It was the dead of night.
Inside the council hall of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School in Seven Treasures City, the lights were on full display.
On the north side of the main hall, facing south, sat the clan leader Ning Fengzhi.
He listened with a furrowed brow and a grave expression to the urgent reports from his three disciples below.
Beside him on either side, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, the two sect-protecting Douluos, were also seated, their faces equally gloomy.
The three disciples kneeling on one knee in the center of the main hall were members of the guard team responsible for secretly protecting Ning Rongrong and Dongfang Yao.
They traveled tirelessly, using all their soul power to keep going, and finally made it back to the sect.
Ning Fengzhi was originally in his bedchamber, contributing to the sect's great cause of reproduction, when he was forcibly interrupted by a disciple who urgently summoned him.
The shock caused him to momentarily lose control, and he still felt a sense of unease.
However, after hearing the shocking news from the guards, the initial displeasure was instantly replaced by immense anxiety and shock.
"How could this be... Dongfang Jing is still alive? And he managed to escape from Tang Hao's clutches?!" Gu Rong exclaimed in astonishment.
He subconsciously glanced at Chen Xin beside him.
He had originally thought that the old swordsman would take Dongfang Yao as his disciple.
And Dongfang Jing also seems to be skilled in space-type soul skills, so it can be considered a coincidence.
Why not just take this kid in myself?
This would prevent Chen Xin from constantly showing off in front of him that he had a good disciple.
However, when the guards reported that several Title Douluos were protecting Dongfang Jing, the atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.
"What?!" The three of them stood up in shock almost simultaneously.
"Are you sure you didn't see it wrong? Seven ten-thousand-year soul rings? Two hundred-thousand-year soul rings?!" Ning Fengzhi's voice was serious, carrying a strong sense of pressure, as he once again confirmed with the disciples below.
Cold sweat beaded on the guard's forehead, but his tone was resolute: "Reporting to the Sect Master! It's absolutely true! This disciple saw it with my own eyes! That white-haired woman's aura was terrifying beyond belief, and her soul ring configuration was unheard of! Tang Hao was powerless against her, unable to move under her soul pressure, and ultimately had his arm easily severed!"
Afterwards, Dongfang Jing himself confirmed that the white-haired woman was a level 99 Title Douluo!
The hall fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.
Ning Fengzhi's hand clenched quietly beneath his sleeve.
The situation had completely exceeded his expectations and control.
He took a deep breath and turned his heavy gaze to the two people beside him: "Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, you've both heard about the situation. What are your thoughts on this? And how should our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School... respond?"
Bone Douluo Gu Rong slowly shook his head, then sat back down in his chair with a hint of dejection, his voice hoarse: "If what you say is true, then that white-haired woman is indeed a level 99 being... We are completely no match for her."
To be honest, even with Tang Hao, I myself don't have absolute confidence that I could defeat him..."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, unusually, did not retort to Gu Rong at this moment.
Instead, he solemnly replied, "Once your soul power exceeds level ninety-five, the difference between each level is like an insurmountable chasm. I have cultivated diligently my entire life, and I have barely managed to reach level ninety-six, making even the slightest progress. Level ninety-nine... that is the legendary realm, the realm of a true peerless Douluo standing at the pinnacle of the continent!"
The only one in the world to reach this level is Qian Daoliu, the chief elder of the Spirit Hall.
Chen Xin sighed deeply, his tone filled with complex emotions: "Alas... one can't help but marvel at the vastness of the continent, where hidden talents abound."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly in agreement, saying, "Yes, we know a little about the publicly known Title Douluos. But these reclusive powerhouses... our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's intelligence network knows nothing about them. Alas."
This sigh was filled with a sense of powerlessness.
He composed himself and looked again at the guards reporting below: "You just mentioned that Dongfang Jing will be coming to Tiandou City next?"
