Now, both the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires' top young geniuses were gathered at Shrek Academy.
Once these talents grew up, Flender's Shrek Academy would become a shining star among all academies.And he himself would rise among the upper ranks of the continent's powers!
At such a crucial time, so close on the brink of harvest, he absolutely could not afford to offend any of these great clans. Otherwise, all his efforts would go to waste.
Seeing Flender's cold, decisive tone, Ma Hongjun didn't dare speak further. Even Dai Mubai held his tongue.
Among the Six Great Families, one was his own White Tiger Duke's House, and another was the Zhu Clan. He knew better than anyone how delicate these ties were.
With just a few words, Flender had finalized the matter. Even if Yu Xiaogang was unwilling, he could only wait until after this to resume their combat training.
For Ning Rongrong, Flender's decision was perfect.
Whether he approved or not, she was going. Her "leave request" was simply a formality.
After nodding to the others, she turned and headed toward Soto City.
It had been more than two years since she last saw Dugu Feng.
Ning Rongrong still vividly remembered the years they had spent together at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
When they first met, she and the Feng brothers—Feng Ling and Feng Li—had refused to accept Dugu Feng's talent. But after battling him in the arena, they trained day and night, determined to surpass him...only to be defeated again and again.
Later, Dugu Feng vanished for three years. When he returned, his strength had completely eclipsed them all. Among their generation, no one could compare.
At that time, Ning Rongrong finally gave up the idea of competing with him. That kind of talent was rare even among monsters. Becoming a Titled Douluo was practically guaranteed.
Dugu Feng fit perfectly with the image of the ideal partner for the heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
With that thought, Ning Rongrong trained alongside him for more than half a year and those were the most fulfilling days she had ever experienced since beginning her cultivation. And during that time, her heart quietly fell for him.
She was nearly certain that Dugu Feng was the one she would choose!
But then, Bone Douluo told her a cruel truth that the Dugu family's martial soul carried a fatal flaw. The mortality rate of their partners approached one hundred percent.
The news struck her like a bolt from the heavens. She wept for a long time, then forced herself to calm down.
Finally, she followed her father Ning Fengzhi's advice and came to Shrek Academy.
At Shrek, she met geniuses like Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Zhu Zhuqing, but none could compare to Dugu Feng's terrifying talent.
Even Tang San, with his twin spirits— in Ning Rongrong's eyes, whether in cultivation speed or combat power, he was still far behind Dugu Feng.
Later, she heard from her clan that during his three-year disappearance, Dugu Feng had gone to the City of Slaughter and emerged with the Killing God Domain!
That once again confirmed his monstrous nature!
This time, Ning Rongrong had found her confidence. Even if Dugu Feng's martial soul was flawed, he would find a way to overcome it.
To her, Dugu Feng was such a person—a monster who defied the heavens themselves.
And she, Ning Rongrong, would not let such a man slip away! When she inherited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, how could she secure her position as sect master without a powerful partner at her side?
Ning Rongrong's heart beat faster with every step toward Soto City. She didn't even know what she would say, or what she would do when they met.
But one thing she knew for certain...if she didn't take the initiative, that cold, proud man would never come looking for her.
That heartless cultivation maniac!
Cursing softly under her breath, Ning Rongrong quickened her pace toward the Great Spirit Arena.
Before long, she arrived.
With her identity and her clan's emblem, she was quickly escorted to Dugu Feng's private room.
Taking a deep breath, determination shone in her eyes as she raised her hand to knock.
But before her fingers touched the door—it opened from the inside.
Dugu Feng stood there, looking straight at her.
"Rongrong, it's been a long time."
Ning Rongrong froze for a moment, caught off guard by his sudden appearance.
Steadying herself, she said lightly, "You came to Soto City and didn't even tell me? My father said you should come visit me. But you didn't—seems life in Heaven Dou City's too carefree for you to remember me at all!"
Her tone was playful as she walked naturally into the room, as if meeting an old friend after years apart.
She wore a sky-blue dress cinched at the waist with a golden sash, accentuating her slender, graceful figure—she clearly dressed with care.
Two years had passed, and at thirteen, Ning Rongrong had grown more mature, her beauty more refined. For a moment, Dugu Feng's gaze brightened.
"Rongrong, you're so beautiful. How could I ever forget you?"
"Really? With that flat tone, am I supposed to feel flattered?"
Ning Rongrong pouted, turning toward the window with a soft huff, leaving him only her delicate back.
His words made her heart flutter—but his calm expression frustrated her. She'd spent hours preparing for this, after all.
"Rongrong's all grown up," Dugu Feng said with a faint smile, "you've truly surprised me today."
He walked over and gently brushed a hand through her long, silky hair.
Ning Rongrong's heartbeat spiked instantly. "Just surprised?" she turned, her voice soft but anxious.
Dugu Feng met her gaze, then, without hesitation, slipped an arm around her slender waist.
Ning Rongrong froze,then, as his warmth enveloped her, she couldn't hold back any longer.
With a cry like a startled bird, she threw herself into his chest, her arms tightening around him.
"Can't you ever take the initiative? Must I always come find you?"
Her voice trembled; her eyes were rimmed red.
Dugu Feng chuckled softly, patting her back. "My martial soul has a flaw. Aren't you afraid?"
"If I were afraid, I wouldn't be here.
When Grandpa Gu told me about your family's martial soul, I was scared, yes. But over these two years, I've thought it through. You're the one I've chosen!"
Ning Rongrong smiled, her tone tinged with proud defiance.
Dugu Feng couldn't help but laugh. "You little witch… I'll be the future head of the Dugu Clan, and you'll be the next master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. When that day comes—who leads whom?"
A glimmer of cunning flashed in Ning Rongrong's eyes. "Of course, I'll listen to you!
But as for Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone well, you'll have to convince them yourself. If your strength surpasses theirs, they'll naturally listen to you."
She had clearly thought this through long ago. Truly, a sly little girl.
"You really are a cunning little witch—painting me a grand picture to chase after." Dugu Feng smiled faintly.
"Fufufu~", Ning Rongrong giggled triumphantly.
"As long as you're strong enough," she said proudly, "the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be your dowry!"
Dugu Feng blinked, momentarily stunned.
He glanced left and right, lowering his voice. "Your Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone aren't hiding nearby, are they? If I even think about accepting that dowry, won't they blast me with a soul skill on the spot?"