Silence. Dugu Bo fell into silence.
Dugu Yan, unsure of what to say, simply watched quietly—though the expression on her face betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Change your conditions. I, Dugu Bo, have always been a free spirit," Dugu Bo sighed.
His refusal did not come as a surprise to Ning Rongrong.
"Senior Dugu, in truth, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has conducted an in-depth investigation into you."
"Including His Majesty Xue Ye, Prince Xue Xing, and even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—all of them are trying to recruit you."
"If they can do it, why can't our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong's gaze shifted slightly toward Dugu Yan. "Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan deliberately enrolled in the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy just to get close to you."
"What do you mean?" Dugu Yan frowned tightly.
"The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy typically does not accept direct descendants of the Top Three Sects. The reason is simple—they fear their disciples might be brainwashed."
"However, Yu Tianheng, the grandson of the current Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patriarch and one of its heirs, still entered the academy. It's hard not to be suspicious, don't you think, Senior Dugu?"
After finishing, Ning Rongrong fell silent.
"Grandfather..." Dugu Yan still held some fondness for Yu Tianheng.
The original plot was still far off, but how could a young, handsome, and wealthy boy fail to catch a girl's attention?
Yet this faint affection seemed shattered by the cruel reality.
Especially when she saw that her grandfather, Dugu Bo, offered no rebuttal—her heart trembled violently.
"Yan'er, I wish I could say no, but most likely, it's exactly as Young Sect Master Ning said. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wants to recruit me through you."
"I had noticed this matter, but since you didn't seem to dislike Yu Tianheng, and his character appeared decent, I pretended not to see it."
Dugu Bo let out a long sigh. "Grandfather is old now, and with the toxins in my body, I don't know how much longer I can live. But I'll probably live long enough to see you marry into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. As for the final outcome... it might be good, or it might not be. But Yu Tianheng—"
"Enough, Grandfather!" Dugu Yan interrupted him. "What meaning does such a calculated pursuit have? Do you really think I'd be happy?"
"Then join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!" Ning Rongrong interjected.
"How is your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan any different from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Aren't you also after my grandfather?" Dugu Yan's emotions seemed on the verge of collapse.
"Yan'er! Don't speak recklessly." Dugu Bo quickly stopped her, afraid she might say something even more shocking.
"Senior Dugu, in truth, Miss Dugu Yan isn't wrong."
"I—or rather, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—also value the Poison Douluo's worth. In essence, there's no difference."
Ning Rongrong paused briefly before continuing,
"However, personally, I place greater importance on Miss Dugu Yan's future."
"My future?" Dugu Yan was stunned.
"Indeed. Miss Dugu Yan's soul power is close to the 30th rank, isn't it?" Ning Rongrong smiled faintly.
"To possess strength nearing the Soul Elder level at such a young age—if not extraordinary, it's at least outstanding."
"Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is in need of talents like Miss Dugu Yan."
Though Ning Rongrong's words were slightly insincere, what did it matter?
She valued Dugu Yan's future, not her present.
"Incredible." Dugu Bo scrutinized Ning Rongrong carefully. She gave off the air of a master strategist, like a smaller version of Ning Fengzhi.
Is this how disciples of great sects are?
So young, yet already scheming for their clan.
First Yu Tianheng, now Ning Rongrong, and even Xue Beng—rumored to be under Prince Xue Xing's protection, though it's unclear if he's a wastrel.
"Speaking of which, Young Sect Master Ning, what is your soul power? I can't sense it at all."
"It's being shielded." Ning Rongrong smiled without elaborating.
"If you wish to know my soul power rank, wait until Senior Dugu joins the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"You're so certain that Yan'er and I will join?"
Dugu Bo looked astonished. Should he call this little girl arrogant or confident?
"No. I'm simply doing my utmost."
Ning Rongrong had anticipated this question.
"Compared to joining the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is far more beneficial to Senior Dugu."
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?
A bunch of brutes who probably see the Poison Douluo as just another Title Douluo.
How could they compare to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?
If nothing else, just their treasury of medicinal herbs alone could sustain Dugu Bo's wasteful experiments until he produced something useful.
Would the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan dare to do the same?
This was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's foundation. The real reason Ning Rongrong wanted Dugu Bo wasn't just his Title Douluo status—it was his mind, his expertise in poisons and herbs, combined with the clan's ability to recognize treasures.
Couldn't they forge an entirely new profession—alchemy or pill refinement?
If that failed, they could always recruit Yang Wudi.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan lacked many things, but money and treasures were not among them.
After a long deliberation, Dugu Bo spoke again:
"Aren't you afraid His Majesty Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire will cause trouble for you if you recruit me like this?"
He was a hot commodity in the Heaven Dou Empire, already halfway into their camp.
Unlike the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he was a lone cultivator—completely open to recruitment.
"No need to worry. We've already planned everything. We'll simply say my health is poor and that I sought Senior Dugu out for treatment."
"Once familiarity breeds fondness, even if His Majesty learns of your allegiance later, he won't be able to say much."
"So... I was your target from the very beginning?" Dugu Bo finally realized.
The matter of Ning Rongrong's poor health had been mentioned during discussions with the three education commissioners.
Wasn't this a bit too calculated?
Ning Rongrong vomited blood during her spirit awakening, then her health declined.
Did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan start plotting for me two years ago?
Heavens, I didn't even know I was this important!
Important enough for the young sect master to maintain a frail constitution just to recruit me.
Seeing Dugu Bo's conflicted expression—though unsure what he was imagining—Ning Rongrong added:
"Senior Dugu, it seems you underestimate your own worth."
"In the eyes of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, your value far exceeds that of an ordinary Title Douluo."
"In fact, you might even rival the importance of our two guardian elders."
"Th-This... is this true?" Dugu Bo's heart pounded wildly.
Often mocked as the "Shame of Title Douluos," he never imagined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would hold him in such high regard!
The two guardian elders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—
One was a 95th-ranked Title Douluo, while the other's strength reached a terrifying 96th rank.
How could he, a mere 91st-ranked Dugu Bo, compare to them?
"Rongrong is correct. The value of His Excellency Dugu far surpasses that of an ordinary Title Douluo. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has long admired you."
A calm voice suddenly sounded as everyone turned toward the entrance.
A scholarly middle-aged man and an armored old man with an eerie aura walked in.
They were Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, returning from the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.