The Shrek Seven Devils had all gathered, and the setting sun stretched their shadows long.
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar stood with their heads bowed, entirely stripped of their usual arrogance and carefree ways. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly at Lin Chen's side, their eyes full of trust. Only Ning Rongrong kept her head lowered, her fingers twisting her skirt over and over, her heart brimming with hurt and resentment.
She was the treasured daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, raised in luxury and surrounded by servants. She had never endured such restrictions, let alone lived in a shabby wooden hut, tended to herself, and followed rules while training hard.
Lin Chen's three rules had been uncompromising, and she hadn't dared disobey. But the haughty temper of a young lady still lingered in her heart. When she looked at Lin Chen, her eyes held not only fear but also a faint, hard-to-detect awkwardness.
Lin Chen took in every change in her expression, but didn't reprimand her right away. He simply said, "Get settled. We'll meet at the training ground in half an hour and begin our first group training session."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone dispersed, the boys and girls heading to their respective dormitories.
Ning Rongrong dragged her feet into the girls' dormitory. Seeing the empty wooden hut and its crude plank beds, her nose stung, and her eyes reddened at once.
She leaned against the bed, growing more upset with every thought, until she couldn't help sobbing softly.
Why?
Why could Lin Chen order her around as he pleased? Why did she have to suffer in a wretched place like this? She was the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Even after coming to Shrek, shouldn't everyone still have catered to her?
But when she remembered the icy aura Lin Chen had exuded as he effortlessly crushed her earlier, she didn't dare cry aloud. She could only cover her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly, overwhelmed by the hurt of leaving home and by her mixed fear and anger toward Lin Chen.
Meanwhile, after making his own simple arrangements, Lin Chen didn't head to the training ground. Instead, he went straight to the girls' dormitory.
He knew that Ning Rongrong had been spoiled from childhood. If he relied on force alone, she would only grow rebellious. To win her over completely and make her fall for him, he had to balance kindness with authority. Strength alone could cow her, but precisely measured tenderness was what would break through to her heart.
Outside the girls' dormitory, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were just about to comfort Ning Rongrong. When they saw Lin Chen approaching, both of them froze.
"Brother Chen, why are you here? Rongrong, she..." Xiao Wu began softly, hoping to put in a good word for Ning Rongrong.
"I know." Lin Chen nodded slightly, motioning for them to wait, then pushed open the dormitory door by himself.
Inside, Ning Rongrong was still sobbing softly. Hearing footsteps, she assumed it was Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. Without looking up, she murmured through her tears, "Just leave me alone. I'm only upset..."
There was no reply, only the steady sound of footsteps drawing closer.
Ning Rongrong's heart jumped. She looked up instinctively, and the moment she saw Lin Chen standing before her, her sobs stopped in fright. She hurriedly wiped away her tears and sat up straight, flustered. Her gaze darted aside, her face went pale, and her whole body tensed.
"I... I wasn't crying. I was just..." She rushed to explain, afraid Lin Chen would think she was being unreasonable, accuse her of breaking the rules, and crush her again.
The girl before him had red eyes and a flushed nose, like a kitten that had been wronged but didn't dare make a sound. She was nothing like the haughty, domineering girl she usually was. Lin Chen's tense expression softened a little, and the chill in his voice gave way to a calm warmth.
"The conditions here are certainly no match for those at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It's normal that you're having trouble adjusting."
Ning Rongrong looked up sharply, her eyes full of surprise.
She had thought Lin Chen had come to scold her. She never expected him to say something like that, and for a moment she could only stare at him, stunned.
The setting sun streamed through the window lattice and fell over Lin Chen, bathing him in a warm glow. His usually cool, sharp features seemed less intimidating now, softened by a gentleness that made his once-frightening presence feel steady and reassuring.
"But you need to understand that the prestige of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can protect you for a time, not for your whole life." Lin Chen stepped toward her, speaking earnestly, without the slightest hint of a lecture—only sincere guidance. "Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is one of the finest auxiliary Martial Souls on the continent, and your talent far surpasses that of ordinary people. But you have no combat ability of your own. The moment you leave the sect and your servants behind, if you encounter danger, you'll be at someone else's mercy."
