The Turmoil Spreads

When Flender and Yu Xiaogang returned to the inn with Dai Mubai and the others, they were met by a suffocating silence within the hotel.

What happened? Flender pushed up his glasses, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Wuji's gloomy face. Where was Rong Rong?

Zhao Wuji snorted coldly. The Young Lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect threw a tantrum and insisted on returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Yu Xiaogang frowned. When did this happen?

Half an hour ago. Zhu Zhuqing answered calmly. Her Martial Soul evolved into the Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and she believed she had to report it to her father immediately.

Dai Mubai raised his brows in surprise. The Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda? That was an evolution the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had never seen in centuries!

Even so, Yu Xiaogang's voice suddenly turned cold, she could not leave the team without permission. The day after tomorrow, we will be negotiating with Heaven Dou Royal Academy. We may very well need to compete against the Heaven Dou Royal Team, and team coordination will be crucial then.

Xiao Wu keenly noticed a chilling ruthlessness flash through Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he spoke. That expression vanished in an instant, yet it reminded her of the mysterious senior's description—Master was not as simple as he appeared, and he was absolutely not as kind as he seemed.

Rong Rong said she would be back soon. Zhu Zhuqing added, She arranged for the fastest carriage. It will not delay anything important.

Flender sighed and looked at Yu Xiaogang. Since there was a reason for it, and she promised to return...

Yu Xiaogang's expression had already returned to calm, but his tone remained stiff. Discipline is discipline. If everyone acts on their own because of personal matters, what cohesion can the team possibly have?

Tang San's trust in Master was nearly unconditional, and he immediately echoed him. Teacher is right. Rong Rong was indeed too willful this time.

Xiao Wu's heart trembled at those words. She looked at Tang San and found her beloved's face filled with unreserved trust and admiration—admiration for Yu Xiaogang. An inexplicable sense of loss welled up inside her.

Xiao San, Xiao Wu gently tugged Tang San's sleeve and asked softly, if I had something urgent and needed to leave, would you say the same thing?

Tang San froze, clearly not expecting Xiao Wu to ask that. This... the situation is different. Rong Rong is a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and bears the responsibilities of a sect disciple. But you...

But what about me? Xiao Wu pressed, an unusual light flickering in her pink eyes. I do not have a sect, so I have to obey without condition?

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became subtle. Oscar and Ma Hongjun exchanged looks, unable to understand why the conversation had suddenly turned in this direction.

Yu Xiaogang interrupted the awkward confrontation. Enough. This matter ends here. Xiao Wu, Tang San was only speaking objectively. Do not overthink it.

Flender changed the subject at the right moment. Since Rong Rong has already left, let us discuss the arrangements for the day after tomorrow. Teacher Zhao, you did the right thing. Team discipline truly cannot be broken.

Zhao Wuji nodded and gave Flender a meaningful look. I was thinking of your plan.

Xiao Wu's Rabbit Ears twitched slightly. A plan? What kind of plan required forcibly keeping Ning Rongrong here? Her suspicions deepened.

After Flender and Yu Xiaogang left to find a room and discuss the impact of Ning Rongrong leaving the team.

A crisp crack of shattering porcelain suddenly came from the corner of the room.

Say that again? Dai Mubai's voice was frighteningly low. Golden Light surged in his Evil Eyes, and three soul rings beneath his feet lit up uncontrollably.

Zhu Zhuqing coldly withdrew the hand that had knocked over the teacup, her black hair stirring without wind. I said that, just like Teacher Zhao, you do not understand what truly matters.

The entire room fell silent in an instant. Oscar quietly shifted half a step behind Ma Hongjun, while Xiao Wu's Rabbit Ears stood alertly upright. No one had ever seen Zhu Zhuqing speak to Dai Mubai in such a tone.

Zhu Qing. Dai Mubai forcibly suppressed his anger, his knuckles clenched white. Watch your words.

My words? Zhu Zhuqing suddenly laughed, and that smile was sharp enough to cut through the air. Young Master Dai cares about words now? Back in the Star Luo Imperial Palace, when you left me alone to face Dai Weisi, why did you not care about words then?

Dai Mubai looked as though he had been struck by lightning, his face turning deathly pale. This was the deepest scar between them, one they had never revealed before the others.

That was different! Dai Mubai strode forward abruptly, the phantom of the White Tiger flickering behind him. Back then, I could only escape in order to—

In order to do what? Zhu Zhuqing met him without yielding an inch, the phantom of the Hell Spirit Cat forming a stark contrast to the White Tiger. In order to be like you are now, brushing aside someone else's pain with a few words about the greater good?

Dai Mubai's Pupils contracted violently. He had never seen Zhu Zhuqing reveal her emotions so openly. Usually, she buried everything beneath her icy exterior.

You do not understand what Rong Rong's Martial Soul Evolution means at all. Zhu Zhuqing's voice suddenly softened, yet it carried an even deeper sting. With every additional level of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, it can gain another self-preservation soul skill, and the amplification of all its previous soul skills also increases. The Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda... it is something capable of changing the entire structure of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Tang San interjected thoughtfully. Indeed, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could gain another amplification effect...

Shut up! Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing shouted in unison. Tang San awkwardly stepped back half a pace, while surprise flashed through Xiao Wu's eyes—this was the first time she had seen Zhu Zhuqing lose her temper at Tang San.

Dai Mubai took a deep breath and tried to regain his composure. Zhu Qing, I understand how Rong Rong feels. But the negotiations the day after tomorrow concern the academy's survival. If we fail because we are short-handed—

And then what? Failure? Zhu Zhuqing cut him off mockingly. Dai Mubai, deep down, you are still that coward who runs away whenever he encounters trouble.

Those words pierced straight into his heart like a dagger. Dai Mubai trembled all over, his White Tiger Spirit nearly bursting from his body, but the next moment, his Shoulders suddenly slumped.

You are right. Dai Mubai's voice was hoarse beyond recognition. I really have... always been a coward.

This unexpected admission left Zhu Zhuqing stunned. Looking at Dai Mubai's reddened eyes, she suddenly realized she had touched something far deeper.

But this time, Dai Mubai lifted his head. A fire Zhu Zhuqing had never seen before burned in his golden eyes. I want to become someone worthy of your trust. Stopping Rong Rong from leaving is not cowardice. It is taking responsibility.

The rise and fall of Zhu Zhuqing's chest gradually calmed, but her gaze remained icy. Taking responsibility in the wrong way is more frightening than running away.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense once more, Headmaster Flender finally spoke. "Enough. This matter ends here. No one is to discuss it any further. Return to your rooms."

Zhu Zhuqing was the first to leave the hall. However, she did not return to her room. Instead, she quietly made her way to the balcony.

Dai Mubai hesitated for a moment before following her.

Zhu Qing... he began awkwardly, but did not know what to say.

Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows across Zhu Zhuqing's face. She said softly, Dai Mubai, did we not flee to the Heaven Dou Empire to escape Star Luo Empire's rules, where interests outweighed everything else?

Dai Mubai felt as though he had been struck by lightning. As he watched Zhu Zhuqing's retreating figure, he suddenly understood something—they had never been arguing over whether Ning Rongrong should stay or leave, but over whether they should become the kind of people they despised most.