Ning Rongrong

Biodata

Power Progression

History

Childhood and Engagement

Ning Rongrong meets Li Zhexian around the time of his Martial Soul awakening. When she touches his newly awakened Azure Lotus Sword, its cold gleam recedes and it chimes softly. She exchanges her jade pendant for his sword tassel, after which Ning Fengzhi proposes their engagement. Rongrong initially protests but agrees during their playful discussion of candy 3.

She becomes a regular companion during Li Zhexian’s training, bringing candy and snacks, teasing him about his swordsmanship, and meditating beside him. She also accompanies him and Chen Xin to the library pavilion and attends support-system classes. At eight, she asks Li Zhexian to take her flying if he ever learns how, and he promises to do so 4 5.

As her cultivation advances and his remains at level ten, Rongrong defends him against the sect’s criticism. She recognizes that he dislikes being comforted or compared with her. When Ning Fengzhi explains that their childhood engagement will ultimately depend on their own wishes and achievements, she initially insists that she does not intend to change her mind 5 6.

Dissolution of the Engagement

By twelve, Rongrong has reached level twenty-six. She continues to reject claims that Li Zhexian is useless, but becomes frustrated when he urges her to follow her own path without clearly explaining his feelings. His insistence that the engagement should not hold her back leaves her feeling pushed away 6.

After Li Zhexian defeats Shi Potian, Rongrong apologizes for doubting him. Their conversation deteriorates when she argues that swordsmanship cannot replace Soul Power indefinitely, while he repeatedly acknowledges that he cannot keep up with her 7 8.

The sect elders pressure her to end the engagement and promote Shi Potian as a replacement. Rongrong rejects their right to choose for her, orders Shi Potian out, and breaks the white jade hairpin he brings. She also asks Ning Fengzhi not to call off the engagement, but his responses emphasize Li Zhexian’s six years without a Soul Power breakthrough 9.

Rongrong ultimately tells Li Zhexian to end their engagement. She cites their difference in cultivation, the sect’s need for powerful Battle Soul Masters to protect its support-type members, and her wish to keep moving forward. Li Zhexian accepts, returns her pendant, and takes back his tassel. His refusal to blame her or ask her to stay upsets her, and she leaves in tears 9 10.

Li Zhexian’s Breakthrough

Despite the breakup, Rongrong follows Li Zhexian to the rear mountain and tries to stop his dangerous drunken training. She witnesses the awakening of his Drunken Immortal Wine Pot and his rapid rise from level ten to level twenty 15 16.

Concerned by his trembling hands and injuries, she withholds the wine pot and attempts to take him down the mountain. When he continues and eventually collapses, she rushes to his side. Afterward, she wipes the blood from his mouth and insists on helping take him back 16 17.

When Li Zhexian announces his intention to leave the sect, Rongrong questions whether the breakup is responsible. He acknowledges that it is one reason, but explains that he also needs a way to reduce the golden shield suppressing him. She persuades him to accept her jade pendant again and urges him to obtain a suitable Soul Ring and return alive; their engagement is not restored 17.

Departure and Regret

Learning that Spirit Hall intends to take Li Zhexian away, Rongrong argues that he should remain under the sect’s protection or leave with Chen Xin. When he insists on departing, she helps organize his supplies and adds a communication jade pendant so he can contact the sect 20.

She watches him leave from the sect’s tallest tower and quietly asks him to return alive. Afterward, she questions Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin about why they allowed him to go. Learning that Li Zhexian’s farewell letter contains no resentment toward her makes her feel worse rather than relieved 21 22.

Rongrong keeps the sword tassel he left with Chen Xin’s letter, holding it against her chest. She also rebukes Shi Potian when he celebrates Li Zhexian’s departure and suggests that Spirit Hall may prevent his return. Later, Li Zhexian sends her word that he is alive 22 30.

Personality

Rongrong is playful, competitive, and quick to answer Li Zhexian’s teasing. As a child, she announces that she will check whether he is neglecting his training, boasts that her leveling speed will surpass his, and frequently brings candy or snacks to their meetings. She nevertheless cultivates diligently and makes steady progress 4 5.

She strongly resents others deciding her future. She openly challenges the elders’ proposed match with Shi Potian and rejects his repeated claims that he acts for her benefit. Her eventual breakup with Li Zhexian occurs amid both institutional pressure and her own concern about their increasingly different cultivation prospects 6 9 10.

Her concern often appears as scolding or angry gestures: she tries to confiscate Li Zhexian’s wine, throws a wooden sword during their farewell, and throws a broken brick when he discusses seeking stronger attackers. These outbursts accompany practical care, including tending his injuries, packing his supplies, and providing a means of communication. After he leaves, she openly struggles with regret and wishes he would blame her rather than absolve her 16 17 20 22.

Abilities & Skills

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda

Rongrong possesses a support-type Martial Soul manifested as a tiered pagoda 4 10.

• Manifestation and control: Summons the pagoda in her palm and illuminates its tiers through practice 4.
• Soul Rings: Has one Soul Ring at level twelve and two by level twenty-six 5 6.
• Training: Attends classes covering Martial Soul support and Soul Power coordination 5.
• Demonstrated exercise: During courtyard practice, her pagoda rises into the air, its second level lights up, and golden light falls on a wooden post that subsequently cracks 17.
• Combat limitation: She identifies the pagoda as a support-type Martial Soul and cites the need for powerful Battle Soul Masters to protect the sect’s support users 10.

Responses to the Azure Lotus Sword

• Her jade pendant lights up while Li Zhexian’s Azure Lotus Sword chimes during their initial exchange 3.
• Her Martial Soul gives a faint sound in response to the Sword Qi released during his rear-mountain breakthrough. The cause is not explained 16.

Equipment & Items

• Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda jade pendant — Exchanged with Li Zhexian as a childhood engagement token. He returns it at their breakup, but later accepts it again before leaving 3 10 17.
• Azure Lotus Sword tassel — Li Zhexian’s gift to her. She returns it when ending the engagement, then keeps it after he leaves it with his farewell letter 3 10 18 22.
• Communication jade pendant — A cyan pendant she places in Li Zhexian’s bundle, allowing him to send messages to the sect 20.

Relationships

• Li Zhexian — Childhood companion and former fiancé. Their cultivation gap and failed communication contribute to their breakup, but she continues caring for him and hoping for his safe return 3 6 10 17 22.
• Ning Fengzhi — Her father and the sect master. He arranges her childhood engagement; she later challenges his silence during the pressure to dissolve it and accuses him of making decisions for her 3 9 22.
• Chen Xin / Grandpa Jian — A trusted elder whom she asks to protect Li Zhexian. After the departure, she seeks him out for answers about when Li Zhexian might return 20 22.
• Shi Potian — An unwanted suitor favored by the elders. She rejects his gift, challenges his disparagement of Li Zhexian, and orders him never to say Li Zhexian’s name again after he suggests that Li may die outside the sect 9 22.

Notable Quotes

“His Soul Power has only stalled at level ten. That doesn't mean he has no ability.” 6

“Whether he's suited to me isn't for you to decide.” 9

“Don't blame me. I just want to keep moving forward.” 10

“You have to come back here alive.” 17