Ning Rongrong's Sacrifice! Did Zhu Zhuqing Misunderstand?

Ning Rongrong was very perceptive and noticed that something was off with Tang San's mood.

She looked at Tang Lan in confusion.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Last night, she had made grand promises to her father, guaranteeing that she could soothe Tang San.

Don't mess this up!

"It's nothing." Tang Lan smiled. "You did very well. Let's put this matter to rest."

Yet Ning Rongrong still scratched her head.

If she had done so well, why did he still look like that?

Mm.

It was because those Inner Sect Disciples had taken out their resentment on her as well!

Right!

Hmph!

Later, she would make every one of them balance a brick on their heads. If it fell, they would kneel for one extra day!

But for now...

Ning Rongrong darted in front of Tang Lan and took out another wooden box.

"Sect Master, this is Thirty Thousand Year Fire Spirit Ginseng. It was auctioned off together with Tang San's."

"Your... your Brother asked me to deliver it to you as an apology."

Oh?

Tang Lan was somewhat surprised. He had one too?

And it was thirty thousand years old!

He accepted the wooden box and opened it. The flames that rushed toward him were far more violent than those from Tang San's ginseng.

He had only taken a breath,

but the Nine Yang Divine Skill sensed the stimulation, and its circulation sped up by several degrees.

What an incredible tonic!

"Not bad. You've put thought into this."

He put away the wooden box.

He planned to use it to increase his Inner Force after condensing his Soul Ring.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong grinned.

"Then, Sect Master, does what you said yesterday still count? If I bow to you, you'll give me a Self-Created Soul Skill?"

Hm?

Tang Lan, who had been about to leave, gave Ning Rongrong another look.

He seemed to realize something.

Then he looked at the Thirty Thousand Year Fire Spirit Ginseng again. It certainly showed plenty of sincerity.

Fine!

It was only a cultivation method.

If the Sect Master's Inner Sect Disciples learned it, then they learned it.

He did not need to pay any cost anyway; the Spiritual Light Balls were all harvested from the Blue Silver Grass.

Thud—

Ning Rongrong decisively dropped to her knees and gave Tang Lan a proper kowtow.

"Rongrong greets Uncle Tang!"

Then she stood up with a grin and held out her hand toward Tang Lan.

"True Martial Seven Intercept Formation, give it to me, Uncle Tang~"

Well, well!

Who would have thought that the unruly Princess Ning could be so adaptable?

Or rather,

as the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she understood even better how to weigh the pros and cons.

One kneel,

and she gained a monstrous uncle while learning an exquisite Self-Created Soul Skill.

—Not to mention that Tang Lan had originally been Ning Fengzhi's sworn brother.

No matter how she calculated it, she could not lose.

Tang Lan did not go back on his word either. He tossed a Spiritual Light Ball to her.

While Ning Rongrong absorbed it, he walked around her toward the cafeteria.

Xiao Wu, who had been waiting, came over and naturally linked her arm through Tang Lan's.

She muttered softly, "This Ning Rongrong... why do I feel like she's a little too calculating?"

"Quite the opposite. She's sacrificing herself."

Tang Lan said calmly—

"After what happened last night, Ning Fengzhi would certainly worry that the cooperation might change."

"So he changed the plan. Ning Rongrong, who had originally been intended to become my wife, would first acknowledge me as her uncle instead."

"This would once again stabilize the relationship between the two sects and ease the tense atmosphere."

"To make Ning Rongrong accept this sacrifice, Ning Fengzhi must have spent quite a bit of effort persuading her last night."

Xiao Wu's Rabbit Ears stood straight up as she listened!

Become your wife?

That Ning Fengzhi looked mild and amiable, but his schemes were truly sinister!

Good thing, good thing!

Now that Ning Rongrong was Tang Lan's niece, she probably could not take things any further

right?

But...

"So there were so many hidden implications?" Xiao Wu sighed. "Then Rongrong is too pitiful."

"Pitiful? Don't be ridiculous." Tang Lan smiled. "He who wears the crown must bear its weight. Since she enjoyed the conveniences brought by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect from childhood, she naturally had to make sacrifices for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

He looked meaningfully at Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing behind him—

"Every gift fate gives you has already had its price secretly marked."

