Ning Rongrong sat cross-legged as the radiant glow surrounding her gradually dimmed. The Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, which had been stacked in her hands, vanished and merged into her body.
She slowly opened her eyes, and the ethereal aura that had been condensed around her dissipated completely.
"Grandpa Bone, why are you here?"
"I didn't want to disturb you while you were cultivating," Bone Douluo replied, observing Ning Rongrong for a moment with a hint of concern in his tone. "But the aura of your Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda seems a bit unusual."
"It's nothing serious," Ning Rongrong shook her head. "I'm fine. I also understand the situation with the Dark Devilgod Tiger's bead. Hmm... I'm confident I can help you become even stronger."
"That's not what I meant," Bone Douluo sighed deeply. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is growing stronger at a visible pace. Your Grandpa Sword, your father, and I can all see it clearly."
"Rongrong, you don't need to put yourself in danger."
A god of evil just the name alone made it clear this deity was no good. Even in death, it refused to rest peacefully, giving rise to terrifying spirit beasts like the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
To be honest, Bone Douluo wasn't as eager to improve his strength as Sword Douluo was.
Sword Douluo still wanted to defeat Qian Daoliu to prove himself to his father. But for Gu Rong, all he wanted was to peacefully spend his remaining years in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
As long as he could watch the clan flourish and Ning Rongrong grow up safely, that was enough.
Things like becoming a 99th-ranked Title Douluo weren't important to him. Perhaps this was also why he couldn't compare to Chen Xin.
Even with a purple fifth soul ring, Chen Xin had cultivated to the 96th rank and mastered the Seven Kill Domain.
On this point, Gu Rong admitted defeat he truly couldn't match up.
"I won't act recklessly. I value my life too much!" Ning Rongrong said, noticing the worry on Bone Douluo's face and putting on a relaxed expression. "Ah, right, Grandpa Bone, you didn't come here just to watch me cultivate, did you?"
She had specifically said not to disturb her during her cultivation these past few days, yet Bone Douluo had still come.
Reminded by Ning Rongrong, Bone Douluo recalled his main purpose for visiting. "Tang Hao and Tang San are here. The Golden Iron Triangle, whom you've been paying attention to, came with them."
"Oh? It's them? Are they here to ask for medicine?" Ning Fengzhi had previously speculated that Tang Hao would visit soon, but he hadn't expected it to be this quickly.
"Yes," Bone Douluo said. "Aside from them, Xue Qinghe has also arrived. He's at the entrance. If you hadn't woken up, I might have had to go greet him and bring him to the main hall first."
Xue Qinghe?
Xue Qinghe was Qian Renxue. Why would she arrive on the same day as Tang Hao? Had she caught wind of something at Shrek Academy?
Ning Rongrong couldn't figure it out.
It was also strange that Qian Renxue hadn't made a move against Tang Hao all this time.
This didn't align with Qian Renxue's decisive methods. After all, she had killed two of the Heaven Dou Empire's princes along with Xue Qinghe himself without hesitation.
Listening to Bone Douluo's explanation, Ning Rongrong murmured thoughtfully, "So, Dad is a bit unsure how to handle the situation now, is that it?"
"I think that's exactly what Fengzhi means," Bone Douluo sighed.
There was no helping it. Both Tang Hao and Qian Renxue had gods backing them.
And when it came to understanding gods, Ning Rongrong was the most knowledgeable in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Then let's go greet Xue Qinghe first. It's been a while since I've seen him properly, anyway."
Ning Rongrong stood up and left with Bone Douluo to meet Xue Qinghe.
Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, enjoyed considerable freedom within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan as Ning Fengzhi's disciple.
After instructing his subordinates not to wander off, he stepped down from the carriage.
"Long time no see, Your Highness."
The voice caught Xue Qinghe's attention. He looked up to see Bone Douluo descending from the sky with Ning Rongrong, landing right in front of him.
"Rongrong, you've grown even more beautiful in these past few months," Xue Qinghe remarked with a sigh.
"Your Highness, even if you praise me like that, I won't be fooled into entering the imperial palace. I'm the young master destined to inherit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, after all!"
Ning Rongrong automatically filtered out Xue Qinghe's words.
Beautiful? Who could compare to you?
You, Qian Renxue, are recognized by some netizens as the most beautiful woman in the Douluo Continent!
"I wouldn't dare entertain such thoughts. My teacher would break my legs!" Xue Qinghe chuckled lightly.
"Does Your Highness have any particular reason for visiting this time?" Ning Rongrong already knew he was here because of Tang Hao, but had he come alone?
Perhaps there were two guards outside, but what use would they be?
Even if Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo went easy, there was no way She Long and Ci Xue could kill Tang Hao. That would make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's strength seem far too lacking.
Besides, Shrek Academy had been right under his nose all this time, and he hadn't made a move. So why should she worry?
Xue Qinghe thought for a moment before answering, "My father's health is failing. I wanted to discuss the next steps with my teacher. I'm also a bit concerned that the Spirit Hall might start making moves."
"Also, I heard that the Title Douluo Tang Hao has come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, so I decided to pay a visit."
"Oh? Your Highness knows about Title Douluo Tang Hao?" Ning Rongrong feigned surprise.
"Of course," Xue Qinghe nodded seriously. "There were rumors before that Title Douluo Tang Hao was at Shrek Academy, but I thought it was just gossip."
"It wasn't until recently that I received confirmation. I'd also like to pay my respects to the current Title Douluo of the once world-leading Clear Sky Sect."
"I see. So, Your Highness wants to use the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Tang Hao to stabilize the situation?"
Ning Rongrong bluntly stated Xue Qinghe's intentions, but he showed no sign of displeasure. After all, that was indeed his goal.
After a brief exchange, Bone Douluo took Ning Rongrong and Xue Qinghe with him.
With a "whoosh," they soared into the sky.
Then, at top speed, they headed for the council hall.
"Title Douluo Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect, am I to understand that you are threatening me?"
Inside the hall, Ning Fengzhi's voice carried a hint of accusation.
The three newcomers exchanged glances before stepping inside.
As their footsteps echoed through the hall, the ongoing discussion fell silent.
"Dad, what's going on?" Ning Rongrong quickly approached Ning Fengzhi to inquire.
Seeing the three enter, Ning Fengzhi's tone softened slightly. He had indeed gotten too heated in the earlier argument.
However, there were still many questions he wanted to ask especially since Tang Hao had just mentioned the name "Tang Chen." At that point, he knew the other side intended to renege on their agreement.
"Rongrong, the Clear Sky Sect is preparing to re-emerge," Ning Fengzhi didn't elaborate further.
Even with just this one sentence, Ning Rongrong could likely deduce much of the situation.
Sure enough, Ning Rongrong's brows furrowed slightly, and she remained silent for a long while.
After a moment, she took a seat nearby. Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe greeted the others with a familiar ease.