"Rongrong, come here to daddy," Ning Fengzhi immediately embraced his daughter, holding her close while preparing to send out a signal to alert the guards.
"Daddy?" Ning Rongrong, seeing the sweat on her father's forehead, finally stopped playing around and quietly stared at the door.
"Ning Sect Master, there's no need for such a grand gesture. We mean no harm."
A grand, solemn voice echoed throughout the hall, while outside, everything remained eerily silent.
Ning Fengzhi paused just as he was about to crush the jade talisman in his hand.
"I can't move," Ning Fengzhi's eyes flashed with shock as he looked up.
Seven figures appeared one by one, standing in a line inside the hall.
Each one was surrounded by nine soul rings!
The presence of powerful martial spirits, including the Golden Crocodile King, the Coiling Dragon Staff, and the Six-Winged Angel, filled the room.
Among them were two individuals with hundred-thousand-year soul rings.
In the center stood a figure whose soul rings were particularly eye-catching—eight black and one red.
The golden brilliance from his aura was so intense that it was blinding.
The pressure from the seven individuals filled the room, pressing down on Ning Fengzhi and the others.
"You are…" Ning Fengzhi broke into a cold sweat.
He could tell that none of these seven were weaker than Sword Douluo.
Even without seeing the Six-Winged Angel, the power on display left him guessing only one possibility.
With a grave expression, he spoke: "People of the Spirit Hall!"
"That's correct," Qian Daoliu slightly nodded, dressed in golden robes and standing in the middle of the group.
His golden eyes were fixed on Ning Rongrong, clearly assessing her appearance with some relief. "She doesn't seem like an unattractive girl; Xiao Jue should accept her."
Sword Douluo, who had been on guard with his martial spirit activated, suddenly withdrew his aura and respectfully bowed.
"Junior Chen Xin greets Senior Qian."
"Sword... you?" Bone Douluo looked confused, but after hearing Sword Douluo's address, he felt a chill run down his spine.
If this man wasn't the former Pope, then it could only be the one known as the Strongest in the Sky—Peerless Douluo, Qian Daoliu!
Immediately, Bone Douluo retracted his martial spirit and bowed as well. "Junior Gu Rong greets Senior."
Ning Rongrong blinked in astonishment, staring at her two grandfathers.
She had never imagined this day would come—the day when her Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa weren't invincible.
She was the only one unaffected, able to move freely.
"Haha, I haven't been active in the soul master world for a while, but it seems you still remember me," Qian Daoliu laughed as he withdrew his martial spirit.
The Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others followed suit.
Ning Fengzhi staggered, as if he had just been pulled from water.
"Daddy, are you okay?" Ning Rongrong looked at him with concern, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Daddy is fine," Ning Fengzhi shook his head, though while his body relaxed, his heart remained tense.
With such an overwhelming display of power, it wouldn't surprise him if they were here to destroy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Sword Douluo responded, "Senior's reputation as the strongest in the sky is unshakable. The soul master world has never forgotten you."
"Heh," Qian Daoliu chuckled, a hint of pride on his face. "Perhaps in a few years, the title of the strongest in the sky will belong to someone else."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged glances, both feeling heavy-hearted.
They didn't know what Qian Daoliu's intentions were.
If they were here to cause trouble, even fighting to the death wouldn't guarantee Ning Fengzhi and his daughter's safety.
Ning Fengzhi composed himself.
Today was, without a doubt, the most challenging day since he became the sect master.
He knew that when faced with absolute power, no amount of strategy would matter.
Placing Ning Rongrong in a seat behind him, Ning Fengzhi bowed and said, "It is an honor for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to receive the visit of seven esteemed Douluo. Please forgive me for not properly welcoming you."
Before Ning Fengzhi could finish his words, Qian Daoliu smiled and said, "Sect Master Ning, there's no need for such formality. As I said, we mean no harm. We've come to discuss a matter of mutual interest."
Ning Fengzhi's heart sank.
Despite their claims, the way they arrived—brandishing their martial spirits—did not seem like they were here with good intentions.
Still, he felt a slight relief knowing there was room for negotiation.
Ning Fengzhi quickly bowed again and gestured. "If Your Eminence have something to discuss with me, please, let us move to the rear hall."
"That's fine," Qian Daoliu responded calmly.
With such an overwhelming advantage, if he couldn't secure an agreement, it would be embarrassing.
Ning Fengzhi handed Ning Rongrong to Bone Douluo before leading Sword Douluo into the rear hall.
Qian Daoliu and the others followed suit, taking their seats in order.
Bone Douluo soon returned to the hall, standing with Sword Douluo on either side of Ning Fengzhi.
When Bone Douluo entered, he exchanged a glance with Ning Fengzhi and gave a slight nod, signaling that he had likely made arrangements for the sect's survival if needed.
This, of course, didn't escape Qian Daoliu's notice.
It was precisely the reaction he hoped for, ensuring that Ning Fengzhi took the discussion seriously.
Qian Daoliu wasted no time. "Sect Master Ning, I'll speak plainly. We're here to establish friendly relations between our two sects."
"Friendly relations?" Ning Fengzhi frowned, his expression troubled.
Given the disparity in power, it was hard not to think that Qian Daoliu intended to turn the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan into a subordinate of the Spirit Hall.
Yet, with no real power to refuse, Ning Fengzhi could only ask cautiously, "Could you clarify what you mean by 'friendly relations'?"
"It's quite simple," Qian Daoliu smiled, his golden eyes gleaming. "To solidify our bond, the most effective way is through a marriage alliance."
"Marriage alliance?!" Ning Fengzhi's voice was filled with shock as his mind buzzed.
Both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo immediately thought of Ning Rongrong.
They had arrived just as Rongrong had recently awakened her martial spirit. If this wasn't premeditated, the timing was far too coincidental.
Ning Fengzhi realized the same, and with difficulty, he asked, "May I ask who the Spirit Hall wishes to marry into our sect?"
"Heh, naturally it would be our Holy Son, Qian Renjue!" Lightwing Douluo replied with a laugh.
As expected!
Ning Fengzhi's face became even more bitter.
He had only one daughter, Ning Rongrong, and it was obvious who they intended to propose.
Sword Douluo clenched his fists, and Bone Douluo's expression darkened.
Their beloved little girl, whom they hadn't even spent much time with yet, was already being coveted.
The atmosphere became heavy with silence.
Ning Fengzhi bowed his head, struggling with the decision.
On one hand was his daughter, and on the other, the fate of the sect.
"Fengzhi, you are the sect master," Sword Douluo whispered through a secret transmission. "No matter what decision you make, we will support you."
Qian Daoliu, sensing the hesitation, added, "Sect Master Ning, we come with sincere intentions."
He knew that under these circumstances, Ning Fengzhi had little choice but to agree.
However, forcing him too much might leave room for future resentment.
Thus, he raised his hand, and a jade box floated out.
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New entry: This Danzo Is Weird
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