"Whether it is power, wealth, beauty, or talent, you must work hard to become worthy of them."

"Otherwise..."

"If your debts outweigh your assets, misfortune will come on its own."

At that moment,

Dai Mubai only felt a surge of energy shoot from his tailbone straight to his brain!

Wasn't that statement talking about him?

How was he any different from Ning Rongrong?

He had been born into royalty and enjoyed glory and wealth from childhood, yet he had been unwilling to shoulder responsibility.

The result was his family's neglect and his fiancée's loss of heart.

In the end, he had been left alone.

Because he had not worked hard before, he was not worthy now either.

Dai Mubai silently slowed his pace and distanced himself from Zhu Zhuqing.

He had figured it out.

There was no longer any possibility between him and Zhu Zhuqing.

He needed to let go and move forward!

If he did not want the regrets of the past to repeat themselves, he had to work twice as hard!

Oscar lived up to expectations.

On the morning of the seventh day, he completed ten thousand hammer swings.

That forging hammer was covered in his blood.

Even the spot where he stood had been stamped into two pits.

But none of that mattered.

Oscar looked expectantly at Tang San, waiting for him to speak—he had also heard about Tang San's battle several days ago!

Without using his Martial Soul,

he had been able to fight so many Soul Masters at once.

Tang San's talent might not compare to Tang Lan's, but it still far surpassed his own!

Tang San was more than qualified to be his master.

In fact,

this kind of method of defeating enemies with external tools suited Oscar even better!

Faced with Oscar's anticipation, Tang San sighed.

Then he nodded in agreement.

"Perform the apprenticeship rites."

Oscar was overjoyed!

Suppressing his smile, he clasped his fists with both hands and gave Tang San a deep bow.

"Disciple Oscar greets Master!"

Tang San raised a hand to help Oscar up. His entire sleeve was soaked through with sweat and blood.

To receive a Disciple with such unwavering willpower was enough to bring honor to his sect.

A flash of light appeared, and an item appeared in his hand.

—Ten Thousand Year Fire Spirit Ginseng!

"Your body has been overstrained these past few days. You may first consume one-tenth of the Ten Thousand Year Fire Spirit Ginseng to nourish yourself."

"After reaching level 30, refine the rest to increase your level."

"Don't worry about your foundation. This Ten Thousand Year Fire Spirit Ginseng is extremely compatible with the Nine Yang Divine Skill."

Oscar happily accepted it, his grin widening even further.

"Thank you for Master's gift!"

Tang Lan also walked over and handed him a Storage Ring and a Spiritual Light Ball.

"As your Martial Uncle, I'll give you an apprenticeship gift as well."

Oscar's eyes narrowed into crescents from smiling as he accepted both items with both hands.

Inside the Spiritual Light Ball was naturally one part of the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation.

The sixty-fourfold boost left Oscar utterly stunned. This was far too powerful!

"Thank you for Martial Uncle's gift!"

Nearby,

Ma Hongjun's eyes had gone wide. This apprenticeship gift was way too extravagant, wasn't it?

He secretly regretted it.

Back then, he should have gone swinging the Great Hammer alongside Oscar!

—Even a Support Soul Master could pass. As a dignified Battle Soul Master, there was no reason he could not!

Unfortunately...

There was no medicine for regret in this world.

Flender was equally regretful.

He also regretted not pushing Ma Hongjun harder before.

That was how he had developed such a lazy, gluttonous habit.

Now, in Shrek Academy, only Ma Hongjun was not part of the Tang Sect.

After this, he feared...

"By the way, Master." Oscar suddenly said, "After I went back on the first day, I had already reached level 30."

Hm?

Flender looked over in delight!

Although his Disciple was no good anymore,

this Adopted Son was still quite impressive!

He immediately said joyfully, "Perfect! Xiao Lan should also hunt for a Soul Ring. We'll set out tomorrow and hunt Soul Rings for both of you!"

"I have no objections." Oscar chuckled foolishly. "I'll follow the arrangements of the Dean, Sect Master, and Master."

