One person led the horse, another beat the drum; one struck the gong, another scattered flower petals. Along the way, with a level of etiquette that could only be described as exaggerated, they escorted Chen Ming toward the core area of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Countless Spirit Masters within the sect, upon learning that Chen Ming had caused such a grand spectacle, couldn't help but follow behind the procession, joining in the clamor.
Some genuinely admired and envied Chen Ming. Some were not actually that excited at first, but became swept up by the atmosphere after seeing such a massive crowd. A small number were simply joining the fun for the sake of it.
Thus, with hundreds of people noisily accompanying them the entire way, the procession entered the core region of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword and Bone Douluo, having already received word from the sentries, came out personally in formal attire with smiles on their faces to welcome the two guests.
As expected of the sect renowned throughout the Spirit Master world for its social finesse and ability to maintain relationships everywhere. In terms of treatment and atmosphere, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had truly spared no effort. Their etiquette was practically flawless.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Senior Sword, Senior Bone."
"Greetings, Elder Chen. Greetings, Poison Douluo."
Chen Ming and Ning Fengzhi exchanged greetings, while the three Title Douluo behind them communicated silently through their gazes.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin had reached Level 96 and possessed profound comprehension of the Seven Kill Sword. His eyes shone sharply, and his entire aura resembled an invisible blade.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong looked like a skeleton wrapped in skin, his aura dark and dangerous.
But for Dugu Bo, who had already broadened his horizons greatly after seeing numerous powerful experts within the Consecration Hall and whose own strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, the pressure from the two of them was nonexistent.
Instead, Dugu Bo deliberately mixed traces of his newly transformed dragon aura into his own presence, using the advantage of information disparity to make Sword and Bone Douluo suffer a slight setback.
Gu Rong was forced back half a step by the pure dragon aura. He shook his head in discomfort, his eyes filled with astonishment.
Since when did Dugu Bo undergo a dragon transformation? Although the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Martial Soul was already considered the limit among sub-dragons, transforming into a true dragon was not impossible.
But with Dugu Bo's talent, which had shown almost no improvement since reaching the Titled Douluo realm, what qualifications did he have to evolve into a dragon? And why was this dragon aura even purer than mine? What kind of dragon did he transform into?
Gu Rong looked toward Chen Ming, his heart filled with confusion.
Could it really be this junior who allowed Dugu Bo to achieve such enormous progress? But Dugu Bo was already a Titled Douluo. Given his cultivation and age, was it really reasonable for him to receive such strengthening?
Sensing Gu Rong retreat half a step, Ning Fengzhi's expression remained unchanged. He merely cupped his hands toward Dugu Bo with extra respect.
"Poison Douluo's cultivation has greatly advanced, even restoring your youth. Truly cause for joy and admiration."
"Such wonderful news should naturally be announced to the world. If Poison Douluo is willing, my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would gladly host a grand banquet to spread your fame."
"I don't care about empty fame." Dugu Bo waved his hand casually, his youthful face displaying complete indifference.
He had personally been evaluated by Qian Daoliu as a talented Titled Douluo with hopes of reaching Level 98. Given his relationship with Chen Ming, living another five or six hundred years would not even be difficult.
With strength, fame would naturally come on its own. As long as he possessed strength, why would he need the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to spread his reputation?
Sword and Bone Douluo were merely withered bones in graves now, old and declining, their vitality nearly exhausted. Without some great opportunity, they would likely never advance another step in this lifetime. A hundred years from now, he, Dugu Bo, would probably still be alive. Could Sword and Bone Douluo say the same?
Seeing Dugu Bo's utterly unconcerned attitude, Ning Fengzhi was momentarily stunned. He had not expected Dugu Bo to have become so broad-minded now.
Still, following his original plan, he invited Chen Ming and Dugu Bo into the main hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi summoned attendants to prepare fine tea, and the five of them began their detailed discussion.
"Elder Chen, I wonder whether you have gained any further insights regarding the advancement of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?" After exchanging pleasantries for quite some time, Ning Fengzhi finally raised his true question.
"I have not gained too many new insights. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is already sufficiently perfect. To break through its upper limit would require a large number of experiments and the cooperation of many people. The question is whether Sect Master Ning dares to proceed."
With two Titled Douluo accompanying him as protection, Chen Ming felt no sense of threat even within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect itself. He merely spoke calmly and confidently.
"May I ask Elder Chen, if we cooperate with these experiments, will my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect suffer casualties?" Ning Fengzhi looked directly into Chen Ming's eyes and asked seriously.
"I cannot guarantee otherwise. There will probably be losses. Sect Master Ning should think carefully before making a decision."
"..."
Ning Fengzhi closed his eyes in contemplation for a moment. Then he slowly opened them and let out a long breath.
"Among the elders of my clan, several have already reached the limits of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. They are all willing to devote themselves for the sake of the sect."
This was not Ning Fengzhi forcing them. Ever since they received the news after returning last time, those people had genuinely prepared themselves already.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was fundamentally a clan-based power. As long as the family could become stronger, sacrificing the lives of some clan members was considered entirely acceptable.
Furthermore, Ning Fengzhi himself was already close to sixty years old. Among his father's generation and elder relatives, although there were a few younger individuals with seniority, most were already nearing the end of their lifespan.
These people were not particularly afraid of death to begin with. Moreover, if they died during the experiments and the experiments truly succeeded, then their descendants would undoubtedly become the first beneficiaries to break through the limit. As a result, every single one of them displayed extraordinary generosity and willingness to sacrifice.
As for why they did not choose younger people?
First, the younger generation all carried responsibilities and duties. Losing a young and capable person would have a far greater impact than losing an elderly person whose lifespan was already nearly exhausted.
Second, although the limit of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was Level 79 Spirit Saint, that did not mean everyone could actually reach that limit.
Support-type Martial Souls were the most difficult of all Martial Souls to cultivate. Even within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, only a minority possessed the talent to break through to the Spirit Saint realm. And even for those with talent, the process still required immense time and resource investment.
From awakening the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul to cultivating to the Spirit Saint realm required at least forty years of hard cultivation. Reaching Level 79 generally required one to be over fifty or even sixty years old.
There were actually only a dozen or so Spirit Saints within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect who had reached Level 79 and were attempting a breakthrough, and most of them were the type who wouldn't necessarily be able to continue improving even if the pagoda's limit were broken.
Even if the limit were actually broken, allowing a Spirit Master to continue advancing to Spirit Douluo and eventually Titled Douluo, there was a high probability that not a single support-type Titled Douluo would emerge from among these specific people in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
They could only break the limit and continue to pin their hopes on the wisdom of future generations.