With Ning Fengzhi, the central figure, arriving at the banquet, the others promptly took their seats.
Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong were arranged to sit at the same table as Ning Fengzhi.
Seeing that they looked a bit reserved, Ning Fengzhi smiled lightly and said, "Tianchen, there are no outsiders here today. You don't need to be so formal."
If he were to marry Ning Rongrong, then indeed, there would be no outsiders at this table. But hadn't that not happened yet? It felt a bit too soon to be meeting the parents already.
Ning Fengzhi was the first to pick up his chopsticks, and the family banquet officially began.
Under Ning Fengzhi's authoritative presence, Ning Rongrong didn't interact much with Ning Tianchen during the meal.
Just like that, about half an hour passed, and Ning Fengzhi's eldest son, Ning Tian, was the first to raise his wine cup and approach Ning Tianchen.
Ning Tian was in his early twenties and had already reached the Soul Ancestor level of soul power.
However, with his low innate soul power, his future advancement would inevitably be much slower.
"Ning Tianchen, I've heard of you—you're the top genius of the sect. Keep working hard. The sect won't treat you unfairly," he said, before downing the wine in his cup.
Ning Tianchen swirled the tea in his own cup and replied, "Young Master is too kind. I'm still quite young, so I'll use tea in place of wine."
Besides Ning Tian, Ning Fengzhi's other sons also came up to greet Ning Tianchen in turn.
As the rounds of drinks and dishes came to an end, Ning Fengzhi waved his hand and said, "That's it for today's banquet. Rongrong, Tianchen, you two stay. Everyone else can go back and rest."
Ning Tianchen sat upright, a bit nervous, fearing that Ning Fengzhi might bring up marriage.
After the others left, Dustheart (Chen Xin) stood up and smiled calmly. "Tianchen, I've never had children in my life. You're the number one genius of the sect and possess the same Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul as I do. I'd like to take you as my god-grandson. What do you think?"
Ning Tianchen was caught completely off guard.
Up to today, he hadn't heard even a hint of such a thing.
But at least it wasn't an offer to adopt him as a son—otherwise, he'd really start suspecting Dustheart had cuckolded his cheap father.
"Brother Tianchen, why are you still frozen? Hurry up and accept Sword Grandpa's offer," Ning Rongrong nudged his arm and whispered a reminder.
Dustheart didn't seem in a hurry for an answer.
Seeing that Ning Tianchen was still thinking, Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "Tianchen, I've actually looked into your Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul. There was once a woman from the Seven Kill Sword lineage who married into your father's family."
"Though no one in the family awakened the Seven Kill Sword in generations, that doesn't mean the bloodline disappeared. In your generation, it reemerged due to a recessive trait, and that's why you awakened the Seven Kill Sword."
Martial soul reversion to ancestral traits wasn't uncommon on the continent.
But had a woman from the Seven Kill Sword line really married into his father's family?
After his father married into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he had long since severed ties with his original family. Even if Ning Tianchen wanted to investigate, there was no way to confirm it now.
Still, Ning Fengzhi's explanation helped solidify his thoughts.
"Kneeling before Grandfather, I offer my respects." As he spoke, he knelt and gave a deep ceremonial bow to Dustheart.
"Good grandson, quickly get up—there's no need for all that," Dustheart said, bending down to help him up.
"Heh, kid Tianchen, from now on, just call me Grandpa Bones like Rongrong does," Gu Rong (Bone Douluo) laughed heartily, clearly pleased for his old friend.
"Grandpa Bones," Ning Tianchen said, bowing once more.
Ning Fengzhi followed up, "Tianchen, your father is older than I am, so from now on, you can call me Uncle Ning."
This whole recognition ceremony seemed casual on the surface, but Ning Tianchen knew it meant he was now officially adopted as Dustheart's god-grandson.
For him, this was actually a good thing. With this new identity, he could rightfully receive more resources from the sect in the future.
As they were about to leave, Ning Fengzhi added:
"Oh, and Tianchen—once Rongrong breaks through to Soul Elder, the two of you will head off to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
Ning Tianchen wasn't sure whether this was to force Ning Rongrong away from going to Shrek Academy or just a simple plan to send them both to Heaven Dou.
He didn't want to get involved in the conflict between Ning Fengzhi and his daughter, so he once again used the excuse of "entering secluded training" to delay the matter.
After they left, Dustheart couldn't help but say, "Fengzhi, do you really think the faculty at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy can compare to you and me? I think it's best if they stay here in the sect to learn."
For some reason, Gu Rong sided with Ning Fengzhi this time. "Old Swordman, our sect doesn't have a formal academy. With Tianchen and Rongrong's talent, they'll be qualified to participate in the Continental Soul Master Tournament in three years."
"If they stay in the sect, do you really want them to miss out on such a rare and valuable training opportunity?"
The Soul Master Tournament gathers top talents from across the continent.
Fighting such elite soul masters would definitely improve Ning Tianchen and Rongrong's strength.
There was another reason Gu Rong didn't mention: during the tournament, the two could also help the sect recruit more talented soul masters.
"This..." Dustheart was briefly speechless.
After thinking it through, he tacitly accepted Ning Fengzhi's plan.
Of course, Ning Fengzhi's real intention wasn't just about the tournament. He wanted to use this opportunity to help completely change Ning Rongrong's personality.
He hadn't discussed this with Gu Rong—instead, he had been quietly planning it on his own.
Next: The following days...
Under Ning Fengzhi's instruction, the news that Ning Tianchen had been accepted by Dustheart (Chen Xin) as a god-grandson quickly spread throughout the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Most disciples weren't surprised by this development. After all, Ning Tianchen also possessed the Seven Kill Sword martial soul, and since Dustheart had no children of his own, it was perfectly reasonable for him to take Tianchen as a god-grandson.
Of course, there was a small minority who talked about it behind the scenes.
These few people were mostly old acquaintances of Ning Tianchen's father. They believed that Dustheart had cuckolded his father. Some even went so far as to criticize Ning Tianchen's actions.
However, Ning Tianchen did not come forward to explain anything to them.
Ever since he had awakened his martial soul, none of these people had ever taken the initiative to approach him, and he didn't know them either.
Half a month later, while he was practicing swordsmanship as usual within the sect, an inner sect disciple suddenly came over and handed him a letter left by Ning Rongrong.
"Wait, you said Rongrong left this? Where did she go?" Ning Tianchen couldn't help but ask.
The disciple shook his head. "Young Master Tianchen, the young miss did not inform me of her destination. She only said that once you read the letter, you would understand."
Ning Tianchen didn't make things difficult for him and waved for him to leave.
He opened the letter.
The letter wasn't long. Ning Rongrong briefly explained that she was heading to the Balak Kingdom.
She also mentioned that she would be staying in Balak City until the first day of next month and asked Ning Tianchen to meet her there.
Today was the third day of the current month, which meant there were more than twenty days left until the first of next month—enough time to make the journey to Balak City.
But… should he go?
He was now a key cultivation target of the sect. Leaving without permission would be considered a serious act of irresponsibility.
As Ning Tianchen was still hesitating, Dustheart flew overhead, sword-riding across the sky.
His destination was clearly the sect's council hall.
"So it seems Rongrong's departure from the sect was indeed secretly authorized by Ning Fengzhi," Ning Tianchen said with a helpless smile.
Dustheart's rush to the council hall was surely, just like in the original timeline, to hold Ning Fengzhi accountable.
After thinking for a moment, Ning Tianchen began heading toward the hall as well.