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Time flew like a white steed, vanishing in an instant. This brief one-month vacation was but a drop in the ocean of Feng Xiao's long years of cultivation.
He played the zither in the morning and practiced qi in the evening, day after day of cultivation allowing time to slip quietly through his fingers.
At noon, the lake shimmered with golden light. Feng Xiao's slender fingertips gently pressed the zither strings, and he slowly opened his eyes amidst the lingering notes.
Not far away, Ning Rongrong stood, her glazed tile-like eyes reflecting a complex expression.
In this short month, the young girl's state of mind had undergone a complete transformation. The wariness and hostility she felt upon their first meeting had now turned into genuine admiration.
Feng Xiao had only spoken a few words to her, offering nothing but cultivation guidance. Such focused purity, in her memory, was only seen when Chen Xin practiced his sword.
Ning Rongrong's slender fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, hesitating by the lake.
Feng Xiao, holding 'Fuxi,' looked up and saw her hesitant expression clearly.
"Something wrong?" Feng Xiao's clear, cold voice startled the young girl from her thoughts.
"Father... wants to invite you to a banquet," Ning Rongrong said, her voice barely a whisper, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.
Feng Xiao's brows furrowed slightly, and he asked softly, "Will the Crown Prince be attending?"
This question made Ning Rongrong's ears burn. How could she not know her father's intention? Such an invitation, aimed at poaching, would never include the Crown Prince.
The young girl lowered her head, staring at her shoelaces, her awkwardness evident.
Feng Xiao's gaze lingered on her awkward posture for a moment, then he chuckled softly, "Let's go." He flicked his sleeve and rose, the ancient zither gleaming with a warm luster in the sunlight.
Ning Rongrong's eyes suddenly lit up, sparkling like stars, and she quickly nodded, "The carriage is waiting outside the academy." Her light tone revealed unconcealed joy.
The gilded carriage slowly drove along the tree-lined path towards Heaven Dou City, the crisp sound of its wheels rolling over the cobblestones pleasant to the ear.
Through the carved carriage window, the scenery along the way unfolded like a scroll.
Before long, a magnificent pavilion came into view. The four gilded characters 'Glazed Tile Night Banquet' shone brightly in the setting sun, and the colorful glazed tile fountain at the entrance shimmered with light—this extravagant style was characteristic of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Attendants in luxurious robes respectfully led the two to a private room on the top floor.
The gilded, carved door of the private room slowly opened, revealing Ning Fengzhi seated at the head of the table, with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo seated on either side.
Feng Xiao bowed, his posture neither humble nor arrogant: "Greetings, School Master Ning." He then nodded slightly to both sides, "Elder Sword, Elder Bone." His voice was clear like a jade chime, particularly pleasant in the elegant private room.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged glances. Although they had some reservations about Feng Xiao's coldness towards Ning Rongrong, they still nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
In the past month, even they, with their high standards, had to admit their admiration for the young man's cultivation posture.
Gu Rong stroked his chin, sighing inwardly that he had never been so focused in his youth; and in Chen Xin's world-weary sword eyes, a rare hint of appreciation emerged—if this young man could maintain this mindset without falling, in time, his achievements might even surpass his own.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Feng Xiao with a smile, his eyes full of admiration: "Young Feng, there's no need for such formality." He raised his hand, the glazed tile-colored threads flowing from his sleeve reflecting a warm smile in the sunlight, "Rongrong has received your guidance these past days, and as her father, I should express my gratitude."
Feng Xiao held his cup and smiled faintly: "I was entrusted with a task, and I carried it out. It was merely a small effort, School Master Ning, you overstate it."
"Please be seated." Ning Fengzhi lightly flicked his wide sleeve, and ripples spread across the tea in the glazed tile cup. After the two were seated, he casually tapped the table: "Young Feng, what do you think... of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?" Before he finished speaking, an invisible aura seemed to circulate within the private room.
In an instant, the air in the entire private room seemed to solidify. Everyone's gaze converged on Feng Xiao as if it were tangible.
Ning Rongrong's fingertips unconsciously tightened on her skirt, her glazed tile-like eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
Just then, a clear, handsome figure suddenly appeared in her mind—the young man who made Sausages for her.
This thought made her heart tremble, and an indescribable sense of guilt quietly spread.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is naturally as rich as a nation," Feng Xiao said, gently stroking his teacup, his voice like a clear spring hitting a stone.
These four words made Ning Fengzhi's brows raise slightly—wealth, to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, was indeed the least valuable thing.
"What an arrogant boy!" Gu Rong slammed the table and stood up, his eyes blazing with sharp light, "Could it be that in your eyes, my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is only left with these mere material possessions?"
