Chapter 215: The Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, Shocking the Hall
Ning Tian tensed slightly, sensing the disapproval in her father Ning Xiuyuan's tone.
Still, she didn't hesitate. Taking a bold step forward, she stood in front of Ye Chen and said urgently, "Father! His name is Ye Chen—he's my… my boyfriend!"
She was already Ye Chen's woman, and she had come home precisely to make everything official. This was no time to shrink back.
As her words fell, the entire hall fell dead silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
In the next instant, three waves of immense pressure swept across the space, locking on Ning Tian and Ye Chen—though most of it bore down on Ye Chen himself.
"Xiaotian, what did you just say…?"
Ning Xiuyuan stared at her, his calm voice now sharp and reprimanding.
Ning Tian was not just his daughter; she was the successor of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
While she was free to choose her partner, her spouse had to be approved by the sect elders.
She embodied not only herself, but the future of their sect. Such matters could not be treated lightly, lest the wrong choice bring ruin.
And now, only months after leaving, she had returned with an unknown young man?
"Xiaotian, can't you see that kid's no good? You've been deceived!" the burly man Shi Hao barked, frowning deeply.
"Indeed," Jian Wuchen added, his tone edged with disapproval. "Every bearer of the Seven Treasures Pagoda must have a partner strong enough to protect them. This boy—so young, even if he's a Shrek student—how strong can he really be?"
The two men exchanged skeptical looks. To them, Ning Tian's decision seemed naïve.
Worse, Ye Chen looked older—perhaps a senior student used to charming girls, unworthy of their sect's heiress.
They both turned their sharp gazes on Ye Chen, their soul power pressing down like a storm, trying to make him falter—to remind him of his place.
"Father, it's not like that… Ye Chen is very strong!"
Ning Tian hurried to explain, panic flickering in her eyes. She hadn't expected such blatant hostility.
Then, without hesitation, she released her martial soul.
In an instant, radiant light filled the hall as a Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda appeared behind her, resplendent and magnificent.
"Xiaotian, I know you're trying to—" Ning Xiuyuan began, only to stop mid-sentence as his gaze landed on the towering spirit manifestation.
He froze.
"Wait—your martial soul…"
In a blur, he vanished from the throne-like seat and appeared before her, staring intently at the pagoda.
One layer.
Two layers…
Nine layers!
Impossible!
"Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda!"
"Xiaotian! How did this happen? Did you… Did you find the legendary Qiluo Tulip that the Goddess of Nine Colors herself once used?"
Jian Wuchen and Shi Hao rushed forward as well, eyes wide with shock and awe.
After countless centuries, their sect had birthed another Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda!
This was only the second in recorded history. With such potential, Ning Tian might one day reach the same divine level as their immortal ancestor—and lead the sect into a new golden age.
"Yes! It was the Qiluo Tulip—and Ye Chen was the one who gave it to me!"
Ning Tian's voice brimmed with pride, her expression full of triumph as all eyes turned to Ye Chen.
Ning Xiuyuan, Shi Hao, and Jian Wuchen—three of the most influential figures in all the continent—stared at Ye Chen as silence swallowed the room.
For several long seconds, the atmosphere was utterly still.
Finally, Shi Hao's granite face twitched, forcing itself into an awkward but earnest smile.
"Haha! Young man Ye Chen, is it? I could tell at a glance you're no ordinary person! Come, come, sit!"
He waved his massive hand enthusiastically and commanded, "Serve tea! Bring out my best Snow Mountain Cloud Mist leaves!"
Jian Wuchen's sharp gaze softened, though he still looked somewhat embarrassed. He cleared his throat. "Ahem… Ye Chen, I owe you an apology. It seems I misjudged you earlier."
Ning Xiuyuan's expression shifted swiftly from astonishment to warmth. Stepping forward, he clasped Ye Chen's hand with sincerity. "Ye Chen, please, sit! My earlier discourtesy was unforgivable."
He tapped his temple lightly and bowed his head in apology.
"You've done my daughter such a great kindness; you are now a benefactor of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Please forgive our rudeness."
Ning Tian couldn't help smiling proudly as her father and the elders completely reversed their attitudes, showering Ye Chen with courtesy.
She sat right beside Ye Chen—openly, unreservedly—while her bright eyes gleamed with satisfaction as maids served fragrant tea.
The jade-green liquid shimmered in delicate cups, releasing the crisp scent of high-mountain snow herbs. The aroma was refreshing and refined.
"Please, Ye Chen," Ning Xiuyuan gestured warmly.
He leaned forward slightly, curiosity flickering again. "Might I ask—where did you find the Qiluo Tulip? Our sect has searched for ten thousand years without so much as a trace."
The question was humble, but intent gleamed behind the words.
For the Seven Treasures Sect, learning of the tulip's origin or the possibility of another would be a revelation beyond measure.
"Indeed, a treasure like that eluded us for millennia," Shi Hao agreed, rubbing his calloused hands. "You must be truly blessed!"
Jian Wuchen added, his tone respectful, "That herb holds heaven's essence, capable of evolving our ancestral martial soul. Your gift to Ning Tian is beyond praise, a kindness worth eternal gratitude."
The three men now regarded Ye Chen with warmth and near reverence.
Ye Chen, however, remained calm. His faint smile never wavered.
He lifted the jade cup, tasting the tea. The aroma lingered sweetly, warm energy flowing through him from throat to chest.
This was indeed fine tea—and their apology seemed genuine enough.
"Leader Ning is too kind," he replied mildly. "I merely stumbled upon a few lines in an old text by chance. By great fortune, I managed to locate the site—and there was only one tulip."
He deliberately left out the finer details, speaking as casually as if discussing the weather.
(END CHAPTER)
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