After obtaining the immortal herbs, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo immediately began absorption without leaving the hall.
Surrounded by trusted individuals, they consumed the three precious herbs without hesitation and entered meditative cultivation.
"I hope everything goes smoothly."
Ning Rongrong watched them silently, sighing inwardly as she waited.
Time passed minute by minute.
The great hall remained utterly quiet, with only faint rustling sounds of circulating soul power breaking the silence.
After an indeterminate period, Bone Douluo was the first to open his eyes.
His profound gaze shimmered with excitement.
Noticing Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi were still absorbing, he tiptoed to Ning Rongrong's group and whispered:
"I'm going out to test my skills. I leave the hall in your hands."
Without waiting for a response, he vanished in black smoke.
"Rongrong, did Elder Bone breakthrough?" Dugu Bo asked curiously as Dugu Yan also turned her attention.
"Most likely. Grandpa Bone has always been overshadowed by Grandpa Sword. Now reaching the same 96th rank, he'd naturally want to test himself before their inevitable rematch."
"Should we call this a good or bad relationship between the elders?" Dugu Yan couldn't help remarking.
"They're just a bickering pair - pay them no mind." Ning Rongrong coughed lightly. "Ah, please don't repeat that, unless you want to see me hung up and beaten."
Dugu Yan: "..."
Why did she suddenly feel...
Strangely excited?
Perhaps because Ning Rongrong usually acted too mature.
A slight soul power fluctuation signaled Sword Douluo awakening, his aura sharp as an unsheathed blade.
After checking on the still-absorbing Ning Fengzhi, his gaze turned to Gu Rong's empty spot.
As decades-long rivals and friends, he instantly understood the other's thoughts.
But with Ning Fengzhi still meditating, he'd let Gu Rong enjoy his moment first.
Approaching, Ning Rongrong asked: "Grandpa Sword, how do you feel?"
"Overall physical improvements, old injuries healed. But reaching 97th rank remains difficult."
"I see..." Ning Rongrong's eyelids fluttered, knowing post-95 advancement was tremendously challenging.
Even in the original timeline, Tang San's group relied on god trial boosts to progress beyond 95.
"I'll go see that showoff old bone." Sword Douluo turned and strode out.
Watching both elders leave without a second glance at Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong felt speechless.
Truly, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were the real couple, with Ning Fengzhi as the accidental third wheel.
"Wait, why does that sound wrong?" Ning Rongrong shook her head.
Definitely overthinking.
Another half hour passed.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda floating around Ning Fengzhi gradually condensed its radiance onto the martial soul itself.
The pagoda seemed to have grown slightly larger.
As Ning Fengzhi slowly opened his eyes and exhaled deeply, the pagoda descended into his palm.
Counting the pagoda's tiers, his voice trembled with emotion:
"Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda... My lifelong dream fulfilled!"
Though Ning Rongrong possessed the Nine Treasure version, achieving this himself held entirely different significance.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Clan Leader." Dugu Bo offered.
"Ah, mutual joy indeed." Ning Fengzhi sighed contentedly. "Now I too can become a Soul Douluo."
Not quite Title Douluo, but one shouldn't be too greedy.
With Ning Rongrong already at Nine Treasures, Eight Treasures sufficed for him as father. Further advancements could wait.
An Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda offered ninety percent amplification - never underestimate that extra ten percent over Seven Treasures.
A full ten percent across all attributes often decided victories!
"Congratulations, Father, on reaching Eight Treasures." Ning Rongrong said.
"All thanks to you all, but the breakthrough is indeed joyous!" Descending, Ning Fengzhi patted her head.
"Though Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan can't match Spirit Hall yet, we'll shield you until you grow stronger."
"Uncle Ning, shouldn't the clan rename to Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Clan now?" Dugu Yan asked curiously.
"Not yet." Ning Fengzhi pondered. "Such empty honors are meaningless and might provoke Spirit Hall."
"We'll change names when the clan grows stronger, with both Soul Tool and Medicine Pavilions unveiled!" Ning Rongrong interjected.
"How long would that take?" Dugu Yan wondered.
"Years, perhaps over a decade if slower."
"Medicine Pavilion will rely on Senior Dugu, Soul Tool Pavilion on Senior Lou Gao."
"But to strengthen our clan faster, I have another method."
"Oh?"
Ning Rongrong's words piqued everyone's interest.
"Father now has the Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda. By staying home to produce more children - say several dozen - the inheritance probability increases. In ten or twenty years, perhaps..."
Thump
A dark-faced Ning Fengzhi knocked her head.
"Ouch!" Rubbing her head, Ning Rongrong protested,
"Isn't it valid? Books say reproduction is among the best methods for clan prosperity."
"Stop using Divided Mind Control to read inappropriate materials!"
Ning Fengzhi nearly choked, while Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo stared at Ning Rongrong strangely.
Talented indeed - in every aspect!
Even considering such methods for clan development - truly leaving no stone unturned.
Theoretically feasible, but practically...
Too brutal!
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Ning Fengzhi coughed:
"Rongrong, I trust your judgment, but avoid strange books and ideas. Focus on cultivation, understood?"
"These matters can wait until... no, this approach isn't proper. Dedicated cultivation would make me happiest."
"Understood." Ning Rongrong shrugged. "Don't worry, I won't act recklessly!"
"I merely thought since you already have three children, a few more wouldn't..."
"Stop! Cease this topic!" Ning Fengzhi cut in sharply.
Couldn't she see Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan's increasingly odd looks?
Their expressions practically screamed "So this is the Ning Clan Leader?"
Footsteps interrupted as Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo returned - both bearing minor injuries.
"Ahahaha!" Bone Douluo's raspy laughter echoed. "See this defense? Your attacks are worthless!"
Sword Douluo: "..."
So what if I couldn't break your turtle shell?
Must you gloat all the way back?
"Elders, you seem in high spirits." Ning Fengzhi observed.
"Naturally!" Bone Douluo grinned. "Fengzhi, how's your martial soul?"
"Broke through to Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda."
Releasing his pagoda again, the clearly visible eight tiers made both elders' eyes shine with excitement.