"He cried," Ning Fengzhi said. "But he said it was because the candied hawthorn was too sweet, sweet enough to bring tears to his eyes."
Gu Rong froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "That girl's still as stubborn as ever."
Chen Xin smiled too. His smile was faint, but his eyes shone brightly.
"Sect Master, the report also says Rongrong offered to help with the laundry," Chen Xin said. "She washed clothes for a boy named Ma Hongjun."
"Ma Hongjun—the one with the Evil Fire Phoenix?" Gu Rong frowned. "Why would Rongrong wash his clothes?"
"Rongrong didn't offer to wash them on her own," Ning Fengzhi said, shaking his head. "Ma Hongjun's hand hurt, so she helped him."
Gu Rong frowned even more deeply. "Was that brat slacking off?"
"Possibly." Ning Fengzhi smiled. "But Rongrong was willing to wash his clothes, which means she doesn't think of herself as some young lady above everyone else. That's a good thing."
Gu Rong thought it over and decided that made sense, so he said no more.
"Sect Master, the report mentions something else," Chen Xin said. "During flight training, Rongrong fell from the sky, and a boy named Fu Wen caught her."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "I know. The previous report mentioned it."
"But this one has more details." Chen Xin looked at the report and read aloud, "After Fu Wen caught Rongrong, he didn't say anything or comfort her. He set her down and left. Rongrong stood there for a long time, then continued training."
Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment before speaking. "This Fu Wen has a very unusual personality."
"Unusually cold," Gu Rong put in.
"He's not cold," Chen Xin said, shaking his head. "He's just not good with words. He caught Rongrong, which means he cares. But he didn't say so, which means he doesn't know how. People like that are warmer inside than anyone, but colder with their words than anyone."
"Uncle Jian, you think very highly of this child," Ning Fengzhi said, a little surprised.
"It's not that I think highly of him. I'm simply a good judge of character." Chen Xin set the report down. "Sect Master, this Fu Wen is worth keeping an eye on."
Ning Fengzhi nodded and said no more.
"By the way, Sect Master, I brought up the Flying Sausage with Flender."
Gu Rong spoke up suddenly. "One hundred and fifty Gold Soul Coins per sausage, with a long-term purchase agreement. Flender said he'd think about it."
"What is there to think about?" Ning Fengzhi frowned.
"He didn't say." Gu Rong shook his head. "But I suspect he's afraid of owing us a favor."
Ning Fengzhi considered it, then smiled. "Flender's an honest man. We'll wait until he's made up his mind. There's no rush."
Over the next few days, Ning Rongrong's performance kept improving.
She increased her running from thirty laps to thirty-five, gritting her teeth and finishing them all.
In flight training, she went from ten zhang to twenty, and her landings grew much steadier too.
Flender taught her how to support her teammates, how to judge a battle, and how to give her teammates the most effective boost in the shortest time. She learned it all quickly.
"Rongrong's improving much faster than I expected," Zhao Wuji said privately to Flender.
"That's because she has a good foundation." Flender pushed up his glasses. "Innate Full Soul Power, a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and twelve levels at the first ring. On top of that, Ning Fengzhi laid the groundwork for her from a young age. What she lacks isn't talent, but tempering. Shrek gave her that, so naturally she's started to shine."
Zhao Wuji nodded and said no more.
"There is one thing I'm a little worried about, though," Flender said suddenly.
"What is it?"
"Rongrong is pushing herself too hard."
Flender watched Ning Rongrong training on the field and frowned slightly. "She's only six, right in the middle of growing. Too much training isn't good for her body."
"Then why don't you reduce her workload?"
"I did, but she wouldn't have it." Flender smiled wryly. "I told her she could run a few fewer laps, but she refused. She said she didn't come here to slack off."
Zhao Wuji froze for a moment, then laughed. "That girl's got guts."
That night, in the dormitory.
Ning Rongrong lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
She thought about the day's training, what Flender had said, and how Oscar and Ma Hongjun had kept her company.
And Fu Wen, that annoying fellow who had caught her without saying a single word.
"Rongrong, are you asleep?" Oscar's voice came from the next bed.
"No."
"Did your dad send you more candied hawthorn?"
"Mm."
"Was it good?"
"Yeah."
Oscar fell silent for a moment, then said, "Rongrong, you don't have to push yourself so hard. You've been here less than half a month, and you've already improved a lot."
"I have to." Ning Rongrong's voice was firm. "I didn't come here to play. I want to become stronger—much stronger."
"Why?"
Ning Rongrong thought for a moment, then said, "Because I promised my dad."
Oscar didn't ask anything else. He closed his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Ning Rongrong looked at the moon outside the window and thought silently, Dad, I won't let you down. Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, the candied hawthorn you sent was so sweet. Shrek's training is exhausting, but I can keep going. That annoying Fu Wen doesn't like to talk, but he caught me. So this place is pretty nice.
Early the next morning, Ning Rongrong appeared on the field again.
This time, she wasn't the first one there.
Fu Wen had already run five laps. His breathing was steady, and his steps were light.
Ning Rongrong said nothing and began running behind him.
Flender stood in the distance, watching the two children. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Dean, what do you think this looks like?" Zhao Wuji walked over.
"What?"
"An old crocodile leading a little glass bird."
Flender rolled his eyes. "Can't you think of anything better?"
Zhao Wuji burst out laughing.
After finishing their laps, Ning Rongrong walked over to Fu Wen. She hesitated, then said, "Thanks for yesterday."
"For what?" Fu Wen didn't even turn around.
"For catching me."
"Oh." Fu Wen acknowledged her. "Stay steady next time."
Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth, holding back the urge to hit him.
"Can't you just talk nicely?"
"I did."
"You..."
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath and turned away.
If she stayed any longer, she was afraid she'd lose control and hit him.
Ma Hongjun sidled over and whispered, "Brother Wen, why are you always making her mad?"
"I'm not." Fu Wen's expression was calm. "I just don't know how to comfort people."
"Then learn."
"I won't."
Ma Hongjun was speechless.
That afternoon, Flender arranged a small-scale match.
Oscar and Ning Rongrong were on one team; Fu Wen and Ma Hongjun were on the other.
"The rules are simple." Flender stood in the middle. "Rongrong supports Xiao Ao, Xiao Pang goes on the offensive, and Xiao Wen can only defend, not counterattack. If Xiao Ao and Rongrong can touch Xiao Wen's clothes within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they win."
"That's not fair!" Ning Rongrong protested. "He's so strong. How are we supposed to touch him?"
"Good. It's supposed to be unfair." Flender's expression was impassive. "On the battlefield, your enemies won't be fair to you."
Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth and said nothing more.
"Begin!"
Flender gave the signal.
Oscar immediately ate a Flying Sausage, spread his Light Wings, and flew into the air.
Ning Rongrong stood on the ground. "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda has a name: first, strength!"
Golden light enveloped Oscar, and his strength surged.
Ma Hongjun stood in front of Fu Wen with both arms spread wide. Five golden Light Feathers gathered along the wings of the Phoenix Phantom.
"Phoenix Holy Light Strike!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The Light Feathers shot toward Oscar.
Oscar nimbly dodged in midair while Ning Rongrong continued boosting him.
Fu Wen stood perfectly still, but his gaze remained fixed on Oscar.
Oscar circled behind Fu Wen and dived.
Without even turning around, Fu Wen lashed out with a sweeping motion. The tail of the Divine Crocodile Phantom whipped out.
Flow-Severing.
Oscar's Soul Power flow was forcibly interrupted. His Light Wings vanished in an instant, and he plummeted downward.
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