Yu Xiaogang quietly said to Flender, "Don't worry. It's just running, isn't it? If they can't endure a bit of hardship, how can they become strong soul masters in the future?"
"I have my reasons for this."
Flender could only silently sympathize with Yu Xiaogang, hoping that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan wouldn't retaliate against him later.
The rest of the group, hearing about the punishment, were stunned. Running from the academy to Soto City and back ten times while carrying weights was far more challenging than their previous training, where they could at least use soul power and weren't burdened by weights.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong stepped forward and said, "Master, we accept that we made mistakes, but why punish us with running? What's the point? It's one thing to run a short distance, but this is a long, weighted run. Have you ever run such a distance?"
Oscar added, "Master, if we can't use soul power, even someone like Boss Dai, a strong assault-type soul master, would struggle to finish this. Let alone us, who are support-type soul masters."
Yu Xiaogang wasn't surprised by their complaints and replied in a stern voice, "Ning Rongrong, Oscar, you two are the ones who most need to improve your physical fitness. Only by doing so will you increase your chances of survival in battle."
Ning Rongrong, unimpressed, shot back, "Master, why do you think my physical fitness is lacking? Running won't help us escape danger; what matters is speed! Do you think I can outrun assault- or agility-type soul masters? No matter how much I run, that won't change."
"So, I refuse to engage in such inefficient training! It's pointless!"
Tang San, seeing Ning Rongrong speak to his teacher like that, tried to defend Yu Xiaogang, saying, "Rongrong, you shouldn't talk to the teacher like that. He's only trying to help us survive in the future!"
Ning Rongrong looked at Tang San like he was foolish, saying, "I don't need that, thank you. I didn't come here to run laps. If I wanted to run, I could have done so in my clan. As for survival, have you noticed that my father is alive and well? Do you think he hasn't taught me survival techniques?"
Tang San was left speechless. Ning Fengzhi, indeed, lived a perfectly safe life, but he always had at least one titled Douluo with him at all times for protection. He didn't have that luxury himself.
While Tang San thought this, he overlooked that Ning Fengzhi didn't always have a Douluo bodyguard growing up.
Yu Xiaogang, frustrated and unable to argue back, retorted in a sharp voice, "Ning Rongrong! Right now, I am your teacher. You need to follow my instructions. Do you think I would harm you?"
Everyone looked at Yu Xiaogang in surprise, not sure if his sharp tone was a result of his recent injury. Didn't he realize how protective the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was, especially when it came to Ning Rongrong?
Or maybe he didn't know about Flender getting beaten up by Bone Douluo recently. Then again, knowing Flender, he likely wouldn't have shared that embarrassing story.
Su Ming stepped forward, speaking in support of Ning Rongrong. "Master, running really won't help. You can ask Rongrong—she's surely trained her body before in her clan, but not by running long distances. It's just unnecessary."
Yu Xiaogang frowned. "And what do you suggest? If you have no solution, then you should just run!"
Though Yu Xiaogang's tone softened a bit, it was clear that he was irritated. Flender had discreetly warned him just now, and it made him want to curse. Why hadn't Flender told him earlier, when he was preparing the weights?
Now, if Bone Douluo or Sword Douluo came looking for trouble, what would he do?
Su Ming smiled and said, "How about this, Master? Give me seven days. During that time, don't interfere with how I train Rongrong. I'll find a way to improve her evasion skills, giving her some self-defense capability."
"As for this weighted run, it's really unnecessary for us."
Yu Xiaogang was curious about what Su Ming could teach Ning Rongrong to improve her evasion skills.
"And what about Oscar?" Yu Xiaogang asked, remembering that Oscar also needed training.
Su Ming waved dismissively. "I can only focus on one person, and even with seven days, it'll be tough. Plus, it depends on whether Rongrong has the aptitude. So, Oscar will have to learn from Tang San. Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track is great for evasion, isn't it? He can teach Oscar."
Su Ming's eyes gleamed with amusement. He was curious to see how Tang San would handle this, knowing that Tang San might suggest that Oscar destroy his soul power to start over, just like in the original story.
Let's see how Tang San explains his way out of this.
Everyone turned their attention to Tang San, waiting to hear his response.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong's gaze subtly lingered on Su Ming, her heart racing with excitement. She hadn't even done anything for Su Ming yet, and here he was helping her already. If her guess was right, Su Ming was going to teach her Lingbo Weibu!
Internally, she encouraged herself, determined not to disappoint Su Ming and to master the technique quickly.
Su Ming, of course, noticed her reaction. Even Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing caught on. They had already suspected this earlier, and now they were curious to see how Ning Rongrong would react.
Su Ming's gesture had clearly increased his favorability in Ning Rongrong's heart, catching her off guard. Despite knowing him for a relatively short time, Su Ming's generosity was undeniable.
Oscar, though a little disappointed at first that Su Ming could only teach one person, perked up when he heard Tang San might teach him instead.
He turned to Tang San with hopeful, eager eyes.
Tang San, feeling awkward, realized he was in a tricky situation. What could he do now?
The Tang Sect techniques, including the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, were reserved for sect members. Plus, at this stage, these techniques were crucial for his own survival and success. He couldn't just hand them out so easily.
