348. Watching The Spectacle

The disciple flew off, leaving Bone Douluo to return to the ground with the target that was filled with arrows, bearing Qian Renjue’s likeness.


He stood beside Ning Rongrong and bent down to gently ruffle her hair, asking with concern, “Little Princess Rongrong, why are you suddenly upset again?”

Ning Rongrong looked up at him, holding his broad hand with a worried and frustrated expression. “Grandpa Bone… will Brother Holy Son come to see me or not?”

Bone Douluo paused, slightly taken aback, but quickly tried to comfort her with a smile. “Why wouldn’t he? Our smart little princess should know he came here especially for you.”

A glimmer of joy appeared in Ning Rongrong’s eyes. “Really? Brother Holy Son came here just to see me?”

“Who else would he be here for, Grandpa Bone?” Bone Douluo chuckled and nodded.

“That’s good, that’s good. Brother Holy Son is so kind; he’ll definitely come,” Ning Rongrong said, releasing his hand and patting her chest to calm herself.

Bone Douluo let out a hearty laugh. “Haha, even if he doesn’t come, Grandpa Bone will take you along to find him!”

“No… there’s no need to chase him,” Ning Rongrong replied with a faint blush, though she sounded a bit conflicted.

“Alright, alright. If Rongrong says no chasing, then we won’t,” Bone Douluo agreed with a laugh, holding up the target. “Does Little Princess Rongrong want to play a few more rounds with Grandpa Bone?”

“No, not now. I don’t feel like playing anymore,” Ning Rongrong shook her head and put away her Zhuge Crossbow, walking over to sit on a nearby rock. Resting her chin in her hands, she gazed longingly toward the tower where the guest hall was located.

“Grandpa Bone, when do you think Brother Holy Son will come over here?”

“How would Grandpa know?” Bone Douluo shrugged, a bit helpless, then tossed the target aside and sat on a rock next to her, mimicking her posture by resting his chin in his hands as he stared at the tower in the distance.

Silence fell between them.

After a while, Ning Rongrong turned to him with a puzzled look, asking, “Grandpa Bone, what are you doing?”

With a playful smile, Bone Douluo replied, “Grandpa Bone is here waiting for your fiancé with you, waiting for that little rascal to arrive.”

“Grandpa Bone!” Ning Rongrong, blushing furiously, grabbed his arm and pouted.

“Haha! Our little princess Rongrong can get shy too!” Bone Douluo laughed heartily.

“No laughing, Grandpa Bone!” Ning Rongrong scolded, her cheeks flushed. She had grown up a bit and understood more now.


---

In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's guest hall, Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan were already seated, with a small table before them filled with fruits. The maids around them were cat girls and dog girls.

Ning Fengzhi put down his wine glass, smiling warmly. “I heard that the Holy Son served as acting Pope for a few months recently. Now that I see you, it’s clear—the majestic aura is unmistakable.”

“You flatter me, Sect Master Ning,” Qian Renjue replied with a modest smile, shaking his head.

He took the fruit wine Ling Yuan handed him and placed it on the table in front of him.

"I was merely helping my teacher with some trivial matters; it’s nothing noteworthy. In terms of management, I still need to learn a lot from Sect Master Ning."

"Haha, Your Highness remains as humble as ever," Ning Fengzhi chuckled, not taking Qian Renjue’s words too seriously.

Sword Douluo, however, was focused on something else entirely.

Looking directly at Qian Renjue, he asked, “Last time, you mentioned hunting for a hundred-thousand-year seventh spirit ring. Was it successful? What is your current level now?”

Qian Renjue sipped the fruit wine, smiling. “Thank you, Senior Chen Xin, for your concern. I am now a seventy-seventh level Spirit Sage.”

“What?!” Sword Douluo’s eyes widened, nearly crushing his wine cup in astonishment.

Ning Fengzhi was equally shocked, almost spitting out his wine and pushing up his glasses with a mix of awe and surprise. “Your Highness, the Holy Son, never ceases to amaze. Every time I think I have accurately gauged your abilities, it turns out I’ve underestimated you by far.”

Sword Douluo set his cup down, his sharp gaze on Qian Renjue as if seeing a marvel, mixed with a hint of challenge.

Ling Yuan observed their reactions with a faint smile and glanced at Qian Renjue with admiration and pride. “It was just a bit of luck,” Qian Renjue replied modestly, though Ling Yuan couldn’t help but smile, finding his humility endearing.

Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo’s brows twitched slightly. How could anyone rise to such a level with mere luck in under a year?

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.

“Sect Master, I am here to report back!” The disciple’s voice interrupted. Ning Fengzhi smirked slightly, predicting that Rongrong hadn’t come.

“Go ahead,” Ning Fengzhi said.

“Yes!” The disciple promptly relayed Ning Rongrong’s message. “Miss Rongrong said she is training, very busy, and has no time.”

Qian Renjue, although expecting this, couldn’t help but rub his temples in mild frustration. It looked like he’d have to coax her later.

"That girl, Rongrong—she’s always asking to see the Holy Son, and now she’s throwing a fit?” Ning Fengzhi scolded softly, though Qian Renjue sensed a hint of intentional theatrics in it.

Even Ling Yuan noticed and quietly chuckled.

“Go again! Tell Rongrong to come over,” Ning Fengzhi began, but Qian Renjue interjected.

“Sect Master Ning, it’s fine. I seem to have upset her, so it’s only right I go to her myself.”

“Your Highness, Holy Son, wouldn’t that be inappropriate?” Ning Fengzhi asked with a furrowed brow.

“There’s no issue at all. Let’s just go with that.” Qian Renjue stood up without hesitation. Compared to Sword Douluo’s open hostility, he found Ning Fengzhi’s feigned concern more difficult to tolerate.

He headed outside, saying, “Sister Ling Yuan, please wait here. Sir, if you could kindly show me the way.”

“Of course, Your Highness. Right this way.”

As Qian Renjue walked away, Sword Douluo smiled approvingly, satisfied with his behavior. When Qian Renjue was out of earshot, Ning Fengzhi finally let out a laugh.

“Haha, it seems the Holy Son does care about our little Rongrong.” He had been deliberately acting exaggeratedly to nudge Qian Renjue.

“Of course,” Ling Yuan responded with a smile.

Ning Fengzhi was well aware of this, knowing the hidden weapons proved it.

Raising his hand, he gestured politely, “Might we invite you, Your Excellency Ling Yuan, to a different spot to enjoy the scenery?”

Ling Yuan raised an eyebrow, amused. She understood he didn’t actually mean sightseeing but was curious about the unfolding drama.

Smiling, she nodded slightly. “As the guest follows the host, I’d be happy to.”