Meng Bei walked over, accompanied by Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan.
"Xiao Wu!"
Dugu Yan, nearly two months pregnant, showed a faint curve in her belly, though it wasn't obvious yet.
Meng Bei waved at Ning Rongrong, smiling:
"Rongrong, come here!"
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed instantly.
"Don't go!" he warned.
But Ning Rongrong ignored him. The moment she saw Meng Bei, she ran straight toward him without hesitation.
Meng Bei opened his arms, and she fell into his embrace—a soft, fragrant figure pressed against him.
Feeling his familiar yet distant warmth, Ning Rongrong began crying uncontrollably, her tears falling like beads from a broken string.
"Wuuu… I missed you so much! You liar! You promised you'd never leave me again!"
Meng Bei smiled helplessly. He held her close, gently soothing her and patiently explained everything that had happened.
After much effort, he finally calmed her down.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan listened and finally understood the truth—Meng Bei already had a prior engagement. Their relationship had started under the coercion of her grandfather, Dugu Bo.
A wave of panic struck Dugu Yan's heart.
Would Meng Bei abandon her? Were his sweet words merely a result of her grandfather's threats?
Her thoughts spiraled, but the child in her womb offered some comfort, anchoring her fragile hope.
Ning Rongrong, still clinging to Meng Bei's left arm, suddenly acted as if staking her claim, casting a provocative glare at Dugu Yan.
Unwilling to be outdone, Dugu Yan immediately seized Meng Bei's right arm, declaring her own dominance.
After all, she was already married to Meng Bei—and carrying his child.
Ning Rongrong glared at Dugu Yan and, feeling wronged, looked up at Meng Bei.
"Xiao Bei, is it true? Do you really have a child with this woman?"
Meng Bei nodded lightly.
Ning Rongrong lowered her head in heartbreak.
After a long silence, she finally looked up, her emotions steadied.
"Fine then. I'll have Sword Grandpa take her to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and keep her there until the child is born. Okay?"
Meng Bei shook his head.
"Enough. I'll handle this myself. Don't interfere, okay? Be good and trust me."
He gently patted her head, then led both girls through the crowd to face Ning Fengzhi.
Meng Bei respectfully saluted him.
Ning Fengzhi's expression softened slightly.
His greatest fear—that Meng Bei had switched allegiances to Dugu Bo—was dispelled. Ning Rongrong seemed safe for now.
Even so, Ning Fengzhi didn't drop his guard. He glanced at Dugu Yan, his voice low:
"You've really sent me quite the gift, haven't you?"
Ning Rongrong quickly defended Meng Bei:
"Dad, it's not his fault! It's all because of that Dugu Bo!"
Ning Fengzhi snorted, ignoring her plea, and looked straight at Meng Bei.
"Boy, the situation has come to this. What's your decision?"
Meng Bei blinked.
"What decision?"
Ning Fengzhi cut straight to the point:
"Choose—Rongrong or this woman!"
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo both fixed their gazes on Meng Bei, waiting for his answer. Even Dugu Bo observed closely.
"Dad, don't force him!" Ning Rongrong pleaded.
But this time, Ning Fengzhi, who always spoiled his daughter, stood firm.
Under everyone's scrutiny, Meng Bei remained calm.
Without hesitation, he pulled both Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan into his arms and declared:
"I want them all!"
Silence fell.
"You dare?!" Bone Douluo roared, unleashing a claw strike toward Meng Bei.
Meng Bei instantly activated his Martial Soul, meeting the strike head-on.
Boom!
Meng Bei staggered back, coughing up blood—but he remained standing.
Gasps filled the air.
The first shock was that Meng Bei had already reached Soul King in such a short time—and his soul ring was an unheard-of blue color.
The second shock was that Meng Bei had withstood Bone Douluo's attack.
Despite the 40-level soul power gap and Bone Douluo's Martial Soul enhancement, Meng Bei—without using any soul skills—took the hit and only stumbled, sustaining minor injuries.
Everyone was stunned.
What kind of monstrous talent is this?!
Bone Douluo, in disbelief, prepared to test him further.
But Ning Fengzhi raised his hand, stopping him.
Meng Bei's display of strength had shifted Ning Fengzhi's attitude. He decided to compromise and proposed:
"Xiao Bei, if you choose Rongrong, I'll allow this woman to stay in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan until she gives birth."
The crowd's focus shifted to Meng Bei once more—especially Dugu Yan, who trembled with anxiety.
Ning Fengzhi's words were clear—once she gave birth, she would likely be eliminated.
What would Meng Bei do?
Meng Bei didn't hesitate.
"Lord Father-in-law, I won't abandon anyone!"
Ning Fengzhi's expression turned cold.
"Foolish! In that case, you're no longer connected to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!"
Meng Bei wiped the blood from his lips and replied calmly:
"Lord Father-in-law, don't be angry. You and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan fought tirelessly for two months to rescue me. I'll never forget this kindness."
Ning Fengzhi scoffed.
"Kindness? You've already married and had a child here! Do you even want to return with us?"
Meng Bei shook his head.
He knew this was Ning Fengzhi's frustration speaking.
The truth was that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan wouldn't abandon him so easily—especially after investing so much effort to bring him back.
Once Meng Bei understood this, resolving the situation became simpler.
He bowed deeply and spoke sincerely:
"Lord Father-in-law, you will always be my father-in-law. I promise, I will never let Rongrong down."
Ning Fengzhi snorted, but his tone softened slightly.
"So, you've chosen Rongrong, then?"
Meng Bei shook his head again.
"Lord Father-in-law, is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—renowned for thousands of years—really too small to accommodate a single Title Douluo of a different surname?"
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