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

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School, atop the Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Ning Fengzhi, dressed in a white robe, stood by the window, his slender fingers gently stroking the colorful glass window frame. He gazed at the well-arranged buildings within the sect, but his gaze seemed to penetrate the scenery and land on something even further away.

A gentle breeze stirred, lifting strands of his hair. The jewels on his scepter shimmered with a mesmerizing light in the sunlight, yet they could not illuminate the depths of his eyes.

Suddenly, ripples spread across the space behind them. The hunched figure of the ancient banyan tree emerged from the void like ink spreading through the air, its withered fingers still in the gesture of tearing through space.

Ning Fengzhi lightly tapped the window frame with his fingertips, the colorful glass making a crisp sound under his touch: "Uncle Gu, how is the situation?"

The ancient banyan tree's withered fingers rubbed together, its hoarse laughter echoing atop the tower: "No mistake," it leaned forward slightly, "that old emperor, he already has one foot in the grave."

The space around him distorted slightly, casting flickering light on his old face. "What I didn't expect was that Xue Beng actually managed to get the Clear Sky Sect to come," he said with a cold smile. "Three youngsters arrived, all of them Title Douluo."

Ning Fengzhi's slender fingers slowly caressed the seven-colored gem at the top of his scepter, his gaze lowered, overlooking the disciples bustling about within the sect. A gentle breeze ruffled his snow-white robes, yet it couldn't dispel the almost inaudible sigh that escaped his lips.
"What a grand gesture!"

The light refracted by the gemstones danced across his gentle face, making it impossible to discern his emotions: "Three Title Douluos." His voice was like a clear spring striking jade, yet carried a chilling edge. "It seems everyone wants..."

The scepter suddenly slammed heavily on the ground, causing the glazed lamps atop the tower to vibrate loudly: "Trying to step on the head of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?" Gu Rong's withered fingers drew several spatial rifts in the void, his hoarse voice carrying a hint of eagerness: "Feng Zhi, how about letting Chen Xin and me go and say hello to those three brats?"

Ning Fengzhi suddenly chuckled, the seven-colored gems on his scepter shimmering with a mesmerizing light as he moved. "No need, Uncle Bone." He turned to look in the direction of Heaven Dou City, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "I was already worried..."

"How can I properly 'talk' with that child?" His fingertips lightly tapped the windowpane. "I never expected the Haotian Sect..." His voice suddenly softened, "to have handed this opportunity directly to me."

Gu Rong's white eyebrows furrowed tightly, his withered fingers unconsciously tearing at the space around him: "Are we just going to let this go?" His cloudy eyes were full of incomprehension. "Feng Zhi, that's a Title Douluo with three Clear Sky Hammer martial souls!"

Space distorted and warped under his agitated emotions, making his old face appear particularly ferocious: "If the Fourth Prince really succeeds..." His voice suddenly rose, "How much benefit will we have to give up?"

A withered, branch-like hand slammed onto the glass window: "Now that the blue lightning is extinguished, it is time to..." Before he could finish speaking, Ning Fengzhi raised his hand to interrupt him.

“Uncle Bone,” Ning Fengzhi’s voice remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable force, “No need.”

"No need?!" Gu Rong's eyes widened, his wrinkles deepening with shock. He repeated those three words incredulously, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

Ning Fengzhi's fingertips lightly traced the colorful stained glass on the window frame, his voice like a gentle stream: "Uncle Gu, I've been thinking these past few days." He turned to look at the disciples bustling about the sect, "Money, in the end, can never be earned enough."

The scepter tapped lightly on the ground, producing a crisp sound. "And the expansion of power," he shook his head slightly, "has its limits." Sunlight filtered through the glass, casting dappled shadows on his gentle face. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has already reached that ceiling."

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's hunched figure stiffened slightly. He naturally understood the deeper meaning behind the sect leader's words—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had become incredibly wealthy over the years, but some things simply couldn't be bought with money.

"What exactly do you think is the gap between us and the Spirit Hall?" Ning Fengzhi suddenly raised his eyes, a sharp glint in them.

Gu Rong's withered fingers unconsciously traced the spatial rift as he rasped, "Top-tier combat power... far too weak." He gave a bitter laugh, "With our strength, do you think we can destroy the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Shaking his head, 'It's as difficult as ascending to heaven.'"

Ning Fengzhi gently shook his head, the tassels of his gilded crown shimmering in the sunlight. "There was a time when I thought the same as Uncle Gu," he said, his fingertips lightly tracing the gems on his scepter, his gaze distant, "until I witnessed Feng Yao's battle with you."

A seven-colored halo flowed across his gentle face: "I suddenly realized," his voice abruptly turned deep, "the difference lies not in strength, but in the word 'inclusiveness'." The scepter drew an arc, "...a gesture of tolerance."

He slowly walked to the window, looking down at the busy disciples within the sect: "Even a sect that establishes itself on martial spirits, as prosperous as Haotian in its heyday," a bitter smile appeared on his lips, "only has a few thousand members."

