"Dad, Mom." Ning Tian greeted them with a beaming smile upon seeing them, smoothly taking Nan Mengmeng's arm.
Wu Feng also quickly rose from the sofa, bowing with an awkward smile.
Nan Mengmeng affectionately tapped Ning Tian's forehead with her finger before turning her gaze to Zhang Lexuan, smiling, "Lexuan, long time no see."
"Aunt Nan." Zhang Lexuan smiled gently.
Shrek Academy and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School have many collaborations, so their relationship is quite close. As the senior disciple of the inner courtyard, she manages many matters, so it's natural that they know each other.
"This must be Huo Yuhao, the student Xiaotian mentioned?" Ning Guanqing, standing to the side, sized up Huo Yuhao. Even with his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul's ability to discern, he couldn't accurately sense Huo Yuhao's aura. He couldn't help but be surprised and exclaimed, "As expected of the personal disciple of the Bright Phoenix Douluo, he's truly extraordinary after meeting you today."
"Sect Master Ning, you're too kind. This junior is merely honored by your blessing, elder," Huo Yuhao replied politely.
Hearing this, Ning Guanqing's eyes brightened slightly. He glanced at his daughter without showing any emotion and chuckled, "Let's all sit down and chat." With
the elder speaking, everyone naturally took their seats.
Ning Guanqing didn't sit in the sect master's usual spot but instead sat approachably on a long sofa to the side. As for Nan Mengmeng, she took the initiative to make tea.
Ning Tian and Wu Feng, of course, couldn't just sit idly by and followed suit.
On the sofa, Ning Guanqing spoke gently, "I heard that Shrek Academy plans to establish a new type of soul guidance system? It seems to be for transportation?"
Zhang Lexuan subconsciously glanced at Huo Yuhao.
Ning Guanqing, with his keen eyesight, understood that this was not Zhang Lexuan's business, and his gaze shifted appropriately to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao didn't hide anything, "Reporting to Sect Master Ning, it is indeed true. A route has already been planned."
"Does it require investment? Our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School may lack technology, but we have considerable funds, which may help your academy improve its transportation system sooner." Ning Guanqing asked with a deep gaze.
Investment?
Upon hearing this, both Huo Yuhao and Zhang Lexuan were somewhat surprised.
In fact, compared to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, Shrek Academy was no less wealthy.
Ning Guanqing smiled and said, "Shrek Academy and our sect have been friends for ten thousand years. There's no need to hide anything from you. To be honest, we intend to provide financial assistance, and in return, we hope to obtain the agency rights for the Soul Guidance Bus System in the future."
"The Heavenly Soul Empire is vast, and with the Douling Empire and the Star Luo Empire, there are too many large cities. But large cities have a common problem: overcrowding. A carriage can only carry a limited number of passengers. If I'm not mistaken, the Soul Guidance Bus developed by your academy can carry at least dozens of passengers, right?"
Huo Yuhao and Zhang Lexuan exchanged a glance, both understanding Ning Guanqing's meaning.
Sect Master Ning planned to seize the future Soul Guidance Bus market share of all the major cities in the three empires once the Soul Guidance Bus System was established and perfected in Shrek City.
Society evolves; there's no monopoly law in the Douluo Continent. If you have the strength, you can even devour everything.
Of course, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School can't devour everything, but it can win over some forces, such as the royal families of the various empires.
This is something Shrek Academy could cooperate on. Shrek City is, after all, their own territory, but other places are different. Besides, the initial investment in establishing a soul-guided transportation system is enormous, and it would be difficult for Shrek Academy to do it alone.
Oh, by the way, it's called a bus, but it's actually more like a tram, but powered by soul power.
"These things are still in the initial stages of construction, and many things are still unclear, but I think one person's strength can never compare to that of a group." Huo Yuhao clearly expressed his meaning.
Ning Guanqing was a smart man and understood the meaning behind Huo Yuhao's words, a smile appearing on his face.
"You, you, Le Xuan and Yuhao didn't come here to hear you talk about business cooperation." Nan Mengmeng, who had just finished making tea, came over and said to Ning Guanqing with some dissatisfaction.
Ning Guanqing smiled gently, "I'm just having my old habit again, aren't I?"
Nan Mengmeng rolled her eyes at him.
Ning Tian and Wu Feng shook their heads with laughter; they had seen this scene many times before.
Huo Yuhao and Zhang Le Xuan glanced at Nan Mengmeng.
Being a married couple, Nan Mengmeng had clearly timed her move perfectly, subtly changing the subject of their conversation.
"Dad, how many people are participating in this competition?" Ning Tian handed Huo Yuhao tea, then sat down on another sofa with Wu Feng.
They were getting down to business.
Ning Guanqing took a sip of tea and said, "As before, the sect leader's lineage, plus the seven elders of the inner hall, will make eight external supporters. The inner hall members will draw opponents from each other, and it will be a direct elimination tournament. As for the outer hall competition, there will be many more participants, at least over a hundred."
"Sect Leader Ning, is your sect's competition being held in separate sessions?" Huo Yuhao asked in surprise.
