Chapter 52: The Little Demon Girl's Awakening

Ning Rongrong heard this and looked very unwilling: "My Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can definitely become stronger; I am the person with the best cultivation talent in the history of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

Yang Xiong laughed: "Cultivation talent? Given the limits of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, does the quality of cultivation talent really make such a huge difference? Besides Sect Leader Ning Zong Zhu, who is a Level 79 Soul Saint, the sect should have many other Level 79 Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Saints, right? Then why is it that Ning Fengzhi becomes the sect leader while the others not only cause no trouble but are utterly loyal?"

Ning Rongrong was at a loss for words, and Yang Xiong continued: "The world is ever‑changing; you must have already encountered a lot of knowledge about the Soul Master World. The Spirit Hall is far more powerful than anyone imagined, and the pressure on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is far greater than you think."

"In recent years, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has developed well, even surpassing five thousand Soul Grandmasters overall, but compared with the Spirit Hall it is still far too weak. The Clear Sky Sect of old was far stronger than the current Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, but what about now?"

"Sect Leader Ning Zong Zhu specifically sent you to Shrek Academy to let you see the true cruelty of the Soul Master World; otherwise, with your current experience and ability, could you possibly push the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to new heights again, or even maintain its present standing?"

"Even the Sword Bone Douluo and Bone Douluo are already quite old, older than you imagine. As the next sect leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, you cannot forever rely only on the senior Douluos Sword Bone Douluo and Bone Douluo, and the sect cannot be without a Title Douluo. With your current state, can you gain the Title Douluo's support and make the Title Douluo loyally serve the sect?"

Ning Rongrong's face darkened at these words; she had never considered such matters, and no one inside the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would dare raise these questions with her.

Still, Ning Rongrong forced herself forward, a bit unwilling: "So what? I'm still young; I'll have time to learn in the future."

Yang Xiong retorted: "What do you think of Shrek Academy? Especially how are the students there?"

Ning Rongrong thought carefully of all the classmates: "All the students have very good talent; in our previous class no one could surpass them, and they might even be better than me."

Yang Xiong smiled: "Now everyone is a student, at their simplest and weakest stage. If you can't earn their recognition now, you certainly won't in the future when they become powerful; remember, several of them already possess the bearing of a Title Douluo."

"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is ultimately a support‑type sect; no matter how strong, it's best to make few enemies. Have you ever seen Sect Leader Ning Zong Zhu actively fall out with those top masters?"

Ning Rongrong thought for a while before speaking: "I just don't like the way Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun act—leering at girls, especially Dai Mubai. Back at the Rose Hotel I saw him hugging women on both sides, and now he pretends to be deeply affectionate toward Zhu Zhuqing."

Yang Xiong grew a bit serious: "Dai Mubai, whose martial soul is White Tiger, and Zhu Zhuqing, whose martial soul is Netherworld Spirit Cat, are not from the Heaven Dou Empire; they come from the Star Luo Empire. You should know what these two martial souls mean for the Star Luo Empire—they likely hail from the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Zhu Family, and their lineage is no less than yours."

"Especially Dai Mubai—you should be clear about the Star Luo Imperial Family's succession rules. He is likely a prince of the Star Luo Empire, probably came to the Heaven Dou Empire to avoid his family."

"I know girls like you prefer a monogamous partner, but have you considered that even your father, Sect Leader Ning Zong Zhu, has many women? In the Soul Master World, a man having three wives and four concubines is normal; as long as you're strong enough, none of this is a problem—in fact, it may even be beneficial, because martial souls need to be passed down, and many offspring can make a family or sect stronger."

Ning Rongrong's face darkened at this: "Xiao Xiongzi, I thought you were only cultivating to become stronger—do you also have such thoughts?"

Yang Xiong felt a surge of sarcasm: "Rong Rong, I only want to cultivate now and haven't thought about other matters, but remember, the Soul Master World has only one rule: the strong are supreme. My effort to become stronger is to grasp my own destiny, at least not be at the mercy of others."

Ning Rongrong retorted: "You're my disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; who could easily handle you? Could you have some other hidden agenda?"

Yang Xiong felt a surge of sarcasm; this Little Demon Girl had just been crushed into tears, yet suddenly became so sharp‑witted.

"Rong Rong, is the sect absolutely safe? I'm only a student now; perhaps I can cultivate peacefully within the sect, but sooner or later I'll have to face the many enemies of the Soul Master World. Won't I need to serve the sect in the future? I certainly don't want to be killed when enemies appear."

Ning Rongrong watched Yang Xiong's odd expression, feeling that he seemed to have something hidden in his words, as if evading something.

"Then what should I do now? I just got scolded; should I apologize to Flanders?"

Yang Xiong laughed: "Rong Rong, you're the Little Princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, but here at Shrek Academy you're just a student learning. Isn't it normal for students to make mistakes? There's nothing shameful about it. Moreover, if you truly don't want to study here, we can leave right now; the world doesn't have only one Shrek Academy."

Ning Rongrong's face showed a hint of indignation: "It's that Stinky Dad again—why did he make me come to Shrek Academy? I will never concede easily; I must prove myself to Dad."

Yang Xiong quickly said: "Then you must think carefully; Flanders is especially strict with Support Spirit Masters. Though he's not entirely correct, there's some truth to him, and you may have a hard time ahead."

Ning Rongrong snorted, showing a hint of pride: "What's the big deal about a little hardship? Besides, I still have you, Xiao Xiongzi. If any trouble really arises, just handle it for me. At worst, when we return to the sect, I'll have Dad reward you handsomely."

Yang Xiong: …

At this moment Yang Xiong was speechless; Shrek Academy was indeed average in every respect, but for a proud little princess like Ning Rongrong, it could truly temper her temperament, at least preventing her from running amok as she did in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

"Let's go; they should still be waiting for us, so we don't delay the next class."

After arriving at the playground, indeed Flanders and the others were still there, having not gone to Suotuo City early.

Ning Rongrong was, after all, just a little girl, especially with a strong background; when Flanders saw Ning Rongrong lower her head, he said nothing further.

However, since that conversation, the relationship between Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong has improved a lot; they previously hardly spoke, but now they're much closer, as the two have attended school together since childhood, seeming to share a natural rapport among all the students.

(End of Chapter)