How Are the Teachers Over There?

"Only monsters?" Tang Ling frowned in confusion. "Does that mean people who are young but already at a high level?"

"Yes~ I'm a level 26 Soul Grandmaster at twelve. I may not compare to you, Sister, but among people my age in the sect, no one is stronger than me!" Ning Rongrong lifted her little face proudly, grinning as she swung the hem of her clothes.

"That really is impressive." Tang Ling was amused by her, and the sternness on her face instantly vanished without a trace.

She quietly communicated with Little Heavenly Dao, then concealed a trace of anger and asked in a puzzled tone,

"Then, Rongrong, have you looked into this academy? Such as where it is, its teaching environment, and the quality of its teachers?"

Ning Rongrong froze at that, then shook her head blankly. "I only heard people mention it after I came to the city. Shrek Academy is far more famous than Soto Academy, and its admissions are very competitive. I didn't look into anything else."

"Then don't register just yet, Rongrong. Let's wait for Qingxi and hear what information he's gathered before we decide, all right?" Tang Ling looked warmly at the little girl before her and offered the suggestion gently.

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Sister." Ning Rongrong stared blankly back into Tang Ling's eyes, then nodded obediently.

Satisfied, Tang Ling straightened up and turned to Tang San. "A-Xuan, let's sit over there and wait. I'd also like to learn more about this academy."

"Okay, Senior Sister. I'll call Qingxi over first." Tang San nodded with a smile and headed toward the crowd ahead.

Tang Ling remained where she was. Once she saw the two meet up, she took Ning Rongrong by the hand and went to sit at the tea stall across the way.

"Sister, I still haven't asked your name!" The moment Ning Rongrong sat down, she eagerly leaned toward Tang Ling, blinking her large eyes at her.

"My name is Tang Ling. You may be more familiar with my other name." Tang Ling smiled as she took a business card from her pocket and slid it before her.

Ning Rongrong lowered her head to look at the words on the card. Startled, she covered her mouth to stop the cry of surprise that nearly escaped.

Then she furtively looked around. Once she confirmed there was no one nearby, she lowered her voice and exclaimed excitedly, "Sister, you're actually Tang Chloe! You're amazing! The dresses and candy I usually like are all from your stores!"

"Then thank you for your support, Rongrong~ I'll give you a discount whenever you come to the store in the future." Watching her expression, Tang Ling flipped the business card over on the table and gave her a playful wink.

Every store and factory under Tang Ling's command listed Tang Chloe as their owner. The Gyrfalcon and lotus on their trademarks also made it clear what force stood behind the merchant guild.

"Thank you, Sister Lingling!" Ning Rongrong looked at the large character "Friend" on the back of the card and immediately tucked it into her pocket.

Then she picked up the teapot on the table and poured two cups of water. Holding her own cup, she stared at it and smiled foolishly.

This was a Great Tang Merchant Guild discount card. Different characters meant different discount rates.

Her father's business card only bore the character "Acquaintance," yet hers actually had "Friend"!

"When I get home, I have to show Father. I'm really looking forward to seeing him want it but not dare to snatch it from me!" Ning Rongrong did not stop after laughing to herself and directly shared her thoughts with Tang Ling.

Tang Ling was successfully amused. She tapped Ning Rongrong on the forehead and reflected that the title of little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly was not exaggerated in the slightest.

"Teacher, I'm back!" Xue Qingxi called out while he was still several steps away.

The two seated girls looked up to see one red and one blue figure walking toward them.

"The one in blue is my junior brother, Tang Xuan, though he prefers his friends to call him Tang San. The one in red is my student, Xue Qingxi." Tang Ling raised her hand in greeting.

Then she lowered her head to introduce them to Ning Rongrong. When she said the surname Xue, she stressed it slightly, immediately earning Ning Rongrong's astonished gaze.

"Hello, Miss Ning!" Xue Qingxi pulled Tang San over to sit down, smiling at the girl in green beside his teacher.

So this was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. She was so pretty, and her personality was probably lively and kind as well. In such a short time, she had already won his teacher's favor.

"Hello, Young Master Xue." Ning Rongrong gave a slightly reserved wave. Seeing that he was still smiling, she gathered her courage and asked, "Young Master Xue, did you find out anything about Shrek Academy?"

"I did. It's really hard to put into words!" Xue Qingxi raised his brows, glanced at his teacher's smiling face, and answered her question.

"Does that mean it isn't very good?" Ning Rongrong asked again anxiously.

"It's not that it isn't very good. It's terribly bad! Do you know where their academy is? In a village on the outskirts of the city! The villagers said the place is close to the mountains and extremely remote. It only has four or five rooms serving as both dormitories and classrooms. And so far, the academy only has three students." Xue Qingxi did not beat around the bush. "As for teachers, there are only two: Flender, a level 78 Soul Sage, and Zhao Wuji, a level 76 Soul Sage."

"Are these two teachers particularly famous? Otherwise, how could they attract so many people to register?" Clinging to a sliver of hope, Ning Rongrong stared stubbornly at Xue Qingxi across from her.

"One is the Flying Horn of the Golden Iron Triangle, and the other is the Immovable Bright King. Your father or your two grandfathers should have mentioned them to you." Tang San lowered his head to refill Tang Ling's tea, his tone calm as he shattered her hopes.

"It's them! Then... does that mean I was tricked?" Ning Rongrong looked at Tang Ling in disbelief. Seeing her agreement, she dejectedly slumped onto the table.

"It's all right. You haven't registered yet, have you?" Seeing the dimness in her eyes, Xue Qingxi inexplicably spoke up to comfort her.

"That's not why. Even if I had registered, I could leave whenever I wanted!" Ning Rongrong raised her head, her face full of sorrow. "I was planning to go back and show off my discount card to Father. But now this happened. Father will definitely laugh at me with Bone Grandfather!"

Her unexpected words made the other three at the table laugh. Even when she shot them fierce looks, they could not stop.

Looking at the little girl's reddened face, Tang Ling took a sip of tea, restrained her smile, and glanced at the two people across from her.

She reached out to rub Ning Rongrong's head and said solemnly, "Don't worry. Come with us to register at Soto Academy later. Then this matter can simply be ignored."

"Really?" Ning Rongrong abruptly lifted her head, her sparkling eyes fixed on Tang Ling.

"Of course. Although there were flaws in the process, the result is correct. Sect Master Ning should have nothing to say about it." Tang Ling nodded with a smile, coaxing—no, comforting—the little girl.

"Okay! Then let's go quickly!" Ning Rongrong eagerly stood up, staring unblinkingly at Tang Ling.

Tang Ling smiled at Tang San and Xue Qingxi, asking for their opinions.

Tang San met her gaze and smiled obediently. "A-Xuan will listen to Senior Sister."

Xue Qingxi beside him also nodded with a smile. "Sure. We need to register anyway. We can go shopping after we finish registering early."

"Unanimously approved! Sister Lingling, let's go!" After seeing the two across from her agree, the friendly little girl immediately linked her arm through Tang Ling's and tentatively pulled her to her feet.

Seeing no objections, Tang Ling rose with her pull.

Amid Xue Qingxi and Ning Rongrong's chatter, the group of four headed toward the Soul Master Academy deep within Suotuo City.