The next morning dawned bright and clear, the air fresh with the promise of a new day. Mei stood near the academy gates, her stomach a tight knot of conflicting emotions.
A part of her, the disciplined idol, was focused and ready for the crucial step of obtaining her second soul ring. The other part, the newfound friend, was fraught with anxiety.
She clutched the hope that Tang San, with his calm logic, had managed to talk Xiao Wu out of her impulsive plan.
'It's a futile hope, and you know it,' Ai's voice chimed in her mind, sounding far too cheerful for the situation.
'But it's charming that you still try. If that stuffy Sect Master dares to blame you for any mishap, I'll weave a curse so potent his precious glass pagoda will chime out of tune for a decade!'
Mei couldn't help a small, internal smile at Ai's dramatic protectiveness. Her external smile, however, was strained when she saw the two figures approaching.
Xiao Wu was practically vibrating with energy, bouncing towards her with a wide, excited grin. Behind her, Tang San walked with a measured pace, his expression solemn, the shadows under his eyes hinting at a night of unsuccessful reasoning.
One look at his resigned gaze told Mei everything she needed to know. The plan was on.
"Senior Mei! Good morning!" Xiao Wu chirped, skidding to a halt. "Ready for your big day?"
"Good morning, Xiao Wu, Brother San," Mei replied, her voice softer than usual. Tang San simply gave her a slight, apologetic nod.
Their small group then made their way to the luxurious hotel where the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was staying. They didn't have to wait long.
Ning Rongrong emerged, looking far more like an eager adventurer than a refined young mistress today, dressed in practical yet still expensive-looking traveling clothes.
Her eyes instantly found Tang San, and she brightened, making a beeline for him.
"Brother San! You're here!" she greeted him first, then remembered her manners, offering a quicker, "Good morning, Xiao Wu, Senior Mei." She immediately moved to hug Tang San's arm, claiming her spot.
Xiao Wu's eye twitched. A flash of pure irritation crossed her face before she forcefully smoothed her expression into a scowl.
"Hey! Hands off the merchandise!" she declared, grabbing Tang San's other arm and giving a firm yank.
A brief, silent tug-of-war ensued, Tang San standing stiffly in the middle like a prized rope, a long-suffering look on his face. Mei found the entire display both concerning and, as Ai giggled in her head, 'deliciously dramatic.'
Before the situation could escalate further, a calm, authoritative voice intervened. "Rongrong, what is all this commotion so early in the morning?"
Ning Fengzhi stood at the hotel entrance, his expression one of mild amusement as he observed the scene. His gaze then settled on the group, a silent question in his eyes.
"And to what do we all have a plan for today? Visiting the craftman district or the school."
Xiao Wu, having won the tug-of-war for the moment, puffed out her chest. " We're going to the spirit forest!" she announced proudly.
Tang San added. "We're going to help Senior Mei hunt her second soul ring. And Xiao Wu was hoping Ning Rongrong would want to join."
The declaration landed with the force of a physical blow. A wave of stunned silence swept over Ning Fengzhi and the nearby sect disciples. The disciples' faces were a picture of utter disbelief. Whispers broke out among them.
"Second ring? She's what, eight? Nine years old?"
"It took me until I was twelve to break through to the twentieth rank..."
"This... this is monstrous talent..."
Ning Fengzhi himself recovered his composure with practiced speed, though his eyes held a new, intense sharpness as they rested on Mei. The theory of her being a mere commoner from a remote village was becoming less and less tenable.
"Is that so? My congratulations on your rapid progress, Miss Mei," he said, his voice smooth and diplomatic.
"Hunting a spirit ring, however, is not a matter to be taken lightly. Are you certain you do not require assistance? One of my disciples would be honored to accompany you and ensure the process is smooth and safe."
The offer was genuine, but it was also a calculated move to keep a loyal eye on this extraordinary girl and further ingratiate his sect to her.
Mei offered a deep, respectful bow. "Thank you for your generous offer, Sect Master Ning. It is a great honor. However, I have already researched and identified a very specific spirit beast that is perfectly suited to my martial soul. It is not a particularly aggressive or dangerous species. I believe we can handle it ourselves." She kept her voice polite but firm.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Ning Fengzhi's features, but he masked it quickly. She was more independent than he had hoped.
It was then that Xiao Wu, blissfully unaware of the political undercurrents, popped the crucial question. "So, can Rongrong come with us? It'll be educational!"
Ning Fengzhi fell silent, his fingers steepled. Tang San and Mei held their breath, expecting a firm refusal. The young lady of to the sect, on an unsupervised spirit hunt with children? It was unthinkable.
After a long, weighty moment, Ning Fengzhi spoke. "Very well."
The word was so unexpected that both Tang San and Mei stared, certain they had misheard. Ning Rongrong let out a squeal of delight.
"But," Ning Fengzhi continued, his gaze sweeping over them, "you will exercise the utmost caution. Rongrong, you will listen to Tang San and Mei without question. Is that understood?"
"Understood, Father!" Ning Rongrong agreed immediately, her excitement overwhelming any thought of a rebuttal.
Ning Fengzhi gave a nearly imperceptible nod to a senior disciple standing in the shadows, who bowed slightly in acknowledgment. The message was clear: they would be followed and protected from a distance.
This, Tang San and Mei realized, was the only logical reason for his assent. He was not being reckless; he was allowing his daughter a taste of freedom under the watchful eyes of his men.
With waves and final assurances, the group of four set off towards the spirit forest outside Nuoding City. The two boys from the sect watched them go, one turning to the other and muttering, "Do you think the Young Mistress will be safe?"
His companion sighed. "With the boss and the others tailing them? She's probably safer than she is in her own room. Besides, the Sword Douluo would have never allowed it if he were here."
As they walked, Tang San finally caught what was off with the interaction. "Miss Rongrong," he asked, "where is Lord Douluo this morning? I had expected to see him with your father."
Ning Rongrong giggled. "Sword Grandpa? He came back very, very late last night. He smelled strongly of wine and was muttering about 'drunk hammers.' He's still fast asleep. Father said to let him rest."
Tang San and Mei exchanged a look. A late-night drinking session that left a Titled Douluo incapacitated? That was a story in itself.
But for now, it was a boon. It meant one less overwhelming variable on their already complicated soul ring hunt. The path ahead led into the deep, green embrace of the forest, where destiny—and a divine-arranged spirit beast—awaited.