Chapter 230: The Three-Way Alliance
After a brief wait, Qian Renxue arrived.
She ordered her guards to remain outside the forest and entered alone, guided by Flender.
It was a clear gesture of respect toward the Haotian Sect.
"Qinghe, you've already met Feng'er and Xiao San. This is Sect Master Tang, this is the Haotian Douluo, and this is Bai He, Clan Leader of the Min Clan," Ning Fengzhi introduced them one by one.
Qian Renxue greeted Tang Hao, Tang Xiao, and Bai He warmly, exchanging polite courtesies.
Tang Hao was her father's killer, yet Qian Renxue, for the sake of her grand plan to seize the throne, met him with a cordial smile.
"The incidents in the Sunset Forest have already reached my father's ears. The Spirit Hall's open and ruthless elimination of rivals, its suppression of geniuses, has deeply angered him.
Your sect has long been a vital support to the Empire. My father has decided that the Empire will fully back your sect's development. Whether it's hunting spirit beasts or acquiring resources, the Empire will provide all it can!"
Her words carried weight, as if she were willing to go to any lengths for the Haotian Sect.
The offer was indeed generous.
Previously, the Spirit Hall had struck fiercely against nearby Spirit Hunting Forests, forcing Haotian Sect's spirit masters to hunt in secrecy.
With the cooperation of the Heaven Dou Empire, things would become much easier.
Tang Xiao was overjoyed. "Your Highness, your timely support is like a torch in the snow. We are most grateful.
Should the Empire ever need us, the Haotian Sect will do everything in its power to help!"
The Heaven Dou Empire and the Haotian Sect both shared the intention to stand against the Spirit Hall. With Qian Renxue's sincerity, it took little effort for both sides to reach an agreement.
"The Haotian Sect's mountain gate is not far from Heaven Dou City. The three of us should work hand in hand—mutual defense against a common enemy," Ning Fengzhi said with satisfaction.
The Heaven Dou Empire, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Haotian Sect—together, their combined might could not yet match the Spirit Hall's top powerhouses, but they were strong enough to defend themselves.
Qian Renxue and Tang Xiao both smiled, easing the atmosphere considerably.
Dugu Feng, standing beside Ning Rongrong, did not join in the political exchange. As juniors, the two stood respectfully behind Ning Fengzhi.
Given that, both Qian Renxue and Tang Xiao naturally viewed the Dugu Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as a unified faction. After all, they were well aware of Dugu Feng and Ning Rongrong's relationship.
After some time, Qian Renxue, Tang Hao, Tang Xiao, Tang San, Bai He, and Flender all departed.
Dugu Feng knew well what would happen next: Tang San would soon begin training in the secret Haotian Hammer cultivation techniques.
"Grow stronger quickly, Tang San," Dugu Feng thought with a sneer. "Otherwise, even exploiting you won't be worth my time."
Before long, only Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Dugu Feng, and Ning Rongrong remained by the lakeshore.
"Nephew, your strength is improving rapidly!" Ning Fengzhi said casually to Dugu Feng.
The father-in-law grew more and more pleased with what he saw.
His future son-in-law's strength now even surpassed Tang San's.
In fact, Ning Fengzhi felt that even if Tang San, with his twin martial souls, reached the level of Title Douluo, he might still not be a match for his son-in-law.
Dugu Feng always exuded a calm, unfathomable aura—Ning Fengzhi dared not underestimate him.
"I've been in seclusion lately, cultivating diligently without the slightest slack.
By the way, Uncle Ning, Your Lordship," Dugu Feng said, turning toward Sword Douluo,
"In a few days, I'd like to take Rongrong to travel across the continent for experience. What do you think?"
This had been his plan for a while.
Now that he possessed the Overlord Poison and the powerful Jade Dragon Snakes, he had no issues protecting himself.
His strength was already comparable to that of Tang Hao and Tang Xiao during their Spirit Saint–level wanderings across the continent.
"Great! I've grown bored staying in Heaven Dou City. I've long wanted to see the wider world!" Ning Rongrong interjected happily before either elder could reply.
She was practically bursting with excitement.
Traveling the continent together with her beloved—what could be more joyful?
"Oh, and with Dugu Feng protecting me," she added quickly, "Father, there's no need to assign any spirit masters to accompany us!"
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo exchanged helpless looks. Could they really refuse?
"Uncle Ning, Your Lordship, you can rest assured," Dugu Feng said confidently. "With my strength, protecting Rongrong is no problem at all.
Here—allow me to show you something!"
With a motion of his hands, two emerald serpents uncoiled from his wrists and floated gracefully beside him.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were both startled.
When Dugu Feng had fought alongside Ning Rongrong and others during their youth, he had used the Nine-Segment Emeralds.
They had known he kept two pet snakes back then, but now—the power radiating from them was astonishing.
"This is the evolved form of the Nine-Segment Emeralds—the Jade Dragon Snakes. Their lifespan is close to thirty thousand years. They possess mighty innate skills, their bodies are nearly impervious to blades, and they wield deadly poison combined with extreme speed.
With these two Jade Dragon Snakes by my side, no one can harm either me or Rongrong," Dugu Feng said with calm confidence.
"Nephew, you've truly impressed me again," Ning Fengzhi said with delight. "Very well, I approve of this trip.
But the continent is unpredictable these days—be careful."
Though uneasy about his daughter, Ning Fengzhi fully trusted Dugu Feng.
Dugu Feng was steady, cautious, never showing off unnecessarily.
"Thank you, Uncle Ning. I understand," Dugu Feng replied earnestly.
After some final words of advice, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo left Blue Tyrant Academy together.
On the road, Ning Fengzhi remarked with admiration, "The Dugu Family has never produced Jade Dragon Snakes of this level. My guess is that he gained some fortuitous opportunity in the City of Slaughter that allowed his serpents to evolve.
This child is remarkable. Sword Uncle, what do you think of him?"
Sword Douluo was speechless. He's your son-in-law—what do you want me to say?
Clearly Ning Fengzhi just wanted to hear him praised.
"A sixteen-year-old Spirit King—that's unheard of. If he keeps cultivating at this pace, he might surpass even me someday," Sword Douluo admitted truthfully.
"Haha! I thought the same. Rongrong is already close to the Spirit King level herself; she too could one day reach the Title Douluo realm.
Give them another twenty years of protection, and the future will belong to them," Ning Fengzhi said with laughter.
"Fengzhi, don't forget about Tang San," Sword Douluo reminded. "He's a twin martial soul user. When he becomes a Title Douluo, the Haotian Sect will have eight Title Douluos.
Their next generation is also maturing. Their strength is becoming formidable."
Sword Douluo narrowed his eyes slightly, remaining vigilant toward the Haotian Sect.
Ning Fengzhi smiled meaningfully. "Let the Spirit Hall worry about the Haotian Sect. Their war will be one of life and death.
We have no reason to fear their strength—it'll only benefit us."
Sword Douluo paused, momentarily stunned.
"You sly one, Fengzhi. As shrewd as ever. Let's just hope Dugu Feng and Rongrong grow quickly.
At equal levels, Dugu Feng would be far stronger than Dugu Bo.
An Ultimate Poison Douluo like him—the thought alone is terrifying."
He fully understood Ning Fengzhi's intent now.
Allying with the Haotian Sect would maintain balance across the continent and buy time for Ning Rongrong and Dugu Feng's generation to grow.
Even Sword Douluo couldn't help but admire Ning Fengzhi's cunning.
If Dugu Feng had overheard their plans, he'd likely chuckle and think, Your strategy is sound—but with a madwoman like Bibi Dong, nothing will go according to plan.
(END CHAPTER)
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