Chapter Nineteen: The Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda!

Over the next few months, Ning Rongrong lived in a state of constant struggle. Every morning, she would wake up, run until she collapsed, and then undergo a medicinal bath. In the afternoon, she would endure weight-bearing exercises until she was physically exhausted, followed by another medicinal bath. This cycle repeated endlessly.

"Ha!" Ning Rongrong threw a punch. Although she had five sandbags tied to each arm, her long period of training meant their weight no longer hindered her in the slightest.

"Very good. You can now strike with a force of two hundred jin," Ling Xiao said as he approached.

"Humph, now you know how powerful I am!" Ning Rongrong retracted her fist and let out a smug huff.

"Indeed, very impressive. It seems I misjudged you at the beginning," Ling Xiao acknowledged with a nod, then shifted the topic. "You'll be six years old in a few days. It’s time for your spirit awakening."

"That's right! You big bad guy, what kind of spirit do you think I'll awaken? And what will my innate spirit power level be?" Ning Rongrong asked, her eyes filled with anticipation. She added with a hint of worry, "What if I awaken a bad spirit or have low innate spirit power?"

"That won't happen. Think positively. Perhaps you'll awaken the Nine-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda and have full innate spirit power!" Ling Xiao replied. He possessed spirit-martial advancement energy, so he had no concerns regarding the quality of her spirit. Moreover, innate spirit power was linked to the quality of the spirit itself; if the quality was high, the power would inevitably follow.

"You big bad guy, your expectations for me are too high! I've never even heard of a Nine-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda, and full innate spirit power is extremely rare. My father only had level nine!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed.

"You'll know once you awaken your spirit," Ling Xiao said with a shake of his head.

Time flew by. Four days later, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s spirit awakening ceremony began. Ning Fengzhi sat in the main seat, flanked by Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. On the other side sat the sect’s elders and honorary elders, while below them stood a group of children waiting for their turn.

The first child awakened an ordinary iron sword with level two innate spirit power. The second child awakened a Blue Lotus, a healing-type spirit, but their power was only level three. Observing these results, the elders and honorary elders frowned; this batch was poor, with not a single child exceeding level five.

However, the fifth child provided some relief. "A high-level assault-type spirit, the Night Wind Wolf, with level seven innate spirit power. That’s quite good!" an elder remarked, nodding at the black wolf spirit manifested below.

"Indeed. If cultivated well, the sect might gain another Spirit Saint or even a Spirit Douluo. It seems the Second Elder is in for a treat," an honorary elder commented to the old man beside him, who was flushed with excitement.

As the elders and honorary elders discussed, the ceremony continued. Seeing that the subsequent spirits were of decent quality and the innate power levels were all above five, they nodded in satisfaction, their eyes filled with expectations for the children.

Nearby, Ning Rongrong watched the scene nervously, her small hand clutching Ling Xiao’s sleeve. "You big bad guy, do you think I’ll awaken a trash spirit? What would I do then?" she asked, clearly unsettled.

"It won't happen. You are Sect Master Ning’s daughter; there is a high probability your spirit will be the Seven-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda. Plus, with all the training and medicinal baths, your innate power might be very high!" Ling Xiao comforted her softly.

"Mm!" Ning Rongrong nodded. Finally, it was her turn—the thirteenth child. Everyone looked toward her, curious to see the talent of the Sect Master’s daughter. Ling Xiao patted her hand, and under his encouraging gaze, she took a deep breath and walked to the center of the array.

"Little Princess, please step up and try your best to sense your spirit," the awakened official said gently.

Ning Rongrong nodded, stood in the center, and closed her eyes. A moment later, her spirit appeared. The crowd held their breath, nodding as they recognized the familiar form. Yes, it was indeed the Seven-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda, just as expected.

Wait!

As they were nodding, the crowd suddenly gasped. Ning Fengzhi and the others stood up from their seats, their expressions filled with intense excitement.

"It’s a Nine-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda!" someone exclaimed, drawing everyone’s attention back. They looked at the glazed pagoda and counted the layers again and again. It was true—it had nine layers! It was unprecedented!

"Rongrong, quickly, test your innate spirit power!" Ning Fengzhi urged, suppressing his excitement.

"Okay!" Ning Rongrong, eyes full of surprise, approached the crystal ball and placed her hand on it. No one dared to blink. A moment later, the crystal ball erupted with a dazzling light.

"Full innate spirit power!" Ning Fengzhi announced, his voice causing a stir among the crowd.

"The little princess not only awakened a never-before-seen spirit, the Nine-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda, but she also has the one-in-a-million full innate spirit power. The heavens truly bless our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!" an elder said with tear-filled eyes.

Ning Rongrong ran back to Ling Xiao, excited. "You big bad guy, look! I not only awakened the unprecedented Nine-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda, but I also have full innate spirit power!"

"Congratulations! You might even break through to become a Titled Douluo in the future!" Ling Xiao said with a slight smile.

Ning Rongrong’s excitement faltered. Seeing his calm expression, she asked, "Why don't you seem surprised? Aren't you happy that I awakened such a powerful spirit?"

"Of course I am!"

"Then why are you so calm?" Ning Rongrong pouted, unhappy.

"Because this is just the beginning. I will truly be happy when you reach the level of Titled Douluo!"

"Titled Douluo?" Ning Rongrong clenched her small fists and said loudly to Ling Xiao, "I, Ning Rongrong, will definitely become a Titled Douluo! I will definitely make you look at me with admiration!"

"Mm, I’ll wait for that day," Ling Xiao said with a light nod and a smile.

Nearby, Ning Fengzhi and the others watched this scene with strange expressions, falling into a thoughtful silence. They should have been ecstatic, but for some reason, they felt a pang of heartache, as if something precious had been snatched away.

"Fengzhi, this..." Sword Douluo watched, his mouth twitching slightly, unsure of what to say.

"Sigh! Uncle Sword, we can't interfere in these matters now. Let nature take its course. They are just friends with a pure friendship!" Ning Fengzhi said softly, though his twitching eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

"Haha, Fengzhi, old Sword, we old folks don't need to worry about this. And don't you think this isn't bad? I don't think he's the type to hurt Rongrong!" Bone Douluo laughed, looking relaxed.

At these words, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo brightened. Considering Ling Xiao’s monstrous talent, it wasn't an unacceptable development.

"Hehe! Then we old folks won't interfere in the affairs of the young! What do you think, Fengzhi?" Sword Douluo said, feeling much more at ease.

"Since you and Uncle Bone think so, I have nothing more to say," Ning Fengzhi replied with a bitter, helpless smile.

The surrounding elders and honorary elders didn't see any issue. After all, Ling Xiao had been close to Ning Rongrong for months, spending every day together, and the Sect Master had never objected. Although Ling Xiao never revealed his spirit or power, it certainly couldn't be low; otherwise, the Sect Master wouldn't have allowed such proximity. In their eyes, Ling Xiao was already as good as the Sect Master’s son-in-law.

After the ceremony, without even speaking to her father, Ning Rongrong grabbed Ling Xiao and ran off. Ning Fengzhi and the others could only shake their heads, thinking that daughters truly don't stay at home forever—she had forgotten her elders so quickly.

"You big bad guy, I'm hungry! I want to eat something delicious!" Ning Rongrong pulled Ling Xiao to the kitchen, looking at him with pleading eyes. Not long ago, she had discovered Ling Xiao cooking gourmet food after her training. Ever since, she would drag him to the kitchen whenever she had the chance.

"You big bad guy, what are you making this time? I'm so hungry!" she asked, drooling at the thought.

"Rongrong, didn't you stuff yourself the day before yesterday?" Ling Xiao asked, his mouth twitching. He remembered her eating an adult's portion and being unable to move afterward, vowing never to eat that much again.

"Hehe!" Ning Rongrong laughed awkwardly, remembering. But she quickly pouted and acted cute, shaking his arm. "Just do it one more time! I awakened such a powerful spirit today; it’s a big deal! I promise I won't ask you to cook for five days after this, okay?"

Ling Xiao sighed. He had no choice. "Fine! Remember your promise! After today, you are not allowed to come to me for food for a week!"

"Yay! I knew you were the best!" Ning Rongrong jumped for joy.

As she dragged him into the kitchen, she told the chefs, "All of you, get out! The big bad guy is going to make something delicious!" The chefs looked at each other and left helplessly. They stood outside the door, listening to the sounds from within, yearning to learn his secrets, but stealing techniques was considered shameful in the culinary world.

