Chapter 35: Progress
When Chen Sheng heard the news revealed by Supervisor Ao, he also had some guesses. It seemed his arrival had created a butterfly effect, causing the Royal Fight Team to arrive early in Soto City.
Later that day, Chen Sheng visited the blacksmith shop in Soto City to check on some equipment maintenance. As he entered, he spotted Tang San in a corner, carefully crafting hidden weapons with intense concentration.
Chen Sheng paused, observing Tang San's meticulous work for a moment. His mind drifted to thoughts about Tang San's future relationship with Ning Fengzhi and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
In the original timeline, Chen Sheng reflected, Ning Fengzhi sided completely with Tang San, which almost caused the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to be destroyed and its people annihilated!
And afterwards, Ning Fengzhi even thanked Tang San profusely, saying that if it weren't for the Godly Zhuge Crossbows, their Sect would definitely have been wiped out just like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
Chen Sheng's expression turned contemplative as he considered this. It could be said that to curry favor with Tang San, Ning Fengzhi even abandoned his dignity. But those hidden weapons were bought by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with real money at extremely high prices. Was it really necessary to be so humble?
His thoughts continued down this path. What Ning Fengzhi hadn't considered was that if he hadn't been so tightly bound to Tang San, Spirit Hall—seeing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's powerful auxiliary spirits—would have definitely tried to recruit them instead of destroying them.
Although Ning Rongrong being tied to Shrek Academy was a factor, Ning Fengzhi, as the leader of a Sect with only two Titled Douluo, dared to directly oppose Spirit Hall. If he had been a bit more rational, with his considerable intelligence, he should have realized that it was impossible for his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to contend with Spirit Hall at that time.
Yet Ning Fengzhi, who always valued the lives of his Sect disciples above all else, chose to 'confront' Spirit Hall head-on. In the end, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo both met tragic ends, sacrificing themselves to retrieve Tang San's body. Ning Fengzhi's hair turned white overnight from grief and stress.
Chen Sheng, with the clarity of an outsider who knew the future, continued his analysis. If it were me in that situation, I would definitely have chosen to side with Spirit Hall, at least temporarily. Although Bibi Dong was already close to madness during the war, judging from the three days she gave the Heaven Dou Empire to consider surrendering, at least after the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect surrendered, they wouldn't have been treated too badly in the short term.
Of course, he acknowledged to himself, this is also hindsight speaking. After all, the final victory belonged to Tang San's side, and Spirit Hall was ultimately annihilated. Moreover, Bibi Dong still harbored the twisted idea of leading Spirit Hall to its peak and then destroying it herself. Whether the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect surrendering would have actually been a good choice is still questionable.
As Chen Sheng thought more deeply about it, a troubling realization emerged. It seems that no matter what choice was made in that timeline, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's final outcome didn't seem to be very good. They were caught between two massive forces with no truly safe path.
He shook his head slightly, clearing these heavy thoughts. But that timeline doesn't exist anymore. With my presence, things will be different. I won't let the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect fall into such a tragic situation. And I certainly won't let Ning Fengzhi bind himself so foolishly to Tang San.
Tang San seemed to sense someone watching him and looked up. His eyes met Chen Sheng's for a brief moment before Chen Sheng nodded and left the shop.
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The next day...
Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi departed from Soto City, returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's main headquarters. They needed to report the remarkable weapon Chen Sheng had gifted them and begin production arrangements.
Before leaving, Chen Xin had given Chen Sheng a meaningful look and a slight smile, as if saying, I'm watching over my potential granddaughter-in-law's happiness.
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That afternoon...
The training ground behind Shrek Academy was filled with focused energy. Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were still practicing the phantom movement technique Chen Sheng had taught them.
Xiao Wu made the fastest progress by far. Her movements had become noticeably more fluid and swift, with afterimages beginning to appear when she moved at full speed. Her natural agility combined with the technique created impressive results.
"Haha! Brother Sheng, look! I'm getting so much better!" Xiao Wu called out excitedly, demonstrating a complex series of rapid movements.
"Very good, Xiao Wu," Chen Sheng praised genuinely. "Your Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul gives you a natural advantage with flexibility-based techniques. You're mastering this faster than I expected."
This was still with Chen Sheng's careful guidance. Xiao Wu's martial spirit, the Soft Bone Rabbit, was inherently related to flexibility and agility. The movement technique he taught complemented her natural abilities perfectly, allowing rapid improvement.
However, Ning Rongrong was struggling significantly.
"Hey, it's so difficult!" Ning Rongrong panted, stopping her practice with frustration clear on her face. "When can I move as fast as you, Chen Sheng? Do you have any other suggestions or techniques you can teach me?"
She looked genuinely discouraged. Ning Rongrong had never felt as useless as she did today during training.
This feeling was mainly because Xiao Wu was already showing such obvious success with the technique. There's no harm without comparison—seeing Xiao Wu's rapid progress made Ning Rongrong's difficulties feel even more pronounced.
Chen Sheng walked over to her with an understanding expression. "Rongrong, don't be so hard on yourself. Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is a pure support-type martial soul. It doesn't naturally enhance physical abilities like Xiao Wu's or Zhuqing's martial souls do. You're essentially working with a significant disadvantage."
