Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing wandered aimlessly along the high cliff.
The radiant sun at the horizon emitted brilliant sunlight, painting the clouds a golden hue.
Mist filled the air between the cliffs, and time flowed like water as they spent it together. Looking back, they couldn't remember what they had done during that time.
Perhaps, as Zhu Zhuqing had mentioned earlier, they were just wasting time.
But cultivation doesn't always need to be tense. Occasionally stealing half a day of leisure like this can bring immense satisfaction.
As a great philosopher once said, if you find joy in wasting time, then it isn't wasted time.
The sun gradually tilted, casting faintly visible rainbow halos through the slowly moving clouds.
The two of them sat on the grassy edge of the cliff. Zhu Zhuqing curled her left leg, stretching the other one out, showcasing its long, straight, perfect lines, captivating to the heart.
She hugged one knee, resting her head on Su Cheng's shoulder, looking up at the golden clouds in the sky with clear, serene eyes.
The mountain wind swept over, blowing the girl's dark red long hair, then swirling around Su Cheng's neck.
From behind, their figures sometimes intertwined and sometimes separated, appearing as one in a trance.
Su Cheng suddenly turned to look at the girl beside him, lowering his head to touch her smooth forehead, gazing into her moist eyes, and whispered, "Zhuqing, don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Feeling each other's breath, her glistening lips were already close at hand for Su Cheng.
"Mind your own business…"
She retorted with the same stubbornness as always.
But before she spoke, a blush spread across her delicate, fair face.
Her voice also became soft and weak, with a hint of enchanting allure amidst the coolness.
Gone was her previous toughness, and she seemed more like she was being coquettish.
Su Cheng slightly leaned forward.
As he advanced, Zhu Zhuqing instinctively leaned back, her breath becoming rapid, her body trembling slightly.
Then, their lips met, and he naturally embraced her.
Zhu Zhuqing's legs rubbed together restlessly.
Though worried that someone might suddenly appear, despite being able to sense it in advance, the unusual spring-like emotions at the corners of her eyes and brows were hard to conceal.
Yet, a unique excitement she had never felt before surged deep in her heart, as if she were walking on a shaky tightrope over a cliff, a slight shake would send her plummeting into the endless abyss or soaring to heaven.
Unconsciously swaying her upper body, she pressed her full, firm chest against Su Cheng's palm, gently moving, her buttocks constantly twisting, her breath growing even more rapid, her legs trembling weakly.
After a long while, they finally separated.
Su Cheng withdrew his arms, helping her tidy up her disheveled clothes, and carefully tied her waistband.
Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, her gaze slightly dazed, with a hint of mist.
Her rapid breaths exhaled clouds of mist in the cold wind, mixed with a faint fragrance.
"Zhuqing, you've been pushing yourself too hard. There's really no need for that."
"Mm, I understand."
She lay in Su Cheng's arms, appearing exceptionally obedient.
A few days later, the Xur Beng finally stopped visiting the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing were able to sit again in the sect's meeting hall, drinking tea and chatting leisurely with Ning Fengzhi and others.
He didn't ask about the matters of the Heaven Dou Empire, casually discussing some interpretations of cultivation techniques and Ning Rongrong's future cultivation plans. Then he directly said, "Sect Master, you probably have some idea about the main reason I'm here, right?"
"..." Ning Fengzhi paused with his teacup in hand, then sighed with a bitter smile after a moment of silence, "Is it the intention of Spirit Hall?"
"Indeed."
"Can you tell me, what is Spirit Hall's ultimate goal?"
Su Cheng hesitated briefly but then answered frankly, "Unification."
At this point, there was no need to hide it, nor could it be hidden.
Spirit Hall's ambition was obvious, almost everyone among the upper echelons of the continent knew.
The conflicts between the royal families of the two great empires and Spirit Hall were deeply rooted, only lacking a fuse to ignite these conflicts completely.
Sure enough, hearing this, Ning Fengzhi didn't show much surprise, only a bitter expression. He asked in a deep voice, "Does Spirit Hall want to recruit the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? Is there no room for negotiation?"
"Not necessarily." Su Cheng looked at him, shaking his head secretly at his reaction. He understood that Ning Fengzhi's expression and tone were likely mostly playing the sympathy card.
"To be honest, the sect gave me support when I had nothing. I can't forget that. The teacher is like a father to me.
"So, if the Sect Master doesn't wish to cooperate with Spirit Hall, it's fine. As long as you promise to remain neutral and not side with the Heaven Dou Empire, I can mediate and ensure Spirit Hall doesn't overly pressure the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up with joy, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Su Cheng."
Spirit Hall's power was overwhelming, making it difficult for him to resist. This would be the case whether or not Su Cheng had joined them. At least from his perspective, Su Cheng's involvement was only adding icing on the cake for Spirit Hall.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's former allies were the Clear Sky Sect, which had been sealed off for a long time, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, which was weak and ineffective. The Heaven Dou Empire, once a source of reliance, was now extremely lacking in high-level combat power, so he sought a breakthrough point from Su Cheng.