Feng Xiao slowly sipped his clear tea, a slight smile on his lips: "If your Sect truly had everything..." The glazed tile cup spun lightly between his fingers, "...why would you need to invite me to a banquet?"
Gu Rong froze at these words, his chest heaving violently, a cold glint appearing in his eyes, and spirit power subtly fluctuating around him.
Ning Fengzhi raised his hand at the opportune moment, his gentle voice like a spring breeze and rain: "Uncle Bone, calm down." He lightly tapped the glazed tile cup with his fingertip, "Sometimes, we should listen to what young people think of us."
"Hmph!" Gu Rong heavily flicked his sleeve, but the chilling murderous aura around him gradually receded.
Seeing this, Ning Rongrong's glazed tile-like eyes flashed with a hint of unease. She quietly tightened her grip on her skirt, secretly resolving that since she had invited him, she would protect Feng Xiao and ensure his safe departure, no matter what.
Ning Fengzhi seemed to sense her thoughts, looking at Feng Xiao with a smile: "Young Feng, don't worry." He picked up the teapot and poured tea, his tone becoming even gentler amidst the swirling tea aroma, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School never harms its friends."
Feng Xiao's eyes flickered, as if starlight flowed within them, then returned to calm. He held his cup and took a light sip, then slowly began: "Since School Master Ning and the two Elders are interested, I might as well tell a story."
Ning Fengzhi lightly flicked his wide sleeve, making a 'please' gesture: "I'm all ears."
"School Master Ning must know," Feng Xiao said, lightly tapping the table with his fingertip, "that Tang San and I both graduated from Nuoding City Junior Spirit Master Academy."
Ning Fengzhi nodded with a smile, not concealing his knowledge of the matter.
"When I first arrived in Nuoding," Feng Xiao's lips curved slightly, a hint of playfulness in his eyes, "I once had a conversation with Tang San and his teacher."
He looked around at everyone, "Do the Elders know what advice they gave me?"
At these words, silence fell upon the room. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo unconsciously leaned forward, and even Ning Rongrong forgot to sip her clear tea, her glazed tile-like eyes filled with curiosity.
Feng Xiao's knuckles lightly tapped the table, his voice like a clear spring striking stone: "Perhaps Yu Xiaogang discovered my talent in support abilities and strongly urged me to become a support system Spirit Master."
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "But I refused."
The sunlight fell on Feng Xiao, illuminating his chiseled profile: "My reason for refusing Yu Xiaogang was—I wanted to control my own destiny, not rely on others like a support system Spirit Master."
His gaze slowly swept over Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, "Just like the current situation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School..."
The words were unfinished, but they struck like a clap of thunder. Ning Fengzhi's teacup trembled, and he gave a bitter smile, slowly nodding, complex ripples appearing in his eyes.
Feng Xiao's fingertips lightly spun the teacup, the clear tea reflecting his deep eyes: "Wealth gathers and disperses with people. If people are gone, even mountains of gold and silver are useless."
He looked directly at Ning Fengzhi, his voice unhurried: "Although this junior does not wish to get involved in power struggles, forgive my bluntness—"
The teacup clinked against the sandalwood table, making a crisp sound: "If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School directly opposes Spirit Hall..." His lips curved slightly, his smile not reaching his eyes, "...it would be like a giant ship about to capsize. Even with immense wealth, it cannot escape sinking."
These words were like a sharp sword unsheathed, piercing the hearts of Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
Gu Rong's face was ashen, and Chen Xin's sword-like brows were tightly furrowed—though every word was scathing, it was an undeniable truth.
Especially thinking of Oscar, who was still missing, they felt these words were indeed true.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes blazed, looking at Feng Xiao as if he had found a priceless treasure: "I never imagined that Young Feng not only possesses extraordinary talent, but his insight into the continent's situation is even more admirable."
His fingertips gently stroked the rim of the glazed tile cup, his heart filled with both astonishment and regret—what a fortunate thing it would be if such a brilliant and exceptional person could become a guardian, or even an inheritor, of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
It was a pity that such a discerning person would never be willing to be bound by a Sect.
Ning Rongrong's pretty face turned pale upon hearing this, her slender fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her skirt.
To her, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was not just a home, but the very essence of her soul.
Now, hearing Feng Xiao's pronouncement, it was as if she witnessed the ship carrying all her memories slowly sinking, the cold seawater already washing over the deck.
Ning Rongrong suddenly stood up, her glazed tile-like eyes shimmering with tears: "Since you can see the crisis, do you have any way to resolve it?" Her voice trembled slightly, as if she was grasping at a last straw.
"Rongrong, don't worry!" Gu Rong flashed to her side and quickly embraced his granddaughter, his rough hand gently patting her back, "With this old skeleton of a grandfather here, even if I have to risk my life, I won't let the Sect suffer the slightest mishap!" He glared at Feng Xiao, but his eyes held less of their previous hostility.
