Chapter 324: Reunion with Ning Rongrong, the Ten-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda
Dragonrise City.
Several days later, Dai Yao arrived in Dragonrise City. Since Dugu Yan hadn't yet arrived, he and Feng Wutong found an inn to stay in until everyone had gathered, intending to visit the Clan of Defense under the Bi Lin clan's banner once Dugu Yan joined them.
The two walked down the bustling streets under black hoods. As a major trade hub on the Empire's border, Dragonrise City was lively and diverse, with people from every corner of the continent, each dressed in their own unique fashion. This variety kept Dai Yao and Feng Wutong from drawing much attention.
Feng Wutong's eyes sparkled as she took in the array of new and unusual items. Though she came from a humble background, since becoming a spirit master, she'd only ever been within the prestigious walls of the Star Luo Royal Academy. Traveling with Dai Yao had shown her many places, yet none quite like Dragonrise City, with its rugged and lively atmosphere.
"Go on, take a look if you're interested," Dai Yao said with a warm smile, his hood shading only his jawline as he turned to her.
Dai Yao knew well that Feng Wutong had once been a proud spirit master at the Royal Academy, independent and unyielding to authority. Since joining his side, though, her confidence had gradually faded, making her feel less deserving compared to others around him. It was this same hesitation that led her to refuse to marry him, opting instead to serve as his companion, calling him "husband" only when they were alone.
With a gentle smile, Feng Wutong nodded, her gaze warm and affectionate.
Just as the two were about to peruse the street vendors, the buzz of voices around them suddenly hushed. The usually fearless patrons of this city even gasped audibly, breaths held in awe.
Dai Yao turned, sensing a shift in the crowd's focus. All eyes were fixed on a line of carriages arriving from the end of the street. Four pure-white horses pulled an ornate carriage adorned with intricate designs and proudly displaying an emblem in the shape of a seven-tiered pagoda.
It wasn't the elegance of the carriage alone that inspired such respect; it was the unmistakable symbol of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan! Even the carriage driver seemed to carry a proud posture as he steered the reins.
Dai Yao's thoughts raced. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? What are they doing in Dragonrise City? Could it be they traced me here because I used their token to enter the city?"
Although he had friendly ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he didn't want to attract attention to his plans of establishing a sect. He pulled Feng Wutong back with him, blending in behind the crowd.
Inside the carriage, Ning Rongrong lifted the curtain, gazing out at the unfamiliar city.
"After five years, will I finally see you again?" she murmured, her heart racing with a blend of anticipation and excitement. The thought of seeing Dai Yao filled her with such eagerness that she felt almost weightless, as if her long-held longing would soon be answered.
She slowly lowered the curtain, shutting out the outside view, but just before it closed completely, two figures in black robes caught her eye. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat. The air around her seemed to still as her eyes focused solely on one of the robed figures.
A sense of certainty washed over her—without any explanation, she knew that the figure before her was none other than the man who had occupied her heart and mind.
"Stop the carriage!" she called out.
The driver froze and immediately obeyed, halting the carriage. Sword Douluo Chenxin opened his eyes slowly, observing Ning Rongrong's eager expression. Sensing the reason for her excitement, he sighed quietly and glanced in the direction of her gaze. His perceptive eye quickly recognized the figure as Dai Yao.
The horses neighed, and the carriage came to a halt. Passersby gasped in wonder, marveling at the sight of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's grand carriage stopping in the middle of a busy street. As the carriage door opened, silence fell over the crowd, who watched in awe as a woman stepped gracefully onto the street.
She wore an emerald-green fitted gown that cascaded down to her calves, revealing slender, porcelain-white legs, while delicate tassels dangled from the dress, lending her an air of refined nobility. Her coffee-brown hair flowed like silk down her back, and every detail of her attire and manner spoke of a woman raised in elegance and class.
Slowly, the crowd parted, forming a path as the lady walked toward the black-robed figure.
Her face was alight with a joy she could hardly contain, her eyes sparkling with tenderness. She trembled as she looked up at Dai Yao, who stood hidden under his hood. They were close friends, and yet that friendship had never become more. She had no reason to embrace him or act too familiarly, yet her heart swelled with joy.
After five years of waiting, she was finally able to say the words she had long held in her heart. Smiling softly, she greeted him with, "It's been a long time…"
Feng Wutong glanced at Dai Yao, sensing his discomfort as he stared back at Ning Rongrong. She sighed softly, stepping back to give them space.
