"Rongrong, you know as sect leader, I must think of the whole sect. I carry that duty."
Ning Rongrong bit her lip lightly. "Dad, do you really want to…"
"Compared to Oscar, Yu Tianchen's qualities are nearly perfect," Ning Fengzhi said.
The auction had ended long ago when Yu Tianchen left. Ning Fengzhi was deep in thought as he spoke to his daughter.
"He doesn't just represent the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex. It's also about the bond between our Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and their clan."
"With the Haotian Sect in hiding, the Spirit Hall's threat grows. Only by uniting our two upper sects can we stand a chance against them."
"What about Oscar?" Ning Rongrong blurted out. "He's been working hard for me for five years!"
"I know," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "He's a genius—the first food-type soul master with full innate soul power in Douluo Continent. But he's still just a food-type soul master."
"Our Seven Treasures Glazed Sect needs someone who stands out. Yu Tianchen is the best choice."
Ning Rongrong stayed quiet for a long time before speaking. "Dad, do you want me to run away from home again?"
"Nonsense! How can you bear the duty of a future sect leader if you act so reckless?" Ning Fengzhi turned to face his daughter, his tone serious.
"Dad, you're willing to sacrifice my happiness. Why can't I fight back?"
Ning Rongrong clenched her fists.
"At worst, I'll find my third brother and take shelter with him."
"You…" Ning Fengzhi shook his head and glanced at the frail old man beside him.
Gu Rong had always stayed by Ning Fengzhi's side. His body wasn't muscular, but his frame was large, like clothes draped over a skeleton. His skin was wrinkled, his eyes sunken, and sparse white hairs hung over his scalp. He looked eerie, like a walking skeleton.
As one of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's two super Douluo, he was a ninety-fifth-level defense-type Titled Douluo.
"Little princess, stop causing trouble," Gu Rong said in a hoarse voice, like dry leaves in the wind. "Your father has given you many chances. If not, he would've brought up marriage with Yu Tianchen earlier."
Ning Rongrong looked puzzled.
Gu Rong's dry face twitched into a faint smile. "Your father's telling you this because he wants you to understand your responsibilities as future sect leader. When problems come, don't just run. Think about how to solve them."
"He means if Yu Tianchen comes to propose one day, give him a chance to talk. If you truly don't want it, your grandfather Jian and I will back you. That old dragon won't force it."
"Really?" Ning Rongrong turned to her father.
"Would I lie?" Ning Fengzhi huffed. "Come on, little witch. Run away again, and I'll ask Yu Tianchen for a marriage alliance with the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex. Then you can wait for him to chase you across the world."
Ning Rongrong blushed and hugged her father. "I knew Daddy's the best."
"As for Oscar…" Ning Fengzhi paused, a hint of regret in his voice. "We'll talk when he returns."
…
Soft, calm lights glowed from Yuexuan's multi-story building. A steady stream of people entered with invitations.
As the Tiandou Empire's etiquette school, Yuexuan only accepted nobles under thirty.
It was where the empire's new generation of nobles trained.
Though Yuexuan itself held little power, no one dared touch it—not even the royal family.
Tonight was the annual graduation ceremony.
Another group of students was graduating, and the guests were their parents and elders—key figures in the Tiandou Empire's capital.
Yu Tianchen attended the ceremony by chance and saw Tang San. He noticed Tang San had perfectly blended his murderous aura with refined manners.
Since punching Tang San in the City of Slaughter, Yu Tianchen hadn't checked if he was alive or dead. He'd been too busy to track Tang San's progress.
But he hadn't expected Tang San to survive that punch.
After throwing it, he regretted it. He feared killing Tang San. If he died, who would handle the poisoning?
Tang San saw him too but stayed calm. Trained by his aunt Tang Yuehua, he was more restrained than in the City of Slaughter. He felt shocked but showed little reaction.
Yu Tianchen didn't react either. He sat in the front row with Xue Qinghe, legs crossed, watching the ceremony quietly.
After it ended, Xue Qinghe and Yu Tianchen briefly greeted Tang San and the others, then left.
Yu Tianchen knew Tang San would leave that night.
So he prepared and returned to Yuexuan alone.
The top floor was Tang Yuehua's private space. No one could enter without her permission.
Yu Tianchen scanned the area, found a quiet spot, and sat cross-legged to meditate. He blended into his surroundings, nearly impossible to detect.
He waited until early morning. When Tang San's aura left Yuexuan, Yu Tianchen opened his eyes and vanished.
Tang Yuehua stood by the open window on the top floor, watching a white figure fade into the distance with a faint smile. "Xiao San, I'll wait for you at the sect."
But a voice suddenly spoke beside her. "I'm afraid you won't wait long."
Before she could react, a strong hand grabbed her, forcing her into the nearest chair.
"Who are you?!" Tang Yuehua cried.
She activated her noble ring martial soul domain, but it shattered instantly.
"Don't move. My domain covers this place. No one will hear you scream."
"Pray to a god if you think it'll help."
When Tang Yuehua saw the man in white with a blue and purple dragon pattern, her face filled with horror.
"Yu Tianchen? From the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex? I have no grudge with your clan!"
Yu Tianchen was polite but had unleashed his Killing God Domain, turning the space blood-red. From outside, it looked normal—a perfect disguise.
He had one goal: to learn the Haotian Sect's location.
Despite years in this world, he only recalled vague details. Specifics like the Haotian Sect's hideout escaped him. He didn't have a perfect memory.
"The Haotian Sect is in hiding, and you're a direct disciple," Yu Tianchen said coldly. "Tell me where they are, and I won't ruin this elegant place, ma'am."
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