Back when Lin Fan left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Rongrong had only been about a year old.
Now, Ning Rongrong was already over twelve—indeed, it had been more than eleven years.
"Back then, I truly benefited greatly from the guidance of you two seniors," Lin Fan said with a polite smile.
In truth, Lin Fan owed his Title Douluo achievement to a mix of experiences—learning soul master knowledge at Spirit Hall, tempering his mindset at the Clear Sky Clan, and receiving training at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. One could say he'd been nurtured by many sects along the way.
Lin Fan grinned slightly, adding,
"Senior Bone Douluo, shall we continue the spar now?"
Bone Douluo chuckled in response.
"Excellent. Finally, besides Old Sword, I've found a rare new opponent."
"Prepare yourself—Bone Dragon Possession!"
As soon as Bone Douluo activated his martial soul, his body swelled to over 2.5 meters tall, taking on the appearance of a massive skeletal dragon.
Due to his Bone Dragon martial soul, Bone Douluo possessed extreme defense and unpredictable attacks.
With a surge of white bone claws, he lunged straight toward Lin Fan.
"First Soul Skill—Shadow Manifestation!"
Lin Fan calmly met him head-on.
—
On the sidelines, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help sighing slightly.
"Sword Uncle, only eleven years… He advanced from a Soul Sage to a Title Douluo. If only my martial soul allowed it, I could've become the first auxiliary-type Title Douluo."
Though Ning Fengzhi's influence on the continent rivaled that of a Title Douluo, not having the actual rank still weighed on him. Naturally, he didn't wish to remain a Soul Sage forever.
Sword Douluo nodded, watching closely.
"It is indeed astonishing. Back then, I could see that he wasn't innately full of spirit power—at most, an innate rank seven."
"But even then, his determination left a deep impression on me."
—
Boom!
A powerful burst of soul power erupted from their clash, shaking the entire courtyard—decorative stone tables and other items trembled violently.
Though both Lin Fan and Bone Douluo were merely testing each other and not going all out, the pressure from the two Title Douluo's probing blows far surpassed even that of the Soul Kings.
Exchanging glances, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo saw the situation getting out of hand.
Sword Douluo promptly summoned his Seven Kill Sword.
Clang!
With a sharp metallic note, Sword Douluo's sword pierced the ground between the two fighters.
"Enough. The courtyard won't withstand your battle much longer." Ning Fengzhi interjected helplessly.
"While these repairs aren't costly, if you two continue, there won't be much left of the courtyard at all."
Bone Douluo shook his head with a laugh.
"Fine then. This kid's Shadow Sword may not have the same killing intent as my Seven Kill Sword, but it's far more agile and slippery. It's no fun sparring against that."
Lin Fan chuckled as well.
"Senior Bone Douluo's Bone Dragon martial soul remains as impenetrable as ever—your bones are as hard as ever."
After exchanging some friendly banter, both withdrew their martial souls.
—
Soon after, the four of them gathered in a private room on the second floor of the main hall. Ning Fengzhi sat across from Lin Fan, personally brewing tea.
"Lin Fan, it's been eleven years. You wouldn't come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan without a reason. If there's anything you need, feel free to speak openly," Ning Fengzhi said with a refined smile as he poured tea.
Lin Fan smiled slightly.
"As expected of Sect Master Ning—nothing escapes your insight. I'll speak frankly then. I'm here to propose a trade."
"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi raised an interested eyebrow.
"Let's hear it."
Lin Fan calmly stated,
"I wish to learn your clan's secret technique—Split-Heart Control."
The moment he spoke, Bone Douluo immediately slammed the table, visibly displeased.
"Split-Heart Control?! You brat, even in front of us, you dare try to swindle Fengzhi again?" Bone Douluo scoffed angrily.
Ning Fengzhi, too, shook his head with a wry smile.
