Chapter 246 The Catgirl's Future, First Meeting With Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo
Ning Fengzhi's public announcement of the catgirl's freedom instantly changed the tone of the discussions below the stage.
The vulgar speculations from before all transformed into admiration and praise.
"My heavens, Sect Master Ning is far too kindhearted!"
"180,000 gold soul coins, just to save a girl he's never even met?"
"As expected of the Sect Master of one of the Upper Three Sects. This level of magnanimity truly isn't something people like us can compare to!
"If it were me, I definitely couldn't bear to spend it. 180,000 gold soul coins could buy so many good things. Sect Master Ning is what true chivalry looks like!"
On the stage, the catgirl stood frozen in place.
A full ten seconds passed before she finally reacted.
Looking at the identity certificate and gold card in her hands, tears instantly burst from her eyes like a broken dam.
Large droplets continuously fell and smashed against the floor.
With a thud, she knelt on the ground.
Facing the VIP room where Ning Fengzhi was located, she heavily kowtowed three times.
Her forehead slammed against the hard stage with dull sounds, quickly turning red.
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning! Thank you, Sect Master Ning!"
Her voice carried sobs as she repeated it again and again.
"I will never forget your great kindness for the rest of my life!"
After finishing her kowtows, she climbed back to her feet.
Clutching the identity certificate and gold card tightly in her hands, she staggered down the stage and ran out of the auction house.
"Clap clap clap…"
Applause erupted throughout the venue.
Even louder and more enthusiastic than any previous round.
At their seats, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were both somewhat stunned by the sudden reversal.
Xiao Wu opened her mouth slightly, staring at the now-empty stage before glancing toward the VIP room on the second floor.
Her face filled with guilt and embarrassment as she scratched her head and muttered softly.
"Looks like I misunderstood him…"
Zhu Zhuqing's tightly furrowed brows also relaxed.
She finally understood why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could become one of the Upper Three Sects and why Ning Fengzhi was respected by so many people.
Perhaps this behavior might partly be for appearances, further consolidating his reputation.
But he truly did it.
"Whew… thank goodness."
Ning Rongrong let out a long sigh of relief and patted her chest. The anxiety hanging over her heart finally disappeared.
Her face was still red as she awkwardly muttered softly.
"You really scared me to death. Thank goodness Father isn't that kind of pervert, otherwise I wouldn't even know how to face you guys anymore."
"When we get back, I'm definitely going to lecture him properly. He didn't even explain beforehand and nearly made me misunderstand him."
Xiao Wu nodded.
"Rongrong, I apologize. I misunderstood your father. Your father is a good person."
"Hehe, naturally. Just look whose father he is."
Ning Rongrong proudly lifted her chin, her face filled with a smile of shared honor.
The awkwardness and anger from before had already vanished completely.
Only Lin Qingmo remained leaning calmly against his chair, his expression tranquil as though he had expected this all along.
Of course, he knew Ning Fengzhi would do this.
In the original work, Ning Fengzhi had also freed the catgirl.
However, the greatest difference was that in the original work, Ning Fengzhi privately released her after purchasing her.
But now, he had formally granted the catgirl freedom in front of all the nobles present.
At this moment, Xiao Wu softly asked Lin Qingmo:
"Ah Qing, do you think that catgirl, all alone as a young girl, will be in danger?"
Lin Qingmo smiled and shook his head.
"She won't."
"Eh? Why?"
"Because Sect Master Ning publicly announced her freedom in front of everyone."
In the original work, after the catgirl was secretly released, nobody knew whether she might one day be captured again.
But here, Ning Fengzhi's actions were effectively giving the catgirl a guarantee of safety within Heaven Dou City.
Within Heaven Dou City, even Emperor Xue Ye had to give Ning Fengzhi some face.
As long as she remained within Heaven Dou City, no noble or royal would likely dare disregard his authority.
"Haha, this little brother is absolutely correct."
A warm laugh sounded from behind the four of them.
All four turned around simultaneously.
They saw Ning Fengzhi walking over slowly, with Chen Xin following behind him.
Neither of them wore masks. Though their auras were restrained, they still carried an undeniable presence.
Ning Fengzhi wore a moon-white robe and appeared as gentle and refined as jade, a warm smile hanging upon his face.
He had perfectly picked up Xiao Wu's previous words.
"Little girl, don't worry. Within Heaven Dou City, nobody dares touch someone I, Ning Fengzhi, have released."
"I've already arranged for her to truly settle down in Heaven Dou City."
"!!!"
Xiao Wu was startled and instinctively shrank behind Lin Qingmo.
She looked at the refined and elegant man before her warily.
After all, just moments ago, she had been calling him a perverted scumbag behind his back.
Now the actual person stood directly before her, which was naturally awkward.
Lin Qingmo signaled for her not to panic.
Ning Rongrong walked over to Ning Fengzhi's side, hugging his arm while shaking it coquettishly.
"Dad, Grandpa Sword, why did you come down? The auction still isn't over yet."
Ning Fengzhi helplessly yet dotingly rubbed her head, lightly scraping her nose with his finger.
"You little girl. You returned to Heaven Dou City without even informing your father, and you even dared to sneak out to attend an auction? Your courage is growing bigger and bigger."
Though his tone carried reproach, there was not the slightest trace of anger within it.
"If I hadn't happened to run into you here, how long were you planning to keep hiding it from me?"
"Dad, haven't things just been busy lately? I forgot to tell you~."
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue and continued hugging his arm while acting cute, trying to muddle through the situation.
"I already withdrew from Shrek, and now I've joined Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I'm also a member of the Royal Fighting Team."
"We've been training nonstop lately, preparing for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. I was planning to visit you after things settled down!"
As she spoke, she proudly puffed out her chest with an obvious "hurry and praise me" expression.
"You little girl…"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a laugh and no longer blamed her.
Of course, he already knew Rongrong had gone to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Bone Douluo had long since brought back all the information.
Following Rongrong's words, his gaze once again landed upon Lin Qingmo and the others.
"Rongrong, aren't you going to introduce your good friends to Father?"
"Oh, right! Of course!"
Ning Rongrong immediately pulled Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing over while introducing them with a smile.
"Dad, this is Xiao Wu, and this is Zhu Zhuqing. They're both my best sisters!"
"We train together and live together. They take really good care of me!"
"Xiao Wu is a Power Attack System Soul Elder, and Zhuqing is an Agility Attack System Soul Master. They're both super amazing!"
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully toward Ning Fengzhi.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning."
"No need for formalities, good children."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and gently waved his hand, his tone warm.
Especially when his gaze lingered on Xiao Wu slightly longer.
She looked about the same age as Rongrong, yet she was already a Soul Elder. Truly a genius.
"Thank you for taking care of Rongrong during this time. This girl's personality is rather spoiled. She must have caused you a lot of trouble."
"No no, Rongrong is great. We all really like her."
Xiao Wu hurriedly waved her hands, her face slightly red and still somewhat embarrassed.
After all, she had just insulted Ning Fengzhi behind his back. Standing before the actual person naturally made her somewhat restrained.
Ning Rongrong then pointed toward Lin Qingmo, her face filled with pride and admiration, her voice becoming several degrees brighter.
"Dad, this is Brother Qingmo, Lin Qingmo. He's also the captain of our Royal Fighting Team. We all came over together from Shrek!"
End of Chapter
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