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Ning Tian, accompanied by Zhuqing, Rongrong, and Lingling, finished their meal and set out for the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Education Committee. Their purpose was clear: they needed to brief the committee about their upcoming journey, which would take them away from the academy for an extended period.
When they arrived, they stumbled upon the Shrek Academy group, already present for a similar meeting. Flender caught sight of them and broke into a wide grin. "Haha, Ning Tian, Rongrong, and Zhuqing, we meet again," he said. "I messed up last time. You all felt lousy because of me. I'm sorry on behalf of Shrek Academy. So, what do you say? Do you guys want to come back?"
Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, and the other Shrek teachers offered warm smiles. Ning Tian gave a slight nod but held his tongue.
Oscar stepped closer to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, it's been a while," he said. "I didn't think I'd see you again. It's like fate brought us—"
"Get lost," Ning Rongrong interrupted, her tone sharp as ice.
Tang San's gaze locked onto Ning Tian with fierce resolve, while Dai Mubai shot resentful looks at both Ning Tian and Zhu Zhuqing. Yu Xiaogang's eyes betrayed a mix of envy and bitterness. Ma Hongjun shrank behind Flender, fearing Ning Tian knew of his past rumors, unaware that Xiao Wu had already spilled everything. Ning Tian had no plans to play nice. Xiao Wu, though, gazed at Ning Tian with tender warmth.
The Shrek group simmered with a blend of tension and longing.
Meng Shenji, head of the Education Committee, arched an eyebrow. "Oh, Dean Flender, you're acquainted with them?"
Flender chuckled. "Haha, the truth is, Ning Tian, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong, these three gifted kids started out at my Shrek Academy."
The revelation piqued the curiosity of the three committee members about Shrek Academy.
Bai Baoshan, the second member, turned to Ning Tian. "Is this true, Ning Tian?"
"Yes," Ning Tian confirmed with a nod. "I spent three months there."
Rongrong scowled at Flender's smug look. "Then we realized it was rubbish and left," she said flatly.
"Uh—"
Her bluntness silenced the Shrek group awkwardly.
Qin Ming shifted the conversation. "Ning Tian, what brings you to the Education Committee?"
Ning Tian nodded. "I'm taking Zhuqing, Rongrong, and Lingling to travel the continent for a bit," he replied. "We'll be back before the Soul Master Competition."
"Traveling so young?" Yu Xiaogang cut in, hiding his envy behind a veneer of wisdom. "I think it's great to travel, but you're still green. Your strength isn't up to par. The soul master world's tougher than you know. I'd wait until you're a Spirit Ancestor, maybe a Spirit King."
Ning Tian tilted his head. "Then how'd you manage back in the day, Great Master? How'd I hear you survived with less than Spirit Elder strength and still made a name in the Golden Iron Triangle?"
"I…" Yu Xiaogang faltered, glancing at Tang San before going quiet.
'He's scared I'll spill about Tang San's soul rings,' Ning Tian thought, smirking to himself. If Yu Xiaogang bragged about his smarts, Ning Tian was ready to humiliate him publicly.
"Just stay safe out there," Yu Xiaogang mumbled.
Bai Baoshan smiled at Ning Tian. "I believe in you, Ning Tian." He knew Ning Tian's Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Sword martial soul rivaled the Seven Killing Sword or Clear Sky Hammer. With two thousand-year soul rings, Ning Tian outmatched most peers, even some Spirit Kings might fall to him. Bai Baoshan had no doubts.
The other two members nodded in agreement, offering no objections.
...…
As they departed they saw Xue Qinghe in disguise and greeted her.
Qian Renxue looked surprised. "Oh, Brother Ning Tian, are you leaving?"
Ning Tian nodded. "Yes, the classes at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy don't help me much now. I want to train outside for a while. I'll return before the Soul Master Competition starts. Zhuqing, Rongrong, and Lingling want to come too."
"Oh, I see. You're really lucky, Brother Ning Tian," Qian Renxue said, glancing at the three girls. She smiled at Ning Tian, looking impressed and jealous on the outside, but inside, she wasn't happy.
