"Wait." Ning Rongrong called out to Jiang Siming. She slowly raised her little hand and tugged at the hem of his shirt, then slowly stood up.
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong smiled. She shoved Jiang Siming into the water.
She grinned triumphantly. "That's what you get for bullying me yesterday. I'm not going to give up so easily. I'll prove that I'm stronger than all of you." Then she walked away, giving Jiang Siming a challenging look.
Jiang Siming climbed out of the lake and smiled helplessly. Girl, you're still too young. I touched you once, and now you've shoved me once. We're even. What a good deal. Should we do it again?
Clear Sky Douluo Appears; Mirror System Activated
Jiang Siming climbed out of the water and circulated his Soul Power, evaporating the water on his clothes. He had barely taken two steps when a huge hand suddenly reached out and shoved him back into the water.
"What the hell? Are you messing with me? What's going on?" Jiang Siming was utterly bewildered. But he couldn't sense any killing intent, so he didn't think much of it. When he surfaced again and was about to curse, he saw who it was and swallowed his words.
"U-Uncle Hao, what are you doing here?" Jiang Siming asked awkwardly.
Jiang Siming had thought that since Zhao Wuji hadn't intervened, Tang Hao wouldn't show up either. He hadn't expected Tang Hao to come looking for him. Sure enough, beat the young one and the old one comes running.
"Come with me." Tang Hao said, then walked toward the woods on his own.
Jiang Siming wore a helpless expression. He could only steel himself and follow.
Deep in the woods.
"Hmph." A pressure suddenly surged toward Jiang Siming.
"Focus on the sensation. Circulate your Soul Power." Tang Hao's voice rang out.
Jiang Siming sat down on the ground and circulated his Soul Power.
So this is the strength of a Titled Douluo. Even a trace of his pressure slows the circulation of my Soul Power.
A quarter of an hour passed. The pressure vanished, and Jiang Siming opened his eyes. He had broken through to level 30.
"Ding. Sign-in task: obtain a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring in Sunset Forest."
Jiang Siming slowly rose to his feet and looked straight at Tang Hao.
"You don't seem surprised to see me at all." Tang Hao's voice rang out again, devoid of emotion.
"You don't need to answer. Everyone has their own secrets. Just like the pills you had Xiao San give me. Thank you for them." Tang Hao spoke again.
"Xiao San trusts you. I hope you won't do anything to hurt him." Tang Hao's voice rang out once more, his words carrying a trace of hidden pleading and tenderness.
"Uncle Hao, I don't know what you're planning. I know you're no ordinary person. But what will truly hurt Xiao San is you suddenly leaving. He's far more mature than you think, and he worries about you. Your leaving hit him hard. After all, you're the only family he has in this world." Jiang Siming spoke with a pained expression. He had grown up with Tang San, after all; it was impossible not to feel something for him.
"I know. It seems Xiao San was right about you. You are someone I can trust. But neither you nor Xiao San are strong enough to face what I have to. I'm going to take back what Xiao San and I lost." Tang Hao's gaze was utterly resolute.
"Uncle Hao, I know I can't stop you. Here are three pills, just like the ones I gave you last time. I hope you'll make the right choice." As Jiang Siming spoke, he tossed over three pills.
"Thanks, Siming." With that, Tang Hao leaped away.
Jiang Siming sighed helplessly. When he'd read the original story, he'd felt a trace of pity at the part where Tang Hao returned his bones to the sect. The once-spirited Clear Sky Douluo had become a cripple. It was truly a heartbreaking sight.
Jiang Siming didn't know whether the pills he'd given Tang Hao could heal his old injuries. Perhaps only after recovering would Tang Hao have the confidence to do what he wanted. Jiang Siming wasn't some bleeding-heart do-gooder, but neither was he heartless. He believed that even tragedies that were destined to happen could be overcome by human will.
Tang Hao's appearance had suddenly made Jiang Siming feel the pressure. Only now did he realize that his peaceful days were numbered. After living comfortably for so long without any opponents, Jiang Siming had nearly forgotten how cruel this continent was.
The end of the Spirit Master Tournament would be the moment Jiang Siming had to make a choice. For now, all he could do was grow as strong as possible.
Night gradually fell.
Jiang Siming returned to the dormitory and began his evening meditation.
"Ding. Sensing the host's strong desire to become stronger. Mirror combat system activated."
As Jiang Siming meditated, he gradually fell into a dream. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a vast, white space.
"Damn, what's going on? Am I dead, or have I ascended to heaven?" Jiang Siming couldn't help thinking.
"Ding. Congratulations, host. You have successfully activated the Mirror World."
"System, you're saying I'm in the Mirror World? Is it in another world?" Jiang Siming asked.
"Ding. This is a virtual world designed to train the host's combat skills. Would you like to begin mirror training?" the system's mechanical voice sounded.
"How amazing! Then I want to fight ten of them." Jiang Siming said, sounding like a chuuni.
"Ding. Friendly reminder: mirrors are copies of the host, created to identify the host's weaknesses. They possess all the host's abilities."
"Ding. Mirrors generated successfully. Quantity: ten. The host has ten seconds to prepare. Countdown begins."
"Ten, nine, eight..."
Ten people who looked exactly like Jiang Siming suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Damn, they're so realistic. Of course they're just as handsome as me." Jiang Siming said narcissistically.
Jiang Siming was just about to take a closer look.
"Time's up. Training begins."
Smack! One of the mirrors punched Jiang Siming in the chest. He was sent flying.
"Damn, what's going on? I'm not even ready yet! And wow, my punches really hurt." Jiang Siming squeezed out through gritted teeth.
Jiang Siming had barely regained his footing when a mirror image of him threw another punch.
Jiang Siming blocked it with his left hand and was just about to gloat when his vision suddenly went black. Another Jiang Siming's fist smashed into his face.