Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

Xiao Wu's trembling body inexplicably calmed a little when she heard Lin Jie's words.

At that moment, Bone Douluo suddenly sensed a faint, strange aura. His gaze followed the source of it—landing precisely on Lin Jie.

Xiao Wu, still anxious about Tang San, cautiously poked her head out from behind Lin Jie and immediately met the gaze of the Title Douluo. Her heart tightened, and she quickly ducked her head back down.

Bone Douluo frowned slightly as he looked at Lin Jie—and the girl hiding closely behind him. He thought he had sensed the presence of a spirit beast's aura, faint and elusive. Was it a mistake? It must have been. Shaking his head, Bone Douluo turned his attention back to Tang San, still reeling from the revelation that this boy belonged to the Clear Sky Clan.

"I'm fine," Tang San responded calmly to Oscar and the others' concern. Then, turning his gaze toward the source of the brilliant multicolored light, he was surprised to recognize a familiar figure—it was the man he'd met at the auction house. Back then, Tang San had realized his strength was lacking and had intended to forge more powerful hidden weapons. However, quality materials were rare and money was tight, so he had auctioned off his Silent Sleeve Darts and Sandstorm Needle Launcher—and ended up crossing paths with this man.

"It's you?" Tang San exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, it's me. Looks like fate has brought us together again," Ning Fengzhi replied with a faint smile.

Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes and asked curiously, "Daddy, you know Third Brother?"

Tang San immediately realized—this man was none other than the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. He offered a respectful salute. "Sect Master Ning, thank you for stepping in."

Ning Fengzhi smiled and waved it off. "No need to be so formal. You're a friend of Rongrong's, and she calls you 'Third Brother.' I'd be happier if you called me Uncle Ning."

Tang San hesitated at Ning Fengzhi's friendly tone but quickly replied, "Hello, Uncle Ning."

"Good, good. Since you've accepted me as your uncle, let's settle today's matter first," Ning Fengzhi said, shifting his attention to Tai Tan.

Tang San's expression grew solemn. He glanced at the now burnt-out incense stick. Though he didn't understand why Tai Tan had suddenly withdrawn his pressure, he knew in his heart that had the challenge continued uninterrupted, he might have lost. As unwilling as he was to admit it, a loss was still a loss.

Turning, he saw Tai Tan approaching with Tai Long and Tai Nuo, all three of them now smiling.

Before Tang San could speak, Tai Tan looked at him seriously and asked, "You're called Tang San. Is your father named Tang Hao?"

Tang San had been thinking of asking for a rematch, but Tai Tan's sudden question startled him. "How do you know that?" he blurted out.

His reaction confirmed it. He really was from the Clear Sky Clan.

To everyone's shock, Tai Tan, Tai Long, and Tai Nuo all dropped to their knees with a loud thud.

With deep emotion in his voice, Tai Tan declared, "Your humble servant Tai Tan greets the young master!"

Just moments ago, this man had been fiercely imposing. Now he was kneeling and calling Tang San "young master"? Not only was Tang San dumbfounded—everyone present was utterly stunned.

Fortunately, Ning Fengzhi stepped in to defuse the awkwardness, and with Flender's help, everyone moved back inside Shrek Academy.

Xiao Wu, still worried about Tang San, finally relaxed a little seeing that he was unharmed. But now that he had a Title Douluo like Tai Tan at his side, she didn't dare get close—or perhaps, she didn't want to.

Tang San was too overwhelmed to notice Xiao Wu wasn't beside him.

Flender arranged for Tai Tan's group and Ning Fengzhi's party to each have their own room. Then, pulling Tang San aside, he spoke gravely, "Little San, no matter what they say later, don't give them an answer right away. Understood?"

Tang San nodded and walked toward the room where Tai Tan was waiting. More than anything, he wanted answers about his father.

Meanwhile, Lin Jie and Xiao Wu were in a separate room and hadn't joined the others.

Zhu Zhuqing looked around and quickly noticed Lin Jie's absence. She turned and left the hall.

"Zhuqing, where are you going?" Ning Rongrong called out when she saw her leave.

"Didn't you notice that Xiao Wu and Lin Jie aren't here?" Zhu Zhuqing replied. At her words, Ning Rongrong scanned the room—sure enough, they were gone.

"I'll go see where they are," Zhu Zhuqing said before heading out. Ning Rongrong, after a moment's thought, decided to go find her father. Lin Jie would likely come to speak with him soon anyway, and the thought brought a smile to her face.

After a short search, Zhu Zhuqing heard voices from one of the classrooms. She walked over and found Xiao Wu and Lin Jie sitting close together, deep in conversation. Though she didn't know what they were discussing, she thought nothing of it and entered the room.

"Zhuqing, what brings you here?" Lin Jie asked as she walked in.

"I noticed you were gone and came to check," she replied, then glanced at Xiao Wu and saw something off in her expression.

"Xiao Wu, is everything okay? You don't look well," she asked gently.

"I'm fine," Xiao Wu replied softly, shaking her head.

Lin Jie stood and walked toward the main hall but hadn't gotten far when Ning Rongrong came running up to him.

"My father wants to see you," she said brightly.

Lin Jie had always been curious about Ning Fengzhi, so he followed her to the room where the sect master waited.

Inside, Tang San was just preparing to leave. Judging by the atmosphere, the conversation had already concluded.

"Since that's the case, Uncle Ning, I'll take my leave," Tang San said, heading out.

He nodded to Lin Jie as they passed. Lin Jie returned the greeting and then turned toward Ning Fengzhi.

"Father, this is Lin Jie," Ning Rongrong said excitedly.

Lin Jie recognized Ning Fengzhi's attire—it was the same as when they'd met at the auction house. The man beside him had to be Bone Douluo, Gu Rong.

"Greetings, Sect Master Ning," Lin Jie said with a calm smile.

"So you're Lin Jie. Rongrong praises you often. Now that I've met you, I see her compliments weren't exaggerated," Ning Fengzhi replied evenly.

"Sect Master Ning flatters me. I've long heard of your great name. Now that we've met, I can say it's well deserved," Lin Jie answered with practiced politeness.

Hearing these courteous words from Lin Jie made Ning Fengzhi feel... oddly off.

Without waiting for further invitation, Lin Jie walked over and casually sat down on the sofa. This was Shrek Academy, after all—not Ning Fengzhi's domain. No need for excessive formality.

Both Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi were a bit taken aback. A Title Douluo and a top sect master had just been casually ignored by this youth.

Ning Rongrong followed suit and sat right next to Lin Jie, grinning.

Ning Fengzhi watched his daughter's cheerful expression and felt his suspicions solidify—there was definitely something going on between her and this Lin Jie.

"So, what did Sect Master Ning wish to see me about?" Lin Jie asked directly.

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "You and Rongrong are schoolmates. If you don't mind, like Tang San, you can call me Uncle Ning."

Lin Jie thought for a moment. Given his relationship with Ning Rongrong, it wasn't unreasonable. "Uncle Ning."

"Since you've called me Uncle Ning, then I'll call you Little Jie. Is that alright?" Ning Fengzhi said casually.

Lin Jie nodded. "You're Rongrong's father, so I don't mind."

Ning Fengzhi blinked. Wasn't this almost the same exchange he'd had with Tang San just now?

Lin Jie noticed the subtle shift in Ning Fengzhi's expression and smiled slightly. He was certain Ning Fengzhi had heard things and came here to probe. "Uncle Ning, feel free to speak directly."

"In that case, I'll be straightforward. Little Jie, I'm here to ask if you'd be willing to join our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan," Ning Fengzhi said seriously, his gaze fixed on Lin Jie.