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*****
Putting away his lovesickness, Tang San then released his martial soul, revealing five soul rings: one yellow, two purple, one black, and one red.
"So, he's a Soul King!"
"Moreover, that red soul ring, is it the legendary hundred-thousand-year soul ring?!"
Ning Fengzhi could sense the energy surging from the red soul ring; that couldn't be a disguise skill. In fact, there shouldn't be any disguise skill capable of elevating a soul ring to the hundred-thousand-year level. So, it was definitely a genuine hundred-thousand-year-level soul ring!
Soul King!
Hundred-thousand-year soul ring!
Was he dreaming?
He had thought that a thousand-year second ring and a ten-thousand-year fourth ring were surprising enough, even shocking. He never expected that his fifth soul ring would directly reach the hundred-thousand-year level...
Was this the weight of a true master of martial soul theory?
Truly beyond ordinary imagination!
Following that, a red and a blue figure, Eight Petal immortal Orchid and infernal delicate Apricot, appeared and sat on Tang San's shoulders, observing Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.
"Who are these two?" Sword Douluo was puzzled.
"They are the two immortal herbs that were sacrificed to give me my fifth soul ring, named Eight Petal immortal Orchid and infernal delicate Apricot. This further proves the existence of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts there," Tang San explained to Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, enhancing his own confidence. "Due to certain reasons, after they were sacrificed to me, they can maintain their human form and manifest themselves with the same strength as when they were soul beasts, except it consumes my soul power."
Tang San briefly introduced Eight Petal immortal Orchid and infernal delicate Apricot to them, also giving them a part of his confidence—look, I have two hundred-thousand-year-level guardians.
Collaboration itself also requires a foundation of strength.
A hundred-thousand-year soul ring and two spirits capable of exerting hundred-thousand-year-level strength were the confidence Tang San showed to the two.
Of course, Eight Petal immortal Orchid and infernal delicate Apricot couldn't exert hundred-thousand-year-level strength, as they weren't skilled in combat.
However, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo didn't know that!
So, they believed it.
Especially Sword Douluo, who could clearly perceive the extreme chill emanating from Eight Petal immortal Orchid's body, perhaps even he would struggle to resist it.
"Tang San, you truly know how to surprise people," Ning Fengzhi finally came to his senses after a while, exclaiming, "The continent will change because of you."
"I'm just good at research," Tang San smiled and said to Ning Fengzhi, "If Uncle Ning really wants the petals of the Scarlet Dragonflower, when Poison Douluo returns, I can talk to him about it. Just hope that Uncle Ning won't use the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to oppress, after all, I can gain Poison Douluo's friendship, even call him Old Poison, and he also shares that herb garden with me, not just for solving his martial soul poison."
"When Uncle Ning sees Poison Douluo again, he'll probably be startled by his strength."
After condensing the soul core, Dugu Bo's soul power quality improved, and his cultivation speed increased. Naturally, every second was precious for improving strength.
As for Dugu Yan...
As the girlfriend of Yu Tianheng, no one bothered her, thus offending both Dugu Bo and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family at the same time.
Ning Fengzhi took out a gold card containing one hundred million gold soul coins, a gratitude for Tang San helping Ning Rongrong's martial soul evolve, then asked, "Little Tang, are you willing to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
"Although I'm very tempted, I can't," Tang San shook his head.
"Why not?"
Ning Fengzhi was puzzled, "If you're worried that joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will affect your freedom, as the clan master, I can guarantee that you won't have any constraints."
"I believe in Uncle Ning's sincerity, but the conflicts between the major powers on the continent have always existed. If I join your clan, I have to consider the interests of the clan both morally and ethically." Tang San gave his reason, "This will limit my thinking. And if I have to join a force, I tend to lean towards the force that represents the people of the entire continent."
"I will join the force that the masses prefer."
Although in terms of bloodline, Tang San himself wasn't a true grassroots.
But in terms of experience, he was born in Shrek Village, grew up under the same sky, ate the food from the same land, drank from the same river.
He was very clear about his own position.
Although he had joined the Tian Dou Royal Academy, he hadn't been ennobled by the Tian Dou Empire. Furthermore, regarding family and sect matters, Haotian Sect expelled Tang Hao, causing him to be disassociated from the sect's hierarchy.
From the perspective of status, before Tang Hao returned to the sect to acknowledge his ancestry, Tang San would always be nothing more than a powerful commoner soul master.
Therefore, in terms of identity, Tang San was still a commoner soul master.
"I'm not as broad-minded as you." Ning Fengzhi sighed, no longer insisting, but he and Tang San confirmed other cooperative projects, such as prioritizing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for any new soul devices invented in the future...
"Why not mention the engagement between Rongrong and Tang San?" After leaving the Tian Dou Royal Academy, Sword Douluo asked, "Didn't we discuss before coming here, that we would arrange an engagement between Tang San and Rongrong? Rongrong has a strong affection for Tang San, but those two girls by Tang San's side seem to be interested in him, and there's also that Huo Wu... this kid is quite a heartthrob."
"Men having multiple wives and concubines is nothing new," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "The reason I didn't bring it up is because from our first interaction, I knew he's a proud man who wouldn't agree to marry into another family."
"Even if he doesn't marry into another family, it shouldn't matter, right? With his abilities and talents, aside from the Martial Soul Hall, no one can touch him. Even now, the Martial Soul Hall would find it difficult to do so." Thinking of that hundred-thousand-year fifth ring and the chilling aura of the Eight Petal immortal Orchid, Sword Douluo felt a chill run down his spine.
With the talent and strength Tang San displayed now, as long as nothing unexpected happens, becoming a Titled Douluo is a sure thing, as easy as a piece of cake. Moreover, his sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth soul rings would probably also be at the hundred-thousand-year level.
