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Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly at Zhu Zhuqing. "You and Little Tian are Rongrong's friends. Call me Uncle Ning. If you ever need the help of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, don't hesitate to come."
"Thank you, Uncle Ning," Zhu Zhuqing replied politely.
Ning Rongrong continued, "This is Ma Hongjun—we call him Fatty. Level twenty-eight power attack system Battle Spirit Master. Martial soul: Grass Chicken…..er, Evil Fire Phoenix, I mean."
"Tang San, martial soul Blue Silver Grass, level thirty-one control system Battle Soul Elder."
She gave Ma Hongjun and Tang San quick nods.
When Oscar's turn came, he stepped forward eagerly. "Uncle Ning, I'm Oscar, fourteen years old. Martial soul: Sausage, level thirty-one food system Tool Spirit Elder."
A fourteen-year-old food system Spirit Elder–solid talent, Ning Fengzhi thought, though not overly impressed. Without rare herbs, Oscar's ceiling was Spirit Douluo, never Titled Douluo.
Before Ning Fengzhi could reply, Oscar pressed on. "Sect Leader Ning, I'm a support type too and admire you greatly. After graduation, may I join your sect?"
Ma Hongjun stifled a laugh. 'Good try, but Rongrong doesn't even glance your way.'
"Of course," Ning Fengzhi said, pleased. "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect welcomes talents like you, Ma Hongjun, and Tang San. Our doors are always open."
Ning Rongrong didn't object—Oscar could join, but she'd keep her distance. Sect rules favored Battle Spirit Masters like Ning Tian for direct disciples' partners.
Her eyes drifted to Ning Tian, regret flickering. If she'd been less reserved, she might be the one beside him now.
She added, "There are two more students: Xiao Wu, who's probably gone, and Dai Mubai."
Ning Fengzhi already knew from her letter that Dai Mubai had ruined himself in a brothel.
Flender approached. "Sect Leader Ning, if you're ready...."
"Please lead the way, Dean Flender," Ning Fengzhi said.
Soon, they reached Dai Mubai's dorm. Ning Fengzhi entered with Flender, and a burst of colorful light soon filled the room.
While waiting, Ning Rongrong turned to Ning Tian. "You said Tang San's poison-type soul ring was a mistake, that he should've picked wood-type. Was his frequent… stomach trouble in the Star Dou Forest a side effect too?"
The others perked up, even Tang San, though he simmered inwardly. He didn't buy Ning Tian's claims, but the unexplained diarrhea nagged at him.
Yu Xiaogang, meanwhile his face turned gray.
Ning Tian shook his head. "I can't be certain. From what I recall, Tang San never had that issue until nearing level thirty. It might be unrelated or I just missed it. But his darker skin? I'm seventy to eighty percent sure it's the poison ring."
"Skin?" The group exchanged looks, then studied Tang San's unusually dark complexion.
"You mean he's poisoned?" Sword Douluo asked, intrigued.
"Not quite poisoned," Ning Tian clarified. "It's a minor side effect, not dangerous. When I first met him at his martial soul awakening, he wasn't this dark. But after getting soul rings, especially the poison-type, he's darkened over time. It's likely the ring's toxicity. Good thing Blue Silver Grass isn't a beast soul, or with frequent possession, the poison might've sunk deeper, not just stayed surface-level."
"I see," Sword Douluo murmured.
Ma Hongjun grinned. "No wonder Meng Yiran thought his martial soul was a black bear—he's toxified."
The others nodded, even Tang San pausing to reflect. 'Is that why I'm so dark? And the stomach issues…' He glanced at Yu Xiaogang, suspicion stirring.
Yu Xiaogang felt a pang under his disciple's doubtful stare. He wanted to bolt but knew fleeing might cost him Tang San forever.
The dorm door creaked open. Ning Fengzhi emerged, Seven Treasures Staff in one hand, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda in the other, seven soul rings—two yellow, two purple, three black, swirling around him.
He shook his head. "If I'd been called right after it happened, I might've helped. But now, it's necrotic and rotting, I can't do anything."
"Mubai was reckless," Flender sighed, frustration mixing with regret. If only he'd sought Ning Rongrong sooner.
Zhao Wuji spoke up. "What's done is done. Dean, with Sect Leader Ning here, let's act quickly. It'll lessen Mubai's pain and speed his recovery."
"That's all we can do," Flender agreed. "Sect Leader Ning, we'll need your help to remove the dead tissue."
