Chapter Forty-One: Return

Xu Sheng’s expression darkened. "As expected, after saying so much, Ning Fengzhi was just leading up to this very sentence."

However, it was impossible for him to agree so easily. A man as shrewd and calculating as Ning Fengzhi offering Ning Rongrong's hand in marriage could only mean he was trying to win him over.

Ultimately, the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School remained his top priority.

Even though Xu Sheng did not harbor any aversion toward Ning Rongrong and even felt a certain fondness for her, he was not about to become a bargaining chip for Ning Fengzhi.

Xu Sheng tactfully declined the proposal. "Sect Master Ning, you flatter me. Although I do have a favorable impression of Rongrong, things haven't reached the point of discussing marriage."

Upon receiving this reply, Ning Fengzhi’s expression did not change in the slightest, as if this was well within his expectations. If Xu Sheng had agreed instantly, he would have remained full of suspicion toward him...

Wondering whether he was simply a man driven by lust...

Thus, a preliminary impression of Xu Sheng solidified in the depths of Ning Fengzhi’s mind...

Ning Fengzhi smiled with cultured elegance, his tone neither warm nor cold. "You are right. It seems I was being a bit inconsiderate. Still, if possible, I truly hope we can become a family one day."

Xu Sheng slowly rose to his feet and said with a faint smile, "I appreciate Sect Master Ning's kind intentions. However, whether Rongrong and I can end up together will depend on fate. After all, anything is possible."

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly. "Before that, let me heal your injuries."

Standing up, he planted his staff firmly on the ground between them. Then, a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, radiating an immortal aura far surpassing Ning Rongrong's, slowly materialized in the palm of his hand...

An ethereal spiritual energy constantly swirled around the pagoda, occasionally reflecting a dazzling silver radiance...

Following that, seven colorful soul rings slowly rose from beneath his feet...

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—the optimal soul ring configuration...

Yet the most peculiar thing was that Ning Fengzhi's seventh soul ring was completely different from the other two ten-thousand-year soul rings. It was as dark as ink, possessing the standard of at least a nearly one-hundred-thousand-year soul ring!

It bore a striking resemblance to the ninth soul ring of Xu Sheng's Nine Heart Blood Begonia...

Without a trace of emotion, he uttered seven words: "Glazed Tile of the Seven Treasures, the Sixth Glow: Amplify!"

As his words fell, his sixth soul ring flared brilliantly. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda released a piercing white light, far more magnificent than before, and a wave of warm, spring-like energy enveloped Xu Sheng from head to toe...

Xu Sheng gazed at his injured skin. Under the illumination of that warm light, new flesh began to sprout from the torn wounds...

In a mere dozen seconds, every injury on his body had completely healed...

"Is this the terrifying restorative power of Ning Fengzhi using the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? Truly worthy of being the continent's premier auxiliary-type martial soul!"

Even though Ning Fengzhi might very well be unable to break through to the Spirit Douluo realm in his lifetime, no one would dare to underestimate him!

Xu Sheng glanced at Ning Fengzhi and said politely, "Many thanks, Sect Master Ning. The auxiliary capabilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda certainly live up to their legendary reputation."

If Ning Fengzhi were ever to reach the Titled Douluo realm, just how terrifying would he become?

Ning Fengzhi gave a slight nod and joked with a touch of humor, "Go on. Rongrong should still be waiting for you outside. If you take any longer, she might start thinking I did something to you."

"Sect Master Ning, I shall take my leave then." With a casual gesture of farewell to Ning Fengzhi, Xu Sheng turned and walked toward the hall's exit...

Watching Xu Sheng's departing figure, Ning Fengzhi stroked his chin and murmured to himself, "Xu Sheng, I wonder what kind of changes you will bring to this continent? It's truly something to look forward to."

...

Seeing Xu Sheng walk out, Ning Rongrong hurried over. She carefully inspected him from head to toe, and letting out a sigh of relief upon seeing he was unharmed...

After all, deep down, she was still somewhat afraid that Gu Rong and Chen Xin might deliberately target Xu Sheng...

Blinking her clear, watery eyes, she asked, "Xu Sheng, my dad and the others didn't do anything to you, did they?"

Xu Sheng's mouth twitched slightly as he replied with affectionate familiarity, "Rongrong, how am I supposed to answer that? We were just discussing some trivial matters."

Did he really look like someone so easy to bully?

Hearing this, disappointment flickered across Ning Rongrong's face. Lowering her head, she muttered softly, "Trivial matters? That means... Xu Sheng didn't agree to my dad's..."

It seemed she had been overthinking things earlier...

Naturally catching the disappointment on Ning Rongrong's face, Xu Sheng reached out and gave her head a familiar, affectionate pat. Leaning in close to her ear, he murmured in a warm, breathy voice, "Rongrong, coming to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School this time has been a wonderful experience, but I must leave soon."

Sensitive to the core, Ning Rongrong instantly pulled back, her burning cheeks a clear betrayal of her tumultuous emotions...

Her eyes dimmed and, lowering her head in despondency, she bit her lower lip, fixing her gaze firmly on Xu Sheng as if pleading for an answer.

"X-Xu Sheng, will we... still have a chance to meet again?"

She was terrified—terrified that once Xu Sheng left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School today, they would never cross paths again...

"Of course we will. You must believe in the wonderful magic of fate. I'll be off now." Xu Sheng turned around and gave a carefree wave...

However, no sooner had he turned than he felt a pang of regret. With a stiff expression, he turned back around under Ning Rongrong's bewildered gaze and awkwardly rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Rongrong, which way leads out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? I seem to have gotten lost."

This was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, a place he was visiting for the very first time. Relying solely on himself...

He feared he wouldn't find the correct exit even if he wandered around for an entire day.

"Pfft." Ning Rongrong suddenly covered her mouth and giggled, sweeping away all her previous dejection. With a playful, teasing tone, she said, "Xu Sheng, I never took you for someone with such a humorous side. Come on, I'll show you the way out..."

Xu Sheng: "..."

It looked like he would have to find a way to fix this chronic problem of his with directions, otherwise... *sigh*...

...

Upon returning to the Spirit Hall Academy, Xu Sheng pushed open the door and stepped into the classroom. Casting a casual glance at Qi Ruo, who was writing with his back turned to him, he called out, "Instructor Qi Ruo."

Xu Sheng's voice broke the silence of the classroom, causing Xie Yue and the other two to turn their heads toward him in unison...

Yan chuckled spitefully, "To think this Xu Sheng would show up several hours late. He's bound to get chewed out by Instructor Qi Ruo."

Beside him, Xie Yue raised an eyebrow and shot down the notion without hesitation, "Don't even think about it. Xu Sheng... is different from you and me."

As for Hu Liena, her captivating eyes merely stared at Xu Sheng with a strong sense of curiosity...

Hearing the voice, Qi Ruo quietly halted his writing and turned to look at Xu Sheng standing by the door. Having instinctively prepared a burst of fury, he choked the words halfway down his throat and forcefully swallowed them back...

It was fine to be strict with the other three, but Xu Sheng was a uniquely special existence.

*Afford to offend him? I certainly cannot afford to offend him...*

This was a genuine Titled Douluo, after all. Crushing a mere Spirit Saint like himself would be as effortless as flicking an ant away.

Thus, putting on a calm facade, he gave a light cough. "Ah, it's Xu Sheng. Go take your seat first."

Once Xu Sheng was seated, Qi Ruo resumed his previous lecture, raising his voice, "As we were just discussing martial soul fusion skills..."