The Iron Triangle's Rapport

Their argument drew a crowd of nearby students. Yu Xiaogang, who had been watching from a short distance away, hurried over. When he saw the scene before him, he immediately grasped the gist of what had happened.

He frowned at Ning Rongrong, his tone tinged with displeasure. "Ning Rongrong, Tang San genuinely wants to be your friend. He was just a little direct about it. Why must you be so aggressive?"

Ning Rongrong turned and saw Yu Xiaogang, a trace of mockery appearing on her face. "Grandmaster Yu? You're quick to defend your own student. But friendship has to be mutual. He was rude and tried to force a gift on someone who didn't like it. Was I wrong to refuse him?"

"Tang San is a rare genius with Innate Full Soul Power. His Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul may seem ordinary, but its potential is boundless," Yu Xiaogang said gravely. "Being friends with him would benefit both of you. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect needs the support of strong people, and Tang San's future achievements will be limitless. You shouldn't reject him over a passing fit of temper."

"A genius?" Ning Rongrong sounded as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "Grandmaster Yu, your own Martial Soul can't even break through level thirty, yet you have the nerve to judge whether someone else is a genius?"

She paused, her tone growing sharper. "Besides, even if he is a genius, no one will want to be his friend if he doesn't know how to respect others! When I, Ning Rongrong, make friends, I look at their character and whether we get along, not their potential or strength!"

Her words were like a sharp knife, piercing Yu Xiaogang exactly where it hurt. His face turned pale in an instant, and his lips moved, but he could find no words to refute her.

Luo Sanpao's defect and the humiliation of being stuck at level twenty-nine for years were his lifelong obsession. Ning Rongrong's words were undoubtedly rubbing salt in his wounds.

"You've gone too far!" Seeing his teacher humiliated, Tang San's eyes flashed with anger. His Blue Silver Grass quietly tensed, as if he were about to attack.

"What? You want to fight?" Ning Rongrong showed no fear, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shone even brighter. "Come on, then! Let's see if you, the 'genius,' can beat me!"

Just as swords were drawn and crossbows bent, two figures hurried over. "Rongrong, what's wrong?" Yan Zu's voice was gentle but carried an unquestionable force. He walked to Ning Rongrong's side and quietly placed himself in front of her, looking calmly at Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. "Let's talk this out. There's no need to fight."

Xiao Wu also stood beside Yan Zu, hands on her hips as she glared at Tang San. "Tang San, why are you bullying Rongrong?"

At the sight of Yan Zu and Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong seemed to have found someone to back her up. She pouted aggrievedly. "A-Zu, he insisted on being friends with me and even gave me Hidden Weapons. I refused him, and his teacher took his side and mocked me!"

Yan Zu looked at Tang San and spoke evenly. "Tang San, friendship depends on fate. You can't force it. If Rongrong doesn't like it, don't press her."

He then looked at Yu Xiaogang. "Grandmaster Yu, Rongrong is young and spoke a little bluntly. Please don't take offense. But when making friends, you really should respect the other person's wishes."

Yu Xiaogang's face was grim, but he knew it would be difficult to press the matter further. He tugged on Tang San's arm. "Little San, let's go."

Tang San looked resentfully at Ning Rongrong as she hid behind Yan Zu, then saw the hostility in Xiao Wu's eyes when she looked at him. The jealousy and resentment in his heart grew like wild grass.

He gave Yan Zu a long look, his gaze cold and stubborn, full of defiance. Only then did he turn and leave with Yu Xiaogang.

Seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, the gathered students dispersed. Ning Rongrong held Yan Zu's arm, still indignant. "A-Zu, that Tang San is so strange! And Yu Xiaogang has no ability himself, but he still helps his student force others to be friends with him. He's awful!"

"All right, don't be angry." Yan Zu rubbed her hair. "Tang San just doesn't know how to get along with girls. He meant no harm. Grandmaster Yu was only defending his own; he wasn't deliberately targeting you."

Xiao Wu chimed in, "Exactly. We can just ignore someone with no manners like that! Rongrong, let's go read."

"Right!" Ning Rongrong immediately forgot her earlier unhappiness. She pulled Yan Zu and Xiao Wu toward the scholar tree at the edge of the training ground, chattering about the events in the book as a bright smile bloomed on her face again.

Meanwhile, in the shadow of the teaching building not far away, Tang San stopped and looked back at the close-knit figures of the three beneath the scholar tree. His fists clenched tightly.

Yu Xiaogang watched him and offered gentle comfort. "Don't mind her. Ning Rongrong is used to being spoiled and willful. She isn't worth getting angry over. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is important, but it isn't the only option."

"I'm not angry that she rejected me." Tang San's voice was low and cold. "I'm angry at Yan Zu. It's always him. Whether it's Xiao Wu or Ning Rongrong, everyone revolves around him!"

He thought of Xiao Wu's dependence on Yan Zu and Ning Rongrong's trust in him, and the jealousy in his heart spread wildly like a poisonous vine. "Teacher, I will surpass him! I'll make everyone see that I'm stronger than him!"

A trace of satisfaction flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, and he patted Tang San on the shoulder. "That's the spirit! Train hard. You have Twin Martial Souls and boundless potential. You'll definitely surpass him in the future."

Tang San said nothing. He simply turned and walked toward the training ground, his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul appearing again, bearing a suppressed anger. He knew that if he wanted to surpass Yan Zu and get what he wanted, he had to become stronger-so strong that no one could ignore him.

In the first week of the school year, Ning Rongrong became the center of attention at Nuoding Academy, as everyone expected.

Not only was she from a distinguished background and exceptionally beautiful, but she was also lively and outgoing. Though she was somewhat spoiled and willful, coupled with her status as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's little princess, it instead made others feel she was genuine and unaffected.

Yet the place she spent the most time was at Yan Zu and Xiao Wu's side.

"Yan Zu, I don't quite understand this question about circulating Soul Power. Can you explain it to me?"

"Sister Xiao Wu, that movement technique you just used was amazing! Can I learn it from you?"

"Little Jade, Little Jade, come have some of this preserved fruit I brought from home!"

At first, Xiao Wu still felt a subtle unease about Ning Rongrong drawing close to them. Whenever she saw Ning Rongrong bring a book over to ask Yan Zu questions, or look at him admiringly with those bright eyes, she would unconsciously press her lips together and quietly grab the hem of his clothes.

But Ning Rongrong was simply too pure. Her admiration for Yan Zu came from how deeply she connected with those stories and the extensive knowledge he displayed;

Her closeness to Xiao Wu, meanwhile, came from her admiration for Xiao Wu's strength and her natural fondness for an "older sister."

She was like a crystal without a single impurity. When she liked someone, she liked them; when she was curious, she was curious. She didn't have a single romantic thought.

After spending time together a few times, Xiao Wu gradually let her guard down as well. In particular, when Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes and sincerely said, "Sister Xiao Wu, you're so amazing. From now on, you're my real sister," the girl's sweet innocence was impossible to resist.

And so, an unusual sight appeared at Nuoding Academy:

The plainly dressed work-study students Yan Zu and Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, the richly dressed little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, often walked side by side, discussing their lessons, sparring with Soul Skills, or sharing snacks.

Yan Zu was steady like an older brother, Xiao Wu lively like an older sister, and Ning Rongrong sweet and innocent like a little sister. Together, they formed a wonderful harmony.

In private, the students began calling them the "Iron Triangle"-though this triangle's members were entirely different from those in the original story.