"You are An Zhen?"
"Would you believe me if I said no?"
"…"
The red-haired beautiful woman looked at An Zhen with slightly cold eyes.
An Zhen met her gaze with a smile.
"Grandma~"
Wu Feng quickly walked forward, gently shaking the red-haired beautiful woman's arm.
"I didn't bully him." The middle-aged beautiful woman sighed, reaching out to gently rub Wu Feng's head.
Indeed, she didn't bully him.
Compared to some Elders who, upon first meeting and without even knowing the person, would use their pressure under the guise of a "test" to oppress the other party, the middle-aged beautiful woman merely didn't give An Zhen a good look. She was much better than the former.
"Classmate An Zhen." The elegant man took a step forward and said with a relaxed and humorous tone, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tian'er's father. Given your relationship with Tian'er, I'll take the liberty of asking you to call me Ning Shu. How about that?"
"Ning Shu."
This was his father-in-law.
"This is Xiao Feng's grandmother, the Level 94 Red Dragon Douluo, Wu Xi."
Ning Yunzhi looked at Wu Xi, but seeing her still cold face, he didn't feel it was appropriate to ask An Zhen to use a more intimate address.
"I've heard Tian'er talk a lot about you, and naturally, I wanted to see how excellent the husband in Tian'er and Xiao Feng's mouths truly is. However, considering the preparations before the competition and the rest afterward, I only extended the invitation today." Ning Yunzhi gestured to a nearby chair, "Don't be shy, just make yourself at home."
"Father!" Ning Tian's cheeks flushed, "We haven't reached that stage yet."
"When a man is grown, he should marry; when a woman is grown, she should be wed. Given your current relationship, this is bound to happen sooner or later."
The group took their seats.
"Ning Shu, you flatter me." An Zhen took his seat after the two Elders, "Ning Tian and Wu Feng are both very excellent and intelligent girls. I am very honored to have them both."
Ning Tian and Wu Feng sat on An Zhen's left and right sides.
"How is Dragon God Douluo doing recently? The last time I saw him was when I was a teenager studying in Shrek Inner Courtyard." Ning Yunzhi began to recall.
"Ning Shu should also know that my teacher was not well before, but recently, a solution has been found." An Zhen said, "In the future, my teacher might even visit the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, after all, I am an orphan, and for my future marriage, I will have to trouble my senior brother and teacher for help."
"Then I shall await Dragon God's esteemed presence."
Ning Yunzhi's eyes lit up.
He hadn't expected that senior's health to have improved.
This was indeed good news. The Sun Moon Empire had been too restless lately. If that senior were present, he immediately felt much more at ease.
Just like an uncle and nephew who hadn't seen each other for years, An Zhen and Ning Yunzhi chatted about family matters, daily Life at Shrek Academy, and interesting stories from the World. During this time, not a single question was asked about An Zhen's other girlfriends.
"Xiao Zhen." Ning Yunzhi spoke with some hesitation, "Ning Shu wants to ask you something. Of course, if it involves your privacy, you are completely free not to say it. Ning Shu understands."
"Please ask, Ning Shu."
"Regarding the evolution of Tian'er and Xiao Feng's Spirit."
Wu Xi, who had been silent, looked at An Zhen upon hearing this sentence.
"About that…"
The performance began.
An Zhen's face showed a hint of "difficulty," then, as if having made a significant decision, he said, "Both of you are Ning Tian and Wu Feng's Elders and relatives, and in the future, you will also be my Elders and relatives. However, this matter is of great importance, and I hope both seniors will keep it confidential for me."
"Of course." Ning Yunzhi said solemnly.
"Mm." Wu Xi nodded seriously.
"This goes back to the Shrek Academy holiday…"
An Zhen recounted the story of the Divine Envoy again, "The solution I mentioned earlier regarding my teacher's health issues was to ask the Divine Envoy teacher for help."
Ning Yunzhi and Wu Xi exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Ning Yunzhi knew about the Divine Envoy. According to the Sect's records, Ning Rongrong's ancestor had encountered the Sea God's Divine Envoy ten thousand years ago.
"Immortal Herbs like Qiluo Tulip are almost unique existences. My teacher only gave one plant, but when I see my teacher next time, I'll ask for Ning Shu." This wouldn't be difficult; when he had time in the future, he would Reflect one for Ning Yunzhi, considering it part of the betrothal gift.
"Then… that would be too much trouble, Xiao Zhen." Ning Yunzhi really wanted to refuse, asking his future son-in-law to request such a precious item from the Divine Envoy felt like he was selling his daughter and being greedy.
But Ning Yunzhi simply couldn't refuse. Even if he was very shrewd, with a keen mind and an old fox skilled in calculations, at this moment, he couldn't help but show a greedy desire. That Immortal Herb not only represented the path to becoming a Titled Douluo but also represented more Life, that was hundreds or even thousands of years of Life. Who wouldn't want to live longer!
"Ning Shu, you're too polite. We're all family, and you're my Elder. Besides, my teacher doesn't really care about these things." It was just a matter of spending a little more time Reflecting an Immortal Herb, just to make Ning Tian smile.
An Zhen looked at Wu Xi and familiarly addressed her, "Grandma Wu, that—"
"Just treat Xiao Feng well." Wu Xi said coldly, glancing at Wu Feng, who was holding An Zhen's arm.
"Of course." An Zhen said seriously.