"Yes, Sect Master. Miss Rongrong and Miss Yao'er have officially withdrawn from Shrek Academy and joined Dongfang Jing's team. According to Dongfang Jing, he plans to join a high-level Soul Master academy called 'Purple Star Academy'."
The guards reported the remaining intelligence, including all the details, in detail.
"Purple Star Academy?"
Ning Fengzhi had heard of this name before.
But he was just a nobody in the lower middle class of the advanced academy, and he never paid much attention to him.
However, he could guess why Dongfang Jing didn't choose to join the better Tiandou Royal Academy.
"Sect Master," Chen Xin said in a deep voice, his tone more solemn than ever before, "No matter what their purpose is, we must not antagonize them! We must never make an enemy of a level 99 Peerless Douluo!"
Chenxin's father was defeated by Qian Daoliu.
He knew all too well how terrifying a powerhouse of that level could be.
Before a peerless Douluo who is only one step away from breaking through to level 100 and achieving godhood, even they, as titled Douluos, are as insignificant as ants.
"Uncle Jian, I understand the implications," Ning Fengzhi replied solemnly.
He quickly weighed the pros and cons: "Although I don't know why these mysterious experts are gathered around Dongfang Jing, the rise of this young man is a foregone conclusion and unstoppable!"
Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School must find a way to improve relations with them, or at least maintain a friendly atmosphere.
Ning Fengzhi lowered his head and pondered for a moment. With a hint of hesitation, he tentatively asked, "Over the years, we have taken great care of Yao'er. If Dongfang Jing is still as loyal and righteous as he was five years ago, he should not hold a grudge against us."
"Look... could we use the master-disciple relationship between Yao'er and you, Uncle Jian, and the close friendship between Rongrong and Yao'er, as a bridge, to find a way to have more contact with them? Perhaps..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xin immediately pictured Dongfang Yao's diligent and hardworking demeanor.
He frowned, and deep down, he did not approve of this practice that was almost like using his apprentice.
However, as a sect protector Douluo, his sense of responsibility for the sect's interests above all else caused him to momentarily hesitate and feel confused.
However, just as Chen Xin hesitated,
Gu Rong, standing to the side, spoke first, rejecting the suggestion:
"This method won't work! Dongfang Jing was able to survive Tang Hao's pursuit and even win over so many top experts. His mind is far beyond that of an ordinary youth! How could he not see through this little trick?"
It might make him think we're hypocritical and opportunistic, angering him and ultimately resulting in more harm than good!
If you ask me, the best strategy is to maintain a suitable distance, neither deliberately getting closer nor deliberately distancing ourselves, but acting according to circumstances and remaining steadfast in the face of change.
After listening to Gu Rong's analysis, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged a glance, both seeing approval in each other's eyes.
What Gu Rong said makes perfect sense.
"That's right!"
Ning Fengzhi had a flash of inspiration and thought of another approach.
"Since they are going to join Purple Star Academy, they will inevitably face some trivial matters. As far as I know, the dean of Purple Star Academy is also a rather greedy person."
Perhaps we can go there a step ahead, use our connections and funds to help them take care of all the complicated matters?
For example, could we help them with enrollment procedures, arrange accommodation, and even provide some necessary cultivation resources?
Ning Fengzhi thought about it more and more and felt it was feasible: "These seemingly insignificant small favors may be the real way to make Dongfang Jing feel our goodwill, as he is afraid of trouble and values the people around him."
Offering help in times of need is difficult, and adding to someone's success is fine, but clearing away the pebbles from the road beforehand to make his journey smoother is a favor he'll likely remember.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong both nodded after hearing the suggestion.
This method is relatively safe, as it expresses goodwill without appearing overly deliberate or utilitarian.
After all, Rongrong will also go to school there.
Providing that girl with a good cultivation environment shouldn't be a problem, right?
Ning Fengzhi made a decisive decision: "There's no time to lose! Uncle Gu, I'll trouble you to come with me!"
"Good!"
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