Chapter 18: Alliance

A few days ago, I had just broken through to level 96 and left the barrier when I received a letter from Ning Fengzhi.

The gist of the letter was that the Qi Bao Liu Li Sect wants to form a marriage alliance with us, and the intended partners are you and his little daughter who just awakened her martial soul last year—Ning Rongrong!

Her innate soul power is at ninth level; though not as outstanding as you, among auxiliary‑type Soul Masters it is extremely rare, and she is already a sufficient match for you.

I have already accepted this marriage matter, Tianyun; Grandfather didn't discuss it with you in advance, so I hope you won't blame Grandfather! Yu Yuanzhen said gravely.

"Grandfather, rest assured; Grandson understands the stakes and has no resentment, but I am a bit puzzled why the Qi Bao Liu Li Sect would want to form an alliance with us, and how they could bear to marry off their own prodigy?" Yu Tianyun said with a puzzled face.

"Ning Fengzhi subtly mentioned in the letter that since the Tang Hao incident, the Spirit Hall has become overly calm, and a terrifying storm may be looming in the future.

If the three upper sects confront the Spirit Hall alone, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; only by uniting can there be any chance of resistance.

But that's only part of it; there's another reason, and that's because of you!" Yu Yuanzhen's gaze fell on the attentively listening Yu Tianyun.

"Me?" Yu Tianyun exclaimed, pointing at themselves.

"Exactly, it's you. Your talent has likely been guessed by them; all these years I've kept you by my side, never letting you interact with the outside world, while Tian Heng and Tian Xin have been training at the academy.

Such behavior, to a discerning person, is indeed abnormal! Ning Fengzhi, that old fox, must have sensed some clues," Yu Yuanzhen explained.

Yu Tianyun suddenly realized: they had been training beside Yu Yuanzhen all this time, while Tian Heng and Tian Xin trained at the academy, as if they were being hidden away like a treasure?

The fact is exactly that. To outsiders, Tian Heng and Tian Xin's talents are not far behind those of innate Full Soul Power holders! One broke through to Soul Elder just shy of thirteen, the other also passed thirteen shortly before breaking through to Soul Elder. So the talent of the treasure‑like hidden Yu Tianyun must be extraordinarily high.

Seeing Yu Tianyun grasp the key point, Yu Yuanzhen continued: "Therefore, Ning Fengzhi placed his bet early. Though Ning Rongrong is the most talented among his children, the highest achievement for the Qi Bao Liu Li Sect's Soul Masters is Soul Saint, and with only a small gap in innate soul power, the final attainment won't differ much. So Ning Fengzhi's move is not surprising."

Yu Tianyun nodded and asked, "Then what should Grandson do now?"

Yu Yuanzhen smiled and said, "You don't need to do anything; just keep training. After some time, you'll also need to leave the sect to explore the outside world. You can, like Tian Heng and Tian Xin, train at the academy; traveling the continent is also an option, it's all up to you. If you travel the continent, remember to conceal your identity; your appearance is rarely seen by outsiders, and as long as you don't wildly release your martial soul, basically no one will recognize you."

Yu Yuanzhen paused, then continued, "Also, after a while, you'll have to meet that girl, after all you're the protagonist of this marriage alliance!"

After Yu Yuanzhen left, Yu Tianyun resumed training. All this scheming was due to insufficient strength; if one were powerful enough, there would be no need for such effort—one person could suppress all foes.

Regarding the alliance with the Qi Bao Liu Li Sect, Yu Tianyun actually doesn't mind. Having enjoyed the protection of the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect, they feel obliged to make some sacrifices for their sect, and besides, this might not even be a sacrifice!

Yu Tianyun doesn't mind having another woman accompany them in the future! Who doesn't like a little rich lady?

In the past two and a half years, Yu Tianyun's body has become more mature, and his "weapon"—the Little Rogue—has grown stronger along with his development.

In combat, it's more than twice as large as before, and no longer easily subdued by a little imp, preserving their dignity.

Now, that little imp loses within fifty rounds each time they clash. Yu Tianyun doesn't kill it, only occasionally teases it, and has found two helpers for it—a fox spirit and a rabbit spirit.

Only when the three demons unite does he feel the thrill of battle.

Although fighting the three demons gives him great enjoyment, he doesn't dare become obsessed, using it merely as a way to relieve his inner frustration.

Because they know that many hardships lie ahead, and if their strength falls short then, they'll fall into an irrecoverable abyss.

The days to come remain as tranquil as before, with Yu Tianyun still immersed in training.

Qi Bao Liu Li Sect, main peak!

Carved beams and jade tiles, water winding around the world, the glazed‑colored architecture is exquisite and elegant; at this moment, in the magnificent grand hall, a crisp cry echoed continuously, sounding like that of a little girl.