Tang San, formulating an excuse, looked at Oscar apologetically and said, "Oscar, I'm afraid it won't be possible. The Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track relies on a special cultivation technique, and my spirit power is unique. Without those, you wouldn't be able to use it properly…"
Tang San said, "If you want to learn my technique, you'll have to abandon your current cultivation and start over by practicing this new technique. Are you willing to do that?"
"Moreover, it took me ten years just to get started with this technique."
Tang San exaggerated a bit, but he wasn't lying entirely. In this world, it hadn't taken him nearly as long to master it, but that was because he had a foundation from his previous life.
Oscar's excited expression froze. He hadn't expected that to practice the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he would have to give up his current cultivation and spend ten years just to reach the basics.
Still, Oscar didn't want to give up on the opportunity just yet. Maybe he could learn it without having to abandon his cultivation. "Tang San, let me try. Maybe I can learn the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track without starting over?"
Tang San, remembering Oscar's loyalty and bravery in the Star Dou Forest, felt conflicted. In the end, he agreed reluctantly, "Alright, Oscar. I'll let you give it a try."
Even though Tang San agreed, he knew Oscar wouldn't be able to learn the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track without practicing the Mysterious Heaven Technique, which required its specific internal energy.
Su Ming, who had been listening nearby, couldn't help but feel disdain. Tang San's claim that Oscar would need to abandon his current cultivation and switch to the Mysterious Heaven Technique was just an excuse.
In the future, when Huo Yuhao joined the Tang Sect, Tang Ya had given him the Mysterious Heaven Technique without requiring him to abandon his existing cultivation. So, Tang San simply didn't want to share this world's version of his "cheat" so easily.
Tang San wasn't even offering to let Oscar try practicing the Mysterious Heaven Technique. He probably feared that Oscar might actually succeed.
At that moment, both Yu Xiaogang and Flender had similar thoughts, admiring Tang San's abilities and assuming it was because he was the son of the famed Haotian Douluo.
Su Ming, if he could hear their thoughts, would certainly have mocked them for not questioning the origins of Tang San's techniques in a world without such methods. Instead, they blindly attributed it to Tang San's lineage.
Oscar, excited by Tang San's agreement, practically jumped on Tang San, ready to give him a celebratory kiss, but Tang San quickly pushed Oscar's face away with a grimace.
"Calm down, Oscar! Be serious. Without the proper technique, it's really hard to learn this. Don't get ahead of yourself. Also, I'm straight."
Oscar shrugged it off, still thrilled to have a chance. If it didn't work, he figured he could always go to Su Ming later for help.
Su Ming, amused, thought to himself, You really think I'd teach you Lingbo Weibu? Not happening. He was only willing to teach Ning Rongrong because it would raise her favor toward him. Plus, once he gave her a rare herb to evolve her martial spirit, their relationship would be solidified.
Unlike in his past life, where girls would accept gifts without showing much in return, Su Ming knew that in this world, once someone truly recognized your kindness, winning them over wasn't too difficult.
That was why Xiao Wu had fallen for the rather plain-looking Tang San in the original story—he treated her well.
Of course, some girls were more aloof and needed a different approach. For now, though, the situation with the academy's two support-type soul masters was settled: Su Ming would train Ning Rongrong, and Tang San would deal with Oscar. They had seven days to show Yu Xiaogang some results.
Naturally, Yu Xiaogang was most interested in seeing how Ning Rongrong turned out, given that Su Ming had promised significant results. As for Oscar, Tang San had only said he would "try," so expectations were lower.
Yu Xiaogang then said, "Alright, we'll cancel today's weighted training. Tang San, come with me for a moment. The rest of you, meet at the training ground tonight. For now, focus on your cultivation."
Yu Xiaogang was grateful that Su Ming had given him an excuse to cancel the grueling run for Ning Rongrong, knowing that he couldn't handle the wrath of a titled Douluo if things went wrong.
He then took Tang San aside to teach him more about external spirit bones and learn more about Tang San's Eight Spider Lances. Previously, Yu Xiaogang hadn't bothered to teach Tang San about these things because he hadn't expected Tang San to acquire one.
Meanwhile, Su Ming turned to Xiao Wu. "I'm planning to teach Rongrong Lingbo Weibu. Do you want to join?"
Although he and Xiao Wu were now together, Su Ming respected her feelings and wanted her input. After all, he had told Xiao Wu that he might not stay with just one woman and had given her the chance to think it over.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Wu had only hesitated briefly before giving him her answer through her actions. She made it clear that she didn't mind him having other women, as long as he was honest and kept her informed. She just wanted a place in his heart.
Su Ming, touched by her understanding, had responded passionately to her feelings.
Still, Su Ming found Xiao Wu's attitude surprising. He recalled how jealous she had been in the original story when Ning Rongrong and Huo Wu had kissed Tang San, even retaliating fiercely in one instance.
Xiao Wu, warmed by Su Ming's respect for her opinion, decided to let Su Ming focus on Ning Rongrong. She didn't want to be a third wheel, and besides, Lingbo Weibu wouldn't be of much use to her.
"Su Ming, you go ahead and teach Rongrong. It's not something I really need," she said with a smile.