"Lin Fan, while I would indeed love to trade with you, this is one request I cannot agree to. The Split-Heart Control Technique has always been strictly reserved for direct descendants of the clan with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul."
Lin Fan remained composed.
"I'm well aware, Sect Master Ning, that you are not only a soul master, but also a businessman. Business is about benefits and never suffering a loss. What I'm offering will not leave you at a disadvantage."
"Furthermore, I can swear that if I learn your clan's Split-Heart Control Technique, I will never pass it to anyone else."
Hearing Lin Fan's confidence, Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed slightly, but he still shook his head.
"Lin Fan, even if you offered a ten-thousand-year soul bone, I wouldn't hand over this technique."
But Lin Fan simply smiled.
"Sect Master Ning, don't be so quick to refuse. I'm not offering a soul bone—I've brought something even more valuable."
With that, Lin Fan produced the prepared spiritual herb—a pure white, crystalline, icy-cold snow lotus.
As soon as the Nine-Rank Snow Lotus appeared, the temperature in the room instantly plummeted, cutting the warmth in half. However, Lin Fan, having already consumed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, remained completely unaffected.
—
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, scrutinizing the flower.
"It resembles an ordinary snow lotus, but it's even colder. Its petals and leaves emit a faint glow and a richer fragrance."
Lin Fan calmly explained,
"Indeed, this is a snow lotus—but not an ordinary one. This is the king of snow lotuses: the Nine-Rank Snow Lotus, which I harvested from the depths of the snow mountains in the Extreme North."
Sword Douluo frowned, still doubtful.
"It sounds impressive, but what use does this snow lotus have for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
Lin Fan's eyes sharpened as he revealed the true value of the herb.
"I know the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is the greatest auxiliary martial soul in the world. However, heaven is fair—your clan's descendants are born with innate flaws, unable to cultivate beyond rank 79 Soul Saint."
"But this Nine-Rank Snow Lotus can stimulate Sect Master Ning's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, evolving it into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—allowing you to cultivate up to rank 89 Soul Douluo, and drastically enhancing your auxiliary power."
Ning Fengzhi's face changed dramatically—he abruptly stood up, staring in disbelief at the snow lotus in Lin Fan's hand.
Lin Fan had intentionally not offered the Delicate Fragrant Immortal Grass; instead, the Nine-Rank Snow Lotus—like the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma—was a top-grade herb capable of breaking through innate limits.
Trading it for the Split-Heart Control Technique was entirely acceptable.
Lin Fan knew Ning Fengzhi couldn't refuse such temptation—who wouldn't want to break through their limits?
Still skeptical, Bone Douluo muttered,
"You've said all that, but how do we know you're not lying about this snow lotus's effects?"
Lin Fan calmly replied,
"In truth, my innate soul power was only rank six. These past eleven years, I've been seeking breakthroughs in the Extreme North. That's where I found two rare herbs—one was the Mysterious Ice Grass, which allowed me to advance to Title Douluo."
"If you doubt me, Sect Master Ning, feel free to consume the Nine-Rank Snow Lotus first. If it works, don't forget our agreement."
With that, Lin Fan directly handed the Nine-Rank Snow Lotus to Ning Fengzhi.
—
Ning Fengzhi hesitated, but soon accepted it. The moment he took the flower, a layer of frost appeared on his palm.
"Such potent icy energy… This isn't ordinary." Ning Fengzhi muttered to himself, astonished.
Lin Fan then said confidently,
"Since I was the one to propose this trade first, you may consume it now. If it truly works—helping you break your limit—then, according to our agreement, you'll teach me the Split-Heart Control Technique."
Ning Fengzhi's expression turned serious.
"Very well. If this truly helps me reach rank 80 Soul Douluo, then I'll consider the deal fulfilled and will teach you the Split-Heart Control Technique."
"But I have one condition—you must never pass this technique to anyone else. Otherwise, don't blame the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for what happens."
Lin Fan nodded solemnly.
Agreed. I give you my word.