Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen continued their conversation, with Yu Tianheng occasionally interjecting a word or two.
Standing beside Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo remained silent, serving as an impassive bodyguard.
The sound of footsteps tap, tap-tap-tap drew their attention.
All three turned toward the entrance.
The Bone Douluo entered the hall with Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan in tow.
The moment Yu Tianheng saw Dugu Yan, his expression froze momentarily before he instinctively spoke:
"Yan "
"Yu Tianheng, please call me Dugu Yan. My grandfather and I are now members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
With that, Dugu Yan stepped forward and bowed slightly to Ning Fengzhi, making it clear she had no ties to Yu Tianheng.
Ning Rongrong was surprised by Dugu Yan's serious demeanor.
There was no need for this Dugu Yan was deliberately drawing a line between herself and Yu Tianheng.
How...
"Miss Dugu Yan, my apologies. I was too presumptuous." Yu Tianheng quickly composed himself.
Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo had joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Maintaining any connection with her might cause complications. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had no intention of provoking conflict between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Poison Douluo.
"Mr. Yu Tianheng, this is our second meeting." Ning Rongrong plopped onto a nearby chair, picking up a fruit from the table and taking a bite.
At her age, even if she acted spoiled, no one would hold it against her. Might as well let them treat her like a child.
"Mr...." Yu Tianheng's lips twitched.
He had just turned twenty did he really look that old?
"Young Mistress Ning, just call me by my name." Yu Tianheng sighed helplessly.
In the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, rumors had spread about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's "Little Demoness" a girl said to be utterly unrestrained.
Perhaps it was due to her innate full soul power, or maybe because Ning Fengzhi spoiled her after her frail health improved.
Whatever the reason, it wasn't his concern.
"Rongrong, come greet Clan Leader Yu properly." Ning Fengzhi chided lightly.
"Ah!" Ning Rongrong feigned realization, hiding the half-eaten apple behind her back as she shuffled over timidly.
"Uncle Yu, I wasn't paying attention earlier. Ning Rongrong apologizes."
Yu Yuanzhen, now inexplicably relegated to "uncle" status, could only suppress his exasperation.
But refuting it would be inappropriate.
"No need, no need. I'm just here to chat with your father and discuss some business."
"By the way, how is Rongrong's health now?" Though Yu Yuanzhen addressed Ning Rongrong, his question was clearly meant for Ning Fengzhi.
"Much better, thanks to His Excellency Dugu." Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly.
"Rongrong's talent far surpasses mine. I have high hopes for her future."
"An innate full soul power Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda soul master... The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may rise even higher."
Yu Yuanzhen's tone carried reluctant admiration.
Though he hardly wished for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's prosperity, surface pleasantries demanded he play the part of a well-wisher.
"I'd be grateful if she doesn't bankrupt the sect." Ning Fengzhi shook his head ruefully.
"What? I train very hard!" Ning Rongrong puffed her cheeks indignantly.
"What level is Rongrong's soul power now?" Yu Yuanzhen asked casually.
"I'm a level 29 Great Soul Master! Pretty impressive, right?" Ning Rongrong beamed, clearly fishing for praise.
"Truly remarkable." Before Yu Yuanzhen could respond, Yu Tianheng spoke up.
Auxiliary soul masters typically progressed slower than battle soul masters. For someone Ning Rongrong's age to approach Soul Elder was extraordinary.
"Tianheng is right." Yu Yuanzhen nodded. "Sect Leader Ning has a worthy successor."
"Don't flatter her too much, or she'll get conceited." Ning Fengzhi chuckled before shifting his gaze to Yu Tianheng.
"Tianheng must be a Soul Ancestor by now?"
"Recently broke through." Pride flickered across Yu Yuanzhen's face.
"Level 42 Battle Soul Ancestor." Yu Tianheng answered.
Ning Rongrong blinked in surprise.
She hadn't paid close attention earlier, but now that she observed Yu Tianheng properly his strength was no joke.
Yu Tianheng was a year older than Dugu Yan, making him twenty. A level 42 power-type Battle Soul Ancestor.
In the original timeline, around this period, Yu Tianheng had been a level 39 Soul Elder one level above Dugu Yan's 38.
Ning Rongrong recalled the match between Shrek Academy and the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, where Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan had fought.
Now, Yu Tianheng was level 42, while Dugu Yan had reached 50.
Butterfly effect?
Had Yu Tianheng thrown himself into training after Dugu Yan rejected him?
"Hmm, not impossible."
After all, romantic entanglements often distracted students from cultivation.
With both now focusing solely on training, surpassing their original timeline counterparts made perfect sense.
"Would Miss Dugu Yan be willing to spar with Tianheng?"
The sudden request snapped Ning Rongrong from her thoughts.
A level 42 challenging a level 50?
Since when were Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan members this bold?
Dugu Yan had been consuming 100,000-year Evil Spirit Orca King's whale glue for over a month.
What chance does Yu Tianheng have?
Moreover, unlike her original counterpart's lack of combat experience, Dugu Yan had pushed herself relentlessly after learning of Qian Renxue's strength.
"Tianheng!" Yu Yuanzhen frowned.
"Four years ago, you said you didn't want ties with me because it hindered your cultivation. Today, I want to verify that claim."
Yu Tianheng's voice was resolute.
He stepped forward and bowed deeply to Ning Fengzhi.
"I will exercise restraint. I humbly request Sect Leader Ning's permission for this friendly match with Dugu Yan."
"This..." Ning Fengzhi's eyelid twitched as he glanced at Yu Yuanzhen. "Clan Leader Yu, your thoughts?"
"Sect Leader Ning, my apologies." Yu Yuanzhen sighed.
"What happened four years ago affected Tianheng deeply. He hasn't moved on."
"I too ask that you permit this spar. The outcome matters little."
"Even as sect leader, I can't force her." Ning Fengzhi smiled wryly.
"Whether to accept rests with Yan Yan. To be frank, she surpasses Tianheng in strength."
Yu Yuanzhen froze, looking between Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng.
"I won't back down." Though surprised, Yu Tianheng's tone remained firm.
Then whoosh all eyes turned to Dugu Yan, who had been quietly observing.
"What are Miss Dugu Yan's thoughts? Regardless of your answer, it won't affect relations between our sects." Yu Yuanzhen said.
He too was curious about Dugu Yan's level. Even a Title Douluo couldn't discern a soul master's exact strength if they concealed it.
"I have no objections."
Seeing neither Ning Fengzhi nor Ning Rongrong object, Dugu Yan met Yu Tianheng's gaze.
"Is this necessary, Yu Tianheng? Are you truly so determined to fight me?"