The Bone Douluo sat cross-legged, wisps of pale gray soul power swirling around him.
After a moment, the drifting energy gradually dissipated.
Exhaling deeply, the Bone Douluo rose to his feet.
"That was quite an experience!"
His gaze shifted toward the doorway where Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong stood silently, having refrained from speaking during his absorption process.
"Rongrong, my thanks. The soul bone's skill is exceptional," the Bone Douluo remarked with feeling. "Moreover, I sense the bottleneck at Level 96 beginning to loosen."
"Truly?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened. The Bone Douluo had remained at Level 95 for years—even after Ning Rongrong discovered her talent for identifying medicinal herbs, enabling the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to develop various medicinal baths.
Yet despite years of treatments, while both Title Douluo experienced general improvements, neither showed signs of breakthrough. The Bone Douluo especially had sensed the barrier but failed to breach it.
Could this soul bone elevate both pillars of their sect to Level 96? The thought thrilled Ning Fengzhi.
"The bottleneck has indeed weakened, but breaking through will likely take another year or so," the Bone Douluo cautioned before noticing Ning Rongrong's pensive silence.
"Rongrong, aren't you happy for your Grandpa Bone's progress?"
"Hmm?" Snapping from her thoughts, Ning Rongrong blinked. "Of course I am! Nothing would please me more than seeing you reach Level 96."
"It's just... I have a question that's been bothering me."
"Oh? Do share." The Bone Douluo perked up—Ning Rongrong's inquiries often yielded valuable insights.
"I don't understand—shouldn't your Bone Dragon martial soul align more with spatial and dark attributes? Why choose defensive-type soul rings?"
While the Sword Douluo focused on offense and the Bone Douluo on defense was common knowledge, the latter's attacking capabilities surely weren't weak.
The Bone Douluo exchanged glances with Ning Fengzhi before chuckling.
"Rongrong, unlike Chenxin with his lineage, I was a lone wanderer before joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"Finding compatible soul rings proved extremely difficult."
"Defensive types were relatively easier, but spatial or dark-attribute spirit beasts? You might search through hundreds—even thousands—of same-level creatures without finding one."
"I see..."
Ning Rongrong pondered this. While plant and animal spirit beasts were plentiful, rare-attribute varieties were scarce. Even upon finding one, the resulting soul skill might prove undesirable.
A single spirit beast could possess multiple abilities, yet its soul ring typically inherited just one—unless special circumstances applied.
Not everyone enjoyed Qian Renxue's privilege of having the 99th-ranked Qian Daoliu spoon-feed them perfect soul rings.
For independent soul masters, locating and defeating a remotely suitable spirit beast was challenging enough—luxuries like being picky were unaffordable.
After resolving this query, their discussion turned back to the soul bone until interrupted by knocking.
"Sect Master Ning, His Majesty requests your presence at the palace."
"Understood. I'll depart shortly—you may report back first."
"Thank you for your understanding, Sect Master."
As the messenger's footsteps faded, the Bone Douluo grumbled:
"What does Emperor Xue Ye want now?" Having just acquired a new skill, he'd hoped to test it.
"Likely regarding Xue Beng's incident. Rongrong, your thoughts?" Ning Fengzhi turned to his daughter.
"I'd assume the same," Ning Rongrong replied after consideration.
She couldn't divine the emperor's intentions—nor would she pretend to.
After Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo departed for the palace, Ning Rongrong prepared to cultivate, having neglected proper practice during recent busy days.
Then—
"Is Sect Master Ning or Elder Gu Rong present? Dugu Bo seeks an audience."
Dugu Bo?
Couldn't he wait after reading the letter?
Yet refusing a Title Douluo would be unwise.
Stepping outside, Ning Rongrong encountered the gaunt, jade-green-haired elder with emerald eyes—unmistakably the Poison Douluo—accompanied by his granddaughter Dugu Yan.
The faint green tinge in Dugu Yan's hair confirmed her poisoning.
"An unexpected honor—Poison Douluo and Miss Dugu Yan visiting together."
"To what do we owe this urgent meeting?"
"Young Mistress Ning, is Sect Master Ning available?"
Dugu Bo's tone carried uncharacteristic deference—when seeking aid from the fabulously wealthy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, pride took a backseat.
"Father and Grandpa Bone are with Emperor Xue Ye. You may need to wait."
"Please come in—they shouldn't be long." Ning Rongrong ushered them inside, observing Dugu Bo's tense, hesitant expression.
Retrieving a tea set from her spirit tool, she served both guests before addressing the elephant in the room:
"Has the Poison Douluo come regarding the letter's contents?"
Though penned by Ning Fengzhi, she'd dictated every word of that missive.
"You knew?" Dugu Bo's astonishment was palpable. This girl—a decade younger than his granddaughter—grew more inscrutable by the minute.
"Naturally. I instructed Father's correspondence. How could I remain unaware?"
Sipping her tea leisurely, Ning Rongrong met his gaze squarely.
"You—" Biting back his initial outburst, Dugu Bo mastered himself.
"The toxins afflicting you and your granddaughter are curable by our methods."
Setting down her half-finished cup, Ning Rongrong's clear eyes held his.
"Truly?" Dugu Bo's voice cracked, his frame trembling slightly.
"Grandfather?" Dugu Yan eyed him worriedly. Having secretly read the letter, she understood their predicament—and suspected her parents' deaths stemmed from the same poison.
"Does the Poison Douluo doubt the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's honor?" Ning Rongrong arched a brow.
"My youth may undermine credibility, but as sect heir, I'd hardly jest about matters involving a Title Douluo."
A beat passed before she added casually:
"Speaking of which—have you considered joining our sect?"