Ning Rongrong had made her plans, but before she could put them into action, she noticed the two Titled Douluos secretly watching her from the shadows. Puffing out her cheeks, she called them out.
The moment she saw Chen Xin and Gu Rong, all the emotions the Little Demoness had suppressed over the past few days burst forth. Her nose stung, and she threw herself into Chen Xin's arms.
Chen Xin held Ning Rongrong as her body trembled and her sobs rang out. Only then did he and Gu Rong realize that their little darling had not been happy here.
His brows knitted slightly. Without another word, Gu Rong was about to seek out the academy's dean, but Ning Rongrong reached out and stopped him, preventing a heated argument.
Gu Rong was indignant. "What is there to learn at this shabby little Shrek Academy? Rongrong, Grandpa will take you home. What doesn't our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have? Whatever you want, Grandpa will get it for you. At worst, we can go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy or Spirit Hall Academy. Either would be better than this dump!"
When Gu Rong and Chen Xin had seen that Shrek Academy's learning environment consisted of nothing more than a dilapidated little courtyard, they had already begun to doubt its teaching standards. Combined with Ning Rongrong's unusually subdued behavior, it had stripped away every trace of goodwill they had toward the academy.
As the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong had plenty of choices, but she could not flee before the battle. At the very least, she had to graduate from Shrek Academy. Shaking her head, she composed herself and said, "Grandpa Bone, I just missed you both too much. Don't worry. Things aren't all that bad for me here. I've worked hard for so long, and I don't want to give up just like this. I have to graduate from here."
Flender's and Dai Mubai's words echoed in her ears, and an unusual determination appeared on Ning Rongrong's face. Others had once broken her proud spirit with their words, and she had vowed to show them that she was not someone who merely talked big. That vow remained unfulfilled. She would never give up now, nor would she allow even a speck of criticism to stain her title as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young lady.
Seeing her resolve, Chen Xin and Gu Rong suddenly felt that the little princess they had once cradled in their palms had grown much more sensible. They exchanged a glance, both feeling a little gratified.
"All right. Since our little princess has made up her mind, we won't interfere. But Rongrong, if anyone dares bully you for no reason, you must tell Grandpa. I might not kill them, but I'll certainly strip a layer of skin off them."
Chen Xin stroked Ning Rongrong's head affectionately. He had always doted on Ning Fengzhi's only daughter. Although she could be a little spoiled and willful at times, she was not bad at heart. With the Little Demoness's temperament, he was still worried that she might suffer grievances out in the world.
"As the saying goes, don't offend others unless they offend you. Rongrong, if anyone picks on you for no reason, your Grandpa Bone will be the first to beat their face into a pig's head!"
Gu Rong felt both relieved and heartbroken. Ning Fengzhi had said that Ning Rongrong needed tempering, which was why he had forbidden them from interfering. But tempering was one thing; letting her be bullied for nothing was another. He had to make sure she remembered that.
Naturally, Ning Rongrong understood what Gu Rong meant. She was no fool. After everything that had happened lately, she had formed a rough plan for her future. Once she agreed to heed their advice, Gu Rong asked about her daily life. Ning Rongrong explained that there were few people at the academy, and even fewer girls. Hearing this, Gu Rong feared that some pig outside might root up his precious cabbage, and earnestly reminded her that she deserved better in the future and must not get caught up in romance now.
Ning Rongrong felt rather embarrassed. She was not thinking about romance anyway. Aside from Tang San, none of the boys here even caught her eye, but his tangled web of relationships was such a mess that she stopped well short of it. She had no intention of sticking her foot in.
Terrifying.
After chatting with them a little longer, Ning Rongrong asked Gu Rong to help her find Qian Renyue. Then, three minutes before Xiao Wu returned, Chen Xin and Gu Rong realized that they had stayed too long. After confirming that they shared the same thought, they said goodbye to Ning Rongrong and vanished into the night.
Half a month later, at the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.
The new Imperial Fighting Team's roster had been officially finalized. Teacher Qin Ming led the team, with Yu Tianheng as captain and Dugu Yan as vice-captain. Its regular members were Qian Renyue, Osler, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and Ye Lingling, while Yu Feng served as a substitute member, ready to step in if anything unexpected happened.
The Imperial Fighting Team had already fought many team battles at the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena. However, with the change to its regular lineup, Qian Renyue had yet to develop sufficient coordination with the rest of the team. Qin Ming had therefore arranged several team matches for them, and they had spent the past few days fighting together.
In the lounge, Qin Ming watched the exciting battle on the large screen, recording Qian Renyue's strengths and weaknesses in his notebook. Since her individual strength was the most outstanding on the team, he intended to have her contribute more to their teamwork.
As a Soul Master who combined control and power attacks, Qian Renyue was the entire team's trump card.
Her ten thousand year Soul Ring and external Soul Bone were things Qin Ming had only learned about a few days earlier.
Originally, Qian Renyue had not intended to tell this man, who barely counted as her senior fellow disciple. But he was their team teacher, and teachers had the right to know their students' Soul Skills and Soul Bones. Besides, she intended to use them in battle, so she simply revealed them to Qin Ming.
Qin Ming had arranged many matches for Qian Renyue. During this period alone, her win count had shot up to twenty-eight, and her Soul Power level had risen from thirty-two to thirty-five.
Of course, that increase had not come from the matches. Rather, the God of Kindness had bestowed a Spiritual Sea of Consciousness upon her. Within it, Qian Renyue cultivated three times as quickly as usual. A vast reserve of Soul Power lay within her body, and with the help of the God of Kindness's divine power, it began to release gradually. That was why her Soul Power level had risen so rapidly.
"Little Sister Yue really is amazing!" Yu Feng had become Qian Renyue's diehard fan in the lounge. Another team battle ended, and the newly configured Imperial Fighting Team had won without question. Qian Renyue had not even used her third Soul Skill in this match.
Meanwhile, Shrek's Yu Xiaogang and Flender had also watched the match. Yu Xiaogang had previously heard about Qian Renyue from Tang San, so he seemed less surprised than Flender.
"Are you really planning to have the Little Monsters fight them?" Flender adjusted his glasses, feeling that the situation was rather thorny.
A few days earlier, the Great Soul Arena's manager had approached them, hoping to arrange a team match between the Shrek Team and the Imperial Fighting Team, and offering a hefty payment.
At first, Flender, whose eyes lit up at the sight of money, had wanted to accept immediately. But Yu Xiaogang thought they should first understand their opponents' strength. Thus, he had neither accepted nor refused, and had spent the past few days watching the Imperial Fighting Team's matches.
"They can fight them." After a long silence, Yu Xiaogang spoke. "The Imperial Fighting Team is certainly strong, but this will also be a good trial for Little San and the others. I've already obtained their members' basic information. I believe the Little Monsters have a chance of winning."
"But..." Flender frowned, his expression turning grim. "We don't know where that girl Zhu Zhuqing has gone. Our team is one member short."
"Then put in a substitute," Yu Xiaogang said. "We can't let the entire team miss this opportunity for training because of Zhu Zhuqing alone!"
"..."
Flender felt frustrated. Where was Shrek Academy supposed to find a substitute?
They only had seven students in total. Was he supposed to conjure up another person?
Besides, even if they found a substitute now, that person might not be stronger than Zhu Zhuqing. Why insist on fighting opponents above their level?
Even he, the money-grubber, had not insisted on fighting, yet this man who did not covet money was more eager than he was. It was absurd.
"..."
Flender wanted to dissuade him, but seeing how determined Yu Xiaogang was, and knowing that he had reached this decision after careful consideration, he did not know how to voice his objections. Just as he was caught between a rock and a hard place, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly appeared behind them in a tight-fitting black outfit. "Dean, Grandmaster."
At the familiar girl's cool voice, Yu Xiaogang and Flender both turned around.
"Zhu Zhuqing?"
Flender was pleasantly surprised, his brow relaxing. He had not expected Zhu Zhuqing to return on her own at this moment.
Yu Xiaogang, however, was not nearly as pleased. Looking at Zhu Zhuqing with a slight frown, he questioned her reproachfully. "Zhu Zhuqing, where have you been all this time? Everyone else has been training. What about you? I heard you left with Tang Yue. Did she take you to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
Question after question came at her, yet none held a word of concern. Amid the bustling venue, the air around Zhu Zhuqing seemed especially cold. She looked at Yu Xiaogang with a chilly, expressionless face. "That is none of your business, Grandmaster. It's a private matter. Besides, I completed my training without any problems during this time, and I've already reached level thirty. I'll participate in the team battle and graduate successfully. Rest assured, I won't desert."
A few days earlier, Qian Renyue had discussed returning to Shrek Academy with Zhu Zhuqing. After all, Zhu Zhuqing had formally enrolled there, and quitting halfway would not earn her a good reputation. Moreover, Qian Renyue would be able to graduate from Heaven Dou Royal Academy before long, so the two of them would not have much more time together anyway. It would be better for Zhu Zhuqing to return to Shrek and finish her studies. Along the way, if possible, she could even coax Ning Rongrong into leaving with her afterward, sparing her from remaining alone at the academy and enduring Xiao Wu and Tang San's eye-searing relationship.
After some consideration, Zhu Zhuqing agreed with Qian Renyue's decision. Since she had not initially reached level thirty, she had never completed the formal enrollment procedures at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. There was therefore nothing wrong with returning to Shrek now.
After half a month apart, Zhu Zhuqing's bearing had become even colder. Neither Yu Xiaogang nor Flender had expected her to speak like that, and Flender immediately frowned, preparing to reprimand her.
Zhu Zhuqing seemed to anticipate that Flender would speak, and beat him to it. "Dean, it was indeed wrong of me to disappear without saying anything. But during this half month, I haven't neglected any of my training. My level has risen, which only benefits the team and causes no harm. If you consider disappearing for half a month to raise my level a bad thing, you may punish me. I won't complain."
"..."
Flender was speechless. With a complicated look in his eyes, he pointed at Zhu Zhuqing, yet could find no way to refute her words.
Her attitude toward admitting her mistake was mediocre, but what she said was true.
The purpose of their training was to increase their Soul Power levels. Besides, the so-called training lately had actually consisted of Soul Fighting matches. Zhu Zhuqing's win count was not low; she even had one more win than Ma Hongjun. Strictly speaking, she had been training too, just not under their noses.
"Ah." Half a month apart, and she had developed quite a sharp tongue.
Flender sighed softly and said nothing more. As long as the Little Monster had returned, nothing else was a major issue.
Although Yu Xiaogang was also dissatisfied with Zhu Zhuqing's attitude, he did not dwell on it, given that they had a match coming up in a few days. "You've only just broken through to level thirty, so I assume you haven't obtained your Soul Ring yet?"
Zhu Zhuqing had previously been level twenty-nine. Now that she was level thirty, she must have just broken through. As their teacher, Yu Xiaogang had already planned what kind of Soul Beast she should hunt for her third Soul Ring. Time was short, and he had to get her Soul Ring settled before the team battle began.
As Yu Xiaogang made his plans, Zhu Zhuqing said, "I've already obtained my third Soul Ring."
With Qian Renyue and the others around, a mere third Soul Ring was nothing. Even without a teacher leading them, they could handle it easily. On the very day Zhu Zhuqing broke through, Yu Tianheng and his small group had taken her to find her third Soul Ring. Drawing on her memories of the original book, Qian Renyue had found the most suitable Soul Beast for her. Of course, Zhu Zhuqing's breakthrough to level thirty was also inseparable from Qian Renyue's help.
"You've already obtained it?" Yu Xiaogang was surprised. In just half a month, this girl had not only reached level thirty but obtained her third Soul Ring as well?
After receiving Zhu Zhuqing's confirmation, Yu Xiaogang could not help sinking into thought.
Tang Yue, oh, Tang Yue. What exactly did you do?
Meanwhile.
On the Soul Fighting Platform.
Today, Qian Renyue wore a red V-neck top, with a black ribbon tied around her waist and a metal chain draped over it, reflecting silver light. Beneath the red top, a black pleated skirt barely covered her thighs, showing off her lovely legs. Though she was not tall, the outfit accentuated her figure beautifully. Red sleeves covered her shoulders and extended down to knee level, with black, cutout bell cuffs below them. Silver ribbons connected the two different sections of the sleeves. Her long, curly brown hair spilled behind her shoulders, while two braids from the back of her head hung over the front of them. The pale blue tips were particularly eye-catching. Her features were not especially stunning, but her large, differently colored eyes and the lingering childishness of her face, still carrying a little baby fat, made her look very cute.
Once the team battle ended, the individual matches began.
Qian Renyue lacked combat experience, so Qin Ming had specifically entered her in several more one-on-one matches.
First, he wanted her to become familiar with combat. Second, he wanted to see the limits of her abilities.
As her teacher, Qin Ming still did not understand Qian Renyue well enough. For that reason, he could only ask her to work a little harder.
"Liu Tian, level thirty-five power attack system Battle Soul Elder. Martial Soul: Lone Wolf!"
Before Qian Renyue, a young man with short black hair released his Soul Power and activated his Soul Rings. An eerie werewolf silhouette appeared behind him. His face underwent Wolf Transformation, and both his hands and face took on wolf-like traits. Three Soul Rings encircled him, one within another: yellow, yellow, and purple.
An optimal Soul Ring configuration had become commonplace, so Qian Renyue paid it no mind. She released her Soul Power, and a lotus appeared in her hand, its white petals tinged with red and its center shining gold. As the lotus bloomed, a golden thread flew from its center and wound around her right wrist. Three Soul Rings glowing faintly pink appeared around her.
Yellow, yellow, black.
Although Qian Renyue's Soul Ring configuration was already common knowledge, Liu Tian still could not help revealing an envious look when he saw the ten thousand year Soul Ring opposite him. "Qian Renyue, level thirty-five control system Battle Soul Elder. Martial Soul: Nine-Petal Immortal Lotus."
But envy aside, Liu Tian did not believe he was incapable of defeating Qian Renyue.
He had a beast Martial Soul and was a power attack system Soul Master. Wouldn't beating a Soul Master with a plant-type Martial Soul be as easy as reaching out and taking it?
"Hmph!"
He snorted softly. "Qian Renyue, take this!"
Liu Tian leaped up and attacked Qian Renyue head-on. "First Soul Skill, Wolf Claw!"
His transformed wolf claws, radiating an uncanny glow, lunged at Qian Renyue. She twisted sideways and flipped, cleanly evading Liu Tian's first Soul Skill.
She plucked a petal. "Second Soul Skill, Dancing Butterflies."
Blue-and-white Butterfly Wings sprouted from her back. "First Soul Skill, Thousand Absolute Ice Prisms."
She had plucked the two petals almost simultaneously. Three icy-blue prisms appeared in her palm. Compared with before, the pale pink on their surfaces was more pronounced. At the same time, the pink aura in Qian Renyue's right eye was much stronger than it had been.
As though he had long anticipated that Qian Renyue would use those two Soul Skills together, Liu Tian gave an ambiguous snort, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. The faint, eerie aura surrounding him suddenly spread across the entire Soul Fighting Platform-
"Third Soul Skill, Wolf Transformation!"
"Second Soul Skill, Instant Flash!"
Before you continue