"Su Ming, based on feedback from the blue silver grass, Gu Rong has brought Ning Fengzhi from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to Spirit City. With Gu Rong's capabilities, they'll probably arrive within a day or two."
Su Ming was a bit surprised. It seemed that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's intelligence network was quite extensive if they'd arrived so quickly. Ning Fengzhi must have just returned to the clan when he received the news. And this time, it was Bone Grandpa who accompanied him.
Over the next two days, Su Ming alternated between spending time with his companions and discussing policy matters with Bibi Dong. With Spirit Hall set to establish a nation in a month, many tasks needed handling—such as Spirit Master's subsidies. Previously, the funds came from agreements with the two empires. But once they established their nation, those arrangements would be broken, and Spirit Hall would bear the entire burden of funding. Fortunately, Spirit Hall had established various businesses across the continent over the years, amassing considerable wealth, almost rivaling the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Su Ming," Bibi Dong asked, "once the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan becomes an affiliate, do you think we could have them contribute a portion of the funds?"
She didn't want to impose on the clan if Spirit Hall could manage, but supporting Spirit Masters across the continent and funding the development of remote regions required substantial resources.
After considering for a moment, Su Ming replied, "Teacher, let me handle the discussions if they do become an affiliate. I have some conditions in mind that I believe will benefit both Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Bibi Dong nodded. "Go ahead."
Su Ming explained, "We could allocate resources based on contributions. For example, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan funds thirty percent, we could allocate thirty percent of our top talent to them. Uncle Ning has always valued talent. Given that their core members are support-type Spirit Masters, they're in great need of offensive and defensive Spirit Masters. Uncle Ning has spent a fortune to hire them."
Bibi Dong agreed, seeing that the arrangement would ease Spirit Hall's burden.
Later that morning, as Su Ming was preparing to leave, he sensed two familiar presences approaching. "Teacher, I'll excuse myself now," he said and vanished.
In an instant, Su Ming appeared at Spirit City's gate, smiling as he greeted them. "Uncle Ning, Grandpa Bone, welcome. I've been expecting you for days."
But Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were both captivated by the sight of Yu Xiaogang's body hanging from the city walls, momentarily forgetting to respond.
"And this…master?" Ning Fengzhi asked, frowning.
Su Ming replied, "Uncle Ning, there's a long story behind that. I assume you're not here today because of Yu Xiaogang?"
"Let's go; I've prepared a lunch so we can discuss this comfortably," he continued, teleporting them to a private dining room.
Gu Rong gave Su Ming a curious glance, his tone half-mocking. "Su Ming, that spatial ability of yours has improved quite a bit! No wonder you joined Spirit Hall—did you plan on leaving Rongrong behind?"
Su Ming sighed, "Grandpa Bone, I know you're upset, but you know me better than anyone."
Gu Rong scoffed. "Hmph. Who knows if that was all just an act?"
He fell silent after that, recognizing that Su Ming likely had his reasons but still concerned about Ning Rongrong's future. After all, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan supported the Heaven Dou Empire, while Spirit Hall was their adversary.
Once Gu Rong had calmed down, Su Ming turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Uncle Ning, Grandpa Bone, please, ask away."
Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath and sat down, his face bearing a gentle smile. "Su Ming, I have a few questions. First, have you considered Rongrong's feelings? With your intellect, you should be aware of the current state of the continent."
Su Ming nodded. "Of course, I know. And I'm sure you've also heard why I left Heaven Dou Empire."
Ning Fengzhi replied, "I've heard. But could it really be just because of your commoner background and their noble hierarchy? Snow Night Emperor would surely have granted you nobility in recognition of winning the championship. I want to hear your true intentions."
Su Ming responded, "Uncle Ning, that's indeed my official reason, but my real motivation goes deeper. Spirit Hall, strictly speaking, is an organization for the people, except for the Angel Shrine. Everyone—from Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to Hu Liena and Xie Yue—comes from ordinary backgrounds. Even Bibi Dong, my teacher, was once an ordinary person. In Spirit Hall, as long as one has ability, they can rise. This system suits my ambitions better."
"And of course, it's not just the system; it's the opportunity Bibi Dong, my teacher, has given me—to be Spirit Hall's Holy Son with authority second only to her own.
"Your ambitions?" Ning Fengzhi asked, slightly intrigued. It was the first time he'd heard that Su Ming had ambitions beyond simply growing his strength. If it were just for self-improvement, joining Spirit Hall wouldn't have been necessary, nor would he need to refuse Spirit Hall's six Spirit Bones over 50,000 years old!
