Chapter 117: Estrangement

However, after Ning Feiliu detonated his Soul Ring and used the Summoning of the God of Casting, he was still able to walk on his own, especially since he had recovered slightly just now.

He could actually use the Summoning of the God of Casting or the Summoning of the God of Ice and Snow one more time, but if he reached a second Ring Detonation, he would likely truly be weak enough to faint on the spot.

It was just that he did not need to tell Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, or Bone Douluo about this weakness he had after detonating his rings.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo did not seem to know the Ring Detonation Mystery of the Clear Sky Sect, which caused one to fall into a state of weakness after detonating nine Soul Rings.

After all, the Clear Sky Sect likely would not casually expose its own weaknesses.

In fact, even the Great Sumeru Hammer of the Clear Sky Sect was likely known by few; ordinary Spirit Masters only knew that the Clear Sky Douluo of the Clear Sky Sect was extremely powerful, capable of fighting several Title Douluo alone, and all while challenging those of higher ranks.

Dugu Bo heard what Ning Feiliu said and just gave a chuckle, saying, "Since that is the case, Yafei, you and Yanyan should go back and properly treat your injuries."

"Fengzhi, you heard it all." He turned back to Ning Feiliu and said with a smile, "However, this old man is still willing to do you the honor of sponging a lunch off you."

Ning Fengzhi heard the words of Ning Feiliu and Dugu Bo and could not help but feel a bit regretful inside, but on the surface, he still wore a smile, with no visible change in his state of mind.

"Since that is the case, then so be it. But since Yafei and Miss Dugu are unable to attend the banquet, I, as an elder, will provide some extra compensation." He smiled and swiped his finger across the Soul Guidance Device on his hand.

Then, two Gold Soul Cards appeared in his hand.

He handed them to Ning Feiliu and Dugu Yan respectively, smiling as he said, "Consider this a small token of Uncle Ning's sincerity; you should just accept it."

Ning Fengzhi did not say how much money was inside, but both Ning Feiliu and Dugu Yan saw the number "10000" displayed on the Gold Soul Cards.

Good grief, the compensation for a single gesture is 10,000 Gold Soul Coins?

However, when Ning Feiliu saw this 10,000 Gold Soul Coin card, he remembered the 500 Gold Soul Coins Ning Fengzhi had given him before.

He froze for a moment, then gave a dry laugh.

Is he... more generous to outsiders than to his own son?

But in the end, it was just that he hadn't displayed his talent or shown any value.

The value of "Yafei" was far higher than the value of "Ning Feiliu," so even though "Ning Feiliu" was his son, he could not compare to one hand of "Yafei."

Ning Feiliu suddenly wanted to laugh.

He felt even less indebted to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi probably would not know that his act of radiating goodwill had actually caused Ning Feiliu to drift even further away from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Many thanks, Uncle Ning." Ning Feiliu, on the contrary, showed no awkwardness at all; he chuckled and took the Gold Soul Card Ning Fengzhi handed over.

Seeing Ning Feiliu accept the Gold Soul Card, Dugu Yan hesitated for a moment before accepting hers as well.

Dugu Bo did not care; at their level, 10,000 Gold Soul Coins really did not amount to much.

Ning Fengzhi did not truly want to rely on gifting 10,000 Gold Soul Coins to make Yafei and Dugu Yan endlessly grateful to him; he just wanted to leave a good impression.

"Then, Teacher, Uncle Ning, we shall take our leave." Ning Feiliu said calmly to Ning Fengzhi.

"Mm, go on then." Dugu Bo nodded with a smile.

Ning Fengzhi also nodded in silent agreement with a smile.

Ning Feiliu and Dugu Yan immediately left in the other direction, disappearing completely from their sight.

After arriving at a deserted corner and changing out of his Yafei attire, Ning Feiliu finally returned to the medical clinic with Dugu Yan.

Ning Feiliu was as usual, seemingly unchanged.

It was just that Dugu Yan still sensed something was wrong...

"Little Feiliu..." She looked with a strange expression at Ning Feiliu, who was carefully grinding medicinal powder to make pills and capsules.

"Hm? What is it, Sister Yan?" Ning Feiliu's expression was calm as he looked up and smiled at her.

"You... do you not like Uncle Ning?" Dugu Yan realized something and asked.

After Ning Feiliu obtained the Crescent Moon Divine Weapon Set martial soul and possessed powerful talent, he had always hidden his identity, unknown to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

It seemed as if he completely did not want the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to know of his talent and strength.

Coupled with the fact that when he was with Ning Fengzhi just now, Ning Feiliu had still been hiding his identity, even though there was nothing wrong with his tone.

Yet, he had always maintained a faint sense of distance toward Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Rongrong.

Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Rongrong might not have felt anything was wrong, as in their eyes, "Yafei" was not very familiar with them.

So, wasn't it normal to have some sense of distance?

But in Dugu Yan's eyes, this was not normal at all; Ning Fengzhi was Ning Feiliu's father, Ning Rongrong was Ning Feiliu's younger sister by the same father and mother, and Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were, at the very least, Ning Feiliu's elders...

A son feeling distant from his father, a brother feeling distant from his sister?

That isn't very normal, is it?

"It's not a matter of liking or disliking; the relationship is just rather plain," Ning Feiliu said indifferently.

"Why?" Dugu Yan could not help but ask.

"I just wasn't valued since I was young; it's very normal," Ning Feiliu shrugged and said. "Without talent, without value, one is destined not to be valued. Besides, my father has too many sons, and I am just the most inconspicuous one among them."

"But aren't you already very powerful now? Little Feiliu, you are now a genius Spirit Master famous throughout Heaven Dou City. If you told Uncle Ning, they would surely look at you with new eyes, right?" Dugu Yan said, somewhat puzzled.

"The attention snatched that way is meaningless," Ning Feiliu shook his head and said. "I don't need such meaningless things, and there's no need for it. The most important thing is to make oneself stronger; everything else is like sand, scattering the moment the wind blows."

If strength is the only standard for others to value you, then if your strength stagnates, or if you don't reach expectations within a certain time, those so-called values will immediately disappear.

Especially with Ning Fengzhi.

Because your value is not high enough, he will immediately "cut his losses."

Isn't attention that can disappear at any time just sand that scatters in the wind?

On the contrary, feelings like those from Big Brother Ning Mingrui or Dugu Yan—who care about you even when you are very weak—are the ones truly worth caring about and valuing; they are feelings as bright and precious as gold.

"So... Little Feiliu has never been liked by Uncle Ning?" Dugu Yan said, suddenly feeling a bit sad.

"Mm... still the same thing: it's not a matter of liking, nor is it a matter of hating. Not being liked ≠ being hated," Ning Feiliu smiled and said.

(End of chapter)