The following morning, the Shrek team gathered at the training ground for their morning meeting, as usual.
On stage, Yu Xiaogang, whose injuries had subsided, first gave a long speech, then glanced at Zhao Wuji before raising his head and stating bluntly, " Teacher Zhao is suited for basic training, but the team's tactical system is complex. From now on, I will be in charge of coordinating everyone's training plan."
The implication is clear: to marginalize Zhao Wuji, establish one's own authority, and gain absolute control over the Shrek Team.
Everyone understood that Yu Xiaogang, relying on Liu Erlong's support, wanted to consolidate control and oust Zhao Wuji.
Naturally, some people were unhappy with this statement. Ning Rongrong, who was fearless, immediately retorted, " Grandmaster, Dean Flender personally promised that Teacher Zhao would continue to be in charge of our training after we come to Heaven Dou City. I believe Dean Flender wouldn't break his promise, would he?"
Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing followed suit, expressing their desire to continue being trained by Zhao Wuji.
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang immediately reprimanded sternly, "I am now the team's coach, and all of the team's training should naturally be arranged by me!"
Ning Rongrong ignored all the arguing and stated bluntly, "I disagree. We've all made significant progress under Teacher Zhao's training. If you can suggest a better solution, please let us know. If it works, we'll have no objections. But if anyone is only doing this for their own selfish reasons, I'll voluntarily leave the team!"
Caught off guard by Ning Rongrong's sudden question, Yu Xiaogang was completely unprepared and couldn't come up with any more effective training methods. His once-recovering zombie-like face turned purple again from Ning Rongrong's words.
Zhao Wuji, standing to the side, wore a gloating expression, wanting to laugh but unable to, his already bronze complexion darkening even further as he suppressed his laughter.
Seeing this, Flender quickly tried to smooth things over, and after much persuasion, the final result was that the training would proceed as planned, with the participants split into two groups.
Liu Erlong didn't want internal strife to break out in the newly merged academy, so he kindly advised Yu Xiaogang.
Despite the earnest persuasion of the two deans, Yu Xiaogang, seeing no hope of achieving his goal, could only give up in Youyou.
The group trained according to the original plan. During the day, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Zhu Zhuqing were trained by Zhao Wuji, while Tang San, Meng Yiran, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai were trained by Yu Xiaogang. However, to ensure the overall situation, Yu Xiaogang was assigned to participate in tactical explanations for two classes each week.
In the evening, teams of seven, led by Flender and Yu Xiaogang, would go to the Heaven Dou City Great Soul Arena to hone their Soul Fighting and improve their coordination.
The undercurrent of internal strife stirred up by Grandmaster Yu was thus quelled.
As night fell, the lights of the Heaven Dou Imperial City came on. The Shrek Academy students finished their day of Soul Fighting training and filed out of the Great Soul Arena.
Ma Hongjun hooked his arm around Dai Mubai's shoulder, lowered his voice, and winked, "Come on, Boss Dai, Heaven Dou City is so bustling, there must be beauties everywhere! Shall we two go and check it out?"
Upon hearing this, everyone cast disdainful glances their way; it seemed this "brothel duo" was about to make a comeback.
Dai Mubai was already holding back his anger, and subconsciously glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't even glance at Dai Mubai, turned around and left side by side with Ning Rongrong, their backs as cold as ice sculptures.
Dai Mubai was already extremely frustrated, and his pride flared up instantly when Dai Mubai Zhu Zhuqing him.
"Fine, let's go!" Dai Mubai suddenly raised his voice, as if he were sulking with someone, "It's my treat! Fatty, pick the best place, let's have a good time tonight!"
"Alright! Boss Dai generous!" Ma Hongjun flattered, his chubby face scrunched up, and pulled Dai Mubai toward the brightly lit, bustling area in the south of the city.
The two separated from the group, their figures quickly disappearing into the crowd and lamplight.
On the other side, the streetlights cast a dim, yellowish glow on the cobblestone pavement. Ning Rongrong linked arms with Zhu Zhuqing, their steps light and quick. She didn't turn around, not even sparing a glance at the dazzling lights behind them. After her heart died, even disgust was superfluous.
" Zhu Zhuqing, don't pay them any mind," Ning Rongrong patted her hand, comforting her softly, "Men are all idiots."
