Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

In the quiet of the small pavilion, Ning Fengzhi stood outside the door, his face full of hesitation.

"Uncle Sword, I think their relationship has grown far deeper than I anticipated... And it seems that the past year's training has caused some unexpected side effects," he said, rubbing his temples.

"Ever since that brief hug at the start, Rongrong has been acting unusually distant toward me. She speaks to me cautiously, as if she's not comfortable anymore," Ning Fengzhi continued.

Sword Douluo Jian thoughtfully nodded. "It does seem that way. Just now, Rongrong spoke to me with a certain unfamiliarity as well."

"And she can only fall asleep when she's with Qin Jian. Does this mean they'll never be able to separate again?" Ning Fengzhi grumbled, visibly annoyed.

Indeed, at times like this, any father would likely be feeling rather displeased.

"What about Qin Jian? Is he showing the same symptoms as Rongrong?" Ning Fengzhi asked suddenly.

Sword Douluo shook his head. "Qin Jian appears normal, though he's been speaking less than usual... Perhaps it has had some subtle impact on him too."

Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brows in thought. "In that case, we must find a way to help them move past this. Coincidentally, Qinghe made a suggestion a few days ago that seems worth considering."

"Qinghe? The disciple of His Majesty, Xue Qinghe?" Sword Douluo inquired.

"Yes." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "The royal etiquette class, which happens every few years, has just started. Qinghe suggested that Rongrong attend. At first, I hesitated because I didn't want it to interfere with her cultivation. But now, it seems like a good idea, especially if Qin Jian goes with her."

Sword Douluo pondered for a moment before agreeing. "That's reasonable. The etiquette class will naturally require them to interact with others. After enduring such a grueling training regime, they indeed need some relaxation. As the saying goes, work and rest should be balanced."

Ning Fengzhi nodded again. His gaze fell on the tightly closed door, and a gentle expression gradually emerged on his face.

"Uncle Sword, given how they're behaving now, should we just settle it? It might put my mind at ease," Ning Fengzhi suddenly suggested.

Sword Douluo was taken aback by the sudden turn in conversation. "Settle it? Are you talking about arranging a marriage? They're only ten years old! Isn't that too hasty? What if something changes in the future...?"

There was no "what if." Sword Douluo, knowing about Qin Jian's Nine Trials of the Divine Seat, was certain that changes were inevitable.

"Changes…" Ning Fengzhi rested his chin on his hand, muttering, "That's possible. After all, young feelings are often unstable. Their minds aren't mature yet, and they probably haven't figured out what they truly want or the kind of person they like…"

"Exactly, exactly," Sword Douluo echoed hurriedly, hoping to dissuade Ning Fengzhi from any impulsive decisions.

The last thing Sword Douluo wanted was for Ning Fengzhi to set up an engagement for Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong. If their relationship fell apart later... Qin Jian might face Ning Fengzhi's wrath!

"Still, it all depends on Rongrong's wishes. As long as she's happy, even settling it now wouldn't be a problem," Ning Fengzhi said casually, immediately putting Sword Douluo back on edge.

"After all, Qin Jian is your personal disciple, Uncle Sword. We know him well, and there's no concern about him betraying us."

Sword Douluo's face remained stoic, but inwardly, he was exasperated.

The next morning, Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong emerged from the room hand-in-hand, only to find Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo already seated on the sofa, waiting for them.

Their eyes immediately fell on the two tightly clasped hands.

"Even first thing in the morning, you're holding hands?" Ning Fengzhi remarked sourly.

"Ah…" Ning Rongrong's face flushed as she quickly pulled her hand away.

Ning Fengzhi didn't press the matter. Instead, leaning on his cane, he stood up with a warm smile. "Wash up and have breakfast first. Once you're done, meet me in the sect's council hall."

"Is there something important, Father?" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but ask. She rarely had any reason to enter the council hall, a place reserved for discussing major sect matters or distributing rewards.

"You've broken a thousand-year-old sect record. Naturally, there's a reward awaiting you," Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile.

Both Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up at the news.

After finishing breakfast and tidying up, the two arrived at the council hall, once again holding hands. Inside, they found it filled with the sect's upper echelon.

At the head of the hall sat Ning Fengzhi, his hands resting on his cane. Behind him stood Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. On either side of the hall were more than a dozen elders, each at the Soul Douluo level, as well as several Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect disciples who had reached the Soul Emperor rank.

These individuals were all members of the sect's upper ranks, possessing the authority to propose decisions to the sect master.

"Master, Teacher, Rongrong and I are here," Qin Jian announced as he stepped into the center of the hall, still holding Ning Rongrong's hand.

Ning Rongrong, however, quickly withdrew her hand upon noticing all eyes on them, her face turning red.

Ning Fengzhi observed her reaction with an amused smile before speaking. "You two have broken a thousand-year sect record and brought pride to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. According to sect tradition, you will be awarded one of our most treasured items—the Tears of the Ocean."

"Tears of the Ocean? What's that, Father?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

Ning Fengzhi's smile deepened. "Legend has it that these are two crystalline tears left behind by a pair of devoted lovers. Thousands of years ago, these lovers angered a god and were struck down by divine punishment, dying on opposite sides of the continent. Their ashes were scattered into different seas."

"Over the centuries, the two seas merged at the center of the continent, and their tears crystallized into what we now call the Tears of the Ocean."

"What a tragic and beautiful story…" Ning Rongrong murmured, her expression dazed.

Even Qin Jian nodded silently in agreement.

With a hum, Ning Fengzhi raised both hands, and two crystalline tear-shaped gems materialized in his palms. A faint, oceanic blue light spread throughout the hall, casting a serene glow on everyone's faces.

"So beautiful…" Ning Rongrong gasped, her hands instinctively moving to her chest.

Even Qin Jian's eyes gleamed with interest.

Ning Fengzhi descended the steps and handed the gems to the pair. "The Tears of the Ocean function similarly to spiritual-type Soul Bones. They enhance spiritual cultivation and greatly increase endurance in prolonged battles."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed in awe.

"However," Ning Fengzhi added, "absorbing them is not easy. They require a deep, mutual understanding between two people. Without such a bond, you won't be able to fuse with them."

"Mutual understanding…" Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong exchanged glances, their faces tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

Absorbing the Tears of the Ocean successfully would essentially announce their relationship to everyone. And if they failed, the implications could be just as awkward.

"Failure isn't a concern," Ning Fengzhi reassured them. "Even the pair who succeeded in the final trial a thousand years ago initially failed to absorb the tears…"

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