"I stand by what I said."
Ning Rongrong tucked the Seven Treasures Token back into her palm and stood half a step in front of Su Hang, her skirt fluttering lightly in the wind.
The Training Ground burst into chatter.
"Is the Seven Treasures Little Princess really siding with Boss Su?"
"Now that's some clout. First time Notting Academy's seen anything like it."
"Tang San told the Seven Treasures Sect not to interfere, and she went and picked a side anyway."
Xiao Chenyu clapped Wang Sheng on the shoulder, suddenly full of energy.
"See that? That's high-level play. One flash of the Seven Treasures Token, and Tang San's whole spiel gets shut down."
Wang Sheng hugged his breakfast bag even tighter.
"I only care about one thing: can Tang San's Poison Needles still go flying everywhere after this?"
Tang San stood beside the wooden post, his sleeves hanging down. Teacher Zhao had already collected the Fine Needle that had fallen earlier and put it in a wooden box.
He ignored Xiao Chenyu and Wang Sheng, directing his words at Ning Rongrong instead.
"Miss Ning, you represent the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Is it appropriate for you to meddle in an internal academy dispute like this?"
Ning Rongrong turned around, flipping the Seven Treasures Token halfway over between her fingers.
"Don't try to pin some grand accusation on me."
Tang San took a step forward.
"I'm just reminding you that sect interests and personal likes and dislikes shouldn't be mixed together."
Yu Xiaogang picked up the thread, hands clasped behind his back as he tried to conceal his earlier embarrassment.
"Miss Ning, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect holds a special position. Calling someone a distinguished guest today could make the academy's handling of this matter unbalanced."
Xiao Wu rolled her eyes and went straight to stand beside Su Hang.
"You two really know how to talk. Yesterday, investigating Brother Su Hang was 'academy safety,' but today, investigating the Poison Needles is 'unbalanced handling'?"
Someone in the crowd immediately chimed in.
"Exactly. Those Poison Needles almost landed at our feet."
"You can't just pretend it never happened."
Teacher Zhao clutched the attendance register, sweat beading on his forehead again.
He looked at Yu Xiaogang, then at Ning Rongrong, caught miserably between them.
Ning Rongrong didn't give him a chance to dodge.
She walked up to Teacher Zhao and slapped the Seven Treasures Token down on the cover of the register.
"Teacher Zhao, first, add a full record of Tang San's Poison Needles."
The pen nearly slipped from Teacher Zhao's hand.
"Miss Ning, well, part of it has already been recorded."
Ning Rongrong pointed at the wooden box.
"Yesterday, Sleeve Arrows. Today, Fine Needles. The tips are poisoned, and they're flying all over the Training Ground."
She pressed the Seven Treasures Token down harder against the register.
"Write it all down clearly. Don't try to brush it off as a training mishap."
Yu Xiaogang immediately frowned, flicking his sleeve aside.
"That was indeed a training mishap. Tang San has just acquired his First Spirit Skill. The Poison Pattern rebounding is a matter of getting used to it."
Ning Rongrong turned to him.
"Poison Needles flying toward students are just part of getting used to it?"
Yu Xiaogang's words caught in his throat for half a beat.
Ning Rongrong pressed on.
"If Su Hang hadn't stopped them, who would be responsible for anyone who got hurt?"
She pointed at Tang San.
"Your disciple, or you, his teacher?"
Teacher Zhao hurriedly opened the register, his pen moving quickly.
"Recording it now. I'll add it right away."
Xiao Chenyu clicked his tongue twice.
"Teacher Zhao just set a new speed record for a Soul Master's career."
Wang Sheng quietly added, "Can't be helped. The Seven Treasures Token's demanding an update. Who could resist?"
Xiao Wu took half a step forward, her words even blunter.
"Tang San, every time, you make other people clean up after your progress."
She counted on her fingers.
"The Blue Silver Grass leaks, so the teacher has to make excuses for you."
"Hidden Weapons ambush people, so the rules have to take the blame."
"Poison Needles go flying everywhere, so your classmates have to dodge."
Xiao Wu lifted her chin.
"So because you're training as a control-type Soul Master, everyone else has to be your target?"
