Ning Rongrong looked curiously at the strange metal bottle in Jun Yi's hands, before covering her mouth and laughing.
"Jun Yi, you're still using a bottle at your age? Hahaha!"
Jun Yi's face darkened, but he held his patience. "Do you want it or not? If not, I'll just take it back."
Ning Rongrong quickly snatched it from him. "There's no way I'd turn down a gift, even if it's a baby bottle!" She examined the heavy object. "What exactly is this for?"
"You'll understand after taking a sip," Jun Yi said with a slight smirk.
Ning Rongrong hesitated, raising the bottle to her lips but stopping just before taking a drink. "You think you can trick me into making a fool of myself, sucking on a bottle in public? Not a chance!"
Jun Yi was speechless. He had genuinely meant well, yet she thought he was messing with her. "It's not a prank. That bottle is a soul guide. Its purpose is to store and replenish soul power. You just need to charge it in advance."
Ning Rongrong blinked in confusion. "A soul guide? Really? I've never seen anything like this." As the little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, there wasn't much that escaped her knowledge.
Jun Yi shrugged. "Believe me or not, it's up to you. Ignorant girl." He stood up, stretching nonchalantly, as if uninterested in her disbelief.
Ning Rongrong eyed him suspiciously, glancing between him and the bottle. I'll try it later at home. No way I'm doing it here and risking embarrassment.
At that moment, a flash of sword light appeared, and two figures emerged—Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi. The sudden presence of her father made Ning Rongrong drop her guard as she rushed into his arms, where Sword Douluo scooped her up, smiling fondly.
Jun Yi observed the scene and inwardly sighed. She's still just a child at heart.
Jun Yi had an idea. If he could get Ning Fengzhi to notice this soul guide, perhaps the vast resources of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could help him hone his skills in crafting such tools. After all, making these soul guides was expensive—one failed attempt could cost dozens, if not hundreds, of gold soul coins. He certainly didn't have that kind of wealth.
"Dad, Grandpa Jian, are we heading back now?" Ning Rongrong asked, already sensing the tension in the palace from the recent turmoil.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Yes, Rongrong, we're leaving soon. What's the matter? Are you sad to part with Jun Yi?"
Ning Rongrong crossed her arms and huffed. "Not at all! This guy was just trying to trick me into drinking from this bottle."
"Drinking from a bottle?" Ning Fengzhi repeated, confused.
Ning Rongrong waved the metal bottle in her hand. "This one! Jun Yi said it was a soul guide that could replenish soul power with just a sip, but I don't believe him."
"Let me see that," Sword Douluo said, taking the bottle from her. The moment his hand touched it, he could feel the faint but undeniable flow of soul power within. His eyes widened. While it was common to infuse objects with soul power, maintaining and storing it was notoriously difficult.
"Is this... really a soul guide?" Sword Douluo mused aloud.
Ning Fengzhi, who had thought Jun Yi was just playing a prank, now looked at the bottle with newfound interest. "Uncle Jian, what's so special about it?"
"It's exactly as Jun Yi said. This bottle stores soul power."
Ning Fengzhi's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He hadn't expected this child to possess something so valuable.
"Wow! It's real!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed, snatching the bottle back from Sword Douluo. She cradled it excitedly, marveling at its craftsmanship.
Ning Fengzhi's gaze settled on Jun Yi. How had a child of his daughter's age come into possession of such a rare soul guide? There was more to this boy than met the eye.
"Rongrong, you seem quite attached to Jun Yi now," Ning Fengzhi teased with a knowing smile.
"Well... He did give me such a nice gift. I guess I'll miss him a little," Ning Rongrong admitted, her cheeks turning pink as she looked away, avoiding Jun Yi's amused gaze.
Then, Ning Fengzhi said something that took both children by surprise. "How about we bring Jun Yi back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect with us? He can stay with you and train under our guidance."
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. "Really? Can we?"
Jun Yi, on the other hand, was stunned. Stay with Ning Rongrong... in the sect? Is this an adoption?
"H-hold on a minute!" Jun Yi stammered. "Why are we suddenly talking about going to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
Sword Douluo, who had been holding Ning Rongrong, fixed him with a cold stare. "What, do you have something against our sect?"
Jun Yi panicked and immediately started singing the sect's praises. "No, of course not! The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is incredible—one of the top three sects, with two Title Douluos, unmatched strength, and a rich history. Who wouldn't want to join such a powerful sect?"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled at the boy's sudden change in tone. "No need to be so nervous, Xiaoyi. It was actually His Highness Qinghe's suggestion. He thought it would be best for you to train with us for a while."
Jun Yi's mind raced. So Qian Renxue sold me out... Could this be part of her plan to have me infiltrate the sect?
"Uncle Ning, may I go back to my residence and pack my things first?"
"Of course," Ning Fengzhi agreed. He summoned a large blue sword, and soon, the group made their way to Jun Yi's small residence.
Once inside, Jun Yi methodically packed his belongings, carefully placing various forging tools and metals into his soul guide ring. Ning Fengzhi watched from the doorway, intrigued. Could Jun Yi have made that soul guide himself?
About fifteen minutes later, Jun Yi was ready. "I'm all set, Uncle Ning. We can head to the sect now."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded. "Then let's go. It's time to return to the sect."