First Encounter with Ning Rongrong

A few more days passed in quiet.

Lin Kun's Spirit Power steadily increased, inching towards level 3. The recording and analysis ability of his Book Spirit was also slowly growing. While it was still difficult to analyze Tang San and Xiao Wu, he could now provide slightly more information about the other work-study students in the Seventh Dormitory. For example, vague hints like Wang Sheng's "War Tiger Spirit, tends towards explosive power, weak defense."

This gave him a better understanding of how to use his Martial Soul.

Nuoding Academy had a sizable library open to all students. This became Lin Kun's most frequent haunt outside of classrooms and his dormitory. He desperately needed to understand this world more deeply, especially the systems of Martial Souls, Spirit Beasts, and Spirit Masters. This would not only supplement his foresight but also serve as a foundational database for his Book Spirit's [Analyze] ability.

More importantly, it was quiet, allowing him to research alone and avoid too much contact with Tang San and Xiao Wu.

That afternoon, during his free time, Lin Kun was once again in a corner of the library, engrossed in a thick copy of "Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide - Basic Edition."

Just as he was absorbed in the description of a hundred-year Phantom Wolf's habits, he heard faint footsteps and caught a subtle, fresh scent distinct from the smell of ink.

Lin Kun subconsciously looked up.

He saw a girl in a Nuoding Academy uniform standing a short distance away in front of a bookshelf, on tiptoe, trying to reach a book on the upper shelf. The girl was well-proportioned, with a gentle and elegant temperament, fair skin, and smooth, long black hair cascading down her back, adorned with a delicate, small hair accessory.

Ning Rongrong?!

Lin Kun recognized her instantly. The young mistress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the original Shrek Seven Devils, how could she be in the Nuoding Academy library? At this time, shouldn't she be at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

As if sensing Lin Kun's gaze, Ning Rongrong turned her head. Her eyes were large, her pupils like water, possessing an innate fragility and nobility. However, upon closer inspection, a hint of barely concealed boredom and a touch of petulance seemed to be hidden deep within her eyes. Seeing Lin Kun, she nodded slightly, offering a polite yet distant smile, clearly mistaking him for an ordinary work-study student (his school uniform was older).

"Do you need help?" Lin Kun put down his book and stood up, asking. He remembered Ning Rongrong's early personality wasn't the best, with a bit of a spoiled temper, but her outward etiquette was impeccable.

Ning Rongrong hesitated for a moment before pointing to the "Continental Customs Records" on the upper shelf and saying softly, "Please."

Lin Kun walked over, easily retrieved the book, and handed it to her.

"Thank you." Ning Rongrong took the book, her gaze sweeping over the "Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide" Lin Kun had been reading. A flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes. A work-study student interested in such an obscure guide?

"Are you very interested in Spirit Beasts?" Ning Rongrong asked casually, purely out of politeness and a trace of curiosity.

Lin Kun's heart stirred. This was an opportunity! Perhaps he could gain some favorability? Even leaving a slightly memorable impression would be good. He organized his thoughts and said, "Well, it never hurts to learn more. For example, this book says Phantom Wolves fear bright light, prefer to act at night, and their attacks often target the throat. If you encounter one, perhaps you could use light-based Spirit Skills to disrupt them, or prioritize protecting your neck."

What he said were just basic facts from the guide, but hearing them articulated so clearly and logically by a work-study student surprised Ning Rongrong. It wouldn't be strange for her guards or sect disciples to know this, but an ordinary work-study student...

"You're quite diligent," Ning Rongrong smiled, her smile still polite but with a bit more sincerity. "Are you a work-study student? What's your name?"

"Lin Kun."

"My surname is Ning." Ning Rongrong didn't state her full name, clearly maintaining her distance. "Thank you for the book." She gestured with the "Continental Customs Records" in her hand, nodded again in greeting, and then turned to walk towards the reading area with elegant posture.

Lin Kun watched her retreating figure, lost in thought. Ning Rongrong's appearance was definitely a variable. Was it a butterfly effect caused by his transmigration? Or was this part of the original story that he simply didn't remember?

[Ding! Detected important plot character Ning Rongrong, and initial interaction with host.] [Triggered long-term hidden quest: Heart of Glazed Tile.] [Quest requirements: Establish a deep bond with Ning Rongrong (Favorability reaches Trust or above).] [Quest rewards: Based on final favorability level, reward a large amount of Plot Breakdown Points and special rewards.] [Quest hint: Ning Rongrong is currently in a state of running away from home (or private travel), her mood is complex, and she craves recognition and genuine emotion.]

Running away from home?! Lin Kun realized. No wonder she was here. It seemed his transmigration had indeed caused some events to happen earlier or in a different way!

This was a high-risk, high-reward mission. Ning Rongrong had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind her, and winning her over would undoubtedly bring immense help. But at the same time, the difficulty was extreme, and it could easily lead to a fatal disaster.

Just as Lin Kun was weighing the pros and cons, another set of footsteps echoed from the library entrance.

Tang San and Xiao Wu walked in!

Xiao Wu seemed to want to find a storybook, and Tang San was accompanying her.

The two of them immediately spotted Lin Kun standing by the bookshelf, and also saw Ning Rongrong, who had just sat down in the reading area, her temperament and appearance exceptionally outstanding.

Xiao Wu's large eyes widened instantly, her gaze darting back and forth between Lin Kun and Ning Rongrong. Her small mouth pouted slightly, appearing somewhat displeased. She recognized the girl; she was the new transfer student who had arrived a few days ago, rumored to have a powerful background and to be very beautiful. Many boys in the class secretly looked at her. Why was Lin Kun talking to her?

Tang San's gaze also slightly sharpened. He could naturally see Ning Rongrong's extraordinary nature, and his senses were sharp, detecting that Lin Kun and the girl seemed to have just had a conversation. When did Lin Kun get to know such a girl?

"Lin Kun, what are you doing here?" Xiao Wu ran over directly, her tone carrying a hint of accusation that she herself didn't notice.

"Reading," Lin Kun replied calmly, pointing to the "Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide" in his hand.

"Oh." Xiao Wu glanced at the thick guide, then subtly looked at Ning Rongrong, who was quietly reading in the distance. Suddenly, she grabbed Lin Kun's arm, "Let's go, let's go, it's so stuffy here, come play with me on the sports field!"

Her actions were natural and domineering, as if it were taken for granted.

Lin Kun's body stiffened. He could feel Tang San's gaze instantly turn sharp, falling like a tangible force onto the arm Xiao Wu was holding.

A sense of crisis descended abruptly!

Ning Rongrong seemed to be disturbed by the commotion here, raising her head and looking over curiously. Her gaze fell on Xiao Wu's hand holding Lin Kun's, and a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes.

The quiet atmosphere of the library was broken.

Lin Kun felt a headache coming on. Xiao Wu's sudden intimate gesture was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire!

How should he deal with this sudden foreshadowing of a love triangle?