"Naturally, they can." Su Wen smiled.
"Then, then..." Ning Fengzhi tensed, obvious longing in his eyes.
"I don't mind either way, but it seems your precious daughter isn't interested." Su Wen smirked fanning the flame.
He thought well of Ning Fengzhi, but Ning Rongrong—this weed dragged down his opinion of the whole sect.
He didn't want to sell soul tools to the sect, only to have them turn up in Tang San's hands via Ning Rongrong.
"Tch, who cares. Dad, why buy his soul tools? Our sect's strong enough." Ning Rongrong pouted, pulling on Ning Fengzhi's sleeve.
"And they're even pricier than San's hidden weapons; San's whole set—"
Slap!
Ning Rongrong froze.
Halfway through her sentence, her cheek grew red and swollen. Trembling, she looked up at her once-kind father, who now felt like a stranger. His cold eyes chilled her to the bone.
"Dad!!!" Ning Rongrong shrieked.
"Hey, Fengzhi! What are you doing?!" Chen Xin sighed, stepping between them to block, patting Ning Rongrong's head helplessly. "She's still a kid..."
"She's not a child anymore."
Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, closing his eyes.
As if making a firm choice.
"In any case, I'll inherit the sect eventually. When I do, I'll throw every resource into killing him!" Ning Rongrong raged, stabbing a finger at Su Wen, "I'll use the soul tools he sold us! Kill him!"
The young miss had never suffered such humiliation.
Her left cheek stung with pain, nearly driving her mad. And it was her own father who hit her—in public—utterly crushing her pride.
"Rongrong!" Chen Xin realized too late that she was only making things worse. In big clans, succession was brutal. Ning Rongrong was naïve; if her father really disinherited her, even Chen Xin wouldn't have much to say...
But it was already too late.
"Whew..." Ning Fengzhi slowly exhaled. "No more. You are no longer the sole heir to Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
"Impulsive, stubborn, arrogant. I spoiled you—no more. From now on, all sect resources for you will stop. You're on your own."
"What!" Ning Rongrong was struck as if by lightning.
She'd never imagined her own father would say such harsh words.
"The next sect master will be your older brother. He may be less talented than you, but at least he won't drag the sect into ruin." Ning Fengzhi continued coldly.
Dugu Bo's eyes popped—this was explosive news.
Even Qian Renxue watched with interest.
Su Wen remained an indifferent observer—he knew Ning Fengzhi was a cunning fox; words were never to be taken at full value. He might still be performing for the crowd... but Ning Rongrong clearly didn't know. If it was all fake, it'd be pretty dry acting.
Could it be... Ning Fengzhi really didn't care anymore?
Su Wen touched his chin, waiting to see what would happen.
"How can you say that!" Ning Rongrong screamed. "I've always been better than Ning Yuan; his spirit power started two levels lower! He's twenty-seven now, just became a Soul Ancestor—a total waste! Why should he inherit the sect?!!"
"As a leader, intelligence matters most—" Ning Fengzhi pointed to his head "—not strength. Our sect's martial spirit can only reach rank 79, at most. I'll live long enough to pass the torch steadily to him."
"You're only better than him by reaching that rank faster. Nothing else."
"Rongrong, I gave you a chance."
"You didn't cherish it."
Ning Fengzhi stared at her coldly.
Was he really a loving father?
Not quite.
As the true master of the sect, with many wives, Ning Rongrong's mother was just one of many. The reason he, Uncle Jian, and Bone Uncle doted on her was her rare talent—perhaps she could break through the rank 79 barrier that had stopped countless predecessors.
But this was ruthlessly realistic. Otherwise, why were most of his other kids never even shown so much as a smile, unless they displayed talent at the age of six?
Talent and affection were directly proportional.
Such was the mindset of a sect leader.
"Besides, strictly speaking, he's the direct heir..." Ning Fengzhi said coldly, "You're just a concubine's child."
"..."
The hall fell eerily quiet.
Chen Xin enabled a sound barrier, so the auction on stage continued. Most in the audience were still caught up in the excitement, oblivious to the seismic power shift happening right here.
Chen Xin wanted to speak but, seeing Ning Fengzhi's resolve, just sighed and looked away.
It was Ning Fengzhi who called the shots.
On other days, jokes and placating words were fine. But at times like these, once Ning Fengzhi decided, nothing could change his mind.
With the fate of a massive force hinging on it, he could be more cold-blooded than anyone.
"Uncle Ning, isn't this too harsh for Rongrong?" Tang San frowned.
"Shut up!"
Before Fengzhi could answer, Chen Xin glared in anger. He flicked his sleeve—a gust of sword wind sent Tang San flying; even Xiao Wu, supporting Tang San, was blown aside.
"It's all your fault, little bastard!" Chen Xin snarled. "Someone like you stirs up trouble and leaves others to clean up the mess! You ruined their relationship!"
"You're just like your useless father!" Chen Xin scoffed.
"He stirred up so much trouble and then just disappeared, needing the Clear Sky Sect to clean up after him. Even now, he still hides in the shadows. All troublemakers, no sense of responsibility!"
"What did you say!!" Tang San roared.
He got up, hidden weapons ready in his sleeve.
Killing intent flashed in his eyes.
He wanted to rip that old man's mouth apart.
His father, Tang Hao, was his hero—a shining star. Especially after meeting Titan, his conviction only deepened. Now being slandered by Chen Xin made him want to fight to the death.
"San!" Ning Rongrong hurriedly grabbed him.
