Ning Tianchen dared to offend Meng Yiran because he understood her personality deeply.
Meng Yiran could have gone back to bring reinforcements, but she was not someone truly malicious or wicked.
Even if she caught them afterward, Ning Tianchen and the others wouldn't be in life-threatening danger.
He said all this seriously mainly as a lesson for Ning Rongrong.
Support-type Soul Masters, without the protection of Battle-type Soul Masters, rashly provoking them is like lighting a lamp in a cesspit—asking for death.
Originally, Ning Rongrong came alone to Shrek Academy, but on the very first day, she clashed with Dai Mubai, a senior student. It was only because of the protection from teachers like Fred that she wasn't in mortal danger. In the soul master world, Dai Mubai wouldn't care about her status.
He might even be the type to "kill after raping, and then kill again."
The two hurriedly left Balak City. Following the map's markers, Ning Rongrong led Ning Tianchen toward Soto City.
As the silhouette of Balak City gradually faded behind them, Ning Tianchen found a shady spot to rest.
Ning Rongrong patted her chest, panting, "Brother Tianchen, she didn't bring anyone to chase us, did she?"
Ning Tianchen didn't answer immediately but turned serious. "Rongrong, don't offend people recklessly in the future."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong suddenly felt less out of breath and immediately retorted, "I didn't! She deliberately picked a fight."
Ning Tianchen put his hands on her shoulders. "Rongrong, she's a Battle-type Soul Master, and you're a Support-type Soul Master. If it really comes to blows, do you think you can defeat her?"
"I…" Ning Rongrong was momentarily speechless.
Just now, when she heard 'Soul Fight,' she instinctively felt uneasy.
Support-type Soul Masters naturally lack fighting power—they are meant to be protected.
Facing a Battle-type Soul Master, even one at the lowest level, could easily mean death.
Remember, Battle-type Soul Masters' physical abilities are greatly enhanced by their soul rings, leaving Support-type Soul Masters far behind.
Even without using their soul weapons, Support-type Soul Masters aren't a match for Battle-type Soul Masters.
"Rongrong, be humble. What if the girl you argued with today isn't a young girl at all, but actually a sixty-year-old old hag in disguise?"
"Such a person won't spare you—they might kill you right on the street."
"Brother Tianchen, Rongrong knows her mistake," Ning Rongrong murmured softly, pouting.
Ning Tianchen added, "From now on, don't act on impulse like today. Think about it—even Ning Uncle never bullies others, even though Grandpa and Bone Grandpa protect him."
"Because Ning Uncle knows that Grandpa and Bone Grandpa aren't always around. If enemies come knocking, survival is unlikely."
After this serious talk, Ning Rongrong's smile completely vanished.
It was clear she took Ning Tianchen's words to heart.
...
Balak City was about a month's journey from Soto City.
The registration ceremony for Shrek Academy was two months away. So the two traveled at a moderate pace, often taking time to sightsee.
At every city, Ning Rongrong would check in.
"Brother Tianchen, what does 'checking in' mean exactly?" Ning Rongrong asked in confusion.
"It means proving we've been to the city," Ning Tianchen said with a faint smile, then urged, "We need to speed up. If we keep playing around, we won't reach Shrek Academy before registration."
By calculation, Tang San should be graduating from Notting Academy and heading toward Soto City.
They didn't stay long in the small town and quickened their pace toward Soto City.
In the afternoon, they arrived at the next city.
Ning Tianchen planned to stay overnight, but Ning Rongrong said, "Brother Tianchen, didn't we say to speed up? It's still early before dark—we can go faster and reach the next city before nightfall."
She spread the map and pointed to the distance between the two cities.
Ning Tianchen twitched at the corner of his mouth. The distance was indeed short, but they would have to cross many mountains, and much of the route wasn't an official road.
If it were a flat highway, they could arrive before sunset.
But mountain paths were winding and rough—many roads impassable for carriages. Starting now, they might only reach the next city deep into the night.
Besides, patrol teams composed of Balak Kingdom and Martial Soul Hall troops often guarded the official roads, so bandits dared not rob travelers there. But the deep mountains were a different story.
"Rongrong, this route is dangerous. Maybe we should wait until tomorrow."
Ning Rongrong shook her head. "I checked before we set off. On the next stretch of the road, we're very likely to encounter bandits. But whether we leave today or tomorrow, the bandits will still be there."
"Brother Tianchen, I think it's better to leave now. Besides, bandits can't be robbing people all the time. If we leave now, maybe we still have a chance to avoid them."
That reasoning made sense.
You can't just turn back home because you know there might be bandits ahead!
After thinking it over, Ning Tianchen agreed with her plan.
This time, they didn't choose to take a carriage, but ran forward on foot.
Ning Rongrong used her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit weapon to speed up Ning Tianchen, while Ning Tianchen carried her and sprinted all the way.
Making good use of their resources—that was how Ning Rongrong really played it smart.
...
At dusk, the sun was setting behind the western hills.
"We're almost there. Once we go down the mountain, we'll reach the official road."
Seeing that they were about to pass through the most dangerous area, Ning Tianchen gradually relaxed his vigilance.
Night fell, and under the tree cover, the moonlight couldn't reach the ground at all.
The path down the mountain was difficult.
Ning Tianchen summoned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit weapon. Under its light, he could barely make out the road beneath his feet.
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but complain, "What kind of lousy map is this? The mountain path is so tough, why isn't it marked clearly?"
Ning Tianchen was helpless.
The map had already marked this area as mountainous.
You have to understand, many maps on Douluo Continent don't show terrain details. They only mark the approximate locations of cities. Anyone without a good sense of direction would inevitably get lost looking at such maps.
"Who would have thought the two mountains we just crossed would be so tall?"
At that moment, faint flickering lights appeared on both sides of the road.
Ning Rongrong was stunned when suddenly she stepped on something. From the bushes beside her came rustling noises.
"Rongrong, be careful."
Ning Tianchen sensed something and instantly vanished his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit weapon, replacing it with the Seven Kill Sword spirit weapon, its surface adorned with dragon patterns.
"Second soul skill: Dragon Sword Guard."
The yellow soul ring lit up, dispelling the surrounding darkness. His soul power transformed into thousands of spirit swords, forming a protective sword aura barrier.
Bang bang~
Crossbow bolts shot from the bushes were deflected by the sword aura shield.