Lou Gao set down the proposal document with a sigh: "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan truly thinks big!"
"Is my acting director position because of low strength?" Though renowned as a Divine Craftsman and Soul Sage, Lou Gao's combat ability as a blacksmith was... unremarkable within the clan.
"My apologies." Ning Rongrong nodded. "The Soul Tool Pavilion director position corresponds to Title Douluo-level elders. Were you a Title Douluo, the position would naturally be yours."
"But your current strength cannot convince other Soul Sages and Soul Douluos. As a newcomer, even Father couldn't immediately appoint you as director."
The clan had dozens of Soul Sages and over ten Soul Douluos.
Lou Gao was indeed a Divine Craftsman, but still a blacksmith - a profession notoriously low-status in Douluo Continent.
Simply put: average soul masters > blacksmiths > commoners.
Most soul masters looked down on pure blacksmiths with little combat ability.
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath: "Rest assured, the Medicine Pavilion led by Poison Douluo and your Soul Tool Pavilion hold equal standing."
"If you can make other Soul Sages and Douluos genuinely respect you..."
"Then even without being a Title Douluo, you'll receive equivalent treatment and shed the 'acting' title."
"Ah, I meant something more fundamental." Lou Gao seemed to think she misunderstood. "Status matters little - I care about resources, understand?"
"Even I cannot manufacture soul tools without materials. Establishing an entirely new system..."
"The trial-and-error resource consumption would be incalculable."
"Please don't worry." Ning Rongrong assured. "Whatever difficulties or materials required during production, the clan will spare no effort to provide for the Soul Tool Pavilion."
She then placed three items acquired from Flender on the table.
One was the ore Tang San originally obtained, whose composition Ning Rongrong explained.
Usage would be at Lou Gao's discretion.
The other two had surprised even her when acquired.
A damaged soul tool core - who knew where Flender found it.
Less complete than the Heaven Dou treasury's but seemingly of different type.
Regardless, anything soul tool-related went to the experts.
Specialists handle specialties - she, the Young Mistress, knew little of such matters!
After introducing the items:
"The Soul Tool and Medicine Pavilions' construction will take time. Once completed, we'll relocate you there."
"Feel free to provide construction suggestions."
She placed both pavilions' architectural blueprints on the table.
These future pillars of the clan required impeccable execution.
Wait - why include the Medicine Pavilion blueprint here? Shouldn't pharmacists design their own quarters?
Well, blacksmiths handle construction... though something felt off.
Regardless, unimportant.
Both structures should be groundbreaking.
Perhaps resembling that animated mechanism city.
Though those would qualify as advanced soul tools already!
"Ahem, getting sidetracked." After explaining, Ning Rongrong shared her soul tool insights before departing.
The two soul tools inside showed minimal progress - barely qualifying as substandard level one, similar to her previous one.
With Lou Gao's involvement, she hoped for rapid advancements.
Days passed quietly with Ning Rongrong focused on cultivation.
Observing her Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, she fell into contemplation.
Using immortal herbs had evolved her martial soul from seven to nine treasures while expanding her meridian network to ten channels.
Perhaps soon she'd recover her past life's full power.
"Martial souls..." She sighed. Without their restrictive rules, she'd already possess considerable strength beyond just shouting support from the rear.
She'd roughly estimated her past life's equivalent power.
Converted, approximately peak Soul Emperor level.
Douluo soul masters receiving ten-thousand-year rings gained substantial boosts.
Essentially stealing ancient soul beasts' power for themselves.
"Enough overthinking!" She shook her head.
With ample spirit herbs and safety ensured, reaching grandmaster or even peak grandmaster level posed no problem.
Never having personally attained those realms prevented direct power comparisons.
As she pondered, a maid arrived announcing:
Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo (familiar with Sunset Forest) had departed to hunt his eighth ring.
The maid simply reported their departure - the details were Ning Rongrong's additions.
She saw no need to accompany them. With two Title Douluos and Ning Fengzhi, they could traverse Sunset Forest unimpeded.
Immortal herbs weren't currently needed anyway.
Several days after Ning Fengzhi's departure, an unexpected development occurred.
Standing at the clan's entrance with Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong's eye twitched involuntarily.
Damn that Qian Renxue! Why is she here?
Get lost! Get lost!
"Long time no see, Crown Prince." Mentally grumbling, she maintained perfect composure.
"With Emperor's worsening condition, I hadn't expected your visit!"
"His Majesty's health has recently improved... He expressed interest in your clan's body-enhancing spirit herbs. Where is Patriarch Ning?"
Xue Qinghe glanced around, noting Ning Fengzhi's absence.
"Father went purchasing supplies and may return in several days." Ning Rongrong smiled politely. "This way, Your Highness."
Though she longed to kick Xue Qinghe down the stairs, appearances demanded courtesy.
After greeting Sword Douluo, Xue Qinghe followed Ning Rongrong inside.
Sword Douluo and Dugu Yan trailed silently behind.
Sword Douluo observed Xue Qinghe impassively.
Beside him, Dugu Yan struggled to contain her thoughts.
"You pretend, I pretend - what a perfect match you make. Such playacting."
Without knowing Ning Rongrong and Qian Renxue's circumstances, nothing seemed amiss.
But aware of the truth, the scene became utterly bizarre.