Ning Fengzhi's face bore a look of puzzlement.
"When did the Spirit Hall have a Titled Douluo in Heaven Dou City?They must've come from Spirit City. That voice just now sounded young—could he be one of Spirit Hall's rising stars?"
Sword Douluo lowered his gaze in thought.
"A young man, protected by a Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall… as far as we know, there's likely only one such person."
Ning Fengzhi came to a realization.
"Scholar Lin Feng.That makes sense. Lin Feng must also be after that strange stone to support his research.Sword Uncle, should we give up on it?"
"We can give up. Lin Feng possesses theoretical knowledge far beyond our reach. He has immense potential.You could say, the hope for future cultivation methods in the soul master world rests on him alone.It's not wise to sour relations over a single stone."
Bone Douluo, lying to the side, snorted coldly.
"Coward. Why think so much? It's just Lin Feng. How could he possibly compare to my Rongrong?That stone holds such massive energy and vitality—it's not just a healing treasure. Carrying it might even boost soul power and mental strength.If we don't buy it for Rongrong now, when will we? Things like this don't come by often."
Ning Fengzhi frowned, lost in thought.
While they discussed, the auction continued.
Tang Yuehua was confused. There was no one beside her capable of sensing Lin Feng's power.The person she had sent to investigate had been told by the auction house that the other party's information could not be disclosed.She grew uncertain—her newly founded Yuexuan couldn't afford to offend powerful figures unknowingly.
"360,000 gold soul coins.""400,000 gold soul coins."
Lin Feng chuckled lightly.
"Madam Yuehua, I'm not short on funds. It'd be best not to waste your money.After all, you wouldn't want Yuexuan or your sect to run out of resources, would you?"
"This..."
What a strange tone—there seemed to be a kind of compelling magic in his words that made one not want to argue.
Ning Fengzhi relaxed his brow and laughed aloud.
"Since this young gentleman is so interested in the stone, then my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will let it go.If you don't mind, you're welcome to visit our sect in the future."
Bone Douluo clicked his tongue but said nothing, instead starting to think about what gift he could give to Ning Rongrong.
Tang Yuehua glanced toward Ning Fengzhi's direction, her gaze flowing.
"Young master, Yuehua was presumptuous. Since you are determined to acquire it, Yuexuan won't compete.After the auction, you are most welcome to visit Yuexuan. There are also some matters I wish to consult you on."
Lin Feng exchanged glances with Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan, then nodded slightly.
"I've long heard of Yuexuan's renown. Since there's an opportunity, I'd be glad to visit sometime soon."
Tang Yuehua was relieved. Since he had agreed, there was room for discussion later.
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow—was that a poach?
The auctioneer, seeing the situation had settled, was inwardly overjoyed.
Even Tang San's Tang Sect only started with 500,000 gold soul coins.To sell a fingernail-sized strange stone at such a price had already exceeded expectations.
With three slow strikes of the gavel, Lin Feng successfully secured the Life Gold.It was quietly delivered from the stage to Lin Feng's private room.
The pale green Life Gold still emitted a rich life aura.Sensing it up close, Qian Renxue and the others were surprised.
"This feeling… Xiaofeng, you—"
Lin Feng nodded.
"The Breath of Life."
A faint white light enveloped the three of them—Lin Feng had activated his soul skill, making the sensation clearer.
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up.
"It's similar—really similar. Xiaofeng, your soul skill and the aura from this stone feel nearly the same."
Lin Feng nodded again, then shook his head.
"Only similar. It's just the extension of fundamental laws.My soul skill and the Life Gold both contain truths close to the Law of Life itself—that's why they feel alike."
"I see."
Lin Feng stored away the Life Gold.The stone was far too small to be used for opening a Sea of Spirit (mental sea)—at least, not for Lin Feng.
The auction ended and guests began to leave.
"Ning Fengzhi is here."
The figure of Chrysanthemum Douluo appeared suddenly and spoke lightly.
Hm?
Knock knock knock.
"Scholar Lin, might you be willing to grant me an audience?"
Ning Fengzhi wasn't about to wait for Lin Feng to come to him—better to catch him before he left.
He wasn't going to sit around like Tang Yuehua and wonder whether she'd get the chance.
"Shall we let them in?" Chrysanthemum Douluo twirled his chrysanthemum flower.
"Go ahead. Xiaoxue, disguise yourself."
"Got it."
The door opened.
He arrived.
Ning Fengzhi stepped in with a warm, spring-breeze smile, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Scholar Lin Feng, it's an honor. I didn't expect the one who proposed the Innate Soul Refinement Path to be so young."
Lin Feng wasn't surprised that the man had guessed his identity. After all, if he weren't some halfwit, it was obvious.He was, after all, the cunning fox from Douluo Continent I.
Although that infamous quote—"He who obtains the Grandmaster obtains the world"—was more laughable than convincing.Yu Xiaogang's theories were only modest at best, and had nothing to do with military strategy.That Ning Fengzhi entrusted him with war planning had always seemed a bit ridiculous.
Lin Feng gestured for the three visitors to take a seat, wearing a professional, perfunctory smile.
"You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. It was just luck."
Ning Fengzhi's heart twinged. Why can't I ever luck my way into a technique like that?
Bone Douluo glanced at Chrysanthemum Douluo behind Lin Feng and sneered.
"Hmph. That damn flower, always fussing with plants."
Chrysanthemum Douluo rolled his eyes.
"My gardening bother you?"
Ning Fengzhi subtly observed the three people beside Lin Feng.His curiosity lingered on Qian Renxue—who exactly was she?
"Sect Master Ning, let's get to the point. What do you need from me?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled.
"Scholar Lin Feng, you really are direct. Then I'll speak plainly.Not long ago, Spirit Hall released the second path of the Innate Soul Refinement Method.I'm curious—how far have you progressed in your research?"
Lin Feng took a sip of tea.
"Well, I'm afraid I can't share that. If Sect Master Ning wants to know early, I must decline.It wouldn't be fair to the public."
Bone Douluo chuckled.
"Kid, we're not here for some unreleased method. We're here for you."
"Oh?"
Ning Fengzhi calmly explained.
"Perhaps those foolish soul masters out there think your breakthrough came just from following those paths.But the truth is, your research goes far beyond that.Accelerated cultivation and minor physical enhancements aren't enough to break the innate soul power limit to Soul Elder at level 30."
His gaze burned with intensity.
The limitations of innate soul power and martial spirits had never been broken before—until Lin Feng.
To Ning Fengzhi, Lin Feng was a walking treasure trove—and possibly the key to evolving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the clan's legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Lin Feng thought to himself, So that's what this is about.
"Sect Master Ning, you want me to study the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
"Exactly."
Chrysanthemum Douluo let out a snicker.
"I heard that after the Clear Sky Sect went into seclusion, the three great sects have been secretly getting cozier.Isn't it a little... ironic that Sect Master Ning is seeking help from Spirit Hall?"
Ning Fengzhi laughed openly.
"The world runs on profit. Even enemies sometimes cooperate behind the scenes.And it's not like we and Spirit Hall are truly enemies yet.Lin Feng, feel free to name your price. I only ask that you give special attention to martial spirit limitations in your research."
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle