Douluo Continent: I Can Summon Heroic Spirits

Chapter 90: The Tulip Fishing Scene; There Can't Be Two Silver Dragon Kings!

Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, Council Hall.

The elders below were arguing heatedly, their faces flushed, while the beautiful woman sitting in the main seat rested her forehead on one hand, listening quietly to their debate.

"Sect Master, are we really going to cooperate with that Star Tower? Their technology is indeed advanced, but no matter what, their headquarters are still in the Sun Moon Empire!"

"Yes, Sect Master! They are now using the guise of aiding civilians to offer small favors."

"But don't forget, the Spirit Hall did the same thing ten thousand years ago! They gave commoners free spirit awakenings to win people's hearts, but in the end, didn't they still expose their wolfish ambition to dominate the continent?"

"That's right! If it weren't for our ancestor Ning Rongrong and the Shrek Seven Devils back then, our sect would probably have been—"

"Alright, all of you, shut up."

Ning Yunyun rubbed her throbbing temples and interrupted the elders who were going off on a tangent. All she could feel was a bitter smile.

Our ancestor Ning Rongrong?

If it weren't for this good ancestor, how could the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School have fallen to this state today?

Ten thousand years ago, when they were still called the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, they were the second largest sect in the world, with two Douluo and wealth comparable to a country. Although they were greatly weakened by the surprise attack of the Spirit Hall, the sect's foundation was still intact. Ning Rongrong even broke through the shackles and awakened the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and the future was promising.

But what was the result? In that great battle ten thousand years ago, the two guardian Douluo, Sword and Bone, died in battle.

After the battle, Tang San, the Sea God, casually said that he would take back the Tang Clan's hidden weapons, which caused the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's business, which had cost them countless resources, to go down the drain.

Their ancestor, Ning Rongrong, on whom so much hope was placed, not only left no bloodline inheritance, but also no clues about the immortal herb that allowed her martial soul to evolve. She simply followed her husband, Oscar, and ascended to the God Realm, leaving a mess for her descendants.

The inheritance of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul is already difficult, and being a pure support type, it has no ability to protect itself.

Having lost the protection of two titled Douluo, the once second-best sect in the world has become a vassal that can only depend on others and rely on them.

Fortunately, in addition to providing assistance, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda lineage also possesses unparalleled treasure appraisal abilities and business acumen. With these two strengths, the younger generation of the sect endured humiliation and hardship, and managed to slowly restore some of the sect's vitality.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and times have changed.

Douluo Continent has ushered in a major version update—

The Sun Moon Empire has arrived with their soul tools.

Although the Sun Moon Empire was defeated by the original Douluo Three Kingdoms in that transcontinental war, it completely overturned the market structure of the continent. The Sun Moon Empire's vast reserves of rare metals and its systematic soul-guided technology were a complete blow to the traditional business model of the Douluo Three Kingdoms.

No matter how capable the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School is of finding and appraising treasures, how could they possibly run into the territory of the Sun Moon Empire to rob resources?

Under the crushing force of this historical tide, the Jiubao Chamber of Commerce, which controlled the economic lifeline of the nation, suffered repeated defeats and was severely weakened, ultimately being squeezed out of the mainstream power table.

Today, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School has gradually declined, and there is no trace of its former glory as the number one auxiliary sect in the world.

Ning Yunyun sighed inwardly.

If she could, she really wanted to carry out sweeping reforms and completely transform the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School into a Soul Guidance Device Sect.

Just as their ancestors accepted the hidden weapons of the Tang Clan ten thousand years ago, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School never rejects new things, especially such good things that are of great use to their pure support-type soul masters.

Unfortunately, the overall environment does not allow it.

The Heavenly Soul Empire harbors an extremely high level of aversion to soul tools. This deep-rooted ideology of valuing martial spirits over soul tools is even more ingrained than that of the Star Luo Empire, let alone the Sun Moon Empire.

Therefore, when the Star Tower suddenly appeared, she was probably the only one among the high-ranking officials of the entire Heavenly Soul Empire who truly saw its terrifying value.

The others were only focused on the Star Tower's pro-commoner attitude and the potential threat that its theory of allowing commoners to use soul tools posed to the aristocratic class.

But what Ning Yunyun saw was their technology.

The curse of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul has stuck these top-tier support-type Soul Masters at level 79, preventing them from making any further progress in their lives.

But as a blessing in disguise, since cultivation was hopeless, Ning Yunyun spent a lot of time learning other knowledge.

As a genuine level eight soul master, Ning Yunyun keenly sensed upon seeing the achievements of the Star Tower that this might be the only chance for the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School to rise again.

