Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Feng Yao's carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the main hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

With a gentle tremor of the gilded carriage shaft, the beaded curtain was respectfully lifted by a servant. Feng Yao looked up and saw that the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda was still radiant in the sunlight, the gemstones inlaid on the pagoda reflecting a dazzling light, making the entire square appear extremely luxurious.

He straightened his clothes and calmly stepped down from the carriage. "My lord, this way please."

A steward dressed in a moon-white robe bowed to greet him, the seven-treasure pattern on his sleeves appearing and disappearing as he walked. Feng Yao nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the pair of glass phoenix sculptures poised for flight in front of the hall, a faint smile curving his lips.

Before long, Feng Yao, accompanied by the guiding disciple, passed through the winding corridors and arrived at the familiar council hall. The gilded hall doors slowly opened, revealing thirty-six glazed palace lanterns hanging from the dome, illuminating the hall as if it were daytime.

“My lord, please.” The disciple bowed and stepped aside.

The moment Feng Yao stepped across the threshold, the palace doors behind him closed silently. His gaze narrowed slightly—unlike the scene he had anticipated, guarded by the Sword and Bone Duo, the spacious hall contained only Ning Fengzhi, who sat alone on a seven-jeweled glazed throne. A scepter inlaid with various gemstones leaned against the throne, shimmering with a hazy glow under the lamplight.

Ning Fengzhi lightly tapped the glass armrest with his fingertips, the crisp sound particularly clear in the silent hall. He raised his eyes to look at Feng Yao, his eyes seemingly filled with a thousand thoughts, yet instantly returning to calm.

"You're here."

His calm tone betrayed no emotion, yet it caused the air in the hall to freeze. Feng Yao, a familiar gentle smile playing on his lips, placed his right hand on his chest in a standard aristocratic salute: "Sect Leader Ning."

The moment their eyes met, a complex and unfathomable glint flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. He slowly rose, holding his scepter.

"Should I address you as Marquis?" Ning Fengzhi's fingertips traced the gems on his scepter, his voice suddenly turning cold. "Or should I respectfully address you as Elder of the Spirit Hall?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Yao's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "Is that important?" He lightly stroked the jade pendant at his waist with his fingertips, his voice tinged with amusement, "Wasn't the selection of the Seven Great Sects initially overseen by the Spirit Hall? The Pope's decree even bears the Spirit Emblem of your Upper Three Sects."

Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed sharply, his scepter trembling slightly, seven-colored light swirling among the gemstones. He slowly descended the steps, each step making the air in the hall grow heavier: "So... all these years, you've been secretly monitoring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?" His voice suddenly turned cold, "Tang Hao's death is probably also related to you, isn't it?"

Feng Yao's eyes flickered slightly, and his fingers unconsciously tightened for a moment in his sleeve before quickly relaxing. He raised his eyes to meet Ning Fengzhi's sharp gaze, his face still bearing a composed smile: "Sect Master Ning is joking. I truly do not understand your meaning." Before he finished speaking, a faint wisp of soul power had already quietly flowed around his body.

Ning Fengzhi lightly traced the seven-colored gem at the top of the scepter with his fingertips, his gaze fixed intently on Feng Yao: "Even I can no longer sense your soul power fluctuations." His voice deepened, carrying a hint of profound meaning, "It seems this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest has been quite fruitful."

Before the words were even finished, a strange ripple suddenly appeared in the space inside the hall. Gu Rong's figure stepped out of the void like a ghost, his withered hand gently resting on Ning Fengzhi's shoulder. His hunched figure stood side by side with Ning Fengzhi, but his cloudy eyes flashed with a chilling light.

Feng Yao remained calm and composed, his slender fingers gently stroking the "Fuxi" zither that had suddenly appeared in his arms. The strings vibrated slightly under his fingertips, producing a clear and melodious sound.

"So, Sect Master Ning, what is the purpose of inviting me here today?" He raised his eyes and smiled slightly, his voice as gentle as a clear spring, yet containing a hidden sharpness.

