Chapter Thirty-One: Dare Not Speak Above a Whisper!

Ning Tian left. She did not do anything unnecessary; being clever and sensible, she understood that some matters were not for her to ponder at this moment—those were her father's burdens.

Therefore, after packing her things, she planned to relay her father’s instructions to Ning Wuque when they set out for the soul beast hunt the next day.

Soon, only Ning Fengxiao remained in the study.

He stood by the window, gazing up at the crescent moon, and murmured to himself:

"Ancestors, perhaps we were wrong—wrong for ten thousand years..."

At this moment, he recalled everything he had just seen. He closed his eyes, then slowly reopened them, a flicker of hesitation crossing his gaze.

*On the Completion of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul*

[Data Point 1: Regarding cases of tool-type martial soul evolution... It can be concluded that the evolution of tool-type martial souls is far from as simple or brutal as that of beast-type martial souls; it requires finding the most suitable and precise path.]

[Data Point 2: Regarding cases of tool-type martial soul mutation... The directions for mutation in tool-type martial souls are twofold:
1. When parents possess beast-type and tool-type martial souls respectively, there is a high probability of inheriting beast-type characteristics.
Examples: Snake Staff, Dragon Spear...
2. Mutations akin to smelting; forging the new upon the old based on the original. Most directions involve "adding elements," "increasing hardness/sharpness," or "altering dimensions."
Examples: Clear Sky Hammer, Sword Martial Soul...]

[Data Point 3: The Theory of Martial Soul Devouring Evolution.
According to the conjectures of scholars..., any martial soul has a certain probability of changing when acquiring a soul ring. This change is most pronounced when the martial soul is weak, the compatibility with the soul ring is high, and the quality of the soul beast is superior.]

[Data Point 4...]
[Data Point 5...]
[Data Point 6...]
[...]

[Conclusion: For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to achieve evolution, one must first locate seven specific corresponding types of soul beasts. The types are restricted to "rock," "gem," and "crystal" categories, such as the Mountain-Back Tortoise or Crystal Scorpion.
This conclusion is merely a hypothesis. Without practical testing, it may very well cause the researchers to be limited for a lifetime.
Note: It is highly recommended to finalize the seven most likely primary soul beasts and two sets of seven secondary soul beasts before conducting experimental tests. The author of this theory accepts no responsibility for the consequences of blind action.]

"Should I go all in?"

Ning Fengxiao hesitated. From this manual of Ning Wuque's, he could see the theoretically most viable path to success!

Whether it was the study of the martial soul itself, the inferences drawn from a vast amount of information, or the understanding of the inherent nature of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Ning Wuque had done his best. It was hard to imagine that he was a boy who hadn't even reached the age of twelve!

However, perhaps it was precisely because he could derive the secret technique of "Ring Detonation" from rumors and records, and then create his own soul skill, "Nine-Fold Yama Gate," that he possessed the intelligence to think about the evolution of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda from such a perspective.

Instead of clinging to the deep-rooted mindset they had held for ten thousand years, believing that perhaps only legendary immortal herbs could complete their clan's martial soul.

And thus, they had never once thought to organize or deduce these possibilities!

Ning Fengxiao was not an arrogant man; he understood deeply that the thoughts of a genius were not something ordinary people like them could fathom.

He was currently weighing whether to go "all in" on Ning Wuque, just as their ancestor had once gone all in on Tang San ten thousand years ago.

But... he was afraid. He was afraid of repeating the same mistake as Ning Fengzhi! He was afraid that Ning Wuque was not as honest, well-behaved, sensible, and obedient as he appeared, and would instead become the next Tang San!

After ten thousand years of records, even the most foolish descendants could eventually perceive the truth. Unfortunately, they could neither blame their ancestors nor blame Tang San.

After all...

"Dare not speak aloud, for fear of startling the heavenly beings! What should I do? What should I do! Wait, or..."

Hesitation lingered incessantly in his heart.

...

The next day.

Ning Wuque rose early. After breakfast, he told Zhang Can that he was going to accompany Wu Feng to hunt for soul beasts and then left.

Arriving at the Jade Pavilion in Ning Tian's courtyard, he found Wu Feng and her eating breakfast. Standing beside them were a man and a woman in black cloaks, looking like assassins.

In reality, they were just deacons responsible for patrolling the sect's soul beast forest—two seventh-ring Soul Saints.

After all, one was the young sect mistress and the other the daughter of the Supreme Elder; their safety had to be fully guaranteed.

This era was not peaceful; evil soul masters were popping up everywhere like weeds. It was with this consideration that Wu Feng had asked her father to have her soul beast captured within the sect's own soul forest.

The outside world was too dangerous; better not to take risks!

"Have you eaten breakfast, Wuque? Would you like to join us?"

"I have already eaten, Young Mistress. We can depart whenever you are ready."

With outsiders present, Ning Wuque felt it was better to be formal, so he did not address Ning Tian by her name.

Across from him, Ning Tian nodded slightly, understanding Ning Wuque's intention. She said nothing; their little group knew the situation well enough.

After breakfast, the three of them followed the two Soul Saint deacons toward the sect's soul beast forest.

On the way, the three traveled in a spacious, luxurious carriage, while the two Soul Saints remained hidden in the surroundings, keeping watch.

Inside the carriage, Ning Tian took out the book Ning Wuque had given her the day before, along with the seven-colored glazed token her father had entrusted to her, and handed them to Ning Wuque.

"My father asked me to give these to you. He also said not to feel pressured, and that you should contact him once you have completed the remaining content. Furthermore, the sect will not treat your contribution lightly. As for what that entails, he didn't say for now—perhaps he is still preparing. He didn't share anything else."

"I see. It seems your father has acknowledged the theoretical conjectures I compiled."

Nodding, Ning Wuque took the two items into his hands. While rubbing the seven-colored glazed jade token, he said:

"Please convey my gratitude to the Sect Master for me, Ning Tian. Also, tell the Sect Master not to have too high of expectations for me. I suggest he takes the initiative himself, as I don't know if I will be able to finish the remaining content in my lifetime."

He was naturally referring to whether he would live that long.

Unless his relationship with Ning Tian reached another level, he would not stop his own progress because of such matters.

Searching for specific soul beasts among thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of different species was a tremendously time-consuming and arduous task.

He hoped more that Ning Fengxiao would handle it himself; once the path was clear, the rest would simply be a matter of persistence.

"Alright!"

Ning Tian agreed, then continued:

"That... Wuque, I have something I want to tell you, is that okay?"

"Go ahead."

"It's just... you... you should know about the traditions of our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, right?"

"Mhm, I know. It's about going to Shrek Academy to recruit talent, right? What, no confidence?"

"..."

Ning Tian looked at Ning Wuque with a hint of reproach, displeased by his evasive answer:

"You know that's not what I wanted to ask."