Of course, she had her doubts.

How could the Sun Moon Empire allow the Star Tower to operate as an independent organization for civilian purposes, instead of forcibly incorporating it for war? And why did they even tacitly permit its dissemination to the original Douluo Three Kingdoms?

It's important to understand that while the Heavenly Soul Empire is complacent and closed off, the Star Luo Empire is putting in a lot of effort to catch up in terms of soul tools. The Star Luo Empire cannot afford to ignore the Star Tower, nor can it afford not to covet these core technologies.

Is there some limitation to this technology itself, making it difficult to directly convert into highly lethal weapons? Or has the Sun and Moon government and the Star Tower reached some shady agreement behind the scenes?

Ning Yunyun didn't know.

Even if it's a trap, she has to go through it.

The reason is simple: the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School is truly in grave danger.

If this gradual, insidious process continues, thousands of years from now, the once number one support sect in the world will be reduced to a mere appendage that other sects can manipulate at will.

She had no way out; she had to take this gamble.

She was determined to succeed in this collaboration with the Star Tower. Since the other party intended to develop in the original three kingdoms, they would inevitably need a strong local partner as a springboard. As long as she could acquire this technology, she firmly believed that she had the ability to restore the sect to its former glory.

Suppressing her turbulent thoughts, Ning Yunyun turned to the old woman sitting beside her with her eyes closed, and respectfully asked, "Elder Wu, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

The old woman, addressed as Elder Wu, spoke indifferently: "It's entirely up to the sect leader to decide."

"However, in my opinion, with my cultivation level of ninety-seven, the sect is as stable as Mount Tai. There is really no need to cooperate with those people in the Sun Moon Empire who are tinkering with iron lumps."

Ning Yunyun let out a helpless sigh.

As expected, this group of Super Douluo held a deep-seated prejudice against soul tools.

"Sect Master, someone from the Star Tower has arrived. They say they're here to discuss cooperation."

"Could it be that the Tower Master of the Star Tower has come in person?" Ning Yunyun put down the sect's records and looked up to ask.

"It's not the tower master, but Miss Nana, the supervisor in charge of the Heavenly Soul region."

"snort!"

The old shaman sitting to the side let out a heavy snort, his cane striking the bluestone floor with a dull thud: "This Star Tower has quite the airs! Trying to do business with my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, the Tower Master doesn't even show his face!"

"Sect Master, in my opinion, you don't need to personally receive her. Just send someone to send her away. I want to see what kind of trouble this newly formed organization can cause in the Heavenly Soul Empire without the support of my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School!"

Ning Yunyun smiled bitterly to herself. Elder Wu was a senior figure in the sect with profound experience. As the sect leader, she sometimes felt helpless. She could only gently comfort him, "Elder Wu, please calm down. Since the person has already arrived, it's not right to refuse them entry. Let's meet them first."

After saying that, she looked at her subordinate and said, "Please invite Manager Nana in."

Before long, a tall girl with long black hair walked into the council hall. She walked steadily and looked calm. She bowed slightly as she entered the hall and said, "Greetings, Sect Leader Ning."

Ning Yunyun wore a dignified smile, her tone both friendly and polite: "Manager Nana, you are too kind. I heard that your tower is interested in cooperation, and I, the sect leader, am very pleased. However—I wonder why the tower master did not come with me today?"

Nana shook her head and calmly replied, "The Tower Master said that I can handle this matter entirely."

Upon hearing this, Elder Wu let out another cold snort, his face so dark it was almost dripping with water, but he held back from lashing out because Ning Yunyun was present.

A strange light flashed in Ning Yunyun's eyes, but her smile remained unchanged: "In that case, what is the cooperation plan proposed by the Tower Master—?"

Nana straightened up and said in a deep voice, "The Tower Master's conditions are very simple."

"First, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School must unconditionally cooperate with all activities of our Star Tower;"

"Secondly, related industries must not operate under the banner of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, and all sales channels must be under the unified command of the Star Tower. As for the profit-sharing ratio, we can discuss that later."

"But there is one rule: it is absolutely forbidden to take advantage of this to raise prices and exploit ordinary people and low-level Soul Masters."

As soon as Nana finished speaking, a burst of intense fire-attribute soul power suddenly spread throughout the hall, causing waves of heat to surge.

Elder Wu slammed his fist on the table and roared furiously, "Insolence! Do you really think my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School has no one left?! Your Star Tower Master is far too arrogant!"

"Sect Master, since they're so powerful, let them develop on their own. Let's see if their Star Tower can succeed like our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School?"

