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"Not arrogant, not complacent—excellent work."
Ning Fengzhi naturally knew that Ning Rongrong didn't have the ability to come up with such ideas.
The fact that Ning Tianchen didn't take credit for it and still proposed such innovative ideas showed great promise. If he were to become sect leader in the future, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect would surely flourish even more.
"Your proposal is excellent. I'll discuss it with Elder Sword and Elder Bone later. If it succeeds, you two will be credited with the primary achievement. The sect won't skimp on rewards."
Ning Tianchen bowed. "Uncle Ning, I hope the construction of the mall and academy can be entrusted to the Defense Clan."
"The Defense Clan? A former subsidiary clan of the Hao Tian Sect?" Ning Fengzhi was surprised.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had no ties with the Defense Clan—why entrust them with this task?
Ning Tianchen explained, "Uncle Ning, I've heard that the Defense Clan's expertise in construction is among the best on the continent. The Seven Treasures Mall and Seven Treasures Academy will both serve as the sect's face, so they should be built by highly skilled craftsmen."
Of course, this wasn't his real purpose.
In the original timeline, the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans were Tang San's allies.
After leaving Shrek Academy, his relationship with Yu Xiaogang had already soured. Given the latter's narrow-mindedness, there was no way he could become Tang San's ally in the future.
If that was the case, why not intercept Tang San's future support?
Ning Tianchen knew little about the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans. This was an opportunity to understand Niu Gao's character and the Imperial Dragon Clan's stance.
"It doesn't matter who builds it—just follow your suggestion." Ning Fengzhi waved dismissively with a smile.
---
After leaving the study, Ning Tianchen sought out Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing.
Their cultivation and daily lives within the sect had already fallen into a routine.
Ning Tianchen suggested, "Tonight, let's go to the Tiandou Grand Spirit Arena to participate in duels. The overall strength of the Tiandou Grand Spirit Arena far exceeds that of the Suotuo Grand Spirit Arena. Our opponents will likely be students from various prestigious academies in the city. Defeating them won't be easy—are you prepared?"
The three exchanged determined glances, showing no signs of hesitation.
After a pause, Oscar brought up the current issue. "Tianchen, Rongrong and I can only participate in two-on-two duels. Who do you think we should team up with?"
Ning Rongrong's soul power had broken through to Level 30, and Oscar had done the same.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, was still at Level 27. If she teamed up with Ning Rongrong, their opponents would inevitably all be Soul Lords.
Including an auxiliary-type soul master in a two-on-two duel was already extremely difficult to win. Add to that Zhu Zhuqing's low soul power level—it made things even harder.
"Here's what we'll do: Zhuqing will only participate in one-on-one duels. I'll alternate between teaming up with Rongrong and Xiao Ao for the two-on-two duels," Ning Tianchen proposed.
Forcing a challenge against higher-level opponents would only result in wasted points and unnecessary mental exhaustion.
Rather than that, it was better to wait.
Ning Rongrong laughed. "Either I or Oscar will inevitably sit out. When that happens, we'll handle logistics from the sidelines."
---
That day, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword and Bone Douluo reached a decision.
Ning Tianchen's proposal was impeccable, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had no reason not to implement it.
With the high-level decision made, Ning Fengzhi quickly convened the Elder Council to assign tasks.
Ko Jie, due to his familiarity with Ning Rongrong and Ning Tianchen, as well as his considerable expertise in martial soul research, was appointed by Ning Fengzhi as the principal of the Seven Treasures Academy.
The next day, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect officially began implementing the plan.
Ning Fengzhi sent Bone Douluo personally to visit the Defense Clan's residence.
Upon hearing that it was a project worth fifty million gold spirit coins, Niu Gao had no reason to refuse.
At the same time, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect sealed off Third Street and demolished all its buildings.
The news quickly reached the ears of various factions.
In the Crown Prince's residence, even the usually composed Xue Qinghe couldn't help but feel shocked.
"Has the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect gone mad? The shops on Third Street are their main source of income in Tiandou City—how can they just tear them down?"
"Master, perhaps Ning Fengzhi has indeed gone mad," said a middle-aged man with a snake-shaped mark on his forehead, his face twisted into an eerie smile.
Xue Qinghe glanced at him and shook his head. "I'd rather believe that Master is planning something big than think he's gone mad."
Ning Fengzhi presented a calm and unassuming demeanor in public, but Xue Qinghe knew well that Ning Fengzhi was an ambitious man—he wouldn't make moves that would harm his own foundation.
---
Within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
Yu Yuanzhen and the other high-ranking members of the sect lacked any business acumen.
Upon hearing that the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had demolished all the shops on Third Street, they burst into laughter.
The sect's main hall was filled with joyous chatter, much like a festive occasion.
Yu Luomian took the opportunity to say, "Big Brother, I believe we can use this chance to stockpile goods in our shops on Eighth Street. With Third Street, the central commercial district of Tiandou City, being artificially destroyed by the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, why not seize this opportunity to turn Eighth Street into a new commercial hub?"
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family had few industries, and thankfully their population was small; otherwise, they would have long been running a deficit.
Now, with the chance to make a fortune, they couldn't afford to miss it.
Yu Yuanzhen, lacking any understanding of business intricacies, immediately agreed with Yu Luo's idea.
"Since the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is destroying their own foundation, we can't just sit idly by. Their previous market share—we must claim at least half of it. Additionally, regarding their goods on Eighth Street, I'll find ways to acquire as much as possible."
If we're going to eat, we might as well eat our fill!
Aside from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, other smaller clans and merchant guilds were also stirring.
They intended to take advantage of this period to aggressively encroach on the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's former market share.
Among them, the Spirit Hall was the most brazen. While spreading rumors of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's collapse within the city, they were also rapidly seizing control of Tiandou City's commercial market.
Of course, there were also a few perceptive merchant guilds. Instead of encroaching on the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's market share, they personally visited the sect to seek cooperation with Ning Fengzhi.
---
The demolition of Third Street caused a huge uproar throughout Tiantou City.
Yet Ning Fengzhi remained calmly seated in his study, unperturbed by the waves of chaos swirling around him.
However, some people within the sect weren't as confident as he was.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was originally a clan-based sect made up of the Ning family. Although the clan members didn't directly manage the sect, when it came to matters affecting the sect's interests, they couldn't simply stand idly by.
A sect disciple arrived to report, "Grand Elder, Elder Ning Huajing has summoned you to the ancestral hall for a meeting."
The ancestral hall of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was its most sacred place, off-limits to outsiders.
Thus, the Sword and Bone Douluo couldn't accompany him to this meeting.
"Oh, tell Elder Ning Huajing I'll be there shortly." Ning Fengzhi replied softly.
After the disciple left, he set down his brush and quickly sent for Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong.
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