Seeing Lin Mu's complete lack of respect, Ning Fengzhi's eye twitched, a thought rising in his mind: 'Didn't Xue Qinghe talk to him?'
Logically, given the relationship between Xue Qinghe and Lin Mu, getting Lin Mu to agree to Ning Rongrong joining the Royal Fighting Team shouldn't be a problem.
However, as the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe was busy with affairs and might not have discussed this matter with Lin Mu yet.
Just as the atmosphere became awkward, Meng Shenji stepped forward and interjected, "Teacher Lin Mu, Sect Leader Ning has come to send his daughter to the Royal Fighting Team."
Now, the Royal Fighting Team was Lin Mu's domain, and even the Three Board Members had no reason to interfere.
The Three Board Members all knew that the Royal Fighting Team's transformation was entirely due to Lin Mu's efforts, and they didn't want to force him away.
Moreover, Lin Mu was not only the leader who could guide the Royal Fighting Team to victory but also the future pillar of the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Lord Lin Mu, Rongrong is willing to start as a substitute, as long as she can train with the team," Ning Fengzhi said, bowing slightly and taking a step back.
Seeing this, the Three Board Members were startled. They hadn't expected Sect Master Ning to value Lin Mu so much, even bowing to him, a clear sign of respect.
However, Lin Mu remained calm, saying indifferently, "I offered her a substitute role before, but she didn't agree. The Royal Fighting Team doesn't need a Great Soul Master right now."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong was both ashamed and angry. Wasn't this a blatant accusation of being short-sighted?
She stomped her foot heavily, puffing out her cheeks, "Who said we don't need Great Soul Masters? What about Zhu Zhuqing? She's a Great Soul Master just like me!"
Before Lin Mu could respond, Zhu Zhuqing stood up.
Immediately, her Hell Civet martial soul materialized, and three soul rings rose from her feet.
Looking at the purple thousand-year soul ring, Ning Rongrong was immediately embarrassed, even wanting to find a crack in the ground to disappear into. She couldn't understand why Zhu Zhuqing had cultivated so quickly.
Actually, Zhu Zhuqing had only obtained this thousand-year soul ring two days ago.
With the aid of medicinal pills and a high-intensity training method to absorb their power, she successfully broke through to Level 30.
Lin Mu didn't take her to the Star Dou Great Forest but instead went to the nearby Sunset Forest. After all, it was just a thousand-year soul ring, so there wasn't a need for overly high requirements.
"A twelve-year-old Soul Elder!" A hint of surprise flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
A little over a month ago, when he went to Shrek Academy, Zhu Zhuqing's soul power was only Level 28, which was already considered exceptionally talented. He hadn't expected her to break through to Soul Elder so quickly; Lin Mu must have played a part in it.
Witnessing such incredible training results, he became even more convinced of his belief.
Currently, Ning Rongrong's soul power was barely Level 28.5. To cultivate to Level 30, it would take at least four months, but under Lin Mu's tutelage, she might become a Soul Elder within two months.
"Lord Lin Mu, it's all our fault for spoiling Rongrong too much, which has allowed her to develop such a domineering personality. Even if she can't play in the competition, please let her participate in training. It'll be a good opportunity to temper her character," Ning Fengzhi said sincerely.
In his view, whether she was a regular member or a substitute, as long as Ning Rongrong could enter the Royal Fighting Team, that was fine.
If the two of them sparked a connection, their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would benefit immensely.
Even if Lin Mu didn't fancy Ning Rongrong, he would at least be her teacher in some capacity, so they would have some connection.
Just as Lin Mu was weighing the pros and cons, Qian Renxue walked to his side and advised, "Teacher Lin Mu, it's just a substitute position anyway. It won't affect the team's lineup."
"That's true, a substitute position really isn't important."
Lin Mu's eyes flickered. As long as it didn't affect training and matches, letting Ning Rongrong join the Royal Fighting Team wasn't out of the question.
After a brief thought, Lin Mu looked up at Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo and said, "I can agree to her joining the Royal Fighting Team, but there's one condition: I need your help when I hunt for my eighth soul ring."
Because he had offended Di Tian and Bi Ji, relying solely on the Poison Douluo was definitely far from enough to hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
With Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo's help, as long as he didn't encounter Di Tian, he could escape unscathed even if he encountered other Ferocious Beasts, and might even be able to kill one.
If he could absorb a Ferocious Beast's soul ring, his strength would definitely skyrocket.
Hearing this request, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.
With Lin Mu's strength, he could easily handle soul beasts under a hundred thousand years old. Even against hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts, he could put up a fight and perhaps even gain the upper hand with his speed.
The fact that he still needed their help clearly indicated his intention to hunt hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts.
Thinking of this, Sword Douluo's eyes flashed with envy. He didn't even have a single hundred-thousand-year soul ring, while Lin Mu was about to acquire his second.
"Young friend Lin Mu, your seventh soul ring is already a hundred thousand years old, so the requirement for your eighth soul ring will likely be no less than a hundred thousand years."
At this point, a glint of light flashed in Sword Douluo's eyes as he continued, "Hunting a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, setting aside the risks, the value of a hundred-thousand-year-old soul bone alone is immeasurable. Don't you think this condition is excessive?"
Both hundred-thousand-year-old soul rings and hundred-thousand-year-old soul bones are priceless treasures.
Generally speaking, few dare to target hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts. Each one possesses strength exceeding Level 95, and even weaker Titled Douluos wouldn't dare accept the task, no matter the hefty reward.
Only forces like the Spirit Hall, with numerous Titled Douluos, would dare hunt hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts.
Even if Sword Douluo was confident in his own strength, Ning Fengzhi wouldn't easily take the risk.
Moreover, agreeing to help Lin Mu hunt a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast for a substitute position was clearly an unequal exchange.
Before Lin Mu could respond, Ning Fengzhi proactively suggested, "Lord Lin Mu, we can help you hunt a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, but the hundred-thousand-year-old soul bone must belong to us afterward."
This way, he could not only ease the tension with Lin Mu but also obtain a hundred-thousand-year-old soul bone.
If this soul bone was suitable for Sword Douluo, it would likely help him break through to Level 97, and with Ning Fengzhi's own enhancement, he might even be comparable to a Level 98 Peak Douluo.
As for the risks of hunting hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts, Ning Fengzhi wasn't too worried.
With Uncle Sword and Lin Mu working together, and with his amplification, they would be more than capable of slaying a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast.
However, Lin Mu shook his head, his tone resolute: "I definitely can't give you the soul bone; I need one too."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo frowned; this guy was far too greedy.
After a moment, Lin Mu offered a compromise: "However, I can offer other rewards. Before the Soul Master Competition begins, I can at least help Ning Rongrong increase her soul power by five levels."