Candied Hawthorns and a Secret Letter!

"She cried," Ning Fengzhi said. "But she claimed the candied hawthorn was too sweet—so sweet it made her eyes water."

Gu Rong paused for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. "That girl, her mouth is still as stubborn as ever."

Chen Xin smiled as well; his smile was faint, but the light in his eyes was bright.

"Sect Master, the secret report also mentions that Rongrong took the initiative to help with the laundry," Chen Xin said. "She helped that boy named Ma Hongjun wash his clothes."

"Ma Hongjun, the one who is the Evil Fire Phoenix?" Gu Rong frowned. "Why would Rongrong be washing his clothes?"

"It wasn't that Rongrong volunteered to do it," Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Ma Hongjun's hands were hurting, so Rongrong helped him out."

Gu Rong's brow furrowed even deeper. "Is that brat trying to slack off?"

"It's possible," Ning Fengzhi smiled. "But the fact that Rongrong was willing to help him shows she doesn't see herself as a pampered young miss. That's a good thing."

Gu Rong thought about it, found the logic sound, and said nothing more.

"Sect Master, the report mentioned one more thing," Chen Xin began. "Rongrong fell from the sky during flight training and was caught by the boy named Fu Wen."

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "I know, the previous report already mentioned that."

"But this one includes more details," Chen Xin looked at the report and read, "After Fu Wen caught Rongrong, he didn't say a word, nor did he offer any comfort. He set her down and walked away. Rongrong stood there for a long time, then continued her training."

Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment before speaking. "This Fu Wen has a very peculiar personality."

"Peculiarly cold," Gu Rong interjected.

"Not cold," Chen Xin shook his head. "He is simply not good with words. He caught Rongrong, which shows he cares. But he didn't speak, which shows he doesn't know how to. People like him have hearts warmer than anyone else, even if their tongues are colder than anyone's."

"Uncle Sword, you hold this child in high regard," Ning Fengzhi said, somewhat surprised.

"It's not high regard; it's an accurate assessment," Chen Xin set the report down. "Sect Master, this Fu Wen is worth watching."

Ning Fengzhi nodded and said nothing more.

"By the way, Sect Master, I spoke to Flender about the Flying Sausage."

Gu Rong suddenly said, "One hundred and fifty Gold Soul Coins apiece, for long-term acquisition. Flender said he would consider it."

"Consider what?" 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 thought for a moment and smiled. "That Flender is a practical man. We'll wait until he's made up his mind; there's no rush."

Over the next few days, Ning Rongrong's performance improved steadily.

She increased her running from thirty laps to thirty-five, gritting her teeth until she finished.

Her flight training improved from ten zhang to twenty, and her landings became much more stable.

Flender taught her how to support her teammates, how to judge the flow of battle, and how to provide the most effective buffs in the shortest amount of time. She learned it all very quickly.

"Rongrong's rate of progress is much faster than I anticipated," Zhao Wuji said to Flender in private.

"It's because she has a solid foundation," Flender pushed up his glasses. "Innate Full Soul Power, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, twelve levels at the first ring. Plus the foundation Ning Fengzhi built for her since childhood—what she lacked wasn't talent, but tempering. Shrek provided that tempering, so she naturally rose to the challenge."

Zhao Wuji nodded and said nothing more.

"However, there is one thing I'm worried about," Flender said suddenly.

"What is it?"

"Rongrong is pushing herself too hard."

Flender looked at Ning Rongrong, who was still training on the field, his brow slightly furrowed. "She is only six years old, right in the middle of her growth phase. Such a heavy training load is not good for her body."

"Then why don't you reduce the load?"

"I tried, but she wouldn't have it," Flender gave a wry smile. "I told her she could run fewer laps, but she refused. She said she didn't come here to slack off."

Zhao Wuji paused, then laughed. "That girl has backbone."

At night, in the dormitory.

