"I will personally explain matters to His Majesty," Prince Xue Xing declared firmly.
The three deans then turned their gazes toward Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.
"Why are you looking at me?" Dugu Bo's eyelids twitched. Though he didn't fully grasp the situation, he recognized it as another convoluted political affair.
"Yan'er and I know nothing. I was simply visiting my granddaughter."
Thus, all parties tacitly agreed to conclude this potentially explosive incident.
Ning Rongrong departed alongside the three deans, while Prince Xue Xing exhaled deeply in relief.
"Prince Xue Xing, I will no longer involve myself in your affairs. Consider my debt to you repaid."
"Yan'er, let's go."
"Lord Dugu—" Prince Xue Xing attempted to salvage the situation, but Dugu Bo didn't even glance back.
Once everyone had left, Prince Xue Xing sighed helplessly:
"Xue Beng, cease provoking Xue Qinghe. You're no match for him—focus on survival first."
The losses were staggering—a ten-thousand-year soul bone and a Title Douluo's favor squandered in one fell swoop.
Prince Xue Xing understood Dugu Bo's stance perfectly: no entanglement in imperial politics, no allegiance to any faction. Whether Xue Beng's playboy persona was genuine or feigned mattered not to the Poison Douluo.
"Uncle, will Ning Rongrong truly honor her word?"
"Hmph, Xue Beng, do you think someone who became the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's young mistress at such a tender age is some naive fool?" Prince Xue Xing's voice turned icy.
"Though I don't know how she discerned it, she likely identified the soul bone the moment she took the jade case."
"Her performance was for our benefit—a warning against loose tongues."
"So what now...?"
"Lay low. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School won't pledge loyalty to the Crown Prince. They're merchants—they ally only with victors."
"Remember this: should you ever ascend the throne, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will discard Xue Qinghe and flock to your side."
"Ning Fengzhi operates thus, and that Ning Rongrong is no different!"
"I'll handle the aftermath with His Majesty. No more reckless moves from you."
"Emperor Xue Ye has years ahead, and so do we."
...
After bidding farewell to the deans, Ning Rongrong ventured to the secluded back mountains.
Soon, a streak of black light descended nearby—revealing Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo.
Last night, Ning Rongrong had instructed her hidden guards to summon them, prompting an anxious overnight journey.
Learning of her plan to meet the Poison Douluo had robbed both men of sleep. The Bone Douluo had carried Ning Fengzhi across rivers and mountains to reach the academy by dawn.
They'd spent the night perched in trees, vigilantly observing despite Ning Rongrong's assurances. A Title Douluo's whims, especially one as eccentric as Dugu Bo, warranted extreme caution.
From Xue Beng's provocation to Ning Rongrong's masterful resolution, they'd witnessed everything, intervening only when absolutely necessary per her instructions.
Ning Rongrong showed no surprise at their appearance—she valued her life too dearly to take risks.
Meeting Prince Xue Xing and potentially Dugu Bo without backup? Unthinkable.
While danger seemed unlikely, "unlikely" wasn't "impossible."
This wasn't some protagonist's story where life-threatening trials guaranteed breakthroughs. Recklessness got ordinary people killed.
"Father, Grandpa Bone! See what spoils I've brought!"
Retrieving the jade case from her storage spirit tool, Ning Rongrong beamed triumphantly.
"Rongrong, no more dangerous ventures!" Ning Fengzhi fretted. "Focus on cultivation!"
"But this is invaluable—even Grandpa Bone will covet it!"
"Even Elder Gu... Wait." Ning Fengzhi's eyes sharpened. "What's inside?"
With a dramatic flourish, Ning Rongrong opened the case.
"A... a soul bone?!"
"Ten-thousand-year... no, at least thirty-thousand-year!"
Ning Fengzhi stared incredulously. That Prince Xue Xing possessed such a treasure...
"Rongrong, this soul bone is..." The Bone Douluo sensed its profound compatibility.
"Correct—a thirty-thousand-year dark-attribute right leg bone, perfect for Grandpa Bone."
"Its skill enhances corrosion effects, though the age is somewhat low."
She placed the case in the Bone Douluo's hands.
It took Ning Fengzhi minutes to compose himself.
"Let's return. You can absorb it at home."
As Gu Rong's soul power enveloped them in black light for the flight back, the academy deans convened privately.
"Should we file a report?" Zhi Lin asked wearily.
"Unnecessary," Bai Baoshan countered. "Prince Xue Xing handles His Majesty. We'd only dirty ourselves meddling in imperial affairs."
"Then we feign ignorance." Meng Shenji sighed. Though favoring Xue Qinghe, their ultimate loyalty lay with Emperor Xue Ye.
Matters intertwining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and royalty required delicate handling.
"Thankfully Ning Rongrong knows restraint," Zhi Lin mused, ruffling his hair. "The ceremony proceeds unhindered."
"I wonder what apology gift Prince Xue Xing offered."
"Perhaps rare herbs? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School constantly collects them."
"The Crown Prince mentioned they're for Ning Rongrong's health regimen."
Sipping tea, Meng Shenji concluded:
"Imperial affairs aren't our concern. Our duty is educating outstanding soul masters."
"Let the Crown Prince handle the rest."
"Indeed." Bai Baoshan's ample belly shook with mirth.
"His position is unshakable. What storms could Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing possibly stir?"
A debauched prince without factional support challenging Xue Qinghe? Preposterous!
Suddenly—
BANG!
The office doors burst open.
Dugu Bo stood framed in the doorway, emerald eyes blazing, gripping Dugu Yan's hand.
"Tell me—where is Ning Rongrong staying?"
