Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo were red-faced from Lin Chen's retort, but due to Dugu Bo's imposing aura, they didn't even have the courage to fight back.
The two could only clench their fists tightly, their eyes filled with resentment and frustration. Finally, they angrily flung their sleeves and turned to leave with gloomy faces.
"Lin Yuan, you just wait! We will definitely report this to His Holiness the Pope, and you'll be in for it!"
Leaving behind a harsh threat, the two Title Douluos vanished into the sky in an instant, daring not to linger any longer.
Watching the two figures leave in a disheveled state, Lin Chen curled up a disdainful sneer, then looked up at the dense forest on one side of the academy and said loudly, "After hiding for so long, it's time to come out."
As soon as he finished speaking, a dazzling sword light pierced the sky, and an ancient longsword floated in mid-air, with two people standing steadily on its blade.
The leader, dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, with a gentle and refined face, was none other than Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Beside him stood an old man with snow-white hair and a cold, sword-like temperament, his body exuding a chilling sword aura; he was none other than Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, the sect protector of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"dad!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, and she immediately broke free from Dugu Yan's hand, running over like a happy little bird. She threw herself into Ning Fengzhi's arms and said coquettishly, "Daddy, you've finally come!"
It turns out that as early as when Lin Chen and Chrysanthemum Douluo were fighting, Dugu Yan had pulled Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong to a safe area. Now that the crisis was over, Ning Rongrong naturally ran to her father immediately.
Ning Fengzhi gently rubbed his daughter's head, but his gaze passed over Ning Rongrong and landed on Lin Chen, who was not far away.
He looked the young man in front of him up and down, who was wearing tattered Thunder God armor and had a calm demeanor. He was secretly amazed: Is this the genius Soul Master Lin Yuan who appeared out of nowhere and has extreme attributes? At such a young age, he has such courage and strength. Even the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo can't do anything to him.
Seeing her father staring at Lin Chen, Ning Rongrong suddenly remembered her previous grievances. She immediately pointed at Lin Chen and angrily complained, "Dad, it's Grandpa Jian! He stole my things and bullied me in Soto City!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xin's icy gaze instantly locked onto Lin Chen, and his sword aura surged dramatically, a unique pressure emanating from a Sword Douluo quietly spreading out.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin's eyes were sharp as blades, and his icy sword energy instantly locked onto Lin Chen. The pressure of a level 96 Title Douluo came down like Mount Tai, and the air seemed to be cut into pieces.
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed, and the Thunder God bloodline within him erupted with a thunderous roar. The purple-gold thunder power soared into the sky, and the tattered Thunder God battle armor once again covered his entire body. The aura of extreme thunder clashed with the sword energy, yet neither was at a disadvantage.
"Senior Sword Douluo, are you planning to bully the weak with your superior strength?" Lin Chen's voice was icy, brimming with fighting spirit. "If that's the case, then let's give it a try!"
"Insolence!" Dugu Bo instantly stood in front of Lin Chen, his Azure Phosphorous Poison Dragon Martial Soul phantom roaring, his three 100,000-year soul rings shining brightly, the poison and lightning intertwining, forcefully withstanding the pressure of Chen Xin's sword aura. "Jian Chen Xin, if you want to touch my young friend Lin Yuan, you'll have to get past me first!"
Sword Douluo frowned slightly, looking at the three terrifying 100,000-year soul rings behind Dugu Bo. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and his tone softened: "Old Poison, you have truly had incredible luck. Not only has your martial soul transformed into a dragon, but you have also condensed three 100,000-year soul rings. No wonder you are so confident."
"Hmph, if it weren't for young friend Lin Chen's help, how could I have such an opportunity?" Dugu Bo snorted coldly, his tone full of protectiveness. "If you want to make a move, I'll accompany you to the end!"
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi quickly stepped forward, his gentle laughter breaking the tense atmosphere: "Uncle Jian, please hold your hand."
He gently waved his folding fan, his gaze falling on Lin Chen, his eyes full of admiration: "I have long heard that the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy has produced a peerless genius with extreme attributes. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved. Young friend Lin Yuan, you are so young yet you have such courage and strength. Your future is limitless."
