Council Hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi sat on the Sect Master's throne, looking at the three people below with a puzzled expression. Yu Xiaogang stood in front, with the Chrysanthemum Douluo and the Ghost Douluo standing on either side behind him like bodyguards.
This lineup was simply incomprehensible.
As everyone knew, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos were Bibi Dong's right-hand men, and their martial soul fusion skill was incredibly powerful.
It was utterly unexpected that Bibi Dong would send them to protect a mere Level 29 soul power Grandmaster, it was simply bizarre!
After all, even Ning Fengzhi had only sent a Soul Saint to secretly protect his precious daughter, Ning Rongrong.
To be fair, if Spirit Hall had only sent one Soul Saint to protect Yu Xiaogang, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would have been wary. But the fact that they sent two Titled Douluos was clearly an overwhelming display of support for Yu Xiaogang.
Both the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos were frustrated by this assignment, yet helpless, as neither dared to disobey Bibi Dong's direct order.
"Why do Elder Ju and Elder Gui need to come along?"
Ning Fengzhi selectively ignored Yu Xiaogang, only addressing the two Titled Douluos directly, intending to sow discord or at least highlight the absurdity of the situation.
Facing Ning Fengzhi's dismissive attitude, Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly. Giving the two Elders no chance to reply, he spoke with a face filled with anger, "Sect Master Ning, you should know that Ma Hongjun is my disciple."
"So what? When you planned to use my daughter to vent your disciple's lust, you should have thought about this day," Ning Fengzhi said bluntly.
Upon hearing this, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos simultaneously looked at Yu Xiaogang, their eyes filled with shock and a hint of disdain.
'Was this guy out of his mind? Daring to make a move on Ning Rongrong?'
However, Yu Xiaogang didn't think he was wrong at all, saying righteously, "In times of emergency, one must act expediently. My disciple is perfectly worthy of your daughter. Besides, this matter never even happened!"
"You should be glad it didn't happen. Otherwise, I wouldn't have just crippled your disciple."
The Sword Douluo's gaze sharpened, releasing an invisible pressure that made Yu Xiaogang feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. His heart even stopped beating for a moment.
Only when Ning Fengzhi waved his hand to interrupt did the Sword Douluo withdraw his aura.
The next moment, Yu Xiaogang gasped for breath, finally recovering. A hint of resentment flashed in his eyes.
'This Sword Dao Chenxin... as a senior, actually bullying the weak, it is utterly hateful!'
He looked up at Ning Fengzhi and said coldly, "Sect Master Ning, don't blame me for not reminding you: I am now an Elder of Spirit Hall."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, his expression gradually becoming serious.
Generally speaking, to become an Elder of Spirit Hall, one must at least possess the cultivation of a Titled Douluo. Yet Yu Xiaogang hadn't even reached Level 30, but he claimed the title of Elder.
What was so special about Yu Xiaogang that he could attract Bibi Dong's favor so strongly, even to the point of sending her right-hand men as his bodyguards?
"Elder Yu, what do you intend to do?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
Now, Spirit Hall was growing stronger daily, seeming to surpass even the two great empires, and its influence was far beyond the reach of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alone.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi's attitude soften slightly, Yu Xiaogang became even more smug. Puffing out his chest, he said, "This Elder has come to seek justice for my disciple, but it seems you have no intention of negotiating."
"This matter was indeed handled improperly by us, and we are willing to make some compensation."
A hint of helplessness flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. He had thought that Yu Xiaogang would at most complain to his father, Yu Yuanzhen. Even if Yu Yuanzhen wanted to avenge his "grand-disciple," he would consider the strength difference.
Moreover, it was Ma Hongjun who was crippled, not Yu Xiaogang, so Yu Yuanzhen would most likely choose to back down, at most making some verbal threats.
To his surprise, Yu Xiaogang's biggest reliance was actually Bibi Dong.
