Chapter 227: Ning Fengzhi’s Calculations – Tianlin’s Current Flaws

Words : 1331 Updated : Oct 10th, 2025

"Uncle Ning, why did you give Tang Hao any sort of discount? Wouldn't it be better to insist on the full hundred thousand years? Isn't this just a loss of soul bones for no reason?" On the way back, Tianlin finally couldn't hold back and asked. He had no intention of making things easier for Tang Hao. Ning Fengzhi replied, "Because compared to IOUs, only what's in our hands truly belongs to us. A hundred thousand years is too high; soul bones are extremely rare. With Tang Hao's personality, if he can't get the full set, he certainly won't do any sort of installment payments." "He'd worry that even if he gave us a ninety-thousand-year soul bone if he couldn't find the last ten thousand years, we'd still trouble him for it. Wouldn't the ninety thousand years given earlier just be aiding the enemy? So, he'd only hand them over once he's collected all of them at once." Ning Fengzhi explained. "Seventy thousand years—this probably isn't a big issue for Tang Hao. His most loyal subordinate, Tai Tan, has a thirty-five-thousand-year Ant Emperor right arm bone. Tai Tan got it by accident when hunting for his eighth soul ring. He kept it for his grandson Tai Long, but due to the principle of 'an innocent man gets into trouble for his treasure,' he worried that Tai Long might leak the news and get assassinated for it, so Tai Tan kept it himself, intending to wait until Tai Long is above rank 50 and can defend himself before letting him absorb it. But if Tang Hao asks, Tai Tan would give it up." "Then there's Gengxin City. In a year, there'll be a blacksmith competition. According to my sources, the champion this year will win a soul bone, and although I don't know the age, it shouldn't be less than ten thousand years. Unfortunately, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's blacksmiths are just average—even if we participate, there's no chance of winning. So, let Tang Hao do it for us." "In this way, the total years of the soul bones add up to about fifty thousand. Only twenty thousand remain. With Clear Sky Douluo's ability, whether he buys it at an auction or robs someone, he should be able to get it. So, I estimate, that thirty and seventy thousand years is his limit. Any more, unless he slaughters soul beasts en masse or sacrifices his level, which with his pride, he would never do." Once again, Ning Fengzhi had it all figured out. Tianlin had to admit he was right—only what's in your hand is truly yours. If Tang Hao couldn't gather a hundred thousand years, he wouldn't hand over anything. So, it was more practical to give him a doable target. And this was like offering a stick, then a carrot. Ning Fengzhi gave him a discount, didn't make him swear on his martial soul, showing trust. With Tang Hao's intelligence, he probably didn't even realize he was being manipulated and might even think Ning Fengzhi was a decent person who valued family like himself. But Tianlin was curious—how did Ning Fengzhi know about Tai Tan's family's situation? A thirty-five-thousand-year soul bone is priceless. Tai Tan couldn't have been foolish enough to let it slip. Perhaps not even Tai Long himself knew. Noticing Tianlin's confusion, Ning Fengzhi smiled, "No need to be surprised. When Tai Tan hunted his eighth soul ring, he wanted at least a seventy-thousand-year beast, but with only Soul Sage strength, he couldn't do it. So, he came to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, asking for help. I didn't refuse and sent a disciple and Elder Yin Yang to help him." "Seventy-thousand-year strength-type beasts are rare—the only sure one is the Titan Giant Ape, who they couldn't hope to beat. So, they settled for a thirty-five-thousand-year Ant Emperor. Unexpectedly, it dropped a soul bone. Our school never forcibly takes things, so we agreed to keep it secret. Besides Tai Tan, only we know." Ning Fengzhi was terrifying—he remembered everything clearly. Tianlin realized that the moment he mentioned coming for Tang Hao, Ning Fengzhi had already planned how to trap him—and even make him grateful for it. Truly the boss of the group; Chen Xin was just the muscle, Yin Yang the victim, and Tianlin just the guide. "Xiao Tian, don't feel you lost out. I'll find a way to get the other sixty thousand years out of him in the future," Ning Fengzhi said. Tianlin was stunned. "Sixty thousand? Wasn't it thirty thousand? Did I fail math again?" "Interest, of course!" Ning Fengzhi chuckled. When it came to high-quality soul bones, he completely set aside the saying that the three Upper Clans were as close as brothers. He never intended to truly ally with the Clear Sky Sect—only to use each other. As long as they didn't kill Tang Hao and his son, Tang Xiao wouldn't do anything. As for the Clear Sky elders, some of them probably wished Tang Hao dead. "I didn't expect Uncle Ning to be so vengeful. Did he still remember the time I tricked him because of Xue Qinghe? There's no way I can outplay him." Tianlin sighed inwardly. "Xiao Tian, don't worry, I won't plot against my people. In the future, if you need anything, just tell me honestly. As long as your request is reasonable, I won't refuse you," Ning Fengzhi comforted Tianlin. But rather than comfort, this made Tianlin's heart thunder. He clearly still remembered. "Xiao Tian, your clan leader was born with a skull, and his soul bone skill is mind reading. I don't have proof, but I'm sure," Skydream Ice Silkworm said confidently. Otherwise, how could he manipulate everyone so thoroughly? "Uncle Ning, you and the others go on ahead. I need to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to fulfill my promise to the Blue Silver King. I'll go first!" Tianlin just wanted to escape now, not waiting for Ning Fengzhi to reply, and flew his sword toward Sunset Forest. "Fengzhi, you seem to have scared Xiao Tian," Chen Xin said helplessly. "Hehe, what he'll have to face in the future is far more dangerous. The two empires, Spirit Hall—there are people smarter than me everywhere. If he wants to achieve great things, he must learn to adapt to schemes and plot against others," Ning Fengzhi said calmly. In Ning Fengzhi's eyes, Tianlin's martial talent was unquestionable—given time, he'd become the continent's strongest. But he had a few huge flaws. First, he didn't know how to scheme. He was clever, but only in a small way—not the deep wisdom to see three moves ahead. This Ning Fengzhi could help with. Second, he wasn't ruthless enough, always leaving the room when acting. When training with Chen Xin, unless the enemy was truly evil or a threat to his life, he never killed. Even when provoked by thugs, he'd just punch them a few times. If Tianlin only wanted to be a Guardian Douluo, this flaw would be fine. It could even be a virtue. But now his goal was to unify the continent—a dream that would inevitably involve endless slaughter. This merciful mindset was fatal. Because not all enemies on the path to his dream would be evil or strong—some were just ordinary soldiers with different stances. Would he still show mercy then? That would be like the fable of the farmer and the snake—hurting others and himself. Now, Ning Fengzhi wondered how to make Tianlin as decisive as Chen Xin. Otherwise, a sheathed sword can cut no one. PS: Read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode

Chapter 227: Ning Fengzhi’s Calculations – Tianlin’s Current Flaws

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