It wasn't long after his return to the Spirit Hall that Song Qing's adventurous spirit began to stir once more. The thrill of exploring new places and spending time with his friends was something he greatly enjoyed. The memories of playing with Rongrong and the fun he had with Sister Yan and Sister Lingling were still fresh in his mind.
"Teacher," Song Qing said one sunny morning, his voice bright and cheerful as he stood before Bibi Dong, "I was wondering if I could go back to Heaven Dou City for a little while? I want to play with my friends there, especially Sister Yan, Sister Lingling, and Rongrong." He tilted his head, his dark eyes wide and innocent.
Bibi Dong looked at her beloved disciple, her gaze softening. She subtly sensed his current soul power, the faint aura he was projecting through his Veiled Aura skill indicating a comfortable level of 45. 'He's progressing so quickly,' she thought, a wave of pride washing over her. 'A little time to relax and play will do him good.'
"Very well, Qing'er," she said, her voice gentle. "You may go. I will have Elder Gui and Elder Yue accompany you in secret to ensure your safety."
Song Qing's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Teacher! You're the best!"
As Song Qing excitedly prepared for his trip, Bibi Dong retired to her study. A thought had been brewing in her mind ever since Song Qing had mentioned his desire to cooperate with the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Clan. She picked up a piece of parchment and began to write, her elegant script flowing across the page.
'Qing'er's idea… it wasn't without merit,' she mused as she wrote. 'An alliance with the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Clan could indeed be beneficial for the Spirit Hall, especially considering their immense wealth and influence.' She carefully crafted a letter addressed to Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Clan. In it, she expressed her willingness to discuss a formal alliance between their two powers. She even offered to provide his clan with the means to evolve their Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Pagoda into the legendary Nine Treasure Glaze Tile Pagoda – the Immortal Flower that Song Qing had mentioned. In return, she proposed a continuous contribution of a portion of their vast wealth to the Spirit Hall and, of course, their unwavering support. She also offered the Spirit Hall's protection for their various businesses and ventures.
Meanwhile, in the Heaven Dou City, Ning Fengzhi received the letter delivered by a discreet, high-ranking member of the Spirit Hall. As he read the contents, his refined features contorted in utter shock. 'These conditions… they are incredibly favorable to us!' he thought, his mind reeling. The terms proposed by the Pope were almost too good to be true. The Spirit Hall, in essence, was offering them the key to their clan's ultimate evolution, along with protection, in exchange for what amounted to a relatively small percentage of their immense fortune.
'Why would the Pope offer such generous terms?' he pondered, his brow furrowed in confusion. Then, the image of the adorable Holy Son flashed in his mind. 'It must be him,' he realized. 'This must be the Holy Son's doing, or at least heavily influenced by him.' He recalled the boy's earnest desire for cooperation and his promise of the Immortal Flower. It seemed the Spirit Hall valued their Holy Son's wishes immensely.
Without hesitation, Ning Fengzhi penned a swift reply, accepting the Pope's প্রস্তাব on behalf of the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Clan. He entrusted the letter to his most trusted messenger, instructing him to deliver it back to the Spirit Hall with utmost urgency. From that moment on, the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Clan and the Spirit Hall were officially allies.
A few days later, Song Qing arrived in Heaven Dou City, his heart filled with excitement. As promised, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo remained hidden, their senses constantly alert, ensuring the Holy Son's safety without hindering his fun.
His first stop was naturally the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to meet Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. Dugu Yan's face lit up like a thousand stars when she saw the familiar figure of Little Qing approaching. "Little Qing! You're here!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to greet him with a warm hug.
"Sister Yan!" Song Qing replied, his voice filled with genuine affection. He was truly fond of this straightforward and kind elder sister.
Dugu Xin and Senior Dugu Bo also emerged, their expressions welcoming. "Little Friend Qing," Dugu Bo rumbled, a hint of a smile on his usually stern face. "Good to see you again."
For the next couple of days, Song Qing spent his time exploring Heaven Dou City with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. Dugu Yan, acting as the perfect guide, showed him all the new and interesting shops and entertainment venues that had sprung up since his last visit. They strolled through bustling marketplaces, their laughter echoing through the crowds as they sampled local delicacies and played various street games.
"Look, Little Qing! They have a new shop that sells all sorts of interesting spirit beast trinkets!" Dugu Yan exclaimed, pulling him towards a brightly colored stall. Song Qing, always generous, bought her a beautiful hairpin shaped like a miniature emerald snake, which made her beam with happiness. In return, Dugu Yan insisted on buying him several exquisite silk robes and some delicious candied fruits that she knew he loved.
