Everyone was surprised: Su Ming is a control-type spirit master? They had never heard that before. Isn't Su Ming versatile and capable in everything?
Hearing about the Distraction Control Technique, Tang San felt a stir in his heart. This could be very useful for me too!
Yu Xiaogang couldn't believe it. He exclaimed, "Sect Master Ning, are you just going to give away your sect's secret technique like that?"
Ning Fengzhi was unfazed. "Why not? The value of Lingbo Weibu should be clear to you, Master. For us auxiliary spirit masters, it's practically a life-saving divine skill—far more valuable than just running exercises."
Yu Xiaogang: ...
He felt like he had been subtly insulted.
Yu Xiaogang hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi to be so generous. Now, asking Su Ming for Lingbo Weibu would be even harder.
Su Ming, on the other hand, was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi to openly offer such a valuable technique so easily. This kind of magnanimity is indeed rare among the three upper sects!
But Su Ming also understood Ning Fengzhi's intentions. He must have noticed that Rongrong and I are fond of each other. That's probably why he's trying to see if he can recruit me into the sect.
As expected, Ning Fengzhi extended an invitation to Su Ming. "Su Ming, I've heard you and Rongrong have a close relationship, and I can see that your talent and strength are truly extraordinary. I would like to formally invite you to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If you agree, the sect will provide you with all the resources you need."
Even though Ning Fengzhi hadn't personally witnessed Su Ming's power, the aura and presence that Su Ming exuded convinced him that Su Ming was undoubtedly the strongest among the academy students.
Rongrong had mentioned to her father before that Su Ming had said he didn't want to join any sects right now, but because of her...
Ning Fengzhi understood from that alone. Still, he wanted to give it a try. A talent like this is too valuable to let slip away!
Unfortunately, Su Ming's response would disappoint him. After a brief moment of thought, Su Ming replied, "Sect Master Ning, I appreciate your kindness, but I must respectfully decline."
The crowd was shocked. They had all assumed Su Ming would eagerly accept the offer. This was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the three top sects in the world, and one of the wealthiest! If Su Ming joined, he could quickly grow in strength and perhaps even become the youngest Title Douluo on the continent.
Even Yu Xiaogang was taken aback. Despite Su Ming's innate spirit power being only level seven, his rapid improvement defied all expectations. Under normal circumstances, someone with level seven innate spirit power could reach the level of a Spirit Saint or, with dedication, a low-level Spirit Douluo. But Su Ming was clearly an exception—his growth was unnaturally fast.
Yu Xiaogang began to wonder: Could absorbing spirit rings beyond one's level improve one's constitution and overcome innate limitations? He couldn't think of another explanation. Now that Tang San had also absorbed rings beyond his level and gained an external spirit bone, this was something worth observing closely.
Even though Ning Fengzhi had anticipated this outcome, he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
Just as he was about to speak, a deep voice echoed from the distance: "Boy, our sect master kindly invited you to join our sect, and you dared refuse? Do you think that just because of your connection to Rongrong, you can ignore the words of our sect master?"
Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong both internally groaned. Oh no, Bone Uncle (Grandpa) is here! This isn't what we planned!
Sword Douluo Chenxin, standing nearby, was equally exasperated. Gu Rong is too impulsive! At least let Su Ming explain himself first!
Even Chenxin was somewhat displeased by Su Ming's refusal. Su Ming's talent is extraordinary. If he doesn't join us and instead aligns with another sect or even the Spirit Hall, what would happen? If not for Rongrong's connection and Ning Fengzhi's earlier instructions to maintain friendly relations, Chenxin might have acted like Gu Rong as well. At least I'm a bit more composed.
Ning Fengzhi quickly stepped in front of Gu Rong and sighed. "Bone Uncle, didn't I already explain this to you?"
"Fengzhi… but this boy is being too disrespectful!" Gu Rong grumbled.
Gu Rong was genuinely upset. When he first met Su Ming, he thought that an invitation from their sect master would surely secure Su Ming's agreement to join. But now...
Ning Fengzhi turned to Su Ming and said, "Don't mind him, Su Ming. Bone Uncle has a fiery temper, but he means well."
Su Ming, of course, understood. Both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were powerful allies if they accepted you, offering tremendous support.
In the original story, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo sacrificed themselves to save Tang San's body from Bibi Dong's hands. They believed Tang San, having ascended to godhood, was the only one capable of standing against Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.
"Su Ming, could you tell me why? Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will always welcome you with open arms," Ning Fengzhi said.
After a pause, Su Ming replied, "I can, but…"
He glanced at the people around them and said, "Sect Master Ning, may I speak to you in private?"
Ning Fengzhi, after some thought, stepped forward, only to sense that Su Ming had set up a barrier around them. This young man is impressive!
Su Ming smiled and explained, "Don't be alarmed, Sect Master Ning. This is a small mental barrier I've set up to ensure our conversation stays private. The reason I'm about to share is a bit… delicate."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, "There's no need to be so formal. Given your relationship with Rongrong, just call me Uncle Ning."
Su Ming replied, "Alright, Uncle Ning."
"Uncle Ning, I've heard that Rongrong's partner must be a power-type spirit master, correct?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, "Not necessarily power-type. It could be a speed or control-type spirit master as well. The only requirement is that it can't be an auxiliary type, since there needs to be someone who can protect Rongrong."
"In my eyes, you fit the profile of Rongrong's future partner perfectly. Since Rongrong has feelings for you, I wouldn't oppose your relationship. In fact, it's because of your bond with Rongrong and the fact that you taught her Lingbo Weibu that I'm willing to pass on our Distraction Control technique."
"If you and Rongrong do end up together, it wouldn't even be considered an outsider learning our secrets."
"So, why don't you want to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? If you join, your relationship with Rongrong could only grow stronger."
Su Ming certainly couldn't tell Ning Fengzhi that he wanted to join Spirit Hall. That would be the end of any negotiations, and Ning Fengzhi might even break them up.
"The reason," Su Ming began, "is that I don't want to marry into the family. This is a matter of pride and dignity as a man. My goal is that once I am strong enough, I will marry Rongrong in a proper ceremony, with honor. I believe I have the strength to make that happen."