89 Chapter 89: Engaged?

In the discussion hall of the Seven Treasure Glass Sect, Su Cheng and Ning Rongrong sat quietly on either side of the sofa. Across from them, an elderly man with a withered face was slowly sipping tea - he was Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo.

"You two finally decided to come back for a visit," he remarked as another voice echoed in, accompanied by Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin.

"Sect Master, Teacher."

"Dad, Grandpa Sword."

Ning Fengzhi could understand Su Cheng's behavior, but Ning Rongrong had never shown such politeness at home before. After a quick glance at them, Ning Fengzhi asked, "Xiao Cheng, how has Rongrong been performing in the academy these past few months? Any trouble? How much has your cultivation improved?"

"I'm already at level thirty," Ning Rongrong couldn't resist boasting before Su Cheng had a chance to speak.

Level thirty?!

Not just Ning Fengzhi, even Chen Xin and Gu Rong were astonished. Going from level twenty-four to level thirty in just three months was an unprecedented speed of advancement, even with Ning Rongrong's innate talent as a ninth-level innate soul master.

But seeing Su Cheng remaining silent, they refrained from saying more and waited for Ning Rongrong to continue.

Noticing this, Su Cheng's heart stirred slightly.

Ning Rongrong proudly continued, "If it weren't for the lack of a third soul ring attachment, I might have already reached level thirty-three or thirty-four."

"Rongrong, don't scare Grandpa." Gu Rong, who had been quietly drinking tea, finally spoke up, his eyes shifting towards Su Cheng.

Actually, Su Cheng had been quietly observing everyone's reactions. While his relationship with Gu Rong was average, the latter was usually reserved. Ning Fengzhi, on the other hand, was always friendly, reflecting his personality.

But today, with Ning Rongrong's significant increase in soul power, it was strange that they reacted this way without knowing the specific reasons. However, despite the odd reactions, everyone seemed to have an unusually high level of trust in him.

Internally, Su Cheng found it intriguing. However, he remained composed and continued to listen to Ning Rongrong.

Perceiving the situation, Su Cheng decided to let Ning Rongrong speak further.

"Rongrong, show them," Su Cheng said calmly.

Upon hearing Su Cheng's instruction, Ning Rongrong raised her right hand, and a dazzling array of colorful light began to condense in her palm.

Observing the light forming in his daughter's palm, Ning Fengzhi suddenly felt something amiss but couldn't pinpoint what it was.

Amidst the swirling of two yellow soul rings, a radiant pagoda emerged in Ning Rongrong's right hand, illuminating the hall even more brightly.

Before Ning Fengzhi could scrutinize the pagoda closely, Chen Xin exclaimed, "Nine layers, nine colors, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"

"What?!" Ning Fengzhi was shocked. He finally realized what had seemed odd - Ning Rongrong's release of her martial soul revealed two additional colors, deviating from the usual seven colors.

As the strongest auxiliary martial soul, the secret of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's martial soul was well-known within the sect. It was said that under special circumstances, a martial soul could evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, enhancing the soul master's foundation and providing broader capabilities.

Ning Fengzhi, overcome with excitement, couldn't find the words to express himself. Similarly, Chen Xin and Gu Rong were at a loss for words, staring at Ning Rongrong's palm in disbelief.

Especially Chen Xin, besides excitement, there was an additional strange emotion in his heart, which he suppressed and avoided looking at Su Cheng.

"Rongrong, how did you achieve this?" Ning Fengzhi asked eagerly after regaining his composure.

The light subsided as Ning Rongrong retracted her soul rings and turned to Su Cheng, expressing gratitude in her eyes.

"Let me explain," Su Cheng interjected, noticing the anticipation.

They had guessed this matter was related to him.

"I once read about a rare herb called the Beautiful Silk Tulip in ancient texts. It's a immortal herb that absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, enhancing one's foundation. Rongrong's soul ring evolution is thanks to this herb."

"Beautiful Silk Tulip... Beautiful Silk Tulip..." Ning Fengzhi repeated to himself, filled with awe. "Truly deserving of being called a immortal herb, it can actually help Rongrong upgrade her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, fulfilling the sect's legend."

After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Xiao Cheng, how did you come by such a treasure?"

"Poison Douluo Dugu Bo once made a deal with me. I cured his granddaughter's illness, and he exchanged this rare treasure with me."

Ning Fengzhi and the others understood.

They often interacted with Dugu Bo at the higher levels of the Tian Dou Empire, and they knew that this Poison Douluo had a profound knowledge of herbs, collecting various spiritual and poisonous plants.

But a new doubt arose, "How could he bear to part with such a precious herb?"