Mm.

There were rather a lot of people he had to listen to.

"It is time to set out." Tang Lan agreed. "If we delay any longer, it will become troublesome."

"Then I'll go back and pack." Tang San said. "Xiao Ao, come with me. Your master will teach you a cultivation method."

"Yes!"

Oscar eagerly followed Tang San away.

At Tang Lan's feet, the Blue Silver Grass swayed.

It was a message from Tang San.

He wanted to teach Oscar the third layer of the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

Tang Lan agreed.

But inwardly, he was thinking

It wasn't the Mysterious Heaven Skill?

He wasn't planning to teach them the secret arts of hidden weapons?

Or...

Was he using Oscar as an experiment to see whether the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Hidden Weapons Encyclopedia worked well together?

"Buzz—"

Gravity pressed down, and Tang Lan came back to his senses.

Watching everyone prepare to continue training, he suddenly became interested.

"Those from the Tang Sect, come here."

Except for Ma Hongjun.

Zhu Zhuqing and the other two stopped what they were doing and came to stand before Tang Lan.

"We'll be hunting Soul Beasts soon, so let me test your progress."

"I won't use my Martial Soul. Attack me together. You can use firearms too."

Zhu Zhuqing and the other two exchanged glances.

"Rongrong, you learned the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation, right?" Dai Mubai asked. "Can you use it?"

Ning Rongrong shook her head.

"I only learned it this morning. I haven't practiced it yet."

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing silently gave up on joining forces—it was only a spar, so there was no need to complicate things.

"Then, Sect Master, excuse me!"

After offering an apology, Dai Mubai immediately used Martial Soul Possession! He knew all too well just how monstrous Tang Lan was.

Zhu Zhuqing also used Martial Soul Possession and attacked Tang Lan from the left and right alongside Dai Mubai.

Tang Lan was utterly unruffled. He even closed his eyes—the Blue Silver Domain was far more useful than his eyes.

He did not even draw upon his Inner Force.

He raised a hand, ready to receive both of their attacks.

"Seven Treasures Glazed Invocation, first: Strength!"

"Seven Treasures Glazed Invocation, second: Speed!"

The light of the Soul Skills fell upon the two of them, greatly boosting their speed and strength.

At the same time, they activated their Soul Skills—

"First Soul Skill: Hell Stab!"

Zhu Zhuqing's speed surged again. Using Lingbo Microstep, she circled behind Tang Lan and attacked his lower body from close to the ground.

"Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Light Wave!"

Dai Mubai spat out a beam of white light aimed straight at Tang Lan's chest!

A pincer attack from both sides, above and below, then from front and back!

Ning Rongrong also pulled out her Python Revolver and fired with both hands, unleashing a rapid barrage.

Tang Lan was attacked from three directions!

Even if he was more than ten levels above them, they should at least be able to force out his Martial Soul, right?

However.

A layer of golden light appeared over Tang Lan's body as the Indestructible Body activated!

Dai Mubai's White Tiger Light Wave struck Tang Lan's chest first, making the thin layer of golden light tremble slightly.

That was all.

Breaking through it?

There was no such possibility.

"Screech, screech, screech—"

Like a spinning top, Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Stab drilled fiercely into the back of Tang Lan's knee, yet she still could not pierce through.

"Clang, clang, clang—"

The Python Revolver's bullets flattened against the golden light and fell to the ground as scraps of iron.

The three of them working together could not even break his defense!

"Hah!"

The golden light exploded outward!

A rebounding force sent Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing flying.

Tang Lan caught one in each hand and tossed them toward Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong used Lingbo Microstep to dodge, yet she still found time to pull out an Uzi and hold down the trigger.

"Rat-a-tat-tat—"

"Clang, clang, clang—"

It still could not break his defense.

Zhu Zhuqing twisted her body in midair and landed lightly on the ground.

Dai Mubai was much rougher. His tiger claws tore into the ground to halt his momentum, and he crouched low like a tiger.

"Is that a Self-Created Soul Skill too?" Ning Rongrong asked in surprise. "The Undying Imprint Technique? No, that doesn't seem right."