He not only hoped to maintain the sect's independence for a short time but also wanted a promise from Su Cheng.
After all, it would be difficult to stop Spirit Hall's unification.
When he discussed this matter with Chen Xin before, the latter had mentioned that Su Cheng wouldn't pressure the sect and that they should speak frankly.
But without a concrete promise, he couldn't be sure.
In his principles, the sect's interests always came first.
Su Cheng shook his head helplessly, then said seriously, "To be honest, I don't recommend making that choice, Sect Master."
"Oh? Why?" Ning Fengzhi was taken aback.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is ultimately a sect centered around auxiliary-type soul masters. It might be stable under the old order, but times are changing." Su Cheng pointed to the scroll of innate skills on the table.
"If this cultivation method is spread, what do you think will happen? The complete method even includes a part that can help ordinary people without cultivation talent become soul masters."
"What?!" Ning Fengzhi's hand shook, almost dropping his teacup.
Not just him, but Chen Xin and Gu Rong also turned their gazes over, their faces filled with disbelief.
For countless years on the Douluo Continent, the level of innate soul power was a natural barrier, dividing people into different classes from birth.
Those with soul power and those without were like two entirely different species.
But now, someone was telling them that ordinary people could become soul masters. It sounded like a fantasy!
"I'm not deceiving you." Su Cheng said calmly, "Remember when I mentioned that part of the innate skills had significant effects, so I withheld it and didn't announce it?"
"But didn't you say it was a method to enhance the quality of martial spirits and purify bloodlines?" Ning Fengzhi looked confused.
How could he forget?
Originally, when he first heard it, he thought that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would completely transform into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"Indeed." Su Cheng nodded slightly, "Enhancing the quality of martial spirits includes raising them from zero level to level one."
"This... how is this possible…"
"Everyone has a martial spirit, which means everyone possesses a martial spirit bloodline. The difference lies in the quality."
With this one sentence, everyone was enlightened.
Indeed, on this continent, everyone could manifest their martial spirit through the awakening ceremony.
The difference lay in whether they had innate soul power and its level.
Zero-level soul power meant a latent martial spirit, and with a method to purify bloodlines, it could potentially be manifested.
So…
"Would Spirit Hall be willing to promote such a cultivation method?" Ning Fengzhi glanced at the booklet on the table, his voice extremely dry, then turned to Su Cheng, "Would you?"
"Yes." Su Cheng suddenly laughed, "A world with rigid social classes is too dull, lifeless, and uninteresting. It's always the same few people fighting. It's boring."
"Boring… interesting…" Even Chen Xin felt a chill at this moment.
He couldn't understand why his disciple had such a mindset.
"I just want to give everyone a chance to strive and break free from their shackles." Su Cheng said casually, "Of course, I'll also gain some benefits in the process."
"Benefits?"
Su Cheng didn't elaborate but continued, "With this cultivation method in hand, when Spirit Hall unifies the continent, they'll be at the pinnacle in terms of power, morality, and prestige.
"At the same time, countless people will rise from obscurity.
"In this wave of change, if you only want to protect yourself, you'll be left behind."
Seeing Ning Fengzhi remain silent, he continued to persuade, "Sect Master, it's just changing one ruler for another. There's no everlasting power in the world. Even Spirit Hall will decline one day.
"As long as the bloodline martial spirit can be passed on, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda will always be strong. Why cling to the title of one of the top three sects?"
"... I understand." After a long silence, Ning Fengzhi let out a long breath and looked at Su Cheng, "Let Rongrong go with you to Spirit Hall."
Su Cheng was immediately surprised.
Ning Rongrong's whims were one thing, but Ning Fengzhi saying this?
Even though she was young, her identity was extraordinary.
Letting her follow him to Spirit Hall was almost equivalent to openly siding with them.
This was entirely out of character for Ning Fengzhi.
A direct gamble?
Then he glanced at the delighted Ning Rongrong, feeling speechless.
It seemed this girl hadn't paid attention to the key points and only focused on her father's last sentence.
Noticing the strange look in Su Cheng's eyes, Ning Fengzhi said seriously, "Su Cheng, I do have a strong attachment to our ancestors' legacy, but don't underestimate me.
"If I didn't have this level of foresight, I wouldn't be fit to be the Sect Master.
"Your innate skill is far more formidable than I imagined. No, it's terrifying."
He couldn't help but show a trace of fear in his eyes.
As a ruler, he could far better understand the immense impact of such a cultivation method, feeling extremely conflicted.
Even his words and responses were born out of experience and instinct.
In truth, he was still somewhat muddled and hadn't fully thought everything through.
But he knew clearly that this decision was crucial, and seizing the initiative was the right move.
"And you'll be visiting other forces next, right? Having Rongrong with you will bolster your influence."
"... Sect Master, that's not necessary."
After hesitating, Su Cheng still waved off Ning Fengzhi's suggestion.
He was considering the best interests of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School.