"Yes, my ambition is to improve the lives of the common people," Su Ming responded confidently. "But of course, all of this depends on my own strength remaining unaffected."
Su Ming's words stunned Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong. They now understood why Su Ming couldn't settle within the Heaven Dou Empire. Even the Star Luo Empire wouldn't satisfy his aspirations, let alone other sects. Only Spirit Hall, with its inclusivity toward commoners, could offer the support he needed.
"But why not join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?" Ning Fengzhi pressed. "With your relationship with Rongrong, you could do whatever you wanted, as long as it benefits the clan."
Su Ming nodded. Ning Fengzhi was right; the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had a reputation for kindness toward common Spirit Masters. But as a noble-centered sect, their efforts were limited, unlike Spirit Hall, which extended resources even to weaker Spirit Masters.
"Uncle Ning, if it were that simple, Spirit Hall wouldn't exist as it does today. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's aid to commoners is targeted, while Spirit Hall aids everyone with awakened Spirit Power, regardless of their strength. Can you do the same?"
Ning Fengzhi fell silent, knowing he couldn't. Realistically, he preferred focusing resources on the clan's core disciples.
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "I see. But what about Rongrong?"
Su Ming replied without hesitation, "Simple. Uncle Ning, let the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan become a subsidiary of Spirit Hall."
At these words, Gu Rong's aura locked onto Su Ming, though it held no killing intent.
"Su Ming! I thought I misjudged you. Asking us to become part of Spirit Hall? You know that's impossible!"
"Grandpa Bone, please don't get so worked up," Su Ming replied calmly. "Can we at least talk it over? Besides, you haven't even asked what limitations there would be as an affiliate."
Then he turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Surely, Uncle Ning has already guessed Spirit Hall's ambitions?"
"I've considered it," Ning Fengzhi admitted. "Spirit Hall controls over seventy percent of the Spirit Master resources on the continent. The rest belong to the Upper Three Sects, the two empires, and various families. It's clear that Spirit Hall intends to establish its own nation and take over the empires."
Su Ming grinned. "Uncle Ning, you're as insightful as ever."
Ning Fengzhi continued, "So even if the Upper Three Sects stand divided, I would still try to unite with them in the face of Spirit Hall's ambitions. But Su Ming, have you thought about this—is this alliance practical? The Clear Sky Clan has been in seclusion, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan only has one Title Douluo. Even united, do the Upper Three Sects stand a chance against Spirit Hall?"
"And please don't mention the empires," Su Ming added. "Their vast armies might be intimidating, but most soldiers don't even have a Spirit Power level above 30. Spirit Hall's ranged Spirit Master squads could decimate them from a distance."
"Let's get specific about Spirit Hall's strength. Uncle Ning, do you know how many Title Douluos there are in Spirit Hall?"
After a pause, Ning Fengzhi estimated, "I'd say around ten, though most are likely just at the initial Title Douluo level. The strongest should be Bibi Dong, as well as the likes of Demon Subduer Douluo, Qian Daoliu, and so on."
Su Ming suppressed a smile. "Uncle Ning, let me be blunt. Spirit Hall has over twenty Title Douluos, and at least seven of them are above level 95."
"What?!"
Ning Fengzhi's expression tightened. If Su Ming's claim was true, the empires wouldn't stand a chance. Even if a Title Douluo could tire, no rule said Spirit Hall couldn't fight a long battle.
"Uncle Ning," Su Ming said, "I have no reason to lie. Just Qian Daoliu, Spirit Hall's Grand Worshipper, is powerful enough to have few equals on the continent. Besides the elusive Tang Chen, there's no one left who can match him. The strongest Douluos left are Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Grandpa Sword."
Since Yu Yuanzhen's death was still unknown to Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, Su Ming didn't mention it.
Ning Fengzhi was visibly shaken. If Su Ming was telling the truth, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would be unwise to oppose Spirit Hall. Even with their stockpile of amulets from Su Ming, their resources wouldn't last indefinitely.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi's hesitation, Su Ming pressed on, "Uncle Ning, I'm telling you all this because I trust you. I'm sharing what I know of Spirit Hall's intentions, confident you'll make the best choice."
He concluded, "Also, Uncle Ning, is there really a reason the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has to support the Heaven Dou Empire? Has the clan truly benefited from the empire? If that were the case, you wouldn't be so troubled over the lack of talented Spirit Masters."
And with that, Su Ming began the final push to sway him.
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished uploading the whole series in patreon, thanks for supporting me and special thanks to all the patrons for joining
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