Time passed gradually.
By the time the meeting in the Papal Hall concluded, it was already afternoon.
Ye Tian had no idea that Bi Bi Dong was acting out again.
At this point, it was clear they could win simply by biding their time,
yet she still wanted Qian Renxue to carry out some plan to usurp the nation.
Even if he had known, Ye Tian wouldn't have reacted too strongly, as Qian Renxue might not necessarily agree anyway.
With Ye Tian around,
he would absolutely not allow Qian Renxue to waste such precious cultivation time!
————
Under the scorching sun, within Spirit Hall City.
Ning Fengzhi stood on the hotel balcony, leaning on his cane, gazing at the distant Central Divine Mountain with concealed worry in his eyes.
Sword Douluo sat cross-legged on the bed in the room, meditating with his eyes closed.
Bi Bi Dong had told them to let things take their natural course.
And that was exactly what Ning Fengzhi had done. After returning from the Papal Hall, he had stayed in the hotel, having already eaten lunch.
He had even taken a short nap.
Now, it was almost time for them to depart.
Sword Douluo opened his eyes, looking through the window at Ning Fengzhi's back, and asked, "Fengzhi, do we need to continue waiting?"
"There's no need."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head calmly.
The morning ceremony had long since ended. Forces like the Two Great Empires had left Spirit Hall City without even staying for lunch.
If Ye Tian wanted to find them, he would have come by now.
Sword Douluo stood up, smiling as he said, "It seems we're being stood up."
"Not necessarily."
Ning Fengzhi tightened his grip on the cane in his hand, turning to look at Sword Douluo.
"There's still one last chance."
"Oh?"
Sword Douluo raised an eyebrow, quickly understanding Ning Fengzhi's meaning, and chuckled, "It seems you really are anxious, Fengzhi."
"Hah~ It would be false to say I'm not anxious, but I was indeed outplayed."
Ning Fengzhi replied candidly,
a hint of admiration still in his eyes.
"I never thought the one to make you say such words would be a young man."
Sword Douluo sighed with emotion.
"Haha~ I can't deny getting old anymore."
Ning Fengzhi held his cane, pacing into the room as he explained, "The Spirit Hall Saint Child knows of the existence of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, so naturally, he understands how significant it is to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. I should have realized it sooner. He can leave us waiting here precisely because he has pinpointed our weakness... Without special circumstances, he naturally wouldn't take the initiative to visit."
"So, Fengzhi, your intention to leave now is actually to force him to show himself."
"You could say that. What's the harm in taking a gamble?"
Ning Fengzhi admitted, a spark of fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.
"After all these years of research, I've endured. Knowing that the Spirit Hall Saint Child can help me is already an unexpected delight. If this attempt comes to nothing, I wouldn't mind waiting a little longer."
"Hmph!"
Sword Douluo couldn't help but let out a light snort.
"I wonder if you people, scheming all day like this, can even get a good night's sleep?"
"Haha... I'm afraid it's difficult for me now, but the Spirit Hall Saint Child is another matter. Let's go, Uncle Sword. Inform the others; it's time to start our journey back."
Ning Fengzhi laughed helplessly and pushed the door open to leave.
Sword Douluo followed closely behind.
"..."
Soon, the procession of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School appeared on the streets of Spirit Hall City, slowly moving toward the city gates.
At this moment,
every step was an agony for Ning Fengzhi.
The farther they moved from the Central Divine Mountain, the greater the possibility that he would miss the method to evolve his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul!
But he had no choice.
As the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, he could not wait here for days and nights.
They continued until they reached the city gates.
Looking at the empty gates, no different from when they had arrived,
watching the sect disciples negotiate with the Soul Masters guarding the gates,
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"It seems we'll have to wait until next time…"
"Not necessarily."
Suddenly, Sword Douluo's playful voice sounded beside Ning Fengzhi's ear.
"!!!"
A glint of sharpness flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
Just then, the voice of a sect disciple reporting reached his ears: "Sect Master, the gate guard is asking our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School procession to wait a little longer."
Hearing this,
a flicker of excitement appeared in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
He immediately followed Sword Douluo's gaze and
spotted a Red Cardinal walking briskly toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School procession from beside a luxurious carriage at the side of the city gates.
Ning Fengzhi's somewhat gloomy face finally broke into a slight smile. He raised his hand and waved. "Then find a tavern nearby and enjoy yourselves for a while. Sword Uncle and I have other important matters to attend to."
The disciple hesitated briefly but readily accepted the order.
"Yes! I will arrange it immediately."
Just as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School disciple was about to lead the others back, the Red Cardinal finally arrived before Ning Fengzhi and the others.
He bowed respectfully.
"Spirit Hall Red Cardinal Xiao Dading greets Sect Master Ning and Your Excellency!"
Indeed,
the visitor was none other than the Hall Master of the Spirit Awakening Hall, Xiao Dading.
When Ye Tian brought Hu Liena to the foot of the mountain, he had also made a trip to the Spirit Awakening Hall, summoning Xiao Dading and Yang Wushuang along.
They would serve as messengers or to add to the grandeur.
