Chapter 13 The Aftermath
"Oh, this..."
Looking down at the numerous disciples on the arena, who were all unconscious but not dead or injured, Feng Douluo then raised his hand to wipe away the few drops of cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Ancestor Chenxin is going all out!"
"Eighth Soul Skill activated..."
"Do they really think these kids are as freakish as Ning Huan?!"
After muttering a few complaints, Feng Douluo casually made a move, causing Ning Huan, who had been unconscious due to exhaustion of his soul power, to rise into the air.
He flew steadily toward the high platform.
He himself moved slightly and stopped in front of Ning Hao in the blink of an eye.
However, before the latter could offer any words of comfort, a slightly strange teasing tone came first.
"Sect Master, it seems you haven't just recruited a genius, but rather invited back a little tyrant."
"..."
Upon hearing this, the previously whispering stands instantly fell silent.
Everyone was trying hard to suppress their laughter, afraid that they might accidentally laugh out loud and incur the wrath of their sect leader.
Especially Ning Tian and Wu Feng, who were still young, were keeping their heads down and their pretty faces were flushed red.
Seeing this, Feng Douluo, realizing he had said the wrong thing, gave an embarrassed smile.
He quickly retreated to the side of the shield and made way for it.
Then he winked at Sword Douluo, making the already agitated old man's veins throb.
He then resolved that he must teach this unruly scoundrel a lesson afterward.
Ning Hao was equally amused and exasperated upon hearing this, but he did not show the slightest displeasure.
This was because he had become extremely familiar with the three worshippers after spending decades together.
The distinction between ruler and subject had long since disappeared.
They are respectful to outsiders and treat their family members like one big family.
Why would they get angry over a few inappropriate jokes?
Moreover, wind-attribute soul masters are naturally carefree and lack composure.
This applies to titled Douluo as well.
Feng Douluo often got beaten up because of his gossipy mouth.
"I'm used to it. Of course, I should remember to avoid making myself look bad in front of others."
Ning Hao subtly curled the corners of his lips, thinking to himself:
'Wait half an hour before intervening to stop Uncle Jian from attacking Uncle Feng.'
He then turned to look at the unconscious Ning Huan, his usually shrewd eyes now filled with a mixture of love and hate.
A peerless genius has entered the Nine Treasures; it is a cause for celebration for the entire clan.
The only problem is that the way he got it is a bit too rough!
Summoning the sect's founding patriarch in front of everyone?!
Ancestor Chenxin also indulged him, and when he came up with the move "Mountain Moving," it almost scared someone to death.
No, they must have been terrified!
Thinking of this, Ning Hao reluctantly shifted his gaze to the arena.
Looking at the sect's prodigies on the arena, some lying unconscious on the ground, others sitting blankly in a daze, he suddenly felt dizzy and his vision went black.
These are the foundation of the sect, the solid pillars of the future!
As a result, they were crippled by a single sword strike from the genius and ancestor he had always admired!
Where can I go to seek justice?!
In a daze, he suddenly understood how the sect's predecessors felt two hundred years ago when facing the dual holy dragons of light and darkness.
That's a gap that can't be bridged by hard work and talent alone.
Unfortunately, things had already come to this point, and even though Ning Hao was heartbroken, he could only try his best to make proper arrangements.
"Issue the order: Ning Huan shall be the chief disciple of my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"The treatment and everything else will be at the highest level, and there will also be the authority to supervise the sect, manage disciples, and mobilize elders for offerings."
"As for the other participating disciples, their monthly allowance will be doubled, and they will be given three months' worth of cultivation resources as a reward and encouragement."
"Besides..."
As he spoke, he suddenly paused for a moment.
When he spoke again, his tone was tinged with frustration.
"Find more spirit-type soul masters, those who are smart and have a good way of speaking, to provide psychological counseling for the disciples."
"A good disciple should not be discouraged by short-term gains or losses."
"Our sect leader is wise."
The elders, having received the order, bowed and left, and began to handle the aftermath of the competition in an orderly manner.
Before long, when only Ning Hao and a few others remained on the high platform, Sword Douluo finally managed to escape Wind Douluo's harassment.
He quickly stepped forward and expressed his concerns as a worshipper.
"Sect Master, Ning Huan summoned Ancestor Chenxin in public today. Will this have any impact on your lineage...?"
However, before he could finish speaking, Ning Hao immediately waved his hand, leaving the three of them puzzled.
"Uncle Jian underestimates me."
"As long as we can revitalize the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, what is a little bit of power and fame that we cannot give up?"
"Furthermore, I might hesitate if it were any other senior, but since the guarantor is Ancestor Chenxin, I am quite at ease."
With this explanation, the three Sword Douluo naturally had no further doubts.
After all, everyone knows the name Chen Xin.
There may be parts that have been over-glorified.
But in some ways, he is indeed much more credible.
Who told the Soul Masters who wield the Seven Kill Sword to be so single-minded and stubborn!
Shield Douluo and Wind Douluo subconsciously turned their gazes to Sword Douluo, and the same thought arose in their minds at the same time.
'This swordsman will probably have to treat that kid like a god from now on.'
On the other side, realizing that the three elders were no longer worried about the potential risks of a power struggle, Ning Hao couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
"Thank goodness, my three uncles aren't cunning, and we managed to fool them."
It wasn't about deceiving them as he said before.
His ability to trust Ning Huan so much was largely due to Chen Xin's influence.
However, the most important point was not mentioned at all.
In Ning Hao's view, everyone was immersed in joy and had no idea that this kid was no ordinary person.
This return to the clan is probably only due to external factors such as future resources and powerful backers.
There was absolutely no intention to usurp someone else's place.
Once his cultivation is sufficient, he will eventually leave the sect, and perhaps even...
Douluo Continent!
'However... this is exactly what I wanted.'
Looking at Ning Huan, who was surrounded by several healing-type soul masters and Ning Tian not far away, a glint of light flashed in Ning Hao's eyes.
He was able to lead his sect to rise to prominence, yet he was not greedy for power.
This perfectly suits the current awkward situation of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School.
With these thoughts in mind, Ning Hao finally felt much more at ease, and his usual shrewd smile returned to his lips.
"A person can't have it all... Hmm? Is he waking up? What kind of recovery speed is this?!"
Sword Douluo and the others who were chatting nearby were equally shocked upon hearing this.
Feng Douluo couldn't contain himself any longer and rushed forward, shoving aside the healing-type soul masters with burning eyes.
"Hey kid, you're pretty good!"
Ning Huan: "..."
What just suddenly darted over?
Oh, it's Wind Douluo.
That's alright then.
Ning Huan smiled knowingly upon noticing that there were only a few people around. He immediately stood up to pay his respects, his attitude extremely respectful.
"Disciple Ning Huan greets the Sect Master, Elder, and Young Sect Master."
"Well done, he is indeed a handsome man."
After carefully examining him from head to toe, Ning Hao nodded in satisfaction.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him, and he decided to adopt him as his godson.
However, for some reason, as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck, which startled him so much that he quickly gave up.
"Ahem, just call me Uncle. 'Sect Master' is too formal."
"That is exactly what I wish for."
[end of the chapter]