Chapter 288: Gu Rong Advocates for Su Ming?

Dugu Yan smiled and said, "Grandpa, your thinking is the same as mine. I currently don't have any speed-enhancing spirit skills. If I'm lucky enough to get one that increases both speed and attacks, that would be amazing."

Dugu Bo chuckled, "Yan Yan, spirit skills like that aren't so easy to come by. I'll try my best to find you a high-quality spirit beast, but in the end, it will depend on your own luck."

After that, Dugu Bo pulled Dugu Yan to sit down and briefly explained everything that had happened in the past two months. Then he took out the immortal herb and the external spirit bone of the Eight Spider Lances. "Yan Yan, you should absorb these two things first. They will strengthen your body, and as for your spirit power, you'll see the results after you obtain your fourth spirit ring."

Looking at the external spirit bone and the immortal herb in front of her, Dugu Yan's eyes were filled with excitement. "Grandpa, do you think after absorbing these, I might be able to absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring for my fourth spirit ring?"

Dugu Bo was stunned by the boldness of her thought. "No, the difference between a thousand-year and a ten-thousand-year spirit ring is fundamental. A ten-thousand-year ring carries the resentment of the spirit beast's death, and even with these items, your mental strength won't be at the level of a Spirit King. So it's safest to stick with a spirit ring under ten thousand years."

Dugu Yan understood that Su Ming probably had something to enhance mental strength, but given their current relationship, even if he respected her grandfather, it was unlikely that Su Ming would just give it away. Plus, there wasn't enough time for her to slowly cultivate her mental power. She decided to let it go for now.

Meanwhile, after returning to his dormitory, Su Ming planned to spend the night finishing up the last of his talismans. He had only a few spatial talismans left to make, and he wanted to complete them before delivering everything the next day, considering how much time had already passed.

After what seemed like an eternity, Su Ming finally completed the talismans. Looking out the window, he saw the first light of dawn breaking. The sky was already bright!

Realizing he had some time left, Su Ming decided to recover his mental energy. He had spent the entire night crafting, which had taken a toll on him.

As he recovered, Su Ming pondered about his upcoming visit to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. Since his relationship with Ning Rongrong was now official, this visit was akin to meeting her family. He wondered if he should bring gifts for Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo to make a good impression.

After some thought, Su Ming dismissed the idea. The gifts he had already brought to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan—like the Lingbo Microstep technique and the evolution of the Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—were more than enough to prove he was worthy of Ning Rongrong. There was no need to offer more.

It wasn't that Su Ming was being stingy. While Ning Rongrong was now effectively "his," Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluo elders were not. If he gave them rare herbs now, they might use the gifts to strengthen themselves, which could become a problem later if they refused to align with him, especially considering Su Ming's likely future allegiance to the Spirit Hall. If they refused to be won over, giving them such gifts now would essentially be aiding potential enemies.

It was best to wait until the time was right for further gestures.

When the time felt right, Su Ming met Ning Rongrong at the agreed location. Xiao Wu knew the purpose of the trip to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and didn't ask to join.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan wasn't far from Heaven Dou City, so Su Ming didn't feel the need to have Dugu Bo accompany them. If any danger arose, he and Ning Rongrong could escape easily enough on their own.

At the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin (Sword Douluo), and Gu Rong (Bone Douluo) received word early that morning that Su Ming and their "little princess" were on their way.

Chen Xin snorted, "Good! I haven't even gone to find that Su Ming to give him a piece of my mind, and here he comes, walking right into our hands!"

"When we last met, I thought he had good character, but it turns out he's just a philanderer."

Gu Rong coughed twice, "Ahem, Xin, let's not forget that Fengzhi here also has many women... Mind your words."

Ning Fengzhi: ...

Chen Xin: ...

Sword Douluo was taken aback and snapped, "How can Su Ming compare to Fengzhi? Fengzhi is the leader of a great sect, and having more wives is for the purpose of passing down strong descendants. What right does Su Ming have to claim both Rongrong and others?"

"Besides, Gu Rong, why does it sound like you're defending Su Ming?"

Gu Rong calmly responded, "I'm merely stating facts. When I first found out, I was furious too. I even gave Su Ming a choice—he could only pick between Rongrong and Xiao Wu. His response was, 'Only children make choices—I want them both!'"

"That made me really angry. But what he said next shocked me: the reason you're both so angry is not just because Rongrong is your precious daughter, but also because Su Ming is just a talented commoner. Currently, he can't match up to someone like Fengzhi in terms of wealth or status."

Chen Xin snorted, "At least the boy knows his place."

Ning Fengzhi chuckled softly. He didn't say much, but it was clear he was listening carefully. In his view, Su Ming had potential. If Rongrong herself accepted him, Ning Fengzhi wouldn't be opposed. He preferred to think things through carefully.

Gu Rong continued, "But, Xin, listen to this: Su Ming then said that at his current pace of growth, he's confident he'll reach the level of a Title Douluo by the time he's in his twenties!"

Seeing Chen Xin about to interrupt, Gu Rong cut him off, "Wait, don't be so quick to argue. Even if you think Su Ming's bragging, consider this: with his talent, he could very well surpass Tang Hao's record!"

"And there's another reason why I don't think Su Ming is just boasting, and why I'm not as against him as you are."

Now both Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were curious. What could possibly convince Gu Rong, who doted on Rongrong as much as they did?

Gu Rong paused before continuing, "It's because Su Ming has a powerful technique. Once activated, it can protect multiple people and even withstand attacks from a Title Douluo. It's a very unusual ability!"

"You remember the ambush by Yu Yuanzhen's forces on the way to Heaven Dou City, right? They were after the Lingbo Microstep technique, and Su Ming used that very ability to block all attacks except for Yu Yuanzhen's!"