Chapter 46: The Duel
Ruo Ling couldn't help feeling like some villain out of a play.
It was supposed to be a straightforward agreement, yet the scene unfolding looked for all the world like an evil organization abducting an innocent girl.
His lips twitched in frustration. His opinion of Ning Fengzhi dropped several notches.
The Clear Sky Clan could abandon Tang Hao and seal their gates to preserve their strength; the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could exile Yu Xiaogang to avoid internal strife; and now, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would trade away Ning Rongrong for the sake of an immortal herb.
The so-called "Upper Three Sects" were all the same—hypocrites cloaked in dignity.
In the end, to them, the sect always outweighed family.
"Rongrong will need a few days to prepare. She can leave with His Holiness in five days," Ning Fengzhi finally said, making his decision.
Neither Ruo Ling nor Bibi Dong objected. After handing the Golden Threaded Amber Tulip to him, they took their leave.
Once they were gone, Ning Fengzhi looked down at his daughter, sighing softly.
"Rongrong, I know you resent me," he said. "But making the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has been our ancestors' lifelong dream."
He stared at the delicate golden flower in his hands, his expression complicated.
"No matter how you judge me in the future, I can't let this chance slip away."
"And this herb… it's meant for you," he added gently.
At that, a flicker of surprise stirred across her small face.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "I'm getting old. The future of this clan will one day rest in your hands."
"When you return from Spirit Hall, this herb will be yours."
He spoke with absolute sincerity.
Whatever one might say about sect priorities, Ning Fengzhi was still—without question—a good father.
...
Ning Rongrong's departure wasn't announced publicly. Since it involved Spirit Hall, only a handful of people knew the truth.
During the remaining days, Ruo Ling focused on studying the Split Mind Control Technique while occasionally visiting Ning Fengzhi to consult him.
Ning Rongrong often joined them.
The once tempestuous little witch had become quiet. As the pampered heiress of the sect, she had always lived surrounded by admiration and luxury, unaware of the sacrifices behind it all.
Originally, she had held deep resentment toward her father. But after reading certain classified records from the sect's archives, her perspective changed entirely.
She learned how her ancestors, desperate to break the limitation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, had resorted to countless experiments—some even testing on themselves.
Many of their pureblood clan members had died in those attempts.
That grim history had been sealed away, known only to each subsequent sect master—until now.
Only then did she finally understand her father's decision to send her away.
He hadn't lied. The herb was meant for her, and one day she would inherit his position as sect master.
The little princess who once threw tantrums seemed to mature overnight.
Ruo Ling found the change strange—almost too fast—but noted that she and her father still seemed close.
"Tomorrow, we'll be leaving for Spirit Hall. Are you ready?" Ruo Ling asked, glancing at her at the training grounds.
"There's nothing to prepare," Ning Rongrong replied curtly. "You said Spirit Hall will treat me with the highest respect, didn't you?"
Her tone carried a faint edge of sarcasm. Even after understanding the truth, she still disliked the person who was taking her away from home.
"As you say, Miss Ning," Ruo Ling replied helplessly with a faint smile.
While they exchanged half-hearted remarks, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Bibi Dong arrived at the training field.
Both Ruo Ling and Ning Rongrong straightened hastily to greet them.
Ruo Ling blinked, uncertain what this sudden gathering meant—until he sensed a pulse of hostility.
His gaze shifted to the young man standing beside Sword Douluo.
He recognized him vaguely: Bai Yu, a level 44 Soul Ancestor.
"Xiao Ling," Bibi Dong said softly, noticing Ruo Ling's confusion, "before we leave, Sect Master Ning would like to see the strength of Spirit Hall's Holy Son for himself."
Ruo Ling's eyes flickered in understanding.
Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly. "A friendly exchange between our disciples, young friend Ruo Ling. We are all allies now, after all. No harm in a little sparring."
He had heard stories of the Holy Son for years but had found few concrete details. Now, he wanted to see with his own eyes how the future of Spirit Hall compared to the heirs of his own sect.
Ruo Ling's expression remained calm. "If Sect Master Ning wishes to see, I have no objection."
Pleased, Ning Fengzhi gestured toward the young man. "This is Bai Yu, the most promising student of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—and disciple of Sword Douluo."
"It's an honor," Bai Yu said with a polite nod.
"Ruo Ling," he replied simply.
Though intrigued, Ruo Ling had no real expectations. Bai Yu had never appeared in the records of the original story; his strength was unknown to him.
"You're only sparring, so hold back," Ning Fengzhi instructed. "And Bai Yu, don't use your fourth ability."
The two stepped onto the elevated platform.
"You can use your fourth ability," Ruo Ling said suddenly, smiling faintly.
Bai Yu frowned. "Are you looking down on me?"
Ruo Ling only shook his head in silence.
"Begin!"
"Bai Yu, age 18, Martial Spirit: Azure Rainbow Sword, Level 44 Weapon Soul Master. Please advise."
"Ruo Ling, age 10, Martial Spirit: Crow Shadow Puppet, Level 37 Weapon Soul Master. Please advise."
Following Bai Yu's formality, Ruo Ling calmly announced his own details—including his age.
The moment the word "ten" left his lips, Bai Yu froze—and so did everyone watching.
Ten years old?
Even Ning Fengzhi and the two Titled Douluo widened their eyes in disbelief.
To reach near-Soul Ancestor strength at such an age was beyond extraordinary.
Ning Rongrong blinked in shock. She had assumed Ruo Ling was much older than her—but he was only a year her senior.
A single year… and a difference of twenty levels in soul power!
"Your Holiness, is Ruo Ling truly only ten?" Ning Fengzhi asked, barely containing his astonishment.
"Yes," Bibi Dong answered proudly, her tone faintly smug. "My disciple is only ten."
Ning Fengzhi turned his gaze back to the platform. At that moment, he understood—this boy's future achievements would one day tower above the continent itself.
Then, his eyes flickered briefly toward his daughter.
If Rongrong and he… The thought crossed his mind, and suddenly, sending her to Spirit Hall didn't seem so unbearable.
On the dueling platform, Bai Yu released his martial spirit—a gleaming cyan longsword. Four rings orbited his body rapidly.
Across from him, Ruo Ling reached up and tapped the black raven perched on his shoulder.
With a rush of wings, the crow took flight—then dove to the ground, transforming into thick shadows that reshaped into Ruo Ling's own figure within seconds.
The Crow Shadow Puppet came alive, and its first ability activated immediately.
Countless black threads spread outward like a web.
"Let's begin," Ruo Ling said lightly.
"Is that your martial spirit? Where are your spirit rings?" Bai Yu asked in confusion, never having seen such a bizarre phenomenon.
"Defeat me," Ruo Ling replied with a smile, "and you'll find out."
And with that, he made the first move.
(END CHAPTER)
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