Chapter 234: Yu Xiaogang: Where Did This Favor Come From?
Ning Tianchen removed the sunglasses and smiled gently. "Of course, wearing these can also prevent snow blindness. Your sect has long been active in the Far North—you must be familiar with snow blindness."
This box of sunglasses had been crafted by Ning Tianchen before the promotion round, using a craftsman's help. Originally, he intended to promote them as a product after the Soul Master Tournament, but now they had unexpectedly served as a gesture of goodwill.
After all, the reflective rate of sunlight off snow was very high, and prolonged exposure while walking through snowy plains could severely harm one's eyes.
With these sunglasses, their movements in such environments would be greatly facilitated.
Tian Chao picked up a pair of sunglasses and put them on, exclaiming immediately, "Elder, these sunglasses offer a much wider field of vision compared to our snow goggles. Wearing them will allow us to spot potential threats more quickly when traveling across the snowy plains."
The snow goggles they used were essentially just wooden strips with narrow slits—similar to covering your eyes and peeking through your fingers. Not only did they severely limit vision, but they were also uncomfortable to wear.
Tian Chen tried on a pair of sunglasses and confirmed Tian Chao's claims.
He clearly understood how much these sunglasses would benefit the sect once brought back.
He sighed bitterly and said, "Friend, it's not that I'm greedy, but our sect has many disciples. This single box of sunglasses won't be enough for everyone. Moreover, we don't know how to make them. Once this batch is damaged, we'll have no way to replace them. What do you think?"
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but smile.
Since the other party had made a request, Ning Tianchen was now fully confident in fulfilling Ning Fengzhi's instructions.
"Of course, these aren't high-end products—I already have the design blueprints with me. I'll also teach you the lens-polishing technique. However, this technology belongs exclusively to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Please don't share it outside the sect without permission."
Selling sunglasses was merely an additional revenue stream for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—it wasn't a core business. Even if the other party leaked it, Ning Tianchen wouldn't suffer much loss.
After receiving the design blueprints and comparing them briefly with the physical sunglasses, Tian Chen burst into laughter. "Friend, your generosity is deeply appreciated. Allow me to express my sincere gratitude on behalf of our sect."
"This item will be of immense help to us. From now on, you are an honored guest of the Snow Mountain Sect, and your deeds will be celebrated within our ranks."
Seizing the opportunity, Ning Tianchen mentioned, "Our sect leader sincerely hopes to arrange a formal meeting with your sect. Could Elder kindly convey this proposal to your sect leader?"
Tian Chen explained, "Friend, it's not that I'm unwilling to agree. As Chao'er said, I'm ranked sixteenth in our sect, so my influence isn't as strong as some of the other elders. However, I believe your generosity will surely earn our sect leader's approval. After the tournament ends, whether or not the Snow Mountain Sect agrees, we will give your sect a response. How does that sound?"
Ning Tianchen nodded.
Having secured the other party's promise, Ning Tianchen had successfully completed Ning Fengzhi's task. Moreover, he had gained a significant number of rare treasures.
After exchanging pleasantries with the other party, he promptly returned to the camp and reported to Ning Fengzhi.
"Tianchen, you've done well. Select some of these rare treasures to keep for yourself, and store the rest in the sect's treasury," Ning Fengzhi generously rewarded him.
After Ning Tianchen left, Gu Rong analyzed, "An eighty-seven-level Soul Douluo ranked sixteenth… this sect is incredibly strong."
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had over ten Soul Douluos, but their total number was only slightly higher than 'sixteen.'
Moreover, most of these Soul Douluos were low-ranked.
An eighty-seven-level Soul Douluo ranked sixth in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. If placed in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, they would undoubtedly rank third.
Ning Fengzhi spoke gravely, "The number of Title Douluos in the Snow Mountain Sect is likely five or more, with quite a few peak Soul Douluos as well. Of course, we're unclear about their ranking system—whether it's based on strength or something else."
If ranked by status within the sect, Ning Tianchen would at least rank fifth in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, just behind three Soul Douluos and Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader.
If that were the case, the number of powerful individuals before the sixteenth rank would decrease significantly.
Gu Rong lamented, "Tianchen probably didn't consider this. If he had asked about Tian Chao's exact rank, we might have been able to deduce the purpose of this ranking system."
However, Ning Fengzhi disagreed. "It's already remarkable that they revealed this much. Pressing further would only invite resentment. Since Tianchen has delivered our message, we can only wait for their response."
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Inside Shrek Academy's tent
Flender had nearly emptied his soul-guided artifact, spreading everything out on the ground.
When Yu Xiaogang entered the tent, there was barely any space to step. He couldn't help but ask, "Flender, what are you looking for? Do you really need to take everything out of your soul-guided artifact?"
Flender explained, "Xiaogang, Patriarch Ning saved Hongjun's life. We must repay this favor."
Yu Xiaogang, however, sneered. "A favor? Repay what favor? Hah, Flender, are you growing senile? Those two healing-type soul masters clearly had the ability to fully heal Hongjun, yet they stopped treatment the moment he was no longer in mortal danger. It's clear they weren't genuinely helping Hongjun."
Flender shook his head and countered, "Xiaogang, you can't say that. We have no prior connection with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. The only interaction we've had was the letter Ning sent when Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong joined the academy."
"Without any ties, Patriarch Ning's willingness to help us is a gesture of goodwill. Even if he hadn't helped, outsiders wouldn't have much to say. Patriarch Ning saved Hongjun's life—a life-saving debt that we must repay."
"Xiaogang, I don't have anything valuable on hand. Help me figure out what to gift Patriarch Ning to repay part of this favor."
Yu Xiaogang, however, remained unconvinced. Sitting on a nearby chair with his legs crossed, he smirked coldly, "Flender, stop being so sentimental. Yes, Ning Fengzhi saved Hongjun, but he immediately sent someone to the Beast Academy's camp afterward."
"It's obvious—they simply wanted to use this opportunity to win over the geniuses and strong individuals of the Beast Academy. Saving Hongjun was just to prevent the Beast Academy from being disqualified under the tournament rules. What does that have to do with us?"
"In my opinion, this so-called favor doesn't even exist—why should we repay it?"
Flender was momentarily speechless.
Yu Xiaogang's argument wasn't baseless.
The camp areas of each academy team were relatively small, and visits between teams were easily noticed.
But regardless of how you looked at it, Ning Fengzhi had indeed saved Ma Hongjun. Whether intentional or not, it was still a favor.
Seeing Flender remain stubborn, Yu Xiaogang angrily said, "Besides, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is a massive organization and the wealthiest sect on the continent. Do you really think Ning Fengzhi cares about your trifling offerings?"
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