Ning Rongrong's Curiosity

With the successful experience of the "Presence Reduction" Buff, Lin Kun felt a bit more confident about the upcoming trip to the Spirit Hunting Forest. Although his strength was still at the bottom, perhaps he could use the Buff to escape or ambush someone at a critical moment?

He continued his low-key cultivation, working hard to improve his Spirit Power and get familiar with Mental Thread, while also being extra careful to avoid any words or actions that might arouse Tang San's suspicion.

That afternoon, Lin Kun was once again in a corner of the library, poring over the thick "Advanced Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide." After practical experience in the Spirit Hunting Forest and continuous learning, his understanding of spirit beasts now far surpassed that of ordinary students, and the records from his Book Spirit were becoming increasingly rich.

Just as he was engrossed in the behavioral description of a thousand-year-old Phoenix-tailed Chicken Crown Snake, that faint, familiar scent approached again.

Ning Rongrong.

She had changed into a light blue dress today, making her appear even more fresh and refined. She walked lightly to the seat opposite Lin Kun and sat down, resting her chin on her hands. Her eyes, as clear as water, curiously observed Lin Kun and the thick, heavy illustrated guide in front of him.

"Classmate Lin Kun, you seem to really like reading these books about spirit beasts?" Ning Rongrong's voice was soft and pleasant.

Lin Kun looked up from his book, surprised to see Ning Rongrong. After the incident in the library and the school rules controversy last time, he thought this young lady wouldn't be interested in him anymore.

"Classmate Ning," Lin Kun nodded politely. "It never hurts to know more." He maintained a sense of distance.

Ning Rongrong, however, didn't seem to mind his coolness. Instead, she leaned forward and lowered her voice, saying, "I heard you went to the Spirit Hunting Forest with the Grandmaster and Tang San a few days ago? And your Martial Soul can sense spirit beasts? That's amazing!"

Her information was very well-informed. Lin Kun felt wary, but his expression remained unchanged. "It's just a small characteristic of my Martial Soul, not worth mentioning. The Grandmaster and Tang San are the truly amazing ones."

"Oh?" Ning Rongrong blinked, a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes. "But I heard that your perception played a crucial role in successfully finding and absorbing that Mandala Snake in the end. Even the Grandmaster praised you."

Lin Kun inwardly cursed, This young lady has investigated thoroughly! He quickly said, "It was a coincidence, all a coincidence. Tang San himself is strong and lucky."

"Is that so?" Ning Rongrong drew out her tone, clearly not believing him. She sized up Lin Kun, finding this work-study student increasingly interesting. His Spirit Power was low, yet he had a peculiar Martial Soul, and he could make the seemingly proud Tang San and the serious Grandmaster look at him differently. He even dared to question theories in class (she heard about it later)... and he also seemed to have a... inexplicably funny aura? (referring to the school rules incident).

She suddenly smiled enchantingly and said, "At the beginning of next month, the academy will organize an outdoor practical class for junior students. We'll also be going to the outskirts of the Spirit Hunting Forest, and we need to form teams to complete collection tasks. How about it, Classmate Lin Kun, are you interested in teaming up with me? With your perception ability, we'll definitely be able to find the mission items easily."

Lin Kun was stunned. Ning Rongrong was actively inviting him to form a team? What kind of development was this? According to the original story, shouldn't this young lady be arrogant and look down on work-study students at this point? Could his appearance have caused some strange change?

[Ding! Detected an invitation to team up from the important plot character Ning Rongrong.] [Triggered a choice mission: Princess's Invitation.] [Option A: Accept the invitation. Reward: A small increase in Ning Rongrong's favorability, potentially triggering more missions later. Risk: May attract the attention and displeasure of Tang San, Xiao Wu, or others.] [Option B: Politely refuse. Reward: 20 Plot Breakdown Points. Risk: May decrease Ning Rongrong's favorability, miss potential opportunities.] [Option C: State that you need to consider. Reward: None. Risk: None.]

