Chapter 58: Indifference.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong glanced suspiciously at Shi Yi, who had recovered his body.
Then, looking at Ning Rongrong, she asked again with certainty, "Really?" Seeing everyone's differing expressions, even Ning Rongrong, no matter how foolish, understood what her father and grandfathers meant.
"Of course it's true, Dad. Today is the first time we've left the academy since arriving in Tiandou. How could Xiao Yi be connected to that? Besides, Xiao Yi is only a Soul Master now. How could he possibly have hunted a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast?" Ning Rongrong explained hastily.
Gu Rong and Chen Xin exchanged a glance, their eyes still tinged with doubt. The information they had gathered suggested the soul beast must have been a transformed one. The absence of any signs of struggle at the scene meant that even Shi Yi could be the mysterious killer. Besides the soul bone, they couldn't imagine anything else that could have allowed Shi Yi's fourth soul ring to leap from a thousand-year-old to a ten-thousand-year-old.
Ning Fengzhi seemed to have noticed Zhu Zhuqing's expression. He smiled at Chen Xin and Gu Rong, saying, "Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu, it's okay. They've only been in Tian Dou for a short time, so they're probably not involved in that incident."
Ning Rongrong, remembering Xiao Wu's disappearance, said to Ning Fengzhi, "If Xiao Yi can kill that 100,000-year-old soul beast, then Xiao Wu can too. It seems that Xiao Wu from our academy disappeared in that place that day..."
Ning Fengzhi and the other two looked startled. Before Ning Rongrong could finish, Ning Fengzhi asked, "Rongrong, why did your classmate disappear in that place?"
Then, Ning Rongrong began to recount the story of Shrek's victory over Huang Dou, culminating in Xiao Wu's disappearance.
"Rongrong, I'm afraid your classmate isn't missing, but hiding," Chen Xin said seriously.
"That's right. With all the teachers from the academy already dispatched, a Soul Master risking her life to find someone captured by the old poison creature—if she's not a fool, then she has ulterior motives," Gu Rong whispered to Ning Rongrong.
"Grandpa, what are you talking about? I don't quite understand," Ning Rongrong asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Rongrong, that night, your Grandpa Bone discovered a man in black, a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, and a dead spirit beast in that area. There were no signs of combat when your Grandpa Bone arrived. Upon seeing your Grandpa Bone, the man in black used his spirit abilities to destroy the body. Based on our assessment, the man in black must be from the Spirit Hall, and a Titled-level expert." Ning Fengzhi said slowly.
"Are you saying that Xiao Wu, under the guise of searching for Tang San, took advantage of the night to kill a hundred-thousand-year-old transformed spirit beast? And then went into hiding?" Shi Yi also slowly approached and asked.
"How could Xiao Wu possibly have killed a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast?" Ning Rongrong exclaimed in surprise.
"Are you okay?" Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shi Yi, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
Shi Yi shook his head slightly, looked at Ning Rongrong and said, "According to the information obtained by Senior Gu, there was a man in black, a soul beast corpse, and a hundred thousand year soul ring, and there were no signs of fighting at the scene. Obviously, the soul beast was a transformed soul beast. If the transformation soul beast's cultivation is lower than Xiao Wu's, with Xiao Wu's ability, it is indeed possible to kill it with one blow, but Xiao Wu cannot absorb the soul ring and can only leave the soul ring in place."
"Then why wasn't it the man in black who killed him?" Zhu Zhuqing asked puzzledly.
"If the black-clothed man's cultivation level is that of a Titled Douluo, the number of titles in Tiandou can be counted on one hand. The leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Sect, Dugu Bo, and the two seniors, Senior Gu, said that the black-clothed man released his spirit skills to destroy the body and eliminate all traces. As long as the spirit skills are released, it is impossible for Senior Gu to fail to recognize them with his experience. The only possibility is that the title came from the Spirit Hall."
"The black-clothed man should not be the murderer. With the level of the Spirit Hall, it is impossible for them to waste a hundred thousand year spirit ring, nor is it possible for them to choose the killing location near Tiandou City. So there is only the remaining possibility. Xiao Wu's disappearance is not accidental." Shi Yi said lightly.
