A Complete Coward

Ning Tianchen looked at Tang San and said flatly, "Tang San, do you believe that yourself? Or do you take me for a deaf man?"

"Move aside. Today, I'd like to see exactly what guts Dai Mubai has to lay a hand on Rongrong!"

With a flick of his hand, the Seven Kill Sword Spirit returned to his grasp.

Ning Rongrong and Oscar stood firmly behind Ning Tianchen, both summoning their Martial Souls.

Although Oscar had known Dai Mubai for a long time, he had suffered plenty of bullying at the man's hands. Ning Tianchen, on the other hand, had only known him for a few days, yet during today's spirit battle, he had trusted him completely and given him respect unlike anything he had ever received.

Just as he had said, good brothers should share hardship and fortune alike!

"Xiao Ao, y-you..."

In the end, Dai Mubai did not have the courage to make a move.

Thinking back to the entrance test, Ning Tianchen had even forced Zhao Wuji to use his Martial Soul Avatar. How could Dai Mubai possibly defeat him?

The only reason he had dared say those things to Ning Rongrong earlier was because Ning Tianchen had not been present.

"Hmph, these new students really think they can turn the world upside down. Fine, very fine." Dai Mubai sneered weakly and headed toward Suotuo City.

Needless to say, tonight's destination for venting his frustrations had been changed to a brothel.

"He still refuses to reflect at a time like this and is going to a place like that. He's truly beyond saving," Xiao Wu muttered in reproach.

Tang San looked toward Ning Tianchen and sighed softly. "Ning Tianchen, why are you fanning the flames too?"

Ning Tianchen glanced at him and snorted. "Tang San, put away your schemes. Never use that tactic of putting one person down to elevate another on Rongrong. Today, I'll let it go for Xiao Wu's sake. Another day, I might not be so forgiving!"

With that, he led Ning Rongrong and Oscar into the academy in broad strides.

In the original timeline, Tang San had first suppressed Ning Rongrong to steady the others' morale. Then, in Spirit Beast Town, he had spoken up for Ning Rongrong, completely winning her over.

It had to be said that Tang San was indeed skilled at manipulating people's hearts.

Xiao Wu came to Tang San's side and muttered softly, "Third Brother, why did you speak up for that lecherous tiger? That guy is completely beyond saving. The moment he meets someone tough, he turns into a complete coward. He doesn't even have the courage to fight."

Tang San let out a long sigh. "I simply didn't want things to escalate further. Rongrong brought up the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because she wanted Zhuqing and Mubai to break completely. The dean and teachers have said it before—we are a team, one that can entrust our backs to our teammates."

Xiao Wu curled her lips, unconvinced. "But Third Brother, Rongrong wasn't wrong. Zhuqing already wants to break off her engagement with Dai Yin Hu."

"Besides, Dai Yin Hu isn't a good person either. I remember that a spirit battle only needs seven people. If we kick him out, won't we have exactly seven? He's offended everyone anyway."

Tang San looked at her indulgently. "Xiao Wu, let's not discuss this any further. Let the dean handle it tomorrow."

"We've officially enrolled now. Our next goal is to break through to Rank 30 as soon as possible."

Elsewhere, Ning Rongrong sat angrily on a stone at the edge of the Great Playground.

"That Dai Yin Hu is absolutely infuriating! Tianchen Gege, why don't we take Zhuqing and Oscar back to the sect together? To hell with Shrek Academy. Whoever wants to stay here can stay."

She had already become completely disappointed in this place.

What kind of academy could produce scum like Dai Mubai?

And that Tang San too—who even knew where his loyalties lay? She had even invited him to share a carriage with her.

"Rongrong, wasn't this the place you wanted to come to? If we go back now, aren't you afraid Uncle Ning will send us to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Ning Tianchen asked with a smile.

Since he had come here, he would not be at ease unless Tang San lost the great opportunity of obtaining the Eight Spider Spirit Bone.

"Th-this..." Ning Rongrong was briefly at a loss for words.

Ning Tianchen continued, "Let's stay for another half a year at most. If Shrek Academy hasn't changed by then, we'll return to the sect together."

"Then it's settled. Tianchen Gege, if you hadn't returned just now, Rongrong truly wouldn't have known what to do." As she spoke, tears shimmered in her eyes.

Ning Tianchen stepped forward and pulled her into his embrace. "Rongrong, even if they force you to apologize, once I return, I'll make Tang San and Dai Mubai kneel before you and apologize for a full day and night."

"Tianchen Gege is the best." Ning Rongrong naturally leaned against his chest.

A moment later, Ning Tianchen said, "It's already late at night. Go back and rest early. We still have classes tomorrow."

"Alright."

The two went their separate ways.

After returning to the dormitory, Ning Rongrong spoke with Xiao Wu for a while.

Zhu Zhuqing felt guilty about what had happened to her, while Xiao Wu was simply angry and even apologized to her for Tang San's actions.

They were classmates, after all, so Ning Rongrong naturally had no reason to blame either of them.

Afterward, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong chose to meditate and cultivate instead of sleeping.

Xiao Wu was a Transformed Spirit Beast. In the early stages, she did not need to cultivate diligently, yet her cultivation progressed nearly as quickly as that of geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power who trained tirelessly.

Thus, she chose to get a good night's sleep.

"Tianchen, how did you break through the Rank 30 bottleneck back then? I've been stuck at Rank 29 for some time now, but I can never find the chance to break through." Oscar asked miserably.

For a genius with Innate Full Soul Power, Rank 29 should not have posed a bottleneck, yet he simply could not break through.

Naturally, Ning Tianchen knew the reason.

A breakthrough in Soul Power Level could not be separated from a soul master's own comprehension.

When teaching Oscar, Shrek Academy had mostly made him practice running, with very little training focused on his martial spirit.

Without sufficient personal insight, one needed to draw upon the experience of those who came before. Food System Spirit Masters were already rare, and Oscar was not a descendant of some great clan, so naturally, he had no experience to learn from.

As for Shao Xin, he had been completely useless. Before Shrek Academy merged into Blue Tyrant Academy, he had barely participated in teaching, and had given Oscar even fewer pointers.

After searching through his memories for a while, Ning Tianchen said, "You shouldn't be anxious right now. You should cultivate your Soul Power calmly."

"There's something you might not know."

When Soul Masters cultivated in places compatible with their martial spirit attributes, their cultivation speed could be greatly increased. The Mimetic Cultivation Fields within advanced Soul Master Academies had been created based on this principle.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon occupied Thunderclap Canyon. Aside from raising soul beasts there, it was also an excellent cultivation ground for them.

"So, I suggest you go to the kitchen. Your cultivation speed will increase quite a bit there."

Based on how events had unfolded in the original timeline, Oscar would advance tomorrow morning. He was likely just one step away from a breakthrough now.

Having him cultivate in the kitchen would greatly shorten the time needed for him to break through.

"I remember Teacher Shao Xin mentioning it before, but I actually forgot. Good brother, thanks for the reminder."

After thanking him, Oscar hurried toward the kitchen under the cover of night.