"Senior Brother~ Your drawing is amazing! So majestic and beautiful!"
What appeared before Hu Liena and the others was an architectural sketch of a building named the Longevity Pavilion. According to the plan, it included a commercial area, auction area, reception area, and atop the highest floor, a private space called Eternal Heaven. With such a layout, its area was undoubtedly substantial.
Without influence, financial resources, or connections, it would indeed be nearly impossible to secure such a large plot of land in the prime real estate of Heaven Dou City and construct such a colossal structure.
Yet Ning Fengzhi still couldn't understand—the Spirit Hall, where Ye Tian belonged, fully met the conditions to build this Longevity Pavilion!
Unable to hold back, Ning Fengzhi inquired, "Holy Son, although this sketch is meticulously detailed, I must still ask: why must you seek out our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?"
"Sect Master Ning, that's an excellent question."
Ye Tian smiled and explained, "Apart from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's already extensive and well-established commercial network, the more important reason is that I need the school's reputation as a publicly visible partner. Does that make sense to you, Sect Master Ning?"
Ye Tian looked earnestly at Ning Fengzhi; he had made himself clear enough.
"Ah!"
Hu Liena suddenly let out a soft exclamation.
Ye Tian couldn't help it—he reached out, grabbed her two fox tails, and pulled her down, making her bottom land back on the cushion.
Her face flushed crimson as she covered the base of her tail, glaring at Ye Tian indignantly.
Ye Tian paid no attention, merely raising his hand to rest on Hu Liena's head, giving it a gentle rub.
Sword Douluo and the others naturally didn't pay it much mind either.
"So that's it!"
Ning Fengzhi stared intently at Ye Tian, once again sensing the terrifying depth of this young man. As an old fox himself, he now understood why Ye Tian chose not to use the readily available Spirit Hall and instead insisted on involving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. The reason, he surmised, was not only to gain leverage over his school but also to manage other forces inherently hostile to the Spirit Hall—a unique approach to strengthening the Spirit Hall's influence.
Admiration once again surfaced in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. Ye Tian's talent, temperament, and methods were undoubtedly top-tier.
"For the Spirit Hall to have a Holy Son like you is truly a stroke of immense fortune! Rest assured, Holy Son, on behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, I accept this task."
"Then I offer my thanks in advance, Sect Master Ning."
Ye Tian expressed his gratitude politely.
"Holy Son, you may simply await good news from our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
Ning Fengzhi was quite confident about this undertaking. Immediately after, however, a trace of difficulty appeared on his face.
"It seems Sect Master Ning is still preoccupied with the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda Martial Soul."
Ye Tian teased with a smile.
"Holy Son sees clearly."
Ning Fengzhi laughed awkwardly.
"Before that, there is one more matter I need to confirm."
As he finished speaking, Ye Tian suddenly coughed twice.
Ning Fengzhi asked curiously, "What matter might that be?"
Leaning forward slightly, Ye Tian inquired somewhat sheepishly, "Well... Sect Master Ning, does your family have any expectant mothers?"
"??!!"
As these words were spoken...
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo both looked at Ye Tian with strange expressions.
Could this kid have some peculiar preferences?
Hu Liena was also full of curiosity.
"Ahem~ Well, Sect Master Ning, don't misunderstand. I didn't mean anything else. I was just asking to understand, and it's fine if you don't answer. I already have my answer."
Ye Tian cleared his throat, waved his hand, and sat up straight.
"I do indeed possess a pill that can evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul."
"!!!"
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's body trembled.
But immediately after, a "but" echoed in his ears.
In life, it's often this single "but" that one fears the most.
"However... the medicine effect may vary depending on individual potential."
Ye Tian looked at Ning Fengzhi with a profound gaze.
Ning Fengzhi frowned, sensing something. Seeing this, Sword Douluo quickly asked:
"What does the Holy Son mean by this?"
"Simply put, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul might not manifest in Sect Master Ning."
Ye Tian stated it plainly.
"?!"
Sword Douluo's brows furrowed.
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed slightly; naturally, he felt a sense of disappointment.
But he was the sect master.
In such matters, he couldn't only consider himself; he had to think for the entire sect.
"It's fine!"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a smile.
"Holy Son, as long as my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can have a Soul Master with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, that will suffice."
"Of course!"
Ye Tian nodded solemnly.
"However, Sect Master Ning, you need not be too disheartened. Aside from the promised Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master, once Sect Master Ning's cultivation reaches its limit, I will naturally help evolve your Martial Soul into an Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi was overjoyed.
Ye Tian continued, "If our future cooperation goes smoothly, once your daughter is born, within ten years, I will ensure she possesses a true Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. Sect Master Ning's Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul might not even be the limit."
"???"
