Chapter 11: Ties That Bind
Ning Rongrong spoke with a confident tone.
As for winning over these proud Titled Douluo, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had its own ways.
Indeed, that was true.
Although the sect was wealthy enough to rival a nation, their martial spirit had inherent limitations—mainly being of a pure support type. This meant they couldn't rely solely on themselves to secure strength. Instead, they had to depend on the support of the strong.
And to secure these powerful individuals, each generation of sect masters had demonstrated great courage.
In order to win them over, the sect was willing to meet all their demands.
Wealth.
Treasures.
Women.
As long as someone needed it, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could provide.
Otherwise, with someone like Sword Douluo Chen Xin—so proud and aloof—how could he willingly lower himself and serve as a protector for the sect?
"Xiao Wu, do you know why Grandpa Jian is willing to stay with our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?" Ning Rongrong suddenly asked, her tone mysterious.
"Why?" Xiao Wu blinked in confusion.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin—the owner of the continent's foremost attack-type martial spirit—was undoubtedly one of the strongest individuals in the Douluo Continent. Why would someone like him serve under Ning Fengzhi, who would likely never reach Titled Douluo?
No matter how she thought about it, it seemed unreasonable.
"We've given up a lot to keep him in the sect," Ning Rongrong replied with a faint smile. "But there's also a little-known secret."
She leaned closer, her voice lowering.
"Grandpa Jian's wife is actually my father's aunt."
Xiao Wu's eyes widened in realization.
Ah, that made sense.
Family. That was the strongest bond.
No wonder Sword Douluo had been so loyal to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for so many years.
What a clever move!
At the same time, it spoke to the sect's boldness and determination.
"So what are you getting at, Rongrong?" Xiao Wu asked, her gaze sharp and curious.
"In my generation, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect only has one daughter—me," Ning Rongrong said softly, her expression turning complicated. "If the sect needs me to sacrifice something, I will cooperate."
Her meaning was crystal clear.
If Ning Fengzhi needed her to marry Qin Chuan in order to win him over…
Then she, Ning Rongrong, would accept it.
"What about Oscar?" Xiao Wu asked hurriedly, panic flashing in her eyes. "Oscar likes you so much. What will happen to him?"
At the mention of Oscar, Ning Rongrong's expression grew more conflicted.
"Xiao Wu, there's something I've never told you," she said slowly. "Oscar and I… it's impossible."
"My family would never allow me to be with another auxiliary-type spirit master."
Xiao Wu froze, stunned by the truth.
She wasn't naive—she understood the implications.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, as a powerful auxiliary force, only existed to maximize its value through partnerships with combat-types. Even a highly talented auxiliary spirit master like Oscar was not suitable.
"But Xiao Ao really likes you, Rongrong," Xiao Wu pleaded. "Can't you fight for your love? He's so talented—given enough time, he'll definitely become a Titled Douluo."
"And besides, you love him too, don't you?"
"Love is powerful. It can ease pain… and overcome anything."
Ning Rongrong: "…"
Love is powerful? Love can overcome anything?
She was speechless.
Xiao Wu was normally sharp. Why was she sounding like a love-brained fool now?
Didn't she realize?
Ning Rongrong had personally asked her father to invite Qin Chuan into the sect.
Didn't that speak volumes?
Wasn't it obvious?
She was willing to marry that man.
A young Titled Douluo with looks and immense power—how could Oscar even begin to compare?
Why would she insist on Oscar?
Love-brained?
Hmph!
Ning Rongrong cursed a hundred times in her heart. She lifted the curtain of the carriage and prepared to leave.
"Rongrong, where are you going?" Xiao Wu asked from behind.
"To find my father," Ning Rongrong replied flatly.
She didn't want to continue the conversation.
If they kept talking, she feared she might become as emotionally driven as Xiao Wu.
Inside the Tiandou Royal Carriage
"Qin…"
Qian Renxue looked at the man in front of her, her voice trembling with excitement. Seeing the real Qin Chuan again left her unsure how to address him.
"Just call me like you used to," Qin Chuan said casually, seated inside the opulent royal carriage.
He glanced around—indeed, it lived up to its royal status.
The floor was lined with a whole piece of soul beast fur—soft, warm, and plush beneath the feet. The scent of rare sandalwood burned in the air, filling the cabin with a soothing aroma.
"It's not good…" Qian Renxue said softly after a moment of silence.
She remembered—when she left Wuhun City, it had been the day of Qin Chuan's wedding with Bibi Dong.
Which made him… her stepfather now?
"I divorced her," Qin Chuan replied, already anticipating her thoughts. "And I left the Spirit Hall."
"Ah?" Qian Renxue looked up in surprise.
It might've been an illusion, but Qin Chuan thought he saw a glimmer of joy in her eyes.
"There's a lot of complicated details, and it's not convenient to explain them all," he added calmly. "Just know that I'm divorced."
"I see…" Qian Renxue smiled, her expression softer.
Though her appearance hadn't changed, Qin Chuan felt her mood lighten significantly.
"Then I'll keep calling you Brother Qin Chuan?" she asked with a small smile.
"Sure," he nodded.
"Brother Qin Chuan, did you come to see Xue'er this time?" Qian Renxue quickly asked, her smile still present.
"I suppose," Qin Chuan said, his tone shifting slightly. "And I came to kill someone too."
The word "kill" made Qian Renxue pause.
Then her eyes flashed. "Could it be… Tang San?"
"You knew?" Now it was Qin Chuan's turn to be surprised.
"Just a few days ago, Uncle Yueguan came with some men to kill him," Qian Renxue said, her face complicated. "So I guessed you might be here for the same reason."
"Correct. Killing Tang San is one of the reasons I came," Qin Chuan admitted calmly.
"Why, Brother Qin Chuan?" Qian Renxue's voice suddenly rose with emotion, "Didn't you divorce that woman? Didn't you leave Spirit Hall? Why are you still helping her?"
Qin Chuan blinked, taken aback.
"Who said I'm helping her by killing Tang San?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Qian Renxue stood up, her voice rising, "Tang San has twin spirits and incredible talent. He's already become a threat to her—even now, during the All-Continent Elite Competition!"
"She sent Uncle Yueguan and his team to kill him in secret. Don't you know that?!"
Qin Chuan furrowed his brow.
Why was she so worked up?
Then, it struck him.
A long-standing mystery from his past life was finally unraveled.
Why had Qian Renxue tried to win over Tang San in Tiandou City, despite knowing his identity?
It was all because of Bibi Dong.
She wanted to use Tang San—Bibi Dong's greatest threat—as a tool to disgust her.
So long as Tang San continued to rise, Bibi Dong would remain on edge.
She used him as a thorn in her side.
And now… everything made sense.