Ning Rongrong said, "I've been cooped up cultivating at home every single day these past years — I was bored out of my mind. The moment you all left, I regretted it."
Tang San smiled faintly. "Wasn't that giving you two some quality alone time? Don't tell me you've been miserable." As he spoke, he winked at Oscar with a grin.
Oscar chuckled, but Ning Rongrong's pretty face flushed red. She pinched Oscar hard. "Laugh, keep laughing. Humph, if it weren't for you, I would've gone along with Third Brother too."
Oscar kept smiling, looking rather smug about it. Even as Ning Rongrong pinched him hard, he didn't seem to feel any pain at all.
Ma Hongjun suddenly gasped beside them. "Ah, Xiao Ao, your arm — Rongrong's pinched it open!"
"What?!" Ning Rongrong was startled. She hurriedly grabbed Oscar's arm to check, but there wasn't a single break in the skin — just a slight redness.
Watching her flustered expression, Tang San, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar all burst out laughing. In an instant, the atmosphere in the wooden cottage relaxed completely.
Ning Rongrong punched Oscar's shoulder hard and ducked her head in embarrassment. Oscar caught her hand and gave it a firm kiss, the grin on his face regaining something of its old roguish quality.
Tang San said, "But Rongrong, if you really can get Granduncle Bone Douluo to come lend his presence to the academy, then we'll truly need to make another trip. This time, we absolutely cannot leave behind our Tang Sect's own treasurer."
"Oh?" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up the moment she heard this. Her large eyes sparkled as she looked at Tang San. "Third Brother, where are we going?"
Oscar reached over and tapped her on the head. "Silly girl, always thinking about having fun. Don't you need to cultivate?"
Ning Rongrong huffed. "If Third Brother says we're going out, it must be for something important. We can get a carriage — we can cultivate on the road! Besides, the Great Master said that cultivating under constant tension can actually harm Soul Power progress. A bit of relaxation is necessary too."
Tang San smiled. "It really is important business. Our Tang Sect needs vast amounts of metal to manufacture Hidden Weapons. Ordinary metal, the Strength Clan has no shortage of. But rare metals — we'll have to purchase those ourselves. From what Elder Titan told me, Gengxin City, the Metal Capital, sells all kinds of metals, including plenty of rare ones. Once the Tang Sect's designs are finalized and construction begins, with Elder Niu Gao of the Defense Clan handling things, that'll be more than enough. Elder Titan and I need to make a trip to Gengxin City. See if we can find any treasures worth bringing back. At the very least, we need to purchase the metals required for crafting ordinary Hidden Weapons. In the next year or so, we absolutely must produce a batch of finished products. When the Great Sects Selection Conference begins, they could prove useful. If Spirit Hall manages to successfully host this conference, then the two great empires will be placed in an extremely passive position. We need to do everything we can at the conference to help the two empires recruit as many Soul Masters as possible."
The moment Tang San mentioned Spirit Hall, Ning Rongrong's face twisted with hatred. "This time, we have to cause them trouble no matter what. Ruin their little conference."
As she spoke, she immediately stood up. Tang San was taken aback. "Rongrong, where are you going?"
Ning Rongrong grinned. "Naturally, going back to rally the troops! Once Grandpa Bone gets here, we can head out!"
Tang San laughed. "You really are impatient."
Oscar stood up as well. "I'll go with her."
Tang San had originally planned to divert some of the funds from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan toward building the Tang Sect, but on second thought, he decided against it. His own savings over the years were considerable — more than enough to cover the Tang Sect's construction costs. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's money would be better reserved for purchasing metal. That was where the real need lay.
Perhaps it was because she hadn't traveled far in so long, but Ning Rongrong's efficiency was remarkably high. When she returned from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan that very evening, she had brought Bone Douluo back with her. Ning Fengzhi hadn't come in person, but he had Ning Rongrong tell Tang San that everything with the royal family was well in hand. Only, Emperor Snow Night's poison had not yet been fully eliminated. Poison Douluo was still working hard to detoxify him.
At the same time, upon learning that Tang San was going to purchase metal, Ning Fengzhi had added another sum of money for Ning Rongrong. Combined with the previous amount, the total came to a staggering five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. It was a testament to the fact that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the wealthiest of all the clans, had not earned its reputation in vain. After all, the terms Tang San and Ning Fengzhi had agreed upon were that the Tang Sect would give the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan priority in the supply of Hidden Weapons in the future, all at a twenty percent discount. The cost would then be deducted from this advance payment.
However, they still couldn't depart immediately. Tang San and the others had only just returned and needed rest and adjustment after the journey. Besides, the Tang Sect's construction plans still required further discussion.
A week later, with all arrangements in place, the group set out under Titan's lead for Gengxin City, where the mainland's Blacksmith Association headquarters was located.
The moment they left the Tang Sect compound, Titan couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter. It was the same two specially modified carriages as before, each driven by a member of the Strength Clan. The group was split between the two carriages — Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Titan in one; Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun in the other.
"It's wonderful having old Rhino around — dump all the messy business on him, and this time I can be a hands-off boss. Young Master, did you see the look on old Rhino's face when we left? Every time I think about his indignant expression, I can't help but laugh."
Tang San smiled faintly, pulling Xiao Wu close against his chest. "With Elder Niu Gao overseeing the Tang Sect's construction, you can rest easy. Anyone else, and you probably wouldn't have been willing to hand it over."
Titan nodded seriously. "That's true. Old Rhino isn't just my brother — in terms of architecture, I doubt you could find anyone more skilled on the entire continent. This time, with our large-scale purchase of surrounding residential properties, the Tang Sect compound has practically doubled in size from our Strength Clan's original estate. With old Rhino in charge, by the time we get back, he'll probably have most of it built."
Tang San chuckled. "With the Strength Clan's members providing the muscle, and the Defense Clan's skilled craftsmen, how could construction not go fast? Come to think of it, I really couldn't have guessed that Elder Niu Gao had such talent in architecture. Truly a master builder."
Every time Tang San thought about the architectural blueprints he'd reviewed over the past few days, his heart couldn't help but clench. That wasn't the plan for building a manor — it was practically the blueprint for a fortress! Of course, the cost was enormous as well. After Tang San had expressed his full financial support, Niu Gao had made a series of changes to the design plans. The various construction materials required had changed dramatically. Just imagining it now was still somewhat terrifying. Simply put, even every room's door would be solid wood backed with iron plates. As for the compound walls, they were to be built to a height of five zhang — tall enough to rival an imperial palace.
Tang San had no fear of trouble from the authorities. Two days ago, he had made a special trip to the Moon Pavilion to see his aunt, Tang Yuehua. For anything involving officialdom, having his aunt pull the appropriate strings naturally solved the problem. He hadn't asked Ning Fengzhi for help because he didn't want any information about the Tang Sect to leak from the royal family's side.
From the moment he had persuaded the four single-lineage clans, the Tang Sect had officially embarked on its path of construction. Before Spirit Hall's Great Sects Selection Conference began, this would be the most critical period for the Tang Sect's development.
Xiao Wu leaned against Tang San's shoulder, sitting quietly. Her eyes were still as vacant as ever. Since Ning Rongrong's arrival, Tang San had finally been able to breathe a little easier — when Xiao Wu was with Ning Rongrong, she wasn't as clingy with him. But what left him both exasperated and amused was that once nighttime came, the situation immediately reversed itself. Without a soul, Xiao Wu absolutely refused to sleep in the same room as Ning Rongrong. Despite Oscar and Ma Hongjun's repeated looks of disdain, Tang San had no choice but to endure the bittersweet experience of sharing a bed with her each night. However, this did serve to promote his cultivation. With a lover who liked to sleep naked by his side every night, he didn't dare actually sleep — so every evening, the moment Xiao Wu fell asleep, he would begin cultivating. And his thigh had become Xiao Wu's most preferred pillow.
Gengxin City was located within the territory of the Xing Luo Empire, but in the opposite direction from Longxing City. Longxing City lay to the southeast of the Tian Dou Empire, while Gengxin City was to the southwest, within the Xing Luo Empire's borders, closer to the empire's interior. The journey was no short distance. Traveling at full speed, it took them close to a month to reach Gengxin City.
Gengxin City was one of the major cities of the Xing Luo Empire, but it could hardly be called a famous one. Even among the major cities, it ranked in the lower tiers. The Soul Land was the world of Soul Masters — as a city devoted to metalwork, it was only natural that it was not highly regarded. A blacksmith's status was no different from an ordinary commoner's. The Blacksmith Association's influence only carried weight within this city. Spirit Hall was essentially the Soul Master Association, yet it could influence the political landscape of the entire continent. The gap between blacksmiths and Soul Masters was truly vast.
Titan told Tang San that the more skilled a blacksmith was, the more likely they were to be a Soul Master. Only a Soul Master's abilities, far exceeding those of ordinary people, could make the forging process more refined and precise. Of course, this was not absolute. There were also a few exceptional blacksmith prodigies who, even without the aid of a Martial Soul, had still achieved greatness in the world of smithing.
In the distance, Gengxin City came into view. Everyone disembarked from the carriages and looked out, catching sight of the towering city walls. The walls of Gengxin City were an iron-grey color throughout, giving the impression that they had been forged from metal. Though they had not yet entered the city itself, a faint metallic aura could already be felt emanating from it.
Ning Rongrong, in high spirits, linked arms with Xiao Wu. "We're finally here — my bones are about to turn to jelly from sitting in that carriage." No matter how comfortable the Strength Clan's carriages were, spending a full month sitting in one would test anyone's patience. However, the journey had not been entirely without reward. Ma Hongjun had truly begun putting in effort — perhaps because of the words Tang San had spoken to him, he had been cultivating diligently the entire way, raising his Soul Power from level fifty-seven to level fifty-eight. He was one step closer to the threshold of level sixty.
