Bo Saixi and the Deep Sea Demon Whale King?
Dugu Bo and the Sword Douluo were first astonished, then came to a realization.
Indeed, only Rank 99 Title Douluo could unleash such terrifying might!
The Sword Douluo and Dugu Bo couldn't help but gaze at the distant sky.
The scene of lightning intertwining like auroras clearly surpassed the power of Rank 98.
"Can I ask a question?" Zi Zhenzhu approached Ning Rongrong.
"What is it?" Ning Rongrong looked puzzled.
"What level do the High Priestess of Sea God Island and the Deep Sea Demon Whale King equate to among human soul masters?"
"Huh? You didn't know?" Ning Rongrong stared at Zi Zhenzhu.
Zi Zhenzhu shook her head. "We only know Bo Saixi is the strongest in the sea, and the Deep Sea Demon Whale King is one of the Three Great Overlords. Beyond that, we're unaware."
Just like when they encountered the Evil Spirit Orca King no matter how terrifying it seemed, Zi Zhenzhu had thought they wouldn't make it back alive.
Yet in the end, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's Title Douluo had effortlessly wiped them out.
Ning Rongrong had mentioned earlier that with Ning Fengzhi's amplification, the Sword Douluo's strength reached Rank 98 an absolutely terrifying level.
But even so, judging by their expressions, the distant spectacle still left them deeply shaken.
"Bo Saixi is a Rank 99 Title Douluo. The Deep Sea Demon Whale King is a 990,000-year sea soul beast, equivalent to a Rank 99 Title Douluo."
"The Evil Spirit Orca King we killed was roughly at the level of a Rank 95–96 Title Douluo."
"So that's how it is!" Zi Zhenzhu suddenly understood.
Zi Zhenzhu returned to the cabin.
Ning Rongrong didn't dwell on it and continued watching the flickering lights in the sky.
"Rongrong, don't you think Zi Zhenzhu seems... different?" Dugu Yan whispered to Ning Rongrong.
"Hm? How so?"
"I'm not sure. She just feels much quieter than before after this trip."
"Maybe she was frightened." Considering the Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo had wiped out the entire Evil Spirit Orca King's pack with such overwhelming force, it was natural for Zi Zhenzhu to be shocked.
"Is that really it?" Dugu Yan looked skeptical.
The Purple Pearl continued sailing across the sea.
After two days, they finally returned to Vast Sea City.
The aurora-like phenomenon in the distant sky had lasted only half a day before vanishing no one knew the outcome.
Just Rank 99?
Chen Xin is already Rank 97. How far is Rank 99?
Once ashore, Ning Rongrong stopped overthinking it and noticed Ning Fengzhi and Zi Zhenzhu deep in conversation.
Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan approached.
Meanwhile, the Purple Pearl had been ordered by Zi Zhenzhu to return to Purple Pearl Island after disembarking.
Ning Fengzhi handed Zi Zhenzhu a gold-rimmed black-patterned gold soul coin card and a spirit bone from an Evil Spirit Orca, smiling warmly:
"Thank you for your assistance, Miss Zi Zhenzhu. Here are 2 million gold soul coins and a spirit bone. We've appraised its skill it should suit you well."
Zi Zhenzhu was stunned at first, then shook her head.
"This is too valuable. Even without us, hunting sea soul beasts wouldn't be difficult for you. Besides, you've already paid us before."
Any spirit bone was worth at least 500,000 gold soul coins let alone this one, which radiated an aura of at least several ten-thousand years.
Her help wasn't worth this much.
"Ah, let's not mix things up." Ning Fengzhi waved his hand. "If you really feel uneasy, consider it hush money."
"This..."
2 million gold soul coins and a spirit bone of several ten-thousand years it was impossible not to be tempted.
After hesitating, seeing Ning Fengzhi's sincere expression, Zi Zhenzhu finally accepted the items.
Staring at the spirit bone for a long moment, she suddenly clenched her teeth as if making a decision and blurted out:
"Sect Master Ning! About your earlier offer for me to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School... is it still possible?"
"Of course." Ning Fengzhi paused, then smiled. "If Miss Zi Zhenzhu wishes to join, as sect master, I naturally welcome you."
"To be honest, even if you didn't join," Ning Fengzhi added, "these would still be yours as a gesture of goodwill."
"Did Miss Zi Zhenzhu think we'd silence you?" he teased.
Zi Zhenzhu stiffened, then after a moment, nodded honestly. "The thought did cross my mind."
"Hahaha!" Ning Fengzhi laughed.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School are merchants. We don't resort to such underhanded methods against talented soul masters."
"Rather than dirty tricks, we prefer making allies across the land."
As Ning Fengzhi turned to leave, he glanced back at Zi Zhenzhu.
"Actually, we do have an objective in inviting you to join."
"I'm listening." Zi Zhenzhu understood it couldn't just be about her talent. During the Evil Spirit Orca King incident, she'd seen Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
The pagoda had five purple soul rings though displayed only briefly, Zi Zhenzhu had noticed.
And Dugu Yan had casually mentioned being close to Rank 50.
Compared to them, her own Rank 59 at 27 years old didn't seem impressive.
"It's like this..." Ning Fengzhi explained the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's plans to explore the ocean and develop submersible soul tools.
Hearing this, Zi Zhenzhu's eyes lit up.
"I see. I understand the sect master's intentions. I'll be careful in selecting my crew."
"Good. Take this."
Ning Fengzhi handed Zi Zhenzhu a token engraved with "Glazed Tile."
"This is...?" Zi Zhenzhu took it, confused.
"A sect disciple's token with slightly higher authority."
"Soon, we'll send people to expand trade in Vast Sea City. You'll oversee operations here."
"Don't worry about trade planning we'll have specialists handle calculations. You just need to supervise. This token grants you higher authority than them."
"Understood." Zi Zhenzhu nodded, examining the token.
It didn't seem ordinary, but she wasn't sure how to ask. She'd figure it out later.
The group bid farewell to Zi Zhenzhu.
"Fengzhi, was it wise to give her that token?"
The Sword Douluo was concerned it wasn't just any token. It could mobilize the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's Soul Douluo if needed.
"Building her own force at such a young age proves her capability. Consider it an early investment. Doesn't this also show our trust in her?"
"Fine. You're the sect master." The Sword Douluo shrugged.
They returned to their hotel in Vast Sea City.
Time to divide the spoils.
The spirit bone given to Zi Zhenzhu had been specially selected by Ning Rongrong. The rest still needed sorting.
The haul from the Evil Spirit Orca King and its pack was massive true to the saying "ill-gotten wealth piles high."
Aside from the 50,000-year Evil Spirit Orca left arm bone given to Zi Zhenzhu, there were three more spirit bones:
A 30,000-year right arm bone, a 70,000-year head bone, and the Evil Spirit Orca King's 100,000-year torso bone.
Plus over a hundred well-preserved ten-thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca whale glue pieces.
An extremely bountiful harvest indeed.