Deep in the moon pavilion, Tang Yuehua stood by the water, clothed in white, calmly gazing at the surface's rippling reflection. Suddenly, with no warning, ripples shimmered in the air before her, and three figures materialized, landing just outside the waterside pavilion.
The last glimmer of hope in Tang Yuehua's eyes vanished completely. She knew Ning Fengzhi would come, but she hadn't expected him so soon—and to bring both the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo as well.
"Madam Tang, you have wonderfully refined taste. The scenery of Moon Pavilion Lake is so tranquil and peaceful. Caught up in worldly affairs, it's been a long time since I've enjoyed such leisure."
Ning Fengzhi's voice was gentle, as if he truly came just to enjoy the scenery and visit friends.
Tang Yuehua took a deep breath, bowed gracefully, and replied perfectly, "Sect Master Ning, I'm sorry I could not receive you properly. I've prepared a modest banquet. Please, join us."
"Heh."
Ning Fengzhi chuckled softly, though his smile never reached his eyes.
"Unfortunately, you won't be able to enjoy your treasured banquet today," Ning Fengzhi said, giving Tang Yuehua a calm look.
"You must know why I've come."
Before she could finish her words, Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo, let a cold light flicker in his eyes. Suddenly, a terrifying pressure crashed down on Tang Yuehua. Even without explosive soul power, it was more than enough to suffocate someone like Tang Yuehua, whose soul power was weak—her face paled instantly.
Just as Tang Yuehua's knees threatened to buckle, a tall and imposing figure appeared before her, as if by teleportation.
Tang Xiao, the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, hadn't even unleashed his martial soul, but the vast, overwhelming force circulating in his body formed an invisible barrier that fiercely countered Gu Rong's ancient banyan-like pressure.
The two unseen forces collided in the air, creating a low, resonating sound around the waterside pavilion as unnatural ripples spread across the lake.
Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, took a half step forward, his sharp sword aura stacked atop Gu Rong's strength. Tang Xiao's body quivered slightly, his expression stiffening.
The trio coordinated seamlessly, containing the impact within an extremely narrow space, suppressing their auras and focusing the pressure onto this small pavilion.
For Ning Fengzhi, the scandal of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect being a lackey of the Clear Sky Sect could never become public. And for Tang Xiao, if the Spirit Hall exposed them fully, the consequences would be unimaginable.
A faint trace of emotion finally appeared on always-cold Chen Xin's face. His look toward Tang Xiao became even colder.
"Level 96. Sect Master Tang, you've hidden your strength well. Congratulations."
Level 96! Super Douluo!
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong's eyes both grew dark simultaneously. They had believed Tang Xiao was only Level 95—never expecting him to have already broken through.
"Sect Master Ning, this was an oversight on the part of our Clear Sky Sect," Tang Xiao spoke up first. "Back then, Spirit Hall's influence was growing constantly. Our sect had many elders recently granted noble titles, but their foundations weren't stable. We had no choice."
"There was no other choice?" Ning Fengzhi's gentle smile finally faded, replaced by icy calm.
"Tang Xiao, do you really think I'm such a fool, so easily deceived?"
He stepped forward, light welling up in his hand, and a crystal-clear Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda materialized in the air, floating atop his palm.
In an instant, six dazzling rays shot into Chen Xin and Gu Rong, boosting their already formidable auras. Tang Xiao groaned as the pressure on him doubled, the flagstones beneath his feet cracking under the weight.
Behind him, Tang Yuehua was the first to be affected by the terrifying pressure from Tang Xiao himself—a bright red trickle ran down from the corner of her mouth.
Seeing this, Tang Xiao's eyes sharpened. Stifling his blood and rage, he said lowly,
"Sect Master Ning, at the time, it was a desperate necessity—"
"A necessity you couldn't avoid?" Ning Fengzhi interrupted with a smile, but even that smile was laced with chill.
"What a corner you've backed yourself into! If only, at that time, Sect Master Tang, you'd shown your strength—perhaps you could have persuaded His Majesty Xue Ye to wholly bind the Heaven Dou Empire to our cause.
But now?
My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is mocked, caught in a joke!"
Ning Fengzhi's tone grew sharp. "You claim to fear Spirit Hall, but where did your Clear Sky Sect elders obtain their ninth spirit rings? Did your sect's ancestors raise an army of top-level spirit beasts just for you to hunt?"
Tang Xiao fell silent, his face ashen. Against the facts, any excuses seemed like nothing but flimsy paper.
"Speak, Sect Master Tang." Ning Fengzhi no longer watched his performance, but spoke coldly.
"How will you explain this?"
Tang Xiao could feel murderous intent condensing around him. Even at level 96, with Sword and Bone Douluo powered by Ning Fengzhi's full support, he'd stand no chance—maybe not even be able to flee.
