Chapter 41: Ning Fengzhi, the Trapper

Just as the family was talking nonstop, someone outside suddenly informed Ning Fengzhi to summon Yang Xiong.

Yang Xiong also thought it odd; Ning Fengzhi handles countless affairs daily, so why would he suddenly want to summon a minor figure like me? Could it be that he discovered some abnormality in me?

Since returning home, Yang Xiong has been categorizing and hiding various Immortal Herbs; the Soul Guidance Device he carries only holds some ordinary medicinal herbs, plus a few Immortal Herbs that might be useful to him.

The rest of the Immortal Herbs are all placed individually in a Small Spirit Guide Device, which he himself puts on the room's beam; he even made a small hole in the beam and concealed it, so that no one could ever find it.

Yang Xiong, with a puzzled expression, followed the newcomer to the Sect Core Area; unexpectedly, they went to Ning Fengzhi's residence, and he was the only one present, with the usual companions Jian Shu and Gu Shu nowhere to be seen.

After entering, Yang Xiong quickly bowed: "May I have an audience with the Sect Leader? I wonder what business the Sect Leader has calling me here so late."

Ning Fengzhi replied casually: "Xiao Xiong, you're here—no need to be so formal, just sit wherever you like."

Yang Xiong, still puzzled, sat beside Ning Fengzhi, looking rather at a loss.

Ning Fengzhi smiled: "Xiao Xiong, you're also a Core Disciple of the sect, so just treat me as an elder. I called you here so late because there's a small matter I want you to handle."

Yang Xiong felt a surge of doubt inside; if Ning Fengzhi truly had something to deal with, why would it fall to a modest Great Soul Master like himself?

Ning Fengzhi, seeing Yang Xiong's doubt, showed a hint of displeasure: "Xiao Xiong, you know I only have one daughter, Rong Rong, but over the years she has become somewhat spoiled in the sect, especially due to the doting of Jian Shu and Gu Shu. I haven't been able to strictly discipline her, so she has caused quite a few troublesome incidents in the sect."

Yang Xiong quickly replied: "Sect Leader, you're overthinking it. Miss Rong Rong may be a bit mischievous, but she knows her limits, especially since her talent is outstanding; in our class her soul power is far ahead, so a little pride is understandable."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head: "Xiao Xiong, stop trying to console me; I'm more aware of Rong Rong's flaws than you are. She has indeed lacked training these years. Today I secretly urged her, without Jian Shu and Gu Shu's knowledge, to go out alone, and she should have already left the sect by now."

Yang Xiong was puzzled; why would this be told to him? Even if someone were to be assigned to protect her covertly, it wouldn't fall to a modest Great Soul Master like him.

"Sect Leader, Miss Rong Rong, as the Sect Leader's heir, not only has a noble status but also her safety is crucial; we must be cautious. I still recommend that she continue studying within the sect; if that's impossible, she could go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where at least her safety can be ensured."

Ning Fengzhi smiled: "I've already assigned someone to protect Rong Rong covertly, so there shouldn't be any issues. However, I'm a bit uneasy about her going out alone. Since you and Rong Rong are both classmates and friends who grew up together, I intend to arrange for you to go abroad with her for study and training."

Yang Xiong was startled by this; it seemed that Rong Rong had been provoked by Ning Fengzhi's words to run off to Shrek Academy. He didn't have a good impression of the Shrek crowd, and felt that nothing worthwhile could be learned there.

Moreover, Shrek's biggest opportunity—Immortal Herbs—have all been stripped away by him, so there's probably no chance of winning any Soul Master Competition. Rather than going out to show off, he'd rather study peacefully at home.

"Sect Leader, I plan to study at Zixing Academy; there my older brother and I will have support, which should help us both grow."

Ning Fengzhi's face showed a hint of a smile: "That's perfect. It seems you're planning to go directly to the Advanced Soul Master Academy. I know that in the Balak Kingdom's Suotuo City there is an excellent Soul Master Academy, especially with outstanding faculty, which would be ideal for your future development."

Yang Xiong couldn't help but retort in his mind: the Soul Master Academy you mentioned is probably the Shrek Academy, right? Could the Sect Leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect really be deceived by Shrek Academy's false advertisements? It seems the future of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is worrisome.

Yang Xiong suddenly blurted out: "Sect Leader, you know my bond with my older brother is deep; I still want to go to Zixing Academy."

Ning Fengzhi's face showed a strange expression: "Xiao Xiong, aren't you aware? Because your older brother performed excellently, I've already planned to recall him to the sect and intend to cultivate him intensively within the sect; perhaps he could become an Elder of our sect in the future."

Yang Xiong's face darkened; Ning Fengzhi's actions were truly a trap, impeccably airtight. His older brother is only eighteen and at Thirty-two Level; he doesn't seem anywhere near a prodigy, so how could he possibly become an Elder of the sect?

Ning Fengzhi seemed to understand Yang Xiong's concerns: "Xiao Xiong, there's another matter I need to tell you. I told Rong Rong that you couldn't stand the stimulus of her higher Soul Power Level and that you were determined to study in Suotuo City, hoping that in the future you might surpass her in soul power. That's why Rong Rong wants to go there. If you don't go, I'm afraid Rong Rong might cause a major uproar throughout the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

"You also know I have only one precious daughter, especially since Rong Rong is dote

d on by Jian Shu and Gu Shu; there are some things I probably can't stop."

Yang Xiong: …

At this moment Yang Xiong was utterly speechless; Ning Fengzhi was truly a trap. He must have already investigated what kind of place Shrek is, yet he still urged Rong Rong to go there and even tried to coax him himself, probably hoping to use the Shrek crowd to temper Rong Rong's temperament. But what does any of this have to do with him?

After thinking for a long while, Yang Xiong reluctantly spoke: "Since this is the Sect Leader's arrangement, I will definitely urge Miss Rong Rong to study diligently; I won't disappoint you."

Originally, according to Yang Xiong's own plan, he just wanted to find a place to hide and cultivate for a few years, so that when his strength greatly increased, it would be justifiable. Now having to go to Shrek is rather troublesome.

Ning Fengzhi suddenly became serious: "Xiao Xiong, how do you think the sect has treated you over these past years? I know you've made significant contributions to the sect, but the sect's investment in you far exceeds what you imagine; otherwise, your thirteen consecutive victories in the Great Soul Battle Arena of Heaven Dou City would have already attracted attention from major forces, especially the Heaven Dou Empire, which covets geniuses. In reality, has anyone ever approached you?"

"Not to mention your two or three months of training in Sunset Forest. Do you think, with merely a Great Soul Master's cultivation, you can roam the Sunset Forest unchecked without any danger? It's merely because someone behind the scenes has been silently supporting you."

Yang Xiong was instantly startled; his training in Sunset Forest had indeed been smoother than expected. Although there were some risks, there were essentially no fatal dangers, and he hadn't encountered those terrifying Soul Beasts.

He had already sensed something off, and now realized that perhaps every move he made in Sunset Forest was being watched, meaning even his slightest actions couldn't hide.

(End of Chapter)