Ahem, Rongrong, don't say things like that, Chen Feng said with a somewhat awkward expression.
Ning Rongrong snorted indifferently, "What do you mean, 'things like that'? If you don't believe me, ask Zhuqing yourself."
Compared to Ning Rongrong's playful openness, Zhu Zhuqing appeared far more reserved—at least on the surface.
She gave a faint smile and nodded at Chen Feng.
"Zhu Zhuqing, Level 33 agility-type battle spirit master. Nice to meet you.
I hope we can support each other well going forward."
As she spoke, she reached out her soft, pale hand.
"Chen Feng, Level 46 power-type battle spirit master.
I just came back from Shrek—you've probably heard of me."
Chen Feng reached out and gently shook her hand.
It was soft, like flowing water. He didn't dare to exert any force, merely touching it lightly before releasing.
Ning Rongrong widened her eyes, looking back and forth between the two.
She exaggerated deliberately, "Huh? Brother Chen Feng, why is your face red? Don't tell me… you're blushing?"
Chen Feng glared at her, "Rongrong, stop messing around. I'm not blushing."
"You are! I saw it, hehehe~"
She giggled mischievously.
Chen Feng looked even more flustered.
If Yu Tianlong and the others had been around, they would've stood off to the side with wide grins, laughing at his embarrassment.
Who would've thought—Chen Feng, so dazzling in martial cultivation, was completely helpless when it came to romantic matters.
Turns out, he was still completely inexperienced!
Even Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She raised her delicate hand to cover her mouth, but she didn't deny what Ning Rongrong said.
Just then, a hazy mist emerged from the room, accompanied by the unique fragrance of the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid—and Oscar's ambiguous groaning, a mix between pleasure and pain.
Ning Rongrong's expression turned tense in an instant.
She pointed toward the room, her mouth agape, voice barely audible.
"Is Oscar absorbing the immortal herb right now? Is he… is he okay?"
Chen Feng gave a smug little snort,
"Oh? Weren't you just teasing me? Now look who's worried about their sweetheart."
Ning Rongrong grinned and defended herself,
"Come on, I was just joking around. Don't tell me you're that petty?"
Chen Feng chuckled. Of course, he wasn't the type to hold a grudge over a joke.
"Don't worry. The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid has a very gentle nature.
It doesn't have any harmful side effects and won't cause pain.
Just wait until Oscar finishes absorbing its essence—he'll be fine."
Ning Rongrong gently patted her chest and let out a breath of relief.
"Whew, then I'm not worried anymore!"
Chen Feng turned toward Zhu Zhuqing.
"Zhuqing, now that we're teammates, I won't keep the truth about these immortal herbs from you.
I picked them from Poison Douluo's herb garden—they can enhance martial spirits and aid cultivation."
"There's a herb that suits you quite well.
But since you just joined us and things haven't stabilized yet, I'll wait until the right time to give it to you."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded calmly.
"If it's a gift, I won't push for it.
A gift is a favor. Not giving it is completely fair. I understand that much."
Chen Feng gave a slight nod.
Zhu Zhuqing wasn't hard to get along with. She only looked cold on the outside, but on the inside, she was more sensitive than most.
Two hours later, Oscar had fully absorbed the medicinal essence of the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.
He stepped out of the room, stretching with a lazy yawn, eyes glowing with excitement like dancing flames.
"That felt amazing! Incredible!"
Oscar laughed joyfully and held up five fingers.
"A full five-level jump!
I went from Level 35 straight to Level 40.
All I need now is one more spirit ring, and I'll be a Soul Sect!"
Ning Rongrong was overjoyed.
She rushed forward, grabbing his hand and carefully examining the changes in him.
The immortal herb had transformed Oscar's entire aura.
An innate nobility now radiated from him—one that matched Ning Rongrong's elegant temperament.
Together, the two looked like a perfectly matched divine couple.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't hide her shock.
So this is the power of an immortal herb…?
In just two short hours, Oscar had gone from Level 35 to 40—that alone was equivalent to a year of hard cultivation.
No… the higher the level, the harder it was to make progress.
That kind of leap could take even longer.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Chen Feng with renewed admiration.
A question grew in her heart:
If I took one of those herbs… could I also achieve such rapid cultivation?
"Congratulations," Chen Feng stepped forward to say.
Oscar's eyes were still glowing with emotion.
"Thank you so much, Chen Feng.
Honestly, when I heard Rongrong was leaving Shrek and going back to her clan,
I thought I'd never see her again.
But you—you gave me the chance to change everything!"
Chen Feng waved a hand.
"No, Oscar. If you weren't outstanding on your own, I wouldn't have done any of this.
And don't forget your ten-year promise with Uncle Ning.
Within ten years, you must gain the power to protect Rongrong.
That's no easy road."
Oscar nodded vigorously.
"Where's Yu Tianlong? He needs to get his fourth spirit ring, too, right?
What are we waiting for—let's head out now!"
Ning Rongrong chuckled and scolded him with a smile.
"So impatient? My father, Grandpa Sword, and Grandpa Bone aren't back yet.
When they return, I'll ask one of them to escort you both.
That way, you're guaranteed to find the most compatible spirit ring."
Oscar grinned widely.
"Haha! Having a Titled Douluo help with ring hunting? Now that's the dream!"
His excitement was contagious.
Just then, Oscar noticed Zhu Zhuqing standing off to the side.
"Zhuqing, did you come to visit Rongrong?"
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head.
"No. I've… left Shrek too."
"What? Then… Dai Mubai…?"
Oscar immediately stopped mid-sentence when he noticed her somber expression.
Of course, he knew all about Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's nightlife habits.
As teammates, they knew each other all too well.
The two had invited Oscar to tag along more than once, but he'd declined every time.
Ever since Ning Rongrong entered his life, there had been no room for anyone else in his heart.
No matter how Oscar had behaved in the past, after falling for Rongrong, his conduct had been exemplary.
If not, Ning Fengzhi would never have allowed the ten-year promise to be made.
Oscar sighed deeply.
"Leaving was the right choice.
I tried to talk some sense into Dai Mubai so many times…
But he kept fooling around with Fatty.
That's not fair to you.
Love can't be tainted—on that point, Mubai let you down."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned gloomy, but she said nothing.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Chen Feng laughed and broke the silence.
Come on, everyone. No need to get so gloomy.
Shrek is in the past—this is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
Let's get to know our future teammates a little better.