"I made those rules to strengthen your body, not to make things difficult for you. I want you to be able to protect yourself and live up to your Martial Soul, instead of spending your whole life as a flower sheltered in a greenhouse."
His words held no blame or scorn, yet every one of them struck home.
Ever since she was little, Ning Rongrong had been showered with praise and affection by people in the sect, and had grown used to hearing others flatter her. No one had ever dared speak to her this way. No one had ever pointed out her weaknesses so bluntly while still sincerely looking out for her.
Yu Xiaogang taught Tang San theories for his own gain. Flender cared about her Martial Soul talent, while Dai Mubai and the others were wary of her sect's influence. Only Lin Chen saw through her spoiled ways and dispelled her confusion. He treated her as herself, not as someone defined by her status.
As Ning Rongrong looked into Lin Chen's earnest eyes, her hurt gradually faded, replaced by a hint of fluster, a touch of emotion, and a stirring she hadn't even noticed in herself.
She clutched the hem of her clothes and spoke softly. Gone was her usual arrogance; her voice was gentle, tinged with remorse. "I... I know I was wrong. I won't be so willful anymore. I'll train properly and won't ask for special treatment."
Seeing her let down her guard and apologize of her own accord, Lin Chen's lips curved in the faintest smile. He then took a smooth, lustrous crystal from his robe and held it out to her.
It was the Spirit-Calming Stone he had kept from his earlier training. It could soothe the mind and aid cultivation, making it especially beneficial to auxiliary-type Soul Masters.
"Keep this with you. It can settle your mind, help your Soul Power circulate, and make it easier to adapt to training here."
Ning Rongrong looked at the Spirit-Calming Stone in his hand, then up at Lin Chen. Her eyes reddened again, but this time it wasn't from hurt. She was moved.
She had received countless rare treasures in her life, yet none had touched her as deeply as this little Spirit-Calming Stone.
The young man before her could be forceful and sharp, commanding the whole crowd one moment, then gently offering sincere advice the next. Though he was about her age, he had a composure, strength, and sense of responsibility far beyond his years. Without her realizing it, he had completely shattered the defenses around her heart.
She carefully took the Spirit-Calming Stone. Her fingertips brushed Lin Chen's by accident, and she snatched her hand back as if shocked. A blush crept across her cheeks. She lowered her head and whispered, her voice as faint as a mosquito's, "Th-thank you, Lin Chen."
Seeing her shy expression, Lin Chen understood, but kept his own expression calm. "Get some rest. Don't let it interfere with the training ahead."
With that, he turned and left the girls' dormitory. Left alone, Ning Rongrong clutched the Spirit-Calming Stone as her heartbeat sped up uncontrollably and her cheeks grew hot. She watched Lin Chen's retreating figure, no longer afraid of him. Her eyes held nothing but admiration and a flutter of affection.
Outside, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing had seen the whole scene. They exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.
Half an hour later, at the training ground.
Lin Chen arrived right on time. All seven of the Shrek Seven Devils were there, not one missing.
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar stood ready with respectful expressions. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing beamed, while Ning Rongrong stood straight with the rest of the group, no longer showing her former haughtiness or awkwardness. She looked at Lin Chen with shy obedience, having completely put aside her young-lady airs.
More importantly, a girl's affection had blossomed in her eyes, quietly settling on Lin Chen. She had given him her heart.
Lin Chen stood before them, his full presence making him once again the unshakable core of the team. Yet when he looked at Ning Rongrong, a trace of softness flickered in his eyes.
With a balance of kindness and authority, this spoiled young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had fallen completely for him and was now willing to follow at his side.
"Today's training will strengthen our teamwork. Ning Rongrong, you'll lead the support, and I'll control the pace. Everyone, give it your all!"
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison. Ning Rongrong lifted her chin, her gaze firm, and immediately summoned her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Seven-colored light spilled out as she steadily supplied auxiliary Soul Power, keeping in step with Lin Chen throughout.
The sun sank completely, and night covered the training ground as the sounds of the young men and women training rang through the woods.
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