"It's the Indestructible Body," Tang Lan said easily. "After the Nine Yang Divine Skill is cultivated to a high level, the Soul Power within the body gains Endless Vitality. It can greatly temper the body and forge an indestructible physique."

Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong instantly lost interest.

—Girls could not cultivate the Nine Yang Divine Skill anyway.

Dai Mubai's eyes, however, gleamed. This Indestructible Body suited him perfectly!

Tang Lan crooked a finger at them.

"Come at me with everything you have. Stop scratching at an itch."

The three of them refused to concede and launched another attack.

"Third Soul Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

Dai Mubai's body expanded by a full size as he went Full Power Unleashed!

Zhu Zhuqing shifted into a supporting role, coordinating with Ning Rongrong's firearms to cover Dai Mubai.

They struggled to survive under Tang Lan's assault.

Unfortunately...

By the time their Inner Force had been completely drained, they still had not managed to make Tang Lan move even a single step.

As for Tang Lan,

not only was his breathing steady, he had not even broken a sweat.

Watching from the side, Zhao Wuji bared his teeth—if he had not run into a freak like Tang Lan, he should have been able to take it this easily back then too!

Tang Lan had not expended much Physical Strength, and as for Inner Force—

the Nine Yang Divine Skill already possessed Endless Vitality, and the Undying Imprint Technique could further convert life force.

The more he fought, the more Inner Force he had. He simply could not run out of it!

The gap between them was as vast as a heavenly chasm.

It filled them with awe and made them utterly convinced of Tang Lan's strength.

—They were normal people. They could not compare themselves to a monster like him.

"As expected of the Sect Master. We couldn't even force out your Martial Soul," Dai Mubai said with a bitter smile.

"If the Barrett and Vulcan Cannon had bullets, I could at least make you move your feet," Ning Rongrong said. Unable to spend money to win, she felt rather frustrated.

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. She merely watched Tang Lan.

Such a powerful man.

To someone like her, who admired strength, he seemed to shine all over!

Especially since...

they also possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with an exceptionally high degree of compatibility!

Even her cold heart began to stir.

Xiao Wu's figure flashed through her mind.

After spending so much time together, she naturally knew they were not biological siblings.

Especially Xiao Wu every night...

But!

Tang Lan's strength was enough to fill anyone with awe.

Could she monopolize him by herself?

And in the Star Luo Empire,

it was perfectly normal for royalty, nobles, and some powerful Soul Masters to have several wives and concubines.

Perhaps...

It wasn't impossible...

That night.

Xiao Wu opened her eyes, propped herself up, and looked toward Zhu Zhuqing.

She met a pair of bright cat-like eyes.

"Ah! You're still awake?" Xiao Wu asked, feeling somewhat guilty.

"You go over there every night, yet there's never any movement. What exactly are you doing?" Zhu Zhuqing asked bluntly.

The question left Xiao Wu dumbfounded.

She had been so careful every day. Later, she had even directly used her Teleport Soul Skill.

You could still notice that?

After a brief moment of embarrassment, she admitted it openly.

"I've slept in the same bed as Brother since I was six."

"The two of us have cultivated together for so long that it became a habit."

"Without Brother beside me at night, I simply can't sleep."

Zhu Zhuqing fell silent.

This dual cultivation of yours...

Was it proper?

Was it the kind of dual cultivation she was thinking of?

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's gaze grow increasingly strange,

Xiao Wu still did not realize what was wrong.

—After all, no one had ever taught her about that sort of thing while she was growing up.

Since she had already been discovered,

Xiao Wu stood up and winked at Zhu Zhuqing.

"Then you have to keep it a secret for me!"

"See you tomorrow!"

"Whoosh—"

She teleported away.

Zhu Zhuqing was left alone, silent and unable to sleep for a long time.

Her thoughts were a complete mess.

Until dawn arrived.

When Xiao Wu teleported back, Zhu Zhuqing still had not slept.

"Ah? That fast?" Zhu Zhuqing blurted out. "Is the Sect Master's stamina that poor?"

Xiao Wu: "???"

Do you even hear what you're saying?