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**
With Tang Ni's surrender, the match officially came to an end.
Xiao Lin successfully retained his position as captain.
As for the vice-captaincy... Tang San decisively gave up on competing for it. He openly admitted that he was no match for Tang Ni and conceded. Of course, it wasn't that Tang San was completely incapable of fighting her.
Rather, without exposing his ultimate trump cards or engaging in a life-and-death struggle, it was awkward for him to go all out against Tang Ni, who was effectively his older sister.
Besides, relying solely on Blue Silver Grass, Tang San truly had no idea how to overcome someone possessing such terrifying, monstrous strength.
After the match concluded, it took Xiao Lin a considerable amount of time to deactivate the two energy cores of his third soul skill. By the time the soul skill was fully dispelled, Xiao Lin was drenched in sweat.
He looked dehydrated and profoundly weak, as if his very life force had been drained.
Only after canceling the skill did Xiao Lin realize that he hadn't yet achieved perfect control over the dual energy cores. For a brief period, the internal heat of his own body had reduced him to this state of extreme frailty.
Under normal circumstances, Xiao Lin only used the skill once. Just like a fire-attribute Soul Beast using its abilities, he wouldn't normally be affected by the high temperatures of his own flames.
But who told him to use it twice?
This experience made Xiao Lin secretly resolve not to use this particular move prematurely in the future. He would stick to other trump cards; the side effects of this one were simply too severe. After "glug-glugging" down a massive amount of water, Xiao Lin finally let out a refreshed sigh.
He had recovered!
In the distance, Xiao Lin noticed that Tang Ni had already been fully healed under the effects of Ye Lingling's soul skill. He couldn't help but feel a bit envious of Ye Lingling's abilities.
Tang San's soul skills were strong, and if he focused his healing on a single target, his capabilities might currently surpass Ye Lingling's. However, Ye Lingling could sustain multiple teammates simultaneously. In a team setting, Tang San's single-target focus couldn't quite compare.
Tang San truly needs to awaken his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline to truly surpass Ye Lingling, Xiao Lin thought, shaking his head to clear his mind.
Since Tang San met all the conditions for that awakening, there was no need to worry.
"Hello, Xiao Lin. I am Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Once Xiao Lin had recovered, Ning Fengzhi approached him, introducing himself with a warm smile.
"Sect Master Ning, it is an honor to meet you."
Seeing Ning Fengzhi take the initiative to find him, Xiao Lin knew there must be something afoot. He replied simply while mentally calculating what the Sect Master's goal might be.
"Xiao Lin, shall we go to a more open area to chat?" Ning Fengzhi pointed toward the foot of a mountain in the distance within the Heaven Dou Emperor Team's training grounds.
"Very well."
Xiao Lin agreed.
He glanced over his shoulder at Tang San and the others, noticing that Dugu Bo had already appeared by Tang San's side.
Xiao Lin's brow furrowed slightly.
Strange. We haven't really done anything yet; how did we end up being targeted by a group of big shots all at once?
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain and ensuring no one else was around, Ning Fengzhi got straight to the point.
"Xiao Lin, may I know where your teacher, Xiao Yan, is currently staying?"
The moment Ning Fengzhi spoke, Xiao Lin was completely dumbfounded.
What on earth?
He immediately realized Ning Fengzhi's intent, but...
"Oh, perhaps your teacher isn't called Xiao Yan. He might go by Lin Dong, Master Lin Dong. Or perhaps Yao Lao, or even the Celestial Marten Douluo."
"Ever since your teacher published his first thesis, I knew his wisdom was extraordinary. Therefore, representing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I wish to invite him to assist our sect in evolving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"Of course, if it could evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda that would be even better."
Seeing Xiao Lin remained silent, his mouth slightly agape in shock, Ning Fengzhi spoke even more candidly.
"I hold Master Xiao Yan's wisdom in the highest regard. Even if he cannot evolve my daughter's Martial Soul, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to pay your teacher an annual retainer of five million gold soul coins."
As those words left Ning Fengzhi's mouth, Xiao Lin felt the Sect Master's aura shift instantly.
What is this? This is a true, top-tier sugar daddy!
"My teacher... it seems he isn't very comfortable meeting others," Xiao Lin managed to say.
