In the afternoon, the four of them left Shrek Academy.
The setting sun bathed the prestigious academy in a glorious golden light, and the bustling training grounds and the students' youthful energy seemed to reflect a thriving and prosperous state of affairs.
In the shadows within that gleaming gate, Dai Mubai stood alone, gazing in the direction the four had departed, until their figures completely disappeared around the street corner.
He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, the last trace of hesitation in the depths of his evil eyes had completely disappeared, leaving only the resolute determination to gamble everything before sinking into the cold abyss.
The four first escorted Ning Rongrong back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Upon arriving at the castle-like sect, which resembled a white jade sculpture and shimmered with light, Ning Rongrong warmly invited Tang Feng, Zhu Zhuqing, and Oscar to come in and rest for a day.
Tang Feng had originally intended to meet Ning Fengzhi about Oscar and Ning Rongrong, so the three of them readily agreed.
Ning Fengzhi took Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing's visit very seriously and personally greeted them in the main hall along with Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong.
The atmosphere in the hall was initially quite harmonious. Ning Fengzhi refined and gentle, inquiring about the recent situation of the group. Although Chen Xin and Gu Rong had very different temperaments, one sharp and the other calm, they both looked at Ning Rongrong with the loving gaze of an elder, and were also very polite to Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing.
After a few rounds of drinks, Oscar suddenly put down his glass, stood up and walked into the hall. He bowed deeply to Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong, his usual playful smile completely gone, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.
Then he raised his head, his gaze clear and firm, and said, " Sect Master Ning, Senior Jian, Senior Bone, I have a request. Rongrong and I are mutually in love. I, Oscar, truly love Rongrong and hope to be with her for life. I humbly request the three seniors to grant my request."
A brief silence fell over the room upon hearing this. Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed, but her eyes shone with a bright and determined light as she looked at her father and two grandfathers without flinching.
Ning Fengzhi's gentle smile remained unchanged, but his eyes became more profound.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong also put down their wine glasses, their gazes falling on Oscar, an invisible pressure rising within them.
Ning Fengzhi slowly spoke, " Little Ao, we see your feelings. We also know how good you are to Rongrong. However... the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School has an unwritten rule passed down through generations: the owner of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul must have a partner who is Battle Soul Master. This is not due to sectarian prejudice, but to compensate for the lack of combat power of Auxiliary System Soul Master and to ensure the safety of the inheritor and the future of the sect. You... are Food System Soul Master."
This is precisely the biggest obstacle between Oscar and Ning Rongrong, and also the most difficult problem for Ning Fengzhi and the others.
It wasn't that they disliked Oscar; on the contrary, they greatly admired the boy's talent and character. However, sect rules and practical considerations prevented them from easily agreeing.
Oscar had anticipated this. He didn't back down; instead, he straightened his back and said, " Sect Master Ning, esteemed seniors, I understand the rules. But I would like to ask you all to see if I am truly... utterly powerless to protect anyone."
Before he could finish speaking, he shouted, " Fourth Soul Skill, Heaven and Earth Creation Sausage!"
A peculiar Sausage instantly took shape in his hands, which he quickly swallowed. Immediately afterward, he made a fist with both hands, his Soul Power surged, and a long staff, dark gold in color, with cloud patterns at both ends and exuding a heavy aura, materialized in his hands out of thin air!
It is modeled after Tang Feng's " Ruyi Jingu Bang " (the magic staff), and although it lacks that terrifying weight and spirituality, it is still awe-inspiring.
"This is a physical object created by my Fourth Soul Skill; its shape and weight can be slightly altered at will."
As Oscar explained, he shifted his feet, and his staff flashed, displaying an exquisite staff technique—the " Sea-Calming Staff Technique " taught by Tang Feng— with a fierce and powerful offensive.
His gaze was intense as he looked at Chen Xin and said, "Please enlighten me Senior Jian!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Xin's eyes. He nodded slightly, not using his Martial Soul, but simply pointing his fingers like a sword in the air. A condensed, almost tangible sword aura shot out, heading straight for Oscar's face.
Oscar neither dodged nor evaded, but let out a low roar, his long staff surging forth like a dragon emerging from the sea, delivering a " Break Formation" move to meet the attack head-on!
"Clang!"
The sound of metal clashing rang out, Oscar groaned, and took three steps back. His arm trembled slightly, and his tiger's mouth was split open and bleeding, but he still managed to dissipate the sword energy with a single blow!
