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"Grandpa, I'll try to forge my own path."
Feeling the conversation had become too serious, Ning Tianchen suddenly joked, "Even if I fail, by following your path, I'll at least become a Title Douluo."
"You little rascal, still trying to be sly."
Chen Xin's stern expression melted away, and for a moment, he looked more like a kind grandfather.
"By telling you all this, I'm not trying to pressure you. I just want you to know that you shouldn't blindly imitate me. If you gain new insights during your cultivation, feel free to incorporate them into your sword techniques."
Learn from him, become him, then surpass him.
Ning Tianchen felt his blood boil with determination, vowing in his heart to carve out his own path in swordsmanship.
After a moment of thought, Chen Xin suddenly said, "Sword techniques are inherently inclusive of countless styles. Perhaps you could try fusing multiple sword techniques to create a path of fusion."
In the past, Chen Xin had turned his nose up at the idea of a mishmash of sword techniques. But recently, after incorporating a swift-sword technique into his own, he gained significant new insights into his martial soul.
Since then, his perspective had shifted.
Moreover, Ning Tianchen was still young. He had room to make mistakes, and even if he failed, Chen Xin would always be there to support him.
"Fusion sword techniques, you say? Right now, I only have one move—the Heavy Sword Style. It shouldn't be too hard to fuse it with others. By the way, Grandpa, I've only learned two of the Seven Kill Sword Techniques. When will you teach me the rest?"
At the mention of teaching, Chen Xin's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a stern expression.
"I'll teach you now. Based on your Heavy Sword Style, learning the Breaking Sword Technique shouldn't be difficult. First, I'll demonstrate a strike—you carefully observe how I channel my power."
"Not again, what a sudden change of face," Ning Tianchen muttered inwardly.
---
Three months passed quietly.
During this time, while Ning Tianchen honed his sword techniques and cultivated his soul power, the sect's reforms continued apace.
The Defense Clan truly lived up to its reputation as the continent's top craftsmen—construction proceeded at an incredible pace. In just three months, the Seven Treasures Mall was completed and ready for use.
As the proposers of the industrial optimization plan, both Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong were invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Seven Treasures Mall.
Until today, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had kept the project completely under wraps.
However, such a massive building couldn't remain unnoticed. Passersby had clearly seen the construction of the Seven Treasures Chamber.
The citizens of Tiandou City and various factions were all curious about the purpose of this large-scale high-rise built by the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.
Today, the barriers surrounding the building were removed, allowing many citizens to flood in.
While not all the shops were open yet, some food establishments on the first floor had already begun operations.
With so many customers pouring in, the restaurants naturally thrived.
Some astute observers hazarded guesses: "Could it be that the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect plans to turn this place into a food hub featuring cuisines from across the continent?"
Currently, only restaurants occupied the mall, leaving plenty of room for speculation.
One person's companion shook their head. "I don't think so. The area around Third Street is filled with nobles. Ordinary people admire the nobility and often flock here."
"If I moved my medicinal herb shop here, business would improve by at least thirty percent. The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect wouldn't give up profits from other goods just to focus on food."
As they spoke, the person looked up and noticed four large characters covered by red cloth atop the building.
When the red cloth was finally removed, everyone understood the building's purpose.
This person grew anxious and immediately leveraged connections to reach out to the higher-ups of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, hoping to lease a shop.
---
Niu Gao, the chief engineer overseeing the construction of the Seven Treasures Mall, received heartfelt thanks from Ning Fengzhi. "The architectural prowess of the Defense Clan truly lives up to its fame—I am deeply impressed."
Niu Gao was a straightforward man, unrestrained in his behavior. "With such generosity from Sect Leader Ning, how could the Defense Clan not put forth its best effort!"
A project worth fifty million gold spirit coins was enough to command their full attention. Aside from those left behind to guard the clan, everyone capable of working had been brought along by Niu Gao.
These disciples were all soul masters, making their work efficiency ten times that of ordinary laborers. Naturally, the construction of the Seven Treasures Mall progressed at breakneck speed.
"Sect Leader Ning, forgive my ignorance, but the layout you requested is unlike anything I've ever seen. Without this complication, construction would have been completed a month sooner."
The center of the mall was hollow, resembling a high-rise building struck by a meteor, leaving a gaping hole through which one could see straight to the bottom. If it were designed as a circular structure, it wouldn't have been an issue. The problem lay in sealing the roof while maintaining the hollow design.
Without central support, finding suitable materials for the roof had taken considerable time.
Ning Tianchen explained, "This is the Seven Treasures Mall, after all. Each room represents a shop. The hollow layout makes it easier for customers to locate the floors where their desired items are located."
"Lord Niu Gao, these are our disciples, Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong. They proposed this architectural layout."
With the shops not yet fully operational, the mall's brilliance wasn't immediately apparent. Once all the shops were in place, Niu Gao would surely appreciate the ingenuity of the design.
For now, his attitude toward Ning Tianchen remained lukewarm. "Your disciple has mastered architecture at such a young age—I have high hopes for you."
Just then, Xue Qinghe's voice came from behind.
"Teacher, I've arrived."
"Lord Niu Gao, excuse me for a moment. Regarding the construction of the Seven Treasures Academy, you can discuss it with Rongrong and Tianchen."
With that, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward to greet Xue Qinghe.
Ning Tianchen asked the critical question, "Lord Niu Gao, how long do you estimate it will take to complete the academy?"
Niu Gao was a straightforward man and didn't mince words when it came to work. "If there are no special structures or particularly unusual layouts, it will take at least four months. If you pursue extreme luxury, it might take over a year."
Building an academy was different from constructing a mall. The academy's scale was vast, and artificial landscapes needed to be excavated, requiring significant time.
As for luxurious decoration, it wasn't necessary at all.
Most of the students at the Seven Treasures Academy would be commoner soul masters. An overly extravagant academy would inadvertently promote a culture of extravagance.
After careful consideration, Ning Tianchen asked, "The academy's first phase will only enroll around five hundred students. If we prioritize constructing the teaching and living areas needed for them, how long will it take?"
The first phase's enrollment represented only a quarter of the academy's capacity, but the time required wasn't proportional since space and roads for future construction also needed to be reserved.
Additionally, the academy's outer walls and general outline should be established.
After some calculations, Niu Gao gave a relatively conservative estimate: "Working eight hours a day, it should take about two months."
Having received the answer he wanted, Ning Tianchen exchanged pleasantries with Niu Gao for a while longer.
Next, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect laid out a red carpet at the main entrance of the mall.
Many officials and chamber presidents who were close to the sect attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
When the red cloth covering the large characters was lifted, the words "Seven Treasures Mall" appeared before everyone's eyes.
(T/N: I was gonna translate it as 'Shopping centre' since I'm Australian but didn't know if people would understand lol. I feel like 'mall' is easier for people to understand.)
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