"Th-that... perhaps you should reconsider?" Ning Rongrong ventured cautiously.
"My decision is made. Don't worry, child - Xue Qinghe won't cause trouble." Ning Fengzhi's greatest fear was this prized cabbage being dug up by the Crown Prince.
When Emperor Xue Ye first proposed the apprenticeship, he had hesitated greatly.
He'd ordered thorough investigations into Xue Qinghe's character and background.
The intelligence portrayed a benevolent, virtuous Crown Prince.
Yet inconsistencies abounded - particularly regarding the suspicious deaths of Princes Two and Three, raising doubts about Xue Qinghe's true nature.
Thus when Ning Rongrong inquired, he'd sought her perspective. Her analysis pleased him immensely.
At least he needn't worry about his daughter being stolen away.
Regardless, alliances were necessary against the Spirit Hall's threat. Nothing offered more political capital than becoming an emperor's mentor.
With Emperor Xue Ye aging beyond likely heirs, Xue Qinghe would inevitably rule. For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, this risk was worthwhile.
"Father, there's no hurry to decide about Xue Qinghe..." Ning Fengzhi emerged from contemplation to find his daughter tugging his sleeve pleadingly.
He waved dismissively. "Rongrong, judging the Crown Prince so harshly without meeting him shows poor strategic thinking. True wisdom requires understanding both sides."
"Xue Qinghe's personality won't affect our clan - that's what matters."
Seeing his earnest expression, Ning Rongrong nearly lost composure.
Do I need you to tell me about Xue Qinghe's true colors?!
Accepting him as disciple leaves only two options:
Side with Spirit Hall or Shrek Academy - neutrality becomes impossible.
As Qian Renxue's teacher, you'd either join Shrek or be branded Spirit Hall's dog regardless. Neutral? Only if others believe it!
Then comes the inevitable:
"Spirit Hall lackey, you've brought death upon yourself."
Earlier, she'd deliberately avoided provoking Tang Hao - why not ambush him with both Title Douluo to seize two hundred-thousand-year bones?
Before coming to Notting City, she'd considered revealing Xiao Wu's identity and Tang Hao's unassimilated Blue Silver Emperor bone. The Sword and Bone Douluo would likely mobilize en masse for such prizes.
Top Three Sects sharing common interests?
Empty rhetoric - only fools believe that.
Two hundred-thousand-year bones and one ring - who wouldn't covet these? Especially with Tang Hao weakened - the rewards outweighed risks.
For the clan's greatness, wasn't this risk justified?
Moreover, how long could the injured Tang Hao last? They could simply exhaust him.
In the original storyline, when Tang Hao rescued Tang San after clashing with Bibi Dong, he'd coughed blood mid-battle - proving even the legendary Haotian Douluo had endurance limits.
Since Bibi Dong (around rank 97-98) couldn't fight fully due to Rakshasa God trials, by comparison - with Ning Fengzhi's amplifications - the near-rank-97 Bone Douluo and rank-97 Sword Douluo might defeat Tang Hao.
Or simply threaten Tang San to distract him in battle.
Yes, despicable methods.
Ning Rongrong admitted her shamelessness!
Yet she ultimately abandoned this plan.
Beyond fears of Tang Hao's potential berserker strength, unreliable rumors suggested Tang San had the Asura God's backing. Better safe than sorry.
Discarding get-rich-quick schemes, she'd embraced "Top Three Sects solidarity" to negotiate with Tang Hao - essentially fleecing him.
As predicted, the transaction succeeded.
But Ning Fengzhi accepting Qian Renxue as disciple? That gave her migraines. His expression practically screamed This apprenticeship is inevitable.
"I've truly shot myself in the foot," Ning Rongrong lamented internally, massaging her temples while devising damage control.
Before she could speak, the conversation halted abruptly.
Unconcealed soul power fluctuations entered through the window as two soul bones were tossed inside like garbage, clattering across the floor.
"One spirit-type, one defensive - both thirty-thousand-year."
"Remember your promise." The energy signature faded rapidly as Tang Hao departed.
The Sword Douluo sealed the window with soundproof barriers.
"I expected barely ten-thousand-year bones. Thirty-thousand-year specimens in this timeframe is impressive."
Each additional ten-thousand years exponentially increased a bone's value.
After verifying their safety and attributes, the Sword Douluo announced:
"Neither suits me or that old skeleton. The smaller spirit-attuned gemstone bone fits Seven Treasure Glazed Tile users perfectly - either Rongrong or Fengzhi could absorb it."
As the wealthiest clan, they possessed numerous soul bones - mostly century or millennium-grade. Ten-thousand-year specimens were rare and often incompatible.
Ill-fitting bones could hinder cultivation, hence why none of the leaders had assimilated any.
"Rongrong, can you use this gemstone bone?" Ning Fengzhi asked as she examined the head bone.
"No." After brief inspection, she handed it over. The Illusionary Wisdom Skull held little appeal, though its embedded skill - Illusory Space - inspired ideas for self-created techniques.
While martial soul rules restricted zhenqi, they barely constrained mental powers.
"Perhaps an experiment is in order..."