The peaceful days passed for a few more days.
Lin Kun's Soul Power steadily increased, advancing toward level 3. The recording and analysis ability of his Book Spirit was also slowly growing. Although Tang San and Xiao Wu were still difficult to analyze, it could now return slightly more information on the other work-study students in the Seventh Dormitory, such as vague prompts like Wang Sheng's "War Tiger Spirit, inclined toward explosive strength, weaker defense."
This gave him a better grasp of how to use martial spirits.
Nuoding Academy had a fairly large library open to all students. It became the place Lin Kun frequented most besides the classroom and dormitory. He urgently needed to gain a deeper understanding of this world, especially its knowledge of martial spirits, spirit beasts, and the spirit master system. This could not only supplement his foreknowledge, but also provide a foundational database for his Book Spirit's analysis.
More importantly, it was quiet here, suitable for his private research and for avoiding too much contact with Tang San and Xiao Wu.
That afternoon, with no classes to attend, Lin Kun was once again tucked away in a corner of the library, engrossed in a thick copy of Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide: Fundamentals.
Just as he was immersed in a description of the habits of a hundred-year Netherwolf, light footsteps approached, accompanied by a faint, fresh fragrance unlike the scent of ink and books.
Lin Kun instinctively looked up.
A girl in Nuoding Academy's school uniform skirt stood before a bookshelf not far away, standing on tiptoe as she tried to reach a book on the upper shelf. She had a well-proportioned figure and a gentle, elegant bearing. Her skin was fair, and her long, silky black hair fell down her back, adorned with a delicate little hair ornament.
Ning Rongrong?!
Lin Kun recognized her at once. The young princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of Shrek's Seven Monsters from the original story—what was she doing in Nuoding Academy's library? At this point in time, shouldn't she have been in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
As if sensing Lin Kun's gaze, Ning Rongrong turned around. Her eyes were large, her pupils as soft as water, carrying an innate fragility and nobility. Yet on closer inspection, there seemed to be a trace of barely perceptible boredom and faint arrogance hidden deep in them. When she saw Lin Kun, she gave a slight nod and offered a polite yet distant smile. Clearly, she had taken him for an ordinary work-study student, since his uniform was rather worn.
"Do you need help?" Lin Kun put down his book, rose to his feet, and asked. He remembered that Ning Rongrong's personality had not been very pleasant at first, and that she had something of a young mistress's temper, though her outward manners had always been impeccable.
Ning Rongrong hesitated slightly before pointing at the copy of Continental Customs Records on the upper shelf. "Sorry to trouble you," she said softly.
Lin Kun walked over, easily took down the book, and handed it to her.
"Thank you." Ning Rongrong accepted it. Her gaze swept over the copy of Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide Lin Kun had been reading, and surprise flashed through her eyes. A work-study student was interested in such an obscure illustrated guide?
"You're very interested in spirit beasts?" Ning Rongrong casually asked, purely out of politeness and a touch of curiosity.
Lin Kun's heart stirred. This was an opportunity! Perhaps he could gain a little favorability? Even leaving behind a somewhat special impression would be good. After organizing his thoughts, he said, "Yes. It never hurts to know more. For example, this book says that Netherwolves fear strong light, prefer moving at night, and usually target the throat when attacking. If one encounters them, perhaps flash-type soul skills could be used to disrupt them, or the neck could be protected first."
What he said was merely basic information from the guide, but hearing it laid out so clearly and logically from a work-study student still surprised Ning Rongrong. It would not have been strange for her guards or sect disciples to know such things, but an ordinary work-study student...
"You really are diligent." Ning Rongrong smiled. Her smile remained polite, but it gained a little more sincerity. "You're a work-study student? What's your name?"
"Lin Kun."
"My surname is Ning." Ning Rongrong did not give her full name, clearly still keeping her distance. "Thank you for the book." She lifted the copy of Continental Customs Records in her hand, nodded to him once more, then turned and headed elegantly toward the reading area.
Lin Kun watched her retreating figure, lost in thought. Ning Rongrong's appearance was definitely an unexpected variable. Was this the butterfly effect caused by his transmigration? Or had there been such an episode in the original story, one he simply did not remember?
Ding! A major plot character, Ning Rongrong, has appeared and made initial contact with the host. Long-term hidden mission activated: Heart of Glazed Tile. Mission requirement: Form a deep bond with Ning Rongrong (favorability reaches Trust or above). Mission reward: Based on the final favorability level, receive a large amount of Plot Breakdown Points and special rewards. Mission prompt: Ning Rongrong is currently in a state of running away from home (or traveling privately). Her feelings are complicated, and she longs for recognition and genuine emotion.
Running away from home?! Lin Kun suddenly understood. No wonder she was here. It seemed his transmigration really had caused some things to happen earlier, or in different ways!
This was a high-risk, high-reward mission. Ning Rongrong had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind her. Winning her over would undoubtedly gain him enormous support. But likewise, the difficulty would be immense, and it could very easily bring about his death.
Just as Lin Kun weighed the pros and cons, another set of footsteps sounded from the library entrance.
Tang San and Xiao Wu walked in!
Xiao Wu seemed to have come looking for a storybook, while Tang San had accompanied her.
The two of them immediately saw Lin Kun standing beside the bookshelf, as well as Ning Rongrong, who had just sat down in the reading area and was exceptionally outstanding in both temperament and appearance.
Xiao Wu's big eyes instantly widened. Her gaze swept back and forth between Lin Kun and Ning Rongrong, while her little mouth pouted slightly, as though she was somewhat unhappy. She recognized that girl. She was a transfer student who had arrived a few days ago, supposedly with a powerful background. She was pretty too, and many boys in the class secretly looked at her. Why was Lin Kun talking to her?
Tang San's gaze also narrowed slightly. Naturally, he could see that Ning Rongrong was extraordinary. His senses were sharp as well, and he noticed that Lin Kun and that girl seemed to have just spoken. When had Lin Kun gotten to know a girl like her?
"Lin Kun, what are you doing here?" Xiao Wu ran over directly, her tone carrying a hint of accusation that even she herself had not noticed.
"Reading." Lin Kun answered calmly, pointing to the Spirit Beast Illustrated Guide in his hand.
"Oh." Xiao Wu looked at the thick guide, then glanced at Ning Rongrong, who was quietly reading in the distance. Suddenly, she grabbed Lin Kun's arm. "Come on, come on. This place is suffocating. Go play on the training ground with me!"
Her movements were natural yet domineering, as though it were only right.
Lin Kun's body stiffened. He could feel Tang San's gaze instantly turn sharp, landing almost tangibly on the arm Xiao Wu was holding.
A sense of danger suddenly descended!
Ning Rongrong also seemed to have been disturbed by the commotion. She looked up curiously, her gaze falling on Xiao Wu's hand gripping Lin Kun's arm, and a trace of amusement flashed through her eyes.
The library's quiet atmosphere had been broken.
Lin Kun felt as though his head had grown twice as large. Xiao Wu's sudden intimate gesture was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire!
How should he deal with this sudden omen of a love triangle?
Before you continue