NOVEL WEB Chapter 23: Chapter 23: A Grown-Up Bibi Dong
Chapter 23: A Grown-Up Bibi Dong
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
If the Clear Sky Clan was a towering mountain piercing the clouds, then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was a vast plain. Occupying an area about one-twentieth the size of Heaven Dou City, it was only slightly smaller than the imperial palace there. The clan's grounds exuded luxury; everywhere one looked, crystal spires shaped like Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagodas rose up. At night, their blue crystal surfaces glimmered with light.
At the very center of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan stood a magnificent pagoda-like palace bathed in gold and brilliance, constructed entirely from gold and various precious minerals. It was the clan's main hall: the Seven Treasure Hall.
In the central area of the hall, a carved wooden seat stood as the primary throne. An enormous jade stone was inlaid in the seat back, emanating a gentle green radiance like the finest warm jade. And sitting in that seat was a young man with a refined, scholarly air. He wore an immaculate white robe, and his expression was calm, resembling that of an ordinary person if not for the grand surroundings.
This young man was Ning Fengzhi, the contemporary master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Though he had assumed leadership only a few years earlier, he recruited both the Sword and Bone Douluo and negotiated numerous commercial dealings with Heaven Dou's royal family, thus securing colossal benefits for his clan. He was lauded as their most brilliant leader in a century.
Seated in ornately carved chairs to Ning Fengzhi's left and right were two elderly men. One stood over two meters tall, large in frame, with a rather unattractive face and a sparsely haired forehead. The other man was the polar opposite: clad in white robes, white hair meticulously combed, remarkably handsome features, and skin as smooth as a baby's. He and his companion exuded great tension between them.
They were the Sword and Bone Douluo. Each had reached rank 94 Titled Douluo, their strengths nearly equal. Each harbored a determination to surpass the other.
Bone Douluo spoke: "Fengzhi, Elder Qi has already left. In the last Seven Great Clans re-selection conference, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan only took third place. Now that the Clear Sky Clan's previous master, Tang Chen, is missing, and their current master Tang Zhen—though a Titled Douluo—has only a slight edge over us, they're shorthanded. Plus, the 'Shuang Xing' (Twin Stars) of Clear Sky haven't matured yet, and Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is about the same rank 94 as we are. This time around, our clan has the best chance to topple the Clear Sky Clan and become the number-one sect on the continent."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Bone Uncle, Sword Uncle, I have absolute confidence in your strength. Still, even if our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan snags the title of top sect, the Wuhun Hall will remain above us all."
The re-selection of the Seven Great Clans was organized by the Wuhun Hall. All the great sects of the continent competed, but Wuhun Hall held an aloof, non-participatory stance. While powerful sects like the top three might begrudge the Hall's dominance, they had no choice but to comply with its rules for ranking, which showed that no matter how prestigious these sects were, they were still a tier below the Wuhun Hall.
Sword and Bone Douluo fell silent, expressions grave. What could they do? One of the twin pillars among soul masters—Qian Daoliu, rank 99—remained at the Wuhun Hall. Back in the day, Tang Chen had balanced the scales, but now Tang Chen was missing, leaving the Wuhun Hall unchallenged.
"Fengzhi!"
A cheerful, melodious voice rang out, dispelling the heaviness in their faces and replacing it with bright smiles.
At the entrance of the grand hall, a girl in a purple gown hopped in, blatantly disregarding any etiquette rules. She seemed utterly free to do as she pleased.
She looked around eleven or twelve years old. Her skin was fair as snow—so tender, it seemed one could squeeze water from it. Despite her youth, her figure had already developed noticeably: a slender waist, a sweet, immature face on the verge of perfection. Given a few more years, she'd likely captivate the entire continent.
She was Bibi Dong, the girl whom Qian Xunji had traded to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan five years earlier. Now adopted by the previous clan master, Ning Zhiping, she was formally Ning Fengzhi's foster cousin.
"Dong'er."
Ning Fengzhi smiled fondly, his gaze revealing undisguised affection and even a hint of eagerness. Though Bibi Dong was not yet twelve, she had already reached the Soul Elder rank with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's resources. She was destined to become a Titled Douluo if she could handle the twin martial soul backlash. If so, the clan could very well produce a mighty expert rivaling Tang Chen.
Stepping forward, Ning Fengzhi attempted to caress Bibi Dong's flawless cheek, but she twisted away, pouting. "Fengzhi-gege, I'm not a little girl anymore. You can't just pinch my cheeks like you used to."
"Alright," Ning Fengzhi said ruefully, retracting his hand. In truth, he longed for greater intimacy with Bibi Dong, but she seemed to treat him only as a brother. With such a genius, all he could do was lavish her with care—particularly since the two old men by his side wouldn't tolerate him behaving otherwise.
"Uncle Sword, what were you discussing?"
Bibi Dong asked Sword Douluo with a curious gleam in her big eyes.
Sword Douluo smiled. "We were talking about the new re-selection of the Seven Great Clans."
"Oh, the new re-selection! I heard it's in the Wuhun Hall," Bibi Dong said, her bright eyes shining. "Fengzhi-gege, Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, take me along, will you? Apart from going to hunt soul beasts, I've never traveled far from here."
"How could we—"
Ning Fengzhi hesitated. He doted on Bibi Dong deeply, almost as though afraid she would melt if he held her in his mouth or break if he held her in his hand. When Bibi Dong went to the Star Dou Great Forest to acquire her spirit ring, he sent Sword Douluo with her, while he and Bone Douluo stayed behind. If Bibi Dong went to this Seven Great Clans re-selection, nearly every top expert on the continent would converge in Wuhun City. If she were harmed… the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan couldn't possibly quell their rage, no matter how they avenged her.
"Uncle Sword, please take me," Bibi Dong pleaded, pressing herself against Sword Douluo, tears sparkling in her wide eyes. It looked as though she'd burst into sobs if they refused.
Seeing how Bibi Dong affectionately clung to Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo felt a twinge of jealousy. He adored Bibi Dong no less than the others did, yet she was never as close with him as she was with Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo. He once asked her why; Bibi Dong had replied that "Bone Uncle looks scary." That hurt him deeply—was it his fault his martial soul caused him to look frightening?
"Fengzhi, let's bring Dong'er," Sword Douluo said. "Children her age are full of curiosity. If anyone tries to harm her, these old bones of mine will stake everything to take them down."
Ning Fengzhi saw that both Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo agreed, plus he couldn't resist Bibi Dong's watery, pleading gaze. Sighing, he gave a small nod.
"Yes!" Bibi Dong leaped for joy.
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