Ning Rongrong's Angel Investment

Ning Rongrong's attitude towards Little White was even more direct and... "inhumanly wealthy."

She directly sent someone to deliver a small, exquisite jade box containing three round, translucent white pills that emitted a faint, pleasant fragrance.

"These are Spirit Nurturing Pills, a creation of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's alchemists. They have a decent effect on nourishing spirit power. I noticed Little White seems to be a Spirit-type Spirit Beast, so these should help with its growth," Ning Rongrong said, delivering them personally. Her tone was as casual as if she were handing out candy.

Lin Kun's hands trembled as he looked at the three pills, which were clearly very valuable. "Classmate Ning, this is too precious! I can't accept it!"

"Take it," Ning Rongrong smiled faintly, her smile sweet but unyielding. "Consider it... an early investment. I see great potential in Little White, and I think highly of you too, classmate Lin Kun." Her gaze swept over Lin Kun meaningfully.

Lin Kun felt immense pressure. These pills felt hot in his hands! Accepting their generosity would tie his hands, and he feared he wouldn't be able to distance himself later.

"Chirp?" Little White seemed very interested in the Spirit Nurturing Pills. It poked its little head out from Lin Kun's embrace, gazing longingly at the jade box, a hint of drool at the corner of its mouth...

Lin Kun: "..." You glutton! What about your principles!

In the end, under the dual pressure of Ning Rongrong's "kind" gaze and Little White's "eager" eyes, Lin Kun had no choice but to accept them with a lump in his throat. He picked out the smallest Spirit Nurturing Pill and carefully fed it to Little White.

Little White swallowed it in one gulp, its eyes narrowing contentedly. A soft white halo emanated from its body, as if it felt very comfortable. Then, it yawned, curled up, and fell asleep. Its spiritual fluctuations seemed to have strengthened slightly.

Ning Rongrong nodded with satisfaction. "The effect seems good. I'll have someone send more over every month from now on."

Lin Kun almost knelt before this little rich girl! Monthly deliveries? How much would that cost?! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was truly extravagant!

"Classmate Ning... this... I truly don't deserve it..." Lin Kun tried to resist one last time.

"It's okay," Ning Rongrong blinked. "You can repay me in other ways. For example... if I need information on 'special' herbs or minerals in the future, you can provide it to me first? Or... help me research how to make my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda a bit more 'interesting'?" Her words carried a hint of seduction and deeper meaning.

Lin Kun's internal alarm bells went off! Here it comes! She had an agenda after all! And it wasn't a small one! Asking him to help research Martial Souls? This was practically pushing him into a fiery pit!

But he looked at Little White sleeping soundly in his arms, and then thought about the monthly Spirit Nurturing Pills... it seemed the cost of refusal was also quite high?

"I... I'll try my best... but my abilities are limited..." Lin Kun could only vaguely agree.

Ning Rongrong didn't seem to expect an immediate answer. She gracefully stood up. "Then it's settled. I look forward to your good news." She fluttered away, leaving Lin Kun in disarray and a pill worth a thousand gold pieces behind.

However, Lin Kun was unaware that while he was agonizing over Ning Rongrong's "investment," another pair of eyes was secretly watching him and Little White.

Outside Nuoding City, in a hidden corner.

The sect scout who had reported the situation to Ning Rongrong was kneeling on one knee, reporting to a middle-aged man in luxurious black robes, his face hidden in shadow.

"...The target has returned to the academy. The potential of the unknown Spirit Beast cub he obtained is immense, suspected to possess ancient bloodline. Miss Ning Rongrong has already attempted to make contact and invest."

The middle-aged man in black robes spoke in a low, hoarse voice. "Ancient bloodline... Is the information confirmed?"

"Your subordinate dare not be completely certain, but the intensity and purity of the spiritual storm at that time were far beyond what ordinary Spirit Beasts could possess. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's personal detection was also repelled by its spiritual energy."

"Yu Xiaogang..." The middle-aged man in black robes pondered for a moment. "Continue to observe, do not act rashly. Focus on the growth of that Spirit Beast and... that kid named Lin Kun. Rongrong's move here is quite interesting. Perhaps... he can become a good breakthrough point."

"Yes!"

The scout disappeared silently.

The middle-aged man in black robes looked in the direction of Nuoding Academy, his gaze deep. "A time of turmoil... Even such a small place is starting to see variables..."

Inside the academy, Lin Kun shivered, feeling as though some troublesome entity had taken notice of him again.

"Sigh, Little White, Little White, you are truly a sweet burden." Lin Kun poked Little White's soft face. The little fellow grumbled in dissatisfaction in its sleep.

The joy of having a special Spirit Beast companion was gradually being replaced by the weight of reality. Tang San's inquiries, Ning Rongrong's investment, the hidden gazes... Everything indicated that his academy life from now on would be anything but peaceful.

He had to grow stronger faster to protect himself and Little White, and to find a sliver of hope in this increasingly complex vortex.

"Points! I still need to get points!" Lin Kun once again turned his gaze to the infuriating yet tempting system.