Shrek Academy, Sword and Bone Douluo Visit

A few days later!

Shrek Academy, Lin Yan's dormitory.

"Lin Yan!"

Ning Rongrong's face was etched with anxiety as she slammed the dormitory door open.

She seemed to have been running hard, as she began to gasp for air against the doorframe the moment she entered.

The commotion startled Lin Yan and Zhu Zhuqing, who were in the middle of testing a newly developed Martial Soul Fusion Skill, so badly that they nearly collapsed.

Inside the room, Zhu Zhuqing was currently suspended in mid-air by several strands of Blue Silver Grass, her limbs bound behind her back.

She should have been completely defenseless while absorbing the impact...

Yet, upon seeing Ning Rongrong burst in, she forcibly triggered her Martial Soul Possession to break free, quickly hiding herself in Lin Yan's embrace.

Lin Yan's heart was hammering against his ribs. He had ensured everyone from the academy had gone to Suotuo City for the soul fighting matches before he and Zhu Zhuqing started their private training in the dorm. He had nearly been scared to death by the sudden intrusion...

Fortunately, he quickly realized it was Ning Rongrong and managed to keep his composure.

"What are you standing there for? Close the door, quickly!"

Lin Yan snapped at the stunned Ning Rongrong.

The young girl finally snapped out of it, hurriedly closing the door and stepping into the room.

Seeing that it was only Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing's trembling body, still tucked against Lin Yan, gradually began to relax.

Thank goodness it was only Ning Rongrong...

Honestly, she had wanted to die in that moment. If someone had seen her in such a shameful position, she would have had to move to another planet to live.

Lin Yan steadied his breathing and asked Ning Rongrong, "Why are you back so soon? Did you finish obtaining your soul ring?"

"Oh, right!" Ning Rongrong seemed to suddenly remember something, her vacant, surprised expression shifting back into one of urgency.

"You two need to get dressed and pack up immediately. My father and Sword and Bone Douluo are here."

"What? Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Lin Yan's large hand, which had been gripping Zhu Zhuqing's plump buttocks, tightened instinctively, causing the girl to let out a muffled groan of pain.

Under normal circumstances, that groan might have stirred the desires of all three people present, but right now, Lin Yan felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy.

"What's going on? Didn't you go back to hunt for a soul ring? Why did you bring your family back with you?"

Lin Yan's voice rose in agitation.

Ning Rongrong didn't answer, instead beginning to rummage around on the floor.

"Just hurry up and put your clothes on! What if my father and Sword Grandpa get impatient and walk right in?"

"Zhuqing, you hide in the room for a bit. Lin Yan and I will go out first."

As she spoke, she tossed the clothes scattered on the floor toward Lin Yan.

Zhu Zhuqing also snapped to her senses, beginning to search for her own clothes nearby.

A flurry of rustling sounds filled the room as they dressed.

As Lin Yan pulled on his clothes, he racked his brain, trying to deduce the purpose of Ning Fengzhi's visit.

Suddenly, a critical realization hit him.

"Damn it? You didn't tell them about the Dragon Talisman, did you?"

Pulling on his final outer garment, Lin Yan stared at Ning Rongrong in shock.

Ning Rongrong looked guilty and remained silent, but her expression made it clear that the deed was done.

Lin Yan was both anxious and furious. "I really can't believe you! Didn't I tell you not to spread the word?"

How could Lin Yan not have warned Ning Rongrong against publicizing the power of the Dragon Talisman? It was a power that surpassed even a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!

In the Douluo Continent, even a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone couldn't grant a support-type soul master combat prowess, but the Dragon Talisman could. Furthermore, the power of the Dragon Talisman could grow; even if Ning Rongrong reached the level of a Soul Saint, she would still be able to contend with soul masters of the same rank.

Lin Yan naturally understood the gravity of the situation. Although he hadn't explicitly warned her not to reveal it the moment she left, he had constantly drilled the importance of keeping it a secret into her.

And now, he was being told that Ning Fengzhi, that meddlesome troublemaker, knew about it! That was Ning Fengzhi they were talking about!

Lin Yan's fair face turned as ugly as if he had swallowed a fly, and he remained silent for a long time.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy; both girls could tell that Lin Yan was truly angry this time.

Zhu Zhuqing had finished dressing and sat quietly on the bed.

Ning Rongrong kept her head lowered, feeling guilty.

"Oh no, Xiao Wu!"

Lin Yan was in the middle of a brainstorm regarding Ning Fengzhi and Sword and Bone Douluo when he suddenly realized that Xiao Wu would be returning to the academy soon.

If she ran into them, her identity as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast would inevitably be exposed.

"What a headache, one disaster after another!"

Lin Yan muttered to himself, at which point Zhu Zhuqing asked.

"What does this have to do with Xiao Wu?"

Lin Yan did not explain, instead beginning to give instructions.

"Zhuqing, when no one is paying attention later, go to Suotuo City and tell Xiao Wu that Ning Rongrong has returned with her family."

"Don't say anything else; Xiao Wu will certainly understand the meaning of those words."

"Why?"

"I'll explain later. You must find Xiao Wu!"

As he finished speaking, he turned his gaze toward Ning Rongrong.

"The situation later might be a bit complicated. Now I ask you: if I, your father, and Sword and Bone Douluo all fell into the water, who would you save first?"

"Huh?"

Ning Rongrong opened her small mouth in astonishment, never expecting Lin Yan to ask such a question at a time like this!

If they all fell into the water, who to save first? How was she supposed to answer that?

"Enough! After today, I don't care who you save first, but today, if I and they all fall into the water, you must save me first."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Seeing that Ning Rongrong did not grasp the meaning behind that question, Lin Yan simply laid it out plainly.

This was the most effective method in a desperate situation. Ning Fengzhi's purpose in coming here was definitely the Dragon Talisman, or perhaps even the secret behind Ning Rongrong's rapid growth in strength.

And right now, Lin Yan was merely a Soul Elder.

For several old men standing at the pinnacle of the continent to want to extract information from an ant was simply a matter of course.

Just imagine: if an adult saw a gold brick in a child's hand and there was no one else around, what would they do?

The answer would inevitably be to snatch it away!

Therefore, the arrival of Ning Fengzhi and Sword and Bone Douluo today would undoubtedly bring disaster upon Lin Yan.

At this moment, only by relying on Ning Rongrong could he break the deadlock.

Inside the room, Lin Yan gripped Ning Rongrong's shoulders, his expression incredibly grave and earnest.

"No matter what happens later, you must stand on my side and stay by my side, do you understand?"

"I... I understand."

Ning Rongrong's little head didn't fully grasp Lin Yan's intentions, but fortunately, she now had a core principle: "Stand on Lin Yan's side."

Perhaps her father and the two grandfathers would make things difficult for Lin Yan later, or perhaps a conflict would erupt, but as long as she stood by Lin Yan, it would be fine.

That's right, be with Lin Yan, and if everyone falls into the water, save Lin Yan first.

The confusion on the young girl's face was replaced by determination, and seeing this, Lin Yan breathed a slight sigh of relief.