Chapter 55: Arrival at Soto City
Two days later, outside Spirit City.
Luo Ling and Ning Rongrong boarded the carriage under Hu Liena's reluctant gaze.
Just before leaving, Luo Ling turned to remind Bibi Dong softly, "Teacher, while I'm away, please don't go back to that place."
Bibi Dong instantly knew what he meant — the secret realm of the Rakshasa God's divine trial.
Without Luo Ling there, no one could help her suppress the evil thoughts within her heart.
Her eyes softened as she looked at him and nodded gently.
Luo Ling said no more and departed.
"Brother Ling, would you like to stay at our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan for a while?" Ning Rongrong asked as the carriage rattled along.
Luo Ling shook his head. "Rongrong, I'm on an assignment this time."
"An assignment? Where are you going, Brother Ling?"
"Probably to Soto City."
"Soto City?"
"Yes." Luo Ling nodded, thinking of Shrek Academy and the little rabbit there.
Six years had passed. I hope you don't disappoint me, he thought silently, a faint red glint flashing through his eyes as he gazed out the window.
…
Four days later, the carriage arrived at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
Ning Fengzhi and the Sword and Bone Douluo had already received the news and were waiting at the entrance.
"Father!" Ning Rongrong leapt off the carriage and ran straight into his arms.
It had been three years since she last saw her father, and her heart overflowed with longing.
Ning Fengzhi hugged his daughter tightly, feeling a wave of emotion before finally calming down.
Then he turned his attention to Luo Ling and Ghost Douluo beside him.
"Your Highness the Holy Son, Elder Ghost, won't you come in and rest for a while?"
"No need," Luo Ling said with a shake of his head. "I still have things to do. Let's part ways here."
Seeing Luo Ling decline, Ning Fengzhi didn't insist. "Very well then. But if either of you ever need anything, our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's doors will always be open to you."
Luo Ling nodded politely, exchanged farewells, and left.
Only after Luo Ling and Ghost Douluo disappeared down the road did Ning Fengzhi lead his daughter back inside the sect.
"Rongrong, how have these three years in Spirit Hall been?" he asked.
"Father, I've been doing great in Spirit Hall. The Pope and Brother Ling have taken very good care of me!"
"Brother Ling?" Ning Fengzhi blinked, then a small smile crept across his face.
"It seems you and the Holy Son get along quite well," he said knowingly.
As her father, he knew one day she would marry. And considering how close Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasures Clan had become, he didn't oppose a deeper connection between them.
"Yes, Brother Ling has guided my cultivation these past three years. Father, you might not know, but he's incredible! Do you know the Diamond Rank duelist from the Great Spirit Arena — the Strange Magician? That's him!"
Her words brimmed with admiration.
"You're saying the Strange Magician is the Holy Son Luo Ling?" Ning Fengzhi's expression finally changed.
He had suspected it before — Luo Ling's skills during his previous visit to the Seven Treasures Clan had resembled the Strange Magician's too closely — but speculation was one thing, confirmation another.
"Rongrong, tell me more about him," Ning Fengzhi said, unable to contain his curiosity.
The Strange Magician's power was far beyond his imagination.
Back when Luo Ling had visited, he'd already seemed exceptional — but this was on another level altogether.
"Father, you must promise not to tell anyone about what I say, or I won't tell you everything."
Ning Rongrong looked at him earnestly, then turned to Sword and Bone Douluo.
"Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone — you two have to promise too! You can't tell anyone!"
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but laugh. His daughter had only been gone three years, and already she was taking Spirit Hall's side over her own father.
"Alright, alright, I won't tell a soul," he said, amused.
"Neither will I."
"Nor I."
The three promised helplessly.
Ning Rongrong's face brightened, and she began retelling everything about Luo Ling.
Ten minutes later, all three senior figures sat in stunned silence.
"Twin-origin martial souls, self-fusion technique, and the ability to merge spirit rings…" Ning Fengzhi muttered to himself, unable to believe what he'd heard.
Such a heaven-defying Martial Soul truly existed?
Seeing their shocked faces, Ning Rongrong raised her chin proudly.
"Rongrong," Ning Fengzhi said after a deep breath, "you must maintain a good relationship with the Holy Son Luo Ling."
The revelation only strengthened his conviction that allying with Spirit Hall had been the right choice.
"My relationship with Brother Ling is already great!" Ning Rongrong said with a pout. Then something came to mind, and she asked: "Oh, Father, do you know where Soto City is?"
"Soto City? Why do you ask?"
"No reason, just wondering," she said quickly, avoiding his gaze.
Ning Fengzhi studied her for a long moment before replying, "Soto City is in the Barak Kingdom — one of its most prosperous cities."
"Oh, I see," Ning Rongrong said thoughtfully, falling silent again.
"Enough of that," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile. "Since you're back, I prepared plenty of your favorite dishes — and that Qiluo Tulip we talked about is ready for you."
"Hehe, Father is still the best!" Ning Rongrong cheered, hugging him joyfully.
…
Dozens of kilometers away, Luo Ling was traveling toward Soto City.
"Uncle Ghost, you really don't have to follow me," Luo Ling said helplessly as he looked at Ghost Douluo driving the carriage.
"Your Highness, the Pope personally ordered me to escort Miss Rongrong home, then accompany you for protection," Ghost Douluo answered firmly.
"Uncle Ghost, do you really think there's anyone out there capable of harming me with my current strength?"
"Certainly not, Your Highness," Ghost Douluo admitted. "But Her Holiness's orders are absolute."
Luo Ling sighed and gave up arguing. "Alright then, just protect me from the shadows."
"Yes," Ghost Douluo replied respectfully.
The carriage rolled on until dusk, finally reaching Soto City.
Upon entering the city, Luo Ling went straight to a familiar location from the original tale — the Rose Hotel.
The moment he stepped inside, a rich fragrance of roses filled the air.
Bouquets of roses decorated the walls, bathing the space in a dreamy, romantic atmosphere.
Luo Ling silently marveled. Such lavish design was rare even in his previous life on Blue Star.
"Sir, may I ask if you'll be staying with us tonight?" the receptionist asked, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him.
With his silver hair, crimson eyes, and tailored black suit, Luo Ling exuded an aura of refined nobility.
He wasn't wearing his hat or monocle this time — after all, the Strange Magician's attire was too recognizable.
"Yes, please prepare a room for me."
"Our best suite is 10 gold soul coins per night; the next—"
"I'll take the best one," Luo Ling interrupted softly.
The receptionist's admiration deepened. Handsome and wealthy — a rare combination.
"How long will you be staying, sir?"
"Hmm…" Luo Ling hesitated briefly. "I've heard there's a Shrek Academy nearby. When does enrollment begin?"
"Shrek Academy?" she paused to think and then replied, "Yes, there's one here in Soto City. If I recall correctly, the enrollment period starts in about half a month."
"Then book it for twenty days," Luo Ling said immediately.
"Of course, sir. I'll arrange it right away," the receptionist answered, beaming.
(END CHAPTER)
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