"Uncle Sword, are you a little tempted?" Ning Fengzhi asked in surprise. Even a genius among ten thousand might not be able to make someone at Sword Douluo's level show such an expression.
"But Jiang Siming may not be willing to come. The royal family's actions this time will probably have chilled him. Grandmaster probably doesn't know about this yet, which is why he made such a request," Ning Fengzhi said with some concern. After all, he still didn't know how to make bullets.
"The Crown Prince really was too rash this time." Sword Douluo frowned and agreed. With the strength of a Titled Douluo, he didn't need to show the royal family much deference.
Actually, Ning Fengzhi was overthinking it. Jiang Siming had handed over the M4A1 so readily that it was already a sign of great trust. Jiang Siming had to admit that once again, he'd been influenced by the original story.
After the Shrek Seven Devils' Spirit Fighting match ended, they were all excited. For them, this had been a real battle, not a one-sided fight.
Looking at everyone's happy faces, Jiang Siming spread his hands and thought, Young people. I'm about to pour a bucket of cold water over you.
"What? We won. Aren't you happy?" Zhu Zhuqing pinched Jiang Siming's arm.
"Ahem, of course I am. I just feel like your strategy today made things harder than they needed to be." Jiang Siming could only tell the truth, looking helpless.
At his words, the others fell silent. All eyes turned to Jiang Siming.
"Looking at me won't change anything. There really is a problem." Jiang Siming regretted opening his mouth.
"Brother Siming, then tell us. What did we do wrong?" Ning Rongrong clearly wasn't convinced. But she hadn't noticed that Ma Hongjun and Oscar, usually the most talkative ones, hadn't said a word. They'd known Jiang Siming for years and knew he never spoke without thinking.
"Are you sure you want to know?" Jiang Siming glanced around. He hadn't wanted to say anything, since Grandmaster would surely talk to them about it. But if he didn't speak up now, he'd probably never escape the Seven Devils' pestering.
"Honestly, compared to your previous fighting style, you've become much more mature. Since the Shrek Seven Devils have two support Soul Masters, you're missing an attack-focused Soul Master. That's a weakness, but having two support Soul Masters also gives you a huge advantage. It means you excel in prolonged battles. The only question is how to protect your two support Soul Masters. But it's clear that you don't see Oscar as being on the same level as Ning Rongrong. Today, you were caught off guard by the Mad Battle Team. You guessed what they were planning, but your own plan was actually the same as theirs." Jiang Siming spoke seriously.
The other Shrek Seven Devils looked at Oscar, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Missing an attack-focused Soul Master means that when both sides are evenly matched, you'll have a hard time ending the battle quickly. Oscar's Sausages have powerful recovery abilities. It's not just his third Soul Skill that's useful." Jiang Siming said it all in one breath.
"Siming is right. These are the problems you need to address. You have to play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses." Grandmaster had appeared at some point, and he strongly agreed with Jiang Siming.
The Shrek Seven Devils lowered their heads and said nothing.
Grandmaster brought up a few more issues.
"You need to review today's battle carefully. Winning doesn't mean everything is fine. All right, get some rest. Siming, stay behind." Grandmaster said.
The Shrek Seven Devils left one after another. None of them noticed the meaningful look Ning Rongrong left behind as she went.
After everyone had left,
"Siming, I've thought it over carefully. If you stay by my side, I can't give you the improvement you're looking for. I have to admit, you're the most talented Soul Master I've ever met. Your physical abilities and Soul Ring Configuration are far beyond anything I imagined. I don't want to be selfish, so I asked Rongrong to help me with something." Grandmaster looked Jiang Siming straight in the eyes and spoke sincerely.
Jiang Siming didn't know how to respond. He'd originally become Grandmaster's disciple because Grandmaster understood Soul Beasts and could help him obtain Soul Rings with the best possible proportions. But with the system, Jiang Siming couldn't cultivate like an ordinary Soul Master. Grandmaster couldn't offer him much help, yet Jiang Siming had been raised to respect his teacher and honor his teachings. He didn't want to disappoint Grandmaster.
Grandmaster saw Jiang Siming—
"Siming, you and Tang San are both good disciples of mine. You don't need to worry about me too much. As long as it helps you grow stronger, I don't mind at all." Grandmaster's gaze was resolute.
"Thank you, Teacher," Jiang Siming said from the bottom of his heart.
Grandmaster patted Jiang Siming on the shoulder.
"You've probably guessed who will be training you, haven't you?" Grandmaster asked.
"Sword Douluo." Jiang Siming figured he was the most likely candidate.
"That's right, Sword Douluo. Weapon Soul Masters are powerful because they understand their Martial Souls deeply. You're too young. You need someone to show you the way." Grandmaster spoke slowly.
Hearing this, Jiang Siming rested his hand against his chin and fell into thought. The Four Immortal-Slaughtering Swords are powerful, but I've always felt they can do more. I used to think it was because my Soul Power wasn't high enough. But now that I think about it, I've only been using them in the ways that make sense.
"I understand, Teacher," Jiang Siming said seriously.
"Go on. Someone will come for you early tomorrow morning and take you to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Grandmaster patted Jiang Siming on the shoulder again.
"Then I'll take my leave, Teacher," Jiang Siming said respectfully.
Jiang Siming walked to his room, deep in thought. Just as he was about to close the door, a pair of soft little hands suddenly covered his eyes.
"Siming," Zhu Zhuqing said softly.
Jiang Siming gently took her hands and turned around. Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, he said awkwardly, "Um, Zhuqing, isn't it a little early? I'm not ready at all."
"Hmph, I have something to tell you." As Zhu Zhuqing spoke, a blush spread across her cheeks.
Zhu Zhuqing rested her head against Jiang Siming's chest and said softly, "Siming, I feel like you've changed."
"Have I?" Jiang Siming was a little confused.
"I mean your cultivation. You're not as obsessed with it as you used to be. I don't know if it's because of me, and whether I've affected you." Zhu Zhuqing sounded a little guilty.
Jiang Siming was stunned. He'd also realized he'd been slacking off too much lately. Ever since they returned from the Star Dou Great Forest, he really did seem to have changed.
"Don't be silly! I'm just taking a break now and then. Too much of anything can backfire. Don't overthink it," Jiang Siming reassured her.
Zhu Zhuqing hummed in response.
"All right, get some rest. You probably have another match tomorrow," Jiang Siming said with concern.
"Good night," Zhu Zhuqing said.
"Good night."