A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Ning Rongrong spent most of this time comprehending the ring condensation process, resolving most issues before the Haotian Douluo's scheduled delivery of soul bones.
Observing the three purple millennium rings floating serenely around her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, she smiled with satisfaction.
"I've basically figured out the millennium ring framework. As for ten-thousand-year rings, I'll need to wait until all twelve meridians are fully nourished to Great Completion of the Houtian realm."
During this period, she roughly mapped the relationship between soul rings and martial souls:
If martial souls were weapons in a game, soul rings would be gemstone sockets. Ring strength represented gem attributes, while soul skills were special abilities.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, as a unique gem-type martial soul, inherently possessed soul skills. Absorbing rings simply replaced beast skills with its innate abilities - hence why it didn't require specific soul beasts.
This led to key differences:
Ordinary soul masters needed to grind for ring age, skills, and compatibility.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile users only needed ring age.
Human-form hundred-thousand-year soul beasts utilized their latent soul power to create customized rings that couldn't be altered.
Ning Rongrong pioneered a third path - using zhenqi's malleability to create blank rings. Without zhenqi infusion, these remained invisible. Inputting energy equivalent to decade, century, or millennium levels triggered corresponding transformations.
This zhenqi normally returned to her body, only manifesting when needed.
Blank rings' capacity limits depended on physical and mental strength. As her power grew, they could theoretically approach 9,999 years before requiring complete reforging to break the ten-thousand-year threshold.
"Ten-thousand-year rings can wait. There's plenty of time before the Twin Gods' conflict."
"Speaking of time, Tang Hao should arrive soon." She glanced out the window of their luxurious hotel suite - even when traveling, the fabulously wealthy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan stayed only in the best accommodations. The view overlooked Notting City's most prosperous district, though compared to the capital, it resembled a small village.
Then again, what nation's capital wasn't prosperous?
"One spirit-type ten-thousand-year bone plus another ten-thousand-year bone. For a Title Douluo, this shouldn't be difficult." Cooling her thoughts with the breeze, she closed the window.
Exiting her room, she knocked firmly on the adjacent suite's door.
"Father, Grandpa Sword, I'm coming in!" Receiving permission, she entered calmly to find them discussing "Xue Qinghe."
With the Notting City matter concluding, they'd soon return to the capital - where both Tang San and the fake Xue Qinghe (actually Qian Renxue) awaited.
As a support-type soul master, Ning Rongrong instinctively distrusted both. While the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan couldn't remain neutral forever, she hoped to delay choosing sides.
Approaching Ning Fengzhi, she asked: "Father, are you discussing Crown Prince Xue Qinghe?"
"Indeed. This is unavoidable." He sighed heavily.
"You don't seem enthusiastic about becoming his teacher." Her confusion mirrored the novel's unexplained reasoning for this arrangement.
"It's the Crown Prince's insistence. Our recent activities have drawn attention."
The clan's massive herb collections over recent years relied on imperial concessions. They owed Emperor Xue Ye this courtesy.
That the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince - future emperor - would seek apprenticeship under a support-type clan leader was bizarre. Even for political alliances, this exceeded normal protocols.
Unless the empire's decay required desperate measures?
The entire situation reeked of ulterior motives.
"Can you decline?" she ventured.
"Unlikely." The Sword Douluo answered first. "Your father previously negotiated with Emperor Xue Ye. After years of benefiting from imperial favors, we're honor-bound."
"I see..." Ning Rongrong sighed.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan truly had potential as political fence-sitters. Adding the Star Dou Forest and Shrek Academy would complete the trifecta of neutrality.
"Rongrong, what's your opinion of the Crown Prince?" Ning Fengzhi detected her distaste.
"Either genuinely gentle and scholarly... or ruthlessly vicious."
"Oh? Why so extreme?"
"Xue Qinghe wasn't the obvious heir. The suspicious deaths of Princes Two and Three, plus Prince Four Xue Beng's apparent avoidance of him, suggest calculated maneuvering."
"I understand." After thoughtful silence, Ning Fengzhi stood decisively. "Uncle Sword, after hearing Rongrong's analysis, I've decided to accept Xue Qinghe as my disciple."
Sword Douluo: "..."
Ning Rongrong: "?"
What nonsense?!
Ning Fengzhi, have you lost your mind?!
When did I endorse this?! Can't you see I've been opposing it?!
Seeing their bafflement, Ning Fengzhi explained:
"Emperor Xue Ye ages. Heaven Dou needs a strong successor. If Xue Qinghe possesses such shrewdness as Rongrong suggests, the empire will flourish."
"Fengzhi, imperial strength may not benefit our clan," the Sword Douluo cautioned.
"No. With the Spirit Hall's growing threat, stronger empires mean better survival odds. Whether Xue Qinghe is kind or cruel, he won't kill the goose that lays golden eggs while the Spirit Hall remains."
"What truly decided me was Rongrong's attitude." He smiled proudly. "Even if he's ruthless, I needn't worry about her being deceived."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
What twisted logic!
You hesitated because you feared I'd be tricked?!
Gods, this is absurd!
I should've kept my mouth shut!
The real Xue Qinghe's ashes probably scattered long ago. This thing you're accepting is called Qian Renxue!
Ruthlessly vicious... and a love-struck fool!