Flandre had once told Ma Hongjun that when his Soul Power reached level seventy, enabling him to manifest his Martial Soul Avatar, he would enter an entirely new realm. Only then would his Phoenix Martial Soul reveal its true power. And Ma Hongjun was now striving toward that very goal. After all, apart from Xiao Wu, he was the only one among the Shrek Seven Devils who had not yet reached level sixty.
Oscar grinned and said to Ning Rongrong, "Want me to give you a massage tonight?"
Ning Rongrong's pretty face flushed red and she stuck her tongue out at him. "Absolutely not. Everyone knows you're up to no good."
Ma Hongjun chimed in from the side, gloating. "Uncle Big Sausage's intentions are plain for all the world to see!"
Oscar snorted and deliberately raised his chin. "Fatty, you're just jealous. Naked, shameless jealousy."
Ma Hongjun curled his lip. "Jealous of you, my foot. I've got a girlfriend too. Just wait until we get back and I'll show you how beautiful she is."
Oscar looked somewhat surprised. "You have a girlfriend too? What girl has such poor judgment?"
Ma Hongjun flew into a rage. "Xiao Ao, I challenge you to a duel!"
Oscar laughed. "Bring it on! You think I'm scared of you? I've got plenty of Mirror Image Sausages on me. Might not lose to you at all. And don't forget, I've also got Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Do you think the two of us married couple can't take you down? Xiao San will definitely stay neutral."
"Who's your wife? Did I marry you?" Ning Rongrong said exasperatedly.
Oscar replied with supreme smugness. "That's just a matter of time. My future father-in-law doesn't object anymore. You think you can still escape my grasp, beauty? It's too late for regrets now."
Tang San chuckled. "Xiao Ao, that roguish streak of yours seems to be making a comeback." Watching them bicker and play, a wave of warmth washed through Tang San's heart. It felt like they were back to five or six years ago, when everyone was together, cultivating without a care in the world. But the Xiao Wu beside him was...
Oscar laughed. "I don't believe for a second that anyone would go for this promiscuous fatty. Xiao San, you've been with him the whole time — is he lying?"
Before Tang San could answer, Ma Hongjun cut in. "What lying? Just wait until we get back and I'll show you my girlfriend. Her name is Bai Chenxiang — pretty name, isn't it? You'll be green with envy."
Oscar put on an expression of exaggerated pride, nose pointed skyward. "Envied? What's there to be jealous of? Now that I've got Rongrong, why would I look at any other woman? Every woman besides my Rongrong is nothing but passing smoke to me."
This time, Ning Rongrong didn't argue. She watched Oscar and Ma Hongjun bicker with a sweet smile, and anyone could see the satisfaction in her eyes.
Titan sighed fondly. "Being around you young people makes me feel younger myself. Youth is truly wonderful. When I was your age, I was even more reckless than any of you."
Ning Rongrong giggled. "Does our Grand Elder think he's old? You're not old at all! A mature man like you has even more charm."
Titan laughed helplessly. "Girl, you really know how to talk. If I were fifty years younger, I might just compete with Xiao Ao for your affections. No wonder even someone like Bone Douluo adores you so much. You really are a little fairy."
Ning Rongrong grinned. "That's the power of a beauty — works on everyone from the young to the old. Xiao Ao, what are you staring at? Not happy about it?"
Oscar huffed. "What good does being unhappy do? I'm disfigured now anyway — nobody but you would want me."
The moment she heard the word "disfigured," Ning Rongrong's gaze softened with tenderness. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Xiao Ao, you're not angry with me, are you?"
Oscar smiled gently, a touch of melancholy in his eyes. He let out a soft sigh, draped his arm around Ning Rongrong's shoulder, and said tenderly, "Of course not. I will love only you for my entire life."
As he spoke, he sent a triumphant glance toward Ma Hongjun and Tang San. This wasn't the first time he'd used this trick, but it never failed. The scar on his face, the one that once made him so self-conscious, was now the ultimate weapon for reaching the softest part of Ning Rongrong's heart. Of course, Oscar's tenderness was no act. He loved nothing more than seeing Ning Rongrong in this little-bird-asking-for-help mode.
Ma Hongjun scurried over to Tang San's side. "I can't take it anymore, Third Brother. These two are always turning mushy into entertainment. I'm going to lie down in the carriage. Call me when we get inside the city."
The group entered Gengxin City without incident. The moment they passed through the gates, the metallic aura that washed over them brought a distinctly different sensation. After entering, everyone climbed down from the carriages once more and looked around with great interest at the unique cityscape.
Titan's mood was visibly excited. He pointed at the surrounding buildings and began introducing them to the group.