Ning Guanqing chuckled, "Of course, our inner hall is entirely composed of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Masters, which is why we have the concept of inviting outside help for two-on-two sparring. The outer hall is different; those with Crimson Dragon Martial Souls like Xiao Feng belong to the outer hall, where it's mainly about one-on-one combat. The main focus of the competition is also on the outer hall."
"Most importantly, every year the sect consumes the least cultivation resources, actually because our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Masters consume the least. This is because our highest level can only reach 79, while others' limit is 99. We are a full 20 levels behind."
"Furthermore, after reaching level 70, starting from obtaining the seventh soul ring, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Masters can no longer rely on resources to force level increases. They can only rely on absolute perseverance and talent to cultivate and improve. Historically, only ancestor Ning Rongrong was an exception. Due to the immortal herb, the restriction after level 70 became invalid, and it became a starting point of level 90."
Huo Yuhao suddenly understood. The inner hall's competition seemed much gentler, more of a formality. But if that's the case, there wouldn't be many level 79 Soul Saints within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Zhang Lexuan was clearly aware of all this, her expression calm.
"After the inner and outer hall competitions conclude, there will be a matchmaking event, similar to your Shrek Academy's Sea God's Fate matchmaking event," Ning Guanqing added.
"Even the process is almost identical to the Sea God's Fate," Wu Feng remarked.
Huo Yuhao glanced at Ning Tian; didn't this mean the original Ning Tian had essentially participated in two Douluo Continent versions of "If You Are the One" within a year?
"By the way, Yuhao, although you're from Shrek Academy, with your outsider status, you can also participate in our sect's matchmaking event. How about giving it a try?" Nan Mengmeng interjected with a smile.
"I'd better decline," Huo Yuhao quickly shook his head, "I already have a lover. I can't do these things when they're not around."
"You have a lover? Then this is indeed not..." Ning Guanqing and Nan Mengmeng were about to nod in agreement when suddenly, they both froze, exclaiming in unison, "Them?"
The word "them" was unconsciously emphasized.
The couple's expressions became strange.
Huo Yuhao coughed lightly.
This sudden unanimous statement plunged the atmosphere into awkwardness.
In Douluo Continent, there is no concept of monogamy, so this wasn't a difficult topic to discuss. However, Ning Guanqing and his wife hadn't expected Huo Yuhao, at such a young age, to have more than one woman.
No wonder he's a disciple of Mingfeng Douluo. The student
surpasses the master...
Yan Shaozhe: ???
"Bang bang bang."
Suddenly, amidst the awkward atmosphere, the door was knocked on three times.
"I'll open it." Ning Tian, who couldn't sit still any longer, quickly stood up and rushed to the door with a grateful expression.
As the door opened, she subconsciously called out, "Auntie? Sister Qiuqiu?"
Hearing this, Nan Mengmeng also put aside the awkward exchange from before and walked over happily, also calling out, "Sister!"
Outside the door were Nan Shuishui and her daughter Nan Qiuqiu.
Seeing Nan Mengmeng and Ning Tian, smiles appeared on the faces of both mother and daughter.
"Come in quickly." Nan Mengmeng immediately greeted them.
After entering, Nan Shuishui did not forget to greet her brother-in-law Ning Guanqing, "We've come to bother you again."
"We're family, there's no such thing as bothering you." Nan Mengmeng was displeased.
Ning Guanqing guided the mother and daughter to sit down, it was alright, there were plenty of sofas, they could sit wherever they wanted.
"And these two are?"
Nan Shuishui smiled, suddenly noticing two unfamiliar people on the sofa. Of course she knew Wu Feng, but she didn't know Zhang Lexuan and Huo Yuhao.
"Auntie, Sister Qiuqiu, this is Sister Lexuan on the left, her full name is Zhang Lexuan, the top student of Shrek Academy's inner court. She's a top genius we call Senior Sister," Ning Tian introduced, putting his arm around Nan Qiuqiu's. "This is Huo Yuhao on the right, a direct disciple of Mingfeng Douluo, and one of the current Shrek Seven Devils."
Shrek Academy's top student?
Mingfeng Douluo's direct disciple, one of the Shrek Seven Devils?
Two people, different titles—the expressions of Nan Shuishui and her daughter instantly changed.
What did being the top student of the inner court mean? At least a Super Douluo in the future, while Mingfeng Douluo meant Huo Yuhao's teacher, also a Super Douluo powerhouse.
Perhaps Huo Yuhao was tired of seeing Super Douluos, or even Limit Douluos.
But for most people, they would only see a few Super Douluos in their entire lives.
"Hello," Zhang Lexuan greeted Huo Yuhao politely.
Although Nan Shuishui was older, in terms of seniority and status, she was far inferior to the two, so she dared not truly act as an elder and responded in a very gentle tone.
In fact, to be honest, even Ning Guanqing's seniority was not as high as Huo Yuhao's, but Huo Yuhao usually didn't care about such things and addressed people by their age.
