Exposing Shrek's Lies, Ning Rongrong: How Dare They Deceive Me?!

Above the treetops.

At some point, Chen Xin had lowered his hand, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.

"A Soul Elder at twelve or thirteen, with an excellent combination of first Soul Ring and second Soul Skill. That trick of draining the air just now wasn't a Soul Skill—it was something he figured out himself."

Ning Fengzhi also praised him softly.

"Judging by the child's clothes, he should be of common birth. To reach this level at such an age, there probably aren't many like him in the entire Heaven Dou Empire. This child is no ordinary person."

Chen Xin nodded in agreement.

In the clearing below.

Ning Rongrong was still standing there stupidly, her mouth slightly open as she failed to recover for a long while.

Looking at the three Soul Rings that had vanished from Gu Feng's body, she was at a loss for a moment.

She, Ning Rongrong.

She was known as the greatest genius of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in a century. With Innate Soul Power at rank nine, she had reached rank twenty-six at just over eleven years old as a support-type Soul Master, and had always thought highly of herself.

Yet this youth in coarse cloth not only had a Soul Power Level far beyond hers, but had also struck with such clean, decisive moves that he had driven a thousand-year Netherworld Demon Wolf away head-on.

"Hey, what are you spacing out for?"

Gu Feng dusted off his sleeve and spoke calmly.

Only then did Ning Rongrong come back to herself.

She quickly stepped forward, placed her hands on her hips, and raised her chin slightly, trying to maintain the bearing of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's little princess. However, the mud stains on her skirt and her faintly flushed cheeks made her look rather comical.

"I wasn't spacing out! Just now... just now, thank you for helping me."

Although Ning Rongrong was spoiled and arrogant, she was not unreasonable. After all, this handsome guy had genuinely saved her life.

"Hello, my name is Ning Rongrong. I'm from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Ning Rongrong puffed out her chest, unable to hide the trace of pride in her voice.

"Um, what's your name? Which sect's genius are you?"

Gu Feng looked at her proud, haughty expression with an unchanged face.

"My name is Gu Feng. I have no sect or school. I'm merely a commoner."

"A commoner?"

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened. She circled Gu Feng once, wrinkling her nose slightly as she examined him closely.

"No way, right? How could a commoner Soul Master reach rank thirty-something at this age? Are you lying to me?"

She leaned closer, and the faint floral fragrance unique to a young girl drifted over on the breeze.

Gu Feng stepped back half a pace, putting some distance between them.

"Believe it or not. It's getting late, and the outskirts of the forest aren't safe either. Miss Ning should go home early."

With that, Gu Feng turned and prepared to leave.

He naturally knew that Ning Rongrong's destination was Suotuo City, while he was headed to Heaven Dou City. They were not going the same way.

Besides, having just absorbed the Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone, it would not be wise to wander around in front of Tang Hao.

"Hey! Stop right there!"

Ning Rongrong grabbed Gu Feng's sleeve and called out urgently.

"Who said I'm going home? I finally managed to sneak out! I'm going to gain experience in the world of Soul Masters!"

She lifted her head and blinked her large eyes. Her originally domineering tone instantly softened, carrying a hint of coquettishness.

"Um, Brother Gu Feng, look, I'm lost. Where does that road ahead lead? You're going to Suotuo City too, right? We're going the same way, so let's go together!"

Gu Feng pulled his sleeve back and replied indifferently.

"I'm not going to Suotuo City. I'm going to Heaven Dou City."

Upon hearing the words Heaven Dou City, Ning Rongrong's excited little face fell.

"Huh? What are you going to Heaven Dou City for?"

Ning Rongrong kicked at the mud beneath her feet and quickly followed beside Gu Feng.

Gu Feng started walking forward and answered without looking back.

"I'm going to Heaven Dou City to see the prosperity of the imperial capital. Then I'll head northwest to Godwind Academy for its entrance examination."

"As you saw, my Martial Soul has the wind attribute. Among the advanced Soul Master Academies, Godwind Academy suits me best."

After hearing that, Ning Rongrong felt deeply disappointed.

