"Another four or five levels?!" Zhu Zhuqing froze in shock, unable to stop herself from blurting out.
Xiao Se nodded with a smile. His plan was for Zhu Zhuqing to obtain her third spirit ring first. Then, once they returned to the Douqi Continent, he would teach her how to cultivate Dou Qi. With more than thirty levels of soul power already in her body, refining it into Dou Qi would allow her to rise quickly to the ninth stage. After that, she could condense her Dou Qi whirlpool, switch to proper cultivation methods, and refine the remaining soul power. Breaking through to the Dou Shi realm before she turned fourteen—or even thirteen—wouldn't be a problem at all.
Suddenly, another idea flashed through Xiao Se's mind:
If one used soul power to imitate Dou Qi cultivation… to condense a soul-power whirlpool, switch to cultivation methods, and then, as soul power increased, let it liquefy and eventually solidify into soul crystals…
If someone on Douluo Continent actually succeeded… wouldn't they become an unmatched powerhouse, never seen before or after?
A single martial-arts manual like the "Xuan Tian Art" could already overpower everything here. If someone cultivated a true fantasy-grade technique, they'd practically defy the heavens.
Xiao Se shook his head in amazement.
He then reached out his hand to Zhu Zhuqing with a smile. "Come on. Since you've refined it successfully and it's almost noon, let's grab something to eat. After that, we'll head to the Sunset Forest to find the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well. You can get your third spirit ring there."
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks turned pink as she placed her hand in his and stood up.
The two jumped out the window and knowingly walked toward the same restaurant they visited yesterday. Say what you will about Evil-Eyed Fatty Dai Mubai—he had good taste. That restaurant really was delicious.
Before long, they arrived.
The moment they stepped inside, they heard guests discussing yesterday's incident between Xiao Se and Dai Mubai's group.
"Heh, you guys should've seen it—Shrek Academy's fat tiger got beaten so badly it was pathetic!"
"Serves him right. He bullies people all the time just because he's a soul master. Guess he finally kicked an iron plate."
Hearing the chatter, Xiao Se and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a smile.
It seemed yesterday's conflict hadn't hurt the restaurant's business at all—in fact, more nosy onlookers were coming specifically to gossip.
Suddenly, a familiar figure in the corner caught Xiao Se's eye.
"It's her." A hint of surprise flashed in his gaze.
Teal-green dress, refined features, graceful figure, skin even fairer than Zhu Zhuqing's… Who else but Ning Rongrong?
But compared to yesterday, the people beside her had changed. No Tang San, no Xiao Wu—only a scholarly middle-aged man and an elderly instructor.
Noticing Xiao Se looking at her, Ning Rongrong turned her head. Her bright eyes lit up instantly—not with fear, but with a warm smile as she waved at him and Zhu Zhuqing.
"That looks like the girl who was following Dai Mubai's group yesterday." Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly at Ning Rongrong's wave. Still holding a bit of resentment toward Shrek from yesterday, she leaned toward Xiao Se and whispered.
"Mm. Her spirit is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I think her name was Ning Rongrong. Come on—let's see what she's planning." Xiao Se chuckled and took Zhu Zhuqing's hand, making her cheeks burn even more as they walked over.
"Hello. Let me introduce myself—I'm Ning Rongrong. I'm sorry for the trouble caused yesterday. I'd like to apologize on behalf of my companions. Please, sit." Ning Rongrong greeted them with a gentle, polite smile.
Compared to her calm demeanor, Shao Xin and Li Yusong were anything but calm. From Ning Rongrong's words, they immediately realized this fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy was the one who beat Dai Mubai's group bloody, knocked out Flender with a single punch, and forced Tang Ritian to flee in embarrassment. Their hearts leapt straight into their throats.
The two hurriedly stood up and bowed nervously. "Your Excellency!"
"I'm not a Title Douluo. You don't need to salute me like that." Xiao Se waved them off casually. He sat with Zhu Zhuqing and looked at Ning Rongrong. "Xiao Se."
"Zhu Qing," Zhu Zhuqing added softly, giving her temporary alias.
The brief introductions made the atmosphere fall awkwardly silent again.
Ning Rongrong felt a bit embarrassed. She looked from Zhu Zhuqing to Xiao Se, then cautiously asked, "Are you two… boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"Yes!"
"No!"
Their contradictory answers overlapped perfectly, plunging the scene into instant awkwardness.
Zhu Zhuqing shot Xiao Se a glare, her voice soft yet scolding. "When did I become your girlfriend?"
"Aren't you?" Xiao Se grinned mischievously. Then he rubbed his chin, pretended to think deeply, and said something that made Zhu Zhuqing's face turn scarlet. "You will be."
"You—!" As expected, Zhu Zhuqing flushed bright red. She lifted her five-centimeter high heel and stomped on his foot, then turned away shyly, fiddling with a lock of her dark hair.
Watching the two interact, Ning Rongrong couldn't hold back a laugh. She then waved a waiter over and ordered an entire table of dishes.
Rubbing his sore foot, Xiao Se glanced at Ning Rongrong. "Why are you alone? Where are your companions?"
At that question, Shao Xin and Li Yusong instantly tensed up again. Ning Rongrong may not know what happened last night—but they did. Tang Ritian had gone to cause trouble, gotten beaten terribly, and dragged himself back half-dead.
Ning Rongrong glanced at the two instructors, took a deep breath, and asked cautiously, "You're… not planning to go after them, right?"
"If I wanted to go after them," Xiao Se shrugged, "do you think you all would've walked away last night?"
Hearing this—
Ning Rongrong immediately exhaled in relief.
And the two instructors finally unclenched their hearts as well.
Being targeted by a monster like him would make anyone lose sleep.
Soon the dishes arrived. After confirming there was no poison, Xiao Se and Zhu Zhuqing began eating.
As they talked, Ning Rongrong realized Xiao Se was nowhere near as difficult to interact with as she had imagined. Zhu Zhuqing also slowly let go of her initial hostility toward her.
The meal ended quickly, with Ning Rongrong taking the initiative to pay the bill.
Xiao Se and Zhu Zhuqing didn't refuse—everyone knew the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was wealthy beyond comparison. Free food shouldn't be wasted.
Just as they were about to leave, Xiao Se suddenly remembered something. He smirked slightly and said to Ning Rongrong, "Miss Ning, since you treated us to lunch, I'll give you a piece of advice."
"What advice?" Ning Rongrong blinked in confusion.
Xiao Se's tone turned serious.
"Be careful of that boy named Tang San."
(End of Chapter)
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