Ning Rongrong lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

She thought about the day's training, the words Flender had spoken, and the company of Oscar and Ma Hongjun.

And then there was Fu Wen, that annoying guy who had caught her without saying a single word.

"Rongrong, are you asleep?" Oscar's voice came from the bed next to hers.

"No."

"Did your father send you more candied hawthorn?"

"Mm."

"Is it good?"

"It's good."

Oscar was silent for a while, then said, "Rongrong, you don't actually have to push yourself so hard. You've only been here for less than half a month, and you've already improved a lot."

"I can't," Ning Rongrong's voice was firm. "I didn't come here to play. I want to become strong—to become even stronger."

"Why?"

Ning Rongrong thought for a moment and said, "Because I promised my father."

Oscar didn't ask again; he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Looking at the moon outside the window, Ning Rongrong thought silently to herself: Father, I won't let you down. Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, the candied haws you sent were very sweet. Shrek's training is exhausting, but I can endure it. That annoying guy Fu Wen doesn't like to talk, but he caught me. So, this place is actually quite good.

Early the next morning, Ning Rongrong appeared on the training ground again.

This time, she was not the first one there.

Fu Wen had already run five laps, his breathing steady and his pace light.

Ning Rongrong didn't say a word; she simply followed behind him and started running.

Flender stood in the distance, watching the figures of the two children, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

"Dean, what does this look like to you?" Zhao Wuji walked over.

"Like what?"

"Like an old crocodile leading a little glazed bird."

Flender rolled his eyes. "Can't you think of something better?"

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily.

After finishing the laps, Ning Rongrong walked over to Fu Wen, hesitated for a moment, and spoke up: "About yesterday, thank you."

"What about?" Fu Wen didn't even turn his head.

"For catching me."

"Oh." Fu Wen replied, "Keep your balance yourself next time."

Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth, suppressing the urge to hit someone.

"Can't you speak nicely?"

"I am speaking nicely."

"You..."

Ning Rongrong took a deep breath, turned around, and walked away.

If she stayed any longer, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to stop herself from throwing a punch.

Ma Hongjun leaned in and whispered, "Brother Wen, why do you always make her angry?"

"I didn't." Fu Wen's expression remained calm. "I just don't know how to coax people."

"Then learn."

"Not learning."

Ma Hongjun was speechless.

In the afternoon, Flender arranged a small-scale sparring match.

Oscar and Ning Rongrong were one team, while Fu Wen and Ma Hongjun were the other.

"The rules are simple." Flender stood in the middle. "Rongrong will support Xiao Ao, Xiao Pang will be the main attacker, and Xiao Wen can only defend and cannot counterattack. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, if Xiao Ao and Rongrong can touch Xiao Wen's clothes, they win."

"That's not fair!" Ning Rongrong protested. "He's so strong, how are we supposed to touch him?"

"Fairness is irrelevant." Flender said expressionlessly. "On the battlefield, the enemy won't talk to you about fairness."

Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth and said nothing more.

"Begin!"

At Flender's command, the match started.

Oscar immediately ate a Flying Sausage and spread his Light Wings to fly into the air.

Ning Rongrong stood on the ground. "The Seven Treasures have a name, the first is: Power!"

A golden light enveloped Oscar, and his strength surged.

Ma Hongjun stood in front of Fu Wen with his arms spread, five golden Light Feathers condensing on the wings of the Phoenix Phantom.

"Phoenix Holy Light Strike!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The light feathers shot out, heading straight for Oscar.

Oscar dodged nimbly in the air while Ning Rongrong continued to buff him.

Fu Wen stood in place, motionless, but his gaze remained locked on Oscar.

Oscar circled behind Fu Wen and dove downward.

Without even turning his head, Fu Wen performed a tail-whip motion, and the tail of the Divine Crocodile Phantom swept out violently.

Flow-Severing.

Oscar's flow of Soul Power was forcibly interrupted, his Light Wings vanished instantly, and he plummeted toward the ground.