'He's such a flirt,' she thought. 'First, he got the little Zhu girl from the Star Luo Empire, then Ning Rongrong from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and now even Ye Lingling, the heir of the Nine Heart Flowering Apple.'
"Your Highness is too nice," Ning Tian said. "I only have Zhuqing as my girlfriend. Lingling and Rongrong are just joining because they're friends with Zhuqing."
'Lair,' Qian Renxue thought, but she kept her face calm and kind. "Brother Ning Tian, how many times have I said it? Don't call me Your Highness. We're brothers."
Ning Tian smiled, waiting for her to say that. He put his arm around Qian Renxue's shoulder. Her body froze for a moment.
Ning Tian acted like nothing happened. "Oh, right, I almost forgot. Sorry, Brother Xue. Where I'm from, good friends always put their arms around each other. You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not," Qian Renxue said, keeping her warm smile. But inside, she was fuming.
'This guy,' she thought. 'Last time was annoying enough, and now he's doing it again. He doesn't know when to quit.'
But she had handled worse for years. She needed to focus on Dugu Bo's issue first. As for Ning Tian, she'd deal with him someday for touching her like this.
Ning Tian didn't know what she was thinking, but even if he did, he wouldn't care. He knew she'd put up with it.
So, the two left Heaven Dou Royal Academy together, arm in arm, looking like best friends.
People in the academy watched and whispered.
Soon after, rumors spread in the academy that Ning Tian and Prince Xue Qinghe were close friends.
.......
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was north of the Heaven Dou Empire's center, about twenty miles from Heaven Dou City.
But it was far from Nuoding City.
There were more than ten cities between them, including seven big ones with Soul Arenas.
Ning Tian wanted to hurry, but he also wanted to get closer to Ye Lingling. He planned to give her an immortal herb later, but building their friendship mattered too.
So, in every big city, Ning Tian took the three girls to the Soul Arena.
He teamed up with Ye Lingling as the "Tian Ling" team, while Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were the "Cat Tower" team for two-on-two fights. Then, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Tian each did a one-on-one fight.
They stayed in each city for three days: training in the day, fighting at night.
A trip that should've taken ten days stretched to over a month.
Ning Tian thought Ye Lingling might give up, but she was as tough as Zhu Zhuqing. Even when it was hard, she clenched her teeth and kept going.
Ning Tian cheered her on, just like he did with Ning Rongrong before.
This helped Ye Lingling feel part of the group.
When Zhu Zhuqing or Ning Rongrong got hurt in fights or training, Ye Lingling healed them.
Sometimes, Ning Tian got hurt on purpose, not using his system to avoid the pain, so Ye Lingling could heal him.
Then, he taught her combat tactics.
The four of them ate together, lived together, and trained together every day. They were always together, except when sleeping.
After more than a month, even Ye Lingling, who was usually quiet and cold, started to warm up to Ning Tian.
Finally, they reached Nuoding City.
It had been over six months since Ning Tian was last here. Everything felt so familiar. His soul power went from level thirty-three to thirty-six, almost hitting thirty-seven.
But he still loved this place.
He had lived here for six years.
It wasn't just the place; his teacher, who cared for him the most and shaped him, was here.
Before, Ning Tian felt like an outsider in the Douluo Continent. But Zhu Qing's pure love filled the hole in his heart and made him feel like he belonged.
Ning Tian led Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong into the city. All four were good-looking, so people stared.
They walked to Nuoding Academy's gate and stopped.
The gatekeeper knew Ning Tian. He was the disciple of Zhu Qing, the vice dean.
Word was, the dean wanted Qing to take over after he retired.
So, the four entered Nuoding Academy easily.
Inside, lots of people knew Ning Tian, especially the teachers. He had fought almost all of them, leaving a big mark.
As they looked around, Zhu Zhuqing asked, "Ning Tian, is this where you grew up?"
"Yes," Ning Tian said. "I'll take you to meet my teacher first."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, feeling nervous. It was her first time meeting someone so important to him.
Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling were curious about Ning Tian's teacher. What kind of person could teach someone as amazing as him?
Soon, Ning Tian reached the vice dean's office where they finally met Zhu Qing.
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