Witch Wind and Ning Tian

The stands were a cacophony of noise, with cheers and discussions rising and falling to echo throughout the entire Shrek Freshman Grand Competition arena.

Su Ming cast his gaze toward the ring, where the battle had just concluded. It was the trio of Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao who had secured the first victory of the Freshman Grand Competition.

The young boy and girl, having just finished their fight, were breathing slightly heavily, yet their postures remained upright and tall.

Su Ming saw clearly how Huo Yuhao had used his exquisite spiritual detection to pinpoint his opponent's flaws, coordinating with a refined and improved Soul Tool.

With a single precise strike, he sent his opponent flying; the tactics were clean, the control was precise, and there wasn't a single wasted movement.

Watching his half-disciple grow steadily, a hint of approval surfaced in Su Ming's eyes. He couldn't help but nod slightly, inwardly acknowledging Huo Yuhao's current progress.

Yet, this sentiment lasted only a moment before he suddenly snapped back to reality, remembering the true purpose of his visit to the Freshman Grand Competition today.

He wasn't here just to observe the match of Huo Yuhao's team; he was here to find an angel investor.

With a shift in his thoughts, Su Ming immediately withdrew his gaze, his eyes slowly scanning the dense crowd and the surrounding rings as if deliberately searching for someone.

Xuan Zi, the old monster to his side, took in his every move. He leaned in with a face full of curiosity, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness:

"Hey, kid, you're looking all over the place instead of watching the match properly. What exactly are you searching for?"

Su Ming paid no heed to Xuan Zi's teasing, his gaze still drifting across the arena.

A moment later, he turned to the side to address Teacher Wang Yan, who was responsible for coordinating the order of the examination grounds. His tone was calm and polite: "Teacher Wang, may I ask if you know which examination ground Ning Tian is competing in?"

Wang Yan was slightly stunned at the mention of the name, but he quickly realized who Su Ming was referring to. After a moment of thought, he replied gently:

"You mean Ning Tian of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Her team is competing in the seventh examination ground, just to the southeast of the arena. You'll see it if you head that way."

"Many thanks, Teacher Wang."

Su Ming nodded slightly in thanks and turned to head straight toward the seventh examination ground in the southeast.

At this moment, the seventh examination ground had just finished an intense battle. The surrounding students had not yet dispersed, and the noise remained.

Su Ming walked over slowly, his gaze sweeping across the area, and happened to catch the final moments of Ning Tian's team securing their victory.

The three of them, having just finished a fierce battle, had somewhat chaotic breathing, their soul power not yet settled. Their hair was slightly disheveled and their clothes were stained with the dust of the match, yet they could not hide their outstanding temperament.

Just as Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Nanmen Yun'er were steadying themselves and preparing to step off the ring, a composed figure slowly walked toward them.

"Congratulations to the three of you on your first victory."

Su Ming's tone was plain and carried a hint of ease as he took the initiative to greet them.

The crisp, gentle male voice rang out suddenly at their side, and the three who had just finished the match stopped their movements instantly, turning their heads in unison.

The moment she saw that the person approaching was Su Ming, Ning Tian's clear eyes suddenly brightened, and a flash of undisguised surprise and astonishment swept through them.

She had been harboring a secret concern since she began competing today.

Ever since stepping into the Shrek Outer Court, as the Young Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she had strictly followed the instructions of her father, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

She needed to befriend top geniuses of the Outer Court to accumulate connections and resources for the sect, and Su Ming was one of the core geniuses specifically marked and highly sought after by the sect.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had perfect intelligence and had long since thoroughly investigated Su Ming's background; he was a commoner with no sect background.

Yet, he had carved out a prestigious reputation in the genius-filled Shrek through his own efforts, possessing heaven-defying combat power and peerless talent. He was the new-generation powerhouse most worthy of befriending and recruiting.

Especially after she had witnessed that battle three months ago that shocked the entire Outer Court, where he used the cultivation of a four-ring Soul Ancestor.

He had confronted and crushed a six-ring Soul Emperor head-on, a battle that made him legendary and completely solidified Ning Tian's intention to befriend and recruit Su Ming.

