Chapter 12: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School-Reencarnação do Imperador Demônio: De Douluo V para Caminhar pelos Céus(Viajante de manto azul sob a chuva enevoada)

The next day, after waking up, Ling Xiao prepared to head to the Star Dou Great Forest to find Rou and Xiao Wu. He intended to bring some gifts along but was unsure what to choose. Consequently, he brought both Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo with him. It must be said that having extra hands proved useful; Ling Xiao selected a variety of items, including food, daily necessities, and clothing, covering everything he might need.

Just as Ling Xiao was picking out desserts at a shop, he suddenly sensed that Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo outside were conversing with someone. He turned to the clerk who was packing his items and said, "Please have these packed up; I am going outside to see what is happening." Without waiting for a response, he stepped out.

"Master Ning, I wonder what brings you to Spirit City?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, looking at a refined and elegant man.

"I am merely here for a leisure visit, Master Ning replied with a gentle smile. "But as for you two, Elders of the Spirit Hall, why are you standing guard outside a dessert shop?"

"We are naturally here on business, which seems to have nothing to do with you, Master Ning," Chrysanthemum Douluo retorted, his tone sharp. After all, as a level 97 Titled Douluo, he was now confident that he could at least hold his own, if not triumph, against Sword Douluo.

"Oh! Business? To have two elders standing guard at the door—this must surely be for the Pope herself! Does the Pope have a penchant for desserts?" Ning Fengzhi asked, his expression appearing genuinely surprised.

Just as the two sides were locked in a tense standoff, Ling Xiao appeared. He looked at the two men before him: one possessed a refined and gentle demeanor with a soft smile, while the other had white hair and an aura as sharp as a drawn sword.

"Elder Ju, who are these two?"

"Saint Son, this man is Ning Fengzhi, Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects of the Heaven Dou Empire," Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately replied to Ling Xiao's inquiry. He then gestured to the other man and added, "And this is Sword Douluo Chen Xin, one of the two pillars of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Hearing the introduction, Ling Xiao studied them. Though Ning Fengzhi’s expression remained unchanged, he was inwardly shocked. A Saint Son of the Spirit Hall? He had never even heard of such a position.

As Ling Xiao observed them, the system’s voice chimed in his mind: "Mission Issued: Third and Fourth Trials of the Ancient God of Life. Shock Ning Fengzhi and bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into the same camp as the Spirit Hall. Reward: Spirit Martial Evolution Energy and High-Level Life Water."

*Oh? A divine task has arrived again.*

Ling Xiao was slightly stunned. He looked at the two men and suddenly took a step forward, instantly closing the distance to within half a meter of Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were startled. Neither had been able to track Ling Xiao’s movement, and they felt a surge of caution. Chen Xin was already prepared to whisk Ning Fengzhi away; this was Spirit City, after all, and the environment was hostile to them. Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo also stepped forward, though they were not worried about Ling Xiao coming to harm.

Ling Xiao had already received the first reward, and a small orb appeared in his system space. He used his soul power to crush the orb, and an mysterious ripple surged out, filling the space. At that moment, he felt a change within himself.

With a knowing smile, Ling Xiao looked at Ning Fengzhi, a plan forming in his mind. He was certain he could bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into the fold. He remembered his teacher telling him about the world’s major factions; the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the premier support-type martial soul in the world. Its addition would make the Spirit Hall even more formidable.

However, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had a fatal flaw: its users could never surpass level 80. Thus, Ning Fengzhi’s greatest wish was to break this limitation, and the Spirit Martial Evolution Energy was the perfect solution. Since it was "Spirit Martial Evolution Energy," it likely wasn't limited to just the Pagoda; it would surely be effective for other martial souls or even soul-based items. After all, his own Demon Eye Blood Sword and Source Flame were also spirit-martial in nature, Ling Xiao mused.

"Master Ning, Sword Douluo, greetings. I am very pleased to meet you both," Ling Xiao said suddenly.

"Saint Son, greetings," Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile, while inwardly wondering what Ling Xiao’s intentions were.

"I wonder, Master Ning, if you have time to speak with me privately? I believe the topic I wish to discuss will be of great interest to you—in fact, one might say it concerns a problem you have always wished to solve."

Ning Fengzhi’s heart skipped a beat. A problem he had always wished to solve? "I do not understand what the Saint Son is referring to. Could you please be more specific?" he asked, maintaining his calm and composed facade.

"Oh, let me tell you a few things first, and then you can decide," Ling Xiao said, beckoning for Ning Fengzhi to lean in.

"Sect Master!" Chen Xin warned, his eyes flashing, but Ning Fengzhi’s curiosity had been piqued. He truly wanted to know what this Saint Son had to say.

He leaned in close, and at a gesture from Ling Xiao, Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately used his soul power to isolate them from the surroundings.

"I heard that your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is limited to the Soul Saint level, and you can never progress further, is that correct?"

"Yes, Saint Son. That is common knowledge throughout the spirit master world," Ning Fengzhi replied, his expression unruffled.

"What if I told you I have a way to break that limitation?" Ling Xiao looked directly into Ning Fengzhi’s eyes, speaking every word with deliberate clarity.

"What! That is impossible. Saint Son, please do not joke with me," Ning Fengzhi said firmly, but his complexion betrayed his inner turmoil.

Chen Xin watched the exchange with a grave expression. He didn't know what the Saint Son had said to cause such a reaction in the usually unflappable Sect Master.

"Oh! Whether you believe it or not is up to your choice, Master Ning. Do you choose to believe and break the shackles of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, or do you prefer to remain as you are, forever unable to reach level 80?"

"If you are willing to believe, come to the Spirit Hall at noon today. You will see then if what I say is true. I look forward to your arrival." Having said this, Ling Xiao signaled for Chrysanthemum Douluo to withdraw his barrier. Without looking back at Ning Fengzhi’s reaction, he walked back into the dessert shop.

Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo returned to their posts, ignoring the two visitors.

"Sect Master, what did that Saint Son say to you?" Chen Xin asked as he helped the still-crouching Ning Fengzhi stand up.

Ning Fengzhi gathered his wits, taking one long, deep look at the direction in which Ling Xiao had disappeared, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes. He said nothing, but led Chen Xin away.

The two Douluos watched them go, whispering to each other. "Old Ghost, what do you think the Saint Son talked to Ning Fengzhi about?"

"Who knows? It’s not our place to ask. We’ll find out eventually."

"That makes sense!"

After walking a distance, Chen Xin could no longer hold back. "Fengzhi, that Saint Son—what exactly did he say to you? Why were you like that?"

"Uncle Sword, I don't know how to explain it, but I feel it is necessary to go to the Spirit Hall at noon today," Ning Fengzhi said, his face calm, yet his eyes burning with a hint of madness.