When Luo Yu saw the words "Zi Ji" on the transparent system panel,
his head buzzed.
He couldn't help but look up at the beauty in the black dress standing there with her calm, grey eyes and her cold, enchanting charm.
No way.
When had he ever had such close communication with her?
How could he, being completely conscious as he was, not know if something like that had happened?
Wait a minute.
Luo Yu suddenly paused.
During the time he absorbed the soul bone in Dragon Valley, there was a period when he had no perception of the outside world.
Luo Yu also remembered the Dragon Clan's Secret Technique that the two women had kept to themselves, and the inexplicable jealousy of Gu Yuena.
Could it be that Zi Ji took advantage of him during that time...
Hiss.
There was no need to doubt; it must have been so. The system would not add a name without reason.
Luo Yu finally understood what that feeling of being wrapped in warmth and ecstasy was all about.
Apparently, while he was enjoying himself, another woman had been silently exerting herself.
Looking at Gu Yuena and Zi Ji in front of him,
Luo Yu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but then gave up.
This was the first time he had encountered such a situation, and he really didn't know what would be appropriate to say.
He certainly couldn't just go up and ask directly.
Hey, was it you who... with me?
That would be too absurd.
Better not ask now, and find an opportunity to talk in private later.
Luo Yu decided not to ask now, but he had already noted it in his heart.
No matter what, Zi Ji had sacrificed herself for him and, without a word afterward, silently made efforts only wishing to help him, obviously not expecting anything in return.
Luo Yu couldn't just act as if nothing had happened.
That would be irresponsible.
Luo Yu lay in the pit, quietly reflecting, while Gu Yuena next to him felt somewhat tense.
Originally, after their "sparring" session, she felt cheerful, and her resentfulness and jealousy had dissipated quite a bit.
But after half a day, the man was still lying in the pit and hadn't come out.
Gu Yuena's cold and beautiful face didn't show any emotion, but inside, she was getting a bit anxious.
Was Luo Yu angry with her?
She had just been throwing a small tantrum. She hadn't really exerted much force when she struck him, being very careful with her strength. He shouldn't be injured.
She walked to the edge of the pit and waved her hand in front of Luo Yu's eyes.
"Hey."
"Are you faking it? I didn't hit you that hard."
Luo Yu came back to his senses, covered his chest, and pretended to be pitiful, "Don't you know your own cultivation level? Even if you don't use your full strength, my frail body can't withstand it."
"You call that a frail body?" Gu Yuena glared, "You've fused with five Dragon King Level Soul Bones. Even the Dragon King in his youth couldn't compare to you."
Luo Yu gave a sheepish smile.
With a carp flip, he sprang up from the ground.
Gu Yuena rolled her eyes at him, her expression saying, I knew it.
However, seeing that the man didn't hold a grudge about the incident, a silent relief washed over her; she really was a bit afraid.
Afraid that the man would be angry with her.
Luo Yu flexed his wrists, calling out to Gu Yuena.
"Nana."
Gu Yuena responded, "What is it?"
"Enough with the tantrums. Practice with me for a bit; I'm still not used to the power surge."
Seeing his serious expression, Gu Yuena nodded gently and obediently agreed.
"Alright, I'll feed you moves."
The two of them engaged in battle once more, but this time, Gu Yuena did not mix personal grievances.
She wholeheartedly helped the man adjust to his physical condition.
With Gu Yuena's devoted assistance, and much like the results from his battle with Zhao Wuji, Luo Yu gradually mastered the control of the muscles in his torso and legs that swelled with power.
He was able to send and retrieve every ounce of strength contained within each muscle at will, mobilize it according to his desires, and condense it into a coherent series of explosive moves.
The stunning Zi Ji simply stood by quietly, watching the man grow stronger in battle. Her black hair and dress fluttered in the wind, and her morbidly pale and beautiful face revealed a faint smile.
Her hand gently caressed her lower abdomen, lost in thought.
...
Seven Treasures Glaze Sect.
