That request from Diyi Hong…

With a quick turn of the mind, Ning Fengzhi immediately realized he had something else planned.

But he didn't press. He just agreed readily.

After all, in just one week, Ning Rongrong's cultivation had skyrocketed to level 43.

Even if she didn't train for another year, she'd still be miles ahead of her peers.

Not to mention, staying by Diyi Hong's side—could she possibly come out without benefits?

Who knows what level she'll be next time they meet?

Since Ning Fengzhi was so straightforward, Diyi Hong didn't waste time either.

He handed over a folded piece of paper and slipped away.

Ning Fengzhi didn't try to stop him.

After all, he'd just taken a benefit—turning around and forcing a marriage? That'd be seriously ungrateful.

"That slippery brat," Chen Xin said with a frown. "He's clearly figured something out and deliberately changed the subject."

"He's only twelve. Probably just wants to enjoy life a bit longer," Ning Fengzhi tried to smooth things over.

Chen Xin shot him a glare without replying.

—Whose side are you even on?

Ning Fengzhi ignored it and unfolded the paper.

He expected a list of rare medicinal herbs—at the very least something with a complex procedure.

Instead…

Just two big characters on top—Whale Gel!

Huh?

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin looked at each other, wide-eyed. They'd both used this stuff before. Wasn't it a… bedroom enhancement product?

Could it really have this kind of body-strengthening effect?

"There must be more ingredients, right?" Chen Xin urged, "Check the back."

Ning Fengzhi flipped the paper. Sure enough, more writing:

—

Millennium Whale Gel: Enhances age by approximately 500 years.

Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Gel: Enhances age by approximately 2000 years.

Can be consumed repeatedly. Max enhancement 3000–5000 years, depending on individual constitution.

—

The two of them fell silent.

"Could he have given us the wrong paper? Or maybe missed some ingredients?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

"Honestly, I'd rather believe that brat's just screwing with you," Chen Xin replied.

Ning Fengzhi bowed his head in thought.

Given Diyi Hong's level of "mischief" today… this did seem like something he'd pull off.

"Still, we should test it first."

Ning Fengzhi played it safe:

"Have the Soul Saints who came with us—those with flight-type soul skills—go find a few people who are about to hunt for their first or second soul rings. Let them consume the Whale Gel and take them to the Star Dou Forest."

"If we're lucky, we'll have results by tomorrow."

Chen Xin stayed silent.

As the order was issued, a few people's destinies were changed. But whether they would live or die now depended entirely on whether this "recipe" was real.

If it wasn't…

Boom!

A muffled bang.

Drunk and rowdy, Zhao Wuji and Li Yusong were duking it out hand-to-hand.

Both were power-attack types.

But Zhao Wuji, as a beast spirit master, had four levels on Li Yusong.

Physically, he should have had the upper hand.

Instead—

He was getting flattened!

"Hahaha!"

Li Yusong gloated:

"My sixth soul ring alone has a higher age than all your seven rings combined!"

"The rest combined make up over 400,000 years!"

"With a physical boost like this, even your Martial Spirit Possession doesn't scare me."

"Maybe if you used Martial Spirit Avatar."

Zhao Wuji was fuming!

This old man gets a little stronger and suddenly thinks he's king of the world?

"Don't get cocky!" Zhao Wuji snarled. "I lost my second soul ring, but if I can find a high-year for my Vigorious Vajra Bear—"

"You think Ten-Thousand-Year Vigorious Vajra Bears grow on trees?" Li Yusong scoffed. "You'd be better off asking Diyi Hong."

Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up.

They'd been friends for years—he got the hint.

Li Yusong was subtly reminding him: Diyi Hong probably had just the soul ring he needed.

Putting that together…

Could it be—

There really was a 100,000-year Vigorious Vajra Bear?!

Zhao Wuji got distracted.

Wham!

Li Yusong's punch landed squarely on his eye socket, making Zhao Wuji yowl in pain.

"Don't hit the face! That's dirty!"

"Then hit me back!"

"Bastard! Vigorious Vajra Bear: True Form!!"

"Freeze!"