"No! I don't want to get married! I don't want to leave Sword Grandfather! Bone Grandfather!"

The little girl appeared only about seven or eight years old, with chestnut‑long hair hanging straight to her waist, a face as white and tender as porcelain, delicately sculpted, truly endearing.

But her watery big eyes were now bloodshot, her face streaked with tears, crying like rain on pear blossoms, truly pitiful.

"Good girl, Rongrong, don't cry; Sword Grandfather loves you and hasn't had time to come yet! How could we let our cute little princess leave?" a handsome old man with crane‑like hair cradling the girl whispered, his eyes full of concern.

"The old Sword Man is right; if we let Rongrong leave, your Bone Grandfather will beat him!" the other tall, gaunt, ugly elder beside them, flustered, hurriedly agreed, then blew his beard and glared at the elegant handsome middle‑aged man opposite, threatening.

These people are the two main pillars of the Qi Bao Liu Li Sect: Jian Dou Chen Xin, Title Douluo Gu Rong, as well as the sect leader Ning Fengzhi and his daughter Ning Rongrong.

"Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, I'm also thinking of the sect's interests! I too am reluctant to part with Rongrong; besides, we're not marrying her off right now, just arranging a childhood betrothal, allowing feelings to develop slowly. If later Rongrong truly refuses, we can simply back out!" the elegant middle‑aged man explained helplessly.

"Ning Fengzhi, why do you insist on allying with the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect?" Chen Xin asked with a puzzled expression.

Beside him, Gu Rong also shifted his gaze from Ning Rongrong to Ning Fengzhi, his eyes also showing doubt.

"Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, in recent years the Spirit Hall has been too calm; I sense something ominous may happen, so by forming a marriage alliance we can strengthen the two sects' ties and face difficulties together," Ning Fengzhi said anxiously, voicing his thoughts.

"Hmph! The Spirit Hall? If they dare attack, they'll taste the power of the sword in my hand." Chen Xin's eyes flashed coldly, his aura suddenly sharpened, like a peerless sword, even causing the cradled Ning Rongrong to stop crying.

"Huh? Dead Sword Man, calm down, don't scare Rongrong!" Title Douluo was slightly startled, then angrily stared at Chen Xin, quickly reminded him, and seized the chance to snatch Ning Rongrong into his arms.

Chen Xin, momentarily excited, let a hint of aura slip; realizing it, he quickly reined it in, hurriedly apologized to Ning Rongrong, his expression full of appeasement: "Rongrong, be good! It was Sword Grandfather's clumsiness, didn't scare you, right? Sword Grandfather apologizes!"

Ning Fengzhi watched the scene, unable to suppress a smile; the two, before their own daughter, lacked the dignity a Title Douluo should have, like neighboring grandfathers, yet he instantly wore a sorrowful expression and said, "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, although you fear not the Spirit Hall, what about the others? If others are unaware, aren't you also unaware of the Spirit Hall's true strength? The Spirit Hall's Title Douluos number no fewer than double hands!"

The two Title Douluos, hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, fell silent; they knew the Spirit Hall's true power was even more terrifying than Ning Fengzhi claimed! "That's why I seek more support, and Yu Tianyun's talent surely matches Rongrong," Ning Fengzhi continued, encouraging them as the two elders remained silent.

"No! I don't want to!" Ning Rongrong's eyes filled with tears, she clenched her silver teeth, her face stubborn and resentful.

"Oh! Then Rongrong, tell me, what kind of fiancé do you want? If your reasons are sufficient, I'll abandon this matter!" Ning Fengzhi's voice was full of temptation.

"Hmm~~, I want someone good‑looking and strong," Ning Rongrong thought for a moment, lowered her head, her cute face flushed, opened her cherry‑like mouth and gently...

"All these Yu Tianyuns fit the description; according to his disciples, Yu Tianyun is unparalleled in handsomeness, and his strength certainly isn't weak. He's always been kept by his grandfather, showing his talent surpasses even the Lan Dian Twin Stars! And those Lan Dian Twin Stars each broke through to Soul Elder around age thirteen!" Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.

The two Title Douluos beside them also nodded silently: 'If Yu Tianyun truly is that outstanding, he indeed matches Rongrong!'

Ning Rongrong stopped sobbing, her lively big eyes darting in her sockets, and after a moment a mischievous glint flashed, then she choked out:

"I've heard people from the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect are all fickle rascals; if I marry there, wouldn't I be suffering every day?"

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but furrow his brows, feeling a slight headache.

Most members of the Lan Dian Ba Wang Sect are indeed somewhat fickle, after all their martial soul is a dragon! He wasn't sure whether Yu Tianyun was fickle either, but continued, "If Yu Tianyun sees such a beautiful girl as Rongrong, how could he fall for anyone else?"

(Yu Tianyun: "No, I will! I can still tell forest from a single log!") (End of chapter)