Chapter 23: The Resurgence of Tang Sect Hidden Weapons

Before the words had even faded, Chen Xin appeared in the room. The Seven-Kill Sword in his hand seemed unable to contain itself, rushing straight toward the Black Lotus. A strange magnetic field manifested between the two objects.

Wang Dong noticed Chen Xin’s gaze shift toward him and gave a slight nod.

"Hahahaha, Xiaodong, my thanks."

With those words, the Black Lotus and the Seven-Kill Sword surged toward one another, merging into one. Black mist swirled around Chen Xin, and the entire room began to tremble. After a moment of contemplation, he flew off toward the back mountains.

This disturbance was witnessed by Gu Rong, who had just returned to the sect. "That old sword-user, has he broken through again?"

Seeing that the remaining immortal herbs showed no movement, Wang Dong gathered them up, waiting for the fated individuals to appear.

"Look!" Ning Rongrong’s voice drew his attention.

The two looked toward Xiao Wu’s direction. She remained with her eyes closed, but two soft-boned rabbits had appeared around her out of nowhere, hopping playfully.

"How adorable!" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but exclaim.

No sooner had she spoken than the two rabbits bounded toward them, jumping directly onto their shoulders. Wang Dong reached out to take one, cradling the small rabbit in his palm. It twitched its ears, its body softening as it nuzzled into his hand.

With a chuckle, he placed it on his shoulder and sat down at the table, taking out paper and a brush to begin sketching and writing.

Seeing him so focused, Ning Rongrong stopped playing with the rabbits and sat to one side to begin her cultivation.

Wang Dong closed his eyes slowly. When he opened them again, he recalled the "Compendium of Tang Sect Hidden Weapons" he had read in his previous life.

As he began to write, the contents flooded back to him. Having made up his mind, he started replicating them on paper. Beyond the blueprints for the weapon components and assembly methods, he also annotated their core attributes, scenarios for their use, and more.

Although these hidden weapons had declined in the ten thousand years since his time, they remained immensely useful in the present era.

The Far North was fraught with peril, and the journey would not be resolved in a day or two. He wanted to leave behind protective weapons for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to guard his family in his stead.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

With a soft sigh from Xiao Wu, Wang Dong and Ning Rongrong opened their eyes simultaneously.

Xiao Wu was radiating a pink aura, with one yellow and one purple soul ring circling her body. Whether it was Wang Dong's imagination or not, the moment she hopped off the bed, her legs seemed to have grown slightly longer. With just two steps, she embraced him and Ning Rongrong.

"Thank you, Xiaodong."

"You're welcome. It was simply your fate to encounter the immortal herb," Wang Dong replied with a light smile.

Ning Rongrong, impatient by nature, grabbed their hands. "If I recall correctly, Bone Grandpa is returning today. Let’s go and see."

She started to pull them toward the door. Wang Dong waved his hand lightly, quickly gathering the drawings from the table.

...

In Ning Fengzhi’s study.

After Gu Rong finished reporting on the recent operation, Ning Fengzhi informed him of the recent events, omitting only the truth about Xiao Wu’s identity.

By the time he finished, Gu Rong’s jaw was practically on the floor. Seeing Ning Fengzhi’s Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda with his own eyes brought his excitement to a peak.

Just then, Ning Rongrong’s voice drifted in from the courtyard. "Daddy! I heard Bone Grandpa is back!"

Three children appeared simultaneously. All three possessed extraordinary auras, and Gu Rong’s gaze fell upon the only boy among them.

Another Title Douluo.

Upon noticing this, Wang Dong returned a polite smile.

"Hello, Daddy, Bone Grandpa," Ning Rongrong greeted politely.

Wang Dong and Xiao Wu spoke in unison: "Uncle Ning, Bone Douluo."

After the greetings, Ning Rongrong pulled a slightly nervous Xiao Wu in front of Gu Rong. "Bone Grandpa, look and see if there’s anything different about her."

Wang Dong and Ning Fengzhi also looked at him expectantly.

Though puzzled, Gu Rong examined her closely.

Seconds ticked by. Xiao Wu’s hands clenched involuntarily.

After a long moment, Gu Rong finally spoke: "She..."

The pause made Xiao Wu’s heart leap into her throat, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on her forehead. To her, Gu Rong was a complete stranger and a Title Douluo.

When she had met Chen Xin, it was while Wang Dong was unconscious, and they had all kept watch for a day and night; the tension had not been as sharp as it was now.

Wang Dong watched Gu Rong’s reactions carefully, prepared to whisk Xiao Wu away if anything went wrong.

"Breaking through to level twenty at such a young age—a true talent, with a boundless future ahead!" Gu Rong finished his thought.

Everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief, Xiao Wu most of all, her entire body going limp.

It worked! Xiao Wu’s aura had been concealed! She was safe for now!

"Yay!" Ning Rongrong’s joyous voice rang out as she grabbed Xiao Wu’s hands and began to spin in circles.

The room was filled with the girls' happy laughter. Though Gu Rong didn't understand the reason, seeing Ning Rongrong so happy made him chuckle along. "Hehehe."

Silence fell over the room.

Once Gu Rong’s laughter subsided, the room remained briefly quiet. They had expected his laugh to be intimidating, but not *that* intimidating.

Ning Fengzhi sighed helplessly. "Uncle Gu, perhaps you should laugh less in the future, lest you frighten the children."

The smile vanished from Gu Rong’s face, only to reappear on the faces of the three children. Even Wang Dong, who was usually more mature, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The room was filled with mirth, the atmosphere peaceful.

By the time dinner arrived, Chen Xin was still nowhere to be seen. When Ning Fengzhi asked, Ning Rongrong explained, "Sword Grandpa had a destiny with an immortal herb; he must be in the midst of a breakthrough."

Connecting this to the omen he had witnessed earlier, Gu Rong felt an itch in his heart. At their age, breakthroughs were as difficult as ascending to heaven; if only there were some outside assistance...

With this in mind, his eyes drifted toward Wang Dong.

Everyone present noticed, but they all pretended not to see, continuing to eat in silence.

After the meal, Ning Fengzhi gave a few final instructions and urged Wang Dong and the others to return and rest.

Gu Rong remained unable to voice his thoughts. He kept it bottled up, watching the three children leave, and could only sigh.

"Fengzhi, you really aren't going to put in a word for me?" Gu Rong finally couldn't help but ask.

"Uncle Gu, you wrong me there. Immortal herbs rely on fate; if the fate has not arrived, one cannot force it," Ning Fengzhi explained.

Over the next three days, Wang Dong did not step out of his room, focusing entirely on his transcription. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong checked on him many times but never disturbed him.

Aside from eating and bathing, he remained seated at his desk.

By the fourth day, Ning Rongrong could no longer stand seeing Wang Dong neglect his health. She forced him to rest, and he finally managed half a day of sleep.

...

End of Chapter.