Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo believed Lin Mu without a doubt.
Back then, they had diligently done all the dirty work for Bibi Dong, yet they hadn't even received a single ten-thousand-year soul bone as a reward.
Even when Bibi Dong occasionally rewarded them, it was only with some useless gold soul coins.
The treatment under Bibi Dong was absolutely terrible; they even had to feign deep gratitude, which ultimately forced them to leave Spirit Hall.
Since joining Lin Mu, they finally experienced what it meant to be truly valued.
Before joining the Wuji Sect, Lin Mu had given them many pills, especially that incredibly precious top-grade pill, which helped them break through their Level 95 bottlenecks in one fell swoop.
Although Level 95 and 96 are technically only one level apart, the difference in power is far greater than at any previous stage.
Unless one's martial soul is overwhelmingly superior, or one possesses a 100,000-year soul ring and multiple high-quality soul bones, it's almost impossible to defeat someone of a higher level.
Of course, a monstrous prodigy like Lin Mu is a rare exception.
It's important to note that when Lin Mu was only over Level 80, he had already defeated Bibi Dong, the Falling Devil Douluo, and several other Titled Douluos of considerable strength.
Besides the elixirs, since they joined the Wuji Sect, Lin Mu had given them significant responsibilities, directly appointing them as elders and giving each of them a powerful soul bone.
These soul bones were even top-grade soul bones over 50,000 years old, much more precious than the ones he had stolen from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
This clearly showed that Bibi Dong was completely exploiting her subordinates, wanting them to work like dogs without properly feeding them.
Moreover, Bibi Dong not only demanded harshness from her subordinates but also showed no gratitude whatsoever to Spirit Hall, which had devoted so much to nurturing her; she was utterly ungrateful.
Ultimately, this woman was completely self-centered, only thinking about being with Yu Xiaogang without any regard for the consequences.
Especially after being sanctioned, all she could think about was destroying the world.
It was as if the whole world owed her something.
If she had been even slightly more rational and hadn't fallen for the utterly useless Yu Xiaogang, she wouldn't have ended up like this.
Next, the group discussed various sect affairs.
Lin Mu had never been very interested in such matters; he preferred teaching at the Elemental Academy over managing tedious sect affairs.
About half an hour later, Chrysanthemum Douluo and the others finally finished reporting on the sect's current situation.
Just then, Ning Fengzhi entered the main hall with Sword Douluo and Ning Rongrong. His demeanor was respectful, and his face was filled with profound gratitude.
He solemnly said, "Your Excellency, we, the Seven Treasures, no, Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, will never forget your massive help in evolving my daughter's martial soul into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Previously, when Ning Rongrong's martial soul had evolved into the Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, Ning Fengzhi hadn't chosen to change the sect's name.
After all, the Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda still had its inherent flaws, and whether it could actually be inherited by future generations was entirely unknown.
If the sect's name was changed, but no Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul ever appeared later, wouldn't they become a complete laughing stock?
However, now that Ning Rongrong's martial soul had completely transformed into the mythical Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, it meant she could successfully cultivate to the level of a Titled Douluo.
It would be unreasonable not to officially change the name now.
Looking at Ning Fengzhi below, Lin Mu smiled calmly and said, "No need for such nonsense. I never intended to take advantage of your gratitude, and besides, you can't possibly repay it anyway."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi was left completely speechless, and even Sword Douluo beside him felt a little embarrassed.
They all knew very well that Lin Mu lacked absolutely nothing.
In terms of pure strength, Lin Mu had already crushed Sword Douluo several years ago, and now he was probably unimaginably strong.
As for money, putting aside the fact that it was essentially useless to Lin Mu, the value of the pills that could cause martial souls to evolve was immeasurable.
It's highly likely that the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would have to offer its entire accumulated fortune just to repay the debt of a single pill.
Moreover, besides this extremely precious pill, Ning Rongrong had also rapidly cultivated from a Soul King to a Soul Douluo in just two and a half years under his guidance, making this massive debt of gratitude even harder to repay.
After a moment, Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Your Excellency, no matter what, we will definitely remember this immense kindness."
"Are you sure?"
Lin Mu suddenly changed the subject, looking at the tall and imposing Sword Douluo. He suggested playfully, "How about this: Senior Sword Douluo, let's spar a bit, and that will settle the debt."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi was stunned.
He had considered various ways to repay the debt, even briefly planning to give the beautiful girls he had taken in to Lin Mu, but he never expected Lin Mu to make such a straightforward request.
Coming to his senses, Ning Fengzhi looked at Sword Douluo to the side and asked, "Uncle Sword, what do you think?"
"It is an honor for this old man to spar with a supreme powerhouse like Sect Master Lin."
Despite his humble words, Sword Douluo's expression gradually became incredibly serious. He was well aware of the significant gap between his strength and Lin Mu's.
If Lin Mu used his full power, he probably wouldn't last more than a few exchanges.
However, Lin Mu probably wouldn't do that, as it would be entirely pointless.
"I didn't expect the usually proud Sword Douluo to be so good at flattery."
Lin Mu looked down at Sword Douluo and teased him with a light smile.
Hearing this, Sword Douluo's face immediately flushed red. As the saying goes, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.
Now that Lin Mu's strength far surpassed his own, and he might even reach the legendary god realm in the future, how could he possibly be as arrogant as before?
"To be perfectly fair, Ning Rongrong can fully assist you," Lin Mu said after a moment's thought, casually tapping his knuckles on the armrest of his seat.
"I won't use any soul rings or soul bones; you just need to last for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
Hearing this, Sword Douluo thought he'd misheard, staring at Lin Mu in utter disbelief.
Undeniably, Lin Mu's strength was indeed formidable, but this was a gross underestimation of his own abilities.
He was, after all, a Level 97 Titled Douluo, possessing the Seven Kill Sword, which was recognized as the world's number one offensive weapon martial soul.
With Ning Rongrong's full assistance, his attack strength was even above that of the Level 98 Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Even if Lin Mu's cultivation had reached Level 99, he couldn't possibly defeat him using just his martial soul.
"Sect Master Lin, why don't you suppress your soul power to Level 98, and use your soul rings and soul bones as usual? Wouldn't that be a fairer fight?" Sword Douluo suggested carefully.
However, before Lin Mu could respond, Ning Rongrong burst out laughing and immediately explained, "Grandpa Sword, if Teacher Lin Mu used his soul rings, you definitely wouldn't be a match for him."
Hearing this, Sword Douluo's first reaction was pure disbelief, but upon further reflection, he realized Lin Mu's strength simply couldn't be judged by ordinary standards.
After all, Lin Mu's ability to effortlessly challenge opponents of higher levels was as commonplace as drinking water.
Generally speaking, after reaching Level 95, it's extremely difficult to surpass even a single level in soul power, but this obviously wasn't a problem for Lin Mu.
Moreover, Ning Rongrong wouldn't speak such words without reason; she most likely knew Lin Mu's true, terrifying strength.
Thinking of this, Sword Douluo couldn't help but sigh heavily, reflecting on his many years of arduous sword cultivation, only to be left so far behind by Lin Mu.