Zhang Lexuan and Huo Yuhao sat down with smiles, while Wu Feng quietly moved closer to Zhang Lexuan, otherwise it would be a little awkward for him to sit alone.
Nan Qiuqiu was obviously still in shock, and she felt a little uneasy when Ning Tian put his arm around her and sat her on the sofa.
Ning Guanqing said with a smile, "Yuhao and Lexuan came here mainly on Xiaotian's request. Yuhao will be an outside helper in tomorrow's sect competition."
"Ah." Suddenly, Nan Qiuqiu couldn't help but speak up, "Uncle, the choice of outside helper to participate in the competition with Xiaotian has been decided?"
"What, you want to participate in the competition?" Ning Tian smiled.
Nan Qiuqiu immediately frowned, she really did think so.
"Then you're late," Nan Mengmeng teased.
The group exchanged smiles.
Nan Qiuqiu's eyes darted around. She couldn't have come all this way for nothing; what was the point of just watching others fight? Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. She looked at Huo Yuhao with a cheerful smile and asked, "Huo Yuhao, right? What's your cultivation level?"
"Qiuqiu," Nan Shuishui, familiar with her daughter's personality, immediately changed her expression and tried to stop Nan Qiuqiu.
"Soul King," Huo Yuhao replied casually.
Soul King?
Nan Qiuqiu was somewhat surprised. It wasn't that she thought Soul King was a low cultivation level, but the age limit for the sect competition was under twenty-five.
That meant that people from other factions would at least bring in Soul Emperor-level reinforcements; Soul King seemed insufficient.
"You silly girl, how can you ask others such things so casually? Apologize quickly!" Nan Shuishui's expression wasn't good. Because of her single-parent family background and the sect's excessive pampering of her, she had developed such a carefree personality.
Most importantly, this is the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School. Asking these questions is just causing trouble for your aunt, isn't it?
Ning Guanqing and Nan Mengmeng weren't bothered by this. They were familiar with Nan Qiuqiu's unruly personality.
This girl had been restless since childhood, and had even blown up a latrine, scaring someone into falling into the latrine.
"Senior, it's alright." Huo Yuhao took the initiative to ease the atmosphere, and chuckled, "Speaking of which, since you are Aunt Nan's sister, you should also be from the Earth Dragon Gate of Dragon City, right?"
Nan Shuishui and Nan Qiuqiu didn't expect Huo Yuhao to ask this, and nodded. The former said, "I am the current sect leader of the Earth Dragon Gate."
"That's quite a coincidence." Huo Yuhao smiled, "This junior has long wanted to visit your sect, but has never had the opportunity."
This made Nan Shuishui a little puzzled.
The Earth Dragon Gate was the second-best sect in Dragon City after the Heavenly Dragon Gate, but on the continent, it wasn't really a top-tier sect because it didn't have a Title Douluo in charge.
Yet Huo Yuhao actually said he wanted to visit them.
This is like a wealthy and powerful family wanting to visit a poor and destitute person.
Ning Guanqing and Nan Mengmeng were also puzzled.
Zhang Lexuan turned to look at Huo Yuhao, her deep, beautiful eyes filled with a strange light. She didn't think Huo Yuhao was just visiting for the sake of visiting.
"It is said that the Earth Dragon Sect's inherited martial soul, the Rouge Dragon, has extremely powerful attributes. I have long wanted to spar with it, but I haven't had the time. Now it's a coincidence that the Sect Master and the Young Sect Master are both here. Why don't I spar with your daughter? It would be a good opportunity for us to get to know each other." Huo Yuhao's real intention was not what he said.
"Okay..." Upon hearing the word "spar," Nan Qiuqiu's eyes immediately lit up.
"Hmm?" Nan Shuishui's deep gaze swept over, startling Nan Qiuqiu, who shrank back. "Let's forget it. I'm tired from the journey and feel a bit weak."
Only then did Nan Shuishui look away with satisfaction.
"That lively and energetic appearance... is it really that weak?" Huo Yuhao paused, unsure how to continue. Zhang Lexuan, however, spoke first, "Sect Master Nan and his daughter have come a long way, so a sparring match is out of the question. Yuhao, why don't you formally pay them a visit later?"
Huo Yuhao's heart stirred slightly, secretly thanking Zhang Lexuan for the suggestion. He said, "Then let's make an appointment here. This junior will definitely visit your sect in person someday. I wonder if Senior would be willing?"
"Of course I'm willing. Whenever you come, the gates of the Earth Dragon Sect will always be open." Nan Shuishui didn't refuse. Although she didn't know what Huo Yuhao wanted to do, it wouldn't harm the Earth Dragon Sect.
Because of Huo Yuhao's identity.
A disciple of Mingfeng Douluo, who was he? The Dean of the Martial Soul Department at Shrek Academy, a renowned powerhouse across the continent.
If the two sides established contact, it would definitely be of great help to the Earth Dragon Sect.
For the Earth Dragon Sect to develop, as its sect leader, she didn't want to rely on her sister's connections; she would always strive for her own advancement.
....
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