Inside the magnificent hall, there were only three people.
An elegant middle-aged man exuding an aura of power sat on the throne, frowning deeply.
Two old men stood beside him.
One had sharp brows and bright eyes, dressed in whiter-than-snow garments, and his silver hair was meticulously groomed.
The other had a withered face and an exceptionally broad and burly skeleton.
The middle-aged man massaged his temples, as if troubled.
"Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu."
"I've used all the sect's spies hidden within Martial Soul Hall to obtain a single piece of information."
"That person has disappeared from Martial Soul Hall, and his whereabouts are unknown."
"Do you think he truly went missing, or was he concealed by Martial Soul Hall?"
The muscular old man grunted, "Fengzhi, this is the first time I've seen you with such a worried look over a boy who hasn't yet grown. Is it worth it?"
Ning Fengzhi sighed, "Uncle Gu, how can I not worry?"
"Martial Soul Hall already has an old monster like Qian Daoliu presiding. If they add such a genius to their ranks, I fear in twenty years the entire continent would be under Martial Soul Hall's rule."
"What chance would our sects have to survive then?"
Bone Douluo shook his head, "Over the centuries in Douluo, there have been countless geniuses like carp crossing the river. But of these many geniuses, how many are able to surpass the Dragon's Gate to become a dragon?"
"That kid might not grow up to be a threat."
Ning Fengzhi said, "Uncle Gu, if he were just an ordinary talent, that would be one thing, but this is a super-genius who shattered the Awakening Stone, with Innate Level Forty, Twin Martial Souls."
"Do you think he won't be able to grow?"
Even now, Ning Fengzhi felt a sense of unreality when he recalled the reports from his spies.
He had initially thought that the pressure of being undercover for many years had driven the spy insane.
How could there be such a terrifying talent? That's nonsense.
But then every spy sent back the same information, and his years of composure were instantly shattered. He became tense, feeling as if a sharp sword was hanging over his head.
"Uncle Gu, it's not that I'm being overly worried, but if that kid grows up, he'll definitely bring a catastrophe upon the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect."
Bone Douluo said in a stern voice, "What's there to fear? Don't we still have me and Chen Xin, plus your support? Can't the three of us take down just one of him?"
Ning Fengzhi's mouth twitched, and he shook his head.
The silver-haired elder beside them couldn't stand it any longer and rebuked with wide eyes, "Old Bones, can you please think before you speak, without considering if, in a few years, the three of us can even take down that level of genius."
"Even if we could take him down, do you think the people from Martial Soul Hall are dead, leaving us to fight three against one?"
Bone Douluo's face reddened, and he retorted with a grunt, "Yes, if we can't take him down when he grows up, then I'll just leave the sect now and take him down. Happy?"
"Heh," scoffed Sword Douluo with disdain. "Old Bones, you really are regressing with age, daring to lose face by attacking an innocent junior?"
"And you're noble, you're all about face?" Bone Douluo glared, "If you don't kill him now, he might kill you later."
Sword Douluo's eyes hardened, flashing with sharpness.
"I understand what you're saying."
"But ambushing a junior, such a disgraceful act, is not something I can do, it goes against my Sword Dao," said Chen Xin.
"If one day the junior grows in strength and seeks trouble, I shall welcome him with my sword."
Bone Douluo sneered, "Have you not considered that by the time you won't be able to beat him? Then what will you do?"
Sword Douluo replied calmly, "I will defend the sect to my dying breath. If he can defeat me honorably, then it's my own lack of skill. In death, I will have no regrets."
"Stubborn and inflexible, you're just waiting to die."
Despite his complaining mouth, a look of admiration flashed in Bone Douluo's eyes.
For many years, what he respected most was the integrity of his old friend—seemingly foolish yet noble, with only a longsword in his heart that swept through all adversaries.
Ning Fengzhi seriously said, "Uncle Jian, perhaps this time we really should listen to Uncle Gu's suggestion."
