Chapter 275: Estrangement

"Just as I said earlier, this is the Soul Ring I absorbed from Xue Di, along with a soul bone," Ning Feiliu said with a smile.

Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo were filled with pleasant surprise, and even Ning Feiliu's brothers wore expressions of envy.

After all, this was a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring! It could be said that a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring and soul bone are the ultimate dreams of every Spirit Master.

After all, the path to godhood is too distant, and few people know of it.

A Title Douluo is the pinnacle in the eyes of ordinary Spirit Masters, and a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring and soul bone are the most precious treasures in the eyes of all Spirit Masters.

"However, the greatest gain is actually Xue Di," Ning Feiliu continued with a smile, "because a Soul Spirit can unleash its original strength, which is to say..."

"With Xue Di here, even if a Title Douluo wants to kill me, they must first get past Xue Di."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo lit up instantly.

In that case... they would no longer need to worry about Ning Feiliu encountering accidents while traveling abroad.

Furthermore, this meant the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had gained another Title Douluo-level combat force! They were now even more powerful.

One must know that before the Clear Sky Sect went into seclusion, they only had two Title Douluos, and counting the newly broken-through Tang Hao, there were only three Title Douluos.

Although due to the Clear Sky Hammer and the Clear Sky Secret Technique and other reasons, their combat power was certainly not that simple.

But now, in terms of Title Douluo-level combat power, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was at least stably crushing the Clear Sky Sect.

In other words, if the Spirit Sect Ranking Conference were to be held again now, even if the Clear Sky Sect made a comeback, they would definitely lose to their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

However, what they did not know was that in the dozen or so years since the Clear Sky Sect went into seclusion, they had gained five more Title Douluos...

One could only wonder whether to say the Clear Sky Sect's talent was too good, worthy of the name of a top-tier martial soul, or whether to say that worldly affairs had hindered their cultivation, and the Spirit Hall forcing them into seclusion was actually a good thing.

"Xue Di, sit down, don't be a stranger; from now on, we are all one family," Ning Fengzhi quickly said to Xue Di with a smile.

Buying people's hearts—it was evident that this was an operation carved into his very bones.

"Mm." Xue Di was not one for formalities either and sat directly in the seat below Dugu Yan.

"By the way, Feiliu, the Immortal Herb you mentioned... how is its cultivation coming along?" Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Feiliu with great anticipation again.

"That one should be mature in two to three years," Ning Feiliu said. "Currently, I can only cultivate one for the time being; only later can I attempt to pollinate and cultivate multiple Immortal Herbs."

This was because this Qiluo Tulip was being re-cultivated from the roots of the original Qiluo Tulip that Ning Feiliu had plucked.

At first, he hadn't thought about cultivating Immortal Herbs on a large scale; otherwise, he could have directly used the pollen from a mature tulip to pollinate and cultivate them from the start.

As it stands now, he can only cultivate them slowly.

"However, Father, as I said before, I hope to give this Immortal Herb to my eldest brother first," Ning Feiliu said earnestly, looking at Ning Fengzhi.

The expressions of Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo changed slightly.

The Sword Douluo even wanted to say something, but at this moment, Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "Mm, I am not in a hurry; let's give it to Ming Rui first."

In fact, for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, giving the Immortal Herb Qiluo Tulip—which could improve martial soul quality and break through shackles—to Ning Fengzhi first would absolutely allow him to break through to level eighty.

Ning Fengzhi would then be able to support the Sword Douluo and the Bone Douluo, significantly increasing their combat power.

This was, of course, from the perspective of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's greatest interests; it would be best for this Qiluo Tulip to go to Ning Fengzhi first.

But now that Ning Feiliu's opinion was so insistent, and he had Xue Di backing him, and originally, besides Ning Feiliu, no one knew what the Immortal Herb Qiluo Tulip that could improve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul quality was like, Ning Fengzhi no longer persisted in this, so as not to invite Ning Feiliu's resentment over something not worth being overly persistent about.

He actually had a feeling that, as if over these years, the help Ning Feiliu had given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—the Mysterious Water Pill, the Alchemy Potion, and even that miraculous Moonlight Breathing Method, as well as the subsequent Immortal Herbs...

were all deliberately repaying something.

