Chapter 365: Tang Yuehua Meets Ning Fengzhi
"Little San, remember that everything must progress step by step. Body tempering is like forging iron; it cannot be achieved in a single attempt."
"I... I understand, Uncle. Little San just wanted to get a feel for the intensity. In the following days, I will choose smaller ores."
"Good, as long as you understand."
Tang Xiao nodded in satisfaction, and then began planning Tang San's training for the coming days.
"From now on, every morning you'll come here to transport ore stones. About ten kilometers south of the sect, there is a valley with a natural waterfall. Once you're done with the ores, go there and wait for me. I'll teach you the Fierce Wind Hammering Technique."
"Ah? But Uncle, Father already taught me the Fierce Wind Hammering Technique?"
"Heh, no, you don't know it."
"..."
"Don't talk back. Once you get to the valley, you'll understand what the real Fierce Wind is. What you learned was just a technique for ironworking, and it's not suitable for combat."
"I see. The Fierce Wind Hammering Technique can actually be used in combat?"
Tang San suddenly understood, and at that moment, he realized what Tang Xiao meant. Tang Xiao rolled his eyes in frustration, silently cursing Tang Hao. "You really didn't teach your son anything, did you?"
"Of course. The Fierce Wind Hammering Technique is the foundation of several of Haotian's later ultimate skills. If you don't master this, all the rest will be in vain."
"I understand, Uncle. I'll go to the valley tomorrow to meet you."
"Good. After learning the hammering technique, the afternoon and evening will be up to you. I imagine you still need to work on emotional control and soul power cultivation."
Tang San had no hesitation in accepting Tang Xiao's arrangement. Compared to a life where he was aimlessly drifting, he preferred a life filled with purpose. Especially when he could feel himself getting stronger through intense training. The feeling of gradual growth was something he relished.
It took almost a week for Tang Yuehua to return to the Heaven Dou Empire from Haotian Sect. With a mission at hand, she didn't even return to Yuexuan and directly instructed the coachman to head for Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The long and bumpy journey had her looking a little pale, but the light in her eyes had not dimmed. The lives of thousands of clanspeople were now in her hands, and she kept telling herself she had to hold on.
Arriving at the luxurious gates of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Tang Yuehua stepped down from the carriage and walked toward the guards who looked at her with inquiring eyes.
"Excuse me, could you announce that Yuexuan's Tang Yuehua seeks an audience with Sect Master Ning?"
"Please wait."
Seven Treasure City was not far from Heaven Dou City, and the guards clearly recognized the name Yuexuan. One of them quickly ran toward the sect. A few minutes later, he returned and cupped his hands toward Tang Yuehua.
"Madam Yue, please come with me."
"Thank you."
Tang Yuehua nodded and followed the guard, taking measured steps into Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Upon entering the council hall, the familiar face of Ning Fengzhi appeared before her. With a slight bow, Tang Yuehua greeted him first.
"Sect Master Ning, it's been a long time."
"It has indeed been a while, Madam Yue. Please."
Ning Fengzhi's every action and word exuded the elegance of a sect leader, making people feel very comfortable. He invited Tang Yuehua to sit down.
After instructing someone to prepare tea, Ning Fengzhi directly inquired about the purpose of Tang Yuehua's visit.
"Madam Yue, in what capacity do you visit today? As the head of Yuexuan or as the sister of Haotian Sect's Sect Master?"
Tang Yuehua paused slightly in the act of picking up her tea, inwardly surprised. She didn't expect Ning Fengzhi to discern her purpose so quickly. As expected of the leader of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Maintaining such a large sect couldn't be done by luck alone.
After returning a warm smile, Tang Yuehua didn't answer his question directly. Instead, she began probing his views on the current situation of the continent.
"Sect Master Ning, what is your opinion on the recent events regarding the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect and the destruction of the Strength Sect?"
A flicker of panic flashed across Ning Fengzhi's face but quickly disappeared. However, his eyes betrayed that his mind was not at ease.
"Ah, the continent has indeed been unstable lately. Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't much stronger than Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect and the Strength Sect. We mostly have auxiliary soul masters, so we can only rely on our wealth to ally with the other three sects for self-preservation. Madam Yue, are you here on behalf of Haotian Sect to demand retribution?"
Tang Yuehua inwardly cursed the old fox. He knew everything but still feigned fear. Was he really comparing Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect? Has he asked Sword and Bone, and the Glazed Tower in his hands, if they agreed?
"Hehe, Sect Master Ning, you're joking. How could Yuehua blame you? Joining Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was the choice of the three sects. Haotian Sect will not interfere."
"That's good. Please remind your brother to pay attention to the situation on the continent. Their opponents are quite strong."
When this was brought up, Tang Yuehua lost interest in continuing the probing conversation. She decided to speak directly.
"Sect Master Ning, let's speak plainly. You should already know who was behind these two incidents. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so eager to bring the three sects together."
"Does Madam Yue know who did it?"
"Sect Master Ning, if you keep this up, we won't be able to continue our conversation."
"I see. Then, let's talk another day. Ning Yu, please escort Madam Yue out."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Looking at the maid who moved aside to make way for her, Tang Yuehua was stunned. This was completely different from what she had expected. Ning Fengzhi didn't even fear the might of Spirit Hall?
"Sect Master Ning?"
"Yes? Does Madam Yue have something else to say?"
He waved the maid away, and the playful look on his face slowly faded, though inwardly, he was still sneering.
Spirit Hall? Why should I fear them? Perhaps one day, I'll be known by the Ning surname.
"Sect Master Ning, you should be fully aware of Spirit Hall's ambitions. The three top sects are interlinked. In times like these, we need to unite to resist the threat from Spirit Hall."
"Hiss. Madam Yue, how are you so sure Spirit Hall is behind this? Haotian Sect also has the ability to do such things."
"Sect Master Ning, please stop with these jokes. What benefit would Haotian Sect gain from this? You should know that the Strength Sect was once an affiliate of Haotian Sect."
Tang Yuehua's face showed displeasure. She was clearly dissatisfied with Ning Fengzhi's baseless speculation, and Ning Fengzhi's expression became awkward.
"I see. Are you referring to the four sects you threw away without hesitation?"
"..."
Tang Yuehua was about to ask, "Are you alright?" How could anyone come straight out and slap her in the face like this?
"Er... Please forgive me for being so direct. Madam Yue, it's obvious that you want Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Haotian Sect to form an alliance, but your allies haven't had a good end, have they?"
Tang Yuehua, suppressing her anger, spoke emotionally:
"Sect Master Ning, Haotian Sect's past actions may have been cowardly, but it was for the sake of preserving the sect's heritage. Now, both of our legacies are being threatened. Haotian Sect has no choice but to stand united against the persecution of Spirit Hall. You don't need to worry about Haotian Sect abandoning its allies at this critical moment. After all, we understand the meaning of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.'"
(END CHAPTER)
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