Shi Yi bowed slightly to Ning Fengzhi and the others and continued, "This matter is settled. The two seniors can search for precious items for Rongrong to enhance her physical strength before hunting for spirit rings. As for the results of our analysis, Zhuqing and I should return to the academy and report them to the teachers to prevent them from setting foot in that area and causing further trouble."
Shi Yi then winked at Zhu Zhuqing, who nodded in understanding.
"Xiaoyi, why don't you stay here for a few days? We can discuss cooperation on spirit guides." Ning Fengzhi's face remained warm and friendly.
"No need. I'm still young, and it's time to focus on my cultivation. Let's consider these matters after I've achieved greater success," Shi Yi said calmly.
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, his lips raised slightly as a disciple from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect appeared before them.
"Escort these two distinguished guests back to the academy," Ning Fengzhi personally instructed the disciple.
"Yes, Sect Master," the disciple said, cupping his fist.
Ning Rongrong looked at Shi Yi, whose attitude had changed drastically, and didn't know what to say. She could clearly sense the change in Shi Yi's attitude, but she didn't hear any major problems in Shi Yi's conversation with Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Rongrong wanted to say something to Shi Yi, but Gu Rong gently pulled her back.
As the two slowly left, Ning Rongrong asked Ning Fengzhi, "Dad, what happened? Why did Xiao Yi..."
Chen Xin looked at Ning Rongrong and sighed softly. A trace of pity and guilt flashed in his calm eyes, and he turned his back slightly.
Gu Rong also looked at Ning Rongrong with heartache. With a hundred thousand year soul bone at stake, even they couldn't remain completely suspicious of Shi Yi.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong, then after a moment's silence, slowly explained, "Rongrong, we were indeed overly anxious just now. But since this involves a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone, it's only natural for us to have doubts about him. He's accomplished something few others can. It's precisely because of these doubts that he's touched a red line. In his eyes, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is no longer a safe place."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong suddenly felt the entire world around her shift. Her father and two grandfathers weren't as idyllic as she'd imagined.
"So? If Xiaoyi really does have a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone, what are you going to do? Kill him and extract it from his body?" Ning Rongrong shouted at Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin.
"Rongrong, your father did all this for you. Do you think that kid is a good person? He's treating you so well because he's attracted to the resources of our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect," Gu Rong whispered.
"Don't I benefit from it?" Ning Rongrong asked.
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi sighed and said, "But some things can't be obtained through exchange. Do you understand, Rongrong?"
"I don't understand!" Ning Rongrong shouted at Ning Fengzhi, then ran off on her own.
"I'll go look after her," Chen Xin said softly, and Ning Fengzhi nodded.
With that, Chen Xin's figure slowly disappeared into the courtyard.
At this moment, Gu Rong looked at Ning Fengzhi and said, "Fengzhi, if such a genius can't be used by me, why not..."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly and said, "That child is a smart one. Even in that situation just now, he was still able to calmly find a suitable reason to leave. He is hinting to us that he will not become an enemy of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and will even continue to be friends with Rongrong. If it were another child, I'm afraid he would immediately turn against us."
"Even if the deal is not successful, the friendship remains. Since the matter of the 100,000-year soul bone has nothing to do with him, and we have obtained a considerable clue, we should focus our energy on the child named Xiaowu. Then we can have Rongrong send him a batch of rare metals as a reward for teaching Rongrong this lesson."
Hearing this, Gu Rong thought of Ning Rongrong, who had just left in a huff, and sighed, "It can only be like this."
Ning Fengzhi patted Gu Rong's shoulder gently and said soothingly, "Uncle Gu, don't overthink it. Rongrong wants to take over this position in the future, and these are things Rongrong must go through."
Gu Rong nodded and said, "I understand, Fengzhi. It's just that seeing Rongrong like this really hurts me. I'm afraid the sect won't be peaceful these days."
"I actually hope the sect isn't peaceful, so Rongrong can recover faster after venting her anger," Ning Fengzhi said with a wry smile.
On the other side of the carriage,
Shi Yi looked at Zhu Zhuqing and chuckled, "What's wrong? Are you angry?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shi Yi with a relaxed expression and rolled her eyes. "I'm just worried about Rongrong. I'm afraid she'll never be the same Rongrong again after today."
"Oh, so you've been through it too? It seems your sister was also very cruel to you," Shi Yi joked with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered with complexity, and her mind raced back to past events.