Not only did it not make him seem close to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but it was as if he were distancing himself from them.

Conversely, the status and position the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect gave Ning Feiliu, and those few Gold Soul Coins and wealth, were not worth mentioning in the face of what Ning Feiliu gave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Just take the Mysterious Water Pill and the many Alchemy Potions; they not only brought doubled income to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect but also attracted more Spirit Masters to join the sect.

The more than one thousand Spirit Masters who had joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over these years were the best example.

Not to mention the Moonlight Breathing Method; a cultivation technique that could increase cultivation speed like this could be said to be worth more than even ten billion Gold Soul Coins.

Some things are priceless and unavailable; no amount of money can buy them.

For example, a ten-thousand-year soul bone—even if you offered a billion, would someone really sell it and choose not to absorb the ten-thousand-year soul bone themselves?

There is only one ten-thousand-year soul bone, but the Moonlight Breathing Method could accelerate the cultivation speed of all direct disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

It could be said that the value of the Moonlight Breathing Method was in some respects even higher than a ten-thousand-year soul bone.

Of course, this is only in certain respects.

Then, the upbringing and care the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect provided Ning Feiliu over those years really counted for nothing in the face of the Moonlight Breathing Method.

Ning Fengzhi also felt it a little; it seemed that Ning Feiliu was indeed distancing himself from them.

During this time, he was actually regretting why he hadn't noticed Ning Feiliu's uniqueness back then, and why he hadn't treated Ning Feiliu equally and given him more care.

But now... the relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Ning Feiliu could not be allowed to deteriorate further.

So he didn't say anything more and simply complied with Ning Feiliu's wishes.

Moreover, this wasn't the only Immortal Herb; Ning Feiliu would cultivate more in the future, so there was no need to rush for this moment.

Ning Feiliu brushed off the questions from Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo, and in the end, he really dragged it out until evening.

By evening, the food in their stomachs had been digested for the most part.

Ning Fengzhi proposed holding a family banquet again, and this time Ning Feiliu had no choice but to agree.

Inside the banquet hall, a huge banquet table spanned the room, covered with a pure white silk tablecloth, with gold-threaded borders that appeared particularly noble.

The porcelain on the table was incomparably exquisite, and the gold and silver utensils and crystal goblets reflected each other, presenting a magnificent scene.

All kinds of delicacies filled the table, from tender and juicy roasted meat to smooth and delicious cream of mushroom soup, from crispy pastries of all kinds to colorful seasonal fruits; every dish was a work of art meticulously crafted by the chef.

Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo showed gentleness and concern for Ning Feiliu, Dugu Yan, and Xue Di from time to time, as if they were one family.

However, Ning Feiliu looked at the other brothers at the banquet; besides Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo showing a little extra concern for Ning Rongrong.

To the others, they only nodded slightly, even though they still wore their amiable, smiling expressions. But Ning Feiliu was very clear that Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo had not actually changed at all.

In their hearts, perhaps only Ning Rongrong was the descendant they loved and cared for the most, especially the Sword Douluo and the Bone Douluo.

As for him, it was only because his talent was good and he was of great help to the sect that he received their attention and care.

Therefore, the decision in Ning Feiliu's heart had never changed—

"Once I achieve the Title Douluo rank and help my elder brother secure the position of Sect Master, I will leave," he said in his heart.

However, at this moment, on the surface, there was still no change in his expression.

Facing Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo, he still maintained an indifferent demeanor.

Those present did not think anything of it, as Ning Feiliu had always been this way.

Only Xue Di looked at Ning Feiliu with a hint of curiosity.

She could feel that Ning Feiliu seemed to have decided on something just now.

Because of the Soul Contract, there were times when she could sense Ning Feiliu's mood and emotions.

But it was only a sense of mood and emotion; she still had no way to pry into what Ning Feiliu was thinking.

Yet just now, Ning Feiliu's emotions had fluctuated slightly, and she had felt it, feeling a bit curious.

What decision had Ning Feiliu made?...

Finally, when the banquet ended, Ning Feiliu asked Dugu Yan to stay, having her go to reside in his own courtyard.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect castle was quite large, and ever since Ning Feiliu displayed his peerless genius talent and importance, Ning Fengzhi had specifically cleared out an entire courtyard for his residence.

