Ning Rongrong!

Sword Chen Xin looked at Su Yu and introduced him. "This is Su Yu. He has a talent for sword practice."

"I brought him back for two reasons: first, so he can cultivate in the sect; second, so he can inherit my legacy!"

A flicker of shock flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes, but it quickly vanished.

If Uncle Jian took him as a disciple and he later became a Titled Douluo, perhaps he could protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alongside Rongrong.

With that in mind, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward and nodded gently at Su Yu.

"Su Yu, welcome to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If you need anything in your cultivation from now on, feel free to ask."

Gu Rong also dropped his teasing expression and said flatly, "That old sword person has always been picky. Since he says you are promising, you may stay."

"But our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect does not keep idlers. If you dare slack off in your cultivation, this old man will be the first to let you have it."

Su Yu looked at these extraordinary elders before him, then at the curious Ning Rongrong, and cupped his hands.

"This junior, Su Yu, thanks all of you, seniors. In cultivation, I will be diligent and will never disappoint Master's expectations."

Sunlight filtered through the carved Mountain Gate, casting mottled patches of light across the ground.

Ning Rongrong played with the pendant she had just received around her neck, secretly sizing Su Yu up as she muttered under her breath.

"You look pretty ordinary. Why would Grandpa Jian bring you back personally...?"

Su Yu heard her, but merely smiled.

He knew the days ahead were the true beginning.

The next day—

Su Yu was sleeping soundly when, with a loud bang, his door shook from a kick.

Right after that, a crisp yet somewhat overbearing voice burst in.

"Brother Su Yu! Get up and play with me!"

He abruptly opened his eyes and saw Ning Rongrong standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips.

One of her Double Buns was crooked, and her cheeks still carried the flush of sleep. Yet her eyes shone brightly, making her look like an energetic little beast.

Su Yu rubbed his forehead and sat up helplessly—just as the Sword Douluo had said, this little girl truly was the most unruly presence in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

At eight years old, she was at the age when cats and dogs alike found children annoying. Yet she was so adorably delicate that no one could bring themselves to scold her.

"Miss Rongrong, dawn has only just broken."

His voice was still hoarse as he pointed outside the window. "Look, the sun has not even climbed up yet."

"What does the sun rising have to do with me?"

Ning Rongrong ran to the bedside in a few steps and reached out to pull his arm. She was small, but surprisingly strong.

"Grandpa Jian said you are amazing! You walked out of the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest yesterday!"

"You must have seen lots of fun Soul Beasts, right? Hurry and tell me about them! And, and, what soul skills do you have? Can you show me?"

Like a little sparrow, she chirped away without stopping, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

Unable to deal with her pestering, Su Yu could only throw back the covers.

"All right, I'm getting up. But let's agree on this first: we can only play for one hour. I still need to go learn swordsmanship from Master."

"Yay! Great!"

Ning Rongrong immediately beamed like a blooming flower, released his hand, and bounced aside.

"Then hurry up and get dressed! I'll wait outside!"

As she spoke, she ran out like a gust of wind. Before leaving, she did not forget to turn back and warn him.

"Hurry up! Otherwise, I'll kick the door again!"

Su Yu looked at the door she had shut behind her and helplessly shook his head.

A moment later, he changed clothes and stepped outside. Ning Rongrong was squatting in the courtyard, teasing a brightly feathered little bird while muttering something under her breath.

Sunlight fell over the soft fuzz atop her head, giving her a rare look of quiet obedience.

"All right, where do you want to play?" Su Yu walked over and asked.

Ning Rongrong immediately jumped up. "I know there's a waterfall at the back mountain! It's especially beautiful in the morning! Let's go there!"

Without waiting for Su Yu's answer, she grabbed his wrist and ran forward. Her tiny palm was warm, carrying an energy that allowed no refusal.

Pulled along by her, Su Yu stumbled a few steps.

Looking at the Bouncing Around figure in front of him, the corners of his lips rose unconsciously—perhaps life in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would not be too dull after all.

After only a few minutes of walking, Ning Rongrong pulled Su Yu into a lush forest.

After passing through a stone path half-covered by vines, the view suddenly opened up—

A waterfall roughly five meters wide poured down from a cliff dozens of zhang high.

The white ribbon of water crashed into the deep pool below, spraying fine droplets into the air that refracted faint rainbows in the morning light.

The mist, carrying the cool freshness unique to mountain streams, rushed toward them and struck their faces with an icy chill, instantly clearing away the morning drowsiness.

"Well? Isn't it beautiful?"

Ning Rongrong let go of Su Yu's hand and ran onto a rock beside the pool. She spread her arms into the wind, her skirt puffing up like a little butterfly spreading its wings.

"This is the secret base I discovered! Other than Grandpa Jian, you're the first outsider I've brought here!"

Su Yu walked to her side and gazed at the endlessly surging waterfall. The roar of water striking rock echoed through the valley, carrying a majestic vitality.

He took a deep breath. The air was full of the moist fragrance of grass and trees, and even his Soul Power seemed to flow more smoothly.

"It really is beautiful," he said sincerely.

After living so long amid the steel and concrete of his previous life's city, when had he ever seen such pure natural scenery?

He looked at the waterfall and suddenly recalled what the Sword Douluo had said yesterday: "Sword intent must combine hardness and softness."

Though this water seemed soft, it could Pierce stone. Perhaps... this would be a good place for sword practice.

Ning Rongrong proudly lifted her chin. "Of course! Oh, hurry and show me a soul skill! Grandpa Jian said you're really strong!"

She blinked her big eyes, filled with anticipation.

Su Yu thought for a moment. With a slight stirring of his mind, there came a soft "hiss" from behind him.

Eight purple-black spider legs suddenly tore through his clothes, gleaming with a cold, hard luster. Their tips flashed with a sinister light beneath the sun.

"Wow!"

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened roundly. She instinctively took half a step back, then immediately leaned closer in curiosity.

"What soul skill is that? It's so cool! Is it a spider Martial Soul?"

"Miss Rongrong, this isn't a soul skill. This is my External Soul Bone!"

"An External Soul Bone!"

Ning Rongrong was even more astonished, her little face full of envy.

"That's even rarer than a Soul Ring! Brother Su Yu, you're incredible!"

"Miss Rongrong, do you want to go up to the waterfall and take a look?"

"Huh! Can you take me up there?"

"Of course, Miss Rongrong!"

"Yay! Hurry! I want to go up and see! Grandpa Jian never takes me up there."

"All right!"

Su Yu bent down and steadily lifted Ning Rongrong into his arms.

The young girl was as light as a ball of cotton. After crying out in surprise, she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, her little face filled with excitement and curiosity.

"Hold on tight."

Su Yu reminded her softly. With a tap of his toes against a rock by the pool, his spider legs nimbly gripped the cracks in the cliff face, carrying them upward like a gecko.

The waterfall thundered beside them, and icy droplets splashed against their faces. The cliff was wet and slippery, yet Su Yu's movements remained as steady as a mountain.