Chen Xin withdrew his finger, his eyes filled with even greater approval. "To be able to withstand two-tenths of my sword energy, demonstrating a perfect balance of offense and defense, truly befits Battle Soul Master. Such attack power is no weaker than that of Battle Soul Master of the same level."
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were also moved. They could see that Oscar's strike was not just for show; it was a practical staff technique and combat awareness that could only be acquired through life-and-death experience.
Oscar steadied his breathing without pausing, knowing it wasn't enough. He looked at Tang Feng, Tang Feng understood and flicked a drop of blood from his fingertip towards him. Oscar caught the drop, his expression grave. " Fifth Soul Skill, Duplicating Mirror Image Sausage!"
As the Sausage entered his stomach, in an instant, a heavy, domineering dragon's might, carrying a contradictory aura of heat and cold, rose from Oscar's body!
He made a grasping motion with both hands, and a phantom image of Clear Sky Hammer, entirely dark gold and Entanglement with crimson and ice-blue patterns, materialized in his hands. The moment the hammerhead appeared, its immense weight caused the surrounding air to freeze!
" Clear Sky Hammer!" Chen Xin and Gu Rong uttered in a low voice almost simultaneously, and Ning Fengzhi also suddenly sat up straight.
However, the next moment, an awkward scene unfolded.
Tang Feng's Clear Sky Hammer is just too heavy!
Even at only 70% of its weight, it was far beyond what Oscar's current physical and Soul Power could fully control.
The hammer shadow had barely solidified when it began to sink uncontrollably downwards.
"Boom!"
The hammer struck the ground, and the hard, iron-like bluestone slab instantly cracked, spreading out in several fissures!
Oscar's face flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead, and despite using all his Soul Power, he was unable to truly lift and wield the " Clear Sky Hammer "!
Oscar could only say helplessly, "I'm sorry... Brother Feng's Clear Sky Hammer... is too heavy!"
But this demonstration is enough!
The surprise in Ning Fengzhi's eyes gradually turned into undisguised admiration. He exchanged a glance with Chen Xin Gu Rong, and they both saw the same answer in each other's eyes.
He walked up to Oscar, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Good boy, we've all seen your determination and ability. You've truly defied convention... Although you're not a traditional Battle Soul Master, the 'possibilities' you possess far exceed those of many Battle Soul Master."
Ning Fengzhi then looked at Ning Rongrong, whose fingers were nervously twisting together, and then at Oscar, whose face was full of expectation and trepidation. He slowly nodded and said, " Little Ao, you have proven with your hard work and talent that you are capable of protecting Rongrong. I, along with Uncle Jian and Uncle Bone, agree to you two being together."
"Daddy! Grandpa Sword! Grandpa Bone!" Ning Rongrong's eyes instantly reddened, and she rushed over to hug Ning Fengzhi. Oscar was also too excited to speak.
Just then, Tang Feng stepped forward, holding out a jade box that emitted a hazy, purplish-black light, making one feel slightly dizzy at first glance.
He calmly said, " Sect Master Ning, Senior Jian, Senior Bone. Little Ao is my brother, and Rongrong is like my sister. Today they are finally united, and I am happy for them. This is the 'betrothal gift' I prepared for Little Ao long ago, and today is the perfect time."
He opened the jade box, and a strange spiritual fluctuation spread out. Inside the box lay a crystal-clear skull Soul Bone with a mesmerizing aura.
Tang Feng said, "The ' Illusion Realm Skull ' with a lifespan of 50,000 years is an extremely rare gem-type Soul Bone, and it is most compatible with Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. It can not only greatly enhance her mental power, but also make her more adept at using Heart Separation Control and precise assistance."
Oscar was stunned. He looked at the precious Soul Bone, then at Tang Feng, and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Tang Feng directly placed the jade box into his hand. Oscar took a deep breath, did not refuse, but turned around and solemnly presented the jade box to Ning Rongrong, saying, " Rongrong, I, Oscar, have nothing of value but this sincere heart. Today, I offer this Soul Bone as my betrothal gift. From this day forward, everything I do will be for the sake of protecting your smile. Marry me?"
Ning Rongrong was already in tears. She looked at Oscar, who was solemn as if making an oath, and then at the Soul Bone that symbolized priceless friendship. Her heart was filled with immense happiness and emotion.
She playfully punched Oscar's shoulder, her tears turning to laughter, but she accepted the heavy jade box with utmost care and tenderness, clutching it tightly to her chest, and nodded vigorously. "Silly boy... I promise you."