The Seven Treasure City.
Splendidly named after the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, this magnificent city was draped as far as the eye could see in luxurious red silk. But, even more astonishing, the beautiful flagstone streets had been covered with an intricate, thick layer of golden flowers crafted from pure gold leaf—so brilliant that it was nearly impossible to keep your eyes open.
Chen Yi walked down the central avenue carpeted with golden blooms. Even for someone with his broad vision and composed nature, he couldn't help but quietly gasp in awe. He leaned in and whispered to Chen Zhen, beside him.
"Wow, they're really rich... This luxury is like a mine of gold and a sea of silver,"
Chen Zhen folded his arms, his eyes almost obsessed as they stared at the golden flowers and red silk threaded with gold.
"It's more than just mountains of gold and seas of silver. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is known as the wealthiest sect in the world. The fortune they've amassed over a thousand years probably far surpasses the treasuries of the two great empires combined."
As he spoke, he rubbed his fingers together, eyes sharply scanning the gold and scarlet silk as if surveying possessions already in his own warehouse. Mine… All of this is mine... My darling treasures, just wait a bit more, Daddy's coming to take you all home!
Chen Yi glanced quietly at his father, not even feeling the strength to correct him. The Heavenly Dou Empire's treasury was so meager even mice would scorn it, but Xue Ye's private vault was no different. Still, he couldn't help but think, as he gazed at the overwhelming wealth before him, of the grand ideals he'd harbored as a child. Now, those dreams seemed no longer out of reach.
Just as those thoughts crossed his mind, a commotion stirred ahead in the crowd. Several figures strode forward to greet him. The one at their lead, dressed in fiery red and exuding a blazing aura, was none other than Dean Huo Liexiao of Blazing Academy. Behind him followed several academy teachers and a proud-looking young woman.
Huo Liexiao quickly spotted the Grand Elder and the Body Sect at the center. Surprised, he hurried forward, respectfully bowed deeply, and smiled.
"Dean Huo Liexiao of Blazing Academy greets Your Excellency Wisdom Brain Douluo, Golden Body Douluo, and Young Master Chen. I never expected such an honor to meet you here."
The Grand Elder's expression was calm, and he nodded slightly, speaking casually.
"Dean Huo, have you also come to attend Sect Leader Ning's celebration?"
Huo Liexiao's heart tightened, and he bowed even lower to hurriedly explain.
"Sect Master Ning personally sent an invitation. Our Blazing Academy is a small, humble academy... it's truly difficult to refuse."
Clearly, he had no intention of appearing cozy with Ning Fengzhi in front of the Body Sect, which was at odds with Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The Grand Elder smiled ambiguously but didn't answer. He was well aware of Blazing Academy's intentions.
The only reason he even acknowledged Huo Liexiao was out of respect for Huo Wu, for she possessed a mutated "Fire Shadow" martial soul, remarkably close to a body martial soul. On top of that, her talent was outstanding—the Body Sect wanted to recruit her. But Huo Wu suggested first finishing the Soul Master Tournament before making any decisions, and the sect was not insistent, so the matter was left in suspense.
Even so...
The Grand Elder found himself glancing at Huo Wu, brow faintly furrowed. She did not leave a good impression on him. It's one thing for a genius to be proud, but a lack of tact in dealing with people is a flaw. When the Body Sect visited, Huo Wu specifically demanded to receive the same treatment as Shui Bing'er and to become a disciple of Xie Xiaoqing.
While requesting to be Xie Xiaoqing's disciple was not excessive—since Xie Xiaoqing had both the ability and time to instruct her—demanding the same treatment as Shui Bing'er was a bit much. While Chen Yi indeed contributed to Shui Bing'er's success, it was all due to her own determination, character, and tireless effort—qualities that far surpassed even most geniuses.
Huo Wu, yet to make any contribution, was already making similar demands. To the Grand Elder, such ambition felt not only arrogant but also unrealistic and lacking in common sense.
Seeing the Grand Elder fall silent, Huo Liexiao grew anxious and soon politely excused his group to the side.
"It is our honor to have Your Excellency Wisdom Brain Douluo, Golden Body Douluo, and Young master Chen's presence. My apologies for not welcoming you sooner."
Everyone turned at the voice. A middle-aged man in sumptuous brocade robes was approaching. His features resembled Ning Fengzhi's by five or six parts, but his temperament was more gentle and amiable, smiling cheerfully as he strode over. This was none other than Ning Fengyu, the Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Ah, Dean Huo, you're here too? What a happy coincidence—it's been too long," Ning Fengyu first greeted Huo Liexiao with a friendly clasp of hands, then turned to Chen Yi's group, bowing with a warm but never fawning smile.
"You've come from afar—please, come inside!"
Chen Yi was particularly interested in this figure, recognized within the seven treasure sect as "Number Two", currently the most hands-on and capable leader. According to secret reports from Qian Renxue, had Ning Fengzhi not recruited Gu Rong and added soul masters of Ning Fengyu's caliber, the position of sect master might never have passed to Ning Fengzhi in the first place.
Looking back now, this once-disillusioned Elder was actually far better at reading the situation than the current head.
"You are gracious, Elder Ning. We are uninvited guests—please pardon the intrusion," the Grand Elder quietly replied.
"No, not at all. The presence of Your Excellency and the Young Master brings honor to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Please, come in. All is prepared and the Sect Master awaits in the main hall."
With warmth and considerate words, Ning Fengyu stepped aside to lead the way. His explanation as he introduced the banquet preparations was thoughtful, full of respect for the Body Sect, and he touched not at all on any sensitive issues.
Passing through a series of courtyards, they finally arrived at the core hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The hall was already packed with honored guests, representatives of almost every major faction on the continent.
As the Grand Elder and party entered, everyone stood to greet them.
Chen Yi looked around and, as expected, spotted several familiar faces among the reserved VIP seats. On one side of the seating area, three people sat together, each carrying a completely different aura. One was a handsome young man idly toying with a glass of wine.
Next to him sat Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo—the two were rarely seen apart.
"You all arrived rather early."
Led by Ning Fengyu, the Grand Elder took his seat at the VIP area, then glanced at Guang Ling, tossing out a casual greeting, almost as if among old friends.
Glowing Feather Douluo looked up, his youthful face brightening with a sunny grin as he replied in a clear, pleasant voice.
"Of course! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has prepared for ages, determined to announce the Sword and Bone's breakthrough to the entire continent. If we didn't arrive early and give them enough time to shine, all their trouble for the celebration would go to waste—how sad that would be!"
"Indeed," Chen Zhen replied, sitting next to the Grand Elder and bursting out laughing. He raised a glass of freshly poured wine, nodding in greeting to Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo across from him.
"He is certainly someone worth respecting," Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan kept his usual smile and raised his glass, while Ghost Douluo Gui Mei gave only a faint, shadowy nod.
As he listened from the side, a faint sheen of sweat appeared on Ning Fengyu's brow—but he only smiled, too cautious to interrupt.
…