Four Years Later!

"I was thinking about how to teach you sword practice this afternoon."

Su Yu answered casually, picking up a warmed piece of osmanthus cake and holding it to her lips.

Ning Rongrong opened her mouth and took a bite, saying indistinctly, "Older brother, I'm not afraid of being tired!"

After swallowing the cake, she added, "Grandpa Jian said that powerful Soul Masters all have to endure hardship. I want to become a powerful Soul Master too!"

Seeing the earnest look on her little face, Su Yu smiled and raised a hand to smooth her bangs.

"Alright, then we'll continue this afternoon. But you're not allowed to use brute force like you did this morning again, understand?"

"Mm!"

Ning Rongrong nodded vigorously, rubbing her little head against his chest even more happily.

Great Time Travel Technique—

In the blink of an eye, four years passed.

Su Yu had turned fifteen this year, while Ning Rongrong had turned twelve.

It was worth mentioning that Su Yu's Soul Power Level had reached Level 49, only one step away from Level 50.

Under Su Yu's guidance, Ning Rongrong had broken through Level 30 a few days ago and was now a Three-Ring Soul Elder.

Naturally, the Upper Clarity Immortal Method deserved some credit for that as well.

Most notably, Ning Rongrong's combat ability was now just a tiny bit impressive.

That was, as long as Su Yu was present.

As long as she wielded any Immortal Sword, Ning Rongrong's combat ability was roughly on par with that of a Soul Grandmaster.

Of course, if it was an ordinary sword, then forget he said anything.

In the reception hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong stomped her feet, her little face full of stubborn determination.

With both hands on her waist and her rosy little lips pouting, she tilted her head up at the three elders before her. Her voice was hurried and indignant, carrying a hint of coquettish pleading.

"Father! Grandpa Jian! Grandpa Bone! I don't care! I want to go out and gain experience!"

"You promised me before that once my Soul Power was a little higher, you'd allow me to go out!"

Ning Fengzhi looked helplessly at his daughter, lightly tapping his folded fan against his palm.

"Rongrong, it isn't that Father won't agree. The outside world isn't as safe as the sect."

"Your Soul Power has only just passed Level 30, and you're still a Support System Soul Master. What will you do if you encounter powerful Soul Beasts or ill-intentioned Soul Masters?"

"I have Brother Su Yu!"

Ning Rongrong immediately replied, her eyes lighting up. "Brother Su Yu is very powerful. He has four Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings and the Immortal Slaying Array Diagram. He can definitely protect me!"

Sword Douluo stood to one side, his expression as stern as ever. Yet he did not directly object, merely saying in a deep voice.

"You may gain experience, but either I or Xiao Yu must accompany you, and you cannot go too far."

"Old Jian is right!" Bone Douluo stroked his beard and added with a cheerful smile.

"I can come along too, just for the fun of it. I guarantee no one will dare bully our little princess Rongrong!"

"No!" Ning Rongrong immediately shook her head.

"Brother Su Yu is enough! If Grandpa Jian and Grandpa Bone come too, they'll definitely keep controlling me again. That wouldn't be fun at all!"

As she spoke, she walked over to Ning Fengzhi and gently shook his arm, continuing to plead sweetly.

"Father~ Just agree, please~ I promise I'll behave. I absolutely won't run around, and I won't cause trouble for Brother Su Yu! Look how seriously I practiced swordsmanship this morning!"

Ning Fengzhi had no way to deal with her pestering. He looked toward Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, who exchanged a glance and saw helpless indulgence in each other's eyes.

In the end, Ning Fengzhi sighed and tapped her forehead.

"Fine, I'll agree to this, you little rascal."

"But Xiao Yu must stay by your side at all times. You must send word back every day to report that you're safe. The moment you encounter danger, return immediately. Do you hear me?"

"Mm-hmm! I hear you!"

Ning Rongrong immediately beamed and threw herself into Ning Fengzhi's arms, rubbing against him.

"Thank you, Father! Father is the best!"

She then turned to Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo and called out sweetly.

"Thank you, Grandpa Jian. Thank you, Grandpa Bone."

Then, without waiting for the three of them to say anything else, she ran out of the reception hall like a rabbit freed from its leash.

Clearly, she could not wait to tell Su Yu the good news.

Watching her cheerful retreating figure, Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly and snapped his folding fan shut.

"This girl has truly been spoiled rotten by us."

Sword Douluo snorted, though his tone carried concern. "I'll have Xiao Yu keep a closer eye on her. If necessary, I'll follow them in secret."

Bone Douluo also lost his joking expression. "The Star Dou Great Forest has been unsettled lately. It seems Spirit Hall people have been active over there. Tell Xiao Yu to be extra careful."

The three exchanged glances, each seeing a trace of gravity in the others' eyes.

Gaining experience was all well and good, but the world outside was far more complicated than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

They were not worried that Su Yu would fail to protect Ning Rongrong. They were worried that Su Yu would indulge her.

After all, they had all witnessed Su Yu's indulgence toward Ning Rongrong over the years.

It could be said that throughout the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Su Yu was the one who doted on Ning Rongrong the most.

As long as Ning Rongrong wanted something, Su Yu would definitely find a way to bring it back for her.

They did not even dare imagine it—if Su Yu went out with her, wouldn't she be as free as a bird in the mountains and a fish in the depths?

Sword Douluo's fingers, which had been stroking his beard, paused. His brows furrowed slightly.

"That boy cares more about Rongrong than anyone."

"If Rongrong wanted the stars in the sky, he would probably think of a way to build a ladder and pick them for her."

"If those two really go out together, if Rongrong says east, he'll never go west."

Bone Douluo nodded along, his teasing tone concealing concern.

"Exactly. Last time Rongrong said she wanted Purple Mist Fruit from the depths of Sunset Forest. Thousand-Year Soul Beasts guarded those fruits all year round, yet Xiao Yu went without a word."

"He even came back with an injury on his arm, but stubbornly refused to mention a single word about it in front of Rongrong. If they go out to gain experience, can he possibly stop her from doing whatever she wants?"

Ning Fengzhi sighed softly, his fingertips brushing the patterns on his folding fan.

"Xiao Yu is a thoughtful child. He suffered too much in the past, and Rongrong was the first person to treat him well without reservation. It is only natural that he treasures and protects her."

"But the outside world is unlike the sect. People's hearts are unpredictable. If Rongrong throws a tantrum and gets herself into trouble, with Xiao Yu's temperament, he will likely protect her at all costs. He may inevitably suffer for it."

"How about I follow them after all?" Bone Douluo suggested.

"I'll remain hidden and won't show myself. I'll only act if they truly encounter trouble. That way, it won't spoil Rongrong's fun, and they'll still be kept safe."

Sword Douluo shot him a glance. "With your temperament, can you stay hidden? Don't jump out because you can't hold back and end up frightening the children."

He paused, then said in a deep voice, "I should go. I'm more reserved and less likely to be discovered."

Ning Fengzhi considered it. "Uncle Jian, forget it. Rongrong may be somewhat spoiled, but she still listens to Xiao Yu."

"I'll send several Soul Saints to protect the two of them. With Xiao Yu's current strength, ordinary Soul Saints are no match for him."

"As for powerhouses such as Soul Douluos and Titled Douluos, they would not make a move against people of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Just send some Soul Saints to protect them in secret. Let this be their first true experience outside."