"No trouble," Ning Fengzhi said with a faint smile. "But we must hurry. Another few days' delay could be fatal."
"I understand," Flender replied, turning to Ning Tian. "You're the most knowledgeable, take charge of the surgery."
Ning Tian hid his amusement, keeping his expression steady. "Dean, theory's one thing, practice another. I've never done this. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass has neurotoxins, he can numb Mubai and handle it."
Tang San glared at Ning Tian with venom but didn't refuse. "Dean, after the surgery, please have the teachers help me find Xiao Wu."
"Don't worry, we'll track her down," Flender assured.
Ning Tian glanced at Ma Hongjun. "Fatty, heat a basin of water with your evil fire."
"Got it, Boss Ning."
Then to Shao Xin: "Teacher Shao Xin, you and Oscar prepare recovery sugar beans and sausages."
Soon, Ma Hongjun returned with hot water. Tang San drew a willow-leaf knife, numbing the area with Blue Silver Grass. Shao Xin and Oscar readied their items. Ning Fengzhi prepared his Seven Treasures True Body, activating Healing Light and Amplification Light.
Half an hour later, the surgery succeeded. Under Ning Tian's guidance, Tang San carefully removed all necrotic tissue from Dai Mubai's lower region, leaving it bare. The dual lights closed the wounds—no stitches needed. With a bandage, sugar beans, and sausages, Dai Mubai would recover in days.
Dai Mubai stirred, waking from a week of agony. His lower body was tightly bandaged, a thick quilt over him. Opening his eyes, he saw a crowd: Ning Fengzhi, Flender, Sword Douluo, Ning Tian, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Shao Xin. The rest had gone with Tang San to find Xiao Wu.
"You're awake?" Flender helped him sit up, propping a pillow behind him.
Ning Rongrong smirked slyly. "Congrats, you're a girl now!"
"A girl?" Dai Mubai, groggy, didn't grasp it. He recalled losing to Ning Tian in Soutuo City's arena, then spiraling in a brothel for a day and night before blacking out. Vaguely, he remembered Flender bringing him back and others tending to him.
Hearing Ning Rongrong, he was still confused. Then Flender said, "Mubai, you owe your life to Sect Leader Ning. Without him, you'd be in deep trouble."
Still numb from Tang San's toxins, Dai Mubai felt nothing odd. He thanked Ning Fengzhi sincerely. "Thank you, Sect Leader Ning."
"No need," Ning Fengzhi replied kindly. "Rest up. With Teacher Shao Xin's sugar beans, you'll be fine in a few days."
Dai Mubai nodded, about to speak when he saw Zhu Zhuqing clinging to Ning Tian's arm. Fury erupted within him.
"Zhu Zhuqing, what are you doing?" he demanded, trying to rise but too weak.
"You made your choices; I can chase my own happiness," Zhu Zhuqing said icily. Her gaze softened as she turned to Ning Tian. "Let's go."
Ning Tian smiled, nodding, then addressed Dai Mubai. "Rest well, Mubai. I'll look after Zhuqing. Uncle Ning, Senior Sword Douluo, I'll wait outside."
He led Zhu Zhuqing out, leaving Dai Mubai seething, eyes ablaze.
"Zhu Zhuqing, you traitor! Ning Tian, stealing my fiancée….you wretched pair! I'll make you pay!" He struggled, reopening his wound.
As the numbness faded, pain surged. He reached down, feeling bare, stinging flesh. "It's… gone?"
The others, digesting the news of his engagement, smirked. Ning Rongrong quipped, "What did you expect? You overdid it and wrecked yourself. Be glad you're alive."
Dai Mubai wanted to snap back but he caught Sword Douluo's piercing stare and swallowed his words.
"Enough, Rongrong," Ning Fengzhi chided, suppressing a smile. He turned to Flender. "Dean Flender, we'll stay a few days. Please arrange rooms."
He aimed to recruit Ning Tian and the others during the visit.
"Ha, no problem. We've got plenty of space," Flender agreed.
Outside, Ning Tian and Zhu Zhuqing waited. Sword Douluo wasted no time, directing Ning Tian to a nearby grove to prepare, promising to join him shortly.
In the dense woods, Sword Douluo stood with his left hand behind his back, right hand holding a sword angled downward. His deep eyes shone beneath a long robe—white with green accents, wrist guards, and a woven belt, giving him the air of a wandering swordsman.
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