"Hmph! If Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect won't have me, I'll go to Shrek Academy. With you two, that's my real home!" Ning Rongrong glared coldly at Ning Fengzhi, then dragged Tang San and Xiao Wu away.
"Rongrong..." Chen Xin called softly.
"Don't call me Rongrong!" Her eyes were cold. "Now I know—your and Uncle Bone's love for me was fake! In the end, you never stood up for me."
"Let's cut all ties! From now on, I'm not Ning Rongrong. I'll change my name!"
"..."
Shock, disbelief, and a touch of sadness mixed in Chen Xin's eyes.
He never imagined that the girl he and Gu Rong had doted on for so many years would say something so cold.
Small faults could be overlooked, but this was about the very survival of the sect—he couldn't ignore it anymore.
Now he wondered—if both he and Tang San were dying, would Ning Rongrong choose to save Tang San?
"Fine. Just don't use the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's name in public." Ning Fengzhi waved indifferently.
"Hmph!" Gritting her teeth, Ning Rongrong strode away.
She slowed her steps, hoping Chen Xin would call after her as usual and soothe her. If he did, maybe she would yield a little.
But all the way out of the auction—
Not a sound.
"Don't take it to heart, Uncle Ning's just upset." Xiao Wu tried to comfort her.
"Tch, who cares," Ning Rongrong wiped her tears, forcing a smile. "Let's not talk about it, San, Xiao Wu, let's go back to the Academy."
She actually believed her father was just angry and would soon bring gifts and apologize at Shrek.
Tang San smiled comfortingly as well, but his mind was churning.
He cursed Ning Rongrong.
If not for her, things wouldn't have fallen apart with Ning Fengzhi. The old man almost agreed—so close—she had to mess it up.
He badly needed the money.
It would give the Power Clan work, win their loyalty—killing two birds with one stone.
But...
"Fool!"
Tang San ground his teeth, but for now could only return.
All he could now do was hope Su Lin was a fraud, or that Ning Fengzhi would apologize to Ning Rongrong.
Otherwise...where else would he find such a profitable deal?
...
"Mr. Su, sorry for the spectacle..." Ning Fengzhi forced a bitter smile.
"I wasn't acting. Her talent's good, but she just doesn't have my intellect. If she inherited the sect, it'd be a disaster."
"Rest assured, I swear on our name—Ning Rongrong will not become sect master, and the attack-type soul tool will never make it into her hands."
"..."
Su Wen tapped his fingers thoughtfully, finally smirking.
"Alright."
…
Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Headquarters.
Located southwest outside Heaven Dou City, nestled in a chain of mountains, the entrance was steep—a naturally defensible site.
On mountain peaks stood castles; in the valleys lived tens of thousands of ordinary people without soul power.
It mirrored the ancient eight tribes and their dependents; every year, the sect helped awaken martial souls among these commoners, selecting the talented, while the people thrived under their protection—a relationship of mutual benefit.
At the center, a seven-story pagoda shaped like an immense Glazed Tile Tower stood tall.
At its summit—
Ning Fengzhi warmly received his guests.
"Mr. Su, Senior Poison here in person—what an honor for my sect..."
"Tch~"
Bone Douluo crossed his arms, snatching a glass of wine from a passing maid's tray, flashing a challenging look at Su Wen and Dugu Bo.
"If not for getting careless, poisoned by that Old Poison, I'd never have let you bullies hurt Rongrong."
Clearly, Gu Rong hadn't heard the details—relieved to find Ning Rongrong and Tang San gone upon returning.
"..." Chen Xin wanted to speak.
"You're still not convinced?" Dugu Bo mocked, stepping closer.
"Of course not!" Gu Rong snapped back.
"Let's duel!" Dugu Bo was not backing down.
"Fine!"
"..."
"Bone Douluo, you're probably here for me, aren't you?" At the table, Su Wen looked up and smiled.
"Heh, you bullied Rongrong last time—I haven't settled the score!" Gu Rong cracked his fingers, baring his teeth menacingly.
"Uncle Gu!" Ning Fengzhi warned.
"I know!" Gu Rong interrupted, his tone stiffening. "You don't care for Rongrong, but Old Sword and I do. If she's bullied, we'll make them pay."
"I'll wait outside." Gu Rong flashed away to the valley, standing over the open ground.
"Mr. Su..." Ning Fengzhi looked awkward.
For him, this was a lose-lose situation.
Whoever won, the sect would lose face.
He regretted not sending Bone Uncle away earlier.
"Which fighter to send?" Su Wen considered.
He had no plans to hide his strength.
"Ice. Fire. Water. Wind. Lightning... Never mind—let force break all techniques."
He shook his head.
"Xuan Ji."
A heavy voice rang out.
"Yes, Master!"
In that instant, Ning Fengzhi felt his hair stand on end; even Chen Xin drew his sword aura, shielding himself and Ning Fengzhi.
Only then did they notice: Su Wen never moved, still calmly sipping tea in the hall.
True terror...
…
In the valley:
Gu Rong's aura burst out, enveloping half the mountain—countless disciples looked up in awe.
This was their sect's guardian spirit.
"Why so slow—scared?" Gu Rong smirked, cracking his knuckles.
But then he stopped, frozen.
A shadow swallowed not just him, but half the valley.
He looked up, expression rigid.
A giant beast with golden eyes stared down, mocking.
"Gulp..."
Gu Rong swallowed hard.
"What?!!"
…