"So you were feigning anger just now?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, looking at Shi Yi.
Shi Yi shook his head slightly and sighed, "Of course not. Everyone has their own secrets and boundaries. I'm angry, of course, but what good does it mean? In front of a behemoth like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, what does my anger mean? The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can trample on your boundaries at any time. Instead of getting angry, it's better to return and practice hard. Only with strength can you maintain your boundaries. Getting a piece of high-quality whale glue will be worthwhile."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing glared at Shi Yi and said, "I don't think you're worried about Rongrong at all."
"Growth has its price, of course, and teaching a child has its price. I'm afraid the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect won't be peaceful for a while. When Rongrong returns, we'll see a brand new Rongrong." Shi Yi chuckled.
"Do you think this is a good thing for Rongrong?" Zhu Zhuqing asked softly.
"Nothing in this world is perfect. Rongrong might become what Ning Fengzhi wants after this, but that's definitely not the person Rongrong wants her to be," Shi Yi sighed. "The person she wants her to be..." Zhu Zhuqing muttered again.
Shi Yi smiled, patted Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder, and said, "Alright, it's not a big deal. The fact that we made it out of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect alive is proof enough. Ning Fengzhi still wants Rongrong to attend Shrek, but you should think about how to explain this to the dean when you get back. I'm afraid Xiaosan won't believe this when she gets back."
"I always feel like you don't care much about the people around you," Zhu Zhuqing said seriously, looking at Shi Yi.
Shi Yi smiled at Zhu Zhuqing and said, "No, I'm really concerned about your cultivation. I always check on you."
Zhu Zhuqing blushed and said angrily, "Get lost. That's not the kind of concern I'm talking about."
"I understand what you mean. Take Xiaosan for example. Do you think I treat her less than a normal friend?" Shi Yi asked Zhu Zhuqing seriously.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
"That's just your opinion. If you grew up with me, you'd know that my attitude towards Xiao San is actually beyond the average person. For most people, I wouldn't even say a word. During my time at Notting College, I had no friends, and most people held a low status in my heart. But Xiao San and Xiao Wu, I at least greeted them. I also gave Xiao San some advice on her cultivation, and even often took the teacher's place in her lessons."
Shi Yi paused, as if recalling something.
"Of course. As for why Xiao San and Xiao Wu's status in my heart hasn't improved over time, it's because Xiao San, like me, is a very thoughtful person. If you know someone is wary of you, would you take a step forward and deepen your relationship with them? Of course, I'm also wary of Xiao San, and he understands that."
"Compared to Xiao San, I prefer cultivators like you. Your mind is simple, and I admire you. Helping you change your fate is both meaningful and challenging. I have to say, your status in my heart is much higher than Xiao San and Xiao Wu."
Shi Yi said with a slow laugh, and Zhu Zhuqing's blush deepened at the words.
"Then why hasn't Xiao Wu's status in your heart improved?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.
"Didn't Ning Fengzhi already suspect Xiao Wu of being the killer of that hundred-thousand-year soul beast? If Xiao San, with her innate full soul power, is attending Notting Academy because of her surname, Tang, then why is Xiao Wu, with her innate full soul power, here? To put it nicely, Xiao Wu and I grew up together, but in reality, I only see her every few days at Notting Academy, and that's just to say hello to Xiao San for her sake. A girl like this, with her unknown goals, loud and uneducated, is no different from an ordinary person in my eyes."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's face lit up with realization. She suddenly understood Shi Yi's indifferent behavior.
"So, don't take something as trivial as growing up together so seriously. Even the same concept can look different to different people. Look at Dai Mubai, didn't you grow up together? Are you still on the same page?" Shi Yi asked Zhu Zhuqing.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing said softly, "He wasn't like this when he was a child. Even now, I can understand him, but I don't support him."
"If Dai Mubai at least left a good impression in your childhood, then Xiao Wu never left a good impression on me. Her disappearance makes me feel that the world is a lot calmer." Shi Yi chuckled.
As he spoke, the carriage gradually stopped.
The voice of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect disciple could be heard from outside, "Two distinguished guests, we have arrived."
"Let's go, you can practice in peace now," Shi Yi said with a smile.
Zhu Zhuqing also smiled and nodded slightly.
Then the two of them slowly got out of the carriage and entered the academy.
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(End of this chapter)