As he turned, his white robes fluttered gently in the wind: "But the Spirit Hall, which claims to be a 'holy land,'..." A glint of light flashed in his eyes, "is facing the entire continent of spirit masters."

The scepter tapped gently on the ground, and Ning Fengzhi's voice suddenly softened: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's prosperity under my leadership—" He looked at the ancient banyan tree, his gaze sincere—" was not due to any great talent or strategy on my part."

A flake of glass-like leaf drifted down outside the window, and he caught it perfectly in his palm: "It's not that I'm driven by hardship." He lightly twirled the leaf's stem with his fingertips, "To seek, to win over."

The leaves refracted the sunlight, creating dappled patterns of rainbow colors. "Fortunately," he smiled slightly, "heaven has been kind to me, allowing me to meet you and Uncle Jian."

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's hunched figure trembled slightly. His withered fingers froze in mid-air, and even the distorted space around him seemed to freeze for a moment.

His cloudy eyes gazed into the distance, as if piercing through the long river of time.

Ning Fengzhi lightly stroked the gem on the scepter, its iridescent light reflecting in his deep eyes: "The gaze of the founder of the Spirit Hall," his voice echoing through the ages, "was never confined to a single, powerful spirit."

He walked slowly to the window, his white robes fluttering in the wind: "They are not just looking out for Soul Masters across the entire continent," the scepter drew a rainbow in the sunlight, "so they can gather the talents of the world."

The clouds outside the window suddenly parted, and a beam of golden light pierced through the glass, casting a long shadow of him. "Look at Feng Yao," he said, tilting his head slightly. "Such geniuses are springing up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain."

Turning around, a bitter smile appeared on his face: "And our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School—" His gaze fell on Ning Rongrong, who was cultivating in the distance, "...after all these years, we've only cultivated one Rongrong."

Gu Rong's withered fingers dug deeply into his palms, distorting the space around him: "Feng Zhi." His hoarse voice carried an unprecedented gravity, "Are you truly determined?"

Ning Fengzhi's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "No rush. The Haotian Sect is our key bargaining chip in negotiations with that child. In my opinion, my good disciple is probably already one of theirs."

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's expression changed drastically, and deep worry appeared between his brows: "They've even infiltrated the royal family?"

Ning Fengzhi's lips curled into a faint smile: "Uncle Gu, have you noticed Feng Yao's behavior?" He looked up at the falling sycamore leaves outside the window. "Do you know what Rongrong's opinion of him is? He's completely focused on cultivation, and this kind of person frequently visits the Crown Prince's residence, working tirelessly for Qinghe." Gu Rong frowned, and said in a deep voice, "We've watched Xue Qinghe grow up since he was a child. Logically speaking, there shouldn't be any problems."

Ning Fengzhi's voice was low and meaningful: "Uncle Gu, a fledgling eagle must eventually spread its wings. Qinghe is no longer the child who needed our support. The path to becoming emperor cannot be forever one of being a puppet in someone else's hands. This is why we have delayed his formal ascension to the throne."

Gu Rong frowned deeply: "You mean you want to borrow the Haotian Sect as a weapon?" A glint of shrewdness flashed in his cloudy eyes, "...to wait until they are both severely weakened before we step in to help?"

A profound glint flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes: "Uncle Gu, you are mistaken." He shook his head slightly, his sleeves swaying gently with the movement. "With Feng Yao's current cultivation level, he might not be at a disadvantage even against a Title Douluo. As for Qinghe..." He paused meaningfully, "This Crown Prince probably still has some trump cards hidden in his hands that none of us know about."

Gu Rong's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this. Ning Fengzhi stood with his hands behind his back: "The only thing we need to do is wait and see."

The ancient banyan tree's aged fingers tapped lightly on the sandalwood armrest, producing a dull sound: "If the Haotian Sect truly succeeds, wouldn't our foundation in the Heavenly Battle be shaken?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly: "Uncle Gu is overthinking it." A glint of light flashed in his eyes. "If the Haotian Sect truly succeeds, it will be a golden opportunity for my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to shine."

A gust of wind blew past the window, ruffling the stray hairs on his forehead: "At that time, we will be the sharpest hidden blade planted by the Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou, firmly embedded in the shadows of their hearts."

Gu Rong slowly said, "What if that kid Xue Qinghe wins?" A complex emotion flashed in his cloudy eyes.

Ning Fengzhi slightly raised his head, gazing at the magnificent brilliance shimmering in the sunlight: "Uncle Gu, have you ever seen a fledgling eagle leave its nest?" He looked at the birds circling in the courtyard, his voice distant: "If Qinghe truly wishes to soar through the heavens, it will ultimately be inseparable from our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."

Ning Fengzhi turned around, his robes fluttering. "We can use the power of the Heavenly Battle as a stepping stone to a brighter future in the Spirit Hall." His eyes reflected the splendor of the glazed pagoda. "After all, the sect cannot afford any problems."

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's wrinkled face broke into a relieved smile. He gently patted his knee: "Since Feng Zhi has considered everything thoroughly, I will say no more."