"Fengzhi, it seems your gamble paid off. The Spirit Hall Saint Child has indeed come."
Sword Douluo said with amusement.
It was rare to see Ning Fengzhi at a disadvantage, and witnessing it once in a while was quite pleasing.
Chen Xin believed that if that old bone Gu Rong were here, he would probably be grinning from ear to ear, unable to hide his delight.
Hearing Sword Douluo's words, Xiao Dading reacted swiftly and immediately stated his purpose.
"Your Excellency is absolutely right. My Holy Son is currently in that carriage and wishes to invite Your Excellency and Sect Master Ning to join him for a brief exchange."
"…"
Ning Fengzhi could only force a bitter smile.
Having hunted geese all his life, he was now pecked by a young eaglet. No wonder Sword Uncle found it amusing.
"Then we'll trouble Cardinal Xiao to lead the way."
"Of course! This way, please!"
Xiao Dading smiled, very gentlemanly allowing Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo to go first.
———————
Beside the distant carriage stood a figure as straight as a flagpole. Just by standing there, he exuded an aura capable of destroying everything, with black and white hair and a silver mask covering his face.
This person was naturally the second-in-command of the Po Clan, Yang Wushuang.
At this moment,
seeing the person Ye Tian wished to meet, Yang Wushuang hurriedly reminded him, "Your Highness, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is no easy mark. When making a deal with him, you must keep your wits about you."
"Heh~ You can rest assured about that."
Ye Tian's light laughter drifted out from the carriage.
"As long as I haven't handed over the trump cards in my possession, he wouldn't dare to entertain any crooked thoughts. This meeting is merely to befriend the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"It's good that Your Highness has a sense of propriety."
Yang Wushuang gave a slight nod. Seeing that Ning Fengzhi and the others had already approached within ten meters, he said no more.
The carriage curtain lifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of a delicate pink fox ear.
Inside the carriage,
Hu Liena knelt behind Ye Tian, massaging his shoulders. She leaned in close to his ear and whispered softly, "Senior Brother, they're about to arrive."
As she spoke,
whether intentionally or not, Hu Liena's cherry-pink lips occasionally brushed against Ye Tian's ear.
Ye Tian didn't seem to mind.
Instead, it was Hu Liena herself who became flushed, her heart rate soaring.
"Mhm, then you should come sit beside me. Otherwise, they might misunderstand and think you're some kind of maid of mine."
Ye Tian raised his head, looking at Hu Liena's smiling face so close to his. His nose twitched slightly, catching a faint whiff of her lingering milky scent. His breath brushed against Hu Liena's face, making her even more bashful.
"Mhm, Nana will come right away."
Hu Liena's eyes seemed to well up with moisture as she knelt on the small soft couch. She crawled over to Ye Tian's side, carefully sitting down beside him.
"..."
Ye Tian raised an eyebrow.
He didn't understand why his junior sister was so shy! In the past, she would even ask him to help clean up after using the bathroom.
Perhaps she was at that age where girls change dramatically.
Ye Tian shook his head with a light laugh.
The luxurious carriage had no redundant designs.
Apart from the entrance area,
there were three soft couches arranged around a high-quality rosewood table in the center.
It was more than enough for conversation.
"Sect Master Ning, Your Excellency Chen Xin, the Holy Son is inside the carriage. Please, both of you, come in."
Xiao Dading's voice sounded outside the carriage,
followed shortly by
Sect Master Ning's polite response.
"Thank you, Bishop Xiao."
"..."
With a soft rustle, Xiao Dading lifted the curtain.
Ning Fengzhi stepped into the carriage first, followed by Sword Douluo.
Though the layout was simple, the space was spacious. The two-meter-high cabin allowed one to stand upright.
Ning Fengzhi met Ye Tian's gaze from the left side and smiled.
"The Holy Son has kept me waiting for quite some time."
"Sect Master Ning, you jest. If anything, it is I who has been waiting for you. I've been right here at the city gate waiting for you. Sect Master Ning, Your Excellency Chen Xin, please have a seat!"
Ye Tian wore a warm smile, his words laced with playful banter.
"..."
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but pause slightly.
He hadn't expected Ye Tian to openly mention the fact that he had left him waiting at the hotel.
With a self-mocking expression, Ning Fengzhi sighed in admiration:
"The Holy Son is truly a remarkable person!"
As he spoke,
Ning Fengzhi sat on the right side of the carriage, opposite Ye Tian and his companions. His gaze naturally fell upon Hu Liena beside Ye Tian.
His pupils contracted sharply.
The special Soul Skill he cultivated allowed him to discern Hu Liena's approximate cultivation level.
And this was what shocked him the most!
Ye Tian laughed heartily, unconcerned. "Haha~ You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. For someone as extraordinary as you, of course, extraordinary methods are required."
Sword Douluo sat down beside Ning Fengzhi and, noticing his shocked expression, couldn't help but furrow his brow. He softly called out:
"Fengzhi."
"..."
Ning Fengzhi did not respond.
Sword Douluo's frown deepened even further.
What could it possibly be?
What could make Ning Fengzhi—who would remain unperturbed even if Mount Tai collapsed before his eyes—show such an expression!