As he spoke, An Zhen took out a golden fruit with patterns like magma on its surface.
"This is for Grandma Wu, a Ten-Thousand-Year Magma Fruit. Although it can't compare to the Qiluo Tulip, it's still a rare treasure. It possesses rich Life essence and can greatly enhance a person's combat power in a short period. Moreover, it is itself a fire-attribute heavenly material and earthly treasure, very suitable for the Red Dragon Spirit."
Judging from her Douluo title, it wasn't hard to guess that she likely had the same Red Dragon Spirit as Wu Feng.
"I don't need it." Wu Xi's eyes flickered, and she shook her head, refusing, "Give it to Xiao Feng to absorb."
"Wu Feng's essence blood hasn't been fully absorbed yet; accurately speaking, her Spirit is still in the process of evolving. At this time, it's best not to consume other fire-attribute treasures. Once Wu Feng's Spirit fully evolves, she will be a powerful great Dragon with Extreme Fire, and this item won't have much effect on her then."
"Oh, right." Ning Yunzhi seemed to suddenly remember something, taking out a glazed token in the shape of a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and handing it to An Zhen, "Ning Shu can't offer you much help with Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Bones, and you don't seem to lack heavenly materials and earthly treasures. But what our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School lacks least is gold coins. If there's anything you want to buy later, at any large shopping mall or auction, you can use this to pay, or use this to withdraw money at the Nine Treasure Pavilion."
"Then thank you, Ning Shu."
An Zhen did not stand on ceremony and accepted the token.
After having a meal together and leaving the Ten-Thousand-Year Magma Fruit, An Zhen declined the invitation to stay overnight, citing concerns from his team leader. He then took Ning Tian and Wu Feng back to the Star Emperor Hotel.
"The Divine Envoy matter, do you think it's reliable?"
Wu Xi, holding the Ten-Thousand-Year Magma Fruit, asked Ning Yunzhi.
"It's highly likely to be true. Otherwise, how would you explain those heavenly materials and earthly treasures? Aunt Wu, you saw his performance in the elimination rounds earlier; his talent is unprecedented. I believe he has the potential to become a Divinity. Moreover, would the Dragon God Douluo senior also play along with this act?"
"However, whether this matter is true or not is not important. Gods truly exist, but they are too distant from us."
"What's important is that An Zhen's talent is unprecedentedly powerful. He used the Qiluo Tulip to help Tian'er's Spirit evolve, and precious essence blood to help Xiao Feng's Spirit evolve. His help to them is real. I value reality, not distant Divinities. With them, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School will be incredibly glorious for the next few hundred years."
Ning Yunzhi spoke, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"No wonder you were willing to give him the vice-token of the Sect Master's token." Wu Xi said.
That token was not simple. Within the entire Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, only the Sect Master's token was higher. The holder of the token could enjoy the treatment of a Grand Elder within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's sphere of influence. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's commercial network covered the Three Great Empires, and even the Sun Moon Empire had quite a few. When purchasing items at a certain scale of store or auction, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School would pay the money. With this token, it could almost be said that he had turned the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School into his own wallet.
"It's just a little money."
Ning Yunzhi was not someone who could treat money like dirt, but he knew that many things could not be bought with money. Those priceless treasures were the most precious things in the World.
"His talent and appearance are so perfect, but why is he so unfaithful?" Wu Xi said with some resentment.
Although Xiao Feng and Xiao Tian said nothing, through the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's intelligence network, she knew that besides Xiao Tian and Xiao Feng, this An Zhen had at least four other girlfriends.
"Because he can conquer those chosen daughters of heaven. He is too excellent. If not for that, with Tian'er and Xiao Feng's pride, how could they be willing to share a husband with other women?" Ning Yunzhi sighed with emotion.
He also wished his daughter had a husband who was devoted to her. There were many people in this World who could be devoted to Tian'er, but only An Zhen could make Tian'er like him, and only An Zhen was worthy of Tian'er's affection and so excellent.
Forget it, he had been much more of a playboy when he was young. As long as Tian'er liked him, and he was worthy, then so be it.
…
"An Zhen." The golden-haired girl softly called out.
"What's wrong?"
On the bustling street, due to the Soul Fighting Competition, the already prosperous street became even more crowded. The handsome young man, with a girl on each arm, his charming appearance and extraordinary temperament made others envious. Suddenly, almost simultaneously, the two uniquely beautiful girls kissed the young man's left and right cheeks.
Ning Tian's azure eyes gazed at An Zhen with deep affection, "You don't have to ask. What if it leaves a greedy impression on that senior?"
"You've already done so much for us." Wu Feng hugged An Zhen's arm tightly, her ample chest pressing against him.
"It's nothing."
An Zhen reached out and gently stroked Ning Tian's cheek, "We are family. Don't say such things, don't refuse my kindness."
"However, if Ning Tian and Wu Feng insist on thanking your husband, I think we can discuss the specific method of thanks." A smile familiar to both girls appeared on An Zhen's lips.
It just so happened that tonight was Wu Feng's turn.
"Pervert!"
Wu Feng said, yet she pressed even harder against An Zhen.
An Zhen could clearly feel Ning Tian and Wu Feng's emotional fluctuations this afternoon. Even Wu Feng, who usually looked disgusted, became more proactive.
Meeting the parents.
Not only had they acknowledged this relationship, but now it had also received the parents' recognition and approval.