"What?!"
Both the Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted violently. The Sword Douluo even stood up abruptly before waving his hand to erect a soul power barrier around their private room, soundproofing their conversation.
"A hundred-thousand-year soul beast?! And one in human form?!"
"Rongrong, is this true?"
Even Chen Xin, a 96th-ranked Title Douluo who didn't need soul rings himself, felt his heart stir at the prospect of hundred-thousand-year soul bones - which might help him break through to rank 97.
"I can't say with absolute certainty, but the probability is very high. Moreover..." Ning Rongrong carefully considered how to explain to the two excited men before continuing,
"That girl called Xiao Wu enters the Star Dou Great Forest alone from the edges during holidays and returns safely each time."
Regarding Xiao Wu's true identity, she couldn't reveal her transmigration knowledge. Instead, she attributed the discovery to intelligence gathered by spies she'd planted at Notting Academy two years ago - clan members sent to monitor Tang San and Xiao Wu while posing as teachers.
This had been part of her preparations for self-condensing soul rings since her martial soul awakening.
"Rongrong, your purpose in seeking these two is primarily the hundred-thousand-year soul beast, isn't it?" Ning Fengzhi quickly discerned her intentions.
Human-form hundred-thousand-year soul beasts could self-condense rings up to Soul Emperor rank - precisely what Ning Rongrong currently attempted.
"Correct. I discovered them two years ago but only recently confirmed one as a hundred-thousand-year human-form soul beast."
Pausing hesitantly, she added, "However... that soul beast seems to have attracted a Title Douluo's attention."
"A Title Douluo?" Ning Fengzhi frowned.
"What would a Title Douluo be doing in such a remote place?" The Sword Douluo questioned skeptically.
While human-form hundred-thousand-year soul beasts entering human society wasn't extremely rare, they weren't usually discovered this young. Ning Rongrong's find was likely accidental.
"Our clan member teaching at Notting Academy repeatedly spotted a shabbily-dressed middle-aged man near the academy. I suspect he's a Title Douluo."
"What confirmed my suspicion was the innate full soul power boy Tang San - his father's name is Tang Hao."
"The Haotian Douluo of the Clear Sky Clan?!" The Sword Douluo exclaimed in shock.
"When registering guardian information, Tang San wrote exactly that - just the name without any identification." Ning Rongrong shrugged,
"Innate full soul power with Blue Silver Grass... I couldn't help but make the connection."
"I see." Ning Fengzhi nodded thoughtfully.
While Blue Silver Grass was considered a trash martial soul, exceptions existed - the Haotian Douluo's son being one.
The current Haotian Douluo's wife was rumored to be the hundred-thousand-year human-form Blue Silver Emperor. If Tang San inherited his mother's bloodline, even manifesting as Blue Silver Grass wouldn't be ordinary.
"Over two years, wasn't our spy at Notting Academy discovered?" Ning Fengzhi inquired. Monitoring a Title Douluo was no simple matter, especially using only a Soul Ancestor.
"Perhaps discovered, perhaps not." Ning Rongrong shrugged again. "Since no action was taken, I pretended ignorance."
"A hundred-thousand-year soul beast plus the current Haotian Douluo... Rongrong, you must have plans coming here?" The Sword Douluo probed.
"I need to closely observe Xiao Wu's complete soul ring condensation process after reaching level 20."
"Her soul rings and bones aren't my objectives - this is my personal stance. Moreover, this likely involves the Clear Sky Clan's Haotian Douluo. As they say, the Top Three Sects share common interests."
She looked between the Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi.
"Fengzhi, truthfully I'm not confident about defeating Tang Hao." The Sword Douluo shook his head after contemplation.
Were he a lone wanderer, he might have recklessly attempted it - hundred-thousand-year soul beasts were incredibly rare.
But as a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan elder, greater considerations applied.
What if Tang Hao escaped?
While you can guard against thieves for a thousand days, you can't stay vigilant forever.
Moreover, the current Haotian Douluo's combat record was terrifying - severely injuring the 95th-ranked Spirit Hall Pope Qian Xunji right after becoming a Title Douluo, while outnumbered by multiple Title Douluo.
Rumors claimed he'd even escaped safely from Qian Daoliu's hands - a feat the Sword Douluo doubted he could replicate. After all this time, who knew what rank Tang Hao had reached?
"Agreed." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "His restraint in not killing our clan member suggests unwillingness to antagonize our sect."
Street thugs solved things through violence - major sects operated through social connections and mutual understanding.
"The Haotian Douluo might be in Notting City right now. Perhaps we'll encounter him while exploring later."
"Rongrong, what do you think?" Both men turned to their rice-devouring companion.
Mouth stuffed with chicken drumstick, Ning Rongrong extracted it with effort before answering thoughtfully: "I'm fine with whatever you decide."
Soon, the food fell victim to Ning Rongrong's whirlwind appetite.
...
The trio wandered Notting City conspicuously - aiming to draw out their shadow.
As anticipated, the Sword Douluo soon transmitted mentally:
"A Title Douluo's aura - extremely powerful."
Ning Fengzhi nodded imperceptibly as they deliberately moved toward the city outskirts.
Their pursuer didn't retreat but clung persistently like a vengeful spirit.
Abruptly, Ning Fengzhi halted.
His Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda materialized, emitting faint green light as seven soul rings rose sequentially.
"Since when does the esteemed Haotian Douluo skulk in shadows?"
A Title Douluo's oppressive aura erupted from all directions in response.
"Hmph!"
The Sword Douluo stepped forward.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Black - nine Title Douluo rings manifested, their released soul power repelling the encroaching pressure.
Creak... creak...
Footsteps sounded as a disheveled, bearded middle-aged man in tattered black robes emerged. Despite his ragged appearance, nothing could mask his razor-sharp aura.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red - nine soul rings rose sequentially around the Clear Sky Hammer in his grip.
"Long time no see, Clan Leader Ning."
"Indeed, it's been years, Haotian Douluo Tang Hao." Ning Fengzhi smiled lightly. "I never expected such a 'welcome' upon arriving in Notting City."
Tension thickened between both parties.
After prolonged silence, Tang Hao spoke slowly:
"Your target is that hundred-thousand-year soul beast? I wonder if Clan Leader Ning could grant me some face."
Fucking hell!
Since when is a hundred-thousand-year thug rabbit only worth your "face," Tang Skywalker?!
What are you - the Face-Fruit ability user?!
Ning Rongrong screamed internally while maintaining her demure little-girl facade.
Outwardly, she remained the picture of a quiet, well-behaved young lady.