She had just been secretly pondering how to find a natural opportunity to strike up a conversation, never expecting that Su Ming would take the initiative to seek her out before she could even act.

In Ning Tian's eyes, this was simply a god-sent opportunity.

With joy surging in her heart, Ning Tian immediately composed herself and raised a hand to gently tidy her slightly messy clothes and hair.

She straightened her posture, shed the fatigue of the match, revealed a perfectly gentle smile, and took half a step forward.

Nanmen Yun'er, who was beside her, had a gentle temperament and was polite to others. Seeing this, she also bowed slightly, greeting Su Ming with a respectful attitude, her demeanor dignified and generous, fully displaying the upbringing of a disciple from a prestigious family.

Only Wu Feng, standing to the side, had a completely different vibe.

The young girl's brows were sharp, and the ferocity of the match still lingered around her. Her eyes were fixed firmly on the slowly approaching Su Ming.

Her gaze was filled with undisguised hostility and vigilance, and her entire body exuded a sense of rejection that warned others to stay away.

Su Ming looked at Wu Feng's hostile appearance, and his mind was instantly filled with question marks.

He muttered to himself: Wait, sister, this is our first official meeting, isn't it? Did I offend you?

I came here specifically to find Ning Tian for something; I'm not snatching resources, nor am I vying for the spotlight, let alone competing with you for anything. Your look of pure hostility is truly baffling.

Su Ming thought for a moment and suddenly remembered why Wu Feng was inseparable from Ning Tian, why she was so protective, and why she was hostile toward him: she liked Ning Tian.

Su Ming sighed inwardly, The jealousy jar has been overturned. Wu Feng's possessiveness toward Ning Tian was far too strong; anyone of the opposite sex who approached Ning Tian was viewed by her as a potential threat.

To be honest, seeing two outstanding young girls so intimate and inseparable, and then looking at Wu Feng's paranoid and protective stance, it really felt a bit strange.

Not to mention that both were women, the very fact that Ning Tian was the noble Young Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect meant that her life, marriage, and connections were destined to be controlled by the sect; she could never act on her own whims.

Even if their bond was deep, the elders of the sect would never allow such an unconventional relationship to exist.

Ning Tian, as the Young Sect Master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, had a keen mind and immediately sensed the aggressive gaze of Wu Feng beside her.

Following her line of sight to Su Ming, she was immediately filled with helplessness, her head aching.

She understood Wu Feng's temperament all too well; loyal to a fault and fiercely protective, a trait that left one feeling utterly helpless.

Whenever a young, talented male drew near, Wu Feng would instinctively bristle with hostility, remaining on guard and targeting them at every turn.

Yet, having grown up together since childhood, their bond was deep and they were as close as sisters; she simply could not bring herself to reprimand or blame her.

With no other choice, Ning Tian could only offer Su Ming an apologetic smile and speak in a soft, conciliatory tone:

"Senior Su Ming, I am truly sorry. Feng'er has just finished a high-intensity match and her state of mind is still unsettled, making her a bit short-tempered. If she has been rude or offended you in any way, I apologize to you on her behalf."

Having said this, Ning Tian turned her head and cast a subtle glance at Wu Feng, carrying a hint of restraint and a reminder.

Wu Feng was sharp-witted and instantly understood Ning Tian's implication.

She was well aware that winning Su Ming over would be of immense benefit to both them and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Moreover, Su Ming's current strength and potential were unmatched in the entire outer courtyard; having witnessed his power firsthand, she knew he was a top-tier genius absolutely worth befriending.

Yet, reason was one thing, but the jealousy and resistance in her heart could not be suppressed in the slightest.

She simply hated it from the bottom of her heart—she hated any strange man taking the initiative to approach or get close to Ning Tian.

However, under Ning Tian's persistent eye signals, even though Wu Feng was filled with reluctance and resistance, she eventually bit her lip and reined in the icy hostility radiating from her body.

She silently stepped back half a pace and returned to Ning Tian's side, though her eyes remained locked onto Su Ming, never once letting down her guard.