Chapter 37: Join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Have You No Ambition?
"Oh? Really?"
Ning Rongrong rubbed against Zhu Zhuqing's arm, her eyes sparkling brightly.
"If there's no going back, then how about considering joining our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
"If you join, I can have Grandpa Bone and Grandpa Sword personally guide you!"
"Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo?"
Zhu Zhuqing's heart stirred slightly.
Putting aside the fact that joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could completely alter her fate, just the idea of being personally instructed by two Titled Douluo was already immensely tempting.
The only issue was—
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire's faction.
Joining them might not be entirely appropriate…
"Of course! So, will you join?"
Ning Rongrong hugged Zhu Zhuqing's arm tighter, as though holding onto her own future.
"You know my identity. Are you sure you want to invite me?"
Zhu Zhuqing exhaled softly and looked at Ning Rongrong with a questioning gaze.
"So what? Didn't you say you wanted to break off that engagement and abandon everything over there?"
Ning Rongrong curled her lips, utterly unconcerned, her tone domineering and confident.
"Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't afraid of the Star Luo Empire. If you're willing to join, as long as you're in Heaven Dou Empire territory, they absolutely won't be able to harm you or force you to do anything!"
"…Thank you."
Hearing that, Zhu Zhuqing would be lying if she said she wasn't touched.
Whatever Ning Rongrong's motives might be, at this moment, she was undeniably sincere.
And after thinking carefully, joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did indeed seem like a solid choice.
A powerful backer.
Unlimited financial support and cultivation resources.
Assistance when hunting high-level soul beasts in the future.
Other than becoming hostile to the Star Luo Empire, there didn't seem to be any real drawbacks.
"Have a little backbone, will you?"
"You're supposed to become a god!"
Bai Lu's voice rang out in her mind, full of exasperation.
"If an organization comes with too many restrictions and limited room for growth, then joining it is meaningless."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was bound by too many checks and balances. The room for maneuvering was limited.
At best, what could she become? A Grand Elder? Vice Sect Master?
Or would she try to seize control of the Heaven Dou Empire and establish a new Seven Treasure Empire?
Or drag the sect into the Star Luo Empire and compete for the throne, becoming Empress?
Give him a break.
To grow big and powerful that way would be exhausting beyond measure, and she would still have to worry about Bibi Dong's future Spirit Hall soul-hunting campaign.
"Is that so…"
Listening to Bai Lu's analysis, the more Zhu Zhuqing thought about it, the more reasonable it sounded.
She considered herself a fairly responsible person.
If joining only meant comfort in the early stages but endless complications later, perhaps it wasn't worth it.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong was still eagerly persuading her:
"If you join, with my support, no matter what enemy we face, we'll absolutely slaughter them together!"
"…"
Zhu Zhuqing fell slightly silent.
Compared to fighting freely on her own, having to constantly protect the support at the rear during battle…
Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's peak 80% amplification didn't seem quite as appealing anymore.
She shook her head lightly.
"I'll need to think about it."
She neither refused nor agreed.
"Then take your time!"
Thinking there was hope, Ning Rongrong quickly pulled out a token from her storage soul tool.
"This is a high-level VIP token of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. You'll get a 40% discount at all our affiliated businesses…"
"Alright."
Zhu Zhuqing gave the bright and innocent girl beside her a long look.
She didn't quite have the heart to tell her—
That the amplification was too small, the family politics too complicated, and that she simply wasn't interested.
She quietly accepted the token.
Ning Rongrong kept chatting excitedly, but Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
The two walked down from the Soul Arena platform. After only a few steps, they ran into the rest of the Shrek group.
After a brief moment of thought, Zhu Zhuqing took the initiative to walk over.
Tang San and the others stiffened as if facing a great enemy, assuming she had come to mock or belittle them.
Flender, however, who had been hoping to recruit her, brightened immediately.
"Young Soul Master, your performance just now was exceptional! Are you interested in joining Shrek Academy?"
He hurried forward, speaking rapidly.
"All our students are geniuses, and our teaching staff is formidable. If you join, you'll absolutely grow even stronger…"
"Not interested."
Zhu Zhuqing replied flatly and walked straight past him, stopping in front of Tang San.
"What are the techniques and footwork you used in your earlier match called?"
Tang San paused for a moment before replying proudly:
"The grappling technique is Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, and the movement technique is Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. They are top-tier… self-created soul skills."
"Would you teach them to me? I can pay tuition."
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze was cold and serious.
If she couldn't learn them on her own—
Then she would resort to the power of money.
"You've got nerve. Truly impressive."
In the spiritual sea, Bai Lu was speechless.
"Using my money to show off on your behalf, and it's not even realistic. Are you aware of what you're doing?"
As expected, Tang San shook his head without hesitation.
"Sorry. They are Tang Sect secret arts. They cannot be passed on."
"Ten thousand gold soul coins."
Zhu Zhuqing stated directly.
"Ten thousand?!"
Ma Hongjun's eyes widened.
That amount of money could probably buy out every brothel on that entire street!
But Tang San refused without the slightest wavering.
"Impossible."
"Then one hundred thousand."
Zhu Zhuqing increased the offer.
"Money is not everything. There's no need to ask again."
Tang San stood tall with unyielding pride.
"Even if it's one million or ten million, I will never teach them."
He knew very well—
The Mysterious Heaven Record was one of his greatest future advantages against Zhu Zhuqing.
If she learned Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, whether his hidden weapons could even hit her would become a serious question.
The mental image was too "beautiful" to imagine.
"Very well."
Seeing how resolute he was, Zhu Zhuqing gave up.
She nodded to Ning Rongrong and turned to leave.
"Goodbye… Zhu Xiao Yue! Make sure you think about it carefully!"
Ning Rongrong waved enthusiastically.
"Sigh… It would've been great if she joined."
Flender sighed deeply, regret filling his eyes.
"That girl… her future is limitless."
Yu Xiaogang's expression was complicated; his heart was even more so.
If only he could obtain a great opportunity as well—
He would definitely break through rank 29 and truly become a Soul Elder.
Then he would no longer be looked down upon.
Tang San stared at Zhu Zhuqing's retreating figure, unwillingness flashing in his eyes.
'Just wait.'
'Next time we meet, I will definitely defeat you!'
—
As for their thoughts, Zhu Zhuqing didn't care in the slightest.
She returned to the main hall and queued for a life-and-death match and a wager match. But when she approached the staff again, she received unwelcome news:
"I'm very sorry, Lady Xiao Yue. You've reached today's matchmaking limit. Please come back another day."
"No more?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly. She didn't make things difficult for the staff and simply left the Grand Soul Arena.
She turned right out the door, entered a small alley, and changed into a different mask—
Then re-entered the Grand Soul Arena.
"I'd like to register for participation."
"Lady Xiao Yue… haven't you already registered?"
"My name is Xiao Lan."
Zhu Zhuqing replied with a perfectly straight face.
"???"
Staff member: Are you seriously exploiting a system bug right now?
Don't think I can't recognize you just because you changed your alias!
End of Chapter