Ye Lingling, always the quieter one, enjoyed their company immensely, her gentle smile a constant presence. She often pointed out interesting plants and herbs they came across, sharing her knowledge with Song Qing, who listened with genuine interest.
One afternoon, Dugu Yan decided to treat Song Qing to a home-cooked meal at her residence in Heaven Dou City. She spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen, preparing a feast of his favorite dishes, with Ye Lingling happily assisting her. The aroma that wafted through the house was enough to make anyone's mouth water. Song Qing thoroughly enjoyed the meal, feeling a warmth and comfort that reminded him of being with his own family. They spent the evening chatting and laughing, their friendship growing stronger with each passing moment.
Meanwhile, news of Song Qing's arrival in Heaven Dou City quickly reached the ears of the Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Clan through their extensive network of informants. Ning Rongrong, who had been eagerly awaiting his return, was ecstatic.
"Grandpa Bone! Grandpa Sword! Qing is here! He's in Heaven Dou City!" she exclaimed, bursting into the hall where Gu Rong and Chen Xin were enjoying a quiet afternoon.
Gu Rong chuckled, his skeletal face softening at her excitement. "Yes, Rongrong, we heard. Calm down, child."
"But I want to see him! Can you take me to him, Grandpa Bone? Please?" Ning Rongrong pleaded, her bright cyan eyes wide and imploring. She had been looking forward to seeing Qing ever since he had left, and the thought of him being so close yet so far was unbearable.
Chen Xin smiled indulgently. "Why don't you go, Gu Rong? The little girl is clearly missing her friend."
Gu Rong sighed dramatically, though a hint of amusement danced in his hollow eyes. "Alright, alright. Anything for my precious Rongrong." He stood up, his tall, skeletal frame casting a long shadow. "Let's go then, little one."
It didn't take long for Gu Rong to locate Song Qing in the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City. However, as they approached, Ning Rongrong's steps faltered. Her bright smile faded, replaced by a look of surprise and a flicker of something akin to jealousy.
There, in the middle of a lively marketplace, was Song Qing, happily playing a game of catch with a beautiful elder sister. The woman had long, flowing violet hair that cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall, and her emerald green eyes sparkled with laughter as she tossed a small, brightly colored ball to Song Qing. Ning Rongrong didn't recognize her, but a strange, uncomfortable feeling welled up inside her.
'Who is that?' Ning Rongrong thought, her brow furrowing slightly. She didn't like the way Qing was laughing with this other girl. It was the same joyful laughter he shared with her, and seeing him share it with someone else made her feel… possessive.
Without a word, Ning Rongrong marched forward, her small figure radiating a surprising amount of determination. "Qing!" she called out, her voice a little louder than intended.
Song Qing turned his head, his eyes widening in surprise and then lighting up with pleasure as he saw her. "Rongrong! You're here!"
Before he could say another word, Ning Rongrong rushed forward and latched onto his arm, her small hands gripping him tightly. She then turned her gaze towards Dugu Yan, her cyan eyes sizing her up with a mixture of curiosity and a hint of childish hostility.
"Qing, who is this?" Ning Rongrong asked, her voice a little too sweet as she looked up at Song Qing, her grip on his arm tightening possessively. She subtly positioned herself closer to him, as if to claim him as her own.
Dugu Yan, slightly taken aback by the sudden appearance of the young girl clinging to Song Qing, smiled kindly. "Hello there! My name is Dugu Yan. I'm a friend of Little Qing's."
Ning Rongrong returned her smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh," she said, her tone implying otherwise. "Well, Qing is my friend too. We were just about to go play, weren't we, Qing?" She looked up at Song Qing with an adorable, pleading expression, her cyan eyes sparkling with an unspoken request.
Song Qing, who found Ning Rongrong's sudden possessiveness rather amusing and undeniably cute, chuckled softly. He gently patted her head. "Yes, Rongrong, we were. Sister Yan was just showing me around." He looked at Dugu Yan. "Sister Yan, this is my good friend, Ning Rongrong."
Dugu Yan's smile widened. "It's nice to meet you, Rongrong. Little Qing has told me a lot about you."
Ning Rongrong's grip on Song Qing's arm didn't loosen. "It's nice to meet you too," she said, her gaze still fixed on Dugu Yan, a hint of challenge in her eyes. "But Qing and I have lots of playing to do, so if you'll excuse us…" She then proceeded to tug Song Qing away, her small figure radiating the adorable selfishness of a pampered princess who had just found her favorite toy playing with someone else. Song Qing, enjoying her antics, allowed himself to be led away, a fond smile playing on his lips.