That would be five hundred-thousand-year level soul rings! Not counting soul bones, with five hundred-thousand-year level soul rings, Tang San could have at least thirty soul skills.
"That's not all," Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Apart from being proud, he's also a thoughtful person."
"What do you mean?" Sword Douluo was puzzled.
"He's still young," Ning Fengzhi said bluntly, "which means, even with extraordinary beauties like Xiao Wu and Guangling around him, he can still remain faithful."
Sword Douluo was speechless. "What does that signify? Isn't he just thirteen?"
"For hundreds of years, influenced by the Martial Soul Hall, the conflicts between the two great empires have subsided, and there's been more interaction. Also, under the influence of Star Luo, the customs have gradually relaxed. Among ordinary civilians, it's not uncommon for marriages and childbirths to occur between the ages of twelve and fifteen. Soul masters mature earlier, so at thirteen, unless it's deliberately prevented by the family or due to personal character, they generally have an understanding of matters between men and women."
Ning Fengzhi looked at Sword Douluo. "It's just that you, Uncle Sword, focus on cultivation and swordsmanship, not showing much interest in matters of men and women."
Sword Douluo raised an eyebrow. "So, Tang San and I are in similar situations, just immersed in research?"
"No, a person who can create women's clothing like qipao is definitely not disinterested in the opposite sex," Ning Fengzhi's eyes sparkled, "but he stops at appreciation... If he's not dressed as a man, he either respects women more or prefers not to be in the spotlight."
"I think Tang San might be a woman," Sword Douluo guessed, after all, Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor bloodline awakened, and his features were delicate. With a little hair styling, he might actually be able to captivate others.
"Cough! Uncle Sword, I was just giving an example. Tang San is a male, I can assure you of that." Ning Fengzhi chuckled.
"I was just kidding." Sword Douluo found an excuse for his slip of the tongue, then changed the subject, "We've successfully applied for those knowledge patents from the Martial Soul Hall. We'll definitely reap countless benefits in the future, but will this arouse suspicion from the Tian Dou Empire?"
The Tian Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the Martial Soul Hall, these three major powers, all feel that the other two are somewhat troublesome.
Especially the Martial Soul Hall, although they haven't shown any desire to unify the continent, their influence spans across all cities, towns, and villages on the entire continent, making them a force to be reckoned with on a continental level.
Therefore, neither the Tian Dou nor the Star Luo royal families are particularly fond of the Martial Soul Hall.
It's not just the Martial Soul Hall; whenever any power reaches such a significant scale, the rulers of various countries become wary.
By applying for intellectual property rights and patents from the Martial Soul Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has effectively formed a partnership with them, and this exclusive patent ensures stable cooperation between the two parties.
This might make the Tian Dou royal family wary of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Didn't the Tian Dou royal family have any suspicions about our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School before?" Ning Fengzhi countered. "Any ruler wouldn't completely trust their subordinates one hundred percent. If the trust the Tian Dou Empire had in our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School before was eighty percent, now it's seventy percent."
"As long as it's not less than sixty percent, it doesn't matter."
"Besides, Xue Qinghe is my student, and I am his teacher. With this layer of identity, the lacking ten percent can be quickly restored."
For Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's application for patent protection from the Martial Soul Hall amounted to cooperation and mutual benefit.
And for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, it meant putting eggs in different baskets.
More options mean more future prospects.
Although Xue Qinghe is already the crown prince and will likely become the emperor of the Tian Dou Empire in the future, it's possible that accidents might happen.
After all, behind Xue Beng, there's Prince Xue Xing's support, and Dugu Bo is a guest of Prince Xue Xing. If Xue Beng were to change his indolent demeanor, there might be a chance for him to compete with Xue Qinghe.
At least, if Xue Beng ascends to the throne and is beholden to Prince Xue Xing for saving his life, there's a high probability that Dugu Bo will truly become a guest elder or something similar in the Tian Dou Empire, thereby supporting the empire.
However, if Xue Qinghe ascends to the throne, although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School could also support the Tian Dou Empire, fundamentally, Ning Fengzhi is only looking to develop the sect better. Unless it's an unavoidable situation, he wouldn't put everything from the sect into the Tian Dou Empire, and the sect's disciples wouldn't easily obey the Tian Dou Empire's orders.
"Speaking of Xue Qinghe, what kind of person do you think he is?" Sword Douluo frowned slightly. "Although he appears cultured, I always feel like his thoughts are too deep for me to grasp."
"Royal struggles have always been like this; there's nothing to say. He doesn't need to be ruthless. As long as he appears to love the people and respect teachers and morals, it's enough." Ning Fengzhi didn't care about this. "With the bond between him and me as teacher and student, he wouldn't dare to risk everything to deal with me. Moreover, if he truly wants to take that position, he absolutely can't do it without the support of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. It's a mutually beneficial process."
Sword Douluo asked, "Then why didn't you choose Xue Beng as your disciple at the beginning? There are rumors that his indolence is a disguise, actually accumulating strength in secret, just to challenge Xue Qinghe."
"On the Star Luo side, it's all about 'I alone am supreme,' while Tian Dou emphasizes balancing various interests." Ning Fengzhi explained, "Regardless of whether Xue Beng's indolence is true or false, at least the impression he gives to the people of the Tian Dou City is that of a playboy. No one would want a playboy on the throne unless they want chaos in the Tian Dou Empire... Having him as a disciple would bring disrepute to the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"That makes sense. Even if you want to play the tiger, you have to be a fierce one yourself. Xue Beng's impression on people is just too negative." Sword Douluo pondered for a moment. "But, I don't like thinking about these things too much; I'd rather practice swordsmanship, it's more enjoyable."