Tang Xiao took a deep breath. He knew empty words were meaningless.
"Sect Master Ning, the top three sects share one heart and fate. Though I have erred this time, with a formidable enemy before us, Clear Sky will stand with Seven Treasure Glazed Tile against outside threats!"
"That phrase again."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes chilled as he laughed coldly. The words, which once drew their interests together, now only disgusted him coming from Tang Xiao's mouth.
Ning Fengzhi said nothing, but his pagoda glowed even brighter.
Chen Xin understood, drawing his sword as a white blade-light, refined to the extreme, slashed straight at Tang Xiao. Where the sword passed, space itself seemed split open—like a thin, dark scar.
Tang Xiao's pupils contracted. He had not expected Ning Fengzhi to be so decisive, ordering Chen Xin to act without hesitation.
If the Clear Sky Hammer were unleashed at full power, it would create huge commotion, completely exposing his identity.
In an instant, the phantom of the Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his hand, his arm muscles swelling as he blocked upwards. He could only emit a low cry.
Simultaneously, Gu Rong pressed both hands downward, a strange spatial fluctuation enveloping the entire pavilion, tightly containing the terrifying surge of energy from the hammer and sword clash.
Ka-lang!
A muffled bang echoed through the narrow space, shaking the whole pavilion by the lake, its beams and pillars creaking under the strain.
Tang Xiao staggered backward three steps, deep footprints marking every spot his feet touched. The phantom hammer shimmered, then faded from existence.
A fresh cut marked his robe from left shoulder to right ribs—a deep sword wound exposing bone, the flesh curling back, blood instantly turning the cloth red.
Tang Xiao, in unbearable pain, cold sweat beading on his brow, stared at Chen Xin in disbelief and terror.
He had always thought the tales of the "Sword-Bone Radiance" were exaggerated, but witnessing their might with Ning Fengzhi's backing, he finally understood how terrifying these two men truly were.
"Brother!"
Tang Yuehua screamed, rushing forward to support him. Seeing the wound on his chest, she felt her heart about to shatter.
Tang Xiao pushed aside his sister's hand, forced himself upright, and looking at Ning Fengzhi's indifferent face, croaked,
"Sect Master Ning, was this sword slash enough to appease your anger?"
Ning Fengzhi said nothing, just stared at him coldly.
Tang Yuehua bit her lip, hurriedly turning toward Ning Fengzhi.
"Sect Master Ning, things have already come to this. There's no point in blaming anyone now. What matters most is figuring out how to handle what's coming next."
"From this list, it seems Spirit Hall and the Body Sect have joined hands. Their ambitions are great. If we keep fighting among ourselves, we'll only harm our people and please our enemies."
Ning Fengzhi's face had grown pale. He only maintained politeness for this reason. The fact that Spirit Hall had worked with the Body Sect to compile the Douluo Heaven Rankings was proof enough of their secret alliance.
Even if he killed Tang Xiao now, just to show loyalty to Spirit Hall, it was too late.
How could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ever compare to the Body Sect? He was bound hand and foot—forced to walk down this hopeless path.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi's silence, Tang Xiao realized his words had struck home. Enduring the pain, he continued,
"Sect Master Ning, the Clear Sky Sect did indeed err in the past, but trust me—the top three sects are truly united. This is not an exaggeration. From now on, when facing strong foes, Clear Sky and Seven Treasure will stand together, never retreating!"
"Ah, 'Same blood, same family!'"
Ning Fengzhi could feel annoyance bubbling up. The elegant phrase that used to signal camaraderie now, from Tang Xiao's mouth, dripped with sarcasm and loathing.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, only cold calculation remained.
"Five."
Tang Xiao was startled. "What?"
"Five soul bones, each of at least ten thousand years. The quality must exceed twenty thousand years, no attribute restrictions. Deliver them to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School within three days." Ning Fengzhi pronounced each word clearly, his tone resolute.
Tang Xiao's face changed suddenly. "Impossible! Sect Master Ning, where is our Clear Sky Sect supposed to get so many ten-thousand-year spirit bones? Our sect has taken huge losses recently—our reserve is already—"
"That's your problem." Ning Fengzhi cut him off with eagle-like eyes.
"It doesn't concern me. Steal them, rob them if you must. In three days, I only expect soul bones.
If you fail…"
He glanced sideways, and both Chen Xin and Gu Rong's eyes locked onto Tang Xiao, murderous aura rising once more.
"…then you'll bear the consequences."
With that, Ning Fengzhi turned his back, no longer looking at the ugliness on Tang Xiao and his sister's faces.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong also withdrew their auras. Just as when they arrived, the air shimmered, the three figures slowly fading until finally they vanished beyond the pavilion by the water.
…
Next Bonus chapter at 300 PS