With the successful experience of the "Presence Reduction" buff, Lin Kun felt a little more confident about the upcoming trip to the Spirit Hunting Forest. Although his strength was still at the bottom, perhaps he could rely on the buff to slip away or ambush someone at a critical moment?
He continued his low-profile cultivation life, working hard to increase his Soul Power, familiarize himself with Mental Thread, and be even more careful to avoid words or actions that might arouse Tang San's suspicions.
That afternoon, Lin Kun was once again chewing through that thick volume, Advanced Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide, in a corner of the library. After his practical experience in the Spirit Hunting Forest and constant study, his understanding of spirit beasts now far surpassed that of ordinary students, and the Book Spirit's records had grown increasingly rich.
Just as he was engrossed in a description of the habits of a thousand-year Phoenix Crest Serpent, that faint, familiar fragrance approached again.
Ning Rongrong.
She had changed into a pale blue dress today, making her appear even fresher and more refined. She lightly walked over and sat across from Lin Kun, resting her chin in both hands as her clear, watery eyes curiously examined him and the illustrated guide before him, thick enough to kill someone if thrown.
"Classmate Lin Kun, you seem to really enjoy reading these books about spirit beasts?" Ning Rongrong's voice was gentle and pleasant.
Lin Kun looked up from his book and was slightly surprised to see Ning Rongrong. After the previous library incident and the school rules uproar, he had thought this young lady would no longer have any interest in him.
"Classmate Ning." Lin Kun nodded politely. "There is no harm in knowing more." He maintained a sense of distance.
Yet Ning Rongrong did not seem to mind his coldness at all. Instead, she leaned closer and lowered her voice. "I heard that you went to the Spirit Hunting Forest with Grandmaster and Tang San a few days ago? And that your spirit can sense spirit beasts? That's amazing!"
Her information was well-informed. Lin Kun became wary, though his expression remained unchanged. "It is only a minor trait of my spirit, not worth mentioning. Grandmaster and Tang San were the impressive ones."
"Oh?" Ning Rongrong blinked, a hint of slyness flashing through her eyes. "But I heard that when you successfully found and absorbed that Mandala Snake, your sensing played a crucial role. Even Grandmaster praised you."
Lin Kun inwardly cried out in alarm. This young lady had investigated everything so thoroughly! He hurriedly said, "A coincidence, it was all a coincidence. Tang San was strong himself, and his luck was good."
"Is that so?" Ning Rongrong drew out her words, clearly unconvinced. She studied Lin Kun and found this work-study student increasingly interesting. His Soul Power was weak, yet he possessed such an unusual spirit. He had even made that proud-looking Tang San and stern Grandmaster view him differently, and he had dared to question theory in class—she had heard about that later... And he also seemed to have a somewhat... inexplicably funny aura? The school rules incident, for example.
She suddenly smiled sweetly. "At the beginning of next month, the academy will organize an outdoor practical class for lower-year students. We will also be going to the outskirts of the Spirit Hunting Forest and will need to form teams to complete gathering tasks. So, Classmate Lin Kun, would you be interested in teaming up with me? With your sensing ability, we will definitely be able to find the mission items easily."
Lin Kun froze. Ning Rongrong was proactively inviting him to form a team? What kind of development was this? According to the original story, should she not have been arrogant and looked down on work-study students at this point? Had his appearance caused some strange change?
Ding! A team invitation from important plot character Ning Rongrong has been detected. Choice mission triggered: A Princess's Invitation. Option A: Accept the invitation. Reward: Ning Rongrong's favorability increases slightly; more missions may be triggered later. Risk: May attract the attention and displeasure of Tang San, Xiao Wu, or others. Option B: Politely decline. Reward: 20 Plot Breakdown Points. Risk: May lower Ning Rongrong's favorability and cause you to miss a potential opportunity. Option C: Say that you need to consider it. Reward: None. Risk: None.
The system popped up at just the right moment to join in the fun.
Lin Kun quickly weighed the pros and cons. Accept? He could gain Ning Rongrong's favor, which would benefit him in the long run, but in the short term it would absolutely draw resentment, especially from Tang San. Refuse? He could take twenty points and stay safe, but this little princess might feel embarrassed and perhaps make things difficult for him later. Consider it? A delaying tactic, but he might miss a good opportunity.
Just as he hesitated, a lively voice cut in:
"Teaming up? What team? Sister Xiao Wu wants to join too!"
If you like this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time!
Xiao Wu appeared out of nowhere, throwing an arm around Ning Rongrong's shoulders with the air of a "good sister." But her big eyes warily glanced at Lin Kun before turning back to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, why didn't you ask me if you wanted to form a team? We can team up with Tang San! It will definitely be better than teaming up with someone else!" She deliberately emphasized the words "someone else."
Though Xiao Wu had her arm around her, Ning Rongrong still wore an elegant smile, though her eyes flickered slightly. "Of course Sister Xiao Wu is amazing. But I heard that Classmate Lin Kun is especially good at finding things, so I wanted to invite him to try. The more people, the more strength. How about we all go together?"
Xiao Wu immediately shook her head. "No, no! Tang San said that too many people in a team makes coordination harder! The four of us are just right! Isn't that right, Tang San?" She turned to look at Tang San, who had just walked over.
Tang San held several books in his hands and was clearly there to return them. He looked over the situation before him, his gaze sweeping across Lin Kun and Ning Rongrong, then nodded at last. "Yes. A team values quality, not quantity."
The pressure instantly shifted onto Lin Kun.
Xiao Wu was clearly trying to stop Ning Rongrong from teaming up with Lin Kun, and Tang San had expressed the same inclination. If Lin Kun accepted Ning Rongrong's invitation now, he would undoubtedly offend both Xiao Wu and Tang San at once.
Ning Rongrong looked at Lin Kun, her smile unchanged, seemingly waiting for his answer. Yet deep in her eyes was a trace of amusement at the unfolding drama.
This was a damned death-question!
He made his choice quickly.
He gave Ning Rongrong an apologetic smile. "Thank you for your kindness, Classmate Ning. But Tang San and Sister Xiao Wu are right; team coordination is more important. You are all strong, so you will definitely complete the mission easily together. I will not hold you back."
He chose Option B and politely declined. Although he had lost the chance to raise her favorability, he gained twenty points. More importantly, he had avoided immediately becoming a thorn in Tang San and Xiao Wu's sides.
Ding! Choice mission completed. Reward: 20 Plot Breakdown Points.
A barely noticeable disappointment flashed through Ning Rongrong's eyes, but she quickly returned to normal and smiled. "All right, then. What a pity."
Xiao Wu, on the other hand, looked as though she had won a battle. She proudly raised her chin and pulled Ning Rongrong and Tang San along. "Come on, come on, let's discuss what we need to prepare for the practical class!"
Before leaving, Tang San looked at Lin Kun once more. His gaze seemed to soften somewhat; at least Lin Kun's "good sense" had left him fairly satisfied.
Watching the three of them leave, Lin Kun let out a breath and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
This was a Shura field... definitely a sign of an upcoming Shura field! Ning Rongrong looked so gentle and soft, but she was absolutely black-hearted underneath! She definitely did that on purpose!
He had a feeling that this outdoor practical class would probably not be peaceful either. Even if he did not take the initiative to involve himself, trouble seemed determined to come looking for him.
Strength! It was still a lack of strength! Lin Kun once again strengthened his resolve and lowered his head to continue chewing through that thick illustrated guide.
Only by becoming strong enough could he survive better in the cracks between these "protagonists" and "young ladies"... and perhaps even kick up a little fuss himself?
Before you continue