It was rare for her to meet someone her age outside who was stronger than her and fairly pleasing to look at, yet they were heading in completely opposite directions.

"Fine, what terrible timing."

Ning Rongrong muttered dejectedly.

Then she seemed to think of something and hurried ahead of Gu Feng, walking backward as she faced him.

"Gu Feng, why don't you come to Suotuo City with me?"

"I heard there's an especially impressive Soul Master Academy near Suotuo City. It claims to accept only monsters, not ordinary people."

"What do you think? You're a little monster too. Want to go take a look together?"

Gu Feng did not stop walking, simply going around Ning Rongrong as she blocked his path.

"You mean Shrek Academy outside Suotuo City?"

Ning Rongrong quickly caught up and nodded rapidly.

"Yes, yes, yes! Shrek! You've heard of it too, right?"

Gu Feng stopped walking, his tone extremely calm.

"I've heard of it. That academy is quite ordinary."

"They can't even afford to build a basic mimicry training environment. Their teaching grounds are a run-down little village they rented."

"A place like that has no future beyond delaying your cultivation progress."

Ning Rongrong froze where she stood.

She blinked her large eyes and retorted with some reluctance.

"That can't be true, can it? I spent a great deal of money to buy that information!"

"I heard that although the academy is small, it has produced quite a few important figures. One of its graduates was even Spirit Hall's youngest elder!"

Gu Feng could not help but chuckle.

"Miss Ning, didn't you learn any basic common sense before leaving home?"

Ning Rongrong was utterly confused by the question.

"What common sense?"

"Though I'm a commoner, even I know that a Spirit Hall elder must at least be a Titled Douluo."

"That academy has only existed for around twenty years, and the students it accepts are twelve or thirteen years old."

"Based on the rumors you heard, their graduates would be no older than their thirties. Do you think there are Titled Douluo in their thirties on the continent?"

Ning Rongrong went completely stiff.

She opened her mouth, but every rebuttal she had prepared caught in her throat.

Which Titled Douluo had not cultivated for most of their life and become a renowned powerhouse in their region?

Even Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa in her sect had spent many years cultivating before crossing that threshold.

A Titled Douluo in their thirties?

That was complete nonsense!

"How... how could this be..."

Ning Rongrong lowered her head and muttered softly, her ears turning red.

She had actually been thoroughly fooled by false information from the streets.

Damn it! How dare they deceive me!

Gu Feng did not continue teasing her.

"So, that academy is merely using false gimmicks to swindle people."

"We aren't going the same way. Let us part here. Miss Ning, please do as you wish."

With that, Gu Feng strode toward the main road outside the forest.

"Hey! Don't walk so fast!"

Ning Rongrong hurriedly jogged after him and grabbed Gu Feng's sleeve.

She used too much force and lost her footing, crashing directly into Gu Feng's shoulder.

An exceedingly faint fragrance washed over him.

Ning Rongrong's nose nearly touched Gu Feng's neck, and her warm breath brushed against his skin, making her blush first.

Gu Feng stepped back half a pace and raised a hand to pull his sleeve free.

"Men and women should keep their distance. Miss Ning, please conduct yourself with propriety."

Ning Rongrong rubbed her aching forehead, becoming somewhat angry and embarrassed.

Why was this guy so impossible to deal with!

If it had been any of the young disciples in her sect, they would have lined up to curry favor with her. Some would have been happy for half a day just from touching the edge of her clothes.

But this boy was different. Not only did he seem to dislike her, he avoided her as though she were trouble.

Standing at the crossroads, Ning Rongrong was completely at a loss.

Should she continue to Suotuo City?

After Gu Feng's analysis, that so-called Shrek Academy was probably some shabby, impoverished scam that could barely afford food. Going there would only mean suffering.

But if she followed this guy to Heaven Dou City...

She had only been away from home for less than three days. If she returned to Heaven Dou City now, wouldn't her father be able to catch her at any moment and drag her back into confinement?

Ning Rongrong bit her lower lip, twisting the corner of her clothes between her fingers as she stamped her feet anxiously in place.