Xiao Wu immediately asked curiously, "Rongrong, what was your goal in all of this?"
Ning Rongrong continued, "Actually, my second reason for doing this was to test Su Ming or, more specifically, to see his attitude."
Both Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu looked at Ning Rongrong with puzzled expressions.
Ning Rongrong explained, "Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, both of you have a copy of the diary, so you should know that Su Ming wrote about liking all three of us and even said that we would become his wives someday."
Both of them nodded. Xiao Wu's face turned slightly red as she recalled the embarrassing moment when Su Ming first called her his wife in the diary. It was a moment of pure social death!
Zhu Zhuqing seemed to understand and spoke in her usual calm tone, "So, Rongrong, you did this to see if Su Ming really likes you or if it's just something he writes in the diary?"
Xiao Wu also realized what was going on.
Ning Rongrong smiled and nodded, "Yes, although it feels a bit like I'm scheming against Su Ming, I was genuinely curious about how he feels about me."
After saying this, she turned to Xiao Wu with a slightly apologetic look, "I'm sorry, Xiao Wu. Su Ming helped me, and I still tested him. But I promise, this will be the first and last time."
Xiao Wu shook her head and said, "It's not really scheming. Su Ming often talks about liking us in the diary, so it's understandable that you're curious if it's real. But just don't do it again. It's a bit risky."
Seeing that Xiao Wu wasn't angry, Ning Rongrong breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that Xiao Wu might get upset, especially since Xiao Wu was the closest to Su Ming.
Xiao Wu then added, "Rongrong, there are probably better ways to figure out Su Ming's feelings. What you did today was dangerous. If Su Ming hadn't intervened, you might've really been choked by Dai Mubai. That would've been too dangerous!"
Xiao Wu's tone was slightly reprimanding.
Ning Rongrong smiled, "I know it was risky, but given the situation, it was the right moment. In the original timeline, Dai Mubai also attacked me at that exact moment because of my actions. Today's situation wasn't much different from what Su Ming knew, except for the reason why Dai Mubai tried to attack me. This way, it reduces Su Ming's suspicion, right?"
Xiao Wu thought about it and agreed. If Ning Rongrong had acted differently at another time, Su Ming might have noticed something off and started suspecting things.
They all wanted to keep it secret that they had access to the diary. If Su Ming ever found out, he might stop writing in it, and they would no longer have insights into the world's happenings or receive any rewards.
Ning Rongrong then turned to Xiao Wu with a curious expression, "Xiao Wu, do you mind if Su Ming likes me and pursues me? I'm also afraid that I might actually fall for him because, honestly, his actions today didn't disappoint me at all. It shows that his feelings, as written in the diary, aren't just words."
Xiao Wu pouted and sighed, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't mind. When Su Ming patted your head earlier, I was really jealous! He used to do that with me, and it felt like something special between us. But there's nothing I can do. Su Ming is great in so many ways, but he's also very affectionate—too affectionate, really. From what he writes in the diary, there are so many girls he likes!"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing both agreed. They had only known Su Ming for a few days, but his personality, character, and strength were undeniably impressive. The only downside was his tendency to have feelings for many people, making him not very loyal in relationships.
Ning Rongrong's eyes gleamed as she teased Xiao Wu, "You've been Su Ming's little sister for six years now, right? When are you going to take that relationship to the next level?"
"The next level?" Xiao Wu blinked in confusion for a moment, then her face turned bright red as she realized what Ning Rongrong meant. She quickly swatted at Ning Rongrong, "Stop teasing me! We're only twelve!"
Zhu Zhuqing quietly listened to their conversation, though she couldn't help but feel a little interested in the gossip. Now that she had companions like them, plus the advantage of Su Ming's diary, life in the Heaven Dou Empire felt a bit more relaxed. It wasn't like back at her family, where everything was strictly about training.
So, unlike the original storyline where she focused solely on cultivating, Zhu Zhuqing now had a bit of free time to chat and gossip with her friends—something all girls naturally enjoy.
Before awakening her martial spirit, Zhu Zhuqing had actually been much more lively. She used to love playing around with her older sister, and her sister had always treated her well. But now...
Zhu Zhuqing softly joined the conversation, saying, "Xiao Wu, you're not really twelve, you know~~"
Her teasing words floated over to Xiao Wu, who immediately understood the implication. She quickly retorted, "That doesn't count! I'm really twelve right now!"
This earned a fit of giggles from Ning Rongrong, who covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. Finally, she added one last teasing comment, "Xiao Wu, you should make sure things move forward with Su Ming soon. Right now, he clearly has feelings for both of us, but I think he's focusing a little more on me because, well, Zhuqing is a bit too distant. Don't you feel any urgency?"
Zhu Zhuqing remained calm and replied softly, "Xiao Wu, don't worry. I'm not thinking about anyone else until I settle things with Dai Mubai. That's the best way to keep Su Ming safe and prevent any danger for him."
Xiao Wu wasn't sure whether to agree or not. Even though Su Ming hadn't made any moves on Zhuqing yet, she knew it was only a matter of time. Even if there was danger, Xiao Wu believed Su Ming could handle it.
Then, Xiao Wu glared playfully at Ning Rongrong, "So, based on what you're saying, you think you're easier to win over than Zhuqing, which is why Su Ming will go after you first?"
Ning Rongrong's face turned bright red at Xiao Wu's teasing. "Easier to win over"—what was that supposed to mean?
Still blushing, Ning Rongrong replied, "It's not going to be that easy for Su Ming to win me over. You both know I'm the heir to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Marrying me would likely mean joining my clan, and I doubt my father or my two grandfathers would approve unless Su Ming could convince them. Even if I agreed, it wouldn't be enough."
Xiao Wu quickly picked up on the key point: Ning Rongrong didn't deny that she might be easier to win over than Zhu Zhuqing. Instead, she shifted the topic, saying that her agreement alone wouldn't matter—it would be up to her three elders to decide.
After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was a massive and powerful organization, and since Ning Rongrong was the heir, her future partner would have to marry into her family. If that were the case, they would only be allowed to have her as their wife.
Xiao Wu narrowed her eyes and stared at Rongrong with a playful but slightly dangerous expression, "So, Rongrong, you're not denying that you might be easier to win over? And I'm sure, given Su Ming's abilities, he'll find a way to convince your father and grandfathers to let him marry you—especially if you both have feelings for each other."
Having spent six years together, Xiao Wu believed she knew Su Ming's character fairly well. But even then, Su Ming remained unpredictable—he was full of hidden surprises and unknown cards.
Feeling a bit flustered under Xiao Wu's gaze, Ning Rongrong thought for a moment and decided to be open, "Okay, fine. I admit, when Su Ming stepped in and helped me, I started to like him a little. But it's not to that extent yet."
"And besides, I've said this before—if someone can help me evolve my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, I'll marry him!"
"If Su Ming can do that, I'm sure my father and grandfathers wouldn't oppose it. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda only exists in legends. No one has ever seen it, and it's my father's greatest regret. He's been stuck at the seventy-ninth level for a long time now."
Xiao Wu huffed, "Su Ming knows a lot of things, plus he has a system. I bet he could find a way to evolve your martial spirit. And don't forget, in the original story, you became a Rank 2 God. Sure, it might've been a bit overhyped, but do you know what that means?"
Ning Rongrong's heart began to race as she recalled Su Ming mentioning that she eventually became a god in the diary. Her eyes sparkled with realization, "That means my martial spirit must have evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda at some point! Only then would I have the chance to become a god!"
Now, Ning Rongrong's thoughts were swirling with excitement. When would her martial spirit evolve? Would Su Ming help her? And if he did, would she really marry him? The thought made her face flush even redder.
Meanwhile, back in his room, Su Ming had begun writing in his diary, knowing he hadn't finished his entry for the day. He wasn't concerned about Oscar or Tang San—they were hardly worth paying attention to unless absolutely necessary.
[Today's battles at the spirit arena have come to an end. I saw a variety of martial spirits and spirit abilities, which I suppose was somewhat helpful in expanding my knowledge. But in terms of improving my combat skills? Not so much. Honestly, the people I fought were too weak. They couldn't even handle a tenth of my power. Sigh.]
[When will I finally find a strong opponent to have a real fight with? Of course, that person would need to be on my side. What if they had bad intentions?]
At first, Ning Rongrong had been thinking about how Su Ming needed a strong opponent to practice against. She immediately thought of her two grandfathers, but given the current circumstances, she couldn't consider them "on his side" yet. She couldn't guarantee how her grandfathers would react if they saw Su Ming's full strength.
If Su Ming's power exceeded their expectations, and he refused to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, they might develop dangerous thoughts. After all, if Su Ming joined another faction, it could become a threat to their clan. So Ning Rongrong quickly dismissed the idea.
[As for the events in today's spirit battle, I'll just jot them down briefly. Nothing major really happened, though Zhu Zhuqing's strength has clearly improved compared to the original timeline.]
[That surprised me a little. Her third spirit ability, Ghost Slash, now has a bleeding effect—something that didn't exist in the original. This bleeding effect instantly elevates what was once a fairly average skill into a top-tier one.]
[As long as Ghost Slash can wound the opponent, Zhu Zhuqing will definitely win in a prolonged battle. This time, she actually defeated Tang San, whereas in the original, she lost.]
[One thing that puzzled me was how Tang San agreed to engage in close combat with Zhu Zhuqing at first. With his confidence in his Tang Sect techniques, he wasn't afraid of close combat. But after taking just one hit from her Ghost Slash, he chose to avoid further direct confrontation, which was odd.]
The other girls were also intrigued. Why had Tang San avoided combat instead of fighting head-on? Could it have something to do with the diary's previous rewards for Zhu Zhuqing? Both Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing smiled and nodded, "You guessed right. Fortunately, the diary gave me the ability to bypass defenses just before the spirit battle. Without it, I'm not sure if I could've defeated Tang San."
"After all, Tang San is quite skilled. His Mysterious Jade Hand and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track are formidable. But with this ability to bypass defenses, his Mysterious Jade Hand became useless. That gave my Ghost Slash the opportunity it needed. After a series of attacks, Tang San finally made a mistake, and I was able to wound him. I suppose I got lucky."
"Continuously using my spirit abilities to boost speed and attack with Ghost Slash consumed a lot of my spirit power, but thankfully, I succeeded in the end."
After speaking, Zhu Zhuqing looked pleased with herself. With this newfound ability to bypass defenses, along with the internal energy technique she'd been practicing, she now believed she could even defeat Dai Mubai.
However, there was one downside—her internal energy technique, Nine Yin Manual, was incomplete. She had the internal cultivation method but no matching martial techniques. If she had the full manual, her strength would rise even further.
Xiao Wu then asked what had been on her mind, "Zhuqing, when I saw you fighting back then, you didn't seem low on spirit power. Did the diary give you something to increase your spirit power?"
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment before deciding to share. After all, both Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were trustworthy. Rongrong had even stood up for her and nearly got hurt.
In a low voice, Zhu Zhuqing replied, "Yes, it's thanks to the diary. But it didn't give me more spirit power directly—it gave me a cultivation technique."
"It's called the Nine Yin Manual, though the version I got is incomplete and only contains the internal cultivation method. Still, it allows my spirit power to regenerate continuously."
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