Ning Fengzhi had already calculated the situation clearly. Lin Chen could help Dugu Bo break through and evolve, and he himself possessed the Ultimate Lightning and the Mysterious Armor, making his potential unfathomable. If he were to become enemies with him now, he would not only offend Dugu Bo, but also miss out on a future top combatant, which would be a huge loss.
Seeing that Ning Fengzhi's attitude had softened, Lin Chen immediately dispelled his Thunder God bloodline and battle armor, and the lightning around him subsided. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and smiled, "Sect Leader Ning, you flatter me. I have long heard that the Sect Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is exceptionally refined and skilled at recognizing people. Meeting you today, I can see that your reputation is indeed well-deserved."
He secretly thought to himself: It's just mutual flattery, anyone can do that.
Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily upon hearing this, took a few steps forward, and said in an even more amiable tone: "Young friend, your straightforward nature is very endearing. Rongrong is young and ignorant, and if she has offended you in any way before, I hope you will forgive her."
As he spoke, he gently patted Ning Rongrong's head, signaling her not to misbehave.
Ning Rongrong pouted, but dared not refute her father. She could only glare at Lin Chen resentfully.
Seeing this, Sword Douluo Chen Xin also withdrew his sword energy, but his gaze towards Lin Chen still held a hint of scrutiny and curiosity. This young man seemed to possess more secrets than he had imagined.
Lin Chen glanced around and said calmly, "Since Sect Leader Ning has come in person, why don't we find a quiet place and have a proper chat?"
A glint flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, and he immediately nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking."
The group moved to the private reception room of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. As soon as they sat down, Sword Douluo Chen Xin could no longer contain himself. His sword energy suddenly burst forth, pointing directly at Lin Chen: "Boy! Why did you bully my Rongrong? If you don't give me an explanation today, even if the old poison master protects you, I will definitely beat you to a pulp!"
In an instant, the room was filled with chilling sword energy, and the atmosphere instantly became tense. Dugu Bo immediately stood up, a turquoise poisonous mist swirling around him, his three 100,000-year soul rings faintly glowing. He said coldly, "Jian Chenxin, you dare to touch him!"
Lin Chen remained calm, raised his hand to stop Dugu Bo, looked at Chen Xin, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone: "Senior Sword Douluo, didn't Miss Ning explain the cause and effect to you clearly?"
He paused, then slowly began to speak: "That day, after the Soul Battle, I happened to see Miss Ning being harassed by a Soul Master. I didn't want to get involved, but she deliberately shifted the blame onto me. I stepped in to help her out, and it's not unreasonable for me to ask for a small fee, is it?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong's face flushed red instantly, and she said urgently, "You're talking nonsense! You stole my things!"
"Robbed?" Lin Chen chuckled, his gaze sharp as he looked at her. "But what happened afterward? When I went to the Soul Battle again, Miss Ning actually colluded with others to ambush me. Senior, I helped her, but she repaid kindness with enmity. Is this the rule of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?"
His words were clear and logical, and every word was incisive.
Sword Douluo's sword energy paused abruptly, and he turned to look at Ning Rongrong with a questioning look in his eyes.
Ning Rongrong stammered, unable to utter a single word in rebuttal, and could only hide behind Ning Fengzhi in grievance.
Ning Fengzhi's expression darkened slightly, and he coughed lightly to smooth things over: "Young friend, please calm down. Rongrong is young and willful, and it is my fault for not disciplining her properly. She was in the wrong, and I apologize to you on her behalf."
He already understood that Lin Chen was not only powerful but also eloquent, and that his daughter was indeed in the wrong today.
Lin Chen knew when to stop and nodded slightly: "Sect Leader Ning is too kind. Since it's a misunderstanding, let's clear it up."
A tense standoff was easily resolved by Lin Chen with just a few words.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin looked at the composed young man before him, and for the first time, his contempt faded, replaced by a hint of seriousness.
Lin Chen picked up the teacup on the table, lightly touched the rim with his fingertips, and took a small sip. As the tea aroma filled the air, he looked up at Ning Fengzhi and said in a calm tone, "Sect Leader Ning has come here specifically, surely not just to make friends with the younger generation?"
