"I don't particularly like the behavior of Heaven Dou's nobility. I came back for some fresh air and to visit Teacher Dugu."
The delicate-featured young man looked at Ning Rongrong with a complaining tone:
"Speaking of which, why must I always deal with those nobles? I don't want to go! Next month I have to return to Heaven Dou Empire, ugh!"
"Aren't you getting along well with Xue Qinghe?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
"Like hell! That Heaven Dou Crown Prince has something wrong with his head. I'm starting to doubt whether he's really the crown prince."
"Oh? What happened?" Ning Rongrong's face showed genuine interest.
In the original story, Ning Rongrong had two older brothers who were neither named nor appeared - only briefly mentioned by Ning Fengzhi.
The one before her now was her eldest brother Ning Yun. After the Alchemy Pavilion was established, he had hidden himself there and became Dugu Bo's disciple.
A year ago, Ning Fengzhi assigned him to handle the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's medicinal trade with Heaven Dou.
As for the second brother Ning Tian, he went to the Soul Tool Pavilion claiming he wanted to learn about soul tools and apparently hooked up with Lou Gao.
Whether this was Ning Fengzhi's idea or their own remained unclear.
Over the past year, Ning Yun had been responsible for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's dealings with Heaven Dou Empire regarding medicinal pills. He seemed to have a decent relationship with Xue Qinghe - at least as friends.
Get Qian Renxue to become my sister-in-law?
Impossible!
Qian Renxue wasn't like Bibi Dong - to conquer her required real strength. Without sufficient power, she wouldn't even glance your way.
Don't be fooled by her perfect Xue Qinghe act - Qian Renxue was inherently arrogant.
In the original story, why did she become love-struck? Because Tang San defeated her - the first man to ever subdue her.
Plus there was that questionable mental demon from her god ascension trials later.
Absolutely ridiculous beyond words.
As for Ning Yun?
What kind of... ahem... her eldest brother was 20 years old with 47th rank spirit power - one level lower than Dugu Yan even after consuming immortal herbs.
No Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda, let alone Nine Treasure.
After consuming the immortal herbs, neither Ning Yun nor Ning Tian showed any changes beyond improved talent and cultivation speed.
Their Seven Treasure Glazed Pagodas remained just that - no additional levels appeared.
No wonder the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda hadn't produced an Eight or Nine Treasure variant in ten thousand years.
There's quite a gap between theoretical probability and reality.
"Whatever, maybe if Ning Fengzhi has more children, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda might actually become Eight Treasure. That seems more realistic."
Ning Rongrong shook her head, dismissing these irrelevant thoughts.
She suddenly grabbed Ning Yun's hand.
"Ow! What are you doing?"
Looking completely baffled, Ning Yun was dragged away by Ning Rongrong, who called back before leaving:
"Yan'er, big brother and I will take our leave first. You and Elder Dugu can talk slowly."
After pulling Ning Yun out of Dugu Bo's private floor, Ning Rongrong looked at her confused brother:
"Dugu Yan needs to discuss something private with her grandfather. We shouldn't get in their way."
Hearing this, Ning Yun looked exasperated: "Rongrong, can't you act more ladylike? Your grip is so strong!"
"Unimportant details." Ning Rongrong thought for a moment. "Has Xue Qinghe taken a liking to you?"
"What?!"
Ning Yun looked horrified, gripping the stair rail as he backed away.
"Xue Qinghe is male! Male! What are you thinking, Rongrong?"
"Besides, we're only pretending to be friends because of the business between Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and Heaven Dou Empire. It's not like you and Dugu Yan!"
Ning Rongrong: "?"
What kind of rebuttal was that? What did she have to do with Dugu Yan?
Moving on, moving on.
This conversation was getting weirder!
"Tell me about your business dealings. I'm curious - what did you mean about Xue Qinghe not seeming like the crown prince?"
Neither Ning Yun nor Ning Tian knew about Xue Qinghe's true identity as Qian Renxue.
That secret was only known to herself, Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, Ning Fengzhi, and the two elders.
"I can tell you," Ning Yun straightened his clothes that Ning Rongrong had rumpled, holding up a finger, "but first you need to answer one question, Rongrong."
"Neither Ning Tian nor I have any intention of competing with you for the position of young master."
Though privately called the young master, Ning Rongrong hadn't been officially announced as successor, even if Ning Fengzhi acknowledged it.
Both Ning Yun and Ning Tian were older and seemingly more suitable candidates.
"Did father say something to you two?" Ning Rongrong narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Or was joining the Alchemy Pavilion and Soul Tool Pavilion his arrangement?"
"You really are clever, no wonder father values you so much." Ning Yun sighed. "Father didn't have much to do with it. Ning Tian and I joined out of genuine interest."
"I see..." Ning Rongrong murmured.
"Fine, what's your question?"
"Your martial soul... and your current spirit power rank."
Silence.
Ning Rongrong fell quiet for a long moment before speaking: "Ning Yun, is this your and second brother's idea?"
"Correct." Ning Yun nodded. "Father, the two elders, even Pavilion Master Dugu - none of them will say anything."
"But I think they probably know. Only Ning Tian and I are kept in the dark."
"Oh, and Miss Dugu Yan knows too, doesn't she?"
"Rongrong, your spirit power is definitely not just rank 29."
"Hah " Ning Rongrong exhaled deeply. "You know curiosity killed the cat, right?"
Without waiting for a response, she continued:
"Fine. As long as you promise not to tell anyone."
Ning Rongrong extended her palm, where a soft glow appeared.
A crystalline pagoda materialized in her hand, radiating gentle light.
Then the first soul ring rose from where she stood.
Followed by the second, third... until the fifth finally stopped.
"...Soul... Soul King?" Ning Yun's jaw dropped as his expression shifted repeatedly.
"No, that's not a Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda."
His eyes widened as his trembling hand pointed, counting each level:
"Nine... Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda?"
"Correct." Ning Rongrong nodded.
"I'm approximately a 56th-ranked Soul King. As you can see, my martial soul is the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda. Oh, and father's is Eight Treasure."
"No way... the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda can really evolve?"
It took Ning Yun a long time to recover from his shock.
"Half a year ago, didn't father give you and Ning Tian an immortal herb? Theoretically, it should have allowed your Seven Treasure Glazed Pagodas to break through, but..."
Ning Rongrong trailed off, knowing Ning Yun would understand - they took the herbs but their martial souls didn't change.
"So that's how it is!" Ning Yun lamented, recalling the immortal herb he'd consumed half a year ago.
He'd thought their improved cultivation speed came from it.
Turns out it was meant for martial soul evolution!
Did this mean he and Ning Tian were simply too talentless?
This realization felt like an arrow piercing his chest - the pain was unbearable.
"Alright, now you know my secrets. Remember your promise." Ning Rongrong withdrew her martial soul.
"No problem." Ning Yun nodded. "One more question - why are all your soul rings purple?"
"My cultivation method is special, different from ordinary soul masters." Ning Rongrong offered no further explanation.
Ning Yun tactfully didn't press further.
Ning Rongrong then questioned him about recent events in Heaven Dou Empire.
As she pondered this information, the floor's door opened.
Dugu Bo emerged with Dugu Yan, whose reddened eyes suggested she'd been crying.
Reading the situation, Ning Yun bid farewell to everyone and quickly left the Alchemy Pavilion.