It wasn't until she saw Su Yu in the hall that her eyes lit up. She was about to step forward to greet him when Ning Fengzhi gently pressed her shoulder.
Ning Fengzhi crouched down to meet his daughter at eye level, wearing a warm yet solemn smile as he reached out to pat her head.
"Rongrong, Father has something to discuss with you."
Ning Rongrong blinked, tilting her head as she looked at him. "What is it, Father?"
"Father wants you to become engaged to Holy Son Su Yu!" Ning Fengzhi's voice was exceptionally gentle.
"This means that from now on, you'll treat each other like family, caring for one another. Are you willing?"
"Engaged?"
Ning Rongrong froze. She had heard this term before but didn't fully understand what it meant, only knowing it was something very important.
Subconsciously, she glanced toward Su Yu and saw him looking back at her. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she asked quietly:
"Does that mean... I can often play with Big Brother?"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled and nodded. "Yes, you'll be able to spend much more time together."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong's eyes instantly sparkled. The Holy Son was both gentle and powerful.
The thought of being able to frequently play together and have him accompany her cultivation made her nod:
"I'm willing!"
She ran to Su Yu's side, lifting her small face to look at him with shining eyes:
"Big Brother Holy Son, you have to play with Rongrong from now on!"
Seeing her joyful expression, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Su Yu's mouth:
"Mm."
Watching his daughter agree without hesitation, Ning Fengzhi felt both relieved and somewhat complicated, eventually letting out a soft sigh.
Bi Bidong observed this entire scene from her papal throne, a satisfied expression appearing on her face:
"Since both children are willing, there should be no further objections to this matter."
"Patriarch Ning, after returning to your respective sects, you may begin preparations."
"Thank you for your blessing, Your Holiness the Pope!" Ning Fengzhi bowed again in gratitude.
After Ning Fengzhi's party returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, they immediately began preparing for the engagement ceremony.
Three days later, news of Spirit Hall Saint Su Yu's engagement to the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Rongrong, spread throughout the entire continent as if on wings.
Every major sect and imperial family was shaken—this marriage undoubtedly bound two top-tier powers closely together, quietly tilting the continent's balance of power.
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace—
Xue Ye Dadi sat on his cushioned chair, fingers gently stroking the beard beneath his chin as he gazed thoughtfully out the window.
Incense smoke curled through the hall, creating a strangely solemn atmosphere.
"Ning Fengzhi is indeed a clever man."
Xue Ye Dadi spoke slowly, his tone carrying understanding.
"By climbing the great tree that is Spirit Hall, he has both stabilized his sect and added another layer of protection for himself. A masterful play."
He turned his head to look at Xue Qinghe standing nearby and instructed:
"Qinghe, go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School on my behalf with a congratulatory gift. Tell them that I offer my congratulations on young lady Rongrong and the Holy Son's happy union."
Xue Qinghe bowed to accept the order, his voice respectful: "Yes, Father. I will prepare immediately and depart at once."
Now that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had formed a marriage alliance with Spirit Hall, their power had become increasingly stable. The Heaven Dou Empire absolutely could not make an enemy of them at this time.
A congratulatory gift was both proper etiquette and a declaration of the Heaven Dou Empire's stance.
Emperor Xue Ye watched his son's retreating figure and let out a soft sigh.
The winds across the continent seemed to be growing ever more turbulent.
The Spirit Hall's ambitions were now clear for all to see, and with their recent alliance with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the Heaven Dou Empire would likely face even greater storms in the future.
Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—
Within the council hall of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the atmosphere was heavy.
Yu Yuanzhen sat at the head of the table, his expression dark. He slammed his palm on the redwood table, causing a fine crack to appear on its surface.
"Hmph, that short-sighted Ning Fengzhi! The Three Upper Sects have always stood together, yet he turns around and arranges a marriage alliance with the Spirit Hall. He's completely disgracing our Three Upper Sects!"
Yu Luomian, standing nearby, furrowed his brow slightly and stepped forward, cupping his hands respectfully.
"Elder brother, please calm your anger. Given the current situation, Ning Fengzhi's move might be for the survival of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
He paused, his tone steady. "Moreover, that Su Yu possesses extraordinary talent. He's already a Soul Ancestor at just ten years old. His future potential is limitless."
"The Spirit Hall's power is immense. Although our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is strong, we must still make preparations early."
Yu Yuanzhen snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disdain. "Just a mere child! What does it matter how talented he is?"
"Whether he can even survive to maturity remains to be seen! The Spirit Hall is full of internal scheming. As their Holy Son, his path forward might not be smooth."
"Even so!" Yu Luomian insisted, "It never hurts to be more prepared."Since their marriage alliance is already settled, if we act too forcefully, we might push the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School completely into the Spirit Hall's camp."
"Sending a modest gift would fulfill etiquette and also leave us a potential path for the future."
Yu Yuanzhen remained silent for a moment before finally waving his hand. "Fine, have it your way."
"Second brother, prepare a gift and send it to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Say that... we congratulate Sect Leader Ning on gaining such a fine son-in-law."
The sarcasm in his words was barely concealed.
Yu Luomian acknowledged the order with a "Yes," but sighed inwardly.
Although his elder brother was stubborn, he wasn't completely unreasonable. He was simply unwilling to lower his pride for the sake of the Three Upper Sects' dignity.
Outside the council hall, several blue Thunderbirds flew past, their wings trailing faint electric sparks.
Although the members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan spoke disdainfully, they all understood in their hearts that the shockwaves from this marriage alliance would not end here.
The political landscape of the continent had gained additional variables because of this marriage.
Star Luo Imperial Palace—
In the study of the Star Luo Imperial Palace, Dai Tianfeng sat upright on his dragon throne, holding a newly delivered secret report. His fingers lightly rubbed the armrest as his gaze turned profound.
The writing on the secret report was clear, explicitly stating the news of the engagement between the Spirit Hall Saint and the eldest daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Hmph, the Three Upper Sects have always prided themselves on 'standing together,' yet now the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School turns around and forms a marriage alliance with the Spirit Hall. This is truly an unprecedented development."
Dai Tianfeng leaned back in his chair, a meaningful curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Ning Fengzhi's move is both risky and decisive."
He looked up at his eldest son, Dai Weis, who stood below.
"Weis!" Dai Tianfeng spoke, his tone steady. "Prepare generous gifts and personally deliver them to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"Tell them that We have heard of Sect Leader Ning's daughter's engagement and specially come to offer congratulations!"
Dai Weis bowed to accept the order. "Yes, Father."
"However... with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School allying with the Spirit Hall, for our Star Luo Empire, wouldn't this..."
Dai Tianfeng waved his hand, interrupting him: "Star Luo is located in the south and currently has no direct conflict with the Spirit Hall. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's move is merely for self-preservation."
"Sending congratulatory gifts is both a courtesy and a gesture of goodwill toward Ning Fengzhi!"