Chapter 160: Meeting Tang San
Ning Rongrong recounted how Xiao Wu had been taken away by the Titan Giant Ape but later returned safely, and how she rescued Tang San from a group of evil soul masters.
"Tell me, isn't that mysterious? Even Dean Flender couldn't handle that evil soul master.
She leaves for a short while and comes back with Tang San safe and sound. I suspect she's backed by some great power, maybe even protected by a Titled Douluo!"
Ning Rongrong's tone carried the dramatic flair of a detective uncovering a secret.
"But there are only a handful of great forces on the continent—how could this lady not know which one Xiao Wu belongs to?" she pondered, clearly frustrated.
Dugu Feng laughed inwardly. Even if you racked your brain all day, you'd never guess she's actually a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
"And the others?"
"There's the team's support-type soul master, Oscar. Believe it or not, he possesses innate full soul power, and his support ability rivals even our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
When he graduates, Father must recruit him into the sect. Otherwise, hmph!"
Her soft snort carried a dangerous tone.
Clearly, if Oscar refused, she wouldn't let him go easily.
She would never allow a potential threat to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to exist unchecked.
Even the Nine Heart Begonia Clan was tolerated only because of their fatal martial spirit flaw—only two could exist in the same generation, making them harmless.
"That's why our sect allows them to live."
She went on, "You already know Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. You even fought Zhu Zhuqing before—she's from the Star Luo royal family and the Zhu clan. Her talent is exceptional.
But the most remarkable one is Tang San.
He has twin martial spirits—I told you that before.
But his greatest strength is in hidden weapons.
Father invested five million gold coins to cooperate with him, purchasing his hidden weapons for the sect.
These tools have greatly increased the safety of our direct-support disciples!
I still don't understand how he learned to craft such weapons at our age."
Ning Rongrong spoke admiringly as she produced a Zhuge Crossbow from her storage tool.
"Try it," she said proudly.
Dugu Feng accepted it, and under her instruction, swiftly set it up.
A series of metallic clicks echoed as the mechanism locked into place.
A sharp "buzz!" resounded in the cavern.
Sixteen black steel bolts shot forward instantaneously, embedding themselves deep into the stone wall, disappearing entirely from sight.
"The more users of the Zhuge Crossbow, the greater its power. If these were equipped to an army or a soul master legion, it would be terrifying!" Ning Rongrong commented thoughtfully.
"Rongrong, these hidden weapons are clearly important to your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Has Uncle Ning ever considered making them himself?" Dugu Feng asked with a smile.
At the mention of manufacturing, Ning Rongrong sighed. "Of course Father tried! But Tang San is too cautious. Every Zhuge Crossbow he makes has dismantling traps.
If someone attempts to take it apart to study its construction, it self-destructs.
Father tried, but every single one exploded.
Still, Grandpa Bone told me Father went to Smith Lou Gao in Gengxin City—the same master craftsman who made the Eight-Treasure Soft Armor.
With our sect's wealth, it's only a matter of time before we reverse-engineer these weapons!"
She was full of confidence.
The exposure of the Clear Sky Sect's strength had changed many things.
Ning Fengzhi's attitude had shifted completely.
Now that he had these weapons, his first thought was control—he could not risk the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect being beholden to anyone, not even the Clear Sky Clan.
Dugu Feng inwardly approved.
"Tang San truly lives up to being Clear Sky Douluo's son—exceptional talent, cautious mind. With him, resistance against the Spirit Hall may have a stronger chance."
He hid his hostility carefully.
If he showed animosity, Ning Rongrong might, even unconsciously, reveal it around the Shrek Six Monsters—and then Tang Hao, watching from the shadows, might notice.
"When the time comes, I'll introduce you to them!" Ning Rongrong said cheerfully.
Dugu Feng nodded. "Of course."
Days passed quickly.
Five days later, at dawn in Heaven Dou City, in front of Blue Tyrant Academy.
Ning Rongrong, wearing a pink dress, stood gracefully beside Dugu Feng.
Hand in hand, they walked through the academy gates.
Following a forested path to the very back of campus, they arrived at the academy's mimic training grounds.
As they approached, the first to notice them was Flender.
"Rongrong, you're finally back! If Bone Douluo hadn't taken you, I'd have thought something terrible happened to you!"
Then he frowned. "Wait… your soul power—"
His eyes widened in disbelief.
He wasn't seeing things, was he?
Heaven help him—Rongrong had been gone only five days! When she left, she was level thirty-five.
Now… she was clearly a Soul Ancestor!
Five levels in five days? Impossible!
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue playfully. "You're not mistaken, Headmaster. I'm level forty now.
My martial spirit underwent a secondary awakening with my father's help. My strength improved dramatically—that's why I was delayed returning.
And beside me is Dugu Feng—you met him before."
She and Dugu Feng had already prepared this explanation.
"Ah, Young Master Dugu—the most gifted youth of Heaven Dou Empire! An honor indeed," Flender said, though his mind still reeled.
A second awakening—such things were the stuff of legend. But he was a man of experience and recovered quickly, turning politely to Dugu Feng.
He folded his hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you again."
Internally, he was impressed. Ning Rongrong and Dugu Feng truly looked like a match made in heaven—young, noble, talented.
Still, he couldn't help sparing three silent seconds of sympathy for poor Oscar.
Dugu Feng gave a slight nod, maintaining calm composure—aloof, as befitted his status.
"Headmaster, please gather everyone. I have something to tell them," Ning Rongrong said confidently.
"They haven't started cultivation yet since you came so early. Come, let's wait by the dorms," Flender replied, leading them ahead.
Only then did Dugu Feng see that the "dormitories" were simple thatched cottages.
As the three arrived, a young man leapt down from one rooftop with agile grace.
It was Tang San—sharp-eyed, wearing close-fitting clothes, movements precise as a cat.
Dugu Feng immediately recognized him.
A flicker of purple glinted in Tang San's eyes—clearly, he'd been training his Purple Demon Eye technique.
Seeing him again, Dugu Feng felt no emotion at all.
Having lost his Eight Spider Lances and the immortal herbs—and after Dugu Feng had drained part of his life force—Tang San's progress must have slowed for months.
Now he was only level thirty-four, eleven levels below Dugu Feng.
He would never guess that the one who had stolen his fortune stood before him now.
And somewhere nearby, Tang Hao was surely watching his son.
Outwardly, Dugu Feng showed nothing but calm indifference.
(END CHAPTER)
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