The Great One is Still Thinking of a Solution, Tang San is Utterly Defeated

"You can take a make-up test, or you can find a guarantor; choose for yourself, Tang San."

Teacher Zhao tucked the documents back into his coat, his entire demeanor relaxing significantly.

He had finally managed to push this hot potato back onto someone else.

Tang San stood where he was, his sleeves hanging low; he hadn't yet retrieved the short arrow that had just pierced the sandbag.

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward first.

"Teacher Zhao, Tang San's situation is special; he was merely subjected to external interference."

Ning Rongrong crossed her arms, the Seven Treasures Token at her waist swaying twice.

"There won't be anyone clearing the field for you outside of Shrek. If someone else uses their soul power, is your disciple going to apply for a retake?"

Xiao Wu immediately chimed in.

"Then why even bother going to Shrek? Just open an exclusive exam site right here in Nuoding."

Xiao Chenyu raised a hand from beside the wooden railing.

"I can sell tickets: Tang San's exclusive make-up exam session, half-price compensation for the sandbags."

Wang Sheng pulled him back.

"Stay out of this. We haven't even decided who's paying for the sandbags yet."

Tang San pulled the short arrow out of the sandbag, and sand continued to leak out from the hole.

"I will take the make-up test."

As these words fell, the students on the sidelines grew rowdy again.

"He's actually doing it?"

"He should've just done that from the start instead of insisting on proving himself in the same round."

"He proved something, alright—he proved the sandbags are quite sturdy."

Teacher Zhao hurriedly picked up his pen.

"Then let's register it first; the time for the make-up test will be determined later."

Su Hang put away the recommendation Travel Permit and turned to walk out of the training grounds.

Xiao Wu followed immediately, her steps light and quick.

"Brother Su Hang, are we getting ready to leave now?"

Ning Rongrong also caught up, raising a hand to pat her small bag.

"I'm going to Shrek, too."

Xiao Wu stopped in her tracks.

"You're actually going?"

Ning Rongrong tilted her chin up.

"I only came to Nuoding to verify the diary. Since Shrek was mentioned by name, why wouldn't I go?"

Xiao Wu shifted half a step closer to Su Hang.

"You can go, but you can't sit next to Brother Su Hang."

Ning Rongrong laughed outright.

"The carriage hasn't even arrived yet, and you've already assigned the seats?"

Xiao Wu answered quickly.

"They're assigned. Beside me is Brother Su Hang, and beside Brother Su Hang is me again."

Xiao Chenyu chuckled as he listened.

"Sister Xiao Wu's seating chart is a bit overbearing."

Wang Sheng added a remark.

"It's focused on all-around defense."

Just as Ning Rongrong was about to retort, Ning Chuan walked over quickly from the direction of the academy gate.

In his hand, he held a secret letter and a scroll of map wrapped in oil paper.

"Miss, the Sect Master's reply has arrived."

Ning Rongrong reached out to take it, tore it open, scanned it once, and immediately shoved the letter toward Ning Chuan.

"Read it clearly: Father allows me to stay for the time being, with secret guards protecting me from afar, and he forbids you from forcing me to return."

After reading it, Ning Chuan's shoulders slumped slightly.

"The Sect Master also said that you must not act willfully, Miss."

Ning Rongrong tucked the letter back into her small bag.

"I am very steady now."

Xiao Wu immediately undermined her.

"You said you wanted to dismantle the bed last night."

Ning Rongrong turned her head to snap back at her.

"That was a reasonable threat."

Su Hang stopped in front of the courtyard gate and looked back.

"Ning Chuan, did the Seven Treasures prepare a carriage?"

Ning Chuan handed an oil-paper map to Su Hang and took out a Travel Permit.

"A Travel Permit for Soto City and an old map of the area near Shrek; you'll find them useful on the road."

Ning Rongrong immediately lifted her chin.

"There's also a carriage. The Seven Treasures' carriage is much more comfortable than that broken-down vehicle from the academy."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu immediately grew alert.

"What are you trying to say?"

Ning Rongrong slapped the Seven Treasures Token against her waist.

"Whoever provides the carriage gets priority seating."

Xiao Wu refused to accept this on the spot.

"I live in the small courtyard with Brother Su Hang; I was here first."

Ning Rongrong retorted even faster.

"I am providing the fleet; I have a ticket even if I arrived later."

Xiao Wu raised her hand and pointed at the courtyard.

"You only live in the Side Room."

Ning Rongrong didn't yield an inch.

"The Side Room is still a room, and the carriage is still mine."

Xiao Chenyu, standing to the side, clutched his stomach.

"Wang Sheng, this is much more entertaining than a make-up exam."

Wang Sheng nodded.

