At the side, Jiang Qingtong spoke up in an intentionally playful tone:
"Brother, let's go! They're inviting us so kindly—how could we possibly refuse? Isn't that right, Teacher Xue?"
Being suddenly named, the Snow Empress raised an eyebrow. She gave Jiang Qingtong a brief look, then gave a simple, "Mn."
"See? Even Teacher Xue agrees!"
Jiang Qingtong blinked expectantly at Jiang Shengyu, her eyes filled with anticipation. Seeing her expression, Ning Rufeng chuckled and said to Jiang Shengyu:
"Indeed! Young hero, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect is a great sect that has stood for ten thousand years. You won't be disappointed."
Only then did Jiang Shengyu nod.
"Alright then, we'll take you up on your invitation."
Ning Rufeng's expression lit up in delight—he was proud to have successfully invited a group of Shrek Academy's inner-court elites to his sect.
But truthfully, the happiest one among them was Jiang Shengyu himself.
He had already planned to visit the major sects of the former three nations of the Douluo Continent during this training journey—seeking to either win them over or at least gain insight into their current state. The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect showing up at his doorstep was, as the saying goes, a pillow offered to a drowsy man.
The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect was no longer located within the Heavenly Soul Empire's borders, but deep within the rugged mountain ranges of the Dou Ling Empire.
In the ancient days, the sect had placed its bet on the royal family of Heaven Dou, the Xue Clan. But after the Heaven Dou royal line perished, its surviving forces established the Dou Ling Empire.
Worried that the newly formed Heavenly Soul Empire might hold hostility toward them, the sect relocated from near Heaven Dou City into the Dou Ling Empire—and had remained there ever since.
Today, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect served as the Protector Sect of the Dou Ling Empire.
Though the Dou Ling Empire could not compare to the might of the Heaven Dou Empire of old, it supported the sect to the best of its ability. Most of the combat-type Soul Masters serving the sect had been personally selected and sent by the empire itself.
Unfortunately, the Dou Ling Empire's national power was weak. As such, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect could no longer hope to return to the glorious days of ten thousand years ago, when it had boasted not one but two Titled Douluo—one even a Super Douluo.
Now, the sect possessed only a single Titled Douluo: the Divine Pearl Douluo, a level 92 expert.
Ning Rufeng had already dispatched a messenger to deliver news of Jiang Shengyu and his companions to the sect overnight.
Thus, when they arrived at the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, they were greeted by rows upon rows of disciples lined up in welcome.
At the forefront stood the current Sect Master—Ning Happy (OC), father of Ning Tian—accompanied by none other than the Divine Pearl Douluo himself.
Before the grand hall of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect stood two towering statues: one male and one female. Behind the man were carved rows of sausages of all kinds, and behind the woman stood a magnificent pagoda.
They were none other than the founders of the sect's golden age ten thousand years ago—Oscar, the Food God Douluo, and Ning Rongrong, the Nine-Colored Douluo—the most powerful support-type Soul Masters of their era!
"Welcome, honored guests, to the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect!"
Ning Haoyu greeted them warmly, smiling from ear to ear.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning," the group replied, clasping their hands respectfully.
The Divine Pearl Douluo, standing behind Ning Haoyu, turned his gaze toward the Snow Empress. After a brief silence, he asked:
"This must be the instructor from Shrek Academy, correct? Are you… a Titled Douluo?"
Ning Luosheng nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, Your Excellency Divine Pearl! She is the Saint Snow Douluo, Senior Xue Qingyu of Shrek Academy—a level 95 Super Douluo!"
"Super Douluo?!"
The Divine Pearl Douluo's pupils contracted sharply. He immediately bowed with solemn respect.
"My apologies for any disrespect!"
Who would have thought that Shrek Academy's foundation was this deep—that they would send even a Super Douluo merely to escort students on a training journey?
Even Ning Haoyu quickly bent at the waist.
"Greetings to the Saint Snow Douluo."
The Snow Empress regarded the sect master, who was bowing so deeply that his rear stuck out, and said coolly,
"I am not the one you're waiting for. There's no need to mind me."
Ning Haoyu, whose intentions had been exposed, didn't look the least embarrassed. He simply cleared his throat and gestured politely.
"Please, this way."
Following Ning Haoyu, they walked toward the grand hall of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.
As they passed the statues of Oscar and Ning Rongrong, Jiang Feixin sighed softly.
"Those are some big stone people."
Hearing that, Ning Haoyu looked back at her and said proudly:
"These two are the ancestors who ascended to godhood ten thousand years ago—the Food God Douluo Oscar and the Nine-Colored Douluo Ning Rongrong!"
Though the sect's current members were not their direct descendants, Ning Haoyu's chest swelled with pride whenever he mentioned their names—even after a span of ten thousand years.
"Our Nine Treasures Glazed Sect has deep ties with your Shrek Academy," he continued. "Those two were among your academy's very first Shrek Seven Devils. Do any of you come from the current generation of the Seven Devils?"
Ling Luochen nodded.
"I am. Qingtong and the others are part of the reserve team."
Hearing this, Ning Haoyu's joy deepened even further.
"Ah! So it's fate that brings us together! You must stay here for a few days at least!"
Talking about fate and connections—a classic way to close the distance.
Ning Haoyu received Jiang Shengyu's group with the highest honors. Though everyone could easily read his intentions, none of them exposed it. They simply accepted the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's hospitality with equanimity.
They ended up staying for several days. Ning Haoyu even put aside much of his sect's daily business to personally accompany them.
After all, he had learned from Ning Luosheng and Yu Nian that Jiang Shengyu possessed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring despite being only a Soul King!
Even in the records of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, not even the Sea God Tang San had gained a hundred-thousand-year ring until his sixth soul ring!
That meant Jiang Shengyu's talent was at least equal to Tang San's—perhaps even greater!
Such a genius was worth personally courting.
Once, Ning Haoyu would never have gone to such lengths as a sect master. But the Dou Ling Empire was waning year by year, and among its ranks, there was now only a single Super Douluo—the level 97 Sunlight Douluo.
The Seven Treasures (now Nine Treasures) Glazed Pagoda was, by nature, a martial soul dependent on others for strength. As sect master, Ning Haoyu had to find a new path for his sect's future.
Jiang Shengyu understood exactly what he was thinking, but chose not to expose it.
When they finally came to take their leave, Ning Haoyu could no longer sit still.
On the night before their planned departure, he came personally to Jiang Shengyu's room.
After several days of close observation, he already knew clearly who among the group was truly in charge.
"Sect Master Ning, it's rather late. Is there something you needed from me?"
Jiang Shengyu asked with an easy smile as the sect master entered.
Ning Haoyu's expression was grave.
"Young Master Jiang, may I have a word in private?"
"No need," Jiang Shengyu replied. "It's safe here."
Just then, Jiang Qingtong en
tered from outside.
"Whatever Sect Master Ning wishes to say, go ahead. No one else will overhear."
Seeing her appear, Ning Haoyu froze in surprise.
"You… already knew I was coming?"
Please drop some power stones support me at my
PS: Access the complete/finished chapters/series at Patreon: NanamiTL