Half a month later, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's long-prepared Title Ceremony was finally about to begin.
During this time, the vanguard of various sects had already arrived. However, the real bigshots were still taking their time, and it was estimated they would only arrive on the last day.
In recent days, Tianlin hadn't been cultivating much. Instead, he spent most of his time accompanying Ning Rongrong. Watching the couple being so inseparable, Gu Ran couldn't help but feel envious.
This stirred something within him, and he finally resolved to pursue Ye Lingling. Upon hearing this, Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi fully supported him. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was peerless in amplification abilities, and if Gu Ran could bring the strongest healer into their clan, they would wholeheartedly approve.
Soon, the day of the ceremony officially arrived. As the heir to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, as well as the future Guardian Douluo of the clan, Ning Rongrong, Tianlin, and Gu Ran could not miss today. Each of them stood behind the sect master and elders, waiting to welcome the arriving guests.
"Sect Master Hu Yan of the Elephant Armored Clan has arrived!" A disciple at the reception hall announced loudly, signaling the arrival of an important figure.
"Haha, Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, it's been a long time!" A massive figure strode in, laughing heartily. The man stood at least 2.5 meters tall, like a towering mountain of flesh, exuding an imposing aura. His large body, and copper-bell-like eyes made Ning Fengzhi, standing next to him, look like a child in comparison.
This was Hu Yan Zhen, the sect master of the Elephant Armored Clan and an 87th-level defensive-type Soul Douluo.
The Elephant Armored Clan was known as the strongest defensive clan in the world. Their inherited martial soul, the Diamond Mammoth, combined both immense strength and defense. However, as the sect master, Hu Yan Zhen was not considered the strongest in defense on the continent.
That title belonged to Bone Douluo Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Because of this, Hu Yan Zhen harbored deep resentment toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Tianlin knew that Hu Yan Zhen had secretly aligned himself with Spirit Hall, hoping to replace the Upper Three Clans' position.
Tianlin remembered that in the original story, Hu Yan Zhen had participated in Spirit Hall's hunt against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. In Tianlin's heart, this man was already sentenced to death.
Despite Hu Yan Zhen's formidable defense, his intelligence wasn't high. After all, this was someone who dared to use his body to withstand the Sea God's Trident. Dealing with him wouldn't be too difficult.
"Sect Master Hu Yan, your esteemed presence brings great honor to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Please, take your seat," Ning Fengzhi said politely, though his tone was neither warm nor cold. With Ning Fengzhi's keen insight, he had likely already detected Hu Yan Zhen's collusion with Spirit Hall. Since they could no longer be allies, there was no need to be overly enthusiastic; basic courtesy would suffice.
Afterward, several more guests from various sects arrived. Among the Lower Four Sects, most of them only sent representatives, such as the Holy Dragon Clan, which was represented by Tuoba Xi's younger brother, Tuoba Ye.
From the Heaven Dou Empire, the guest wasn't Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, who was occupied with state affairs. Instead, Prince Xue Xing attended as Emperor Xue Ye's representative. Given Prince Xue Xing's status in the empire, his presence was entirely appropriate.
Additionally, the grandfather of the Shi brothers, Shi Lei, also arrived. Although he didn't belong to any sect, he was one of the few Soul Douluos on the continent who could rival Hu Yan Zhen in defensive capabilities.
Shi Lei had a close relationship with Gu Rong, and the two often exchanged insights on defense techniques.
"Haha, old turtle, why are you so late? I've been missing you so much. Later, you'll have to drink three cups as punishment!" Gu Rong greeted him enthusiastically.
"Old bones, forget three cups; I'll drink thirty if I have to! First, to celebrate your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan gaining another Title Douluo, and second, to express my gratitude. My two grandsons came home and told me that they made such great progress recently thanks to Tianlin's divine-grade elixirs. I had to come personally to thank you." Shi Lei spoke gratefully.
A while ago, his two grandsons had returned home with remarkable improvements, shocking him. Upon learning that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had helped them, Shi Lei seized this opportunity to extend his gratitude in person.
"That has nothing to do with me. It's all Tianlin's doing. Tianlin, come here." Gu Rong called Tianlin over and introduced him. "This is Shi Lei, an 85th-level defensive-type Soul Douluo and the grandfather of the Shi brothers. He's here specifically to thank you."
"Greetings, Senior. The Shi brothers are my friends. At the academy, they've always taken care of me, so I was simply returning the favor. There's no need to be so formal," Tianlin said, clasping his hands respectfully.
Shi Lei nodded approvingly. "A young genius indeed. At such a young age, your soul power is already so high, far surpassing my grandsons. Tianlin, right? Since you're friends with my grandsons, I'll call you Xiao Tian."
"Xiao Tian, you've helped my grandsons today. In the future, I'll repay this favor handsomely!" Shi Lei said solemnly.
Shi Lei seemed to be a man of principle, someone who always repaid kindness. This was good news for Tianlin, as a favor from a Soul Douluo was incredibly valuable.
"The Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, His Eminence Thunder Douluo, has arrived!"
At this moment, an extremely important guest arrived—the sect master of the third-ranked sect, Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen.
Ning Fengzhi quickly went out to greet him. After all, in terms of status, Yu Yuanzhen was his equal.
"Hmph!" Hu Yan Zhen snorted coldly, displeased by Ning Fengzhi's blatant preferential treatment. The bias toward the Upper Three Clans was far too obvious. So what if they were the Upper Three Clans? One day, he would replace them.
Tianlin followed Ning Fengzhi outside. The guest was a middle-aged man whose cultivation was similar to Gu Rong's back in the day. Despite his advanced soul power, Yu Yuanzhen still looked remarkably youthful for someone over 80.
It was said that Yu Yuanzhen was a gallant and righteous leader, proud of his martial soul and deeply protective of his clan's interests. He was a man who once fought Sword Douluo Chen Xin to a draw using his clan's signature Dragon Transformation technique.
"Your Eminence Thunder Douluo, it's been a long time. I'm honored by your personal visit today. Thank you for coming," Ning Fengzhi said. Although he was a sect master, Ning Fengzhi was still only a Soul Douluo. In front of a Title Douluo, he appeared slightly deferential.
This was why he had spent years striving to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Sect Master Ning, you're too kind. I came not only to celebrate but also to discuss something important," Yu Yuanzhen said.
"Oh? May I ask what it is?" Ning Fengzhi asked curiously.
Yu Yuanzhen smiled mysteriously. "Allow me to keep it a secret for now. I'll explain after the Title Ceremony."
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi didn't press further. He quickly invited Yu Yuanzhen and his grandson, Yu Tianheng, inside.
By now, most of the important guests had arrived, and the Title Ceremony was about to begin. However, at this moment, an unexpected group of visitors had already reached the city gates.