đź’– If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon! I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
A Meeting at the Teahouse
After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Qian Renxue brought Tang Chuan to a quiet teahouse. There, they were introduced to an elegant, middle-aged man. Behind him stood a gaunt, yet incredibly robust, old man. It was Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo, Gu Rong.
The moment Tang Chuan and Qian Renxue entered, Ning Fengzhi's gaze fell on Tang Chuan, and his expression subtly changed. "Oh? Why is it him!?"
Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo, frowned slightly. "Fengzhi, you know this boy?"
Ning Fengzhi lowered his voice. "Uncle Gu, do you remember that young Spirit Master who was with Dugu Bo when Sword Douluo and I visited Shrek Academy a while back?"
Gu Rong was momentarily stunned. He considered the question, then replied with a puzzled look. "Isn't Dugu Bo Prince Xue Xing's man? That old fellow has always been at odds with Xue Qinghe, so how could this kid be with..."
He stopped speaking as Xue Qinghe—who was actually Qian Renxue in disguise—had already brought Tang Chuan closer.
"Teacher," Qian Renxue said, her gaze fixed on Ning Fengzhi. The usual proud demeanor on her face slightly faded as she bowed respectfully.
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi quickly stood, returning the bow. "Your Highness, you really don't need to be so polite."
"It's only proper," Qian Renxue replied, offering a faint, indifferent smile.
Ning Fengzhi's gaze then slowly shifted back to Tang Chuan, who was standing next to Qian Renxue. With a hint of curiosity, he inquired, "Qinghe, is this young friend, Xiao Yan, the genius Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master you often mention?"
The atmosphere in the teahouse instantly grew awkward.
Qian Renxue was visibly taken aback, her face momentarily blank. She instinctively turned her head to look at Tang Chuan. "Xiao Yan? Teacher, did you say his name... is Xiao Yan?"
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow, confusion in his tone. "Qinghe, what's wrong? Isn't that the little brother's name? I ran into him a few days ago at Shrek Academy, and he told me his name was Xiao Yan."
Qian Renxue's face immediately darkened. She turned to stare pointedly at Tang Chuan. "Brother Tang Chuan, I didn't realize you had so many names."
Tang Chuan scratched his head awkwardly, an embarrassed look on his face. He chuckled. "Oh, well, when you're traveling, you tend to give yourself different identities." He quickly cupped his hands and bowed to both Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong. "This junior has met School Master Ning and Bone Douluo. My real name is Tang Chuan; Xiao Yan is just an alias I use when I walk the Jianghu."
"Ah, I see. It seems I misunderstood," Ning Fengzhi said, a soft smile returning to his face. "It's understandable for young people to use aliases to conceal their identities while they're out."
Gu Rong, however, snorted coldly, his brow tightly furrowed. "Kid, a name is just a title, but if you make them up casually, people will eventually suspect you. The Spirit Master world is complicated and dangerous; if someone with malicious intentions catches you, it'll only lead to more trouble."
"Thank you, Senior Bone Douluo, for your instruction. I'll remember it," Tang Chuan replied, nodding slightly.
Ning Fengzhi subtly raised his hand, signaling Gu Rong not to say anything further. He then turned back to Qian Renxue, his tone gentle, though a hint of consideration remained. "Qinghe, is this young friend Tang Chuan the person you mentioned earlier—the one co-founding the Academy with you?"
Qian Renxue's expression was calm as she nodded. "Yes, Teacher. Although Brother Tang Chuan is one of the founders of the Academy, he's still too young and needs more experience. The Academy's management in the future will likely fall on my shoulders."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered slightly. He exchanged a knowing glance with Gu Rong.
He gently nodded, his voice now holding a hint of solemnity. "In that case, once the Academy is established, I will send my young daughter there to cultivate and study. Qinghe, you must take good care of her then."
"Of course, Teacher, you can rest assured," Qian Renxue affirmed, her expression composed and certain. "You spoke about Rongrong before, and I certainly won't treat her poorly." She paused, then shifted her gaze slightly, a trace of concern entering her tone. "I just wonder how Sister Rongrong's health has been recently?"
Ning Fengzhi's face softened considerably, and his serious aura slightly faded. He spoke with a relieved smile. "After taking the medicinal ingredients sent by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Rongrong's health has improved quite a bit. Her Divine Qi has recovered, and her complexion has been better these past few days."
However, as he spoke, a cold gleam suddenly flashed in his eyes, and his entire aura dropped, his voice becoming sharp and undisguised. "But this so-called Shrek Academy is simply trash! It can neither protect its students nor does it possess any true Legacy. Such an Academy shouldn't even exist on the continent!"
Just then, Tang Chuan abruptly spoke, breaking the chill in the air. His tone was slightly probing. "Brother Xue, did you bring me here just to meet School Master Ning?"
Qian Renxue's lips curved into a faint smile. "Not entirely. Strictly speaking, your presence was requested by Teacher. After all, Rongrong will be cultivating at your Academy, and my identity is special—I can't be at the Academy all the time. Therefore, the task of looking after Rongrong can only be entrusted to you."
Tang Chuan nodded, his face serious. "Of course. I'll do my best to follow Brother Xue's instructions." With that, he turned back to Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, cupped his fists, and bowed deeply and respectfully. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered, showing a hint of deep thought and consideration. He exchanged a look with Qian Renxue, and they both nodded simultaneously, as if confirming an unspoken agreement.
Immediately after, Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi personally escorted Tang Chuan to the teahouse entrance. Tang Chuan then bid farewell to the three and returned to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Watching Tang Chuan's figure disappear, Ning Fengzhi's smile slowly vanished, replaced by a coldness in the depths of his eyes. He spoke in a low voice. "Qinghe, how did you get involved with that kid? Don't you know his relationship with Dugu Bo is significant? And Dugu Bo is Prince Xue Xing's honored guest!"
At the same time, Gu Rong narrowed his eyes, a flicker of killing intent visible.
Qian Renxue seemed to have anticipated Ning Fengzhi's question. She simply answered indifferently, "Teacher, I'm naturally aware of this. Brother Tang Chuan's talent is exceptional, and even I can't clearly see his future.
If he were any other Spirit Master with only a Blue Silver Grass Spirit, it would be difficult for him to achieve anything, but he is different. At such a young age, his spirit power has already reached Rank 50. I believe that within twenty years, he will certainly become a figure capable of summoning wind and rain across the entire continent."
As her words fell, both Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong simultaneously trembled. Horror showed in their eyes, and even their breathing momentarily hitched.
"What did you say?!" Ning Fengzhi suddenly looked up, his voice extremely low, yet unable to conceal the shock. "You said his spirit power Rank has already reached Rank 50? That... how is that possible?!"
Gu Rong's expression became even more severe and ruthless. He said in a deep voice, "If that's truly the case, then this person absolutely must not be allowed to live! If such a Prodigy were to grow, he would be enough to disrupt the balance of the entire continent. He's currently close to Dugu Bo; if he were to suddenly defect to Prince Xue Xing's side in the future, he would definitely become a major obstacle to your succession to the throne!"
In Gu Rong's opinion, a genius who could not be used by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School must be eliminated as soon as possible.