Zhu Zhuqing's Defeat

In the blink of an eye, the night had passed.

Ning Jiao and Ning Rongrong were woken by Zhu Zhuqing. After a quick wash, the three left their room and entered Teacher Erlong's room next door.

"Children, Teacher Zhao Wuji gathered some information last night."

"According to Teacher Zhao Wuji, the academies are all rushing here because a piece of news suddenly spread through Heaven Dou City: the Soul Beast that deity wants us to crusade against is in Star Dou."

Liu Erlong spoke with a grave expression.

"Children, I'm wondering whether I should take you to another Soul Beast forest."

Liu Erlong let out a long sigh, beginning to beat the retreat.

She herself was not afraid, but losing even one of these little treasures in her care would be a serious problem.

As an academy teacher, protecting her students naturally had to be her first duty when they were away.

"Can that information be confirmed?"

Tang Lan frowned slightly. Going to another Soul Beast territory would take too long, there and back.

"It should be reliable. Although we don't know where the information came from, His Eminence Poison Douluo has already confirmed it."

"And... apparently, people from Spirit Hall have come too."

Liu Erlong spoke in a low voice.

"Then why would such crucial information suddenly get out?"

Tang Lan pressed further.

"How would I know?"

Liu Erlong shrugged. Tang Lan was really putting her on the spot with that question.

"Because someone lacks confidence, yet has confidence too..."

Ning Rongrong spoke softly. Having absorbed things through constant exposure, she was somewhat familiar with these maneuvers.

"The source of the information lacks confidence that he can win the deity's favor."

"But he's confident he can outshine everyone else. So all he has to do is muddy the waters and stand out from those muddy waters, and he'll naturally draw the deity's attention."

"Then, even if something really does go wrong, perhaps he can still obtain the Godhood Inheritance through that first impression he made on the deity."

Ning Rongrong offered her analysis. It was something easy enough to work out.

"Then let's put it to a vote. I'm out of ideas anyway."

"Raise your hand if you still want to enter Star Dou Great Forest."

Liu Erlong pressed a hand to her forehead helplessly. Fighting was fine, but no one should come to her for brainwork.

"I want to give it a try."

After a moment's thought, Tang Lan raised her hand. Others had confidence; did she not have confidence too?

Twin martial souls plus innate full soul power-aside from Ning Jiao, she had never feared anyone!

Godhood might not be beyond her reach!

"All right, I'll go too."

Xiao Wu glanced over, seemingly wanting to follow Tang Lan.

In truth, she rather wanted to seek refuge with that transformed member of her own kind.

"I refuse."

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. There was no need to take such a risk.

"I refuse too."

Ning Jiao sided with Zhu Zhuqing. He still intended to wait for Blue Sky to develop his forces before making his presence felt. Going now would mean nothing but a beating.

"I want to go."

After a moment's silence, Ning Rongrong gave Ning Jiao a deep look and raised her hand.

"Hm?"

Ning Jiao's eyes widened in surprise as he looked with considerable puzzlement at Ning Rongrong's raised little fair hand.

"I want to become a god."

Ning Rongrong bit her lower lip and looked earnestly into Ning Jiao's eyes. She said nothing, yet seemed to have said everything.

Ning Jiao fell silent.

Zhu Zhuqing fell silent too. If being the first to stand by Ning Jiao before had counted as a small victory, then today, she had lost utterly.

"All right, three votes to two..."

"Then how about this? I'll take Tang Lan and the other two in for soul hunting. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Jiao, you two will head back with Teacher Zhao Wuji first."

"Once we finish soul hunting, we'll take you to another forest together to hunt for your souls. How does that sound?"

Liu Erlong chose her words carefully. Ning Jiao and Zhu Zhuqing did not want to take the risk, and naturally, she would not force them.

"Actually, I was joking before. I'm already so strong that godhood is a sure thing. A godhood handed out for free-why turn it down?"

"I'm raising my hand too!"

Grinning, Ning Jiao changed his mind and moved to Ning Rongrong's side.

You scoundrel!

Ning Rongrong's nose stung, and she gripped Ning Jiao's hand tightly.

"Ning Jiao, we're calling this a soul hunt, but from what Tang Lan and Rongrong said, you should understand that they want to get involved in this major crusade against the Soul Beast."

Liu Erlong warned him solemnly, her heart filled with aching bitterness.

Of course she knew that, with Ning Jiao's quick mind, he must understand the dangers involved.

Yet for Rongrong, he had stepped into it without hesitation all the same.

But Xiaogang...

"If I don't speak first in Star Dou, what Soul Master... what female Soul Master would dare make a sound?"

Ning Jiao lifted his chin, defiant and domineering.

"You little lunatics, every last one of you!"

"You really aren't afraid of anything!"

Liu Erlong scolded them with a laugh, her eyes instantly reddening.

She did not ask that Xiaogang do what Ning Jiao had done. Could he not at least have been willing to take her away with him?

"Teacher, I'll come along too. There's strength in numbers."

After a moment's silence, Zhu Zhuqing spoke up and changed her mind as well.

She had made her choice long ago. From now on, she only wanted to live for herself.

Did she like Ning Jiao? She was not sure, but she knew that on the battlefield, there was only advance, no retreat. Once she retreated, there would never be a possibility between her and Ning Jiao again.

With that, all five votes were in favor!

"Then let's go. I'd like to see just how impressive this so-called divinely ordained war really is!"

"Haha, who knows? I might actually teach a few gods!"

Liu Erlong raised her hand and slapped Ning Jiao on the shoulder, sending him stumbling.

She roared with laughter.

"Why don't you just slap me to death?"

Ning Jiao straightened up and looked speechlessly at Liu Erlong, who resorted to her hands at the drop of a hat. Only he could take it. Had it been any other Soul Elder, that slap would have been enough to send everyone to a funeral feast.

"Hahaha, I'm just happy! You're the only one who can let me vent a little."

Laughing heartily, Liu Erlong slapped Ning Jiao again.

"Good grief, letting you vent a little..."

Ning Jiao shifted his shoulders, pushing Liu Erlong aside.

Not annoyed in the slightest, Liu Erlong simply laughed as she headed for the door. Since none of them were leaving, there was no need to split the group. This way, their combined strength would be greater too.

"Why did you..."

Inside the room, Ning Rongrong bit her lower lip and quietly asked Ning Jiao beside her. She could not help wanting to know what he truly thought.

"Look at all those people outside. None of them are worried about their lives."

"Maybe they have some inside information. Perhaps it isn't all that dangerous?"

"Besides, with me and the two teachers working together, plus your support, we basically won't face any danger from anyone below a Title Douluo."

"Of course, male Soul Beasts are another matter..."

Ning Jiao shrugged and began rambling.

"Don't change the subject!"

"I'm asking why you followed me into this ris-"

Before Ning Rongrong could finish her flustered protest, Ning Jiao cut her off!

"Haven't I made it obvious enough? With so many people around, you're the only one I'll marry~"

Ning Jiao tilted his head. Before his eyes, the pink-haired girl's earlobes instantly flushed red, the color spreading to her face.