Evening at Seven Treasures Academy
Ke Jie clapped his hands, interrupting the group's training. "That's enough for today's coordination on the new tactic. Let me briefly point out your current issues."
Yu Die and Cai Die released their spirit fusion technique, while Ning Tianchen retracted his Seven Kill Sword and landed back on the ground.
Ke Jie corrected them, saying, "Your performance was very unnatural. In battle, Tianchen could easily get surrounded by enemies due to your mistakes."
The tactic they were currently training was the ultimate trump card of the Seven Treasures team, specifically prepared for the finals.
However, correspondingly, this tactic was extremely difficult to coordinate and couldn't be mastered in a short period of time.
"Principal, we've only just started training, so it's normal for our coordination to be a bit off," Ning Tianchen fairly remarked.
Ke Jie turned his gaze toward him and continued lecturing, "Your performance wasn't good either. You and Xiaotian didn't connect at all. You need to understand that this tactic is like dancing on the edge of a blade—one wrong step, and you'll injure yourselves."
Ning Tianchen shrugged and remained silent.
Ke Jie had gone into full "scolding mode," criticizing every single person on the team.
Speaking up now would only attract more criticism.
"That's all for tonight's training. Go back and rest early. From now on, mastering this tactic will be our top priority," Ke Jie said before turning and leaving the training grounds.
Everyone collapsed onto the ground, feeling relieved.
"What kind of genius came up with this tactic? It leaves us almost no room for error!" Chen Huayu complained.
Oscar wasn't part of this tactical system, so he hadn't participated in the earlier training.
Looking at everyone's exhausted state, he couldn't help but laugh. "But if this tactic succeeds, its power will be immense. Not even high-level Soul Kings—let alone Soul Emperors—can withstand it alone."
Feng Xiaotian couldn't help but complain, "We're like dancers walking through fire and brimstone. One wrong step, and it's the end. But does the person who proposed this tactic not consider giving us any margin for error? Under the immense pressure of the Soul Masters Tournament, especially since this tactic is meant for the finals, aren't we more likely to make mistakes?"
"With this tactic, I'm the central hub of the team. I need to connect all of you to ensure there are no mistakes," Ning Tianchen sighed.
During the training earlier, the Yu Die sisters had shown resistance toward him. As a result, he had to expend extra effort to accommodate them, which weakened his coordination with the other teammates.
Yu Die softly said, "We'll adapt as quickly as possible. But this tactic… it's really…"
The group discussed for half an hour before dispersing.
As Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong walked through the academy, they suddenly noticed Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo appear.
"Dad (Uncle Ning), Grandpa Sword (Grandpa), why are you here?"
Chen Xin remained silent, while Ning Fengzhi gently said, "I just heard from Principal Ke that you've encountered some difficulties with your tactic training. Can you tell us about it?"
Ke Jie had named this tactic—the Mystic Butterfly Knight.
"Mystic Butterfly" referred to the Yu Die and Cai Die's spirit fusion technique, the Kaleidoscopic Bewitching Butterfly.
"Knight" was Ning Tianchen.
This tactic was adapted from an attack combination originally used by Sword Bone Douluo, modified by the academy's vice principal.
It involved Ning Tianchen riding atop the Mystic Butterfly, akin to a knight mounted on a warhorse.
The problem lay in the word "ride." Yu Die and Cai Die harbored some resistance to this concept, causing Ning Tianchen to feel unstable, which in turn made it difficult for him to coordinate effectively with the rest of the team.
"Ah, I see," Ning Fengzhi chuckled without offering any solutions.
This issue could only be resolved by the two sisters overcoming their own mental barriers—no one else could help them.
"Cough, cough. By the way, these are the weapons I bought at the auction today, Rongrong. Keep them for self-defense," Ning Fengzhi said, handing over four hidden weapons to Ning Rongrong.
They were the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, Sand Shadow Shooter, Silent Sleeve Arrow, and Stomp Crossbow.
"Aren't these the weapons Tang San was working on?" Ning Rongrong asked, puzzled.
At Shrek Academy, she had personally seen Tang San assembling the Zhuge Divine Crossbow. However, upon noticing her, he quickly put it away.
"Rongrong, are you sure it was Tang San?" Ning Fengzhi quickly pressed.
Ning Rongrong nodded.
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Sword Uncle, it seems we don't need to send people to look for them. Early tomorrow morning, we'll go to Shrek Academy and try to purchase the blueprints for these items from him."
They had witnessed the power of these hidden weapons firsthand. If they could obtain them, the auxiliary soul masters of their sect would also have the ability to defend themselves.
"Dad, Tang San isn't a good person. Don't cooperate with him!" Ning Rongrong huffed angrily.
Initially, she had a decent impression of Tang San—he seemed humble. However, after certain events, her opinion of him changed drastically.
After hearing Dugu Yan talk about Tang San, her feelings toward him turned to outright disgust.
"Rongrong, the power of these weapons is extraordinary—they can break through the defenses of a Soul Ancestor at close range," Chen Xin interjected.
Ning Tianchen added, "I once saw Tang San tinkering with these weapons. At the time, I offered to buy the blueprints, but unfortunately, they're non-negotiable for him. He won't sell them."
"Moreover, these weapons are single-use. Once the internal arrows are expended, we can't reload or assemble them."
"Dad, can't we reverse-engineer them?" Ning Rongrong asked, confused.
With the mental strength of a Title Douluo, understanding the internal structure of an object shouldn't be difficult.
Chen Xin shook his head. "No, there are safety mechanisms inside. I don't understand how they work, so I can't replicate them."
"Rongrong, for the sake of the sect, you mustn't be stubborn about this," Ning Fengzhi said sternly.
The sect currently possessed white phosphorus, but its power was too overwhelming to use unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, acquiring these hidden weapons was crucial.
Ning Tianchen didn't want Ning Fengzhi to give money to Tang San.
In the original timeline, Ning Fengzhi had given Tang San five million gold spirit coins. Of that, three million were to thank Tang San for giving Ning Rongrong an immortal herb.
Even so, if Tang San received two million gold spirit coins, he could still accomplish a great deal.
After some thought, Ning Tianchen said, "Uncle Ning, I have an idea for another type of weapon in mind. This kind of weapon is simple to manufacture and can be fired multiple times."
Most importantly, the technology would be in their hands, ensuring they wouldn't be dependent on outsiders.
As for the hidden weapons Tang San sold, he forcibly reclaimed them all after the final battle.
At that time, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had lost its guardian Douluo and its life-saving hidden weapons. Even though the enemy had been eliminated, it was still the darkest moment for the sect.
"I don't have a good idea right now. After the Soul Masters Tournament ends, I'll think it over carefully. Uncle Ning, can we wait a little longer?"
Of course, Ning Fengzhi wanted weapons that were independently developed by the sect.
After much contemplation, Ning Fengzhi replied, "For now, the Soul Masters Tournament takes priority. Tianchen, we have time—we don't need to rush."
Even if Ning Tianchen didn't succeed in developing something, they could still approach Tang San to purchase weapons.
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