Dai Yao felt momentarily speechless as he looked at the expression of pure adoration on Ning Rongrong's face. He had never expected her to appear so suddenly in front of him, or that they would meet again in Dragonrise City. And as he took in her words, his own expression softened.
"Yes, it has been a long time," he replied.
The crowd murmured in envy and admiration, realizing that the refined lady from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan harbored deep feelings for this mysterious man.
Their eyes locked, both longing to step closer, yet bound by the unspoken barrier of their respective paths and roles.
After watching them quietly, Sword Douluo let out a sigh and opened the carriage door. Walking over, he addressed Dai Yao and Ning Rongrong.
"All right, enough gazing at each other," he said with a bemused smile. "Son, do you care to give this old man the honor of joining me in the carriage for a chat?"
Blushing, Ning Rongrong lowered her head in embarrassment. Dai Yao nodded respectfully. "I'd be honored to accept your invitation."
Dai Yao took Feng Wutong's hand, and the two stepped into the carriage. Ning Rongrong lifted the curtain, holding it open as he entered, smiling softly as he thanked her.
But as Feng Wutong was about to step in, Sword Douluo raised a hand to stop her. The three looked at him in surprise.
"Elder, what are you…?" Dai Yao asked, puzzled.
Sword Douluo's smile was serene. "I'd like to have a word with this young lady here. Meanwhile, I believe you and Rongrong have much to talk about."
Dai Yao glanced at Feng Wutong, and beneath the brim of her hat, a slight, knowing smile appeared on her alluring lips.
"It's an honor that Sword Douluo wishes to speak with me," Feng Wutong said softly. "You and Miss Rongrong should take this chance to catch up. Back in Spirit City, you were always mentioning her…"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong's gaze softened even more as she looked at Dai Yao, filled with warmth. Dai Yao, on the other hand, gave Feng Wutong a small, regretful smile, fully understanding her intentions and feeling a pang of guilt for the situation.
Sword Douluo observed the scene closely. Once Dai Yao and Ning Rongrong were seated inside the carriage, he waved his hand, enveloping the carriage in a field of spirit power that completely blocked all sounds and movements from within. Turning to the driver, he ordered, "You may step down and take the other carriage behind us. I'll be handling this one."
The driver, casting a curious glance at the closed carriage curtains, nodded and left. He knew the clan's young lady harbored feelings for someone. Could the mysterious, hooded man be that person? Swallowing his suspicions, he kept silent, conscious of the strict rules against servants gossiping about their masters.
Once the driver had departed, Sword Douluo summoned his spirit power, and the white horses began to move. He then looked at Feng Wutong with a scrutinizing gaze. "If I'm not mistaken, you're the same Feng Wutong who accompanied Dai Yao back then, correct?"
Feng Wutong nodded slightly. "Thank you, Sword Douluo, for remembering someone as inconsequential as me…"
Sword Douluo chuckled, shaking his head. "Hardly 'inconsequential.' You're the disciple of both the Azure Luan and the Spirit Kite Douluo from the Spirit Hall, are you not? Your reputation is far from small."
"Additionally, with such mastery over fire-based spirit power, even I'm impressed. To already be a Spirit Emperor at such a young age—your talent even surpasses that of the Golden Generation. Join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and we'll provide you with unparalleled resources and wealth. I'm certain Dai Yao wouldn't object either. So, how about it?"
For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, a powerful offensive spirit master like Feng Wutong was highly desirable.
Caught off guard, Feng Wutong quickly objected. "Please, Your Grace, this is no joke. I wish only to stay by his side, even if it means serving as his attendant…"
Hearing this, Sword Douluo laughed softly, a note of admiration in his voice. "Dai Yao, it seems, is truly blessed…"
His question had been only a test to uncover Feng Wutong's reasons for staying with Dai Yao. Having confirmed her loyalty, he cast another thoughtful glance back at the carriage.
"Rongrong… to truly be with Dai Yao, you'll have to be prepared for a lifetime of sacrifices…" Sword Douluo mused to himself.
He had always admired Dai Yao, and if not for the number of women surrounding him and his unshakable allegiance to the Spirit Hall, they would have likely considered Dai Yao as a future son-in-law. But his decision to join the Spirit Hall had ended that possibility.
Yet Dai Yao's choice to defend the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in the Spirit Hall despite his circumstances had deeply moved the clan. They understood that without Dai Yao's intervention, the Hall's strength would have devastated their clan. It was this debt that made them so tolerant of Ning Rongrong's feelings for him.
