"Your Majesty, it's an honor to meet you."
Though the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School weren't deeply connected, they maintained a cooperative relationship. Ning Rongrong had learned some basic noble etiquette for addressing elders.
"So this is Fengzhi's daughter?" Emperor Xue Ye remarked with emotion. "I didn't realize she'd grown so much. If I recall correctly, her name is Ning Rongrong?"
"That's correct, Your Majesty," Ning Fengzhi nodded.
"Have you considered attending the Imperial Academy?" Emperor Xue Ye's scheming mind was practically audible. "Rongrong, you might make many friends there."
"This..." Ning Fengzhi glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him.
"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty," Ning Rongrong spoke up at just the right moment. "My health has never been particularly good, especially after awakening my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul. I'm afraid I must disappoint Your Majesty's kind intentions."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Ning Fengzhi sighed deeply after understanding Ning Rongrong's implication. "Although Rongrong was born with full innate soul power, her physical constitution is extremely weak."
"I see!" Emperor Xue Ye didn't press further. "Might I ask what level her soul power has reached?"
Born with full innate soul power!
It was said that Ning Fengzhi already had plans to make Ning Rongrong the next sect leader.
Of course Emperor Xue Ye wanted to make early investments.
"Level 21," Ning Rongrong replied after a brief silence. "Just a few days ago, I obtained my second soul ring with Father's help."
"Truly exceptional talent." Surprise flashed across Emperor Xue Ye's aged face.
Support-type soul masters inherently progressed slower than ordinary soul masters. Yet she had reached two rings just two years after awakening her martial soul.
"You flatter me too much," Ning Rongrong said. "Only by raising my soul power as quickly as possible can my body gradually recover."
"Indeed," Ning Fengzhi sighed dramatically. "Most of the medicinal herbs we've collected over the years have been used for Rongrong's treatment."
This wasn't entirely false—most of the collected herbs had indeed been used for Ning Rongrong's cultivation.
"Given Rongrong's condition, she truly isn't suited for academy life," Emperor Xue Ye nodded after some thought.
If something were to happen to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's little princess at the Imperial Academy—if she were injured in any way—Ning Fengzhi might come demanding blood.
Though students from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan attended the Imperial Academy, this situation was completely different.
A support-type soul master born with full innate soul power? Emperor Xue Ye had never even heard of such a thing.
In fact, he suspected Ning Fengzhi had staked all his hopes for breaking through the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's limitations entirely on Ning Rongrong.
Regardless of the reason, it was highly unlikely Ning Fengzhi would leave his daughter at the Imperial Academy.
After some further discussion—including arrangements for the apprenticeship ceremony three days later—Ning Fengzhi's group returned to their accommodations.
The Bone Douluo, who had been serving as their bodyguard, looked between Ning Rongrong and Ning Fengzhi before finally blurting out:
"Aren't you two tired of performing this double act for Emperor Xue Ye?"
If you didn't want to stay at the Imperial Academy, couldn't you just refuse directly?
Instead, you had to fabricate this story about your daughter's poor health making extended stays impossible...
Then you redirected the conversation to Dugu Bo, saying you wanted to meet him, spouting nonsense about how medicine and poison are two sides of the same coin...
Good heavens!
The way this father-daughter pair circles around the truth—their hearts are truly black!
"I was just following Rongrong's lead. Don't drag me into this," Ning Fengzhi shrugged shamelessly, claiming he was merely playing along.
Ning Rongrong took over the conversation, explaining after some thought:
"I want Dugu Bo to come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but without a plausible excuse, Emperor Xue Ye might think we're poaching his people."
After all, everyone knew about how she had vomited blood upon awakening her martial soul.
Combined with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's well-known efforts to collect medicinal herbs over the years, wasn't this the perfect cover story?
"You two overthink everything. If I stood there, would Dugu Bo dare refuse? Would Emperor Xue Ye dare refuse with a smile?"
"Grandpa Bone, a melon plucked by force may not be sweet, but there's no need to create friction between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Heaven Dou Empire."
Ning Rongrong felt somewhat helpless about the Bone Douluo's perspective.
"Hmph! It may not be sweet, but it quenches thirst!" the Bone Douluo retorted.
Ning Rongrong: "..."
For a defensive soul master, he somehow feels even more reckless than the Sword Douluo.
Actually, most of what Ning Rongrong said had been intended for Xue Qinghe's ears.
A sickly young master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would at least evoke some sympathy.
Whether it would be effective remained to be seen, but there was no need to make everyone lose face.
"Oh, Father," Ning Rongrong turned to Ning Fengzhi,
"About my cultivation—absolutely don't mention it to Xue Qinghe. Just say my health is poor. You must remember to maintain this front in front of Xue Qinghe."
"Why?" Ning Fengzhi was thoroughly confused.
Throughout their journey, he'd noticed his daughter seemed particularly wary of Xue Qinghe.
After a long silence, Ning Rongrong ultimately didn't reveal the truth to Ning Fengzhi.
Her current priority was growing stronger—reaching the Grandmaster realm, perhaps even the Supreme realm.
Only then might she overcome the support-type soul master's lack of offensive capabilities.
As for matters like Spirit Hall or the Clear Sky Clan... those were secondary concerns.
Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School wasn't in any hurry to pick sides.
Since the apprenticeship ceremony wouldn't occur for another three days, and Ning Rongrong had no desire to accompany Ning Fengzhi on his visits to Emperor Xue Ye...
She decided to explore on her own.
But what was this "Xue Qinghe" doing following her around?
Isn't this your apprenticeship ceremony?
Shouldn't you be busy preparing instead of trailing after someone with nothing to do?
But since he was already here, she couldn't exactly chase him away!
Thus, she ended up wandering aimlessly with Qian Renxue—disguised as Xue Qinghe.
Qian Renxue wanted to recruit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to her side, but forceful methods were out of the question. Having infiltrated for so long, she couldn't afford to ruin everything now.
Truthfully, Ning Rongrong also wanted to understand Qian Renxue better.
As Ning Fengzhi had said—know yourself and know your enemy.
What the original story described was ultimately one-sided.
Like how textbooks tell you "Compassion for the Peasants" teaches people to cherish food, but never mention its author was actually a major corrupt official.
As Ning Rongrong and Xue Qinghe walked through the streets...
Though Ning Rongrong couldn't sense any Title Douluo, she was certain Qian Renxue had hidden protectors nearby.
"By the way, doesn't Your Highness need to assist His Majesty with official business today?" Ning Rongrong broke the silence first.
"Not today." Xue Qinghe had also been pondering what to say to this little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, hoping to learn more about his teacher's daughter.
"His Majesty granted me a day off, so I came to find you, Rongrong."
After a pause, Ning Rongrong changed the subject: "Why did Your Highness choose to apprentice under Father? Why not the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
"I believe the Heaven Dou Imperial Family maintains close ties with them as well?"
"Because Sect Master Ning has a good relationship with His Majesty. Speaking of which, I'm surprised Rongrong would be interested in such matters," Xue Qinghe said curiously.
"Actually, I've always opposed Father taking you as his disciple," Ning Rongrong stated bluntly.
Xue Qinghe froze momentarily, his eyes widening slightly—completely unprepared for this response.
Before he could recover, Ning Rongrong continued:
"Because it's troublesome. I dislike troublesome matters... and I don't particularly like Heaven Dou's nobility either, including Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe: "..."
To openly declare her dislike for Heaven Dou's nobility—and the Crown Prince himself—to his face...
Little girl, aren't you being a bit too bold?
Even with the cooperative relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Empire, such unrestrained speech was unacceptable!