Soon, a fragrant aroma wafted out, making everyone swallow hard. Just then, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo arrived. "See the Sect Master and the two Elders! The Young Master and the Little Princess are cooking," the chefs said.

"Sigh, she's pestering him again," Ning Fengzhi said helplessly.

"Alright, you all may leave," Sword Douluo said.

Once the chefs were gone, the three men immediately entered the kitchen, drooling at the sight of the prepared dishes.

"Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, you're here," Ling Xiao said, unfazed.

"Cough, cough! Well, Rongrong is pestering you for food again," Ning Fengzhi said.

"Would the three of you like to taste some?"

Sword Douluo didn't reply, feeling embarrassed. "Well, we old fellows won't stand on ceremony!" Bone Douluo said brazenly.

*I should have made more,* Ling Xiao thought.

"Daddy, Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, you're here to mooch food again!" Ning Rongrong pouted.

"Hahaha! This is all thanks to Rongrong! Otherwise, we old folks wouldn't have the chance to taste such delicacies. Only Rongrong can get him to cook; we don't have that kind of influence!" Bone Douluo laughed.

"Bone Grandpa, what are you saying?" Ning Rongrong blushed and stomped her foot.

Half an hour later, in a pavilion outside the kitchen, the table was filled with various delicacies. No one touched their chopsticks until the last dish—a large bowl of fish soup—was placed down. There were six meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, and two soups.

Once Ling Xiao sat down, Ning Rongrong couldn't resist and popped a piece of rib into her mouth. "Mm! As expected of the big bad guy, it's the best! Thousands of times better than anyone else's!"

The others began to eat as well, showing a competitive spirit. No one dared to grab food from Ling Xiao or Ning Rongrong, as stealing from a child would be disgraceful.

"Old Sword, what do you mean? I had my eye on that piece of fish first!" Bone Douluo yelled, his chopsticks never stopping.

"Hmph! Your speed is slow, don't blame others, old Bone!" Sword Douluo replied with a stern, masterful demeanor—if only he wasn't eating with a mouth full of oil.

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, why get angry over such a small matter? Just enjoy the food!" Ning Fengzhi said elegantly, though his own hand speed was just as fast.

"Oh! Fengzhi, you have the nerve to say that? Your speed isn't slow either! And you're even stealing from my chopsticks!" Bone Douluo felt like he was being bullied.

Ning Rongrong laughed at their antics. She picked up the largest chicken leg and placed it in Ling Xiao’s bowl. "Here, you big bad guy, this is for you!"

"Don't worry about me, you eat," Ling Xiao said, eyeing her curiously. She usually fought for the chicken leg herself.

"Hmph, no! I gave it to you, you have to eat it!" she insisted.

"Fine, I'll eat it," Ling Xiao relented.

"Then here, take this fried fish piece. It's the most tender part!" Ling Xiao said, placing a piece in her bowl.

Ning Rongrong blushed as she caught the three elders staring at them. She lowered her head and ate.

"Haha! Rongrong is shy! Fengzhi, look..." Bone Douluo started, but when he turned to look at the others, he found them already busy devouring the remaining food. His expression stiffened. "You... you actually did this to me!"

...

"Hiccup!" Ning Rongrong burped, her belly full and rounded. "I can't... I can't eat anymore. If I do, I'll burst."

"Why do you always eat until you can't move? Gluttony is a bad habit, watch out for getting fat!" Ling Xiao said with a roll of his eyes.

"I won't get fat! Stop trying to scare me, you big bad guy!" she retorted.

"Haha, well, since there’s nothing left for us, we’ll be going!" the three elders said, rising to leave.

Ling Xiao stood up to clear the table, though there wasn't even any sauce left to clean.

"Daddy, Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, bye!" Ning Rongrong managed to wave from her seat.

Half an hour later, after cleaning the kitchen, Ling Xiao returned to the pavilion to find Ning Rongrong nearly asleep. "Alright, are you planning on staying here? Let’s go back!"

"You big bad guy, I'm too full to move! Can you carry me back?" she asked, half-asleep.

"How can I carry you when you're that full? What if you get nauseous and throw up on me?" Ling Xiao refused.

"I won't! I won't! Please, help me!" she pleaded, acting cute.