Chapter 40: Betroth Ning Rongrong to Me?

Ning Fengzhi’s handsome face remained fixed on Xu Sheng for a long moment before a smile finally touched his lips. "Xu Sheng, I hope you don't mind if I address you as such?"

Xu Sheng frowned slightly. "Master Ning is joking. Of course, you may."

Ning Fengzhi gave a slight nod. "Then I shall call you Xu Sheng. Regarding Rongrong’s peril in the Sunset Forest, I am deeply grateful for your intervention. I cannot thank you enough..."

Xu Sheng replied calmly, "Master Ning, there is no need for such formalities. Rongrong is such a fine girl; naturally, I could not just stand by and watch her perish."

*Why is Ning Fengzhi probing me like this? What is he plotting?*

He had a feeling the answer would soon be revealed.

Ning Fengzhi’s tone grew more earnest, an air of conviction radiating from him. "Of course, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, as long as it is within our power, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will never refuse you!"

Xu Sheng’s inner annoyance grew. He had no desire for such nebulous conversation. "Master Ning, I appreciate your kindness, but I believe you know that I had no such intentions when I saved Rongrong."

Ning Fengzhi stood up, then slowly bowed his head. "I am well aware, Xu Sheng. However, since Sword Uncle injured you by mistake, I offer you this apology on his behalf."

*This Ning Fengzhi is a man who knows when to bend and when to stand tall,* Xu Sheng thought to himself. *It is no wonder the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has risen to the status of one of the Upper Three Sects.*

For the esteemed Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to personally bow and apologize... it also spoke volumes of his ambition.

Seeing this, Chen Xin, sitting behind Ning Fengzhi, darkened his face and barked, "Fengzhi, what are you doing? Do you think I need you to apologize for me?"

Ning Fengzhi held up a hand to stop him. He straightened back up and smiled at Chen Xin. "We couldn't very well have you apologize yourself, could we?"

Gu Rong patted Ning Fengzhi on the shoulder, his expression calm. "Fengzhi surely has his own reasons. Don't be so dramatic!"

Chen Xin shot him a cold glare. "Hmph! Of course, it’s not you he’s apologizing for, so you don't have to be dramatic!"

If Gu Rong were in his shoes, he would likely be even more furious.

Xu Sheng had no intention of making things difficult for Chen Xin, but it was necessary to make him uncomfortable. After being struck so hard, if he couldn't even endure this little bit of awkwardness, what was the point?

Xu Sheng feigned embarrassment. "Master Ning, what are you doing? If it weren't for Sword Douluo's strike, perhaps I wouldn't have had the chance to visit your sect."

Chen Xin moved to stand up in protest. "Boy! You are—"

Before he could finish, Gu Rong clamped a hand onto his shoulder and forced him back down.

Gu Rong held his forehead with his other hand, feeling that it was truly embarrassing to be sitting with Chen Xin today. They were both Titled Douluo who had weathered countless life-and-death trials, yet they were being provoked so easily.

To be so petty with a junior...

Furthermore, they were indeed in the wrong. To mend their relationship with Rongrong, what was a little sarcasm?

Ning Fengzhi watched Xu Sheng’s blatant mockery, his lips twitching slightly before he regained his composure and sat back down.

He asked warmly once more, "Xu Sheng, according to Sword Uncle, your spirit power has reached level ninety-one?"

Xu Sheng gave a dark, clever smile. "Yes, I suppose I have a bit of talent. My innate spirit power was level ninety when I awakened..."

Ning Fengzhi’s fingers tightened, suppressing the bitterness in his heart.

*No, no. He is Rongrong’s savior. I cannot lose my temper, I cannot...*

Due to the limitations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, he was forever barred from reaching level eighty, stuck at level seventy-nine. Xu Sheng’s words had ruthlessly shattered his confidence as the sect master.

*This boy’s words are like thorns,* Ning Fengzhi thought. *I must not take them personally.*

Even Ning Fengzhi had barely managed to keep his cool, let alone Chen Xin and Gu Rong behind him. Upon hearing this, the two of them felt as if their hearts had been pierced by a thousand daggers.

Gu Rong and Chen Xin exchanged a look and nodded silently.

To say such a thing with a straight face and call it "a bit of talent"... wasn't that the same as calling both of them trash?

They couldn't stay any longer, or they might just kill the boy on the spot!

The two stood up in silent agreement. Chen Xin coughed. "Well, Fengzhi, I’ll leave this to you. My old bones are itching; I’m going to go deal with this guy."

Gu Rong raised an eyebrow. "Who are you calling itchy? Do you want to fight?"

Chen Xin bristled. "Let's fight! Don't think I'm afraid of you. Don't forget, I always have one more win than you!"

"You're full of it! It’s clearly me who always has the upper hand!"

The two continued to bicker as they hurried out of the main hall.

And so, they were gone. The entire hall was left with only Xu Sheng and Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi: "..."

After Gu Rong and Chen Xin departed, Xu Sheng shed his mocking demeanor and smiled gently. "My apologies to Master Ning for my behavior. I was simply feeling resentful after being severely injured by Sword Douluo and needed to vent. I meant no disrespect to you."

This short sentence instantly boosted Ning Fengzhi’s impression of him several times over.

He had thought Xu Sheng’s earlier behavior was his true nature, but it seemed he had simply been venting his frustration at the two elders. Moreover, the intensity of his vent was well-measured, devoid of any excessive verbal conflict.

Ning Fengzhi silently evaluated him: *Excellent. With such a sharp mind and such terrifying talent, he will surely be a powerhouse in the future.*

*Seeing Rongrong’s attitude toward him... if Rongrong could...* Ning Fengzhi narrowed his eyes slightly.

Xu Sheng noticed Ning Fengzhi had fallen into deep thought. Assuming he was pondering something important, he did not interrupt.

Regaining his focus, Ning Fengzhi stared at Xu Sheng with keen eyes, half-smiling as he asked, "Xu Sheng, what do you think of Rongrong?"

"Rongrong? She is quite sensible and well-behaved. What do you mean by that, Master Ning?" Xu Sheng asked, feigning surprise with a serious face.

*Is he planning to betroth Ning Rongrong to me? Don't play like that, I'm still young!*

The corners of Ning Fengzhi’s mouth curled up. He sighed softly, "Xu Sheng, Rongrong has never been so close to anyone in all her years at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. She can be quite willful at times."

Ning Fengzhi looked directly into Xu Sheng’s eyes, his expression earnest. "But since she met you and returned, everything has started to change for the better. Therefore, if I were to betroth Rongrong to you, would you be willing?"

As his daughter, she had inherited his spirit, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda...

In the future, she would need a powerful spirit master to protect her, and Xu Sheng was undoubtedly an excellent choice!