Words combined invoke awe. A fifth-ring Soul King, in his twenties, with a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. These three together signaled that the once-limited sect would truly rise.
Even before, Ning Rongrong kept acting like the heiress. Now, all ambitions ended as Ning Yuan first revealed his martial soul.
Factions that once hesitated now ignored her—she was abandoned.
No force would back her over Ning Yuan.
"No, it's not true..." Rongrong sobbed, clinging to Ning Fengzhi's leg. "Father, tell me it's fake! You have a way to upgrade martial souls—why not help me, your favorite?"
"Shut up!" Ning Fengzhi kicked her away, face cold. "He's the heir. You? Who are you?"
"And another thing," he leaned closer. "Don't call random people 'father' outside. We're not close at all..."
"Let's go!"
The whole sect briskly left.
Leaving only Shrek disoriented.
"Wait, weren't they here to apologize to you? Rongrong, he–" Tang San was frustrated.
He was ready to cut a deal.
At least set the price at 6,000 gold soul coins per set...but they didn't give him a chance.
Soon,
At the main viewing arena.
At the start of the day's events, Ning Fengzhi had a chance to speak.
He smilingly pushed Ning Yuan forward.
"Today, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect officially changes name: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!!!"
"..."
Utter silence, then a roar of excited debate.
Only Shrek looked utterly dejected.
Ning Rongrong wept quietly, then broke down in Oscar's arms...
Su Wen watched in amazement.
Ning Fengzhi's determination surprised him.
Even Emperor Xue Ye stood at the side smiling—happy to lend support. There was no direct conflict between the sect and the empire. He was happy to accept the favor.
Ning Fengzhi stepped back, leaving the spotlight to Ning Yuan. As he greeted Su Wen, he noticed the beautiful woman in white at his side.
A single glance—an earthly beauty.
"This is..." Ning Fengzhi was surprised—he'd thought it was his lost disciple Xue Qinghe, as they looked and acted so alike.
"My name is Qian Renxue, Sect Master Ning. Please just call me Xiao Xue (Little Snow)." She smiled, with no disguise now; with Su Wen nearby, she could be herself.
"That's a truly familiar name." Ning Fengzhi teased, unaware that Xue Qinghe had vanished for months. The palace searched, and Emperor Xue Ye barely kept normality going.
"Uncle Su, I'm hungry!"
Leaving the lounge, Qian Renxue showed her playfulness, clinging to Su Wen's arm.
Drawing stares, even some contempt—
"The world's going downhill!"
But Qian Renxue just smiled, hanging on even closer, pouting. She hadn't been so happy in ages.
Wearing the mask of Xue Qinghe for so long, she'd nearly forgotten who she truly was.
I am Qian Renxue, not...some prince.
Though mature now, and nearly 1.8 meters tall—even taller in heels, she walked beside Su Wen, her grace and beauty attracting every eye, yet she brimmed with a girl's vibrance (she was in her twenties).
…
Hotel
During prime competition time, the Royal team was celebrating. Their perfect record left today's opponent folding early, so they decided to reward themselves.
"Teacher?" Dugu Yan was surprised—especially spotting the white-skirted beauty with him.
Girls always noted appearance, so even Yan felt plain beside her: an angel.
"This is..."
"Qian Renxue," she answered swiftly. "You must be the team trained by Uncle Su. You've performed well. I believe you can beat Spirit Hall and win."
Holding Su Wen's arm, she hesitantly let go to shake hands with a dazed Dugu Yan.
Was this... staking her claim?
Su Wen awkwardly raised an eyebrow.
If this reached ten thousand years later, wouldn't that cause problems with Gu Yuena, or even start a fight?
Hopefully not...
Oslo and Yu Feng noticed this super beauty's closeness to Teacher. Oslo quickly finished his food and nudged the distracted Shi brothers to stand off to the side like background props.
"Ye Lingling."
A black-veiled girl spoke quietly.
"Oh?" Qian Renxue's eyes widened in amusement, then shook hands with both girls.
To her, both were too young. But Su Wen's charm was hard to resist.
"Sorry, my head aches—I'm headed upstairs. You all rest up; Spirit Hall's Golden Generation won't be easy. Don't get complacent..."
She gently led Su Wen upstairs.
The team only exhaled once they left.
"That beauty is so—intense."
"Yeah, only Su Teacher can handle her, right?"
"Lingling, Lingling?"
Dugu Yan waved a fair hand in front of the black-veiled girl.
"Yan-jie," the girl came to.
"Forget it, they're in the same room—what do you think it means." Dugu Yan sighed.
"I have a feeling, she's only a few years older than me, but her strength could crush me. She's definitely not some fragile vase, and..."
"I know, Yan-jie, I'll just focus on training." Ye Lingling said softly.
"Alright, make sure you really think this through." Dugu Yan encouraged.