Only after the conversation ended did Li Changsheng let the three return to their dormitories to rest.
"Teacher Changsheng, do we have to carry these jars all the time? Even while sleeping?"
"It's not quite that strict. Just carry them whenever you aren't sleeping!"
"O-okay."
Oscar carefully hoisted the jar onto his back, then used his Soul Power to seal its mouth.
Threads of Soul Power crept upward, and fine beads of sweat even began forming on Oscar's forehead. Never mind having to compensate the dean if he broke it-even if he did not have to pay, he still did not want to break it.
It was like a little game. No matter how uninterested someone was, once they started playing, they would not let their guard down.
Finally, with the last surge of Soul Power, the jar's mouth was sealed without a single gap.
"Whew."
"Not bad, Little Ao! Perfect on your first try!"
Tang San could not help smiling as he watched Oscar work so hard.
Nearby, Li Changsheng and Flender nodded at the sight as well, then turned toward the teachers' dormitories.
"Hmph!"
Ning Rongrong gave a light snort and strode toward the girls' dormitory with the jar on her back, as though nothing were out of the ordinary.
She had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's exclusive Heart Separation Control secret technique. Although she had not made any particular effort to practice it back at the sect, she had at least grasped the basics.
She had attained the lowest level, the Three Aperture Governing Heart.
"Rongrong-she's already gotten the hang of it?" Oscar felt rather dejected. He had to rack his brains to control it, yet the girl he had fallen for at first sight had managed it in one step?
"Calm down, Little Ao. Ning Rongrong is the princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Their sect has a Heart Separation Control technique. Judging by her, she's probably already grasped the basics."
Tang San unconsciously activated his Purple Demon Eye to observe her. Perhaps only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect knew about this secret technique on the continent, but his teacher Li Changsheng had taught him about it too!
This explanation made Oscar feel considerably better, because he knew Tang San would not speak carelessly. After all, he had received Teacher Changsheng's instruction for several years, and his theoretical knowledge was even more extensive than that of most teachers.
"Little San, what do you think it feels like to like someone?"
"Hm? Why are you asking? Don't tell me you like Ning Rongrong?"
Tang San spotted the clue at once, and the two chatted about gossip as they strolled back toward their dormitory.
Under Tang San's constant probing, Oscar could not hold out at all. In the end, he could only nod and admit that he liked Ning Rongrong a little.
"She-she's very cute, like a sprite among the flowers!" After hesitating for a moment, Oscar blushed and voiced his feelings.
Bang, bang-
His excitement made the Soul Power on the jar waver, nearly blasting the pickles out.
"Little Ao, you need to know that you can't judge a person by their appearance. Before you fully understand Ning Rongrong's personality, shouldn't you at least observe her? As the saying goes, when a stirring heart goes too far, it becomes a tribulation of the heart!"
Adding one stroke to the character for "stirring" turned it into "tribulation."
Persuaded by Tang San's words, Oscar immediately calmed down again.
That's right. I don't even understand Ning Rongrong, so how can I talk about liking her?
Isn't love at first sight just lust at first sight?
At this thought, Oscar's complexion instantly returned to normal. He felt that he really did need to observe her more!
"Thank you, Little San!"
"What's there to thank me for? We're buddies!"
"Little San, you're so practiced at this. Don't tell me this is how you wooed Xiao Wu?"
"She's my little sister!"
Meanwhile, on Li Changsheng's side.
The two reached a small grove and stopped together.
"Come out!"
Flender spoke first, his expression calm. Li Changsheng was equally composed, both hands tucked into his jacket pockets.
Rustle-
Amid the sound of brushing grass, a tall, thin figure in white robes and a mask slowly emerged.
He said nothing and made no move to fight.
Facing Flender and Li Changsheng, he bowed slightly and offered a white letter with both hands.
"A messenger from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Changsheng, take a look.
77
"Dean Flender, the sect master requested that you personally-"
"It's fine. Changsheng is my closest brother. His wishes are mine as well!"
Li Changsheng said nothing. He accepted the envelope, opened it, and began reading.
Its contents were fairly simple. Ning Fengzhi merely hoped that Flender would discipline Ning Rongrong properly and make this "Little Demoness" a little more obedient.
"We understand Sect Master Ning's wishes."
"Then I shall take my leave!"
The messenger hesitated no further. With a flicker, he disappeared from the spot, leaving Flender and Li Changsheng alone.
Flender chuckled at Li Changsheng. "With this letter, I was planning to be stricter with Ning Rongrong from now on. But with you here, Changsheng, I can take things a little easier!"
"They say education makes no distinctions. Even a Little Demoness who seems ill-tempered to outsiders will grow up one day!"
The corners of Li Changsheng's mouth curved upward. At least Ning Rongrong had not shown a particularly bad attitude tonight. Could that also be taken to mean that she wanted to change?
"Hahaha, you still speak so bookishly, Changsheng. In that case, how about having Old Zhao accompany you to the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow?"
"Either way is fine. Why aren't you going?"
"I'm the dean!"
They exchanged a smile, then headed toward the dormitories together.
Time slowly passed.
The next day, in the boys' dormitory.
Dawn had only just begun to break.
"Mmm-"
Rubbing his eyes, Tang San slowly woke. Turning his head, he saw Oscar sitting cross-legged at the head of his bed.
His eyes were tightly shut, and the jar was still on his back.
Was Little Ao actually working this hard? Had he cultivated all night?
They had a two-person room, with Tang San and Oscar sharing it.
Hum-
As the Soul Power within him surged, milky-white Soul Power continually emerged around Oscar, and his white hair fluttered with its flow.
Time slowly passed. Tang San had long since finished washing up, but he did not leave. Instead, he stood guard beside Oscar. He could sense that Oscar was about to break through to rank thirty!
Boom!!
Who knew how much time had passed-ten minutes, or perhaps half an hour.
A noise rang out inside Oscar, like the sound of an eggshell cracking.
Rank thirty-he had broken through!
At that moment, Tang San's gaze sharpened. Blue Silver Grass shot from his hand straight toward Oscar's back and bound the jar.
"I broke through!!"
Before Tang San could breathe a sigh of relief, Oscar threw his arms around him and exclaimed excitedly, "Little San! I broke through to rank thirty!
"Not bad. Now you won't have to sit at the same table as some old man who's rank twenty-nine and past fifty!"
Tang San patted Oscar's back, his tone relaxing. Luckily, the jar had not exploded, or wouldn't their dormitory have turned into a pool of brine?
"What old man?"
"Nothing. Let's go assemble. I might already be late from staying here to guard you."