The True Essence of a Support-type Soul Master

Facing their expectant gazes, Jiang Chen smiled and continued.

"I believe Support-type Soul Masters are the most flexible role in any team, and also the easiest to misjudge."

"Support-type Soul Masters are flexible?"

Ning Rongrong was somewhat puzzled.

Because reality was the exact opposite of what Jiang Chen had said. Support-type Soul Masters had always been the most rigidly defined class.

Their methods were limited. They possessed neither the physical qualities of assault-type Soul Masters nor the versatile battlefield control of control-type Soul Masters.

Being able to provide buffs for their teammates from the rear without holding the team back was already considered a Support-type Soul Master's greatest function.

"In my view, the more deeply defined they are, the more crucial that becomes to a Support-type Soul Master's flexibility," Jiang Chen said seriously.

Ning Rongrong silently repeated Jiang Chen's words, but she still did not quite understand what he meant.

Flender, standing nearby, seemed to have thought of something. His eagle eyes narrowed slightly. "You mean using the world's fixed impression of Support-type Soul Masters to catch opponents off guard?"

"Exactly."

Jiang Chen continued, "Support-type Soul Masters have always been labeled as 'lacking attack power' and 'completely harmless.' That is both a restraint and a strategic disguise."

"Think about it. If, on the battlefield, your opponent decides you are a 'harmless' support and lowers their guard..."

Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. "Then I can..."

"Suddenly pull out a brick and smack them in the back of the head," Jiang Chen cut in with a straight face.

"Pfft!"

Ning Rongrong could not hold back her laughter. Then, feeling that it was not very ladylike, she hurriedly put on a stern expression. "I'm a girl! How could I use a brick!"

"It's just an analogy. As long as you understand the idea."

Jiang Chen immediately added, "Of course, this approach may not apply to everyone. It's only a reference."

After all, not every support Martial Soul possessed offensive capabilities. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, for example, did not.

Of course, offensive power could be gained through external means, such as Tang San's hidden weapons.

After hearing Jiang Chen's idea, Flender fell into thought as well.

This brat's way of thinking was certainly devious!

"Wait, then what did you mean when you said it wasn't necessary to support your teammates?"

Ning Rongrong pressed.

"That involves the reason I became a Support-type Soul Master."

Jiang Chen said solemnly, "Because I'm too strong. If I don't stay in the rear and provide support, my teammates won't even get a chance to make a move."

Ning Rongrong: "..."

Flender: "..."

The two fell silent instantly.

What did he mean, if he did not stay in the rear to provide support, his teammates would not even get a chance to act?

So his idea of not necessarily supporting teammates was for the support to take the initiative and clear the field, while the teammates only had to stand in the back and watch?

Flender's mouth twitched, and he gave a dry laugh. "Your way of thinking... has truly broadened my horizons."

Ning Rongrong had originally wanted to argue, but then she recalled the sight of him sending Zhao Wuji flying with one punch yesterday.

It somehow... made sense?

Besides, she had a bit of a violent streak herself. The thought of being able to personally beat people up did not seem bad either...

"Alright, that's enough theory for now."

Flender pushed up his glasses and resumed his headmasterly bearing. "Since Jiang Chen has such unique insights into Support-type Soul Masters, why not have him personally train Ning Rongrong?"

"Me?" Jiang Chen froze, not expecting Flender to suddenly pull this on him.

Flender stroked his beard, a trace of cunning flashing through his eagle eyes. "Didn't you say Support-type Soul Masters need to be able to fight and take a beating? Rongrong is also a support, so teach her how to adapt flexibly."

"Rongrong, what do you think?"

Ning Rongrong secretly glanced at Jiang Chen and did not object. "I'm fine with anything."

Seeing the fleeting cunning in Flender's eyes, how could Jiang Chen not understand what the old fox was plotting?

"It's not impossible for me to teach her, but since the headmaster is handing the teaching task over to me, shouldn't I receive some compensation?"

"This..."

Flender had not expected the brat to turn the tables on him.

But he really was asking Jiang Chen for a favor, so it would not be easy to refuse. He cautiously asked, "How much do you want?"

"Not much. Just a few pieces from your collection." Jiang Chen grinned.

Flender's eyelid twitched, and a sense of foreboding immediately rose in his heart.

But the words had already left his mouth, so he could only force himself to remain calm. "What collectibles? Tell me."

Jiang Chen's smile did not change as he said leisurely, "I heard the headmaster has collected quite a few rare ores and metals. I happen to be interested in those, so I'd like to study a few pieces."

As a Soul Saint, Flender definitely had his own private treasury.

"Ores? Metals?"

Flender's expression instantly turned somewhat ugly.

Those were all treasures he had kept hidden away, and every piece was worth a fortune.

His first instinct was to refuse, but when he saw Jiang Chen's expression that seemed to say, If you don't give them to me, I'll just slack off, and then glanced at Ning Rongrong's expectant face beside him...

"...Fine! But you can choose no more than three pieces!"

"Deal."

Jiang Chen nodded readily.

Seeing how readily he agreed, Flender somehow felt that he had gotten the short end of the deal.

But the deal had already been made. If he went back on it now, he would lose far too much face.

"Forget it, forget it. Consider it a bargain for you this once."

Flender waved his hand irritably. Before leaving, he did not forget to remind him.

"I'll leave Rongrong to you. Remember, training is training, but don't train her into a wreck."

"Don't worry. I know my limits."

After Flender strolled away with his hands clasped behind his back, Ning Rongrong finally moved close to Jiang Chen and asked softly, "Where... do we start?"

She rather agreed with Jiang Chen's earlier view. Support-type Soul Masters also had fangs of their own.

Jiang Chen stroked his chin, his gaze sweeping over Ning Rongrong's slender arms and legs.

"I already told you what a Support-type Soul Master should possess."

Ning Rongrong nearly blurted out, "The ability to single-handedly crush everyone on the field."

"..."

"The previous sentence."

"Uh..."

Ning Rongrong thought for a moment. "Not necessarily having to support your teammates?"

"...The one before that."

This time, Ning Rongrong thought for much longer.

After a while, she tentatively answered, "The ability to fight and take a beating?"

"Exactly. The ability to fight and take a beating."

Seeing that she had finally gotten back on track, Jiang Chen nodded. "And for today's training, you need to choose between 'fighting' and 'taking a beating.' Which one do you choose?"

Ning Rongrong blinked, then answered decisively with almost no hesitation, "I choose fighting!"

Jiang Chen was not surprised at all. Given the temper of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young miss, making her learn how to get beaten up first would indeed be rather difficult.

He looked over the eager Ning Rongrong and said slowly, "Want to hit people? First, you need to be able to catch them. More importantly, you need to avoid hurting yourself when you hit them. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's buffs are impressive, but your own body..."

Ning Rongrong puffed out her chest indignantly. "What's wrong with me? This young miss has trained before, alright!"

"Fine." Jiang Chen did not waste words. He pointed at the open patch of dirt in the distance. "Then let's see what foundation you have first. No Soul Power. Run ten laps around the field. The requirement isn't high—you can't stop. Even if you jog, you have to finish all ten laps."

Ning Rongrong looked in the direction he was pointing, and her face immediately fell.

One lap around that field was at least a kilometer. Ten laps meant ten kilometers!

At the sect, she usually did no more than stroll around the garden. When had she ever suffered like this?