Inside the Carriage
Dai Yao and Ning Rongrong sat across from each other, with a respectful distance between them—a reminder of the social chasm between their roles. Once seated, Dai Yao removed his hood, revealing his face to Ning Rongrong, who hadn't seen him in years. Momentarily speechless, he found himself at a loss for words as he looked at the young woman who had grown even more beautiful since they'd last met.
Ning Rongrong sat with poise, her gaze steady, and finally spoke in a gentle voice: "Dai Yao, thank you—for everything you've done for us."
Dai Yao, taken aback, asked, "Why are you thanking me?"
"For defending the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan when the Spirit Hall planned to initiate the Hunt of the Clans. Thanks to you, they instead targeted the Clear Sky Clan, sparing us. I needed to thank you properly," she explained.
Dai Yao smiled faintly, understanding that their relationship was mutually beneficial. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had also provided him sanctuary in the Heaven Dou Empire during his time there. He had no other choice than to advocate against the Hunt, knowing that its implementation would create an irreparable rift between him and Ning Rongrong.
Slightly surprised, he said, "Rongrong, both you and Uncle Ning have treated me kindly, so I couldn't allow such an action to take place. But I'm a bit surprised you knew of the Hunt's plan."
Ning Rongrong laughed, covering her mouth with one hand. "It's thanks to you that we learned of it. My father decided to expand our influence within the Spirit Hall, which led us to gather quite a bit of intelligence on its inner workings. After that, Father became more wary of them."
"All I did was make an offhand comment; Uncle Ning took it more seriously than I expected." Dai Yao chuckled.
After his words, silence fell over the carriage once more. Ning Rongrong's hands tightened nervously as she searched for something to say. Dai Yao broke the silence first, sensing her discomfort.
"By the way, Rongrong, what brings you to Dragonrise City?" he asked.
Ning Rongrong froze, her hands tensing further. The truth was simple: she'd come for Dai Yao, intending to help him build his sect. Admitting that, however, would lay her feelings bare and irreversibly alter their relationship. She feared rejection yet understood that if she didn't express herself now, she might not get another chance.
Summoning her courage, she lifted her gaze to meet his, speaking firmly. "Dai Yao, I came to Dragonrise City to help you. Dugu Yan told me about your plans to establish a sect and mentioned you would be here. You've done so much for me and my clan—let me help you, not just as a friend. I love you, Dai Yao. I've waited five years for this moment."
Dai Yao felt as if he had been struck by lightning, realization dawning as he finally understood Dugu Yan's delayed arrival and Ning Rongrong's true feelings.
Taking a deep breath, he looked at her, noticing her mix of hope and trepidation, and said in a steady voice, "Rongrong… Are you sure this is what you want? You're the heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. There are many out there you could have… My life is already complicated, with so many by my side…"
Before he could finish, Ning Rongrong closed the distance between them. She pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him, her gaze unwavering as she declared, "I'm willing."
Stunned, Dai Yao couldn't believe that Ning Rongrong, knowing the complexity of his life, still chose to be with him. She had traveled to find him, prepared to embrace him despite the others in his life.
"If I were to refuse her now, I'd be heartless!" Dai Yao chastised himself silently.
He reached out, drawing her close and wrapping his arms around her. Breathing in her familiar scent, he murmured softly, "I'm so sorry for making you wait."
Ning Rongrong finally embraced the man she had longed for over five years. It felt like a dream—her whole body seemed to be floating as she leaned gently against Dai Yao's shoulder, a blissful smile gracing her lips.
"I'm willing…" she murmured.
After a long while, they separated, and Dai Yao, looking at the girl who held him so dearly in her gaze, suddenly thought of something—something he had planned to keep hidden forever in his spirit realm. Smiling, he said, "Rongrong, I have a gift for you."
Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Oh? What is it?"
Dai Yao summoned a golden lotus flower, which appeared in his hand, its petals unfurling gracefully as it floated. At the sight of it, Ning Rongrong felt an intense, almost overwhelming desire within her, a longing that stirred her very spirit, urging her to claim the lotus.
She suppressed the yearning with effort and asked, "Dai Yao, what is this? Why do I feel like my spirit wants to devour it?"
Dai Yao chuckled and explained, "This lotus is one of my greatest secrets. Since you've met Dugu Yan, you've seen her transformation, haven't you?"
Ning Rongrong nodded, recalling Dugu Yan's striking beauty and the formidable aura she projected, one that even her own Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda found daunting.
Her eyes narrowed with realization. "Could it be…?"
Dai Yao nodded. "You're right. Thanks to the lotus, Dugu Yan experienced a complete transformation. However, she absorbed a green lotus."