Ning Fengzhi's gaze sharpened. He slowly stepped forward, each step causing the fluctuations of soul energy within the hall to momentarily halt: "I only want to know—" He slammed his scepter heavily on the ground, "Just who are you?!"

Before Ning Fengzhi could finish speaking, Gu Rong's withered figure had already vanished into thin air as a blur. In an instant, a bone claw gleaming with a chilling white light shot out, aiming straight for Feng Yao's throat!
Feng Yao's pupils suddenly contracted, and his left arm's soul bone emitted a dazzling silver light. Just as the bone claw was about to touch his skin, his figure twisted and dissipated like ripples on water.

"Teleportation?!" Gu Rong's cloudy pupils trembled violently, and for the first time, shock appeared on his withered face. He didn't turn around, but his fourth spirit ring suddenly burst forth with a blinding black light: "Not good!"

In an instant, the space around Feng Yao shattered inch by inch, and countless bone spikes gleaming with cold light shot out from the void like blooming flowers of death.

"Fourth Soul Skill - Bone Domain!"

Just as the thousands of bone spurs were about to pierce his body, Feng Yao's slender fingertips gently plucked the strings of the zither. "Zheng—" A visible ripple of sound suddenly spread out, and wherever it passed, the white bone spurs turned into dust, fluttering down onto the smooth floor of the hall.

Feng Yao lightly stroked the strings, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Senior Bone Douluo's bones are indeed incredibly strong, perfect for both defense and offense, and his spatial control is divine." He then changed the subject, and the strings suddenly emitted a clear, resonant vibrato. "Unfortunately... the Fuxi Qin music is specifically designed to counter solid objects."

As the music echoed, Feng Yao's body suddenly radiated a dazzling light from his soul rings. When Gu Rong turned around, eight soul rings were already surrounding Feng Yao like a galaxy—yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, black, and red! The moment that bewitching blood-red 100,000-year soul ring appeared, the air in the entire hall seemed to freeze.

"The more impenetrable the defense," Feng Yao's slender fingers hovered over the strings, his last soul ring glowing brightly red, "it often collapses most completely from within."

The ancient banyan tree's withered body trembled violently, its turbid pupils contracting sharply: "A 100,000-year soul ring!" Its hoarse voice revealed undisguised shock.

Ning Fengzhi's Seven Treasures Glazed Scepter trembled slightly. Gazing at the bewitching, blood-red light, the last trace of doubt in his heart finally dissipated. He had thought he had seen through this young man's true nature, but he never expected Bibi Dong to go to such lengths for Feng Yao—bestowing upon him a 100,000-year soul ring. This was clearly the treatment she would give him as her own son!

In an instant, an invisible domain force swept through the entire hall like a tidal wave. Feng Yao's voice, amplified by the domain, became ethereal and vast, as if emanating from the heavens: "Shall we continue, you three?"

He took a graceful step forward, and the instant his toes touched the ground, a blinding sword light suddenly erupted from the back hall of the main hall. Chen Xin, dressed in snow-white robes, wielded the Seven Kill Sword and strode through the air, his sharp sword energy extinguishing all the glass lamps along his path.

"It's actually a 100,000-year-old soul ring!" Chen Xin's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of solemnity flashing in his usually calm eyes. The Seven Kill Sword emitted a clear and melodious sword sound in his hand, faintly clashing with the Fuxi Qin music in the void.

Chen Xin's gaze, sharp as a sword, turned to Ning Fengzhi. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master lightly raised his right hand, his glazed scepter tracing an elegant arc in the air: "Alright, Uncle Bone."

A hint of resentment flashed across Gu Rong's withered face, and his cloudy eyes gave Feng Yao a deep look. With a cold snort, his hunched figure spread out in the void like ink painting, and in an instant he was back beside Ning Fengzhi, the lingering soul power fluctuations still swirling between his withered fingers.

