Ning Fengzhi patted Dai Mubai's shoulder with a smile.
He knew Dai Mubai was busy, but this was also his way of inviting Dai Mubai to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan with Ning Rongrong.
To Ning Fengzhi, Dai Mubai was the ideal match for his daughter. The clan's elders unanimously approved of him as well.
His incredible combat prowess, demonstrated by slightly injuring Sword Douluo when he was still at the Spirit Ancestor level, was no small feat.
Moreover, the contributions Dai Mubai had made to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—helping him and his daughter evolve their martial spirits—were monumental.
Even if they were to offer half the clan's wealth or name Dai Mubai as their third honorary elder, it would still be worth it.
However, Dai Mubai's identity as the prince of the Star Luo Empire posed a slight problem. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan supported the Heaven Dou Empire, and if the daughter of the clan master married the future emperor of Star Luo, it might raise eyebrows among Heaven Dou's royal family.
"Ning Uncle, after the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament qualifiers are over, we'll definitely visit!" Dai Mubai said with a warm smile.
What had initially started as a ploy to take advantage of Ning Fengzhi had unexpectedly resulted in the man becoming his father-in-law. The resources initially intended as leverage had turned into a bridal dowry.
If not for those financial resources, Dai Mubai's current life wouldn't be so comfortable. After all, his meals alone cost several hundred gold spirit coins each day.
"Good! I'll be waiting to welcome you with open arms!" Ning Fengzhi replied, nodding.
Ning Fengzhi had been sparring wits with Salas in the judges' chambers when Ning Rongrong came to him, saying Dai Mubai had something important to discuss.
If it were anyone else, Ning Fengzhi might have waited until after the matches to address it.
But this was Dai Mubai.
The moment Ning Rongrong mentioned his name, Ning Fengzhi immediately brought Sword Douluo Chen Xin to the Shrek Academy rest area.
After chatting for a while, Ning Fengzhi, Dai Mubai, and Chen Xin slowly distanced themselves from the others, speaking more discreetly.
"Chen Xin, if you would," Dai Mubai said.
Chen Xin nodded in understanding and conjured a transparent barrier around the three of them.
"With my spirit power, unless it's that one from Spirit Hall, no one will be able to eavesdrop on our conversation," Chen Xin assured.
"Good. Since this involves a spirit bone, it's better to be cautious," Dai Mubai replied.
Ning Fengzhi: "…"
Chen Xin: "…"
Hearing this, Chen Xin nearly faltered, his barrier flickering for a moment.
A spirit bone?!
This kid was seriously discussing such a significant topic so casually? Matters concerning spirit bones should be discussed privately, with no one within kilometers!
Chen Xin tightened the barrier, making it visibly denser.
"What kind of spirit bone are we talking about?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
If this spirit bone was something Dai Mubai needed, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would support him without hesitation, given all he had contributed to them.
"This spirit bone is of no use to me," Dai Mubai clarified, noticing Ning Fengzhi's reaction.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin grew even more curious. If it wasn't useful to Dai Mubai, why bring it up at all?
"It's a gemstone-type spirit bone," Dai Mubai began.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened in shock, his mouth slightly agape.
A gemstone-type spirit bone?
For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, which revolved around the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, such a spirit bone was perfect!
"More specifically, it's a head spirit bone, aged 20,000 to 30,000 years."
"What?!" Ning Fengzhi exclaimed, visibly excited.
"Where is this spirit bone?" he asked eagerly.
Normally, for spirit bones of other attributes and under 50,000 years, Ning Fengzhi wouldn't have such a reaction. But a gemstone-type spirit bone was a rare treasure, perfectly suited for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Fengzhi, mind your manners," Chen Xin reminded calmly.
He understood the significance of a gemstone-type spirit bone for their clan. Such a treasure could even serve as an heirloom, passed down through generations.
"Apologies, Mubai. I..." Ning Fengzhi began.
Before he could finish, Dai Mubai waved a hand dismissively.
"I understand, Ning Uncle. I know how important this is to you. I can tell you where the spirit bone is, but I have one condition."
Ning Fengzhi paused, surprised.
"What condition? As long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has it..."
When it came to conditions, whether it involved gold spirit coins or other spirit bones, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could handle it. As the wealthiest clan on the continent, they feared no negotiations.
"The spirit bone must be fused with Rongrong," Dai Mubai said simply.
Ning Fengzhi: "..."
For a moment, Ning Fengzhi fell silent.
It wasn't because Dai Mubai had made a condition or because he felt awkward about his earlier excitement.
As the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi always prioritized the clan's interests first and personal feelings second.
After some thought, Ning Fengzhi patted Dai Mubai on the shoulder and said,
"Mubai, you've taught me a lesson today. I was being narrow-minded."
If Ning Fengzhi had obtained this spirit bone, he would have given it to Ning Rongrong anyway after weighing the benefits.
Ning Rongrong had far greater potential than he did and had the chance to become a Titled Douluo.
Unless he encountered an opportunity to evolve the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda further, Ning Fengzhi's limit would remain as an 89th-level Spirit Douluo.
"Ning Uncle, let's secure the spirit bone first before discussing anything further," Dai Mubai suggested.
"Agreed," Ning Fengzhi said with a nod.
"The current owner of this spirit bone is none other than the assassin targeting young geniuses in the tournament," Dai Mubai revealed.
At this, both Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin's expressions darkened.
The two exchanged a glance, silently signaling their readiness to act.
"The culprit is Shi Nian, the instructor from Canghui Academy," Dai Mubai continued. "His martial spirit is Residual Dream, an extremely rare mental-type martial spirit."
"Shi Nian? Of course!" Ning Fengzhi exclaimed, realization dawning.
He had already suspected Shi Nian but lacked evidence to accuse him directly.
Now, Dai Mubai had confirmed it.
Shi Nian's reputation was well-known among the older generation of spirit masters, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had kept intelligence on him. His quiet breakthrough from Spirit Emperor to Spirit Sage had always seemed suspicious.
Neither Ning Fengzhi nor Chen Xin questioned how Dai Mubai knew Shi Nian possessed a gemstone-type spirit bone.
(End of Chapter)