"Each lotus possesses life-changing, miraculous properties," he continued. "When Zhu Zhuqing absorbed a purple lotus, her Nether Spirit Cat spirit evolved into the Nether Sovereign; and when Wutong absorbed a red lotus, her Blazing Phoenix spirit transformed into the Vermillion Bird. This golden lotus is a perfect match for you."
Ning Rongrong immediately shook her head in protest. "No, it's far too precious."
But Dai Yao pressed the golden lotus into her hands, his expression firm. "This divine artifact must stay secret. If others find out, who knows what could happen! Besides, you're my woman—if I don't give it to you, then who else?"
Ning Rongrong's eyes, shy and warm, shimmered as her cheeks flushed. She gently punched Dai Yao's chest. "Who's your woman, anyway? You rogue!"
Dai Yao pulled her into his arms, a playful grin on his face. "Trying to back out now? Too late! I told you, you're already mine!"
After a moment of teasing, Dai Yao handed her the lotus again, urging, "Go ahead and absorb it. Best not to wait too long."
Ning Rongrong nodded, taking the golden lotus. The flower floated in front of her forehead, then, like a droplet hitting the water's surface, it merged into her brow. Instantly, Ning Rongrong's head tilted back as her body rose into the air, her chestnut hair swirling around her.
Golden light burst forth from her brow, wrapping her in a shimmering cocoon. Dai Yao sat nearby, ready to guard her during her absorption process.
After a quarter of an hour, the golden cocoon cracked open, the particles of light slowly fading in the carriage as Ning Rongrong reappeared in front of him, radiantly transformed.
"You're beautiful," Dai Yao muttered, momentarily dazed.
If Zhu Zhuqing was the cool, distant moon, Feng Wutong the fiery empress, and Dugu Yan a seductive enchantress, then Ning Rongrong was the pure, dewy lotus after rain—elegant, serene, and ethereal.
Hearing his compliment, Ning Rongrong's eyes filled with affection, and she moved toward him. Before she could embrace him, Dai Yao said, "Rongrong, check your spirit first."
Momentarily startled, she activated her spirit power, summoning the brilliant pagoda to her hand. Staring at it, she was stunned.
"One level, two levels… eight levels, nine levels… Is this… a tenth level?" she stammered in disbelief.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had evolved with the spirit-enhancing herb, just as her father, Ning Fengzhi, had reached the ninth level. But now, it seemed there was a faint, almost-imperceptible tenth layer—its potential barely suppressed and shimmering at the edges of visibility.
As a Seven Treasure Pagoda spirit master, she knew each additional layer permitted one more spirit ring. Ordinarily, a spirit master with this spirit could absorb only seven rings, capping their level at Spirit Saint. Only with a rare fortune, like the Celestial Chrysanthemum, could the pagoda reach nine levels, unlocking the possibility of becoming the most powerful support spirit master in history.
But a tenth layer? Did this mean she could reach the level of a ten-ring spirit master?
Dai Yao, equally surprised by the sight of her new Ten Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, chuckled and explained, "If my guess is right, Rongrong, you now have the potential to become a god."
"A god?" Ning Rongrong echoed, wide-eyed.
"Exactly. Many legends speak of powerful spirit masters who broke through the limitations of Douluo Continent, ascended to the divine realm, and attained eternal life."
Ning Rongrong hugged Dai Yao tightly. "I don't want to become a god without you. Living forever alone would be torture…"
Gently stroking her hair, Dai Yao reassured her, "Silly girl, do you think I would let you go alone? I have a path to divinity as well. We'll ascend together."
Joy spread across her face, but she quickly turned away, feigning anger as she pouted. "You knew all this and never told me? You were just teasing me!"
Dai Yao laughed, pulling her toward him, and Ning Rongrong melted into his embrace. "I'd never dare tease you, my dearest. You're my good-luck charm. Whatever you say goes."
Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Then, if you want me to help fund your sect, you'll have to kiss me. I mean, you wouldn't want your sect to be underfunded, would you?"
Dai Yao was taken aback, but he quickly leaned in and kissed her. Just as they both were getting lost in the moment, the carriage door was abruptly pulled open.
Sword Douluo and Feng Wutong stood there, staring at the scene before them. Sword Douluo's sharp intake of breath was audible.
The sudden intrusion snapped them back to reality, and they quickly parted. As sunlight flooded in, Sword Douluo's eyes fixed on Ning Rongrong, now dramatically transformed.
"Is that… you, Rongrong?" he asked, his voice full of surprise.
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