Enraged, Zhao Wuji was immediately immobilized by Li Yusong's control-type skill, who then socked him in the other eye and bolted.

Seconds later…

Zhao Wuji regained movement—but Li Yusong had already vanished.

He could only howl in impotent fury!

Everyone watching burst into laughter.

Just then—

Ning Fengzhi walked up.

"Don't worry, Teacher Zhao," he said calmly. "I've already sent people to the Star Dou and Sunset Forests to look for high-year Vigorious Vajra Bears."

"If anything comes up, it'll be delivered straight to Shrek Academy."

Zhao Wuji blinked.

What's your deal? We friends now?

"Don't misunderstand," Ning Fengzhi explained. "Shrek has taught Rongrong so well. This is merely a token of appreciation."

Zhao Wuji: "…"

Rongrong's only been here for a week. What teaching?

Even the soul ring was provided by Diyi Hong!

Then it clicked.

Ning Fengzhi was trying to win people over.

But Zhao Wuji wasn't the kind to accept something for nothing.

He was about to decline—

"No need to be polite," Ning Fengzhi preempted him. "This is purely out of respect for Rongrong's teacher. Nothing more."

—Translation: Relax and take it. I'm rich and generous—don't stress.

What else could Zhao Wuji say?

"Well… then thank you, Sect Master Ning."

"It's nothing."

Ning Fengzhi turned to the others and smiled:

"If anyone from Shrek has other needs, don't hesitate to ask."

"If any of you wish to join my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, I am willing to offer a ten-thousand-year soul bone as a welcome gift."

"This offer stands indefinitely."

The Shrek teachers and students looked stunned.

A ten-thousand-year soul bone just for joining?

This wasn't some second-rate sect—it was the prestigious Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!

And it was the sect master himself recruiting!

Even Ma Hongjun and Oscar, both from humble origins, were immediately tempted.

Forget them—even Flender and Lu Qibin were wavering.

—Not just anyone gets a soul bone for joining. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Only the now-revamped Li Yusong and soon-to-be Titled Douluo Meng Shu managed to resist the temptation.

Ning Fengzhi didn't press further.

Instead, he clapped and said:

"I've invited a troupe of dancers. Let's enjoy a performance together."

Beautiful songstresses entered to the rhythm of graceful music, swaying their enchanting bodies.

They even occasionally engaged in some close-up interaction with the audience.

Fine wine, good food, alluring dancers—

Even well-traveled men like Flender and Yu Xiaogang were starting to feel the heat.

As for the less restrained Ma Hongjun… he instantly fell head over heels.

Ning Fengzhi was pleased. All this effort hadn't gone to waste.

But when he glanced at Diyi Hong—

Though his gaze roamed freely, his eyes remained clear and unclouded.

What a joke!

As a seasoned playboy from the 21st century, what kind of scene hadn't he seen?

A setup this tame? Please.

Meanwhile—

["Nine-Colored Goddess": Daddy's at it again. Always using the same old tricks to corrupt hearts.]

["God of Speed": Hey, once you've had luxury, it's hard to go back. Understandable.]

["Phoenix God": Why are they all female dancers? Aren't Zhu Zhuqing and the others gonna say anything?]

["God of Speed": Do you even hear yourself?]

["Rakshasa God": Aside from that Chao Tianxiang girl, aren't all the others connected to the streamer?]

["Phoenix God": Wait—hold on, the streamer already has three women?!]

Huh?

'I'll sue you for slander!' Diyi Hong protested. 'I don't have the slightest interest in that Meng Yiran.'

—Just a passing curiosity. Just a little taste test, that's all.

["Phoenix God": So Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong are your women then?]

'That's a request from Speed and Nine-Colored, alright?'

Diyi Hong shrugged.

'I do like them. So I'm just going with the flow.'

["Phoenix God": Why does everything you say make you sound like a scumbag?]

'That's your misunderstanding. I'm still a virgin, you know.'

Silence.

Phoenix God was instantly choked up.

That… can't be right…

["Nine-Colored Goddess": Forget that for now—quick, look at Tang San! That guy's stirring up trouble again!"]

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