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Seeing that his words were having an effect, Ning Tianchen decided to press on while the iron was hot. "Rongrong, I came across a phrase in the sect's library: 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.'"
Ning Rongrong had been taught by Ning Fengzhi since childhood, so she understood the meaning of this phrase well enough.
Nevertheless, Ning Tianchen went on to explain: "The core idea of this saying is that the sect leader is like a boat, and the sect's disciples are like water. Water can either allow the boat to sail smoothly or overturn and sink it."
"In the future, if the sect's disciples don't recognize you as their leader, the entire sect will fall apart. Do you really want to see the sect destroyed under your watch?"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong nearly burst into tears. "No, I don't want that! I'll manage the sect properly, I promise! Tianchen big brother, please tell me what I should do!"
Since childhood, Ning Fengzhi had instilled in her the importance of preserving the family legacy.
At the mention of this, Ning Rongrong immediately became frightened.
Ning Tianchen chuckled inwardly and continued: "Rongrong, the disciples' recognition of the sect leader builds up gradually through small actions. In the future, when you become the sect leader, the teachers in the special training camp will be your subordinates."
"If you don't respect your teachers now, how can you expect them to support you as their leader in the future? So, starting now, you need to rein in your temper. In the special training camp, show respect to your teachers and be kind to your classmates."
To his surprise, Ning Rongrong didn't feel resentful at all. Instead, she deeply internalized every word he said.
"Rongrong understands, Tianchen big brother. I'll definitely change."
Ning Tianchen patted her forehead gently. "Rongrong is such a good girl."
With the mindset of an adult, handling a six-year-old child was almost too easy.
Of course, he wouldn't use this method to trick Ning Rongrong into doing something bad.
…
In the days that followed, Ning Rongrong indeed changed quite a bit.
For this, Ning Fengzhi even personally thanked Ning Tianchen.
Life in the special training camp was always monotonous. In the blink of an eye, five years had passed.
During this time, Ning Tianchen's swordsmanship had reached an advanced level. Even without deliberately focusing on cultivating his soul power, his soul power still reached level thirty.
His second soul ring came from an 850-year-old Plate Armored Earth Dragon, and his second soul skill was a defensive-type ability.
It was similar to the Seven Kill Sword's Spirit Sword Guardian, but Ning Tianchen's version was called Dragon Sword Guardian. Its defensive power was slightly stronger than the original Spirit Sword Guardian.
After Ning Rongrong's change in attitude, her cultivation speed also improved significantly. She had now reached level twenty-seven soul power—two levels higher than in the original timeline.
In the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's meeting hall, Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong were summoned here. Ning Fengzhi and the Sword and Bone Douluo had been waiting for some time.
Over the past five years, Ning Tianchen had grown into a teenage boy, and his height had increased considerably.
"Tianchen, you're not yet twelve years old, and to reach level thirty soul power at this age fills me with pride," Ning Fengzhi said warmly, his voice soothing like a spring breeze.
Once he hunted for his next soul ring, Ning Tianchen would advance to become a Soul Elder.
An eleven-year-old Soul Elder was an unprecedented existence on the continent. Even Tang Hao, the youngest Title Douluo in history, only broke through to Soul Elder at the age of fourteen.
Moreover, during these years, Ning Tianchen had primarily focused on mastering his sword techniques rather than pushing his soul power cultivation.
"Lord Sect Leader, you flatter me. All of this is thanks to the sect's excellent nurturing," Ning Tianchen humbly replied.
He wasn't being modest—it was true that Ning Fengzhi had provided him with abundant resources. Under such saturated cultivation conditions, any genius with innate soul power of level eight or higher could potentially break through to Soul Elder by the age of twelve.
Swordsmanship required building a foundation from a young age. If he had poured all his efforts into cultivating soul power instead, his soul power level might have reached the high-level Soul Elder stage by now.
But without the enhancement of sword techniques, his overall strength would be far inferior to what it was now.
"Daddy, my soul power hasn't fallen behind either. Tianchen big brother is a battle-oriented soul master, but I'm an auxiliary-type soul master!" Ning Rongrong huffed, trying to take credit for her progress.
"Rongrong is the best," Ning Tianchen teased, patting her forehead lightly.
His praise worked wonders on her, and she immediately brightened up with a happy expression.
Ning Fengzhi could only smile helplessly. "Rongrong, it's time for you to mature a little. Your father, Uncle Sword, and Uncle Bone have discussed this. After you turn twelve, we'll send both of you to study at the Tiandou Imperial Academy."
Ning Fengzhi's decision wasn't solely for their education. He wanted them to interact with strong individuals outside the sect during their academy years, rather than staying cooped up in the sect like delicate flowers in a greenhouse.
Additionally, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had a mission hall where most tasks were designed for disciples to gain experience. However, Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong were successors of the sect, and Ning Fengzhi didn't want them competing with other disciples for missions, as it might lower their status.
Furthermore, sending them to study at the Tiandou Imperial Academy had the added intention of allowing them to recruit talented individuals for the sect.
"I don't want to go to the Tiandou Imperial Academy! It's full of noble students. Once they find out we're from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, they'll swarm around us trying to curry favor—it'll be so annoying!" Ning Rongrong immediately protested.
Given her status, she was never short of sycophants wherever she went. While it might be tolerable once or twice, dealing with such people every day would become a burden.
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but think: "In the original timeline, perhaps this was one of the reasons why Rongrong ran away."
After some thought, he decided not to interfere with Ning Rongrong's decision.
Having been in the Douluo Continent for so long, he felt it was time to meet the destined child of fortune.
"Since Rongrong doesn't want to go, we can discuss this matter later," Chen Xin interjected, turning his gaze to Ning Tianchen. "As for your third soul ring, arrangements have already been made. Whether or not it works out depends on their reply."
Ning Tianchen was puzzled. "Sword Elder, do we really need to rely on others' approval to hunt for soul rings?"
With Chen Xin's strength, who on the continent wouldn't give him face? Could it be that the spirit beast was in a region controlled by the Spirit Hall?
But that didn't make sense either.
The Spirit Hall only managed the spirit beast forests near major cities—the hunting grounds for soul rings.
Although the Spirit Hall's army oversaw those areas, anyone with a token could enter freely without restrictions.
Gu Rong laughed. "Tianchen, this time, to help you hunt for your soul ring, Old Sword even personally wrote a letter to that old dragon. The soul ring you need is in the Thunderclap Gorge."
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly, not wanting to put too much pressure on Ning Tianchen. "Tianchen, don't worry about it. This is just normal cooperation between our two sects. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect won't suffer any significant losses because of it."
"Hmph, the Thunderclap Gorge is supposed to be ownerless land. But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family is too selfish—they've claimed it as their own!" Ning Rongrong clenched her tiny fists, clearly annoyed.
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