Chapter 22: Ning Rongrong and Dugu Bo (Part 1)
The Bone Douluo sat cross-legged, wisps of pale gray soul power swirling around him.
After a moment, the drifting energy gradually dissipated.
Exhaling deeply, the Bone Douluo rose to his feet.
"That was quite an experience!"
His gaze shifted toward the doorway where Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong stood silently, having refrained from speaking during his absorption process.
"Rongrong, my thanks. The soul bone's skill is exceptional," the Bone Douluo remarked with feeling. "Moreover, I sense the bottleneck at Level 96 beginning to loosen."
"Truly?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened. The Bone Douluo had remained at Level 95 for years—even after Ning Rongrong discovered her talent for identifying medicinal herbs, enabling the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to develop various medicinal baths.
Yet despite years of treatments, while both Title Douluo experienced general improvements, neither showed signs of breakthrough. The Bone Douluo especially had sensed the barrier but failed to breach it.
Could this soul bone elevate both pillars of their sect to Level 96? The thought thrilled Ning Fengzhi.
"The bottleneck has indeed weakened, but breaking through will likely take another year or so," the Bone Douluo cautioned before noticing Ning Rongrong's pensive silence.
"Rongrong, aren't you happy for your Grandpa Bone's progress?"
"Hmm?" Snapping from her thoughts, Ning Rongrong blinked. "Of course I am! Nothing would please me more than seeing you reach Level 96."
"It's just... I have a question that's been bothering me."
"Oh? Do share." The Bone Douluo perked up—Ning Rongrong's inquiries often yielded valuable insights.
"I don't understand—shouldn't your Bone Dragon martial soul align more with spatial and dark attributes? Why choose defensive-type soul rings?"
While the Sword Douluo focused on offense and the Bone Douluo on defense was common knowledge, the latter's attacking capabilities surely weren't weak.
The Bone Douluo exchanged glances with Ning Fengzhi before chuckling.
"Rongrong, unlike Chenxin with his lineage, I was a lone wanderer before joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"Finding compatible soul rings proved extremely difficult."
"Defensive types were relatively easier, but spatial or dark-attribute spirit beasts? You might search through hundreds—even thousands—of same-level creatures without finding one."
"I see..."
Ning Rongrong pondered this. While plant and animal spirit beasts were plentiful, rare-attribute varieties were scarce. Even upon finding one, the resulting soul skill might prove undesirable.
A single spirit beast could possess multiple abilities, yet its soul ring typically inherited just one—unless special circumstances applied.
Not everyone enjoyed Qian Renxue's privilege of having the 99th-ranked Qian Daoliu spoon-feed them perfect soul rings.
For independent soul masters, locating and defeating a remotely suitable spirit beast was challenging enough—luxuries like being picky were unaffordable.
After resolving this query, their discussion turned back to the soul bone until interrupted by knocking.
"Sect Master Ning, His Majesty requests your presence at the palace."
"Understood. I'll depart shortly—you may report back first."
"Thank you for your understanding, Sect Master."
As the messenger's footsteps faded, the Bone Douluo grumbled:
"What does Emperor Xue Ye want now?" Having just acquired a new skill, he'd hoped to test it.
"Likely regarding Xue Beng's incident. Rongrong, your thoughts?" Ning Fengzhi turned to his daughter.
"I'd assume the same," Ning Rongrong replied after consideration.
She couldn't divine the emperor's intentions—nor would she pretend to.
After Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo departed for the palace, Ning Rongrong prepared to cultivate, having neglected proper practice during recent busy days.
Then—
"Is Sect Master Ning or Elder Gu Rong present? Dugu Bo seeks an audience."
Dugu Bo?
Couldn't he wait after reading the letter?
Yet refusing a Title Douluo would be unwise.
Stepping outside, Ning Rongrong encountered the gaunt, jade-green-haired elder with emerald eyes—unmistakably the Poison Douluo—accompanied by his granddaughter Dugu Yan.
The faint green tinge in Dugu Yan's hair confirmed her poisoning.
"An unexpected honor—Poison Douluo and Miss Dugu Yan visiting together."
"To what do we owe this urgent meeting?"
"Young Mistress Ning, is Sect Master Ning available?"
Dugu Bo's tone carried uncharacteristic deference—when seeking aid from the fabulously wealthy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, pride took a backseat.
"Father and Grandpa Bone are with Emperor Xue Ye. You may need to wait."
"Please come in—they shouldn't be long." Ning Rongrong ushered them inside, observing Dugu Bo's tense, hesitant expression.
Retrieving a tea set from her spirit tool, she served both guests before addressing the elephant in the room:
"Has the Poison Douluo come regarding the letter's contents?"
Though penned by Ning Fengzhi, she'd dictated every word of that missive.
"You knew?" Dugu Bo's astonishment was palpable. This girl—a decade younger than his granddaughter—grew more inscrutable by the minute.
"Naturally. I instructed Father's correspondence. How could I remain unaware?"
Sipping her tea leisurely, Ning Rongrong met his gaze squarely.
"You—" Biting back his initial outburst, Dugu Bo mastered himself.
"The toxins afflicting you and your granddaughter are curable by our methods."
Setting down her half-finished cup, Ning Rongrong's clear eyes held his.
"Truly?" Dugu Bo's voice cracked, his frame trembling slightly.
"Grandfather?" Dugu Yan eyed him worriedly. Having secretly read the letter, she understood their predicament—and suspected her parents' deaths stemmed from the same poison.
"Does the Poison Douluo doubt the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's honor?" Ning Rongrong arched a brow.
"My youth may undermine credibility, but as sect heir, I'd hardly jest about matters involving a Title Douluo."
A beat passed before she added casually:
"Speaking of which—have you considered joining our sect?"