"Up until now… I truly underestimated them."
For years, they had appeared to be nothing more than an information network—shadowy, precise, occasionally selling or trading secrets. Their methods were frighteningly clean, but their presence had felt… distant.
But this?Leaving a token inside his private office?
This was not a warning, but a subtle declaration:
//We can reach you whenever we want//
Ning Fengzhi inhaled sharply.
He picked up the letter again, unfolding it carefully
----
'Dear Clan Leader of the Seven Glazed Tile Clan,
You are one of the leaders of the Three Great Clans. In the soul master world, there is hardly anything you might desire—wealth, prestige, even strength through allies. All lies within your grasp.'
The writing was neat, elegant… almost refined.
'However, an era of change approaches. A new cycle, a new balance and a new order.When the dust settles, only two sides will remain:Those who cling to the dying past…And those who shape the future.The question is—whose side will you stand on?'
---
Ning Fengzhi's brows furrowed deeply.
"A recruitment letter…? For me?" he muttered.
Then he laughed—a soft, forced chuckle.
"Why do they think they can recruit me?"
However Chen Xin's words who also read the letter beside him made him a little sober " I'm sure this Twilight hermit must be planning something big."
"Yes, but this isn't it" Ning Fengzhi whispered. "This isn't recruitment."
His gaze drifted toward the token again.
"This is them letting me know… that they have already started choosing their pieces."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"And that I, Ning Fengzhi, may already be on their board."
He continued to read the rest of the letter.
'…Clan Leader, Ning Fengzhi, there is rarely anything in the soul master world that you desire and fail to obtain.Except one.The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.'
His hands stilled.
'As you know, any true descendant of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda can never surpass Soul Sage—Level 79.This is not talent, nor destiny.It is an innate flaw of your Martial Soul.However… this flaw can be corrected if the Pagoda evolves into one with Eight or Nine Floors.'
----
Ning Fengzhi's eyes hardened.
They had touched the sorest wound of his clan—something any past clan leaders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan never revealed to outsiders.No matter how great their support…No matter how brilliant the younger generations…Their path ended at Soul Sage.
Seven floors, this was their fate.
And now… a shadowy order claimed it could be changed?
His heartbeat quickened despite himself. He forced his eyes to return to the page.
Then he read the next part—And his eyes widened ever so slightly.
'You might believe that evolving the Glazed Tile Pagoda is difficult, but for HER… it is simple.If your most sincere prayer reaches the Merciful Almighty Angel Goddess, your wish will be granted.'
Below this were ritual instructions, a specific prayer.
Ning Fengzhi stared at it for five whole seconds.
Then he snorted lightly.
"Praying to a Goddess? To solve a thousand-year problem? Ridiculous."
He turned towards Chen Xin " How much do you think of this is true?"
Chen Xin shook his head."I never imagined the Twilight Hermit Order to be… a religious faction."
Ning Fengzhis brows furrowed.
"If they're invoking the Angel Goddess… does that mean they are tied to Spirit Hall?"
The idea was chilling.
Spirit Hall was already the strongest soul master force on the continent.If they secretly controlled an organization capable of infiltrating his office, bypassing Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, and manipulating intelligence across kingdoms…
It would be catastrophic.
Ning Fengzhi sat down slowly, his face turning serious.
"With the backing of Spirit Hall… and the intelligence precision they've demonstrated… they could uproot clans overnight."
Chen Xin also became serious when he heard Ning Fengzhi's conclusion.
But then— Ning Fenzhi thought
'What if… it really is possible?'
He froze.
A martial soul evolution.A Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.It was the dream of every generation of his clan.
He sighed deeply.
"At the very least… I can try it once," he murmured to himself.
Chen Xin eyed him " Are you really performing the ritual?"
"What's the worst that could happen? Disappointment?"
Ning Fengzhi gave a wry laugh.
"I've never heard of any miracles performed by the Angel Goddess anyway."
Yet even as he said that—
His gaze subconsciously drifted back to the ritual process noted.
---
Few hours later…
Ning Fengzhi stood in a pristine, rarely-used secret chamber hidden deep within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Only he and the two elders knew of this place, and even they seldom entered. He chose it precisely because no ordinary disturbance could reach here.
Chen Xin was standing outside the room to take action if any unforeseen circumstance occurs.
The room was silent.And dim—lit only by the three candles he had placed on the altar exactly as the letter instructed.
One candle for the Deity.One for the Performer.One for the Offering.
The flames flickered faintly, casting distorted shadows across the wall.
Ning Fengzhi inhaled sharply, then exhaled as he picked up the small silver dagger.It was a ceremonial blade, not meant for blood… yet the ritual asked for a "symbolic cut."
He pressed the blade lightly through the air, drawing an imaginary invisible wall, as the instruction said.It was absurd—but he followed it precisely.
Fine herbal powders were scattered around the altar.He lit the incense burner.
Instantly, the room filled with the blended scent of: Campanula, Yellow roses, Jasmine flowers, Several essential oilsThe fragrance swirled gently, rising like a delicate mist.
Ning Fengzhi closed his eyes, pressed his hands together, and lowered his head.
For the first time, he prayed sincerely.
His voice was steady, but his heart trembled.
---
"The Almighty, Angel Goddess,The one who has gazed upon this place from beyond.The ruler above chaos and the wanderer of the endless void.The one who masters dreams and memories.I pray for your protection.I pray for your blessing."
---
There was silence as it felt nothing changed.
The candles flickered once, but only because of a faint draft from the ventilation slits.
Ning Fengzhi slowly opened his eyes.