"This is what you call the first trial of Shrek: fighting for a seat."

Su Hang tucked the map into his robes and pressed his hand against the tabletop.

"If you two keep arguing, Tang San will sit in the middle."

The area in front of the courtyard gate went quiet instantly.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong turned toward the training grounds almost simultaneously.

Tang San was still standing by the wooden stakes, whispering with Yu Xiaogang.

Xiao Wu immediately retracted her words.

"Then I won't argue anymore."

Ning Rongrong also slung her small bag over her shoulder.

"This young lady can't be bothered to bicker, either."

Xiao Chenyu laughed out loud.

"Boss Su's move is ruthless; Tang San hasn't even boarded the carriage yet, and he's already keeping the peace."

Wang Sheng nodded earnestly.

"I suggest we use 'Tang San sitting in the middle' to resolve all future arguments."

Su Hang looked at the two of them.

"You two are staying behind to watch the courtyard."

Xiao Chenyu's face fell immediately.

"Boss Su, I also want to go to Shrek to see the world."

Wang Sheng leaned forward as well.

"I can carry the luggage and serve as the atmosphere crew while I'm at it."

Su Hang placed the recommendation Travel Permit on the stone table.

"There are four trials to enter Shrek. Your spirit power and levels are both far too low; you wouldn't get in even if you went."

Xiao Chenyu looked down at himself.

"So I'm just stuck watching the courtyard?"

Xiao Wu patted him on the shoulder.

"White Wolf, guarding the base is also important."

Ning Rongrong delivered the finishing blow.

"And by the way, don't let the sandbags get punctured again."

Wang Sheng scratched his head.

"Can we still go in the future?"

Su Hang looked at the two of them, his tone steady.

"Once you meet the requirements, I will come to pick you up myself."

Xiao Chenyu stood up straight immediately.

"Really?"

Su Hang nodded.

"Train your soul power, train your combat skills, and stop crouching behind the wooden fence gnawing on flatbread all day."

Wang Sheng hid his breakfast bag behind his back.

"I'll start working hard right now, but I have to finish the bread first; I can't waste it."

Xiao Chenyu became more serious.

"Rest assured, Boss Su, I will get White Wolf into shape."

Su Hang pushed open the courtyard gate.

"The courtyard is in your hands; don't break the beds."

Xiao Chenyu waved his hands immediately.

"As long as the little princess doesn't tear it down, I won't touch a thing."

Ning Rongrong huffed.

"We'll see how you perform."

Outside the courtyard, the Seven Treasures carriage was already waiting.

The carriage was spacious with thick curtains, and the Seven Treasures Pattern was carved onto the carriage shaft.

Xiao Wu clutched her small bundle and quickly shoved it into the furthest corner of the carriage.

"This is my spot."

Ning Rongrong also pushed her bag inside.

"What a coincidence, I had my eye on this side too."

Xiao Wu immediately blocked her.

"You go to the other side."

Ning Rongrong pushed her bag further in.

"On what grounds?"

Xiao Wu said with a straight face.

"Because Brother Su Hang is sitting here."

Ning Rongrong hung the Seven Treasures Token up behind her.

"Then I have even more reason to sit here; I still need to ask about Shrek and Zhu Zhuqing."

Xiao Wu paused.

"You can ask, just don't get too close."

Ning Rongrong smiled and sat on the edge of the carriage.

"You're quite the busybody."

Su Hang stood outside the carriage, watching as the two girls' bundles already occupied half the cabin.

"If you keep fighting over it, I'll have Ning Chuan arrange two carriages."

Xiao Wu immediately pulled her bag into her arms.

"No need, I can squeeze in."

Ning Rongrong also settled into her seat.

"This young lady will begrudgingly accept."

By the edge of the training ground in the distance, Tang San watched the Seven Treasures carriage, then looked at the old map in Su Hang's hand.

That Travel Permit, that scroll of maps, that carriage fleet—they were all resources.

Yu Xiaogang stood by his side and lowered his voice.

"Don't be impatient; I will find a guarantor for you."

Tang San tucked his short arrow back into the Registration Bag.

"What about Shrek, Teacher? Are you confident?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"Flender owes me a favor. As long as you pass the make-up exam, there's still a chance."

Tang San watched the carriage depart from the academy, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

"Then I'll go find Teacher Zhao tonight."

Once night fell, Notting Academy grew much quieter.

The light was still on in Teacher Zhao's room, with Assessment Forms and the Registration Log piled high on his desk.

Knock, knock.

The door was rapped upon.

Teacher Zhao looked up.

"Who is it?"

Outside the door, Tang San stood straight as an arrow.

"Teacher Zhao, I would like to use the make-up exam to trade for my qualification to leave the academy."