Ning Tian's Inner Thoughts

"So Shrek didn't do anything to you, right? If they're treating you too harshly, our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would also be a good destination. You'd definitely be nurtured as one of our core members."

After a moment of silence, Ning Tian finally raised the most crucial question, her tone carrying a hint of probing and a trace of nervousness.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have any such plans for the time being. Still, thank you for the invitation."

Ling Tianchen refused cleanly and decisively, leaving no room for negotiation.

Joining a clan had never once crossed his mind. He had stayed at Shrek purely because his sister was here, and because he had nowhere better to go for the moment.

"Oh..."

The light in Ning Tian's eyes dimmed for an instant, but she quickly composed herself, restoring the proper smile to her lips.

"Still, the doors of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will always be open to you. You will forever be our most honored guest. Whatever difficulties you encounter in the future, you can come to us for help at any time."

Though somewhat disappointed, she swiftly adjusted her mindset. Since direct recruitment had failed, she could only resort to Plan B.

This had always been the plan she adhered to, and after Ling Tianchen had effortlessly defeated the six-ringed Zhou Yi, she became even more certain of it.

Some time ago, Ning Tian had written a long letter to her family, detailing Ling Tianchen's terrifying talent and combat performance. At the same time, she had deliberately emphasized that she had a good relationship with him and was steadily growing closer to him, hoping to receive more resources.

The clan's reply had already arrived. They had given their direct response: they supported her in continuing to befriend him, but their bottom line remained unchanged. If they were to take things further, he had to marry into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Otherwise, he could only be treated as an ordinary friend.

In their eyes, Ning Tian had already become a Soul Elder at eleven years old. Across the entire continent, she was a rare heaven-blessed daughter, someone destined to lead the clan in the future. Her partner had to be a genius capable of assisting her.

Even if Ling Tianchen was unwilling to marry into the clan, there would always be other outstanding young men willing to do so in the future.

As for the affection Ning Tian had revealed for Ling Tianchen between the lines of her letter?

Heh. What did an eleven-year-old child know about true feelings? Once she met more people in the future, those feelings would naturally fade.

What they did not know was that these elders, who constantly claimed that "children don't understand true feelings," never gave her the slightest discount in their everyday demands of her.

The young clan mistress had to act like a young clan mistress. Every word and action of hers had to be judged by adult standards.

Whenever they needed her to be mature, they suppressed her with adult standards. Whenever they wanted to deny her, they brought up her age. They had truly mastered the art of double standards.

However, Ning Tian had already secretly made up her mind. She would stay by Ling Tianchen's side. Her judgment would not be wrong; the ones who were wrong were those stubborn old men in the clan.

She had already resolved to go all in on Ling Tianchen. Her specific plan was to first deceive the clan into believing that Ling Tianchen was willing to marry into it, thereby securing a massive investment from them. Combined with her own little treasury, she would pour resources into him as fiercely as possible. Whatever she could get, she would take.

By the time the clan truly sent someone over or demanded that Ling Tianchen return with them, it would likely be far in the future. She believed that by then, the man she had chosen would already be capable of standing on his own across the continent.

No matter what choice the clan made afterward—whether they silently accepted it, flew into a rage and expelled her from the clan, or sent soul masters to hunt them down—she would stand on Ling Tianchen's side.

But the premise of all this was that she had to win his heart first, and that was precisely her greatest setback at present.

In terms of appearance, strength, and proper conduct toward others, she believed herself to be beyond reproach. Yet he had never shown even the slightest sign of being moved by her, always maintaining a perfectly measured distance.

That did strike a blow to her confidence, but the word surrender did not exist in her dictionary.

No matter what hardships she faced, she would move his heart with unwavering persistence...

If Ling Tianchen had known about her inner monologue, he would probably have felt a little ashamed for previously suspecting that she might be a scheming flirt.

After all, the original work had given Ning Tian very little characterization. His only impression of her was that she was a proud but not spoiled young lady, one who always carried the particular calculating nature of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

Moreover, she would later become a man in Qiankun Questioning Love Valley. Although she had not changed yet, even that made him feel somewhat awkward.

Besides, she was not particularly feminine either, so it really was not his fault that he did not feel much for Ning Tian.

"I'll remember that. Is there anything else?"

Ling Tianchen nodded, accepting the gesture of goodwill.

"Ning Tian, hurry over here! You're next for practical combat training."

It was Wu Feng's voice. She had long been fed up with Ning Tian running eagerly to Ling Tianchen whenever she saw him. However, she had never dared to step forward because she feared Ling Tianchen's strength after seeing him easily defeat Zhou Yi, a Soul Emperor with the same martial soul as her.

Now that she had finally found a legitimate excuse to draw Ning Tian away, she naturally would not let it pass. She called out especially loudly, practically wishing to draw everyone on the training ground over.

"You should go back. I need to return to the classroom too. I haven't attended class in a long time. I'm actually a little nostalgic."

"Then I'll be going first. Tianchen, I'll still come find you in Class One after school this afternoon. You're not allowed to stand me up again this time."

Ning Tian smiled and waved at him. Only she understood how bitter that smile was.

"Got it. Before, there were special circumstances. Now I have no reason to stand you up again."

Ling Tianchen shook his head slightly. She's persisted to this point. Refusing her again would be too heartless. As he spoke, he turned and headed toward the school building.

Ning Tian stared blankly at his retreating figure.

No reason? So deep down, he actually doesn't want to keep the appointment? Hehe... your damned kindness... Even if you're not interested in me, you still have to consider my feelings?

Bitterness surged through her heart, and she nearly failed to hold back her tears.

"Young Mistress, what's wrong? It'll be your turn soon."

Wu Feng waved a hand in front of her face, her red willow-leaf brows knitting slightly.

Ning Tian tilted her head toward the sky, preventing the tears welling in her eyes from falling. "The sky... is very blue, isn't it? But Ning Tian, Ning Tian... your life isn't as vast as the sky..."

Wu Feng did not really understand those roundabout words, but she understood Ning Tian's reddened eyes and the sorrow in her voice. Realizing that Ling Tianchen was responsible, she immediately clenched her fists and prepared to chase after him.

"Did that brat make things difficult for you, Young Mistress? I'll risk my life to vent your anger!"

"Feng, don't!" Ning Tian grabbed her wrist, shaking her head with a bitter smile.

"This is only an emotional outburst that I find difficult to control. As the young clan mistress, if I don't even have this much composure, it seems I'm still not very qualified."

"Come on. Isn't it my turn to take the field?"

She calmed herself and pulled Wu Feng toward the line. Her steps became crisp and decisive again, as though the person who had nearly wept just moments ago had never existed.

Yet in a corner of her heart, she had already silently made a vow:

Even if you don't think much of me now, even if you don't like me, it doesn't matter. Even if you're only using me, only coveting the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's resources, that's completely fine.

As long as you're willing, I'll go to your side and become your woman. Even if I'm not the only one, even if I'm not valued, as long as I can stay by your side, I'll be satisfied. So please, give me a chance, Tianchen...