Chapter 16: Do You Want to Join the Spirit Hall?

“Three powers standing firm, balancing each other.” Wang Dong recalled the words Ning Rongrong had told him that day and spoke them aloud without hesitation.

“Although the Spirit Hall lacks a vast army, it controls nearly half of the soul masters on the Douluo Continent. Its strength cannot be underestimated,” Xue Qinghe said briefly, then fell silent.

“Are you suggesting I join the Spirit Hall?” Wang Dong asked straightforwardly.

Indeed, among the wise, not every word needs to be spelled out. Xue Qinghe continued, “Your talent is extraordinary; sooner or later, you will appear on this continent. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is ultimately a support-type sect. When faced with powerful opponents, it cannot protect you.”

“But I will protect it,” Wang Dong said without hesitation, firmly expressing his stance to Xue Qinghe.

Even Wang Dong himself did not realize how resolute his gaze had become in that moment.

“Will you stand against the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?” Wang Dong opened his eyes and turned to meet Xue Qinghe’s gaze.

At that moment, a dark cloud drifted by, blocking the sunlight as the two locked eyes.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was located within the Tiandou Empire, and Ning Fengzhi was even the crown prince’s mentor, a position of great honor.

Yet here stood Xue Qinghe, who had originally sent word to Ning Fengzhi claiming he would not come, but suddenly appeared here instead—clearly hiding something from the sect.

One could only imagine the Spirit Hall’s intentions.

“Have you already guessed my identity?” Xue Qinghe asked, not answering but turning the question back on Wang Dong.

Wang Dong withdrew his gaze, recalling the scene of being held in Xue Qinghe’s arms that day, then silently turned his head away.

That was tacit acknowledgment.

Xue Qinghe sighed softly, “Indeed, one must not act recklessly.” After a pause, he added, “Fine, I can promise you—the Spirit Hall will not initiate hostility against the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.”

Wang Dong’s face remained cold, but the slight curl of his lips betrayed his true feelings. “You agreed that easily? That’s unlike you.”

“You’re an exception to me.”

With those words left hanging, Wang Dong no longer sensed his presence.

The clouds dispersed, sunlight returned to bathe his face, and a calm settled over his body and mind.

The Spirit Hall, huh?

It didn’t seem so bad after all.

Returning to the foot of the mountain, Wang Dong spotted Ning Rongrong anxiously pacing, glancing repeatedly toward the mountain path.

At that moment, his heart softened once again. When Ning Rongrong noticed him and her expression shifted from worry to delight, he knew that no matter what, he would never regret what he had just said to Xue Qinghe—for her.

“Xiao Dong—hurry! Father is taking us to Yuntang Town!”

“Coming!”

Ning Rongrong did not ask why he had lost control of his emotions earlier; she simply took his hand and walked steadily ahead.

The carriage soon left Seven Treasures City. In Ning Fengzhi’s hand was a memorial sent along with the letter by Xue Qinghe the day before, submitted by the mayor of Yuntang Town.

Chen Xin took it, quickly scanning it before asking, “There’s no sign of any attack method. Could it be a spirit-type?”

Wang Dong’s breath caught—spirit-type? What a coincidence.

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin immediately noticed Wang Dong’s change in expression but said nothing.

“Most likely. However, spirit-type soul beasts have keen insight; it will be difficult to catch any trace,” Ning Fengzhi said quietly.

Chen Xin pondered for a moment. “We can only try to find traces of soul power first.”

Throughout the journey, Ning Rongrong remained quiet, lost in thought.

After about an hour, the carriage stopped at the gates of Yuntang Town.

As soon as they disembarked, a clear, sweet voice rang out from the gate area:

“Hey, your sign clearly said two copper soul coins a bowl, why are you charging me five now?”

The shopkeeper’s cold voice replied, “Poor kid, if you can’t afford it, don’t eat.”

Wang Dong frowned, but when he caught sight of the little girl’s face, he froze.

“You’re the bad adult! You’re tricking me, thinking I’m small and easy to bully, so you deliberately charge me extra soul coins!” The girl was undeterred by the shopkeeper’s words and continued to defend herself.

Seeing her sharp tongue and making sure no one was around, the shopkeeper pulled out a stick and stepped out from behind the stove.

“What… what do you want? If you do this, I’ll report you to the authorities!” the girl threatened while backing away.

The shopkeeper sneered as if hearing a joke. “Report? In this backwater place full of chaos, who would care? No one will enforce the law!”

He raised the stick and swung at her.

Ning Rongrong fumed, “How outrageous! To bully a girl in broad daylight—Sword Grandpa, go teach him a lesson!”

Chen Xin was about to intervene but was stopped by Ning Fengzhi. “Sword Uncle, Rongrong, hold on.”

The little girl glanced at the stick swinging toward her with a cold smile, easily grasped it, pulled back sharply, and sent the stick and the man flying forward. She kicked him squarely in the stomach, and he was sent crashing to the ground.

She lightly dusted off her hands. “Hmph, I tried to reason with you, but you wouldn’t listen. You forced my hand.”

“Wow! You’re amazing!” a sudden voice exclaimed.

The girl startled and turned to see another girl about her age, dressed in a blue dress.

It was Ning Rongrong, her face full of admiration.

The straightforward praise made the girl blush slightly.

Ning Rongrong extended her hand openly. “Hello, I’m Ning Rongrong. Nice to meet you.”

The girl replied without hesitation, “Hello, I’m Xiao Wu—Wu as in dance.”

Xiao… Wu…

One of the original Seven Devils of Shrek Academy, Xiao Wu?

Wang Dong looked at the little girl’s youthful face, a wave of warmth flooding over him, making him want to get closer.

Ning Rongrong curiously eyed Xiao Wu’s ankle-length braid. “Wow, it’s so long and beautifully braided! Who did it for you?”

The stars in Xiao Wu’s eyes dimmed.

“My mom braided it for me,” she said softly.

Ning Rongrong noticed the change in Xiao Wu’s mood. “Your mother…”

“She was killed by bad people.”

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong immediately pulled Xiao Wu into an embrace and gently patted her shoulders. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

Xiao Wu clenched her fists, a memory of the woman in purple flashing through her mind. “It’s okay. When I become strong, I will avenge my mother with my own hands!”

“Keep it up! I believe you can do it!” Ning Rongrong encouraged.

Just then, Wang Dong stepped forward, interrupting their moment.

Xiao Wu looked curiously at the boy before her, her heart beginning to beat faster.

Why did he feel so familiar? Could he also be a soul beast?

It was as if they had known each other for a long time.

“Y-You… Hello, my name is Wang Dong—Dong as in winter,” Wang Dong said, breathing a little fast, staring intently.

“Have we met before?” Xiao Wu looked at his face and impulsively reached out to touch his head.

Strangely, Wang Dong did not pull away; instead, he leaned closer.

“Not in this life, I think,” Wang Dong answered honestly.

Xiao Wu laughed at his answer. “Then does that mean we met in a past life?”

“Maybe you two knew each other in the life before that!” Ning Rongrong’s voice interrupted their conversation, making both shyly look away.

Two people meeting for the first time, yet their dialogue seemed oddly intimate.

“Well then, since we know each other, call me Sister Xiao Wu. I’ll protect you from now on!” Xiao Wu patted her chest and looked up proudly.

Wang Dong turned his head, blushing. “No.”

His awkward, tsundere expression caused both girls to burst out laughing.

Nearby, Chen Xin leaned toward Ning Fengzhi and whispered a few words.

Ning Fengzhi soon wore a look of disbelief before glancing at Xiao Wu and the hand Ning Rongrong still held tightly.

His gaze deepened.

…

End of chapter.

(Please bookmark and follow!)