Finally, Marco stopped tapping his fingers. He looked up at Ning Fengzhi, his gaze calm yet resolute. "I am deeply grateful for Sect Leader Ning's great favor and regard. The Li Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School bear no past grievances nor recent conflicts, so we can naturally be friends."
Just as a hint of joy flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, Marco's tone shifted, becoming steady and measured. "However, matters of alliance concern the family's future and involve significant implications. This is not a decision I can make alone—it requires my father's final approval. As a junior with limited experience, I dare not presume to decide unilaterally."
His words were impeccably crafted, neither directly refusing nor agreeing, instead shifting the decision-making authority to his father Li Zhaoyan while leaving himself ample room for maneuver.
Ning Fengzhi, being no ordinary person, immediately recognized Marco's indirect refusal. Though disappointment flickered in his eyes, his smile remained unchanged. "Young friend speaks wisely. I have been presumptuous. Matters of alliance indeed require careful deliberation and discussion with the Godly Spear."
Marco nodded and continued, "As for the Soul Bone transaction... Sect Leader Ning's sincerity is evident. It would be hypocritical of me to decline further. This Crabapple Flower Soul Bone is crucial for Lingling, and I do indeed need it."
Ning Fengzhi's expression eased slightly. As long as the transaction could be completed, their relationship could be cultivated gradually.
However, Marco's next words made both Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong visibly moved once more. "But fairness is essential in transactions. I, Marco, dislike owing favors. This Ten Thousand Year Skull Soul Bone is indeed insufficient to equivalently exchange for your Seventy Thousand Year Crabapple Flower Soul Bone. Moreover, it includes Sect Leader Ning's 'goodwill'."
As he spoke, under the slightly puzzled yet expectant gazes of Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, Marco took out another item. It was a slightly larger jade box. When opened, a peculiar plant was revealed before everyone. The object was entirely deep purple in color, shaped like a reishi mushroom but bearing nine plump, rounded leaves. Each leaf was naturally inscribed with mysterious silver patterns, emitting an indescribable, strange fluctuation that seemed capable of cleansing the soul and rebuilding foundations. Purple light shimmered, and an exotic fragrance filled the air, making one's Soul Power feel subtly active and their spirit refreshed upon smelling it.
"What is this...?" Ning Fengzhi's gaze sharpened. Despite his extensive knowledge, he couldn't immediately identify this object, yet he instinctively felt it was extraordinary. Bone Douluo Gu Rong also narrowed his eyes.
"This is the 'Nine Petal Purple Reishi'," Marco introduced calmly, his voice carrying undeniable authority. "It is not a Soul Bone, but a heaven-and-earth blessed Immortal Reishi. Its effects lie in cleansing the marrow and nourishing the soul's origin. It can help break through long-standing Soul Power bottlenecks and can optimize the essence of one's Martial Soul, enhancing subsequent cultivation efficiency. Its effects are particularly significant for Soul Masters with innate defects or special mutated Martial Souls, potentially offering the miraculous effect of mending foundations and undergoing rebirth."
He deliberately paused, his gaze sweeping over Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong as he meaningfully added, "As far as I know, although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul is the world's top auxiliary Item Martial Soul, its Soul Power level seems to have certain limitations? This object might offer a thread of opportunity."
"What?!"
Before Marco had even finished speaking, Ning Fengzhi could no longer maintain his composure. He abruptly rose from his seat, his face filled with unbelievable excitement and ecstasy! He stared fixedly at the Nine Petal Purple Reishi, his breathing becoming rapid! Breaking through the level restrictions of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?! This... this was practically the key to striking directly at the greatest long-cherished wish of him, and even the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School for thousands of years!
Beside him, Bone Douluo Gu Rong also underwent a drastic change in expression, his withered face filled with shock as he exclaimed in disbelief: "Fengzhi! If this item... if it truly is as he says..." He couldn't continue the rest of his words, but the excitement in his eyes was no less than Ning Fengzhi's. He understood all too well what the level restrictions of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda meant to Ning Fengzhi and to their school!
Ning Rongrong covered her small mouth with her hand, her beautiful eyes wide open as she looked at the strange purple reishi, then at her discomposed father and Bone Grandpa, her young face full of confusion and surprise. Although she was young, she vaguely knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could only be cultivated to the seventy-ninth level was the school's greatest regret and secret.
