Ning Fengzhi opened his right hand, revealing a foot-tall, multicolored pagoda that radiated dazzling light.
Zu Zong glanced at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in his hand and nodded inwardly, thinking, "So it really is Ning Fengzhi!"
Zu Zong said apologetically, "I was rude earlier. I didn't realize you were Sect Master Ning."
"You didn't know my identity, so you were reluctant to reveal Rong Rong's information. That is being a responsible friend; there's nothing to apologize for."
At this, Ning Fengzhi could not help but feel a touch of admiration. It seemed his little witch had grown during her time away, even making friends—truly rare.
Ning Fengzhi was obviously interested in Zu Zong and Xiao Wu. He changed the topic. "It seems you two are about the same age as Rong Rong. Are you here to bid on something as well?"
"Wow! Uncle, do you have x-ray vision? Even with our masks on, you can tell. Rong Rong is a few months younger than Xiao Zong and slightly younger than me," Xiao Wu exclaimed, looking incredulous.
Zu Zong shot her a glare. Seriously, this rabbit was too easy to read. A casual remark and she revealed everything.
"Mmph!" Xiao Wu's mouth was promptly covered by Zu Zong.
Zu Zong said, "We're here to sell something. If there's nothing else, we'll be on our way."
He pulled Xiao Wu away, fearing that if she kept talking, she might reveal all their secrets.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi's heart was already in turmoil. Nearly at Soul Ancestor level at Rong Rong's age—did that not mean reaching Soul Grandmaster before thirteen? And if there was another breakthrough soon, becoming a Soul Ancestor before thirteen? That was simply astonishing.
Watching the two walk away, Ning Fengzhi's lips curved into a bright smile. If Rong Rong could be with this boy, then—
Thinking of this, Ning Fengzhi's eyes gleamed. If that youth truly knew his precious daughter, then once he returned, he would find a way to have a serious talk with the little witch. Even if they were not close, he would make sure they became so.
Zu Zong pulled Xiao Wu to another area, glancing over his shoulder more than once to make sure Ning Fengzhi was truly out of sight, and only then did he slow his pace and stop.
The crowd's murmur faded into the background, replaced by the faint hum of distant voices from other sections of the auction house.
Xiao Wu, panting slightly, put her hands on her hips and said with some dissatisfaction, "What was that for? Are you trying to suffocate me? You nearly dragged me off my feet."
Zu Zong shook his head firmly. "I was afraid you might say something without thinking and end up revealing all our secrets. Do you remember what I always tell you? When you're out in the world, don't trust anyone too easily, no matter how friendly they seem."
"Come on! Isn't he Rong Rong's father? He seemed pretty kind to me, and his smile didn't look fake," Xiao Wu asked in confusion, tilting her head slightly.
"He is indeed Ning Rongrong's father, but he's also the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects. How many sect masters of great clans are truly simple people?
In terms of scheming, he could play us to death and we wouldn't even see it coming. Even I've managed to trick you before, let alone politicians like them who have spent their lives in intrigue."
At this, Zu Zong couldn't help but feel a bit despondent, his gaze dropping as a hint of regret crept into his voice, blaming himself for having once harbored ill intentions toward Xiao Wu when they first met.
Sensing Zu Zong's gloom, Xiao Wu rose on her tiptoes, her soft hair brushing his jaw as she lifted her mask just enough to lean in and lightly kiss his right cheek.
Zu Zong froze in surprise. This rabbit actually knew how to tease, and, worse, he had actually been flustered by it despite himself. For a moment, he forgot the bustle around them.
Xiao Wu giggled with mischief in her eyes. "Hehe, not angry anymore, right? Come on, let's go over there and have a look at what else is on display."
With that, she tugged on Zu Zong's sleeve, pulling him toward another section of the auction hall, weaving between richly dressed bidders and curious spectators.
Half an hour later, Xiao Wu and Zu Zong walked out of the Heaven Dou Auction House into the cooler night air. The once vibrant energy she had carried going in was gone.
When they went in, Xiao Wu had been full of excitement, eyes darting everywhere in curiosity. But now, she was seething with anger.
Setting aside the caged canary-like attendants displayed like decorations, there was also that mutated martial soul bunny girl—paraded out on stage as though she were nothing more than merchandise to be sold to the highest bidder.
Just like the cat girl in the original story, the bunny girl was bought by Ning Fengzhi, his calm demeanor unchanged as he raised his bid. As for Zu Zong's revolver, it too ended up in Ning Fengzhi's hands.
For auxiliary-type soul masters with no offensive power, weapons that required neither martial soul nor soul power were highly desirable and could shift the balance in dangerous encounters.
Xiao Wu asked, her tone subdued but edged with lingering outrage, "Xiao Zong, what do you think will happen to that bunny girl? Will she be alright?"
"That bunny girl—unlike those attendants who've lost their sense of self—still has human emotions and awareness. Being bought by Ning Rongrong's father, she'll probably be married off to a disciple within his sect and be taught cultivation.
She might end up bound to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and lose her freedom, but at least she'll live without worry, and won't have to fear being sold like goods again." Zu Zong's reply was measured, offering what he felt was the most realistic assessment.
Xiao Wu nodded slowly, though her tone still carried a trace of sadness. "I finally understand why you dislike places like this so much."
Zu Zong tightened his grip on Xiao Wu's soft, delicate hand, their fingers intertwining firmly as they walked on, sharing the silence and drawing comfort from each other's presence as they calmed their complicated emotions.
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