Chapter 89: Is He Even Serious About This?

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong exchanged a helpless glance, utterly speechless. Their precious girl hadn't even married yet, and she was already siding with her fiancé!

"Rongrong, don't worry. We won't make things difficult for him," Ning Fengzhi said through gritted teeth, his expression as dark as a thundercloud.

Dai Mubai, you're so dead.

The last time Ning Fengzhi went to Soto City, Sword Douluo Chen Xin had accompanied him. Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo, hadn't seen Dai Mubai before. This time, he had come along to visit Shrek Academy with Ning Fengzhi, as Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect always required one Title Douluo to remain behind for protection.

Seeing Ning Fengzhi's stormy face, Gu Rong remained silent, his expression stiff. Ning Rongrong, however, couldn't help but feel a pang of unease.

Hmph! If they dare trouble Dai Mubai, then… then I'll never speak to them again!

Ning Rongrong fumed inwardly.

The trio was greeted at Shrek Academy by Zhao Wuji, Flender, and Liu Erlong. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhao Wuji went off to fetch Dai Mubai.

"Knock, knock, knock…"

Half-asleep, Dai Mubai groggily opened his eyes. Next to him, Zhu Zhuqing was already awake, looking at him with confusion.

"Who could that be?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.

Dai Mubai shrugged, equally perplexed.

"Little Bai, it's me, Old Zhao! Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo Gu Rong are here to see you!" came Zhao Wuji's gruff voice from outside.

Realization dawned on both of them.

"Coming, coming!"

The pair quickly tidied themselves up before opening the door.

Zhao Wuji grinned at the sight of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing but didn't say much.

"Little Bai, stay sharp later. Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong don't look too pleased," Zhao Wuji whispered, leaning closer as though afraid Zhu Zhuqing might overhear.

Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes. Did he think her hearing was that poor? This was no different from covering one's ears and pretending not to hear the bell.

Dai Mubai simply shrugged, unconcerned. He didn't believe Ning Fengzhi or Gu Rong would dare make things too difficult for him. After all, they had come here for a reason.

Before long, the trio arrived at a meeting room where Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were already waiting. Flender quickly turned to Liu Erlong and Zhao Wuji as soon as Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing entered.

"Erlong, Wuji, let's go discuss that matter from earlier."

Flender gave them a meaningful look, one that Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong naturally noticed. However, the two merely smiled without commenting. Truth be told, they were glad to have the extra privacy.

"Alright," Liu Erlong and Zhao Wuji agreed, nodding before leaving with Flender.

Dai Mubai: "…"

After the others left, Gu Rong stepped forward, scrutinizing Dai Mubai from head to toe.

"What's so special about you that has Rongrong utterly smitten?" Gu Rong asked, breaking the silence and easing the tense atmosphere.

"Kid, what you did last time was downright sneaky! Those 'Six Forms'—barely a handful in the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have mastered them!" Gu Rong continued, feigning indignation as he fixed Dai Mubai with a stern look.

Dai Mubai was about to respond, but Ning Rongrong beat him to it.

"Bone Grandpa, you can't blame Mubai for that! It's not his fault you and Sword Grandpa didn't ask for details. Besides, Mubai's self-created spirit skills are far more valuable than any gold spirit coins or spirit bones!"

Her words left Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong slack-jawed, their expressions shifting to ones of silent anguish.

It hurt! It hurt so much!

Their precious little girl—whom they had raised for over a decade—had been completely won over by Dai Mubai.

And Gu Rong? He had only said a couple of words to Dai Mubai, and she had already jumped to his defense. He felt as though his carefully mended quilt had sprung a leak.

"Forget it. Fengzhi, you handle this. I can't be the bad guy anymore…" Gu Rong muttered, waving his hand dismissively as he slumped into a nearby chair, looking utterly defeated.

Ning Fengzhi remained silent for a moment, caught between wanting to say something and not knowing how to begin.

Finally, he turned to Dai Mubai and spoke gravely.

"Mubai, after discussing things with Rongrong, we've decided to approve of your relationship."

"However, there is one condition you must agree to."

His expression grew even more serious as he spoke. The condition itself wasn't particularly harsh, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had a strict rule that their martial spirit could not be passed outside the clan.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing stiffened at his words, while Ning Rongrong looked on with a mix of apprehension and determination.

"Uncle Ning, please go ahead."

"If you and Rongrong have children, and their martial spirit inherits the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—no matter the number of tiers—they must bear the Ning surname and be raised within the sect," Ning Fengzhi said solemnly.

He was prepared to list the pros and cons of the arrangement when Dai Mubai cut him off.

"Sure, no problem!" Dai Mubai replied without hesitation.

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong: "…"

Wait, what? Why did you agree so readily?

Both men felt a wave of disorientation. Did Dai Mubai not understand how powerful the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—or even the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—was?

But Dai Mubai wasn't a "native" of this world. To him, children taking their mother's surname or growing up with their maternal grandparents was entirely normal. What was the big deal?

Seeing Dai Mubai's quick agreement, Ning Rongrong's eyes filled with emotion. She felt deeply touched by his sincerity.

"Well then, kid! You'd better not bully Rongrong. If she ever comes crying to me, I'll hunt you down even if it costs me my life!" Gu Rong warned, though his tone had softened, a smile spreading across his face.

"Of course, Father-in-law and Bone Grandpa, rest assured. I'll take good care of Rongrong," Dai Mubai promised.

Hearing Dai Mubai call him "Father-in-law," Ning Fengzhi felt his teeth ache. They weren't even married yet, and this boy was already so brazen!

Both Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong knew of Dai Mubai's situation with Zhu Zhuqing but chose to remain silent. It was an unspoken agreement between men of power: those with strength and influence often had multiple partners. Ning Fengzhi himself wasn't exactly a paragon of monogamy.

After some lighthearted conversation, the group finally returned to the main topic.

"Mubai, I believe you understand the state of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Do you have any more of those treasures? No matter the cost, as long as it's within the sect's means, we're willing to trade for it," Ning Fengzhi said seriously.

The allure of evolving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was simply too great.

Dai Mubai shook his head.

"The immortal herb I gave Rongrong was unique—it's truly gone now…"

Hearing this, both Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong sighed in disappointment. It was only natural for such rare treasures to be limited.

"But," Dai Mubai continued, "I do have some other herbs. Father-in-law, would you like to try them? I can't guarantee they'll evolve your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, though."

Ning Fengzhi, who had been on the verge of despair, felt a glimmer of hope reignite.

Good heavens! There's more?! Even if it's not guaranteed, it's worth a shot!

Sharing a glance, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong saw the determination in each other's eyes. No matter what, they would give it a try. The possibility of evolving into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was too tempting to pass up.

(End of Chapter)