Ning Fengzhi's chest heaved violently as he struggled to calm his turbulent emotions. He had originally thought his plan to win Marco over had suffered a setback, but unexpectedly, the situation had taken a turn, and Marco had actually produced such... heaven-defying bargaining chips! The value of this Nine Petal Purple Reishi, to him Ning Fengzhi and to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, could no longer be measured by any Soul Bone or any alliance! It represented a glimmer of hope to break the shackles of fate!
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the impulse to immediately take the Nine Petal Purple Reishi into his hands, and looked intently at Marco, his voice slightly hoarse from excitement: "Young friend Marco... are these words true? Can this item... truly help me break through the shackles of the seventy-ninth level?"
Marco said indifferently: "The Nine Petal Purple Reishi indeed has the effects of cleansing the marrow, reshaping the body, and optimizing the essence of the Martial Soul. As for whether it can break through the specific restrictions of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, this junior dare not guarantee it, but it is undoubtedly one of the most likely heaven and earth wondrous objects currently known. Its value, I trust Sect Leader Ning can judge for himself."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered, countless thoughts instantly flashing through his mind. Marco's move had a clear intention: he did not accept the alliance proposal, but was willing to use this priceless Immortal Herb as an additional bargaining chip to complete a fair transaction, while expressing goodwill yet maintaining independence. This kind of thinking, this kind of boldness... this young man was definitely no ordinary talent!
Should he insist on the alliance, or seize this once-in-a-millennium opportunity? The answer was self-evident.
"Good! Good! Good!" Ning Fengzhi said "good" three times in succession, his face a mix of excitement and resolve, "Young friend Marco, this item... holds immense significance for me and for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School! This sincerity, I, Ning, accept! The matter of an alliance shall not be mentioned for now. Today, we only conduct a transaction!"
Without further hesitation, he solemnly pushed the jade box containing the Crabapple Flower Soul Bone toward Marco, simultaneously accepting the jade box containing the head Soul Bone and the one holding the Nine Petal Purple Reishi that Marco handed over. His movements were extremely careful, as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world.
The transaction was completed, but the atmosphere was completely different from before. The look Ning Fengzhi directed at Marco was filled with complex emotions—gratitude, amazement, and a trace of deep wariness and admiration. This young man not only possessed astonishing talent and strength, but his intellect and methods were beyond imagination.
"Young friend, Ning Fengzhi shall remember today's kindness in his heart." Ning Fengzhi's tone was exceptionally solemn, this time no longer mere politeness. "Should you ever have need in the future, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will not hesitate to assist!" This promise carried substantial weight because of the Nine Petal Purple Reishi.
Marco stored the Crabapple Flower Soul Bone and nodded slightly: "We each obtained what we needed - a fair transaction. Sect Leader Ning need not stand on ceremony. Pleasure doing business."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Ning Fengzhi eagerly took his leave with the still-shocked Ning Rongrong and the solemn-faced Bone Douluo. He needed to return immediately to verify the effects of the Nine Petal Purple Reishi.
After seeing off the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School delegation, Marco stood alone in the reception room, stroking the jade box containing the Crabapple Flower Soul Bone with profound depth in his eyes. Trading an Immortal Herb that wasn't irreplaceable to him (based on his understanding of this world and his own abilities) for the Soul Bone he needed had achieved multiple objectives: avoiding direct involvement in an alliance, expressing goodwill, and making the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School owe him a substantial "fair" favor. This outcome far exceeded his expectations.
"Next, it's time to return home," he murmured to himself, a gentle smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Lingling would probably be very happy to see this gift.
Meanwhile, in the carriage departing from the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, Ning Fengzhi tightly clutched the jade box containing the Nine Petal Purple Reishi, his emotions taking long to settle. Bone Douluo Gu Rong said gravely: "Fengzhi, that young man... has profound thoughts and astonishing methods. This Nine Petal Purple Reishi - I've never even heard of such a thing..."
Ning Fengzhi let out a long sigh, his gaze complex: "Uncle Gu, only today have I truly understood what it means that there are skies beyond skies. This Marco - we can only be friends with him, never enemies. Though he didn't accept an alliance, this goodwill through 'fair transaction' carries more weight than any treaty. Pass down the order: all members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School must treat Marco with utmost respect!"
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