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Inside the lounge, Flender didn't stop lecturing Ma Hongjun even after Dai Mubai's departure.
"Hongjun, starting tomorrow, I'll give you extra training. Until you can perform in two-on-two spirit battles to my satisfaction while cooperating properly with your classmates."
Upon hearing this, Ma looked utterly dejected. "Teacher, this wasn't my fault—it was all because of Dai—"
Flender's expression turned stern as he glared fiercely at him. "Mubai's issues are only part of the problem. But tell me, did your performance in the spirit battle shine brightly?"
"Don't think I don't know—your reckless actions caused your own soul skill to injure Mubai."
At this, Ma Hongjun lowered his head and remained silent.
Beside them, Ning Tianchen couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.
In essence, both Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai were cut from the same cloth. Neither would reflect on their own mistakes but instead shift the blame onto others or external factors.
Classic "non-stick pans."
After finishing his lecture with Ma Hongjun, Flender turned his gaze toward the others.
Compared to earlier, his expression had softened considerably, and he even managed a faint smile.
"He sure changes his mood quickly," Ning Rongrong muttered under her breath.
Flender first looked at Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing. "I watched your one-on-one spirit battles. Zhu Zhuqing performed well, but Tang San's performance was even better."
Zhu Zhuqing's soul power level was lower than Tang San's, and control-type soul masters had a natural advantage over agile attack-type soul masters. Thus, her loss in the battle was understandable.
"No one expected an internal conflict to arise. Starting tomorrow, students registering for spirit battles at the same level should stagger their participation to avoid overlapping."
After all, classmates could always spar with each other anytime. However, in the Great Spirit Arena, each person could only participate in one type of spirit battle per day. Such a precious training opportunity shouldn't be wasted.
"Tang San, Xiao Wu, Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing—you four performed well in your two-on-two spirit battles. Keep it up."
"Tianchen, your performance left me extremely satisfied. However, two-on-two spirit battles are team-based. You still need to focus on coordinating with your teammates."
Ning Tianchen's performance was, of course, impeccable. If his partner hadn't been an auxiliary-type soul master, their coordination might have been even more spectacular.
Finally, Flender clapped his hands. "Alright, tonight's training is over. After returning, reflect deeply on what you've learned from today's spirit battles. Additionally, I remind you all to rest early tonight. Tomorrow morning, we'll begin the first class of the new school year."
…
Outside the Great Spirit Arena.
The twin sisters, Yu Die and Cai Die, had been waiting for some time.
"Sword Dao Tianchen, may I trouble you for a moment? Our family elders wish to meet you," Yu Die said with a smile as she approached.
Ning Rongrong protectively stepped in front of Ning Tianchen. "We're all disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Abandon any thoughts of recruiting him."
Seeing this, Yu Die simply smiled faintly. "Little sister, are you so afraid that we'll steal your man away?"
Ning Rongrong wasn't the type to hold grudges, and besides, her relationship with Ning Tianchen had been solid for years. How could it be easily shaken by others?
Her actions were simply to prevent Ning Tianchen from being poached or betraying the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Yes, that was exactly it.
"Rongrong, do you think I should go?" Ning Tianchen didn't make a decision but instead asked Ning Rongrong for her opinion.
Ning Rongrong smiled gently. "big brother Tianchen should go. Who knows, maybe I'll gain two new followers in the future."
The implication of her words was clear—she wanted Ning Tianchen to try and recruit the sisters' family.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was one of the few sects outside the Spirit Hall that treated non-bloodline disciples exceptionally well.
Most families would love to align themselves with such a powerful faction, but opportunities were rare.
Ning Tianchen had already discussed the situation of Yu Die and Cai Die with Ning Rongrong earlier. Weren't they precisely the kind of people they needed to recruit?
Bringing talented soul masters into the sect would be considered a great achievement. When she returned home and faced her father, she'd feel more confident.
"Alright. I'll return soon, Rongrong needn't worry." Ning Tianchen gently patted her forehead before following the twin sisters to a nearby teahouse.
…
On the second floor of the teahouse.
Yu Die knocked on the wooden door of a private room. "Father, Sword Dao Tianchen has arrived."
"Come in." A deep, heavy voice came from inside the room.
The door opened to reveal a burly middle-aged man sitting at the tea table. A fearsome scar ran across his cheek, and the back of his left hand, which tapped lightly on the table, bore numerous old and fresh wounds.
Ning Tianchen formed a judgment in his mind.
This man must have emerged from countless battles. He might even have a military background.
Seeing Ning Tianchen, the man stood up, a faint smile on his face as he extended his hand for a handshake. "Forgive the sudden intrusion, young friend. I am Zhang Erhe."
Ning Tianchen shook his hand but hesitated slightly.
Words like "My father, Zhang Erhe" echoed repeatedly in his mind, accompanied by vivid imagery.
Should I draw my blade now, or say something like "Exile to Lingnan"?
"Young friend, is there a problem?" Zhang Erhe asked, puzzled.
Snapping out of it, Ning Tianchen bowed slightly. "Junior Ning Tianchen greets you. It's late—may I ask what advice Senior has for me?"
Zhang Erhe reached out to steady him. "You're surnamed Ning—are you a disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
Before meeting Ning Tianchen, Yu Die had already briefed him. Bringing up the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was merely to confirm Ning Tianchen's status within the sect.
"Precisely. If Senior wishes to join the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, I can write a letter to the sect leader."
Ning Tianchen, despite his youthful appearance, wasn't truly a child. Having roughly guessed the other party's intentions, he adjusted his tone accordingly.
Zhang Erhe was no ordinary person. If he approached Ning Tianchen without any ulterior motives, it would be highly improbable.
Zhang Erhe didn't take the bait but instead deftly changed the subject. "I heard from Yu'er that your martial soul resembles the Seven Kill Sword. May I ask about your relationship with the Sword Elder?"
"Of course, if you find this question difficult, you need not answer."
"Could it be that you want Grandpa to help hunt for souls?" Ning Tianchen thought to himself.
He couldn't sense Zhang Erhe's exact strength, but he was certain that it surpassed that of a Soul Emperor. It was possible that he was a high-level Soul Sage, or even someone whose soul power had reached level eighty.
A Soul Sage was already considered a formidable expert. To further increase one's strength without sufficient talent, one would need to join a powerful faction to gain access to more cultivation resources.
Zhang Erhe might consider joining the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, but the sect would need to offer satisfactory incentives.
Ning Tianchen was just a teenager who didn't participate in any sect decisions. Therefore, he couldn't make any promises.
Thinking this through, he said, "Senior, my parents perished during a sect mission. Strictly speaking, I have no family left in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
A flicker of disappointment passed through Zhang Erhe's eyes.
The appearance of the Seven Kill Sword martial soul in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect carried immense significance. It was impossible for Ning Fengzhi or the Sword Elder to remain indifferent.
At present, there were only two possible explanations...
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