"Dugu Bo only knew that this item was precious but didn't understand its true power. He also underestimated its rarity and potency. Even I only gained a deeper understanding of it by chance. Moreover, this immoral herb is not compatible with his attributes. Even if he used it, it wouldn't have had such a significant effect as it did for Rongrong."

"During these days, I often exchanged medical knowledge with Dugu Bo, deepening my understanding of herbal medicine. Although the Beautiful Silk Tulip benefits all types of soul masters, its refined and luxurious characteristics are most compatible with Rongrong's martial soul, providing the least benefit to soul masters with beast martial souls."

After glancing at Ning Fengzhi, Su Cheng continued, "As for immortal herbs like the Beautiful Silk Tulip, it's probably difficult to find another one. Celestial herbs are born from the essence of heaven and earth, making them unique treasures in the world."

"I didn't expect it to have such a significant effect on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul. I only knew it was beneficial and harmless, capable of enhancing Rongrong's constitution and even improving her martial soul's quality."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi nodded in understanding. "No need to say more. Even if I obtained such a herb, I would prioritize giving it to Rongrong. Her talent far exceeds mine, and her ninth-level innate soul power is unparalleled among auxiliary soul masters. She is destined to go further on the path of a soul master than I am."

Su Cheng wasn't sure about the truth of Ning Fengzhi's words, but it likely rang true. As an auxiliary soul master, Ning Fengzhi didn't seem to pursue personal strength too much, focusing more on maximizing the sect's power.

From this perspective, Ning Rongrong was the most suitable candidate.

Indeed, ninth-level innate soul power was rare in the world.

However, even so, Su Cheng couldn't give Ning Fengzhi the authority to decide on the herb's use.

By giving it to Ning Rongrong, he was ingratiating himself with various parties - treating her as a granddaughter for Chen Xin and Gu Rong, showing his dedication to the sect's future to Ning Fengzhi, and ensuring her dependence on him, given her young age and simple nature.

Giving it to Ning Fengzhi would be a different matter entirely, merely a transactional use of the herb for mutual benefit.

However, in truth, the current Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had little use for him other than providing a background for occasional shows of authority.

The cost-effectiveness of these two approaches was entirely different.

Ning Fengzhi, unaware of Su Cheng's calculations, felt grateful and moved by his actions.

To have the opportunity to benefit a Title Douluo like Dugu Bo was rare indeed.

Yet, instead of seeking personal gain, Su Cheng had chosen to give the herb to Ning Rongrong, who was most suited to it.

It seemed he genuinely treated Rongrong as his own family.

"Sect Master, there's one more thing I need to tell you," Su Cheng said, sensing that the time was right.

"Today, when Rongrong and I went to the Sunset Forest to obtain the celestial herb from Dugu Bo, we were ambushed by Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of the Tian Dou Empire."

"Xue Qinghe? How could... Could he really have...?" Ning Fengzhi was astonished.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong were equally surprised.

"Technically, it wasn't him, but a woman disguised as Snow Clear River. We don't know which faction she's from, but she was accompanied by another Title Douluo-level expert."

"Title Douluo? How did you manage to escape?" Despite seeing them unharmed, Ning Fengzhi and the others couldn't help feeling anxious.

"It was Dugu Bo who arrived in time after sensing something was wrong and scared the other two away."

"We must thank the Poison Douluo," Ning Fengzhi nodded, relieved. "However, has Xue Qinghe always been impersonated by someone else? How could no one have discovered any clues all these years?"

As he said this, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed. After all, he once had a mentorship relationship with Xue Qinghe.

"I can't be sure," Su Cheng replied, "but based on her demeanor and way of speaking, she seemed to be the same prince I met at the academy."

"Ah, such complicated matters..." Ning Fengzhi sighed, feeling a sense of unease.

"This is my fault. I didn't anticipate such an event and directly led Rongrong away from Tian Dou City, which exposed us to danger and resulted in Rongrong getting injured."

"Injured?" Ning Fengzhi frowned.

"It's nothing serious," Ning Rongrong interjected hastily. "I was just knocked unconscious by that Title Douluo."

Seeing this, Chen Xin quickly approached the two of them.

After carefully inspecting their conditions with soul power, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"There's indeed nothing wrong."

Everyone finally relaxed.

Seeing the tension dissipate, Su Cheng didn't continue speaking and instead picked up his tea cup, taking a sip.

At this moment, Ning Fengzhi glanced at the two sitting on the sofa and suddenly spoke up, "Xiao Cheng, both you and Rongrong are now teenagers. Why not consider getting engaged in advance and plan for the future?"

"Engaged?" Su Cheng was astonished by Ning Fengzhi's unexpected suggestion.

"You have no blood relation, and your ages are just right. There are many other ways for young men and women to interact, right?"

Ning Fengzhi's face was filled with a smile as he subtly hinted.