A Shrewd Ning Fengzhi

The room gradually grew dim, but Dai Mubai remained completely unaware.

He flipped through the booklet once more from beginning to end. Only after confirming that he had memorized all the information on the immortal herbs so thoroughly that he could recite it backward and forward without a single mistake did Dai Mubai slowly put the booklet away.

Outside the window, dusk had settled in, and the lights in the direction of the cafeteria were already glowing.

Dai Mubai slipped the booklet into his storage ring, reined in his wild elation, pushed open the door, and headed toward the cafeteria.

By the time he arrived, the place was already bustling. Oscar and the other five had formed a circle, and they were nearly finished with their meal.

When Ma Hongjun spotted Dai Mubai, he hurriedly waved and called out, "Boss Dai, over here! You're the only one missing!"

Dai Mubai still appeared calm and composed. He served himself a plate of food, walked over with an unchanged expression, and sat down beside Ma Hongjun.

He exchanged a glance with Tang San. The two gave one another a slight nod, as if neither of them had taken that transaction to heart.

"Boss Dai, hurry up and eat! The dean should be here any moment. Tonight is our first lesson!" Oscar urged.

Dai Mubai nodded, picked up his bowl, and began wolfing down his food.

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze drifted over from time to time, only to quickly move away again. Ning Rongrong had basically recovered already. She stared straight at Dai Mubai, her beautiful eyes glimmering.

Dai Mubai paid no attention to their gazes and simply kept his head down as he ate.

In less than a moment, he had swept all the food from his bowl.

"I'm done! Let's go, let's go!"

The seven rose together and headed toward the training grounds.

They stood in a line on the training grounds.

Flender pushed up his glasses and asked, "Mubai, did they all complete the fifty laps this morning?"

"Dean, they all completed them!" Dai Mubai answered.

Flender had naturally witnessed everything that had happened during the day.

He looked at Ning Rongrong, then at Dai Mubai, and nodded. "Very good. None of you have disappointed me."

After a pause, his voice rose. "Next, you will begin your first lesson at Shrek Academy. Remember, every one of you will complete your own assignment independently."

"How do we complete it independently?" Xiao Wu asked in confusion.

"You'll know when the time comes!" Flender did not explain. He merely waved his hand. "Set out and keep up with me. Our destination is Suotuo City!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Flender turned and quickly headed toward the academy gates.

The seven hurried to follow, rushing out toward Suotuo City.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, main council hall.

Ning Fengzhi sat upright on the throne.

He had a refined and gentle bearing. Holding a letter that had just arrived, he was examining it carefully.

Below the hall, a travel-weary young disciple knelt on one knee and respectfully reported, "Reporting to the sect master, the young miss has safely reached Shrek Academy and successfully passed the entrance assessment. The letter contains a detailed record of the young miss's situation over the past two days."

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly and asked blandly, "How is Shrek Academy?"

The young disciple continued, "Reporting to the sect master, according to the covert guards, several Soul Sage and Soul Emperor experts are stationed at Shrek Academy. The letter you entrusted us with has been delivered to Shrek's dean, Flender. For now, it appears that the young miss's safety is not under threat."

Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi revealed a faint smile and waved his hand. "That's enough. You may leave. Continue sending people to protect her in secret."

"Yes, sect master."

The young disciple respectfully acknowledged him and quickly backed away.

Just then, a white figure strode into the hall.

The newcomer wore a snow-white robe. His beard and hair were completely white, and an intense, razor-sharp aura radiated from his body.

He was none other than one of the guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—a level-ninety-six peak offensive-type Douluo, Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

His voice arrived before he did.

"Fengzhi! How can you be so at ease leaving Rongrong out there alone? Could that Shrek Academy really teach her better than we can? I'm going to bring Rongrong back. I can't feel at ease with her outside."

A bitter smile appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face as he handed over the letter. "Uncle Jian, you truly don't need to worry about Rongrong's safety. The dean of Shrek Academy is Flender, one of the original Golden Iron Triangle. With him protecting her, nothing will happen to Rongrong."

Chen Xin snorted, took the letter, and quickly skimmed it. His expression instantly turned uneasy. "Look, look! That boy surnamed Dai has tamed Rongrong in just two days! How can this be allowed? If she stays there any longer, won't she soon be swept away by that boy?"

"Uncle Jian, you're only worried because you care too much. Although Rongrong has been spoiled since childhood, she's very intelligent. She won't act recklessly."

Ning Fengzhi smiled as he soothed Chen Xin, then continued, "Besides, the fact that Rongrong can listen to this boy, endure hardship, and cultivate diligently proves that the place can indeed help her grow. Isn't that exactly what we need?"

Chen Xin knitted his brows tightly. "Growth is one thing, but I'm still a little uneasy!"

Ning Fengzhi smiled, returned to his throne, and said leisurely, "Besides, even if they really do end up together, given that boy's talent, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. A fifteen-year-old Soul Ancestor at level forty-six—such a cultivation speed is rare across the entire continent."

Chen Xin's expression darkened, and he said coldly, "That's precisely the key issue! Fengzhi, you must understand that his surname is Dai, and his martial soul is the Evil-Eyed White Tiger. I'm afraid he can't escape having ties to the Star Luo Royal Family!"

Ning Fengzhi nodded calmly. "I already knew that. He is the current third prince of the Star Luo Royal Family."

Upon hearing this, sword intent immediately burst from Chen Xin. "How can that work? The Star Luo Royal Family has always revered the White Tiger and supported it with the Hell Spirit Cat, and every empress throughout history has come from the Zhu Family! Are you saying my Rongrong has to become a concubine for them?!"

Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment before saying, "Uncle Jian, Rongrong naturally can't become a concubine. But one dragon and two phoenixes could work! Moreover, Rongrong must remain in the sect. That is our bottom line!"

Chen Xin froze.

Ning Fengzhi continued, "Given Rongrong's status and talent, as well as the position our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect holds on the continent, as long as we help Dai Mubai ascend the throne, Rongrong and the Zhu Family's daughter can naturally stand as equals. Of course, the prerequisite is that Rongrong herself is willing!"

Chen Xin opened and closed his mouth, unable to refute him for a moment.

Ning Fengzhi lowered his voice and said solemnly, "Besides, Uncle Jian, the continent is turbulent now. With the Clear Sky Sect as a warning, we can't put all our eggs in one basket again. If we can successfully ally ourselves with the Star Luo Royal Family while maintaining close relations with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, wouldn't we have more confidence in dealing with Spirit Hall's increasingly overbearing and aggressive pressure?"

Chen Xin fell silent for a moment, then instantly understood Ning Fengzhi's intentions. He could only say bitterly, "Fine. In any case, we absolutely can't let Rongrong suffer the slightest grievance! Otherwise, I won't let you off."

Ning Fengzhi was both exasperated and amused. He consoled him, "Don't worry, Uncle Jian. Rongrong is my most precious daughter. How could I let her suffer? Besides, this matter hasn't even gotten off the ground yet."

Chen Xin could only give a heavy snort. "I'm feeling a little stiff. I'm going to find Old Bone and work out some of the rust."

As soon as he finished speaking, he flew away on his sword.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly.