Chapter 16: An Engagement?

Inside the small building.

Ning Fengzhi stood outside the door, his face full of conflict.

"Jian Shu, I feel that the affection between the two of them has already exceeded my expectations... and it seems that this year of training has brought about no small side effects..."

He rubbed his forehead and said, "Except for the hug when they first arrived, Rongrong has acted especially distant toward me ever since, and she is even a bit cautious when speaking to me..."

Jian Douluo thought for a moment and said, "It seems that way; just now, Rongrong also seemed a bit estranged when she spoke to me."

"And, she can actually only fall asleep when sleeping with Qin Jian. Doesn't that mean the two of them can never be separated again?"

Ning Fengzhi looked very displeased.

Perhaps every father would be very unhappy at a time like this...

"By the way, how is Qin Jian? Has he shown the same situation as Rongrong?" he suddenly asked.

Jian Douluo shook his head and said, "Jian'er seems quite normal; I don't see anything wrong with him. Hmm... he is just a bit quieter..."

"It looks like he is also somewhat affected..."

Ning Fengzhi frowned in thought and said, "In that case, we must find a way to help them walk out of this as soon as possible. It just so happens that Xue Qinghe had a suggestion a few days ago that is quite good..."

"Qinghe? The Sect Master's disciple, Xue Qinghe?" Jian Douluo asked.

"Yes."

Ning Fengzhi said, "The royal family's etiquette training class, which is held every few years, has just begun. Qinghe suggested that Rongrong should also go and learn... Originally, I didn't want to affect Rongrong's cultivation because of this, but now it seems like a good idea. We can let Qin Jian and Rongrong go together."

Jian Douluo pondered for a moment and said, "That is true. It is inevitable to come into contact with others in etiquette class, and since the two of them have just finished the most arduous environmental training, they do indeed need to relax. After all, one must balance tension and relaxation."

Ning Fengzhi nodded.

He looked at the tightly closed door, and a touch of tenderness slowly emerged on his face.

"Jian Shu, looking at how they are acting now, why don't we just set an engagement? That way, we can also be more at ease," he suddenly said.

Jian Douluo was a bit dazed by this sudden change of topic; why was there suddenly talk of an engagement?

"They are only ten years old... isn't that too rushed? What if some unforeseen event happens in the future..."

There was no need for "what if." Knowing about Qin Jian's God Position Nine Trials, he knew that unforeseen events would definitely happen!

"Unforeseen events..."

Ning Fengzhi propped up his chin and muttered, "That is also possible. After all, young love is the most unstable, and their minds are not yet mature. They haven't figured out what they really want or what kind of person they like..."

"Yes, yes..."

Jian Douluo nodded repeatedly.

He just hoped Ning Fengzhi wouldn't stir up any engagement for Qin Jian and the others first, otherwise, if they broke up later...

Qin Jian would probably be torn alive by Ning Fengzhi!

"Forget it, it still depends on Rongrong's own wishes. As long as she likes it, it doesn't matter even if we set it now..."

Ning Fengzhi's words made Jian Douluo's heart jump into his throat again.

"After all, Qin Jian is Jian Shu's direct disciple, and we know his roots and background, so there is no need to worry about him running away..."

Jian Douluo's face was expressionless, but inside he was...

The next day, when Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong walked out of the room holding hands, they saw Ning Fengzhi and Jian Douluo already sitting on the sofa waiting.

And both of their gazes fell simultaneously onto their tightly clasped little hands...

"Do you have to hold hands even just after waking up?"

Ning Fengzhi's tone sounded a bit sour.

"Ah..."

Ning Rongrong blushed and hurriedly pulled her hand away.

Ning Fengzhi didn't say anything more, just stood up leaning on his cane and said gently, "You two go wash up and have breakfast first. Once you are all finished, come to the sect's Council Hall."

"Is there something, Father?" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but ask.

Because she generally wouldn't enter the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Council Hall; that was a place for the sect to discuss major matters or bestow rewards.

"You two have broken a sect record that has stood for nearly a thousand years; naturally, there will be rewards," Ning Fengzhi smiled.

Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up at the same time.

When the two finished eating and washing up, and walked hand-in-hand to the sect's Council Hall, they found that a group of high-level members had already gathered there.

Ning Fengzhi sat in the head seat as a matter of course, his hands resting on his cane.

Jian Douluo and Gu Douluo stood behind him, and the dozen or so people standing on both sides of the hall were Elders of the sect who had reached the Spirit Douluo level, or direct disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect who had reached the Soul Emperor level.

They all belonged to the sect's high-level members, and they generally had the power to make suggestions to the Sect Master regarding sect resolutions.

"Sect Master, Teacher, Rongrong and I have arrived."

Qin Jian held Ning Rongrong's hand as they stepped over the threshold and walked to the center of the hall.

Girls are thin-skinned after all; seeing everyone's gaze fixed on them, Ning Rongrong hurriedly pulled her little hand away quietly.

Ning Fengzhi, seeing this small action from above, couldn't help but smile softly, then said, "This time you have broken the sect's thousand-year record and unified the hearts of the sect. According to sect rules, you will be awarded the most magical sect treasure, the Ocean's Tear!"

"Ocean's Tear? What is that, Father?" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but ask.

Ning Fengzhi smiled and said gently, "It is two tears left behind by a pair of devoted lovers. Legend has it that thousands of years ago, this pair of lovers angered the Godhood and were killed by Divine Punishment on opposite sides of the Dalu, thousands of miles apart, their ashes scattered into different oceans..."

"However, a thousand years later, the oceans on both sides engulfed the Dalu and met in the center, condensing into two crystalline teardrops. This is the Ocean's Tear," Ning Fengzhi said.

Ning Rongrong was a bit stunned: "What a poignant story..."

Qin Jian nodded beside her.

Hum hum.

At this moment, Ning Fengzhi raised his hands, and instantly two teardrop-like crystals appeared in his palms.

The next moment, a pale blue radiance like the ocean dispersed, illuminating the entire hall and casting a layer of blue light on everyone's faces.

"So beautiful..."

Ning Rongrong held her hands over her heart.

Even Qin Jian's eyes lit up.

Ning Fengzhi walked down the steps, came before the two of them, and said, "The Ocean's Tear has a similar effect to a Mental-type Spirit Bone; it has the effect of strengthening mental cultivation and can extend the duration of a battle."

"Wow, how amazing!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed.

"But the conditions to absorb it are not simple..."

Ning Fengzhi looked at the two of them in turn and said, "This Ocean's Tear has a very high requirement for a meeting of minds; if you two do not have that kind of tacit understanding and bond, then you will be unable to absorb it."

"A meeting of minds..."

Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong looked at each other, and both felt their cheeks burning at the same time.

If they succeeded in absorbing it, it would be no different from making their relationship public...

And if they were to fail, who knew what would happen...

"It doesn't matter if you fail."

Ning Fengzhi seemed to know what they were worried about: "Even the pair recorded a thousand years ago who successfully passed the final trial did not manage to absorb it at first..."

(End of chapter)