Seeing this, Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword emitted a clear, resonant ringing sound. The overwhelming, sharp sword energy receded like a tide, but the cold glint flowing on the blade remained captivating. He stood on the other side of Ning Fengzhi, his white robes fluttering, the three of them forming a pincer movement, facing Feng Yao from afar.

An eerie silence fell over the main hall, with only the flames of the thirty-six glass lamps flickering slightly from the earlier surge of soul power, casting the shadows of the crowd into varying lengths.

Feng Yao's slender fingers gently brushed across his sleeve, slowly dusting off the crystalline bone powder. He looked up at Ning Fengzhi, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Sect Leader Ning, this doesn't seem like proper hospitality."

Ning Fengzhi lightly tapped the ground with his scepter, seven-colored light flowing among the gemstones. His expression was calm, yet his voice carried an undeniable authority: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's way of treating guests also depends on whether the other party is worthy of being a guest."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yao was not annoyed but rather smiled, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes as he nodded slightly. He elegantly straightened his robes, and the Fuxi Qin in his arms vanished in a stream of light: "Since there's nothing else, then I'll take my leave."

Having said that, he turned and walked out of the hall. His steps were unhurried, yet each step caused subtle ripples of soul energy to spread across the ground. The gilded hall doors opened without wind, rippled by the soul energy emanating from Feng Yao. Ning Fengzhi stared at Feng Yao's receding figure, a rare look of solemnity appearing on his gentle, jade-like face. His slender fingers unconsciously caressed the gem at the top of his scepter, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure.

"well"

A barely audible sigh echoed in his heart. A struggle flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. He knew he was standing at a crossroads of fate—either take advantage of the presence of the Sword and Bone Douluo to use swift and decisive means to keep Feng Yao here forever and fight the Spirit Hall to the death; or abandon the pride of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as the number one sect in the world and throw himself into the embrace of the Spirit Hall through this young man in front of him.

Feng Yao's steps were unhurried, the soles of his shoes making a crisp sound as they struck the white jade tiles. His lowered eyelashes concealed the calculation in his eyes, and the countdown he silently counted in his mind perfectly synchronized with his steps:

"five"

The gilded palace gates are just a stone's throw away, and sunlight casts long shadows on the ground.

"Four"

The fingers hidden in the sleeve gently caressed the patterns of Fuxi, and the soul power quietly flowed through the meridians.

"three"

A soft sound of a scepter striking the ground came from behind, and the flames of thirty-six glass lamps flickered simultaneously.

"two"

Wait a minute.

Ning Fengzhi's voice finally rang out, carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

Feng Yao paused, then gracefully twirled. A faint smile played on his lips, but his eyes were clear: "Sect Leader Ning, is there anything else you wish to instruct me on?" His slender fingers lightly brushed against his sleeve. "Haven't you already understood what you needed to see and what you needed to test?"

Ning Fengzhi gently stroked his scepter, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "I think there might still be room for negotiation between us."

Feng Yao chuckled softly upon hearing this, casually plucking a string and releasing a ripple of sound: "Sect Leader Ning is too kind. I feel there is nothing more to say."

"Arrogant brat!" Gu Rong's withered body suddenly leaned forward, his pale white soul power surging around him. "Do you really think I dare not take your life?!"

In an instant, Feng Yao's smile vanished. His eyes flashed like lightning as he said, each word distinct and deliberate, "A mere skeleton in a tomb dares to utter such arrogant words." The Fuxi Qin in his arms suddenly emitted a dazzling light. "Why not give it a try and see if this brat goes first, or if your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is left with rivers of blood!"

“You—” Gu Rong’s hair and beard bristled, and he was about to lash out, but Ning Fengzhi stopped him with his cane.

Ning Fengzhi gently stroked his scepter, which shimmered with seven-colored light as he bowed slightly. "I apologize for my earlier rudeness. However, in business, one must always ascertain the background of one's partners." When he looked up, his eyes had acquired the shrewdness characteristic of a businessman. "If this deal goes through, I, Fengzhi, am willing to prepare a generous gift to apologize for my rudeness today."