This time, the entire Training Ground turned against Tang San.
"She's got a point."
"Maybe we should all keep our distance when Tang San trains from now on."
"I don't want to end up with holes in my instep just so someone else can improve."
Tang San's fingers curled into the fabric beneath his sleeve, then quickly relaxed.
"I accept the record and the restrictions."
He paused before continuing.
"But Su Hang took control of my Martial Soul yesterday. That still needs an explanation."
Only then did Su Hang walk forward two steps.
He didn't rush or raise his voice.
"Yesterday, you brought Poison Arrows to investigate me. Today, your Poison Needles went flying everywhere."
Su Hang looked at the register in Teacher Zhao's hands.
"The order is simple: investigate the things that can hurt people first."
Teacher Zhao nodded at once.
"That makes sense. Safety comes first."
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened.
"Su Hang, you've been avoiding the question of your abilities this whole time."
Su Hang looked at him.
"My abilities are out in the open. You're the ones hiding Hidden Weapons up your sleeves."
He pointed at the wooden box.
"Everyone just saw who really needs to explain themselves."
Xiao Chenyu immediately chimed in.
"Publicly displayed Spirit Skills versus hidden Poison Needles. Seems fair to me."
Wang Sheng piled on. "Maybe Tang San should declare his sleeve weight before going out from now on."
The students burst into laughter again.
Tang San stood perfectly still, but everyone could see how awkwardly empty his sleeve looked.
Ning Chuan approached from behind the crowd, lowering his voice.
"Miss, with the Seven Treasures Token flashed this much, things will be difficult for the sect leader."
Ning Rongrong didn't turn around.
"Uncle Ning Chuan, I know."
Ning Chuan stopped behind her.
"If you know, then you should hold back a little."
Ning Rongrong picked up the Seven Treasures Token from the register and hung it back on her waist.
"I used to keep it put away because Dad and the others shielded me."
She looked at Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
"Today I'm not putting it away because someone's trying to use the Seven Treasures to scare me."
Ning Chuan tried to persuade her again.
"Miss."
Ning Rongrong cut him off.
"Go back and tell Dad I haven't been reckless."
She paused, then added, "I'm learning to make my own choices."
Xiao Wu heard her and didn't fire back.
Su Hang simply stood nearby, not speaking on Ning Rongrong's behalf.
Teacher Zhao closed the register and announced on the spot, "From today on, Tang San's use of Hidden Weapons will be restricted."
He glanced at Tang San and added more specific terms.
"Teacher supervision is required during public training. Poison Needle-type weapons are not allowed in areas where students gather to watch."
Tang San nodded.
"I accept."
Yu Xiaogang was still unwilling to let it go.
"Teacher Zhao, this will affect Tang San's training progress."
Teacher Zhao held the register against his chest.
"Mr. Yu, the academy also has to look after the safety of its other students."
Ning Rongrong returned to Su Hang's side, stopping a few paces in front of Tang San.
"Tang San, take care of your Poison Needles before you tell me which side to take."
The Training Ground erupted in chatter again.
Xiao Chenyu gave a thumbs-up.
"Seven Treasures Little Princess, that line was awesome."
Wang Sheng nodded.
"Remember it. Next time Tang San opens his mouth, use that to shut him down."
Tang San didn't argue.
He gathered the demonstration pieces scattered across the wooden platform, putting each away with steady movements.
But the wooden box that had been taken from him was no longer within reach.
Yu Xiaogang stepped beside him and lowered his voice.
"The atmosphere at Notting Academy is too chaotic. Staying here will do you no good."
Tang San nodded slightly.
"Maybe another place would be better for proving the control-type path."
He hadn't said it loudly, but Su Hang heard him clearly.
Xiao Wu immediately turned her head.
"They want to leave?"
Ning Rongrong raised her chin.
"Going somewhere else to keep practicing Poison Needles?"
Su Hang stepped in front of Tang San, blocking his way.
The chatter across the Training Ground slowly died down.
Su Hang looked at Tang San, speaking evenly.
"Since Grandmaster brought up changing academies..."
He paused, then continued.
"Tang San, do you dare to leave Notting with me?"
Before you continue