At a fork near Seven Treasures City, the group split up. Dugu Yan followed Dugu Bo back to Heaven Dou City for training, while Xu Yang and Ge Erdan returned to Seven Treasures City to prepare for the next phase of cultivation.
"Yan, don't forget to ask Teacher Qin for leave on my behalf. Once my training is complete, I'll return in time for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament!" Xu Yang said.
"Don't worry! I'll talk to Teacher Qin Ming," Dugu Yan replied.
In Seven Treasures City, Ning Fengzhi sat at the head seat, listening to Gu Rong recount the recent events.
"I didn't expect you'd run into those degenerate spirit masters on your journey back, and for Yang'er to kill them all. But what truly surprises me is how serious Yang'er's mindset issue is. I noticed something similar in the Spirit Arena before. Back then, I thought he was just young and that he'd grow out of it. Now it seems we've protected him too much!"
Hearing about how Xu Yang had been gravely wounded fighting the degenerates, cold sweat beaded Ning Fengzhi's forehead. That kind of power surge isn't something one can rely on every time; if it failed at a crucial moment and no one was there to help, Yang'er could have truly died.
With this thought, he turned to Chen Xin, who was sipping tea quietly nearby, and earnestly requested, "Uncle Sword, since Qing'er has reached Titled Douluo level, please take Yang'er with you for a few years of rigorous training. Let him experience life-and-death battles and correct that flawed mindset of his, so he can always perform at his peak!"
"Don't worry and leave it to me! I'll straighten out that brat's twisted mentality," Chen Xin said with a cold smirk as he finished his tea.
At that moment, Xu Yang was with Ning Rongrong, helping her familiarize herself with the Wind Chime Wings, guiding her as she cautiously flew through the air. Over the past four months, Ning Rongrong had advanced past the tenth level and obtained her first spirit ring: an 800-year-old Amber Spirit Cat, a gem-type spirit beast.
This choice had been Xu Yang's suggestion, to see if fusing a gem-type spirit beast's ring with her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda could induce evolution. If successful, it would mean that besides relying on Immortal Herbs, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda might break its natural limitations through other methods.
"Brother Yang, look! I'm flying!" Ning Rongrong called out with delight, her laughter like tinkling bells as she hovered gently in the air.
"Be careful! Watch your spirit power consumption so you don't fall!" Xu Yang cautioned.
"Ah! Brother Yang, save me!" she cried as her spirit power ran dry, causing her to plummet from the sky in a panic. Xu Yang, exasperated, transformed into a streak of light and caught her mid-fall.
He removed the Wind Chime Wings from her back, scolding sternly, "Your spirit power is still too weak. You should wait until you reach Spirit Grandmaster before using these wings. I'm giving them to Master's Wife later."
"Nooo! Brother Yang, I'm sorry! I'll be more careful with my spirit power next time!" Ning Rongrong clung to Xu Yang's arm, her voice soft and pleading. "Don't give them to Mom. If she gets them, she'll definitely stop me from playing!"
"No," Xu Yang replied flatly, knowing full well what trouble the mischievous girl could stir up if left unchecked.
"Hmph! I'll never be nice to you again!" she huffed, jumping out of his arms and turning her back in a pout.
Xu Yang couldn't help but chuckle. She was just too adorable.
"Who's bullying my Rongrong?" came a clear, cool voice. Ning Rongrong instantly ran over and hugged Chen Xin's leg, crying, "Grandpa Sword, Brother Yang bullied me! He won't let me use the Wind Chime Wings!"
Upon hearing it was about the Wind Chime Wings, even the doting Chen Xin's mouth twitched. Over the past few days, Ning Rongrong had crashed countless times using them, though she was always caught by sect disciples. But she had become addicted to the thrill of falling from great heights, which was why Madam Ning had confiscated them.
"Grandpa Sword, you should punish him! He even spanked me the other day. It still hurts!" she added dramatically.
"You brat! How dare you bully Rongrong!" Chen Xin gave Xu Yang a symbolic pat on the shoulder.
"Ow!" Xu Yang played along, clutching his shoulder and groaning exaggeratedly.
"Serves you right! Now hand over the wings!" Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue and reached out for the wings.
"Rongrong, what do you think you're doing?" a cold voice asked from nearby. Ning Rongrong froze, her hand retreating, and turned to see her mother, Madam Ning looking furious.
"I'm sorry, Mom! I won't do it again!" she whimpered.
"Stop being so naughty. Now apologize to your Brother Yang!" Madam Ning twisted Ning Rongrong's ear.
"I'm sorry, Brother Yang!" Ning Rongrong covered her ear and apologized, though her tone lacked sincerity.
"Sigh," Madam Ning sighed. She looked at Chen Xin and Xu Yang and said, "Uncle Sword, Yang'er, I'll take Rongrong back now."
"Qing'er, take your time. I just have something to discuss with this brat," Chen Xin waved, feigning nonchalance. In truth, he was a bit afraid of Madam Ning's scolding, given how much he and Gu Rong spoiled Rongrong.
After Madam Ning and Ning Rongrong left, Chen Xin turned to Xu Yang, who was still pretending to act pitiful, and said sharply, "Enough with the act. Qing'er's gone."
Xu Yang immediately straightened up, grinning sheepishly.
"Pack up. We're leaving Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan for our training soon. It may take a year or two," Chen Xin instructed.
"So soon?!" Xu Yang exclaimed. He had just returned and hadn't even rested for a few days.
Still, despite his reluctance, he obediently went to pack under Chen Xin's sharp gaze. Before long, he stood before Chen Xin with his bag. Chen Xin glanced at him, nodded, and led him out of the sect.
As soon as they left the sect gate, Chen Xin's right hand formed a sword finger and tapped Xu Yang's acupoints several times. Xu Yang immediately felt a strange sensation; though his spirit power could circulate, he couldn't summon his martial soul.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin