Before Ning Rongrong could react much, Dai Mubai spoke as well.
With his arms folded, he frowned at Ning Rongrong.
"Fatty is right."
"We've spent so long learning to work together, yet you're suddenly leaving just like that."
"You never treated us as friends at all."
"In that case, there's nothing more to say."
Dai Mubai's voice turned cold.
"The next time we meet, we'll be enemies."
At his words, Ning Rongrong's face paled slightly.
She looked at Dai Mubai and opened her mouth, her lips trembling slightly.
Had she really done something wrong?
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly strained.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward.
She swept a cold glance over Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
"That's enough from you two."
"Rongrong finally has a chance to make up for her martial soul's flaws."
"If you had an opportunity like this, would you give it up?"
"Of course she should seize it."
Dai Mubai's expression shifted slightly at Zhu Zhuqing's words.
His lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing more.
Ma Hongjun, however, still wanted to say something.
Tang San stepped forward and interrupted him.
He looked at Ning Rongrong, his gaze complicated.
"Rongrong."
"Leaving is your right."
"We have no right to stop you from pursuing a better future."
Tang San paused, his voice deepening.
"But if we meet in the Soul Master Tournament."
"We won't go easy on you either."
Ning Rongrong raised her head and looked at Tang San.
After taking a deep breath, she wiped the tears from her face and nodded firmly.
"I understand."
With that, she turned and bowed slightly toward Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong.
"Dean Flender, Grandmaster, Teacher Erlong."
"Thank you for looking after me all this time."
Then she headed toward the academy gates without looking back.
Behind her, Ma Hongjun's disdainful voice rang out again.
"Hmph, such a spoiled princess. Why pretend she cares so much about us?"
"The academy spent all this time training her, and she just turns around and leaves."
Ning Rongrong's steps faltered slightly.
But she did not look back. Biting her lip, she continued forward.
Until she walked out through the academy gates.
A figure was already waiting at the entrance.
Chen Xin.
Sword Douluo stood at the entrance, his brow furrowing slightly when he saw Ning Rongrong emerge with reddened eyes.
"Rongrong, why are you crying?"
Ning Rongrong shook her head without speaking.
Chen Xin glanced toward the academy gates.
But he said nothing more. Taking Ning Rongrong with him, he vanished in a flash.
In Shrek Academy's courtyard, after Ning Rongrong's figure had disappeared completely.
Tang San looked at Flender and spoke.
"Dean, the Soul Master Tournament is fast approaching, and we're still short one teammate."
"We need to fill the spot as soon as possible."
The Soul Master Tournament required a team of at least seven.
With Ning Rongrong gone, only six members remained in their main lineup.
They also needed substitutes. What if something unexpected happened?
Flender patted his chest.
"Don't worry, Little San. Dean Liu and the others have plenty of students here."
"I guarantee we'll find you a suitable support-type Soul Master very soon."
Tang San nodded and said nothing more.
Nearby, Ma Hongjun walked over to Oscar, who had remained silent throughout.
He patted Oscar's shoulder, wearing an "I understand" expression.
"Brother, don't be sad."
"Three-legged toads may be hard to find, but two-legged women are everywhere."
"If all else fails, I'll introduce you to the woman who helps me deal with my evil fire."
Oscar rolled his eyes at him and shook off his hand.
"Get lost."
Ma Hongjun chuckled, unbothered.
Just then.
A rift suddenly split open in the space above their heads.
A figure flew out of the rift and landed before them.
Bone Douluo, Gu Rong!
After landing, he swept a glance over Ma Hongjun and the others.
That single glance made Ma Hongjun stiffen all over.
A Titled Douluo's pressure was no laughing matter.
Then, ignoring everyone else, Gu Rong turned to Flender.
With a casual toss, he sent a money pouch flying toward Flender.
Flender caught it and hefted it, his expression shifting slightly.
Gu Rong spoke indifferently.
"There are ten thousand Gold Soul Coins in there."
"Consider it our Rongrong's tuition."
Flender's lips moved as he tried to say something.
But Gu Rong gave him no chance.
Before leaving, Gu Rong's gaze settled on Ma Hongjun.
He fixed Ma Hongjun with a look.
That single look sent a chill shooting from the soles of Ma Hongjun's feet to the crown of his head.
Every hair on his body stood on end.
Gu Rong's cold voice rang out.
"Our Rongrong is a princess to begin with."
"So what if she acts like a spoiled princess?"
With that, Gu Rong paid them no further attention.
He vanished in a flash.
In the courtyard, everyone exchanged looks.
Fine beads of cold sweat seeped from Ma Hongjun's forehead.
For a moment just now, he had almost thought he was going to die.
Tang San stood to one side, secretly clenching his fists.
Even after he had told Ning Rongrong that he had a chance of helping her evolve her martial soul, she had still chosen to leave.
When all was said and done, she still looked down on him.
He swore to himself.
I must find that hidden realm!
When the time comes, she'll definitely regret it.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After returning to the sect, Ning Rongrong remained gloomy for several days.
She shut herself in her room and refused to see anyone.
Seeing his daughter like this, Ning Fengzhi felt distressed as well.
He planned to wait a while, until Ning Rongrong's emotions had settled, before sending her to Skywater Academy.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong did not disturb her either.
And so, another ten days passed.
The Nine Dragon Tower, the top-floor Cultivation Room.
Shen Yan slowly opened his eyes.
He had completely absorbed the medicinal potency of the narcissus jade muscle bone.
He could clearly feel that his soul power had become somewhat more concentrated.
Nourished by the narcissus jade muscle bone, the meridians throughout his body had grown broader and more resilient.
Even his looks had risen a notch.
He was on par with that Brother Kun who had practiced for two and a half years!
Shen Yan stretched his limbs, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
The singular velvet sky chrysanthemum tempered his muscles and bones externally, while the narcissus jade muscle bone nourished his meridians internally.
One worked outside, the other within; the results were even better than he had expected.
Next came the eight-petal immortal orchid.
It would strengthen his foundation and replenish his vitality, repairing the hidden injuries left in his body after refining the previous two immortal herbs.
He planned to enter the medicinal bath to temper his body while absorbing the eight-petal immortal orchid.
With a thought from Shen Yan, a crystalline, snow-white eight-petal immortal orchid appeared in his hand.
Just as he was about to take it.
Little Tower's voice suddenly rang out.
[Tower Master, Dugu Bo is currently inside the tower as well.]
Shen Yan's hand paused slightly as he held the eight-petal immortal orchid.
He raised his head, a trace of puzzlement flashing through his eyes.
"Dugu Bo?"
"Why has he come back again?"
[Tower Master, not long ago, he went to make trouble for Tang San and the others, and Tang Hao gave him a beating.] [When he was gravely injured, the Tower Token you left him saved his life and brought him back.]
At this, Shen Yan's expression turned cold.
"That damn Tang Hao. He even dared to hit one of my people. I'll remember this grudge."
Shen Yan held out the eight-petal immortal orchid in his hand.
"Give this to Dugu Bo and have him absorb it."
Before you continue