"But I still want to improve!" Ning Rongrong insisted stubbornly. "I don't want to always be protected in the back. I want to be able to move quickly and support my teammates better!"
Chen Sheng smiled at her determination. "That's a good attitude. Here, let me help you with your foundation first. Your stance and weight distribution are slightly off."
He moved behind Ning Rongrong and gently adjusted her posture, his hands guiding her shoulders into the proper position. "Your center of gravity needs to be lower and more balanced. Support-type spirit masters often neglect basic physical training, but it's actually crucial for survival."
Ning Rongrong could feel Chen Sheng's hands on her shoulders, warm and steady. Her heart began beating faster for reasons that had nothing to do with physical exertion.
"Now, try the first movement again, but focus on feeling the energy flow through your body rather than forcing speed," Chen Sheng instructed patiently, his voice close to her ear.
Ning Rongrong followed his guidance, attempting the movement with more awareness of her body's natural rhythms. To her surprise, it felt smoother than before.
"Better!" Chen Sheng encouraged. "You see? You're not lacking talent—you just needed to understand how your body works differently from attack-type spirit masters."
He continued adjusting her form, demonstrating movements slowly so she could follow. "For support-type spirit masters, this movement technique isn't about raw speed. It's about efficient positioning and energy conservation. You need to be able to move to safety quickly without exhausting your spirit power that should be used for support abilities."
Ning Rongrong practiced the modified approach several times, and indeed, she began showing noticeable improvement. Her movements became more controlled and purposeful rather than the rushed, clumsy attempts from before.
"Chen Sheng, you're an amazing teacher!" Ning Rongrong said with genuine admiration, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
After about an hour of intensive guidance, both Chen Sheng and Ning Rongrong took a break, sitting together under a shaded tree to rest.
"You know," Ning Rongrong said softly, "before coming to Shrek Academy, I never really pushed myself like this. Everyone always treated me like a delicate princess who needed protection always."
Chen Sheng nodded thoughtfully. "That's natural given your status and martial soul type. But you're right to want to improve your self-defense capabilities. The world can be dangerous, and even support-type spirit masters need to survive long enough to provide support."
Ning Rongrong smiled warmly at his understanding. "You never treat me like I'm fragile or useless. You see potential in me that others don't."
"Because you do have potential," Chen Sheng replied sincerely. "Your determination and willingness to work hard despite your disadvantages shows real strength of character."
As they talked, Chen Sheng suddenly grabbed Ning Rongrong's shoulders to demonstrate a point about posture. Their eyes met unexpectedly at close range.
The two looked at each other for several seconds, neither moving. Chen Sheng's deep eyes seemed to see right through her, making Ning Rongrong's breath catch in her throat.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ning Rongrong couldn't take the intensity anymore. She quickly looked away and took a few steps back, her face burning.
She felt hot all over, and her cheeks were probably bright red. Her heart was racing so fast she worried Chen Sheng might actually hear it.
[Detected! Ning Rongrong's shyness and growing romantic feelings. Congratulations to Host, Treasure Chest acquired!]
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong remembered a conversation she'd had with Grandpa Sword and her father just before they left. They had spoken privately about Chen Sheng, about the marriage proposal, about the kind of future she might have...
Combined with her recent close contact with Chen Sheng during training, and now this moment... her face turned even redder!
Oh no, what am I thinking?! Ning Rongrong's thoughts raced in embarrassment and confusion.
"Huh? Rongrong, what's wrong? Your face is suddenly so red?"
Zhu Zhuqing, having finished a set of practice movements, noticed Chen Sheng and Ning Rongrong resting together. She walked over curiously but was immediately surprised by Ning Rongrong's flushed appearance.
"Ah? This, this might be because it's too hot?" Ning Rongrong stammered unconvincingly, desperately trying to think of an excuse. "Look at the sun! It's so hot I'm going to die! Zhuqing, don't you think it's incredibly hot today? Alright, I should go continue cultivating now!"
Without waiting for a response, Ning Rongrong practically fled back to the training area, resuming her practice with exaggerated focus.
Zhu Zhuqing looked up at the sun in confusion, then back at Ning Rongrong's retreating figure. She thought for a moment with her usual analytical mind.
Aren't Spirit Masters able to regulate their body temperature by evaporating perspiration with spirit power? We can maintain a constant comfortable temperature regardless of weather. How could she feel hot from the sun?
Zhu Zhuqing's cold, intelligent eyes shifted to Chen Sheng, who maintained a neutral expression but had the slightest hint of amusement in his eyes.
Understanding suddenly dawned on Zhu Zhuqing's face. She said nothing, but a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of her usually expressionless mouth.
So that's how it is, she thought. Rongrong's feelings for Chen Sheng are developing quickly. I suppose this competition is truly challenging.
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That night...
Chen Sheng sat alone in his room, the moonlight streaming through his window. He had accumulated quite a few treasure chests over the past several days from various emotional reactions.
Time to see what new rewards await, he thought, settling into a comfortable meditation position.
He closed his eyes and focused his consciousness on the system space where the treasure chests floated, waiting to be opened.
[Opening Treasure Chest...]
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