"I also want to be an upright and open-minded man, but if we don't eliminate such a genius, he will surely become a major threat to us in the future."
"You may not fear death, and I may not fear death, but what about all the people from our sect? We have to take responsibility and think about them too."
Sword Douluo remained unmoved, his pride intact.
Ning Fengzhi sighed, "Uncle Jian, although you don't say it, I understand your intention. If we are defeated, the people from our sect can surrender to save their lives."
"But have you considered..."
"What will happen to Rongrong in the future? If we are defeated, will Martial Soul Hall let her live?"
Hearing the two words "Rongrong," Sword Douluo's resolute gaze wavered.
His heart was impacted.
Bone Douluo said, "Chen Xin, I know you can't bring yourself to assassinate a junior, but what about Rongrong? Don't you care about Rongrong's safety?"
Sword Douluo's fingers trembled, and he said to Ning Fengzhi, "Must we really kill that kid?"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes revealed a tinge of melancholy.
"The first solution is naturally to try our best to win him over. If we could win over such a genius, I wouldn't hesitate to give out half of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect's assets," he said.
"Even letting him become my Ning Fengzhi's son-in-law would be acceptable," he added.
Sword Douluo furrowed his brows, "Isn't that possible?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, "The feasibility of this method is very small."
"Consider this, apart from our Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, which top power, like the Blue Electric Overlord Dragon Clan, Hao Tian Clan, and Martial Soul Hall, isn't thinking along the same lines?"
"I estimate that if these powers met the lad, they would all desperately offer treasures and daughters for marriage."
"In the end, I anticipate that he would still end up with Martial Soul Hall," Ning Fengzhi conjectured.
"I suspect that what the major powers are discussing more isn't winning him over, but how to kill this extraordinarily talented young man and nip the danger in the bud," he continued.
"Is this youngster truly so terrifying?"
Ning Fengzhi gazed directly at Sword Douluo as he spoke.
"What do you think?" he asked.
Sword and Bone Douluo both fell silent.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the grand hall grew exceedingly solemn.
Bone Douluo said anxiously, "I bet the lad is being kept hidden by Martial Soul Hall right now, just quietly cultivating without making an appearance. If that's the case, we won't have a chance to kill him."
A severe look appeared in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
"I've already made contact with the leaders of the Blue Electric Overlord Dragon Clan, Hao Tian Clan, and other major powers. We're having a secret meeting in Tiandou City in three months' time," he divulged.
"If this lad doesn't show up within three months, we will jointly launch a night attack on Martial Soul Hall," Ning Fengzhi proposed.
"I don't actually want to kill this innocent young man, but it's unfortunate he's too much of a genius. He's capable of threatening the entire continent's balance, and as a Sect Master, I have a responsibility to Rongrong and our sect members," he explained somberly.
Bone Douluo spoke in a deep voice, "Carrying such a heavy burden of the family business, you're exhausted, Fengzhi."
Ning Fengzhi said, "Rongrong hasn't grown up yet. As her father, I have to protect her from the elements and pave the way for her future."
Sword Douluo patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, you have us two old fellows standing behind you."
"Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, how wonderful it would be if such a genius belonged to us," Ning Fengzhi lamented.
"Then I wouldn't need to exhaust myself considering strategies like this."
"It's a pity it's simply not realistic," he added.
Ning Fengzhi let out a long sigh, his voice filled with wistfulness.
Furrowed brows and a melancholic face showed his deep concern for the future.
Suddenly, a young servant entered from outside the grand hall and knelt on one knee.
"I bring news!"
"A letter sent back by Miss Rongrong," the servant reported.
Worries seemed to dissipate from Ning Fengzhi's face as he laughed and scolded, "That girl, after running off for so long, she finally remembers to write back to her family."
"With that princess temperament of hers, who knows if she's caused some trouble outside and needs her old dad to clean up her mess," he quipped.
"Hand it over," he instructed.
"Yes," responded the servant.
The young servant rose, took a few steps forward, and presented the letter with both hands.