Not only were the facilities and resources lacking, but even the food was terrible.
Such an academy actually dared to demand monstrously talented students—utterly unbelievable.
Ning Rongrong felt that in the original story,
it was already absurd enough that a sheltered young lady like her had somehow heard of a backwater academy like Shrek.
There was no doubt that Ning Fengzhi had calculated everything, even using his own daughter as part of his schemes.
After all, sending her there to temper her character wouldn't affect her ceiling of level 79, even if her innate soul power of rank 9 was delayed by a few years.
As for encountering danger… ahem.
Flender and the others shouldn't have had the guts to go that far.
Who could've predicted they'd run into a 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape later?
From a certain perspective, Ning Fengzhi's plan had been successful.
In the original story, Ning Rongrong had been "well-trained," only to be taken advantage of by some shady food-selling uncle.
"Uh… something feels off here."
Ning Rongrong shook her head, dispelling her random thoughts.
Weird, why am I thinking about the original story?
I'm Ning Rongrong now. The original plot has nothing to do with me!
After wandering around, Ning Rongrong arrived at the Glazed Tile Academy's principal's office.
A dolphin emblem hung at the entrance.
Symbolizing her Martial Soul?
Ning Rongrong didn't want to delve too deeply into certain Title Douluo's… preferences.
"Yue'er, how was your visit to the clan?"
"Mm, Uncle Ning treated Bing'er and me very well. Bing'er said she wants to stay in the clan to cultivate with Dugu Yan. Wuwuwu—Bing'er must think I'm too weak as her sister!"
"Even though we're both Soul Ancestors, how can she say I'm weak?! Who compares themselves to a monster like Dugu Yan?! Someone like me is perfectly normal, okay?!"
A 21-year-old level 43 Soul Ancestor wasn't weak at all—this was just how things were!
Soul Masters had a hard time cultivating. Sometimes it was due to talent, other times because certain people just refused to act human. She had been training seriously!
At least she was better than that Feng Xiaotian, who had innate full soul power but was only level 44 at 24.
My dear sister, why must you compare yourself to freaks?
Isn't that just asking for misery?
Knock knock—
The sound of knocking interrupted Shui Yue'er's muttering.
"Who is it? Come in!"
As Shui Cangyue's voice fell, the door slowly opened.
"Long time no see, Principal Shui Cangyue, and Sister Yue'er."
"Young Master!" Shui Cangyue shot up from her seat, her calm expression turning to shock. After all, Ning Rongrong had been missing for nearly two and a half years without a single trace.
"It's me." Ning Rongrong casually took a seat on a nearby chair. "I just finished my training and came to see how Tian Shui Academy was doing. I didn't expect so many changes."
"Rongrong… uh, Young Master." Shui Yue'er started to speak but quickly corrected herself, realizing she wasn't particularly close to the clan's heir.
"Just call me Rongrong. No need to be so formal. I'm just a humble support-type Soul Master."
"Support… Soul Master." Shui Yue'er's lips twitched.
Do you even believe your own words?
The rumors of the "Nightmare" were well-known. Others might not know, but those who had interacted with Ning Rongrong and Tokisaki Kurumi were well aware.
They definitely weren't in a simple master-disciple relationship—Kurumi often called Ning Rongrong "Master." What kind of teacher would address their student like that?
However, Shui Cangyue had strictly forbidden her daughters from prying further. Some things were better left unknown—the more you knew, the easier it was to get silenced. Besides, they were still relatively new to the clan.
"Does the clan leader know you've returned?" Shui Cangyue asked.
"Not yet. I wanted to check things out here first. Going back isn't urgent."
"Mostly, I wanted to understand what's happened over the past two years. The whole continent seems to have changed so much."
Ning Rongrong sighed.
"I see…" Shui Cangyue nodded. "If you're looking for information, I have some, though it might be limited."
"Most of it relates to the academy, since my main role is as principal of Glazed Tile Academy. For anything else, you'd have to ask the clan leader directly."
"That makes sense. It seems things have been relatively peaceful. I was half-expecting the clan to be wiped out by a level 99 Title Douluo right after Kurumi and I left."
"Though, with Grandpa Sword breaking through to level 98, the support of the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and abilities like Martial Soul Fusion and Soul Ring Fusion…"
"If they didn't slack off after I left, they might've stood a chance against a level 99. Still, I was worried."
"Uh…" Shui Cangyue was at a loss for words.
How am I supposed to respond to that?
Why does the Young Master seem more concerned about the clan's survival than Ning Fengzhi himself? Constantly fretting about a level 99 wiping them out…
This is just absurd!
Having joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for only two and a half years, Shui Cangyue had gained a new understanding of Ning Rongrong's position within it.
Her status was second only to Ning Fengzhi's—both in authority and strength. It was unbelievable.
And as for her power? Calling herself a "support-type Soul Master" was a joke.
The truth was a mystery. She had once discreetly asked Dugu Bo about Ning Rongrong's strength.
Dugu Bo admitted he didn't know either, but said it didn't matter. As long as she was around, they were safe—even against a Limit Douluo.
But if there was no danger? Then she might be the danger.
Because whenever Ning Rongrong was involved, the enemies they faced were usually Title Douluo above level 95.
Those weaker than that seemed too embarrassed to even show up and cause trouble in front of her.
Alright, the more Dugu Bo talked, the more ridiculous it sounded.
"Principal Shui, I plan to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament in three months." Ning Rongrong casually dropped a bombshell.
"W-what?!" Before Shui Cangyue could react, Shui Yue'er jumped up like a strangled chicken. "My dear Young Master, are you trying to leave no chance for anyone else?!"
"I'm just an ordinary support-type Soul Master. Isn't it normal for me to join the tournament?" Ning Rongrong spread her hands.
"No, this is just bullying!"
Dugu Yan had told Shui Yue'er that even now, she still wasn't a match for Ning Rongrong from over two years ago.
"Huh? How is it bullying? Some participants are over ten years older than me. Me joining at such a young age is practically a favor to them."
"Or should I wait until I'm 25?" Ning Rongrong shrugged again.
"Then… may I ask, Young Master, what level are you currently?"
"Not sure. My cultivation method is different from yours." Ning Rongrong smiled. "But don't worry, my normal strength shouldn't be at Title Douluo level."
Shui Yue'er: "…"
Not Title Douluo, but Soul Douluo is still insane!
And that's just her normal strength. What about the abnormal side?
Three years ago, Shui Yue'er had witnessed Ning Rongrong defeat Dugu Yan, a level 58 Soul King.
But according to Dugu Yan's later explanation, her combat power at the time was no weaker than a Soul Emperor's—and her toxicity could even force Soul Sages to retreat.
Just remembering how it took a Title Douluo and a Soul Douluo working together to suppress Dugu Yan's poison mist was enough to show how absurd Ning Rongrong was.
"I heard the Spirit Hall has an exceptionally strong participant this time. Is she your target?" Shui Cangyue couldn't understand Ning Rongrong's motive for joining.
"Do you know her identity?"