Searching for Ning Rongrong

Another half a year passed. During that time, Shui Bing'er and the others also came to the Great Soul Arena to take part in Soul Master matches.

"Phew, our opponents in this team battle were unexpectedly strong. But even without Tianshuang stepping in, we still beat them easily. That shows how much our strength and teamwork have improved."

Having just won a team battle, the members of Skywater Academy listened to Shui Bing'er's post-battle assessment in the lounge.

"Ugh, Auntie went off to lead a team to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. Otherwise, with her here, how could you bully us every day? We used to have just one team battle a week, and that was enough. Now that Auntie's away, Sister, you've arranged not only one team battle a week, but two individual matches too. You've put my poor little arms and legs through so much that they've gotten skinny."

Shui Bing'er swept a cold glance over Shui Yue'er, who immediately darted behind Yu Tianshuang like a startled kitten.

"Y-you, stay back! I'm telling you, when Auntie comes back, I'm going to complain to her."

"All right, Senior, don't hold it against her. She's just running her mouth; she still carries out your arrangements diligently. And you, stop provoking Senior for no reason. Since Teacher left, she's been under a lot of pressure as the team captain."

"Fine, fine. I was just griping. I wouldn't really complain to Auntie. I know Sister's doing this for our own good."

"Good. Now let's continue with everyone's individual problems. Xue Wu, yours was the biggest just now. After using Winter Snow Sacrificial Dance, you acted as though there was nothing else for you to do. You're a Power Attack System Soul Master; you should have helped Yue'er and me attack the other side."

"Oh, Bing'er~~ I thought that with Winter Snow Sacrificial Dance boosting you, one Extreme Freezing Ray from you would finish them off."

Looking at Xue Wu as she shook her arm, Shui Bing'er said helplessly, "What if you misjudge the situation? You have to fight with the attitude of giving it your all at all times."

"Okay, I'll watch out next time."

Xue Wu stuck out her tongue as she spoke.

"Everyone else did well. That's all, then. Head back to the academy. Of course, anyone who hasn't finished their individual matches for the week should finish them first."

With that, she shot Shui Yue'er a fierce glare, turned, and left.

Shui Yue'er's face fell when she heard that. Once Shui Bing'er turned around, she bared her teeth and made faces at her back.

"Hey, dummy, are you going back to the academy too? I-I still have one individual match left. Wait for me, will you? We can leave together once I'm done."

Shui Yue'er's pretty face was slightly flushed as she looked shyly at Yu Tianshuang's back. He was walking side by side with Ye Lingling.

Yu Tianshuang turned around and looked at Shui Yue'er, who had her head lowered and was obviously a little ill at ease. He found it a little strange, but nodded all the same.

"All right, we'll head back together when you're done. Lingling, let's wait. It's almost mealtime anyway, and we won't make it back to the cafeteria in time."

Ye Hanhan looked at Yu Tianshuang, then at Shui Yue'er, who didn't dare meet her eyes. With a radiant smile, she said, "Okay, whatever you say."

"Hey, hey, dummy, did you see that? That silly goose didn't touch me once. I ran circles around him, then kicked him right off the platform. Haha!"

Shui Yue'er walked ahead of the two, gesturing excitedly as she spoke. Yu Tianshuang felt that strange feeling from before had vanished again, and Shui Yue'er seemed as lively and cheerful as ever.

"Young friend Yu, please wait."

Just then, a refined, calm voice came from behind them.

The three turned around and saw Ning Fengzhi standing side by side with Gu Rong, a cane in his hand.

Yu Tianshuang said, "Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Senior Gu."

Ye Lingling said, "Hello, Uncle Ning, Grandpa Gu."

Although Shui Yue'er didn't know either of them, she followed Yu Tianshuang and Ye Lingling's example and said, "Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Senior Gu."

"No need for formalities. It's been so long since we last met, young friend, yet you're as heroic and spirited as ever, with all the grace of youth. Lingling has grown prettier and prettier too. And this young lady is very cute as well. You must be a young lady of the Shui Family, haha."

After they exchanged pleasantries for a while, Ning Fengzhi composed himself, then said with a somewhat helpless expression, "Young friend, our meeting this time wasn't actually a coincidence. I was on my way to Skywater Academy specifically to find you. I didn't expect to run into you on the road."

When he finished, he looked hesitant, and his tone was rather helpless.

"Ah, Rongrong left a letter in her room this morning and ran off. The three of us chased after her, intending to stop her, but..."

"Fengzhi, let me explain. Ah, little Yu, this wasn't Fengzhi's fault. It was mainly your grandfather and me. You know how we've treated Rongrong like our own granddaughter since she was little. She's the pearl we've held in our hands. After we caught up to her, she acted all sweet with your grandfather and me, and we forgot everything. As a result, as a result... ah..."

With that, he gave himself a hard smack on the head.

"My daughter acted sweet with Uncle Gu and Uncle Jian, and the two of them let her go off on her own. How could we possibly be at ease with a young girl like her out there alone? But we'd already promised to let her go study on her own, so all I can do is ask you for help, young friend. When you were at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, that girl was always clinging to you. She'll surely listen to what you say. I'm sorry for the trouble, but please bring Rongrong back. Even if she doesn't want to stay at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she could go to any academy in Heaven Dou Imperial City. Ah."

Seeing how helpless the people before them were when it came to Ning Rongrong, Shui Yue'er let out a snort of laughter before Yu Tianshuang could speak, then hurriedly covered her mouth.

Yu Tianshuang glanced at Shui Yue'er, who was covering her mouth, then cupped his hands and said, "Sect Master Ning, Senior Gu, rest assured. I'll bring Rongrong back safely."

"Ah, sorry to trouble you with this, young friend."

As Yu Tianshuang traveled along the main road from Heaven Dou Imperial City to Balak Kingdom, he couldn't help taking a map and a promotional poster introducing Shrek Academy out of the Storage Soul Tool ring on his hand again.

"An academy founded by Flender, the Flying Corner, one of the Golden Iron Triangle. Graduates can become imperial viscounts. 'We only recruit monsters, not mediocrities.' At first glance, this poster really does sound impressive. But only after asking around did I learn that the academy has just a handful of teachers and doesn't have any sort of cultivation environment or resources. To put it bluntly, anyone with a discerning eye can see that it's just an academy that harms its students, relying on a few talented ones to make a name for itself."

"Of the students who go to Shrek Academy, if they can meet this so-called requirement of recruiting only monsters, wouldn't they be better off at any other academy? Wouldn't their future achievements be greater? Honestly, Rongrong really is still too young. If it doesn't work out, I'll discuss it with Teacher and have Rongrong come to Skywater Academy."