Zhu Zhuqing rarely smiled, but a very faint smile appeared on her lips, " Rongrong, I'm fine. I stopped caring a long time ago."
Zhu Zhuqing looked up at the brightly lit center of Heaven Dou City in the distance, her eyes reflecting the dazzling lights. "Right now, I just want to train hard. I promised him I would become stronger and take control of my own destiny."
As the night breeze blew by, she seemed to hear again the words that person had said to her before leaving.
Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong puffed out her cheeks and stomped her foot angrily. "Men are all the same! That guy Tang Feng just left without a word, abandoning you here without a care!"
Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed, and the tips of her ears turned a faint blush. She lowered her eyes to hide the turmoil in them, but she couldn't hide the inexplicable longing in her heart.
"No, don't talk nonsense, it's not what you think..." she muttered softly, her voice so low that probably only she could hear it.
At that moment, Oscar, who was closely following behind the two girls, quickly raised his hand to show his support. "No, I'm not! I'll accompany you back to the academy, and... and protect you while I'm at it!"
Ning Rongrong turned around and rolled her eyes at Oscar, but didn't chase Oscar away. The three of them, two beautiful figures and one honest-looking back, slowly blended into the dazzling night of Heaven Dou City.
Tang San watched the two groups part ways and could only shake his head helplessly. He took Tang San Meng Yiran's hand, their fingers intertwined, and said, "Let's go too, let's go to the night market, and I'll buy you a candied hawthorn skewer while we're at it?"
Meng Yiran nodded with a sweet smile, her slender waist pressed tightly against Tang San Tang San, and they joined the crowd side by side. Under the lamplight, the shadows of the young man and woman stretched long, slowly extending into the depths of the bustling night.
I wonder what Xiao Wu, now Soul Ring and Soul Bone, would think if she saw this scene? Time really can heal all wounds, as if she had never been to this human world.
As the night breeze blew, the lights of Heaven Dou City shone even brighter. Some were reveling in pleasure, some were heartbroken, and others held hands, quietly enjoying their peace and sweetness.
In the days that followed, the Shrek Seven Devils settled down at the Shrek Academy (formerly Blue Tyrant Academy ).
Of course, this time the incident of Dugu Bo kidnapping Tang San and exposing the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well did not happen again.
After all, Dugu Yan was the victor in the Soul Fighting in Suotuo City, and it was a crushing victory.
As for the breaking of the Jade Phosphor Purple Poison, Tang Feng and Dugu Bo had already discussed it. It mainly relied on Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame and Realgar. When the flame is strong enough, it is indeed the nemesis of poison. This is a consensus.
Moreover, the Jade Phosphor Purple Poison used by Dugu Yan was too concentrated, so it's not surprising that it was broken.
Ten days later, as the last rays of the setting sun sank into the back mountain, the Shrek Seven Devils completed their training for the day.
Ning Rongrong successfully broke through to level 30. Flender originally planned to personally take her to Sunset Forest to hunt for Soul Ring, but Ning Rongrong politely declined. "Dean, I want to go home and ask my father and two grandfathers for help. They should be more familiar with Soul Beast suitable for my Martial Soul."
Flender naturally wouldn't refuse, and went along with it, announcing a day off tomorrow. Upon hearing the news, even the composed Tang San couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, let alone Ma Hongjun, who was sprawled on the ground.
The next morning, Ning Rongrong quickly packed her things, thinking that it had been more than eight months since she left home, and her father and two grandfathers must be missing her terribly. More importantly, she had to get the sect to see the Hidden Weapon that Tang San had given them as soon as possible, as they were treasures that could double the overall combat strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
She rushed excitedly to a cliff on the back mountain, and sure enough, she saw Zhu Zhuqing cultivating alone on the edge of the cliff, sweat sliding down her pale jawline.
" Zhu Zhuqing!" Ning Rongrong rushed over and hugged her arm, her voice saccharine sweetness, "Come with me to the sect! Just for one day!"
"I want to cultivate." Zhu Zhuqing naturally refused coldly.
"Oh dear! You're practically a cultivation maniac! Don't you know the importance of work-life balance?" Ning Rongrong used her charm, clinging to her arm and swaying back and forth. "Just spend one day with me, you haven't been to the city in ages. Besides..."
She suddenly lowered her voice and winked mischievously, "Don't you want to find out about Tang Feng? My dad has a very good network of contacts; maybe he has some information about him."