Chapter Fifty-One: Ning Fengzhi’s Relief

"Here you go!" As soon as Xue Ye asked the question, Qian Renxue immediately replied, "In my humble opinion, how could mere gold and silver ever compare to the worth of these loyal officials who have served the Empire for so many years?"

Whether it was the three Education Commissioners—Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin—or the two Contras dispatched from the Imperial Court’s ranks of honored elders, all had already been drawn to her side by Qian Renxue, using her identity as Xue Qinghe. Since she could not frequently utilize the resources of Spirit Hall while undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire, these confidants were now her most reliable assets. She had to find a way to bring them back safely.

"Well said!" Xue Ye, after all, was an emperor, quick to react. If he now hesitated to spend money to ransom his people, how could he expect anyone to risk their lives for him in the future?

Qian Renxue was eager to uncover the true nature of the Nine Stars Hall and immediately requested, "Father, I am willing to go to the Sunset Forest myself to negotiate with those of the Nine Stars Hall and ransom our people!"

"Absolutely not!" Xue Ye rejected her at once. In his eyes, Xue Qinghe was the carefully groomed heir to the throne; any mishap would be unthinkable. "Now that the Nine Stars Hall has become hostile toward the Empire, how could you, the Crown Prince, take such a risk? If anything were to happen, what would become of the Empire after I am gone?"

"It is precisely because the Nine Stars Hall has turned against the Empire that I must go myself to resolve the conflict!" Qian Renxue replied seriously. "Father, the Nine Stars Hall is shrouded in mystery and wields tremendous power. Just the two Title Douluos with hundred-thousand-year spirit rings would place them among the top forces on the continent. If we do not promptly settle our differences, and if in the future they side with Star Luo, the Empire will be in grave danger!"

"Please rest assured, Father," she continued. "Before I depart, I will first visit the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and ask my Master Ning to accompany me to the Sunset Forest. With Master Ning by my side, there should be no cause for concern!"

"Very well. With Sect Master Ning present, those from the Nine Stars Hall will not dare act too recklessly," Xue Ye finally relented, nodding his agreement.

Once the council dispersed, Qian Renxue immediately left the palace, heading straight for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Nestled amidst mountain ranges, the sect's location was quite typical—most sects preferred such spots, far from the clamor of cities, where they could gather resources from the surrounding peaks and enjoy the natural concealment offered by the landscape. For outsiders unfamiliar with the terrain, finding the place could take some time.

Though Qian Renxue, or rather, Xue Qinghe as others saw her, was nominally Ning Fengzhi’s disciple, everyone understood this was nothing more than a political transaction. Xue Qinghe held little real authority within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and was not even free to come and go. Upon reaching the outer perimeter of the sect, she used a special means of communication given to her by Ning Fengzhi. Only after Ning Fengzhi received her message did he send an elder to escort her inside.

...

Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Council Hall.

At the northern end of the grand hall, facing south, stood a carved rosewood chair, its back inlaid with a large piece of jade. The jade stone was a luminous green, radiating a gentle warmth—it was indeed a rare and precious gem.

Upon the chair sat a man with the refined features of a gentleman: straight nose, square mouth, an air of gentle elegance. His white robes were spotless, his long, smooth black hair flowing down his back. He appeared to be around forty years old. This was none other than Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi had always been unflappable, his composure unwavering even in the face of calamity. Yet after hearing all that Xue Qinghe had to say, his expression shifted several times, his heart gripped by shock and a measure of relief.

Why relief? That harked back to a question Xiao Yu once raised.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had learned from the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan that the Nine Stars Hall possessed soul tools capable of attack or defense, devices that could alter the status of auxiliary spirit masters. Yet, they had never approached the Nine Stars Hall to discuss business.

This was because Ning Fengzhi believed that while soul tools were ingenious, their long-term use would inevitably lead to wear and eventual failure. The sect would then have to spend vast sums constantly replacing them for their disciples. Thus, he reasoned, it would be better to simply acquire the manufacturing method from the Nine Stars Hall and be done with it. In the original story, he even considered obtaining Tang San’s secret for crafting hidden weapons, though he dared not use force, fearing Tang Hao’s backing.

Nonetheless, Ning Fengzhi was a cautious man. Without a clear understanding of the Nine Stars Hall, he would not act recklessly. Instead, he let Yu Yuanzhen take the first risk.

Two unknown Title Douluos, both with ninth spirit rings of a hundred thousand years, the Poison Douluo Dugu Bo—invincible in group battles—and Yang Wudi, the Clan Chief of the Breaking Clan, once a vassal of the Clear Sky Sect, a Contra with attack power rivaling that of a Title Douluo. With these four, the Nine Stars Hall already stood on equal footing with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

After hearing Xue Qinghe’s request, Ning Fengzhi readily agreed: "Rest assured, Qinghe. When you are ready to depart, simply inform me, and Sword Uncle and I will accompany you. Moreover, if funds are an issue, my sect will offer all the support you need!"

Even without Xue Qinghe’s invitation, upon learning of the Nine Stars Hall’s strength, Ning Fengzhi had planned to pay them a visit.

Although the idea of seizing the secret of their soul tools had crossed his mind, nothing had yet been set in motion, and unlike the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, there was no open enmity between them.

In recent years, with the Clear Sky Sect in seclusion, Spirit Hall might seem peaceful on the surface, but had been steadily expanding its influence and reach within the spirit master world. As one of the three upper sects, Ning Fengzhi felt this pressure more and more keenly.

Now, with the rise of a mysterious sect boasting strength equal to the upper three sects, he naturally sought to foster good relations, hoping to one day unite against Spirit Hall.

The master and disciple exchanged the expected formalities; Ning Fengzhi reminded Xue Qinghe not to neglect her cultivation, and she responded dutifully and respectfully.

With the courtesies exchanged, Xue Qinghe took her leave.

Once Xue Qinghe had gone, an elder emerged from the back hall—a man with white hair and beard, yet a face as smooth as a child’s. This was Sword Douluo Chen Xin, one of the sect’s two guardian Douluos, famed as the mightiest attacking Title Douluo, with spirit power at rank ninety-six. Aside from the ancient monsters who served as elders in Spirit Hall, only he and Tang Xiao, the Clear Sky Sect master, had surpassed the bottleneck of rank ninety-five.

"Sword Uncle, with your vast experience, have you ever heard of the Nine Stars Hall?" Ning Fengzhi asked. Though Chen Xin was a generation older than Ning Fengzhi, it did not mean he knew nothing of matters that escaped his younger peer.

Chen Xin shook his head. "I have never heard of such a sect. But if the Crown Prince’s account is not exaggerated, I suspect this Nine Stars Hall is a hidden clan with thousands of years of heritage. Perhaps their current master has grown dissatisfied with seclusion and intends to return to the world."