"We are a sect with a history of ten thousand years, what are they?"

Ning Yunyun's expression was also rather unpleasant at this moment. It was clear that they wanted to treat the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School as a subordinate merchant guild of the Star Tower and use it at will.

"Manager Nana," Ning Yunyun's voice was slightly lowered, "is this all the conditions your tower master has set?"

Under the murderous gaze of the old shaman, Nana lowered her head slightly and said, "The tower master said that he has something he asked me to pass on to you for your review."

"After you've seen it, you'll naturally agree to our terms."

"What are you looking at!" Elder Wu laughed angrily. "You brat, how dare you speak so arrogantly! Get your things and get out of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School right now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

"Old Master Wu."

Ning Yunyun raised her hand, stopping Elder Wu's movement. She took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on Nana below, and slowly shook her head: "Bring it up, let me take a look."

"Sect Master, beware of a trap."

The old witch flashed forward, blocking Ning Yunyun's path, her face cold as she stared at the wooden box in Nana's hand: "This old woman will check it out for you first. Who knows what the Star Tower Master is up to!"

Ning Yunyun did not stop her, and nodded slightly in acquiescence.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the old shaman slowly lifted the lid of the wooden box.

The moment his gaze fell upon the box, Elder Wu's expression darkened, and then his immense spiritual power surged forth, carefully scanning the items inside.

After confirming that everything was correct, Elder Wu laughed in fury, his soul power surging once more: "What a Star Tower! Bringing out something like this, is your Tower Master determined to humiliate my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School?!"

Nana remained unmoved and said calmly, "I wouldn't dare. However, the Tower Master instructed that this item only needs to be examined by Sect Master Ning, and the Sect Master will know its value at a glance."

"What are you looking at? This piece of junk will only lead to the same result no matter who looks at it!" Old Wu was furious. He picked up the wooden box and showed the contents inside.

In the center of the large, exquisite wooden box, there was only a single flower petal lying quietly.

Old Wu was still ranting and rave, unaware that Ning Yunyun behind him had suddenly stood up.

Ning Yunyun stared intently at the petal, forgetting all about her usual dignified demeanor. She stumbled to the wooden box and grabbed the petal in her hand.

"This—this, this—"

Ning Yunyun trembled all over, and her breathing became rapid.

You can’t go wrong!

No matter how well the aura of this petal is concealed or disguised, the martial soul will never lie!

The moment she sensed the petal, her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul, which had been dormant for many years, suddenly became like a dry well that had been parched for countless years, receiving sweet rain, and began to stir wildly and uncontrollably!

This is----

Ten thousand years ago, it was what allowed our ancestor Ning Rongrong to break through the Seven Treasures Shackles and become a Title Douluo...

Qi Luo Tulip!

"Swish"

Ning Yunyun appeared in front of Nana in a flash, grabbed Nana's shoulders with both hands, and began to tremble.

"Miss Nana!" Ning Yunyun's voice trembled, "Starry Sky—no! Where on earth did your Tower Master obtain this thing?!"

Seeing the usually noble and dignified Sect Leader Ning, who remained calm even in the face of a collapsing mountain, in such a state of disarray, even the usually composed Nana froze on the spot, unable to react for a moment.

The stuff the tower owner gave me is surprisingly potent?

The old shaman standing nearby was utterly dumbfounded: "Sect Master, what are you doing—"

Ning Yunyun completely ignored Elder Wu and said, enunciating each word clearly, "Miss Nana, I promise you! I agree to all the conditions set forth by the Star Tower! Could you—could you—let me meet your Tower Master?!"

Inside a secret basement of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, a place where absolutely no one could find it.

Gu Yuena pushed open the door and went in first.

Gu Yue, who was following behind, looked on guard. As soon as she stepped across the threshold, she slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

"Who exactly are you?" Gu Yue stared intently at the figure in front of him that looked exactly like himself and asked in a deep voice.

She was fully aware that she was half of the Dragon God, carrying the Dragon God's essence.

Since there is only one Dragon God in the world, there can never be two Silver Dragon Kings!

As a sane and normal dragon, she would never play some pointless trick of creating clones, nor would she be foolish enough to let her clones develop independent self-awareness, thus creating unnecessary trouble for herself.

Gu Yuena turned around and looked at her calmly: "You should know better than anyone who I am."

Upon hearing this, Gu Yue reacted as if a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with anger.

"Impossible!" Gu Yue retorted sharply, "Although your appearance is exactly the same as mine, your aura is unmistakable! — It's practically identical to life itself!"

"Answer me, who are you?!"