Ning Fengzhi smiled, the gloom that had lingered in his eyes for days vanishing: "To be honest, Uncle Gu, these past few days have actually been the most relaxed I've had in years."

"Hahaha," Gu Rong stroked his beard and laughed, but there was a hint of self-mockery in his laughter. "I'm still a step behind that old fellow Chen Xin. What I lack is this mental cultivation; I really am inferior."

Ning Fengzhi picked up his teacup and took a small sip: "When it comes to the art of focus, we are indeed no match for Uncle Jian."

Gu Rong stood up, his robes fluttering even without wind: "Then these next few days I'll follow the example of that sword fanatic Chen Xin and properly seclude myself to meditate and comprehend." His eyes gleamed, "Perhaps I can even advance further in my soul power."

Ning Fengzhi smiled calmly. "Until the situation becomes clear, we only need to observe and wait. If Qinghe comes to visit..." He paused, a sly glint in his eyes, "we'll say that you two took Rongrong to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for spirit rings."

The ancient banyan tree stroked its beard knowingly and smiled, its form gradually fading into nothingness, leaving only its last words drifting in the air: "You little fox."

After the scent of the ancient banyan tree had completely dissipated, Ning Fengzhi slowly walked to the white jade railing. Sunlight gilded the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda with a golden edge. He looked down at the disciples moving back and forth within the sect, his slender fingers unconsciously tightening their grip on the railing. A gentle breeze ruffled the stray hairs on his forehead, but his gentle, jade-like eyes now shone with a resolute light.

He silently vowed to himself, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the sect's jade pendant at his waist, "I will definitely protect you all."

Three days later, the morning mist had not yet dissipated.

On the shore of Emerald Lake at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, morning dew rolled on the blades of grass. Feng Yao, dressed in a plain white robe, sat gracefully on a blue stone, his slender fingers gently plucking and strumming the seven-stringed zither. The music flowed like a clear spring, startling several egrets that were drinking.

Ye Lingling sat under a sycamore tree not far away, holding Xiao Wu in her arms. The girl's slender fingers gently combed Xiao Wu's soft fur, her eyes filled with a tender smile.

As the music reached its climax, Feng Yao suddenly noticed an interesting phenomenon—Xiao Wu, nestled in his arms, unconsciously rubbed against the sound of the music, her fluffy rabbit ears trembling slightly, appearing more peaceful than when she usually nestled in Ye Lingling's arms. Ye Lingling also noticed this and exchanged a surprised glance with Feng Yao.

The last note of the zither faded away with the ripples on the lake, and the midday sun cast dappled shadows on the grass through the sycamore leaves. Feng Yao put away his zither and stood up, his gaze falling on Xiao Wu in Ye Lingling's arms, a mischievous smile suddenly appearing on his lips.

Before Ye Lingling could stop him, Feng Yao had already gently lifted Xiao Wu up. The snow-white rabbit stared at him in mid-air, its ruby-like eyes filled with a hint of annoyance.

"Stop bullying her." Ye Lingling frowned slightly and reached out to snatch Xiao Wu back.

Feng Yao nimbly dodged to the side, a mischievous glint in his eyes: "I'm just curious." He gently tapped Xiao Wu's pink nose with his fingertip. "Sister Xiao Wu, did you understand the music you just heard?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu immediately bristled, kicking her long hind legs in the air, her snow-white fur puffing up in anger, making her look like a moving ball of fluff. Her puffed-up appearance amused Feng Yao, who burst into laughter, and even the usually aloof Ye Lingling couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

Seeing this, Ye Lingling's cool eyes flashed with a hint of heartache, and she quickly reached out to take Xiao Wu back. Her slender fingers gently combed Xiao Wu's ruffled fur, her movements as tender as if she were soothing a frightened child. "Good girl, don't be angry," she whispered, a faint healing soul power emanating from her fingertips, the shimmering light gradually calming the little rabbit in her arms.

Just as Feng Yao was about to head to the cafeteria, a familiar voice transmitted through his soul power suddenly reached his ears: "Little Feng, the young master's operation will take place tonight."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Turning to Ye Lingling beside him, before her questioning gaze could fully surface, Feng Yao lowered his voice and said, "Lingling, take Sister Xiaowu to have dinner, then go straight back to the manor. No matter who visits tonight, do not go out."

Ye Lingling's eyes flickered slightly, and she instantly understood. The Heavenly Dou Imperial City was currently undergoing a power transition, and she naturally understood the implications.

"Be extremely careful." She tightened her grip on Xiaowu's arm, her voice soft yet each word weighty, "If things become unbearable..."

Feng Yao's lips curled into a confident smile: "Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can't trap me, don't worry."

Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. Xiao Wu in her arms curled her three-lobed lips disdainfully—with her soul skill enhancement, ordinary Title Douluo would indeed find it difficult to harm Feng Yao in the slightest.

A gentle breeze rustled the paulownia leaves as Feng Yao vanished from his spot, leaving only a few leaves swirling down. Ye Lingling watched him go, pulled Xiao Wu closer to her, and turned to walk towards the cafeteria. (End of Chapter)