Tang San's Request, Open and Hidden Rivalry

After leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, everyone was delighted to see the sunlight they had missed for so long.

To enjoy themselves even more, they took Ning Rongrong's suggestion and spent another two days having fun in a nearby city before returning to Shrek Academy.

Ning Rongrong paid for everything.

When she was especially happy, she even covered the bill for everyone at the hotel that night.

People in the jianghu called her: Young Miss.

By the time everyone returned to Shrek Academy, three days had passed.

"We're finally back. It feels wonderful to be home," Oscar said loudly, with some exaggeration.

Zhao Wuji glared at him. "Can't you keep your voice down? Can't you see it's already dark? All right, go back to your dorms and rest. I'll report what happened to the dean."

"Ning Rongrong, wait." Ning Rongrong was just about to return to the dorm with Zhu Zhuqing when Tang San called out to her.

Ning Rongrong paused. "Tang San? What is it?"

Tang San frowned deeply. "I'd like to talk to you. May I?"

Xiao Wu, who was standing beside Tang San, went a little stiff. "You two talk. I'm going back to the dorm."

Ever since she had heard that Tang San had even risked his life to search for the Titan Giant Ape to save her, Xiao Wu's feelings for him had grown more complicated.

Those feelings, which went beyond her affection for an older brother, had been magnified infinitely by what happened this time, until she could hardly hide them.

Ning Rongrong's words really had come true.

Xiao Wu's feelings for Tang San were not something anyone else could interfere with.

But just as those feelings had reached a new height, Tang San suddenly said he wanted to speak to Ning Rongrong alone. A wave of sourness rose in Xiao Wu's heart, but she could say nothing.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ning Rongrong curiously. "Rongrong, what does Tang San want with you? Can't I listen too?"

Before Ning Rongrong could answer, Tang San nodded.

Zhu Zhuqing pouted and gave Tang San a somewhat hostile glance before heading toward the dorm.

Before long, only Ning Rongrong and Tang San remained at the academy entrance.

"So what did you want to see me about?" Ning Rongrong asked.

Tang San said, "Ning Rongrong, I'd like to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Ning Rongrong looked at him in surprise and thought, Wasn't I the one who approached him about a deal in the original story? Now that I don't want to, has Tang San come knocking of his own accord?

Tang San nodded seriously. "Although I know you probably don't lack Hidden Weapons for self-defense, I really want to make this deal with you. But can you make the decision?"

Watching him, Ning Rongrong noticed that Tang San's gaze was surprisingly resolute. He had only ever shown that look when facing Xiao Wu before, and she hadn't expected to see it now.

Of course, that look didn't mean Tang San had any feelings for her. Rather...

Tang San... was short of money!

Or he had some other aim!

"Do you want to sell our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect mechanical Hidden Weapons like the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow?" Ning Rongrong asked what Tang San wanted to answer.

Since ancient times, two important things had been able to stump a man: women and money.

Now that Tang San had Xiao Wu, he naturally had no worries about women, but he was desperately short of money.

Tang San nodded, but quickly shook his head. "I know that with your strength, you surely don't lack this sort of Hidden Weapon for self-defense, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's other direct disciples are all Support System Soul Masters. Although their support abilities are strong, their ability to protect their own lives is lacking.

"Moreover, whenever they encounter an enemy, they'll be the first targets attacked.

"I think these mechanical Hidden Weapons of mine should improve their ability to stay alive. So if possible, I'll provide your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with a large batch of them for free, without charging a single Gold Soul Coin."

Just as she thought. Ning Rongrong had indeed guessed Tang San's purpose, but she hadn't expected him to ask for no money. "But your Hidden Weapons cost quite a bit just to make. If you give them to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for free, won't you make no money?"

Tang San said, "Money is only a worldly possession. We're classmates, and bringing it up would only hurt our relationship. You don't need to worry about the cost. I have plenty of ways to make money, though things are a little tight at the moment, so the first batch of Hidden Weapons I can give the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect won't be very large."

Heh.

The relationship between the two of them had never been particularly harmonious.

Though it couldn't compare to the grudge between her and Dai Mubai.

Anyone with eyes could see that the two rarely interacted and couldn't stand each other.

And now he was pulling the classmate card.

How interesting.

Ning Rongrong said, "Tang San, have you heard the saying that pies don't fall from the sky? I am quite interested in your free mechanical Hidden Weapons. But since we're doing business, what do you want?"

Tang San said, "Then I'll be direct. I heard that Zhu Zhuqing's Third Soul Ring is a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, and that it came from you. If possible, I'll provide the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with Hidden Weapons permanently, and you... can provide me with the Soul Rings I'll need in the future."

"..."

"Sorry. I can't provide even one." Ning Rongrong refused decisively. "Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings like that aren't easy to obtain."

Sure enough, there was no such thing as a free lunch.

She hadn't expected this guy Tang San to open a lion's jaws and ask for so much.

He expected her to provide him with all his future Soul Rings for just a few Hidden Weapons?

Besides, Soul Rings that could be given to others really were very difficult to obtain.

She had obtained one when her Identity Points reached ten thousand.

To get another after that, she would probably have to reach a hundred thousand or a million points.

How could she possibly agree?

Even if she obtained one in the future, she would give it to Zhu Zhuqing.

"We're classmates. Isn't there any other way?" Tang San asked, half convinced and half doubtful.

"If you want to sell those mechanical Hidden Weapons, I can buy them on behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. But I really can't give you Soul Rings, because they're truly difficult to obtain." Ning Rongrong told him the truth.

"Then forget it. I'm not short of money for now anyway. Let's leave it at that today." After hearing her answer, Tang San sighed in disappointment and ran toward the dorm.

That gave Ning Rongrong a jolt.

She hadn't expected that boy Tang San to be just like her, so ruthless about it.

He wouldn't place his trust in someone he couldn't stand, nor would he readily give away the things he kept up his sleeve.

Even though Tang San was so short of money, he still insisted on saving face and suffering for it.

Was he trying to prevent her from opposing him in the future?

"Interesting!"

Ning Rongrong spouted a foreign word, then headed toward the dorm as well.

Still, it was a good thing this deal hadn't gone through.

Otherwise, when she seized Tang San's destiny in the future, she would have to search her conscience and ask herself whether she could live with it.

Things were probably quite good as they were now.

At least she wouldn't have a guilty conscience when she seized Tang San's destiny in the future.