Even if the two had some relationship back then, more than twenty years had passed, yet Bibi Dong still valued Yu Xiaogang so much.
'What kind of magic does this guy possess?'
To prevent Bibi Dong from causing trouble for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi decided to try and quell Yu Xiaogang's anger with money.
"Compensation?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened, his anger almost overflowing. He roared, "That's my disciple! My most important disciple! And you've crippled him!"
If Ma Hongjun hadn't become a cripple, with the effects of that Fire-attribute herb, he might have been able to transform into a true Fire Phoenix Soul Master. It was all the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's fault!
Seeing this outburst, the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a glance, both seeing the cold glint in each other's eyes.
The Chrysanthemum Douluo, sensing the situation was escalating, immediately transmitted his voice to the Ghost Douluo: "Old Ghost, if a fight breaks out, don't worry about this piece of trash's life or death. Just make sure you're safe."
"If he dies, how will we explain it to the Pope?"
Although the Ghost Douluo was dissatisfied with this operation, he was wary of Bibi Dong's power. Allowing Yu Xiaogang to die on their watch would definitely anger her.
"Do you really think we can hold off Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong under Ning Fengzhi's amplification?"
After the incident with the precious herbs, the Chrysanthemum Douluo had fully realized his place in Bibi Dong's heart and was increasingly unwilling to risk his life for her personal whims.
Besides, he was already no match for the Sword Douluo in a one-on-one fight. Having to protect a piece of trash like Yu Xiaogang simultaneously? He probably wouldn't last many rounds.
Even using their Martial Soul Fusion Technique could only control the opponents for a short time and wouldn't change the ultimate outcome of the battle.
To be seriously injured, or even die, protecting Yu Xiaogang was incredibly frustrating to imagine.
From another perspective, if Yu Xiaogang died at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Bibi Dong would be furious, but she would likely direct that anger at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, not her loyal subordinates.
As long as their Bipolar Static Domain existed, their position in Spirit Hall would remain unshakeable.
At this moment, the Ghost Douluo subtly glanced at the Chrysanthemum Douluo. As his best friend of decades, he naturally noticed the shift in his partner's mindset.
"Elder Yu, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to offer one million Gold Soul Coins as compensation. This is our biggest concession," Ning Fengzhi said magnanimously.
If money could settle this matter, that would be best; after all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had no shortage of wealth.
"One million Gold Soul Coins..."
A flicker of interest flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. His bet with Lin Mu was only one hundred thousand coins; one million was enough for him to make ten such bets, or even raise the stakes.
Since Bibi Dong had already promised him that she would eventually destroy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, this one million coins would just be interest collected in advance.
Just as he was about to agree, a clear voice, imbued with soul power, rang out through the hall.
"One million Gold Soul Coins? Give them to me; I'll settle this."
The words had barely left his lips when two figures appeared in the hall, Lin Mu and the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.
"Lin Mu?!"
Everyone except the Bone Douluo and Ghost Douluo exclaimed in surprise, completely unprepared for Lin Mu's sudden appearance.
The Bone Douluo and Ghost Douluo were equally shocked; they had heard rumors of Lin Mu's speed, but they hadn't even noticed his arrival until he spoke. 'Just how fast is this guy?'
"Lin Mu, this has nothing to do with you! What right do you have to interfere?!" Yu Xiaogang shouted angrily.
"I felt like it. What can you do about it?"
Facing Yu Xiaogang's angry rebuke, Lin Mu remained unconcerned.
In truth, he wasn't particularly interested in one million Gold Soul Coins, but he was interested in making Yu Xiaogang unhappy.
Then, Lin Mu's gaze shifted to the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
'Bibi Dong truly favors Yu Xiaogang, actually sending these two to protect him.'
At this moment, Lin Mu suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He thought to himself, 'This might be an opportunity. If I have their Martial Soul Fusion Technique, hunting down the Ferocious Beast will be a sure thing.'