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Tang San stared at Ning Tian, his mind roaring, 'Say it! Admit you're into Zhu Zhuqing! Then Xiao Wu will finally let you go!'
"Get some rest," he smiled, patting her head and calmly, turning to head back into the academy.
"Mhm!" Xiao Wu said, smiling and hurrying after him. To her, no 'yes' meant a firm 'no', Ning Tian wouldn't lie.
Tang San shook his head, disappointed, and trailed behind. Oscar stayed back, the evening breeze slicing through him as he wrestled with the aftermath of his outburst.
...….
As dawn brushed the sky with soft grays, Ning Tian rose from meditation and began his morning ritual: sword practice.
He gripped an iron rod weighed down with 600 jin of barbell plates, swinging it in crisp, controlled arcs. His thoughts drifted to yesterday's fight with the Narrow Blade Spirit Master, particularly that second soul skill, a rapid-fire storm of precise slashes.
It was a soul technique but it sparked something in him.
After an hour of drills, he summoned his martial soul. Adopting the blade master's stance, he unleashed over a hundred strikes at a two-meter granite boulder.
Sword light flashed, and a surge of green sword energy engulfed the rock.
A moment later, the boulder cracked into clean fissures, crumbling into rubble.
"Not bad," Ning Tian muttered, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. It wasn't perfect, but with refinement, it'd sharpen his close-range combat.
He flowed through a few more sword forms from his early training, then headed to breakfast.
Zhu Zhuqing was already there, offering a silent nod as he sat. Tang San arrived next, fresh from his Purple Demon Eye practice. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong followed and settled beside Zhu Zhuqing.
Ma Hongjun trudged in last, his back hunched.
Dai Mubai and Oscar were absent.
"Where's the rest?" Ning Tian asked, playing dumb as he started eating.
"Ask Fatty and Tang San," Xiao Wu replied. "You two share dorm with Oscar and Dai Mubai, right? Where are they?"
Tang San spoke up. "Oscar's in deep meditation. Didn't want to disturb him."
Ma Hongjun scratched his head. "No clue. I left early last night, Boss Dai told me to go. He was still going strong, though. Even the madam looked worn out when I bailed."
A chorus of "Eww" swept the table.
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened. "You think he… overdid it?"
Ma Hongjun shrugged. "Doubt it."
Zhu Zhuqing sipped her porridge, unfazed, as if the gossip didn't register.
The chatter continued, Dai Mubai the unwilling star, until the morning bell rang. Breakfast ended, and they headed to the main field.
Dean Flender stood waiting, his eyes settling on Ning Rongrong. "Glad you toughed it out and finished those laps. Nice work."
She huffed but said nothing.
Flender scanned the group. "Where's Mubai? And Little Ao?"
Tang San answered, "Oscar is still cultivating,"
Ning Rongrong chimed in, "Dai Mubai? He and Fatty hit the brothel last night. Dai Mubai isn't back yet."
Flender's brow furrowed. "Tang San, go wake Little Ao. He's needed here. And when Mubai shows up, tell him to see me in my office. Skipping my class? That's gutsy." His tone sharpened, the usually relaxed dean was irked.
Just then, Oscar sprinted over, beaming. "Dean! I hit level 30!"
Flender blinked. "What?!"
Everyone except Ning Tian stared in shock.
At fourteen, Oscar, a food-system soul master known for sluggish progress, had reached Spirit Elder. It was stunning.
"Well done, Little Ao! That makes you the third student here at level 30. On behalf of Shrek Academy, congratulations!" Flender's grin was wide, pride rolling off him.
Ning Rongrong turned to Ning Tian. "When'd you reached Spirit Elder? What's your innate soul power?"
He shrugged. "A month ago. Innate soul power's half a level."
Her jaw dropped. "Wait, you've got half a level of innate soul power?" Ma Hongjun, Flender, even Zhu Zhuqing 's eyes widened .
"That an issue?" Ning Tian asked, feigning innocence.
"Uh, yes, it's a massive issue!" Ning Rongrong stammered. "No one's heard of someone with half a level reaching Spirit Elder! Most don't even make it to spirit master, let alone Spirit Grand Master. How's that possible with half a level?"
Xiao Wu, hearing this for the first time, felt a pang of sympathy and admiration. 'He works so hard, even with such a weak start.'
Ning Tian gave a faint smile. "All thanks to my teacher. Without her, I'd be nowhere."
He mentally tipped his hat to Zhu Qing his mentor, crediting her guidance.
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