There were several rooms in the courtyard, just enough for the servants to tidy up for Dugu Yan to spend the night.

After all, in the vast Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it was impossible not to have a place for the future wife of a direct-line Supreme Elder to reside.

This way, Dugu Yan would not have to return so late.

Whether returning to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well or the Dugu Mansion in Heaven Dou City, neither was as good as being with Ning Feiliu.

Dugu Yan naturally accepted with pleasure.

That night, they practiced soul power together in the courtyard.

Then...

The next day.

"What? You actually broke through again?!" Dugu Yan looked at Ning Feiliu, who had just stabilized his aura, through gritted teeth, pouted, and said with dissatisfaction, "You broke through again, so fast, how is anyone else supposed to live?"

"It's not fast anymore; honestly, because I was in Slaughter City, I had been stuck at level 66 soul power for nearly a year," Ning Feiliu said helplessly.

Sure enough, just as he had expected, after being out of that hellhole of Slaughter City for so long, he was due for a breakthrough.

And so, last night, while practicing the Moonlight Breathing Method with full concentration, he had indeed broken through directly.

Now he was at level 67 soul power, closer to being a Soul Saint.

At this rate, breaking through to Soul Saint before the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was absolutely no problem.

By then, appearing at the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament with the status of a Soul Saint would be a bit...

It would feel like bullying.

But alas, he could not pass up these generous mission rewards.

At the same time, he thought for a moment, then suddenly asked Dugu Yan seriously, "Sister Yan, actually... would you like to join Tianshui Academy with me to participate in the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?"

"What? You, you, you—weren't you planning to participate in the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament with me?" Dugu Yan widened her eyes, looking at him in disbelief as she asked.

"Uh..." Only then did Ning Feiliu remember that he apparently hadn't told Dugu Yan about this yesterday...

"I have my reasons; let's just consider this my training," he said with a helpless expression, then looked at Dugu Yan seriously again and said, "So... Sister Yan, would you like to join Tianshui Academy with me and participate in the tournament?"

In fact, Dugu Yan's joining would not affect whether Ning Feiliu could lead Tianshui Academy to win the championship of the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

After all, once he broke through to Soul Saint and participated in the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, it would be more than just a simple suppression of cultivation.

Because based on Ning Feiliu's combat power, a Soul Emperor could beat up a Soul Saint, so couldn't a Soul Saint beat up a Soul Douluo? Even if the Spirit Hall Golden Generation had a Spirit Fusion Skill, that Spirit Fusion Skill was absurdly said in the original work to reach Soul Saint combat power.

Even combined, they couldn't beat Ning Feiliu.

So actually... under such circumstances of overwhelming combat power, if Dugu Yan also joined Tianshui Academy, the improvement would not be significant.

It was "not significant" compared to the overwhelming combat power brought by Ning Feiliu.

Therefore, Ning Feiliu's proposal to Dugu Yan to join Tianshui Academy with him to participate in the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was out of his own personal feelings.

However, if Dugu Yan really joined Tianshui Academy, there would certainly be no problem with that.

Yet... Dugu Yan looked at him and chuckled, saying, "Forget it... I won't go with you; after all, I've been at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy for so long."

"I wouldn't suddenly join another academy just because of you," she said, lifting her head proudly with a smile, "It's not certain that we will lose to you! You are very strong, but we aren't pushovers either!"

Ning Feiliu was a bit stunned, but soon he smiled in relief.

He had taken things for granted; for Dugu Yan, the championship of the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was not something she absolutely had to rely on someone else to win just to prove something.

The reward for the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament champion, if not for the fact that the Spirit Hall believed they had the Golden Generation trio and had already decided the championship for this tournament in the original plot...

They wouldn't have been so extravagant as to take out three soul bones as the championship reward.

Therefore, for noble Spirit Masters who were already born into high status, the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament championship was merely a special honor.

Only commoner Spirit Masters might value the material rewards of the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament championship more.

So Dugu Yan didn't really have to win the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament championship, especially through the act of suddenly switching to another academy to compete.

"Hmm, then we shall meet on the arena floor," Ning Feiliu said with a smile.

(End of chapter)