Ning Fengzhi gently waved his folding fan, a warm smile always on his face, but a hint of inquiry was hidden in his eyes: "Young friend, you are indeed intelligent. I did hear that a peerless genius with extreme attributes had come to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, so I came here specifically to see you. Today, I have the pleasure of seeing you. At such a young age, you were able to force back two Douluo from the Spirit Hall. This ability is enough to make you a genius among geniuses."
"Sect Leader Ning, you flatter me." Lin Chen put down his teacup, waved his hand, and spoke humbly but with propriety. "Chrysanthemum Douluo was already poisoned by Senior Dugu, which greatly reduced his strength. In addition, he underestimated his opponent and was careless. I only managed to force him back by relying on the brute force of my armor. In terms of strength, I am still no match for a Title Douluo."
He deliberately kept a low profile, concealing his true strength, neither appearing arrogant nor letting his opponent figure out his true abilities.
Ning Fengzhi's smile deepened, clearly disbelieving the explanation, but he didn't expose it. Instead, he praised, "Young friend, you are too modest. Your composure in the face of danger alone far surpasses that of your peers. Given time, you will surely be able to join the ranks of Title Douluo, and perhaps even go further."
"Thank you for your kind words, Sect Leader Ning." Lin Chen smiled faintly and said no more.
For a moment, the private room fell into a brief silence, with only the soft sound of Ning Fengzhi gently waving his folding fan.
A moment later, Ning Fengzhi spoke first, casually talking about the faculty of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the recent developments in the Soul Master world, and even the subtle relationship between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall. His words seemed nonchalant, but in fact, every sentence was a test of Lin Chen's stance and vision.
Lin Chen understood in his heart, but remained expressionless, responding casually to Ning Fengzhi's words. When the academy was mentioned, he said the teaching staff was acceptable; when the Soul Master world was mentioned, he said there were many talented people; when the two major forces were mentioned, he simply said that each had its own duties and they were impartial.
The two exchanged pleasantries, their words filled with polite formalities and perfunctory exchanges. They seemed to be having a pleasant conversation, but in reality, they were playing a game of cat and mouse, neither willing to reveal their true intentions first.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin frowned slightly, clearly impatient with this insincere conversation, his sword aura subtly restless; Dugu Bo leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest, but kept a close eye on the conversation between the two, protecting Lin Chen; Ning Rongrong sat next to Ning Fengzhi, her small hands clutching the hem of her clothes, occasionally stealing a glare at Lin Chen, but dared not interrupt again.
This seemingly peaceful conversation was actually fraught with tension. Every word was a test and a calculation. Whoever lost their composure first would be at a disadvantage.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at the deepening twilight outside the window, gently closed his folding fan, and said with a warm smile, "It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now. I came in a hurry today and didn't prepare any gifts. I will definitely bring generous gifts another day and discuss the current situation of the Soul Master world with you."
Lin Chen stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said humbly, "Sect Leader Ning, you're too kind. This junior will see you off."
The two walked out of the private room side by side, exchanging polite pleasantries along the way, their conversation still subtly probing and maneuvering. Sword Douluo Chen Xin followed silently, his cold gaze constantly and subtly fixed on Lin Chen, carrying a hint of inquiry; Ning Rongrong followed beside Ning Fengzhi, her little face full of resentment, but restrained by her father's presence, she could only glare fiercely at Lin Chen a few times, daring not to say a word.
As the group arrived at the gate of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, Lin Chen stopped and cupped his hands in greeting: "This junior will see you off here. Sect Master Ning, please take care."
Ning Fengzhi nodded and smiled, giving Lin Chen a deep look that seemed to hold a deeper meaning: "Young friend, please wait. We'll meet again another day."
After saying that, he and Sword Douluo leaped onto the longsword, and with a flash of sword light, they disappeared into the horizon carrying Ning Rongrong.
Looking in the direction where the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School group had left, all the humility in Lin Chen's eyes vanished, leaving only a coldness. Dugu Bo stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder: "That Ning Fengzhi is a smiling tiger, with a deep mind."
"I know." Lin Chen nodded lightly, then turned to look at Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu behind him. "Let's go back to the manor first."
The four of them traveled in silence, heading straight back to Dugu Bo's mansion in Tiandou City. The mansion's inner courtyard was secluded and deep, surrounded by lush green poisonous plants, exuding a quiet danger.
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