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Ning Rongrong, thinking Xiao Wu had given up on Ning Tian, took her hand warmly. "I'm sure you'll find your own happiness, Xiao Wu."
"You too, Rongrong," Xiao Wu replied, squeezing her hand with a smile.
A faint voice broke the moment. "Xiao Wu!"
"Third Brother!" she said, her tone unusually soft.
Tang San stopped short. "What did you just call me?"
"Third Brother. Is something wrong?" She tilted her head, fighting the urge to gag.
It was the first time she'd ever called him that.
Tears welled in Tang San's eyes. "I'm just so happy. Don't ever leave again."
If she weren't so averse to hugs, he'd have pulled her close. The past three days had been agony, he'd felt like a shell without her.
'All this just to trick me into sacrificing,' Xiao Wu thought, revolted. She forced a smile. "I will never leave."
Tang San nodded, then shot a smug look at Ning Tian. He'd noticed Ning Tian hadn't said a word, standing silently with Zhu Zhuqing while the others welcomed Xiao Wu back.
Flender, seeing the reunion, clapped his hands. "Alright, since Xiao Wu's here, classes start tomorrow. Ning Tian, stay back. Everyone else, dismissed."
Xiao Wu walked off without a backward glance, Tang San trailing after her eagerly. Ma Hongjun and Oscar left next, followed by the teachers. Only Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong lingered.
Flender turned to Ning Tian. "How's life at Shrek treating you so far?"
"It's alright," Ning Tian said. "Except for the lack of cultivation environments, subpar food and lodging, and half-finished facilities."
Flender's face twitched. "Well, Sect Leader Ning Fengzhi has left some funds for meals, so that's covered now. As for cultivation environments and facilities, you're all prodigies. Prodigies do what others can't. I believe you'll outshine everyone even without them."
Ning Tian cut in. "Dean, what did you want to talk about? I've got training with Zhuqing and Rongrong soon."
"It's about Master," Flender said, scratching his neck awkwardly. "His theories might have flaws, but I trust his teaching methods."
"As long as it's not nonsense, I'll cooperate for your sake," Ning Tian replied.
He knew Yu Xiaogang's upcoming "training" involved pointless tasks for team unity, but he had no intention of letting it slide unchallenged.
Flender's face broke into a grin. "That's my star student—respectful and hardworking."
........
After a full day of training, Ning Tian returned to his dorm, bathed, changed, and took his "medicine." Since Yu Xiaogang arrived at Shrek, he'd been dosing himself daily with "Silver Na Pipa Little Trumpet" to keep the man on edge. Today, he added a potent laxative, planning to shift its effects to Tang San at intervals matching Ma Hongjun's evil fire outbursts. Tang San would have no choice but to blame his martial soul.
...............
The next morning, before dawn, Ning Tian rose to practice swordsmanship in the grove. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong joined him—Ning Rongrong to boost her stamina and agility, Zhu Zhuqing to refine her second soul skill, Nether Hundred Claws, under Ning Tian's guidance. He was helping her shape it into a piercing strike to broaden her options. Relying only on Nether Hundred Claws left her exposed if it failed.
As the sun peeked over the horizon, they wrapped up and headed to the cafeteria. Thanks to Ning Fengzhi's donation, the food had improved, gone were the days of plain veggies and thin soup, replaced by hearty, balanced meals.
After breakfast, the class bell rang, and the students gathered in the main field. Dai Mubai appeared for the first time in days, his once-bold presence now shadowed with bitterness and resentment. The others, knowing his situation, kept their distance, some quietly scornful.
Yu Xiaogang and Tang San looked just as rough. Yu Xiaogang's face was pale and rigid, his steps shaky after a sleepless night. Tang San, plagued by a night of diarrhea, wobbled beside him.
Ning Rongrong stifled a laugh. "Fatty, did Master tag along with you to the brothel last night? He looks wrung out."
"No clue," Ma Hongjun said. "I haven't been there since Star Dou Forest."
"What about Tang San?" she asked.
"Ask Oscar," Ma Hongjun shrugged. "I don't share a room with him."
"He had diarrhea again," Oscar chimed in.
Ning Rongrong smirked. "Serves him right for following a fake."
Tang San didn't snap back, lost in his own head. He'd dismissed his Star Dou Forest episodes as bad food, even suspecting sabotage. But the recurring trouble since returning, worried him.
Flender cleared his throat. "Alright, everyone's here. As Vice Dean Zhao said, Master is taking over your training. Lineup by age."
He'd come to back Yu Xiaogang but stayed quiet when Ning Rongrong jabbed at him—Sword Douluo's warning about mistreating her still rang in his ears.
The eight students formed a row. Flender nodded to Yu Xiaogang. "All yours."
Yu Xiaogang straightened, hiding his exhaustion. Hands clasped behind his back, he swept his gaze over them, lingering on Ning Tian, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong. "Food needs time to settle. Tomorrow, I don't want anyone sleeping in or dragging in at the last second. If you're not here before dawn, you don't eat."
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