The Little Devil Ning Rongrong Never Changed Her Ways

Xia Tianling, watching from the side, nodded in satisfaction. Now this was what an assassin should be like. High attack, high agility, high burst damage—take the enemy out in a single wave.

Without Assassin's Claws' passive effect that ignored defense completely, along with its sharpness boost, even if Ye Zhi Qiu had stood there without using any skills and let Zhu Zhuqing scratch at him, she might not have been able to break through his defenses.

Just like in the Original Work, when Zhu Zhuqing used Netherworld Hundred Claws against Zhao Wuji during the test—even when she hit his eyelids, she had not left so much as a scratch. And Zhao Wuji was not even a purely defense-type Spirit Master.

"Teacher Ye, sorry for the trouble. Please remember to keep this confidential." Xia Tianling handed Ye Zhi Qiu a few more medicinal herbs before leisurely heading back toward the hotel with Zhu Zhuqing.

Ye Zhi Qiu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath.

Although he had gotten beaten up, he had formed a good connection with a genius destined to shine brilliantly in the future, and he had even received several miraculous healing herbs. This deal was not a loss.

He should take his disciples back to the academy overnight. Treating their injuries was more important.

The next day, before dawn had fully broken, Zhao Wuji's booming voice rang out through the hotel.

Even Xia Tianling's group in the next room was awakened by his thunderous voice. They simply got up, washed, and went downstairs to eat together.

At the dining table, the nine of them were clearly divided.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun focused wholeheartedly on eating.

Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong, who had traded barbs the day before, were obviously at odds. Neither paid the other any attention.

Xiao Wu curiously questioned Zhu Zhuqing about last night's battle, looking as though she wished she could go fight Ye Zhi Qiu herself.

Tang San, meanwhile, sincerely invited Xia Tianling to travel with them. After hearing about how Xia Tianling had challenged Ye Zhi Qiu alone and thoroughly dominated him, his admiration for Xia Tianling rose another level.

"Travel together? We don't mind." Xia Tianling paused, then turned toward Zhao Wuji, who was gnawing fiercely on a steamed bun with a conflicted expression. "But Teacher Zhao, would that be inconvenient?"

He knew Zhao Wuji did not get along particularly well with Spirit Hall, so he tested the waters.

"It's fine. Come along." Zhao Wuji chewed on his bun and pickled vegetables as though breakfast had some deep grudge against him.

What Xia Tianling did not know was that Zhao Wuji had clearly seen his three spirit rings upstairs the night before. He had secretly followed afterward and witnessed the battle between him and Ye Zhi Qiu.

Then, he had been forcibly invited over by the Spirit Douluo leading the group for some "friendly negotiations."

The Spirit Douluo's terms were simple: to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, he could not conveniently show himself on many occasions. As long as Zhao Wuji took them along, Spirit Hall would erase the warrant for his arrest.

Unable to escape and unable to win in a fight, Zhao Wuji could only grit his teeth and accept. He did not want to get beaten up for no reason again. The injuries Tang Hao had inflicted last time had not even healed yet.

Honestly, Spirit Hall simply had no particular interest in Zhao Wuji. If they truly wanted to capture him, they could have hauled back ten Zhao Wujis.

He was only a Soul Saint. Vast and powerful as Spirit Hall was, they did not regard him as worth noticing. Besides, Zhao Wuji was not some heinous criminal, so they simply let him be.

The group left the small town together. Being rich and generous, Xia Tianling naturally hired another carriage and had Shrek's group ride along as well.

Run? Why run when there was a carriage? To hell with Shrek's traditional education.

His original plan had been for his group to take one carriage and Shrek's group another. Yet a small problem arose when they boarded: Ning Rongrong absolutely refused to ride with Dai Mubai and shamelessly squeezed herself into Spirit Hall's carriage.

Xiao Wu, who likewise had little fondness for Dai Mubai, followed suit and climbed into Spirit Hall's carriage as well. In the end, Oscar and Ma Hongjun voluntarily gave up their seats and rode with Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Zhao Wuji, finally resolving the issue.

Riding in a carriage with three girls—was there really such a good thing?

On the way to the Star Dou Great Forest, Xiao Wu, who had never seen much of the world, looked around the luxurious carriage in fascination. From time to time, she lifted the curtain to peer curiously outside.

Ever since coming to the human world, she had always traveled on her own two legs. Let alone a luxurious carriage, she had never even ridden in an ordinary one.

"Xia Tianling, did you bring your stove this time? I want to eat your cooking." The moment Ning Rongrong got into the carriage, she acted as if she were in her own home, skillfully opening a hidden compartment and taking out some food. "After staying at that Shrek place for a few days, I've been craving it to death. What kind of academy is that? It's just some lousy village."

"Of course I brought something that important." He answered with a smile.

As honorary elders of Spirit Hall, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin often came to Spirit Hall to handle official business. Given Ning Rongrong's playful nature, she naturally pestered the two of them to take her along.

Over time, Xia Tianling became quite familiar with the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Rongrong naturally knew Ma Hongjun and Oscar as well, since they often followed Xia Tianling around.

"That Dai guy is seriously annoying. He clearly doesn't have much ability, yet he loves putting on airs. Say, why don't I just go study at your Spirit Hall Academy? It seems like little sister Zhuqing became really strong after only spending a few days with you."

"I don't have any objections, but would Uncle Ning, Grandpa Jian, and Grandpa Bone agree?"

Ning Rongrong curled her lips and said nothing.

Without Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing to contrast with him, Ning Rongrong was unlikely to be convinced by Flender, much less develop any sense of belonging toward Shrek.

Considering her current relationship with Dai Mubai, it would already be good if she did not just leave outright.

"Wait, what do you mean? Brother Ling, you bring a stove around with you whenever you travel?" Xiao Wu, having finally processed it, noticed the key point.

"Yeah, Xia Tianling's cooking is super delicious," Ning Rongrong replied.

Even Zhu Zhuqing nodded with her usual cold expression. "It really is delicious."

The three girls immediately began chatting harmoniously about food, completely forgetting Xia Tianling.

As the carriage sped onward, they soon reached their destination.

No one knew how many years the Star Dou Great Forest had existed on Douluo Continent, but after entering the forest, the dense foliage that covered the sky and blocked out the sun was enough to reveal its ancient age.

From afar, Xia Tianling sensed bursts of fresh air blowing toward him, carrying the unique fragrance of plants. It was indescribably refreshing.

"Everyone, stop." Zhao Wuji, who was leading the way, called the group to a halt.

"The Star Dou Great Forest is nothing like the Soul Hunting Forest, where spirit beasts are kept in captivity. The spirit beasts here are extremely dangerous. At any time, you may face attacks from thousand-year, or even ten-thousand-year, spirit beasts. So after entering the forest, try not to move more than twenty meters away from me. Especially Ning Rongrong, and that Food System Spirit Master named Oscar."

"Alright."

"Understood."

Sigh, the editor said I've been updating too much and told me to cut back a little each day, so before it goes premium, there may only be two chapters a day.