"Have you truly decided?"
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes, studying Ning Fengzhi as if seeing him anew. For someone known for calm strategy rather than reckless daring, this decision felt almost unbelievable.
Ning Fengzhi stood atop the highest pavilion of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Robes fluttering in the high wind, he spoke lightly, yet decisively.
"In an era of great contention, standing still means falling behind. Besides… there is no other path left to choose."
Dugu Bo folded his arms. "Then why call me here? I don't have a sect backing me, and I owe you nothing."
"I'd like to invite you to serve as Vice Dean of Seven Treasure Academy."
Dugu Bo didn't even blink. "And why should I accept?"
"Supporting commoner Spirit Masters aligns with Boss Li's intentions. For that reason alone—"
"Spare me." Dugu Bo cut him off with open disdain. "As long as I don't deliberately suppress commoners, Boss Li won't interfere with me."
Ning Fengzhi continued patiently, "Even for Yan Yan's future position in the Sacrificial Shop, this matter—"
Before he finished, Dugu Bo vanished, leaving only the echoing rustle of wind.
Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly. As expected, not so easily fooled anymore.
He didn't pursue. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan truly had nothing enticing enough to bind a Titled Douluo who now possessed his own leverage.
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo sneered as he drifted away. Back then, I might've been coaxed. But times have changed.
Yan Yan had already carved out her place in the Sacrificial Shop. His status rose with hers. And Ning Fengzhi still wanted him to work… for free?
Dream on.
Chen Xin appeared beside Fengzhi. "Dugu Bo refuses to cooperate. Then our plan…"
"I never expected an easy path." Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and withdrew a scroll from his spirit tool. Dense names and numbers filled the parchment. "Even without borrowing the Sacrificial Shop's influence, our clan's thousand-year reputation is real."
This directory was the result of mobilizing the clan's entire intelligence network.
He pointed to a line. "The first batch of Seven Treasure Academy students won't be chosen for talent. Only comprehension matters — especially those with low innate spirit power who still achieve breakthroughs with first-grade manuals."
Chen Xin frowned. "But without resources, such people rarely go far."
"Exactly."
Ning Fengzhi's gaze sharpened.
"Because they lack resources, they will cherish opportunities even more — and be truly loyal to those who gave them a future. Boss Li's manuals barely require talent — only high comprehension. Under old rules they were 'wastes.' In this new age — they are geniuses."
Just like Gao Feng.
They lacked neither perseverance nor spirit. They simply lacked a door to walk through — and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could open it.
"With our resources and the Sacrificial Shop's cultivation techniques," he said firmly, "we can transform them. And disciples nurtured personally by us will possess deeper loyalty than those born already privileged."
"They are the continent's future… and the hope for our rise."
Chen Xin, however, sighed. "Before dreaming about the future, those Elders summoned you. Again."
Ning Fengzhi's confident expression froze.
Those Elders had watched him grow. They were all seniors — kindly, stubborn, immovable. They objected daily, blocking his reforms step by step. Reasoning bounced off them like pebbles thrown at stone.
They wouldn't listen when told, wouldn't believe when they heard, wouldn't obey when convinced, wouldn't change when obeying, would make mistakes when changing — and would fall silent when those mistakes appeared.
Like rocks at the bottom of a latrine: smelly, and impossibly hard.
"Uncle Gu has returned," Chen Xin added gently. "And he brought what you requested."
Ning Fengzhi exhaled in relief. "Then let's settle this completely."
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Deliberation Hall.
Ning Fengzhi sat at the head. Chen Xin and Gu Rong flanked him. Below, Elder after Elder sat upright — stern, white-haired, stubborn.
"Fengzhi," the Grand Elder spoke first, "sect resources are limited. Squandering them on commoner Spirit Masters is foolish. Their aptitude is inferior. The result will always be the same — failure."
"That may not be true."
Ning Fengzhi placed a recording stone on the table. Spirit light projected an image: a thin youth meditating beneath a tree.
Moments later, the youth stood, summoning a rusty iron saber. Spirit power surged — faint light cloaked the blade. With one strike, he split a tree clean in half, then calmly resumed meditation.
The Elders stared blankly. Nothing seemed remarkable.
Ning Fengzhi slid a dossier forward. "His name is Xiang Jingyu — innate spirit power, only 0.5. He cultivated a first-grade method for a few days… and already reached minor success."
Shock swept the hall.
The Grand Elder's hands trembled as he read, muttering again and again — "A true talent…"
But soon, doubt reappeared. "His starting point is too low. Transforming his Spirit will require massive investment. Better to prioritize Rongrong's evolution to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"He doesn't need massive investment," Ning Fengzhi replied calmly. "Uncle Gu already took him to the Sacrificial Shop. Bi Ji confirmed: if he reaches full mastery, his Spirit will evolve slowly on its own. It will take time — but with opportunity, he can soar."
The Grand Elder hesitated. "And if he betrays us after receiving everything?"
Gu Rong's gaze turned cold. "If Elders consider me an outsider, I'll return every sacrificial coin and leave now."
Faces changed instantly. Apologies poured out. Even the Grand Elder bowed his head.
Only then did Ning Fengzhi speak again.
"We've already reached an agreement with Xiang Jingyu. He's willing to marry into our Ning family. If there are no objections, I plan to offer Ning Jing—"
Surprise flashed — then delight. With his own granddaughter tied to such promise, the Grand Elder's stance melted at once.
"Jing'er dedicating herself to the clan is her honor."
Seizing the moment, Ning Fengzhi continued, "If one Xiang Jingyu exists among commoners, there may be others. So — establishing our academy is essential."
The Grand Elder pondered, then finally spoke:
"If those disciples wish for full support from our clan, they must marry a Ning family woman — just like Xiang Jingyu."
Ning Fengzhi agreed readily.
First establish the academy.
As for implementation later… that would still be his decision.
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