The System chimed in at the opportune moment to join the fun.

Lin Kun quickly weighed the pros and cons. Accept? It could increase Ning Rongrong's favorability, which would be beneficial in the long run, but it would definitely be an act of drawing hatred in the short term, especially potentially provoking Tang San. Refuse? Get 20 points for safety, but it might make this little princess feel slighted and lead to future trouble. Consider? A delaying tactic, but it might miss a good opportunity.

Just as he was hesitating, a vibrant voice interjected:

"Teaming up? What teaming up? Sister Xiao Wu, I want to participate too!"

Xiao Wu appeared out of nowhere, throwing an arm around Ning Rongrong's shoulders with a "good sisters" demeanor, but her large eyes were warily glancing at Lin Kun, then at Ning Rongrong: "Sister Rongrong, why didn't you ask me if you were forming a team? We can team up with Tang San! We'll definitely be stronger than with others!" She deliberately emphasized the word "others."

Ning Rongrong, with Xiao Wu's arm around her, maintained her elegant smile, but her eyes flickered slightly. "Sister Xiao Wu, you are indeed amazing. But I heard that Classmate Lin Kun is very good at finding things, so I wanted to invite him to try. More people means greater strength, why don't we do it together?"

Xiao Wu immediately shook her head. "No, no! Tang San said that too many people in a team make it harder to cooperate! Four people are just right! Right, Tang San?" She turned to look at Tang San, who had just walked over.

Tang San was holding a few books, clearly returning them. He looked at the situation before him, his gaze sweeping over Lin Kun and Ning Rongrong, and finally nodded concisely, "Yes, a small team is about quality, not quantity."

The pressure instantly shifted to Lin Kun.

Xiao Wu was clearly trying to prevent Ning Rongrong from teaming up with Lin Kun, and Tang San had also expressed his inclination. If Lin Kun accepted Ning Rongrong's invitation now, he would undoubtedly offend both Xiao Wu and Tang San simultaneously.

Ning Rongrong looked at Lin Kun, her smile unchanged, seemingly waiting for his reply, but with a hint of schadenfreude in the depths of her eyes.

Lin Kun gave a wry smile, This is a death sentence!

He quickly made his choice.

He gave Ning Rongrong an apologetic smile. "Thank you for your kindness, Classmate Ning. But Tang San and Sister Xiao Wu are right, team cooperation is more important. Your strength is great, and teaming up will surely allow you to complete the task easily. I don't want to hold you back."

He chose Option B, politely refusing. Although he missed the opportunity to increase favorability, he gained 20 points, and more importantly, avoided immediately becoming a thorn in the side of Tang San and Xiao Wu.

[Ding! Choice mission completed. Reward: 20 Plot Breakdown Points.]

A barely perceptible disappointment flashed in Ning Rongrong's eyes, but she quickly recovered and smiled, "Alright then, what a shame." She didn't seem to mind.

Xiao Wu, as if she had won a victory, proudly lifted her chin and pulled Ning Rongrong and Tang San along. "Let's go, let's go, we need to discuss what to prepare for the practical class!"

Before leaving, Tang San glanced at Lin Kun again. His gaze seemed to soften slightly, at least Lin Kun's "sensibleness" was satisfactory to him.

Watching the three of them leave, Lin Kun breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Shura Field... this is definitely a prelude to the Shura Field!" he thought with lingering fear. "This Ning Rongrong girl, she looks gentle and demure, but she's definitely dark on the inside! She did this on purpose!"

He had a premonition that this outdoor practical class would likely not be peaceful. Even if he didn't actively seek trouble, it seemed trouble would find him.

"Strength! It's still not enough strength!" Lin Kun's conviction strengthened once more, and he buried his head back into the thick illustrated guide.

Only by becoming strong enough could he better survive in the cracks between these "protagonists" and "young ladies"... and perhaps even make a splash or two?