"A mere farce."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head as he stood up, his expression calm yet carrying a hint of weariness.
Walking toward Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong, he smiled gently and said, "You two are now officially engaged. Make sure not to waver in your commitment."
The benevolent smile on his face made Qin Jian's body involuntarily stiffen.
"Jian'er, you've reached Rank 20 now. When do you plan to…"
Before Qin Jian could reply, Sword Douluo stepped forward and interjected, sensing the awkwardness in his disciple.
He knew Qin Jian had been doing so much for Ning Rongrong recently because their time together was soon coming to an end. As a teacher, all he could do was think of ways to help his cherished disciple navigate this challenging situation and soothe Ning Fengzhi's concerns.
"Teacher," Qin Jian lowered his voice, "Poison Douluo should deliver what he promised me today. Once I have it, I want to spend some time alone with Rongrong."
"What is it you're planning to give me, Brother Jian?" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but look up and ask curiously.
Qin Jian forced a smile. "You'll find out tonight. After dinner, come find me."
"Oh…"
Ning Rongrong nodded blankly, a touch of confusion in her expression.
As Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong left hand-in-hand, Ning Fengzhi stood frozen in thought.
"Uncle Jian," he said after a moment, "why does Qin Jian seem so burdened lately? Do you know what's going on?"
Sword Douluo hesitated briefly before replying, "Fengzhi, Qin Jian carries something… unique within him. Because of this, he might make decisions that you find difficult to understand."
"But I can assure you," he added firmly, "he would never do anything to betray the sect."
Ning Fengzhi frowned. "What I'm most concerned about right now isn't the sect. It's whether he can bring happiness to Rongrong."
After a long silence, Sword Douluo said, "He will. I trust his character. But the journey to that happiness might not be easy."
"Uncle Jian…"
Ning Fengzhi hesitated, then spoke solemnly, "Uncle Jian, Qin Jian is now Rongrong's fiancé. I want to understand what troubles he carries. Why will his path be fraught with difficulty? If you trust me even a little, I ask you to tell me…"
"This isn't the request of a sect master—it's the plea of a father," he said with heartfelt sincerity.
Sword Douluo sighed deeply. Ning Fengzhi's earnestness left him with no choice but to disclose the truth.
"Sect Master, here's the situation…"
Later that day, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo finally reappeared before Qin Jian.
"Kid, here's the herb you asked for, the Beautiful Silk Tulip."
Qin Jian took the radiant herb from Dugu Bo's hands, but there wasn't the slightest trace of joy on his face.
"What's the matter? After all that effort, you finally got what you wanted. Why the long face?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Qin Jian forced a faint smile. "This is the final gift. Now that the time has come, I can't feel happy anymore."
"You're such a puzzling little brat," Dugu Bo said, arms crossed. "At your age, you should be carefree! When I was your age, I caused so much trouble without a care in the world. What's there to fear? Just do what you want!"
"Thank you, senior," Qin Jian said earnestly. "In three to five years, I'll return to cure you and Dugu Yan of your poison."
Dugu Bo nodded and, after a moment's thought, tossed another herb toward Qin Jian. "Here, take this as well—the Strange Velvet Immortal Orchid. I've already picked it, so it'd be a waste otherwise."
Caught off guard, Qin Jian scrambled to catch the herb.
"Don't carry such a heavy burden, kid," Dugu Bo advised, waving him off. "No matter what you face, you're still young. There's always a chance to start over."
Before Qin Jian could respond, Dugu Bo's figure vanished, leaving behind only a fleeting echo of his presence.
"Titled Douluo are truly elusive…" Qin Jian muttered, shaking his head. Looking down at the Beautiful Silk Tulip in one hand and the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in the other, he chuckled faintly. "I didn't expect an extra gift."
He carefully stored both immortal herbs into his soul tool before heading toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's large simulated training ground.
As he neared the training ground, he spotted Ning Rongrong's petite figure waiting at the entrance.
"Brother Jian! Brother Jian!"
She ran toward him with practiced familiarity, throwing herself into his arms. Qin Jian instinctively caught her soft, delicate form.
"Why did you want to meet here today?" Ning Rongrong asked softly, her breath warm against his ear.
Qin Jian smiled. "I had the elders prepare something special for us here. Tonight, we'll spend the night inside."
"In the simulated training ground?" Ning Rongrong glanced up, her cheeks turning a rosy pink. "Is… is this a date?"
Qin Jian pressed his lips together, hesitating briefly before nodding. "Mm."
Hand in hand, the two entered the training ground. From a distance, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo watched their retreating figures.
"I didn't expect things to come to this…" Ning Fengzhi said, his expression grim. "If Rongrong weren't so attached to him, I'd want to separate them for her own good."
Sword Douluo shook his head. "Sometimes, external forces can't break them apart. On the contrary, it might strengthen their bond."
"Fengzhi, think of this as a trial," he added solemnly. "True happiness is never easily obtained. Their future lies in their own hands."
"Perhaps…" Ning Fengzhi's gaze softened as he stared at the training ground. "If this is destiny, then there's no need for me to interfere. If they aren't meant to be, then this will serve as a valuable lesson for Rongrong."
"After all, I can't protect her forever."
Inside the simulated training ground, Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong walked hand in hand through a breathtaking landscape.
There were towering mountains, winding rivers, lush forests, arid deserts, snowy peaks, and vast oceans—all serene and free of natural disasters.
"Brother Jian," Ning Rongrong said, her eyes shining with nostalgia, "these are all places we've been together. It's just like before, except without the dangers. Even the weather feels much nicer."
Though only a short time had passed, the memories felt distant, almost dreamlike.
Back then, she and Qin Jian were only starting to get to know each other. Now, they were engaged.
"Brother Jian…" She nestled closer to him. "That year's trial was so difficult, but when I think about it now, all I remember are the beautiful moments—the kind you'd treasure forever."
"Rongrong…" Qin Jian hugged her tightly, his heart wrenching with pain.
This… cursed destiny!
"Rongrong," he said softly, "do you remember what I told you to always keep in mind?"
Ning Rongrong looked up and, without hesitation, replied, "Of course I remember! You told me: If there ever comes a day when the present doesn't feel good enough, don't be sad and don't lose hope. It just means it's not the end yet."
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