Although Ye Tian's words brought considerable shock to Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, the mention of "your daughter" still left them puzzled.
Sword Douluo directly asked, "Holy Son, we can understand what you're saying. But where does this 'daughter' come from? Fengzhi has many sons so far, but not a single daughter yet."
As he spoke, Sword Douluo suddenly recalled the question Ye Tian had asked earlier.
He quickly turned to look at Ning Fengzhi.
"Could it be..."
"It's Rong'er!"
Ning Fengzhi answered first.
The two exchanged glances, looking at Ye Tian with even greater astonishment.
How did he know it was a girl inside?!
"Seniors, there's no need to look at me like that. If I guessed correctly, just consider it a fortunate coincidence."
Ye Tian smiled slightly, offering no explanation.
"Haha~ Then I'll accept the Holy Son's auspicious words. I hope my Ning family will welcome a little princess!"
Ning Fengzhi didn't dwell on it.
The fact that his Martial Soul could evolve into an Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would gain a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master was already the greatest reward.
"It will."
Ye Tian smiled, then took out several porcelain bottles from his Soul Guidance Device.
Sword Douluo's pupils contracted.
The bottles before them were transparent.
Yet, they were tinted with various colors by the pills inside—dark purple, golden yellow, blood-red, white, and pale yellow.
The most numerous among them were the black-purple and golden-yellow pills, varying in size. The other three transparent small bottles each contained only a single pill, refined by Ye Tian from the corpse of the Explosive Demon Ape King.
"Sect Master Ning, before parting, I would like to propose a trade with you," Ye Tian said, glancing at Hu Liena.
Ning Fengzhi looked at the five types of pills laid out before him, his eyes filled with deep astonishment. These pills were clearly different from the Body Tempering Pills.
"Holy Son, please speak freely."
"These pills before you are the Marrow Cleansing Pill and the Bright Soul Nourishing Pill, products of my First and Second Soul Skills. Their medicinal effects last for an extremely long time. As for their specific effects, I believe Sect Master Ning will understand their potential after consuming one or two."
"?!"
Upon hearing Ye Tian's words, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were filled with curiosity. They were eager to know how the First and Second Soul Skills of a genius Soul Master like Ye Tian differed from those of ordinary Food-type Soul Masters.
Ye Tian did not directly explain the effects of his Soul Skills. Instead, he let Ning Fengzhi discover them on their own later, and proceeded to introduce the other three pills.
"The other three bottles are the Vitality Pill for replenishing qi and blood, the Muscle Enhancement Pill for healing external injuries, and the Bone Regeneration Pill for reconnecting bones and tendons."
"I wish to exchange these pills for your sect's Split Mind Control technique," Ye Tian stated his goal directly.
Split Mind Control!
Beside him, Hu Liena's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she couldn't help but tighten her grip on Ye Tian's arm. Long ago, Ye Tian had told her that with Split Mind Control, the power of her Soul Skills would be further enhanced.
Ning Fengzhi finally pulled his attention away from the five types of pills. He looked at Ye Tian, his gaze gradually shifting to Hu Liena beside him.
"Is the Split Mind Control technique the Holy Son seeks intended for the young lady beside you?"
"Indeed," Ye Tian nodded.
"I believe Sect Master Ning has also realized that with the support of Split Mind Control, Nana will be able to use her Soul Skills with even greater ease."
"That is true," Ning Fengzhi nodded slowly, saying nothing more. He then retrieved a small booklet from behind him, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it toward Ye Tian.
"This is the Split Mind Control cultivation method the Holy Son requires."
"Sect Master Ning is truly straightforward. In that case, I will not stand on ceremony. But rest assured, this manuscript of the Split Mind Control cultivation method will only be viewed and practiced by Nana alone," Ye Tian said with a smile as he took the booklet and placed it in Hu Liena's arms.
"Holy Son, you are too kind. The Split Mind Control technique is not exclusive to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. We have merely inherited it from others," Ning Fengzhi shook his head.
This technique was once widely circulated, but very few forces could make use of it. By now, only a handful of factions, including the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, still practiced it.
Ning Fengzhi raised his hand and stored all six types of pills, including the Body Tempering Pill, into his Soul Guidance Device. As if remembering something, he looked up again and asked, "Holy Son, when I return to Heaven Dou, how should I contact you?"
"That's simple. Just have the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Dugu Family relay the message," Ye Tian replied casually with a smile.
Yet another wave of shock surged in Ning Fengzhi's heart.
"I never expected that stubborn, unyielding fellow would actually be taken under the Holy Son's wing."
Sword Douluo crossed his arms and sighed with emotion.
Ye Tian smiled in response, "This was also a fortunate coincidence. Once the Longevity Pavilion is established, I'm afraid we'll still need the Dugu Family to manage it on our behalf."
"..."