Qian Renxue and her people reluctantly departed. If possible, she would have liked to spend a few more days with Tianlin, but now she had more important matters to attend to.
After seeing Qian Renxue off, Tianlin also prepared to return to the sect. However, he had to deal with one more person first: Meyers from the Spirit Hall's branch.
Back then, Tianlin had spared Meyer's life, hoping to use him to lure Qian Renxue here. Now that his goal had been achieved, there was no longer any reason for Meyers to remain alive. Not to mention the crime of coveting Ning Rongrong in front of him; for the sake of the Blacksmith Association, he couldn't let Meyers live. Once Tianlin left, this petty and vengeful man would surely vent all his anger on the Blacksmith Association.
Tianlin had already discussed this with Qian Renxue on the way back. She had no objections. She had already investigated Meyers, and since he took charge of the branch hall, he had committed countless evil deeds. She herself wanted to clean house.
However, for now, Meyers was still officially a member of the Pope's Hall. She didn't want to stir up trouble with her mother's side again, so she left it to Tianlin to handle.
That was why she needed to leave quickly. Otherwise, if she stayed, she would be obliged both emotionally and morally to protect Meyers. If she just watched as he was killed by someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and did nothing, the many factions under Spirit Hall would be thrown into panic, and Tianlin wouldn't be able to kill him so easily.
After Qian Renxue left, Tianlin returned alone to the third-floor balcony. The outcome of this meeting was not what he had hoped for. In the end, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall would have to face off. Would it really come to a fight to the death, with one side completely wiped out?
Noticing Tianlin's gloom, Ning Rongrong came to his side and quietly held his hand without saying a word. She didn't know what Tianlin and Qian Renxue had discussed, and even if she wanted to comfort him, she didn't know where to start. All she could do was silently accompany him.
Just then, Dragon Duke approached, leaning on his dragon staff, treating his martial soul entirely as a walking stick.
"Xiao Tian, that girl refused your proposal, didn't she?" Dragon Duke suddenly asked.
Tianlin's eyes widened. He seemed to know something, but apart from himself and Ning Fengzhi, he hadn't told anyone about this. Was Dragon Duke really that insightful?
Dragon Duke shook his head. "Don't overthink it. I know nothing. I don't know what you suggested to that girl, nor what she refused. This question is from the sect master. He said that since you were set on meeting that girl from Spirit Hall, I should ask you this when you return, and based on your answer, I should relay the sect master's further instructions."
Tianlin realized it was Ning Fengzhi—the old fox had again seen through all his actions.
"That's right, she refused. Dragon Duke, what did Uncle Ning want to say next?"
Instead of replying, Dragon Duke handed him a thick letter. "The sect master said, read the first two pages. If you agree, keep reading. If you disagree, all plans are terminated, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will proceed as before."
Tianlin took the letter but didn't open it right away. Clearly, Ning Fengzhi had prepared other contingencies. He understood Ning Fengzhi's meaning: if Tianlin disagreed with the new plan, the sect would return to its original development strategy—focusing all efforts on destroying Spirit Hall.
Although the sect had offended the empire, with its current power, even the empire couldn't do much against them.
Tianlin opened the letter. The first page read:
["Xiao Tian, if you're reading this, your plan has failed. Frankly, I expected as much. I've been teacher and friend to Xue Qinghe for years and know her personality well. She would never agree to let the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remain neutral after unifying the continent. Otherwise, we'd be the next Spirit Hall.
In this regard, you're not as strong as she is. Your so-called ideals are always going with the flow—not as firm as hers, and lacking her resolve to give up everything for her ideals.
One thing you must know, Xiao Tian: no matter how much you accomplish for our sect, your position will always be vice sect master. The sect master's seat will forever be for the Ning family, and only someone who inherits the Seven or Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda can hold it.
Moreover, our sect will always remain a sect, never a kingdom. Are you content to remain a vice sect master until you become a god?"]
The first page ended here, densely written. But the second page contained just a few lines.
And those few lines made Tianlin's heart tremble.
["Break free from the shackles of the sect. Become an emperor, Xiao Tian! Uncle Ning cannot give you the position of sect master, but I can rally the full strength of the sect to help you ascend to the supreme position of the continent. With your unmatched martial soul and talent, how can you remain under someone else's roof forever?
Become an emperor!!!"]
From this letter, Tianlin could feel how excited Ning Fengzhi was as he wrote, especially those last words "Become an emperor," full of deep expectations.
"I think...I've fallen into a trap. I've always hoped Spirit Hall would spare us, but I never considered—why should we need their mercy? One day, we'll be stronger than them. By then, it will be up to us to show them mercy!" Tianlin laughed at himself.
Dragon Duke nodded. "Indeed! I don't know what the sect master wrote, but, Xiao Tian, you're right. And it won't even take long. Once you become a Titled Douluo, what can Spirit Hall do to you? Or to our sect?"
"Exactly! As long as Sword Brother is here, I'm not afraid of Spirit Hall," Ning Rongrong said with a bright smile, holding Tianlin's hand.
Tianlin then turned to the rest of the letter, which outlined some of Ning Fengzhi's preparations. Of course, it was only a letter—details would be discussed in person.
Now Tianlin understood why Ning Fengzhi had so offended the Heaven Dou Empire before. He'd long anticipated this day and was paving the way for Tianlin. What an old schemer.
After reading, Tianlin used his ultimate fire to burn the letter completely. Then he said, "I agree with Uncle Ning's plan—ninety-nine percent!"
"Ninety-nine percent?" Dragon Duke was puzzled. That was essentially a yes, but what about the remaining one percent?
Tianlin just smiled. That was a secret—he wouldn't tell anyone, not even Ning Rongrong or Ning Fengzhi. Only after everything else was done would they know.
"Dragon Duke, I'll need your help with two things. First, recruit more blacksmiths!" Tianlin requested.
Originally, he had only planned to make weapons to enhance the core auxiliary and agility attack soul masters of the sect—a few hundred or thousand weapons would suffice. But now, he needed to make tens of thousands!
"Second, help me deliver a letter."