Ning Fengzhi's unconventional way of thinking left the Bone Douluo momentarily speechless.
Gu Rong had only seen Ning Fengzhi giving away a spirit bone - what extravagance!
But it turned out to be a test?
Good heavens...
"Rongrong, did you know about this?" Gu Rong instinctively turned to ask.
"Yes, I could tell!" Ning Rongrong nodded. "Dugu Bo is someone trustworthy."
Gu Rong: "..."
Was he, who had cultivated to become a Title Douluo, perhaps a bit stupid?
Among the three of them, he was the only one who hadn't noticed anything.
The thirty-thousand-year spirit bone just given to Dugu Bo was actually obtained from Tang Hao back then - a sacred-type defensive spirit bone unsuitable for Gu Rong but perfect for swan-type spirits.
Ning Fengzhi had given it to Dugu Bo with two purposes:
First, to verify Dugu Bo's character through his immediate reaction and actions upon receiving the spirit bone.
Second, to further confirm whether Dugu Bo would give this spirit bone to Prince Xue Xing.
Because Dugu Bo owed Prince Xue Xing a favor.
Previously at Xue Beng's place, Dugu Bo had seemingly spoken up for Xue Beng to settle this karma, but... it probably wasn't that simple.
But the specifics would depend on Dugu Bo's actions!
Using a barely useful ten-thousand-year spirit bone to completely verify a Title Douluo's character couldn't be considered a loss.
"Fengzhi, Rongrong... are you both so optimistic about Dugu Bo?" The Bone Douluo truly couldn't understand.
"Dugu Bo might not be able to defeat most Title Douluos, but his spirit and poison abilities could exterminate all soul masters below Title Douluo level," Ning Rongrong explained. "In a sense, his joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could provide an additional layer of protection for all clan disciples."
"Hmph, aren't the Sword Douluo and I strong enough?" The Bone Douluo said somewhat indignantly.
"That's not what I meant," Ning Rongrong replied awkwardly, feeling like coaxing the clan's two Title Douluos was like coaxing children.
How was this completely reversed from the original story!
"I'm... guarding against Spirit Hall," Ning Rongrong finally voiced her concern.
"Spirit Hall..."
Hearing this, both Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong sighed.
No one knew exactly how strong Spirit Hall was, but it was certain they had far more Title Douluos than publicly known.
"Moreover..." Ning Rongrong continued, "The Poison Douluo is proficient in pharmacology. Joining our clan would allow him to fully utilize his talents."
"Whether rationally or emotionally, Dugu Bo's value to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan far exceeds that of ordinary Title Douluos."
Afraid the Bone Douluo might get upset again, she quickly added:
"Uh... I mean, apart from Grandpa Bone and Grandpa Sword, those Title Douluos between 91st to 94th rank."
"Rongrong, you really didn't need to add that last part," the Bone Douluo said with dark lines on his face. "The Sword Douluo and I aren't children - we can still make judgments. You don't need to be so considerate of us."
"Not at all, I was just stating facts," Ning Rongrong laughed it off. "Ah, right, what exactly happened with His Majesty Xue Ye?"
Though clearly aware Ning Rongrong was changing the subject, Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo exchanged glances.
The Bone Douluo explained: "It's related to the Xue Beng incident. His Majesty hopes it won't escalate. However, when we went to the palace, we didn't meet Xue Qinghe."
"Speaking of which, I find it very strange. Prince Xue Xing clearly gave a thirty-thousand-year spirit bone, but when mentioned to His Majesty Xue Ye, it was described as a thousand-year spirit bone."
An imperial prince mistaking the age of a spirit bone?
Mistaking a thirty-thousand-year spirit bone for a thousand-year one - isn't that too outrageous?
Impossible!
This left the Bone Douluo quite puzzled.
"I see," Ning Rongrong said thoughtfully.
"Rongrong, what have you figured out now?" the Bone Douluo asked.
Ning Rongrong didn't answer directly. If she explained everything herself, it would make the Bone Douluo beside her seem a bit... simple. She turned to her father instead: "Father, I'm not entirely clear about the details. What conclusion have you reached? Could you explain it to us?"
Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong, then at the Bone Douluo, organizing his thoughts before explaining:
"There are two possibilities. First, His Majesty Xue Ye doesn't trust Prince Xue Xing, causing the prince to withhold the truth."
"Second, Xue Beng might not be as much of a wastrel as rumored, but Prince Xue Xing doesn't want this known. Giving us the ten-thousand-year spirit bone was also to seal our lips."
"The reason for Xue Beng pretending to be a wastrel might also relate to Prince Xue Xing. The true reason... as Rongrong mentioned earlier, he suspects Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's involvement in the deaths of the second and third princes."
"Through this incident, Prince Xue Xing probably wants us to know that Xue Qinghe isn't as benevolent as publicly believed."
"He's forcing us to carefully consider our stance or avoid taking sides for now."
"This... this complicated?" The Bone Douluo's eyelids twitched. Prince Xue Xing concealing the spirit bone's true age and Xue Beng provoking Rongrong - not mentioning these to Xue Qinghe could actually imply such significant matters? Absurd, utterly absurd.
"Indeed," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Now I'm even questioning whether becoming Xue Qinghe's teacher was the right decision."
"Rongrong, what do you think?" Ning Fengzhi turned to his daughter.
"The mentorship is already a done deal, isn't it?" Ning Rongrong's tone carried some helplessness.
It wasn't that they couldn't back out.
But doing so would ruin the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's reputation across Douluo Continent!
With the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince's apprenticeship ceremony and all witnesses present, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan suddenly said "we quit, going home to sleep," what credibility would the clan have left?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan are merchants who value their word.
In business, even if the deal falls through, courtesy remains.
We're not like that hammer-wielding Tang fellow, swinging his Clear Sky Hammer around like a demolition crew.
We're civilized people.
Taking Qian Renxue as a disciple isn't impossible - it's just about how to handle subsequent matters!
Ning Rongrong's only concern was the Divine Realm.
In the original story, Bibi Dong began her Rakshasa God trial, needing to devour someone with an angel spirit.
Thus, Qian Xunji became the sacrifice.
Tang San's god trial was even more excessive - he could actually observe Qian Renxue's god trial process.
Twice in succession - that's practically provocation!
And the Angel God didn't react at all?
If you claim the Angel God is still alive, who would believe it?
And furthermore...
In the original, Ning Rongrong and Oscar's resurrection skill reviving Tang San was even more outrageous!
Leaving aside the Rakshasa God in the Divine Realm, didn't this Angel God have anything to say about this?
This was literally cheating right in front of them!
Based on all this, Ning Rongrong maintained a cautious attitude toward Qian Renxue.
As for Tang San's side - the early and mid periods were quite miserable. Whether joining Shrek Academy could replicate the original story was questionable, and spirit fusion techniques were definitely impossible now.
Moreover, she had no intention of dragging the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan into a confrontation with Spirit Hall that could lead to their destruction.
Simply put, Spirit Hall grew increasingly reckless in the early and mid periods with numerous incidents, yet when Tang San and others rose to power later, they couldn't be defeated.
As for Shrek's side... it mainly depended on the Divine Realm.
"Never mind, we should focus on development first! Maintain our position and observe the world."
As long as she could help the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo reach rank 99, and get Ning Fengzhi to Title Douluo level.
She would still be the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan who could get whatever she wanted.
Helping her father achieve greatness was surely better than starting from scratch.
Who knows - it might just work!
With this thought, Ning Rongrong's mind settled. She turned to Ning Fengzhi and asked:
"What preparations have you made for Xue Qinghe's apprenticeship gift?"