After the vines binding Dai Mubai loosened, he stretched his arms and legs, then silently walked back towards the academy.
Following him were Tang San and Oscar, with Su Ming, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong trailing behind. Su Ming glanced at Oscar and shook his head slightly. Oscar had said he wanted to pursue Ning Rongrong, but when Dai Mubai almost attacked her, Oscar hadn't reacted at all. In fact, he had even defended Dai Mubai in the end. With such behavior, there was no chance Oscar would win her over.
Su Ming understood, though. After all, Oscar had spent more time with Dai Mubai and naturally felt a stronger bond with him than with the recently met Ning Rongrong. But this likely meant Oscar had lost any chance with Ning Rongrong.
Su Ming had also decided not to take Oscar as his follower anymore. Originally, Oscar's desire to compete for Ning Rongrong's affections had put an end to that possibility. Now, after siding with Dai Mubai, Su Ming didn't even see Oscar as competition—it would only lower his standards.
As Su Ming's mind wandered, Ning Rongrong's voice came from beside him.
"Su Ming, thank you for helping me today. If Dai Mubai tries to cause you any trouble in the future, my father and my two grandfathers will make sure nothing happens to you!" Ning Rongrong spoke softly, sincerely grateful.
Since Su Ming had no plans to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Rongrong didn't intend to push the matter. She understood that he had his own path.
Su Ming chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about it. Dai Mubai doesn't have the means to be a threat. He's weaker than I am, and even if he tried to hire someone, it would cost him a fortune. He doesn't have any extra income right now. And even if he did try, I've got my own cards to play. You don't need to worry."
Hearing Su Ming's reassurance, Ning Rongrong felt much more at ease.
Xiao Wu, standing beside them, chimed in, "That's right! My brother Su Ming is really strong. If he says he's not worried about Dai Mubai, then he definitely isn't."
Xiao Wu had absolute confidence in Su Ming. After all, he hadn't used his Sharingan in a long time. She figured it might have even evolved during his training.
Before long, the group arrived back at the academy, and each person headed to their own dormitory.
In the girls' dormitory, Zhu Zhuqing had already been back for a while, but the others had not yet returned, making her feel uneasy. Something seemed off, as if something had happened.
Just as she was about to go out to check, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong returned.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Wu, Rongrong, weren't you both right behind me? Why did it take you so long to get back?"
Xiao Wu, still fuming, recounted everything that had happened after Zhu Zhuqing left, expressing her frustration with Dai Mubai's behavior.
Hearing the story, Zhu Zhuqing felt a wave of guilt. Ning Rongrong had spoken up for her and nearly been hurt by Dai Mubai. Thankfully, Su Ming had intervened in time, or the consequences could have been dire.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ning Rongrong with a guilty expression. "Rongrong…"
Before she could finish, Ning Rongrong took her hands, patting them gently, and said, "It's fine, Zhuqing. Everything turned out okay. Besides, I've been annoyed with Dai Mubai for a long time. It felt good to finally stand up to him, and it was kind of thrilling. And just so you know, I wasn't only standing up for you—I had my own reasons too."
Xiao Wu shot Ning Rongrong a questioning glance. "If Su Ming hadn't stepped in, it wouldn't have been thrilling—it would have been terrifying!"
Ning Rongrong, aware of the danger she had been in, didn't argue and playfully stuck out her tongue.
Then, as if recalling something, Xiao Wu asked curiously, "Rongrong, what other reason did you have for confronting Dai Mubai? I get that you wanted to stand up for Zhuqing, but it was still pretty risky. Even though you're the heir to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, you're still an auxiliary-type spirit master, while Dai Mubai is a power-type."
Ning Rongrong, leading the two girls to sit down in the room, finally explained, "Yes, confronting Dai Mubai was dangerous, but it was worth it. And I've already achieved what I set out to do. I'm quite satisfied with the outcome."
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."
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