Ning Rongrong was, after all, Ning Fengzhi's only daughter and the designated heir of the sect, so she naturally understood what Yang Xiong meant by his words.
"Xiao Xiongzi, what exactly are you trying to say? Has the sect not treated you well?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "Rongrong, let me ask you something. If one day the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect faces a great crisis, and the only way to save it is by sacrificing your two grandfathers, would you do it?"
Ning Rongrong shook her head. "No, Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone are very strong. They wouldn't be in danger."
Yang Xiong replied, "There's always someone stronger. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo are not the strongest in the world. You should understand that in the entire spirit master world, Spirit Hall is the most powerful. Even though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is strong now, don't forget that the Clear Sky Sect was once even stronger, but they still declined in the end."
Ning Rongrong looked a little upset. "That's not true. I've heard about the Clear Sky Sect's history. The conflict broke out because of the former Pope Qian Xunji's death."
Yang Xiong smiled. "Rongrong, the world of spirit masters is a hundred times more cruel than you imagine. Trading one Pope for the retirement of the Clear Sky Sect was a huge win for Spirit Hall. Otherwise, how would Spirit Hall have developed so rapidly in recent years? With the Clear Sky Sect gone, even your sect rose quickly."
Ning Rongrong was stunned. No one had ever considered it from that angle.
After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Xiao Xiongzi, what did you mean earlier about not wanting to live under someone else's shadow? Are you thinking of leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? You do know I'm the next sect master, right?"
Yang Xiong drank the tea in his hand before slowly speaking. "Rongrong, let me ask you something. In terms of strength, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo are among the top experts alive. With their power, they'd be treated well anywhere, maybe even strong enough to found their own sects. So why do they stay in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Their influence in the spirit master world is even greater than Ning Sect Master's."
"If I remember correctly, they weren't even originally from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but they chose to dedicate their lives to it."
Ning Rongrong quickly said, "Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone love me dearly. They would never leave the sect."
"Besides, my father went through life and death with them. Their bond isn't something you could understand."
After saying this, both fell silent for a while.
After a long pause, Yang Xiong continued, "Rongrong, we've spent a lot of time together lately, and I think... I might really be starting to like you."
Ning Rongrong blushed slightly. "Who asked you to like me? I'm talented and beautiful. Lots of people like me."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but swallow hard. This little witch was a bit too narcissistic.
"Rongrong, I've been thinking about whether we should be together. You're the little princess of the sect, the future heir. I don't want to just be an ordinary disciple. I want to stand before you with dignity, that way, I'll truly be worthy of pursuing you."
Ning Rongrong said, "Then why did you say you don't want to live under someone else? Do you have other plans?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "Rongrong, I want our relationship to be pure, without schemes and on equal footing."
"We both know Ning Sect Master arranged for us to study at Shrek Academy together. Part of the reason was to bring us closer, but another part was to make me trust you as the future sect master. And, of course, to protect you."
Ning Rongrong snorted. "That annoying dad of mine, doesn't even trust me."
After a moment's thought, she added, "Xiao Xiongzi, aren't you afraid I'll tell my dad what you just said?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "Rongrong, you're underestimating Ning Sect Master. In all of Douluo Continent, few can match his vision and wisdom. He would love for me to become stronger, to bring more surprises to the sect. Otherwise, how do you think he made the sect so powerful?"
As Ning Rongrong was still thinking about her father, Yang Xiong suddenly reached out and gently touched her cheek. "Rongrong, will you give me a chance, a chance to be your boyfriend?"
Ning Rongrong blushed. "Yang Xiong, I want my boyfriend to be a real man, someone who never bows to others, a true hero."
Seeing her expression, Yang Xiong leaned in and kissed her. Their lips touched, and Ning Rongrong froze in shock.
After some time, she bit his lip hard and then pushed him away, her face flushed as she ran out of the room.
Yang Xiong felt a sharp pain on his lip as the little witch ran off in a flash.
Soon it was evening, and everyone gathered at the Soul Arena. That day, Ning Rongrong was nowhere to be found. She didn't even invite Yang Xiong to eat like usual.
In the following days, except for the team soul battles, Ning Rongrong acted like she had become Zhu Zhuqing, cold and distant, keeping everyone at arm's length.
For a whole month, everyone participated actively in soul battles. All eight members of the Shrek team earned their Silver Spirit Fighter Badges.
Even Oscar and Ning Rongrong, as support-type soul masters, earned enough points through two-on-two and team battles to get the badge.
In the team battles, even if someone was absent, they maintained a nearly perfect win rate.
Yang Xiong was especially busy during the team matches, usually taking the role of power attacker. Even when facing teams of Soul Elders, he wasn't under much pressure. At times, he also played agility-type or defense-type roles.
On the final day, after defeating a team called the Fierce Gods, the entire team earned their Silver Badges, and Yu Xiaogang officially announced the end of the second training phase.
After over a month of battles, most people's soul power hadn't increased, except Zhu Zhuqing, who reached level 28.
Everyone cheered excitedly. Even Ning Rongrong was thrilled, after all, for a support-type soul master like her, it was tough to survive in real combat. A moment's distraction could lead to being hit.
Whether in team or duo fights, Yang Xiong often looked after Ning Rongrong and saved her multiple times in the arena. But Ning Rongrong always responded proudly and dismissively, leaving Yang Xiong embarrassed.
Since that day, the two hadn't spent time alone. The others assumed they were having a cold war.
After completing the final assessment, the two finally walked together again. But Xiao Wu clung to Ning Rongrong and kept giving Yang Xiong suspicious looks, making him speechless.
That night, they had a celebration feast to mark the end of training.
Ning Rongrong seemed back to her mischievous self, downing drinks one after another, putting the boys to shame with her tolerance.
When she clinked glasses with Yang Xiong, she said proudly, "Xiao Xiongzi, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let the past go."
Yang Xiong quickly replied, "Thanks, Rongrong. But one glass isn't enough. We should drink a few more."
The others cheered them on, and the two clinked glasses several times, seemingly easing the awkwardness from before.
Oscar leaned over and muttered to Yang Xiong, "Brother Xiong, what did you do to upset her so badly? You've been in a cold war for a whole month, and now you're finally good again."
Yang Xiong smiled and threw an arm over Oscar's shoulder. "Xiao Ao, we've fought so many soul battles together lately. Don't you owe me a few more drinks?"
After a few rounds, Oscar said, "With your alcohol tolerance, who dares drink more with you?"
After the feast, everyone returned to the hotel. Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong had booked luxury suites on the top floor.
When they reached the top, Yang Xiong pulled Ning Rongrong to the corner.
Taking advantage of his drunken courage, he trapped her against the wall with his arms.
"Rongrong, it's been a while. You should be over it by now. Can you accept being my girlfriend?"
Ning Rongrong's face was already red from the alcohol, and now she looked even more charming.
"You said you don't want to be beneath anyone, but your soul power is still one level lower than mine."
Yang Xiong smiled. "Just one level. I'll catch up to you soon."
Ning Rongrong showed a bit of pride. "Don't forget I'm a cultivation genius. I've been training hard too. It won't be so easy to surpass me."
Yang Xiong said, "Forget about soul power. Starting today, you're my girlfriend. I won't let anyone bully you."
Ning Rongrong snorted. "I have Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone to protect me. Who dares bully me?"
Yang Xiong laughed. "Rongrong, don't forget, in every match, you hid behind me. I saved you many times."
Ning Rongrong said, "Since you've been working so hard, I'll reluctantly agree to be your girlfriend."
Yang Xiong was overjoyed and immediately hugged her. Maybe it was the first time in either life that he had held a girl in his arms, and he was completely intoxicated by her scent.
While everyone was celebrating the end of training, Yu Xiaogang and Flender looked very serious.
Yu Xiaogang said, "The kids have done incredibly well. Even I'm amazed at how they performed in the arena. Maybe they really can make history."
"The Soul Arena's manager approached me today. He wants us to arrange a seven-man battle for the Shrek team. I think we need to take this seriously."
Flender shook his head. "Xiaogang, you know how strong the opponents can be. Among the eight Shrek members, four are still only Soul Masters. The enemy team is made up entirely of Soul Elders, and their spirit powers alone suggest they're extraordinary. All of them have optimal spirit ring configurations. Clearly, they come from somewhere powerful."
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