At noon, when heading to the cafeteria for lunch, Ning Rongrong followed closely behind Dugu Feng.
She even shooed Feng Ling and Feng Li far away, leaving the two simps heartbroken once again.
"You promised to teach me cultivation, but cultivation isn't just about meditating on Soul Power. I'm going to stick with you—every moment except when you're sleeping!" Ning Rongrong declared, her tone brimming with self-assurance.
Dugu Feng studied her carefully.
She was so different—completely unlike the Ning Rongrong from the original storyline.
But then again, considering her actions at Shrek Academy, she had always been mindful of her sect's interests—whether it was purchasing Tang San's hidden weapons or recruiting talented Soul Masters for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
She was far from just a spoiled young mistress.
Having Ning Rongrong around wasn't a bad idea. Bringing her along was like having a personal bodyguard.
If the Spirit Hall ever targeted the Dugu Family, or if Qian Renxue lost her temper and sent a Titled Douluo after him, Ning Rongrong's presence might just mean Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo were lurking nearby.
Dugu Feng was in a good mood.
After lunch, the two headed to the Simulated Cultivation Environment—afternoon was training time.
There, Dugu Feng ran into Ge Ying again.
Ge Ying hadn't changed much, except for a slight boost in his aura. He was inching closer to becoming a Soul Emperor.
"Brother Feng, I'm really curious what you've been through these years. The aura of sternness around you rivals my father's—and he spends all his time in military camps!"
Ge Ying looked genuinely astonished.
Dugu Feng had always been cold and distant, but now, there was a killing intent about him—as if he might strike at any moment.
It left Ge Ying deeply shaken.
Ning Rongrong perked up, eager to see if Dugu Feng would respond.
"Brother Ge, you flatter me." Dugu Feng chuckled, offering no further explanation.
The matters of Slaughter City weren't something he could just disclose.
Soon after, Dugu Feng arrived by the small lake in the Simulated Training Field.
"Blue Phosphorous Twelve Fingers!"
Purple light shot from his fingertips like plucking flowers and leaves—twelve leaves fell in perfect unison.
Not one more, not one less.
"Poison Burst Technique!"
One of the leaves suddenly exploded.
"Azure Phosphorus Violet Venom!"
Dugu Feng exhaled a mist of violet poison, enveloping a small area while simultaneously attempting to control the toxin through every pore in his body.
The third stage of Azure Phosphorus Violet Venom still required further refinement.
"Serpent's Belly Sword!"
"Serpent Step!"
And so, he cycled through his Soul Skills—whether they were Soul Ring Abilities or the Dugu Family's self-created techniques—he executed each one meticulously.
Seeing how seriously Dugu Feng was training, Ning Rongrong decided to summon her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and amplify his abilities.
When Dugu Feng performed the Blue Phosphorous Twelve Fingers, her eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Dugu Feng, your self-created Soul Skill is so cool! You can hit whatever you point at—teach me!"
Her voice was uncharacteristically sweet.
Dugu Feng sighed. "You're a Supportive Soul Master—shouldn't you be practicing your support skills?
"Look at my twelve finger strikes—each one is different.
"They require mental focus to control their attacks."
"I can even direct one finger force east and another west. If an enemy suddenly attacks from behind, just by hearing the sound, I can pinpoint their location and strike lethally!"
Dugu Feng extended his right hand over his left shoulder, releasing a precise finger force that struck a single leaf.
"So cool!"
His effortless grace made Ning Rongrong's mouth form an "O" shape again.
"Though I don't fully understand the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's cultivation methods, I could tell something was off—your enhancement on me never changed from start to finish.
Your first Soul Skill is Strength Amplification, which is practically useless for me.
Only the instant my Serpent's Belly Sword thrusts do I need a power boost.
The rest of the time, you should conserve your Soul Power and focus entirely on amplifying my speed.
You're a Supportive Soul Master, but you must also have the awareness to control the battlefield. Adjust your enhancements based on your ally's Soul Skills, traits, and the flow of battle—this requires multitasking, just like when I use Blue Phosphorous Twelve Fingers.
Soul Skills may seem simple, but there's always room for improvement!"
Dugu Feng tapped her lightly.
Ning Rongrong gasped. "You say you don't understand our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's Soul Skills, yet what you just said is no different from what my father teaches!
And—do you already know about our Distraction Control technique?"
Dugu Feng looked at her as if she were an idiot.
"Do I need to? I refuse to believe Sect Master Ning applies enhancements as mindlessly as you, pouring equal Soul Power into all seven skills at once.
Even my Blue Phosphorous Twelve Fingers don't expend the same amount of Soul Power for each strike!
Our Martial Souls may differ, but the techniques for executing Soul Skills share common principles!"
Ning Rongrong fell into thought, unbothered by Dugu Feng's expression.
Only now did she realize there was a reason Dugu Feng had progressed so quickly.
Originally, when she asked him to teach her, her main goal was to investigate his recent experiences and strength.
She assumed his rapid growth was just due to hard work.
But now, it was clear—his understanding of Martial Souls was absolutely top-tier.
Could he really be more talented than me?
For the first time, Ning Rongrong felt she had to admit Dugu Feng was better than her.
With this realization, she grew serious. She wanted to see just how much of a genius he was.
She earnestly began discussing Distraction Control with him.
The Dugu Family also had similar techniques—otherwise, how could one master Blue Phosphorous Twelve Fingers?
Now, with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's Distraction Control to cross-reference, Dugu Feng also stood to benefit.
Both of them became fully absorbed in cultivation.
However, Ning Rongrong's closeness to Dugu Feng didn't escape the notice of Ning Fengzhi and the two Titled Douluo.
That day, in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School...
Within a resplendent golden hall stood a withered-looking old man, his expression displeased. His skeletal frame was shockingly large—his robes hung loosely over his bony structure, his face gaunt with sunken eyes, resembling a towering skeleton.
This figure could only be Bone Douluo.
He glared at Ning Fengzhi, who was leisurely sipping tea on a sofa.
"Fengzhi, Rongrong is getting close to Dugu Feng of the Dugu Family—and her interest in him isn't the same as it was with Feng Ling or Feng Li. The Dugu Family is no suitable match for her!"
Bone Douluo furrowed his brows.
Ning Fengzhi took a leisurely sip of tea and said, "Several years ago, when Dugu Feng had his first Soul Duel with Rongrong, I already took notice of him.
Although he disappeared for some time these past years, he's already reached level 27 Soul Power upon reappearing. His Innate Soul Power was recorded as level 8 in the school records, but I believe it must be at least level 9!"