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As Ning Fengzhi's words fell, the entire ancestral hall of the sect fell into complete silence.
It turned out that they had all wronged the sect leader.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's industries were flourishing throughout the Tiandou Empire. Even if they abandoned the market in TiandouCity, their scale was far beyond what the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family or those family-run merchant guilds could match.
Ning Fengzhi took this opportunity to sell low-quality goods at high prices, making a fortune in the process.
By the time the Seven Treasures Mall was completed, the goods being sold would be completely transformed.
This matter was being handled secretly by Chen Xin. Not even the clan members, let alone most of the sect elders, were aware of it.
After a moment, a shrill voice broke the silence.
"His Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived!"
The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was the guardian sect of the Tiandou Empire. With such a major event occurring, especially in the capital region, Emperor Xue Ye couldn't rest easy. He sent Xue Qinghe to extend an invitation for Ning Fengzhi to visit the palace.
"Grand Elder, we were the ones in the wrong. Please don't take it to heart. The old patriarch is advanced in age, and his condition cannot wait. Might I suggest that this Clan Assembly be concluded here and now?" one of the older clan heads proposed.
Ning Fengzhi said nothing, simply waved his hand, and turned to leave the ancestral hall with Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong.
"Father, you're truly amazing," Ning Rongrong said, her face lighting up with satisfaction.
The existence of clan power had always been a thorn in the sect's side. Ning Fengzhi's actions today hinted at his intention to dismantle the influence of the clan.
All disciples who joined the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect were considered part of one family. While non-clan disciples couldn't become sect leaders, they could hold any other position. This undoubtedly increased the sense of belonging among non-clan disciples.
Since implementing this system, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had grown increasingly powerful. Ning Fengzhi's current success in developing the sect to such prosperity was partly due to reaping the benefits of this system.
Ning Fengzhi softened his tone from his earlier dominance and said gently, "Tianchen, I remember you mentioning in your manual that no reform comes without bloodshed. Although the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was founded by the clan, maintaining the clan consumes vast resources every year."
"Rongrong, Tianchen, when the time is right, the sect must sever this 'tail.'"
This statement showed that Ning Fengzhi lacked confidence in completely removing the clan's influence. He wanted to use this as a way to remind Ning Tianchen and Rongrong to continue fulfilling his lifelong wish once they ascended to power.
Previously, Ning Tianchen had criticized the sect's system. Only today did he realize that those supported by the sect were all branches of the clan families.
Since Ning Fengzhi intended to reform, Ning Tianchen had to fully support him. However, his current strength wasn't yet sufficient to command true respect.
The matter of reform could only wait until the timing was ripe.
"This matter ends here. Do not mention it to anyone. Come with me to meet the Crown Prince—it might be helpful for your future."
Even without him saying so, Ning Tianchen wanted to meet this "Crown Prince" of the Tiandou Empire.
---
In front of the sect's main hall, Xue Qinghe's carriage had stopped. He personally stepped down from the carriage and waited for Ning Fengzhi's arrival.
A short while later, Ning Fengzhi arrived with Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong.
Xue Qinghe quickly approached and gave him a respectful student-teacher bow. "Teacher, it has been many days since you last instructed me. My sudden visit today is because I have questions about my studies and wished to seek your guidance."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and patted his arm. "Qinghe has grown much stronger. It seems you've made significant progress in soul master cultivation."
"Ah, the person behind me—"
Xue Qinghe's smile widened as his gaze shifted to Ning Rongrong. "It's been a while, and Rongrong has grown even more beautiful than before."
The praise pleased Ning Rongrong greatly, and she excitedly responded, "Your Highness, please don't tease me."
Xue Qinghe nodded and then turned his attention to the person beside her. "This must be the first genius of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect that Teacher mentioned—Ning Tianchen?"
"Ning Tianchen greets Your Highness. The title of 'first genius' is one I am unworthy of," Ning Tianchen humbly replied.
Xue Qinghe appeared very affable. "I see that Brother Tianchen has an extraordinary appearance. In the future, you will surely become a pillar of the empire. Allow me to address you as a younger brother. From now on, we shall treat each other as brothers."
"I thank Your Highness for your kind words."
Ning Fengzhi interjected, "This is not the place for conversation. Qinghe, let us go inside the hall to talk. Rongrong, Tianchen, you two may go cultivate for now."
---
After parting ways, Ning Tianchen couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
This Crown Prince truly appeared harmless.
But in reality, Xue Qinghe was no ordinary person. The second and third princes of the Tiandou Empire had died at his hands.
Ning Tianchen suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for his days at Shrek Academy, where there was at least no scheming or backstabbing.
After returning to the sect this time, Ning Fengzhi seemed intent on granting him more authority, which added immense pressure.
"Big brother Tianchen, are you regretting returning to the sect?" Seeing his expression, Ning Rongrong let out a bitter smile.
She too felt the pressure from the sect.
Thinking back now, life at the academy had been so blissful.
"Perhaps, until the Seven Treasures Academy is established, we won't have it easy."
Sighing, Ning Tianchen said, "Rongrong, Grandfather is checking my cultivation results tonight. I might not be able to make it to the spirit duel. Let Xiao Ao and the others know."
Ning Rongrong's expression changed slightly, and she pouted. "There's a lantern festival in the city tonight, and I wanted big brother Tianchen to accompany me."
Ning Tianchen suddenly remembered—it was the annual lantern festival in Tiandou City.
However, the sect was currently in the midst of its industrial optimization efforts, and Chen Xin only had time tonight to check his cultivation results—it was difficult to decline.
But as for Rongrong...
After a moment of thought, he said, "Sorry, Rongrong. Grandfather has been very busy lately, and I can't easily reschedule. Hmm~ Compared to Tiandou City's lantern festival, I know of a place whose festival is even livelier."
Tiandou City, being under the emperor's rule, had strict restrictions on the scale of the lantern festival. Any lanterns flown too high would be shattered by the imperial guards patrolling the skies at night.
"Where?" Ning Rongrong blinked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yelin City—their lantern festival is unparalleled on the continent of Douluo. If we get the chance in the future, we'll go together. Consider it compensation for missing this one."
Only then did Ning Rongrong lift her head in satisfaction. "Then it's settled. You can't lie to me, big brother Tianchen —we need to pinky promise!"
"We're not children anymore—let's skip the pinky promise," Ning Tianchen said, taken aback.
In truth, he didn't even know when he'd have time to visit Yelin City.
Over the next two years, their focus would inevitably be on the Soul Master Competition. They couldn't afford to waste time on a mere lantern festival.
"If you refuse to pinky promise, then big brother must be lying to me!" Ning Rongrong crossed her arms and pretended to be upset.
"Alright, alright, we'll pinky promise," Ning Tianchen relented.
"Pinky promise, no changing for a hundred years!"
Ning Rongrong beamed with joy. "Big brother Tianchen, you can't lie to me. You promised to take me, so you can't back out!"
Perhaps realizing they wouldn't have much free time in the near future, she didn't press for a specific date.
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