"Yiran, be good. It's all Grandpa's fault; I nearly hurt you," Dragon Duke gently comforted Meng Yiran as he stroked her hair. "Now, go thank your two saviors, His Excellency Thunderhawk and our young friend, Sword Prince."
"His Excellency!" Meng Yiran exclaimed in shock. Such a title was reserved exclusively for Title Douluos. Even her grandfather was only addressed as "Lord" at most. Yet, the unassuming middle-aged man before her turned out to be a Title Douluo.
Though she was occasionally spoiled due to her grandfather's doting nature, she dared not act recklessly in front of a Title Douluo. She immediately bowed politely and said, "Yiran thanks Your Excellency and Sword Prince for saving my life."
"No need to be overly formal, young girl," Yin Yang replied with a smile. "Today, you successfully absorbed a soul ring beyond your level, which promises great potential for your future. If you join our sect in the future, you may receive substantial cultivation resources."
Hearing this, Meng Yiran glanced curiously at her grandfather. Focused entirely on absorbing the soul ring earlier, she had missed their earlier conversations.
Dragon Duke explained, "Yiran, to express gratitude to these two for saving your life, I've decided to lead the Dragon and Serpent Clan in joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. From now on, we'll be an affiliated family of the sect. You and Sword Prince here will be sect siblings, so you must get along well."
Dragon Duke had his plans. While he had no intention of going back on his decision to join the sect, he was already thinking of how to secure a better position for his family within it. Tianlin, as Sword Douluo's only direct disciple, possessed extraordinary talent and twin martial souls—his potential seemed limitless. Whether in strength or status, he was a perfect match for his granddaughter.
However, Tianlin, seeing through Dragon Duke's matchmaking intentions, merely smiled and said, "Of course. Sister Meng is a few years older than me, so it's only proper for me to address her as such. I believe my Rongrong will also be very welcoming toward this beautiful older sister."
Hearing Tianlin's polite yet clear refusal, Dragon Duke felt slightly embarrassed. It turned out that Sword Prince already had someone in his heart. His earlier suggestion was indeed too rash. Just as he was about to feel disappointed, Serpent Granny whispered something in his ear, which immediately lit up his eyes.
It appeared that, apart from Tianlin, there was another exceptional individual—an incredibly talented food-type soul master they had encountered recently. If they could recruit this food-type soul master, who had the potential to become a Title Douluo, into their clan, their standing within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would remain significant. After all, a food-type Title Douluo had never before existed on the continent.
No one could imagine the immense impact a food-type Title Douluo would have on the battlefield.
As dawn broke, Tianlin, accompanied by Yin Yang, Dragon Duke, and others, returned to the camp. Unsurprisingly, the rest of the group was anxiously searching for him.
The moment she saw Tianlin, Ning Rongrong happily threw herself into his arms. "Sword Brother! Where did you go? I've been so worried!"
Dragon Duke, seeing Ning Rongrong for the first time, had to admit that she truly was even more beautiful than his granddaughter. No wonder she had captured the heart of someone like Sword Prince.
"Rongrong, why do you only have eyes for your Sword Brother? Don't you notice your Grandpa Eagle standing here?" Yin Yang teased, feigning jealousy. He had always regarded Ning Rongrong as his own granddaughter.
"Grandpa Eagle, why are you here too?" Only then did Ning Rongrong notice Yin Yang's presence.
"I've been here the entire time, never too far away. Otherwise, do you think your father and your Sword-Bone grandpas would have let you wander out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect on your own without me secretly protecting you?" Yin Yang replied with a mock sternness.
"It's all Rongrong's fault for worrying Father and my grandpas. I'll be good from now on and always listen to you," Ning Rongrong said sweetly, acting coquettish. Faced with her adorableness, Yin Yang's heart instantly softened—he simply couldn't stay mad at her.
Meanwhile, Zhao Wuji and the others approached to pay their respects. "Greetings, Your Excellency Thunderhawk Douluo," Zhao Wuji said on behalf of the group. Yin Yang, however, had little interest in them and only gave a faint acknowledgment.
Turning to Ning Rongrong, Tianlin apologized, "Sorry, Rongrong. I had to take care of some matters last night." He then pulled her closer and introduced her to the others. "Rongrong, you already know Serpent Granny. This is Dragon Duke, a renowned figure across the continent and an eighty-eighth-level Soul Douluo. He has agreed to join our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Really?" Ning Rongrong was momentarily stunned. Her Sword Brother had gone out for just one night and managed to secure such a powerful ally for their sect.
"It's true. From now on, I am a member of your sect, young sect master," Dragon Duke confirmed. He had already adapted to his new role and even addressed Ning Rongrong as Young Sect Master.
"Thank you, Senior. Welcome to our sect. I will rely on your guidance in the future," Ning Rongrong said, gracefully curtseying with a touch of noble elegance. Under the guidance of Ning Fengzhi and Tianlin over the years, she started to develop the demeanor of a true Young Sect Master.
Watching this scene, Zhao Wuji and the others couldn't help but feel astonished. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's power had grown even stronger. With Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny joining forces, they could rival an ordinary Title Douluo. Coupled with their other members, the sect now effectively possessed the strength of five Title Douluos.
Even the Spirit Hall would have to take such power seriously.
While everyone had their thoughts, Zhao Wuji was primarily shocked. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, felt a sense of unease. As members of the Star Luo royal family, they instinctively viewed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which supported the Heaven Dou Empire, as potential enemies. However, they quickly realized their survival was still uncertain and decided to leave such concerns to their peers back home.
Ma Hongjun, in contrast, was thrilled. Joining such a powerful sect confirmed that he was on the right path. With the sect's name backing him, he could roam the continent with confidence.
Tang San and Xiao Wu, however, remained indifferent. This development had little to do with them. Xiao Wu, being a soul beast, had no particular opinions, while Tang San, unaware of his identity as the heir of the Clear Sky Clan or his future as the founder of the Tang Sect, felt no connection to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength.
At this moment, Tianlin turned to Tang San and said, "By the way, Brother Tang, I brought back a gift for you. Come and take a look."
"A gift?" Tang San approached curiously and clasped his hands respectfully. "Brother Tianlin, the Xuantian Pill you gave me last time was already of immense help. How can I accept another gift?"
"It's no trouble. This item is useless to me but perfect for you right now," Tianlin replied. He then retrieved a peculiar plant from his soul tool—a living plant-like soul beast covered in poisonous thorns that quivered slightly.
This was a thousand-to-twelve-hundred-year-old venomous bramble that Yin Yang had prepared after much thought. To ensure that Tang San would not obtain the Eight Spider Lances, Tianlin had specifically instructed him to avoid any spider-type soul beasts. The poisonous bramble was an excellent alternative.