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If memory served, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wasn't too far from Heaven Dou City. For low-level spirit masters, it was only about an hour's journey.
And with Chen Xin's sword flight, they could reach Heaven Dou City in just a few minutes.
"Far?"
How could it possibly be considered far?
"Zhongli, are you trying to trick me like I'm some kid?"
Paimon crossed her arms, her face scrunched up in anger.
But her delicate voice didn't sound the least bit angry—more like she was pouting.
A quick glance at Paimon made one wonder—her exact age was unclear, but…
Wasn't she literally a child?
"Ugh, you—you cryptic jerk!"
Stomping her feet in midair—a signature Paimon move.
"I'm mad now!"
She huffed, turning her head away from Zhongli.
"Sigh…"
Without a word, Zhongli waved his hand and, seemingly out of nowhere, produced some pastries, placing them on the table.
"Don't think just because you brought out sweets, I'll—I'll forgive you!"
"I'm not like someone from Inazuma…"
"Once we're done here, we'll go to the Seven Treasure Hotel."
Zhongli spoke calmly, his expression unchanging.
"Really?!"
"Zhongli, you're the best!"
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin twitched at the sight. That easy to win her over?
"Please excuse her. Paimon is straightforward—she says what's on her mind."
"No, no, not at all…"
Ning Fengzhi quickly waved his hands. "Paimon has a pure and innocent heart!"
Of course. Naturally.
High emotional intelligence, as expected.
So even you think Paimon's a bit of an airhead, huh?
"Inazuma?"
"Seven Treasure Hotel?"
Ning Fengzhi had no idea where Inazuma was, but the Seven Treasure Hotel—that was his family's business.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Casually, he retrieved a token from his storage-type spirit tool.
On the front, the token bore the characters for "Seven Treasure," while the back displayed the emblem of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Mr. Zhongli, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's enterprises span the entire Douluo Continent, covering all industries imaginable."
"With this token, you may charge any expenses to the sect at any of our affiliated establishments."
"Of course, you need not concern yourself with the formalities afterward. I will assign someone specifically to handle the process."
Ning Fengzhi didn't offer outright free services—instead, he proposed charging to the sect's account.
He wanted Zhongli to understand the value of these goods. A direct freebie wouldn't convey that, but charging to an account was different.
Before coming, they had already investigated—Zhongli was merely a guest advisor to the Crown Prince's estate. He could leave at any time, whether to establish his own faction or join another power.
The situation was similar with Dugu Bo. Though he was a guest advisor to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, even Emperor Xue Ye wouldn't dare protest if he chose to leave.
That advisory position had only been secured for the imperial family thanks to Xue Xing's efforts.
Since Zhongli showed an inclination toward friendship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it was best to strike while the iron was hot and solidify their bond.
"Zhongli, take it. Even Bone and I are the only ones who have this token."
Chen Xin spoke up at this point.
Aside from Ning Fengzhi, who issued the tokens, only the two elder guardians possessed them.
What did that imply?
The meaning was obvious.
This scene felt oddly familiar.
First, there was "Hu Xue" (Hu Tao + Qian Renxue), and now there was "Da Da Fengzhi" (Tartaglia + Ning Fengzhi).
"Weird. How come wherever Zhongli goes, someone ends up paying for him?"
"When I was with the Traveler, we worked ourselves to the bone and still barely scraped together any Mora!"
"Wait… isn't that the whole point of traveling? How could I even think about slacking off?"
Paimon fell deep into thought.
After a brief moment of consideration, Zhongli accepted the token.
The three exchanged pleasantries for a while longer before Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin finally took their leave, smiles on their faces as they departed Zhongli's residence.
Success!
Their friendship was now secured.
Given the current state of affairs, having another powerful ally meant another path forward—especially someone like Zhongli. No matter how you looked at it, this was a worthwhile investment.
On the surface, it might seem like Ning Fengzhi had given away a lot, almost like some kind of charity case. But his goal had always been this fragile, easily shattered "friendship," hadn't it?
Only after the two returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did Chen Xin's expression turn grave.
"Sword Uncle, what's wrong?"
Ning Fengzhi was puzzled. Shouldn't today have been a happy occasion?
"Yeah, Sword Freak, what's with the face? Did the negotiations fall through?"
Gu Rong chimed in at this point.
"No, they went well."
Chen Xin shook his head before continuing, "But Zhongli's intentions and strength… they've left me feeling an unprecedented pressure."
"Intentions? Strength?"
"I could faintly sense that Zhongli's spirit power level is likely one tier above mine—around Rank 97. If my perception is correct."
Chen Xin's tone was solemn. Judging by Paimon's reactions, Zhongli probably wasn't young. That made sense.
With that level of power, he couldn't possibly be some upstart.
"Rank 97?!"
Gu Rong's face also darkened, his expression turning serious.
Only after reaching Rank 95 could one truly understand the gap between Super Douluos.
The difference between Rank 95 and Rank 96 was nearly a 40% increase in spirit power.
Between Rank 96 and Rank 97? Another 50%!
In other words, a Rank 97 powerhouse had almost double the spirit power of a Rank 95 Title Douluo.
Without Ning Fengzhi's support, Zhongli could easily take both of them on single-handedly.
That was the disparity beyond Rank 95.
Ning Fengzhi's expression also shifted. He had initially estimated Zhongli's strength to be between Rank 93 and 95. Never had he imagined the man's spirit power would surpass even Chen Xin's!
Amidst his astonishment, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel a twinge of relief. Thank goodness I didn't make an enemy of him. The consequences would have been unthinkable!
Seeing that Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were only shocked by Zhongli's strength and hadn't grasped the deeper implications, Chen Xin's eye twitched.
"He still hasn't added spirit rings to his second spirit. Once he breaks through to Rank 99, he'll start acquiring rings for it."
"Tell me—do you think he might become the first person in ten thousand years to reach that realm?"
The moment these words left his mouth, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong shuddered.
That realm?
The level beyond Rank 99?
A second spirit with nine spirit rings… It might actually be possible!
Swallowing hard, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong fell into deep contemplation, weighing the pros and cons.
Zhongli wasn't some naive youngster to be trifled with.
At his current strength, in a one-on-one fight, neither Chen Xin nor Gu Rong could guarantee victory.
Facing such a powerhouse, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly couldn't afford to make him an enemy.
In the end, all three reached the same conclusion: Only friendship, never hostility.
This conclusion was only natural. They couldn't defeat him, and even if they joined forces to overpower him, so what?
Killing him would be nearly impossible.
Chasing down a Title Douluo weaker than yourself was difficult enough if they were determined to flee—let alone one stronger than you.
Going after him alone would be no different from suicide.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 50 on my patreon, go check it out.