A Declaration of Love, Coming Clean to Ning Fengzhi

"In theory, it could work, but absorbing a Soul Ring beyond one's level is extremely dangerous. That's why I don't want you to absorb a ten-thousand-year fourth ring beyond your level either."

Gu Feng opened the drawer beside him and neatly arranged the remaining pieces of Thousand-Year Whale Rubber inside.

Then he continued,

"I originally planned to take it myself for a while first. Once my physique showed obvious changes, I would tell Uncle Ning about this method in full."

"Then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could buy Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber and Thousand-Year Whale Rubber in bulk from the coastal provinces. The physiques of the sect's direct-line disciples could all be raised to a new level."

"I just didn't expect you to catch me in the act tonight."

At that, Gu Feng paused. What had happened earlier was still vivid in his mind, and his tone softened.

"Also... I scared you just now, didn't I?"

Hearing that, Ning Rongrong suddenly recalled how she had closed her eyes and waited for him moments ago. Her face instantly reddened, but she did not want to embarrass herself in front of Gu Feng.

She immediately folded her arms over her chest and gave a soft snort.

"This young lady is very brave. I'm not so easily frightened."

Ning Rongrong played with the black chunk in her hand and suddenly said,

"You were fine after eating it, so I want to use this stuff to temper my body too."

Gu Feng reached out, took back the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber, and put it directly into the drawer.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Your Soul Power is only level twenty-six, and you're a support-system Soul Master. Your body isn't strong enough."

Gu Feng pushed the drawer shut tightly.

"Even two-thousand-year Whale Rubber would be too potent for you. If you force it down, your meridians simply won't be able to withstand it."

"Besides, you saw that side effect just now."

At the mention of side effects, Ning Rongrong immediately remembered Gu Feng's flushed face and burning chest from earlier.

A layer of red instantly spread across her cheeks, and even her neck turned faintly pink.

Ning Rongrong turned her head aside and stubbornly replied,

"I'm not afraid. At worst... at worst, it'll just be like that."

"That still won't do. It's too dangerous. You can't be careless about your body's meridians."

Gu Feng's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Ning Rongrong stood where she was. Looking at Gu Feng's calm face, her thoughts suddenly drifted elsewhere.

She lowered her head, twisting the corner of her clothes between her fingers, her voice full of grievance.

"Gu Feng, do you... do you think I'm not good enough for you?"

"My Soul Power is low, and I have a bad temper. Do you dislike me deep down?"

Gu Feng froze.

He had never expected Ning Rongrong to connect his refusal to let her absorb Whale Rubber with something like this.

In the twelve years since he had come to this world, he had proceeded carefully every step of the way. Relying on his foreknowledge, he had obtained the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone and successfully joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Now that such a girl, wholeheartedly devoted to him, was by his side, how could he possibly dislike her?

It was just that once he agreed to something like this, it would mean responsibility.

But now...

Gu Feng sighed, stepped forward, and pulled Ning Rongrong into his arms.

Ning Rongrong's body was light, soft against his chest, with a faint sniffle still coming from her nose.

Gu Feng rubbed her long hair.

"How could I possibly dislike you?"

"Even counting from when we met in the Star Dou Great Forest, we've known each other for less than a month."

"Rongrong, have you really thought through your feelings?"

Ning Rongrong leaned against Gu Feng's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

Everything that had happened over the past month rapidly flashed through her mind.

From him saving her when she was being pursued in the Star Dou Great Forest, to his strict guidance as they traveled north on foot, to how he patiently massaged her legs and cleared her meridians every night, and how they had fought side by side in the Great Soul Arena.

This boy was clearly the same age as her, yet he was more dependable than every sect genius she had ever seen.

She did not know what it meant to think things through carefully.

She only knew that whenever she was with Gu Feng, she felt utterly at ease.

There was no need to overthink that feeling.

Ning Rongrong raised her hands and hooked them around his neck.

She closed her eyes and pressed herself directly against him.

As the warm sensation reached him, Gu Feng understood that it was time to make a choice.

He wrapped an arm around the girl's slender waist and responded to her inexperienced kiss.

Moonlight spilled through the gap in the window and fell over them, leaving only soft breathing in the room.

After a long while, they parted.

Ning Rongrong's cheeks were burning red. She buried her head in Gu Feng's chest and refused to look up.

Gu Feng stroked her long hair and said softly, "Rongrong, tomorrow morning, I'll go see Uncle Ning and tell him about the Whale Rubber."

Ning Rongrong rubbed against him and asked quietly,

"What about me?"

"I'll tell him about us too." Gu Feng looked at her. "I'll take responsibility for you."

Ning Rongrong raised her head and held him even tighter.

After seeing Ning Rongrong back to her room, Gu Feng sat at the edge of his bed, looking out at the night.

He had come to this world not only to change his own fate. Now, he also had to protect this clingy girl.

Strength was the foundation of everything.

The next morning.

Gu Feng and Ning Rongrong had just finished breakfast in the courtyard and had not yet left when Ning Fengzhi strode in.

"Uncle Ning." Gu Feng rose and bowed.

Ning Fengzhi waved a hand and said warmly,

"Little Feng, the people I sent to Holy Soul Village have returned. Village Chief Old Jack has already been settled in an estate at the foot of the mountain. The surroundings are peaceful, and servants have been assigned to attend to him, so you can rest assured."

Gu Feng cupped his hands. "Thank you for being so thorough, Uncle Ning. As it happens, I have something important I would like to discuss with you as well."

"Oh? What is it?" Ning Fengzhi walked to the stone table and sat down.

Gu Feng took out the piece of Thousand-Year Whale Rubber from his sleeve and placed it on the table, then explained in detail how Whale Rubber could temper the body and raise the limit for absorbing Soul Rings.

Ning Fengzhi was filled with surprise after hearing him out.

He placed a hand on Gu Feng's shoulder, and a strand of gentle Soul Power entered Gu Feng's body.

A moment later, Ning Fengzhi withdrew his hand, his expression shaken.

The toughness of Gu Feng's meridians and the vigor of his blood and vitality were indeed far beyond those of Soul Masters at the same level.

"This Whale Rubber actually has such miraculous effects?"

Ning Fengzhi looked at the pitch-black lump of fat and sighed.

"People across the continent treat it as an aphrodisiac tonic. What a waste of a treasure."

He looked at Gu Feng with great approval.

"Little Feng, you've rendered great service to the sect this time. If the direct-line disciples can all improve their physiques, the foundation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will grow even deeper."

Gu Feng smiled, then stepped forward and took Ning Rongrong's hand beside him.

Ning Rongrong had her head lowered at the moment. Her fingers moved uneasily, yet she let Gu Feng hold her hand as she stood at his side with a flushed face.

"Uncle Ning, there's one more thing." Gu Feng looked at Ning Fengzhi. "Rongrong and I are together. I hope you'll give us your blessing."

Ning Rongrong also gathered her courage and raised her head. "Dad, I really like Brother Feng. You can't object."