Although he had no idea why Ning Fengzhi was so convinced that he was his own teacher, Xiao Lin certainly couldn't tell the truth.
However, he temporarily accepted the persona of being "his own disciple." When traveling the world, isn't a "vest" or alias something you just give yourself?
"But then again, helping Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul evolve? For my teacher, isn't that as easy as snapping his fingers?"
Xiao Lin began to paint a grand vision.
His relaxed and confident expression made Ning Fengzhi's eyes light up instantly.
"Good, good, good! Excellent! In that case, it's a promise."
Ning Fengzhi knew that true masters usually didn't want to be disturbed, so he fully believed Xiao Lin's words. As for Xiao Lin's claim about helping Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul evolve, he felt even more confident.
If even the disciple is this certain about evolving her Martial Soul, then the teacher's true ability... must be immeasurable!
At this thought, Ning Fengzhi grew even more excited.
It took a great effort to suppress the burning emotion in his heart before he asked in the most level tone possible, "May I ask... how much certainty does your esteemed teacher have in evolving it specifically into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
"Hmm, that depends on what kind of compensation Sect Master Ning is willing to provide."
Xiao Lin pondered for a moment, putting on a difficult expression as if he didn't want his teacher to be too overworked.
"As long as my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can afford it, what does it matter even if it takes our entire fortune?"
Hearing that there was a real chance, Ning Fengzhi agreed immediately, terrified of losing this opportunity to change the sect's future.
To him, wealth was merely a worldly possession. As long as the direct disciples of the sect used the innate sensing of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, they could find almost any gemstone in the world. Making money was effortless for them.
"Hehe, there's no need for that much money. Let's stick to five million gold soul coins a year."
"My master isn't that fond of wealth. However, if you have more information regarding Soul Tools or the rare metals required to forge them, I'll have to trouble Sect Master Ning to help collect them for me."
Now that it had come to this, Xiao Lin felt it wasn't right to actually take the entire fortune of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After all, Ning Rongrong would be his classmate, and this whole plan relied on whether Tang San could obtain the Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Xiao Lin would need to discuss it with Tang San regardless.
Well, we'll talk about it after we enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"That is no trouble at all. I shall trouble your esteemed teacher then. Speaking of which, is your teacher currently researching Soul Tools?"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled, giving off a feeling as refreshing as a spring breeze.
He seemed to have discovered a new business opportunity, and he understood a bit about Soul Tools himself. If there were defensive Soul Tools—if every direct disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had one—their safety rating would jump to a whole new level!
Ning Fengzhi's gaze toward Xiao Lin changed again; no wonder Master Xiao Yan hadn't published a thesis in five years. It turned out he was playing with something this profound.
"Something like that. I'm not entirely sure of the details myself."
Xiao Lin laughed it off.
He could hardly say he was currently researching "Self-Condensed Soul Rings" and "Soul Cores." Otherwise, Ning Fengzhi might be so shocked he'd kidnap him just to lure "Xiao Yan" out for a rescue... Xiao Lin was still somewhat worried about that kind of scenario.
"Then it's settled. This is our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Black Card. It contains over ten million gold soul coins. Please pass it along to your teacher, Nephew Xiao Lin. If he ever runs low, just tell Rongrong; she will give you a new one."
"Additionally, take this Black Card as a meeting gift for the three of you. It only has five million gold soul coins—not much, so please forgive me."
"Then I shall accept it with gratitude."
Taking the gold soul coin Black Card, the corners of Xiao Lin's mouth curled up as he accepted it quite generously.
This made Ning Fengzhi even more satisfied.
What Nephew Xiao Lin said was likely true; there really was hope for Rongrong's Martial Soul to become the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Having read countless people, Ning Fengzhi didn't believe he had misjudged this boy. From his perspective, when Xiao Lin accepted the Black Card, not a single trace of greed or excitement flickered in his eyes.
It gave off the impression that to him, this was all just a trivial matter.
**
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your support! If you enjoy my work, you can check out my Patreon—there are 100+ early access and exclusive content. I update 5 advanced chapter from Monday-Saturday
www.patreon.com/c/FanficTranslator
I truly appreciate it!