Feng Yao's fingertips lightly touched the strings of his zither, producing a meaningful, resonant sound. His gaze slowly swept over the three men, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Waiting for a better price? Sect Master Ning seems to have overestimated his bargaining chips. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is only slightly better than the annihilated Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

He suddenly took a step forward, his blood-red 100,000-year soul ring shining brightly: "Sect Master Ning, you should be grateful for everything I did to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, which allowed you to successfully grasp the method of buying your life with money." His voice suddenly turned cold, "Otherwise, the tragic fate of the day Blue Lightning wiped out the sect would likely have been repeated at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."

Gu Rong's withered fingers clenched suddenly, but Chen Xin stopped him with a glance. A crack finally appeared on Ning Fengzhi's gentle smile, and the gems on his scepter flickered, reflecting his ever-changing expression.

After speaking, Feng Yao strode towards the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's mountain gate without looking back. His robes fluttered, and every step he took was unrestrained and arrogant, as if this heavily guarded sect was nothing more than his own backyard. The blood-red 100,000-year soul ring swirled around him, illuminating the glazed lamps along the way with a crimson glow.

Watching the figure recede into the distance, Ning Fengzhi's scepter trembled slightly. He sighed, a hint of weariness appearing on his usually composed face—his carefully laid plan had been seen through completely by this young man.

"Fengzhi!" Gu Rong's withered hands clenched so tightly they cracked. "Why don't I and that wretched woman chase after him now and teach that brat a lesson?"

"You can't kill him. I have to protect Feng Zhi," Chen Xin said calmly, dressed in white robes and holding the Seven Kill Sword.

"You wretched wretch!" Gu Rong roared in fury, but stopped abruptly when he met Chen Xin's calm gaze. Chen Xin gently shook his head, and the point of his sword was none other than the blurred figure outside the mountain gate, and everything around that figure froze.

Feng Yao moved with effortless grace, his robes fluttering in the breeze. Only after his figure had faded into the distance did Ning Fengzhi sigh, "Uncle Gu, I miscalculated. I had hoped to use this young man to maneuver against the Spirit Hall and secure a glimmer of hope for our sect."

He gently traced the cracks on the scepter with his fingertips, his voice gradually lowering: "If we negotiate peace with Feng Yao, he can certainly take credit; but if we confront Bibi Dong directly..." Before he finished speaking, the glass on the scepter had already dimmed and lost its luster.

If it were Pope Bibi Dong herself to negotiate, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would be at a significant disadvantage, and would frequently find itself teetering on the brink of life and death.

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's cloudy eyes suddenly widened: "Is there... absolutely no room for maneuver?"

Ning Fengzhi gently traced the cracks on the scepter with his fingertips, his voice low and deep: "Now, perhaps the only option is to let Rongrong give it a try."

"Is it really him who is indispensable?" Chen Xin held the Seven Kill Sword, his brows furrowed.

Ning Fengzhi nodded heavily. "If we were to meet Bibi Dong directly..." He paused, the glazed tiles on his scepter flickering. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would likely become a mere vassal, just like the Lower Four Sects. Moreover..." He looked in the direction Feng Yao had left, "He was even granted a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone; this boy's position in the Spirit Hall is probably more important than we imagine."

"Then why not join forces with the two great empires, Haotian Sect!" Gu Rong's withered hand slammed down, shattering the stone pillar beside him. "Even death is worse than this humiliating compromise!"

“No.” Ning Fengzhi shook his head and sighed, his figure appearing particularly desolate in the moonlight. “Given the Spirit Hall’s control over the Heavenly Dou Sect, choosing the Clear Sky Sect would be tantamount to suicide. Moreover,” his voice trailed off, “for Rongrong, for the sect’s century-old foundation, we… have no other choice.”

(End of this chapter)