Chen Xin slowly said, "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can unite with the three upper Sects and the power of the Empire..." His sword-like brows raised slightly, "...it might not be impossible to compete with Spirit Hall."
Ning Fengzhi lightly sipped his tea, his gentle voice like a steadying needle in the sea: "Indeed. The Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, will not sit idly by while Spirit Hall dominates."
His gaze was far-reaching, as if he had already seen the future chessboard.
Feng Xiao picked up a translucent bamboo shoot tip with his chopsticks, seemingly oblivious to their impassioned speeches: "School Master Ning must have watched the Spirit fighting competition a few days ago carefully."
He put the bamboo shoot into his mouth, chewing slowly, "You say... in a team Spirit fight, who would be targeted first?"
The crisp sound of chopsticks hitting the porcelain plate was particularly jarring in the suddenly silent private room.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo's pupils contracted sharply, and Ning Fengzhi's teacup almost slipped from his hand—the news of Oscar's mysterious disappearance a month ago exploded like thunder in the minds of the three.
Looking at the composed young man dining before them now, the three felt a chill crawl up their spines. Those hands holding the chopsticks seemed to be manipulating invisible chess pieces, strategizing.
The private room, which had been full of lively discussion moments ago, was now so quiet that they could hear the shouts of vendors outside the window.
"Father... Grandfather, what's wrong?" Ning Rongrong looked at their suddenly changed expressions, her heart tightening, and an ominous premonition arose within her.
Gu Rong suppressed the gloom in his eyes, his rough hand rubbing his granddaughter's head: "Nothing, Grandfather was just lost in thought." His voice carried a deliberate lightness.
Ning Fengzhi's hand holding the cup tightened slightly, but a gentle smile appeared on his face. He knew better than anyone—the living could never win against the dead, and the deceased would always occupy the softest place in the hearts of the living.
Some truths, perhaps, should never be known to Rongrong.
Feng Xiao lowered his eyes, concealing the fleeting smile within them—Oscar, this chess piece, was not wasted after all.
Now, he just had to wait and see if Ning Fengzhi, this big fish, would bite the hook.
"Let's eat first, the dishes are getting cold." Ning Fengzhi picked up his gilded chopsticks, his gaze inadvertently falling on Feng Xiao.
The young man's dining posture was elegant and composed, every chopstick movement just right, as if performing some kind of art.
Watching this scene, Ning Fengzhi suddenly remembered the story Feng Xiao had just told—if Feng Xiao had truly chosen to become a support system Spirit Master, what kind of path would this young man have taken?
Ning Fengzhi lightly tapped the table with his fingertip, then suddenly asked softly, "Young Feng, if you had truly become a support system Spirit Master back then, how would you have chosen?"
The private room instantly fell silent. Gu Rong and Chen Xin simultaneously put down their chopsticks, their gazes fixed on Feng Xiao like torches.
Feng Xiao elegantly set down his utensils and gently wiped his lips with a pristine napkin: "I would choose a strong companion, just as School Master Ning has a discerning eye for people."
He looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes, "Just like the rules of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
However..." His fingertip lightly tapped the table, "...the rise and fall of a Sect, this choice, is much more difficult than choosing a personal companion.
For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to remain prosperous for generations, it must choose to align with the faction most likely to prosper."
"Hmph, kid, if we didn't know your background, this old man would suspect you're a spy for Spirit Hall," Gu Rong said, looking at Feng Xiao.
Feng Xiao slowly picked up the teapot and poured tea: "This junior is indeed an honorary Elder of Spirit Hall right now." Amidst the swirling tea aroma, his lips curved slightly, "Of course, I can also be an honorary Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, provided the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can have the last laugh."
The glazed tile cup spun lightly between his fingers, "But given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's own positioning, it's simply impossible for it to be the ultimate victor."
Ning Fengzhi's expression gradually darkened, like the sky before a storm. His slender fingers unconsciously stroked the rim of the glazed tile cup, his knuckles slightly white.
The deeper meaning of Feng Xiao's words finally became clear in his mind—
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was like a support system Spirit Master in a Spirit fighting arena; no matter which faction it chose, it would inevitably become the primary target.
And now, it was the moment this century-old Sect had to make a choice.
If they united the three upper Sects and the Empire to resist Spirit Hall... Ning Fengzhi closed his eyes, as if he could already see the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda collapsing in the flames of war.
Even if they ultimately won, the Sect would inevitably be severely weakened by Spirit Hall's frenzied retaliation.
And if they chose to align with Spirit Hall... He slowly exhaled a turbid breath. Although the Sect's sphere of influence would continuously shrink under Spirit Hall's expansion, at least their foundation could be preserved.
What they would give up were merely those least valuable material possessions.