The Ambitions of Xiaogang

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"Fine, I'll give it a shot," Ning Tian said smoothly. Ning Rongrong's refusal was no surprise—he'd expected it. Even if Flender hadn't asked, he'd have gone anyway.

Soon, he reached Ning Rongrong's dorm and knocked on the door. From inside came her voice, sharp with irritation. "How many times do I have to say it? That lecherous tiger ran off to the brothel and drained himself dry, it's his own fault. I'm not asking my dad to save a creep like that."

"Rongrong, it's me," Ning Tian called out, his tone calm.

The words barely left his mouth before hurried footsteps echoed within. The door swung open, revealing Ning Rongrong's familiar, graceful figure.

On the bed, Xiao Wu sat cross-legged, pretending to meditate, though Ning Tian caught her sneaking a glance at him.

"Did the dean send you?" Ning Rongrong asked, her sharp mind already piecing it together.

Ning Tian's gaze flicked to the back of the room, meeting Xiao Wu's eyes for a brief moment. A subtle smile curved his lips. "Sort of. But it's not just about the dean, it's for us too."

"Us?" Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed pink, and she turned aside, fiddling with her long brown hair. 'Ning Tian said 'us'...does he mean…? No, I can't betray Xiao Wu or Zhuqing. We're sisters…'

"Look at it this way," he continued, his voice smooth and calculated. "If you call your dad over, you can tell him all about the grief you've endured here. Let him settle the score for you, get some payback. And while you're at it, bring your Sword Grandpa too. He could guide my swordsmanship. Isn't that a win for both of us?"

"Oh, so that's what you meant…" Ning Rongrong murmured, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face as she pouted slightly.

"What was that?" Ning Tian asked, pretending not to hear.

"Ah…nothing, nothing!" She shook her head quickly, flustered, then straightened up. "Fine, for your sake, I'll write a letter right now and have Flender deliver it to my dad."

"Then I'm in luck," Ning Tian said, his tone teasing yet deliberate. "Having a Titled Douluo mentor me in swordsmanship? That's something I'd never dare dream of otherwise." He emphasized 'Titled Douluo' just enough to linger in the air.

After he left, Xiao Wu's eyes fluttered open. Ning Rongrong grinned at her. "What's this, Xiao Wu? Your little sixth brother's gone, and now you're finally willing to open your eyes? A bit late, don't you think?"

"Rongrong, don't talk nonsense," Xiao Wu snapped, her face reddening. "We're just ordinary friends."

"Oh, ordinary friends–childhood sweethearts, you mean," Ning Rongrong teased, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

It was true, they'd met at six, so the label fit, more or less. But Xiao Wu's mind was elsewhere, fixated on Ning Tian's mention of a Titled Douluo. "Rongrong, are your dad and Sword Grandpa really coming?"

"Of course," Ning Rongrong replied confidently. "My dad and Sword Grandpa adore me. As soon as Flender delivers my letter, they'll come." She pulled out paper and a pen, starting to write.

"I see…" Xiao Wu exhaled softly and drifted to the window, her gaze settling on the distant Star Dou Forest.

.........….

Meanwhile, Ning Tian informed Flender that Ning Rongrong had agreed, then stepped out of Dai Mubai's dorm.

Yu Xiaogang hurried after him, catching him at his dorm's entrance. "Ning Tian, wait a moment."

"What is it?" Ning Tian's response was flat, almost dismissive.

"Can't I come in and sit for a bit?" Yu Xiaogang flashed what he thought was a friendly smile.

"No."

Yu Xiaogang assumed Ning Tian was still hung up on some past grievance. His stiff face softened into what he believed was a warm expression. "First off, about that incident years ago—it wasn't my doing, but I'll still apologize to you and your teacher."

"And then?" Ning Tian's tone didn't budge.

"You must know something about me by now," Yu Xiaogang pressed on. "Take Little San's Blue Silver Grass—it was just a useless martial soul at first. But under my guidance, it's gained incredible control power."

Unaware of Tang San's lackluster performance since arriving at Shrek or the fact that Flender had kept it quiet to spare his feelings, and no one had mentioned Tang San's diarrhea fiasco—Yu Xiaogang rambled on about how he'd molded Tang San into the talent he was today.

Ning Tian cut through the nonsense with a sharp smirk. "Master, what you really want is to know how I broke through to level thirty and got two thousand-year soul rings, isn't it?"

Yu Xiaogang wouldn't admit it. "I'm just concerned you've taken a wrong turn. I thought I'd offer some advice. I'm sure you are aware of my expertise in martial soul theory."

Ning Tian's lips curled upward. "In that case, I've got a few questions for you, Master. If you can answer them all, I might just share how I broke through to level thirty and secured my second thousand-year ring."

"Ask away," Yu Xiaogang said, puffing out his chest and clasping his hands behind his back, utterly confident in his 'invincible' theories.

Just then, Tang San appeared, having followed out of worry that Ning Tian might trouble his teacher.

Ning Tian glanced at him before continuing. "Since these are questions, it wouldn't be fair for just me to hear the answers. Let's wait until class starts, I'll ask then, so everyone can benefit from your wisdom as a 'theoretical master.'"

Yu Xiaogang, agreed without hesitation.

Once Ning Tian disappeared into his dorm, Tang San joined Yu Xiaogang at the lodging Flender had arranged. "Teacher, what were you two talking about? That jerk Ning Tian didn't give you a hard time, did he?"

"Nothing too serious," Yu Xiaogang replied. "I just asked how he got his second thousand-year soul ring. It could be a huge help for your cultivation down the line." He left out his curiosity about the level thirty breakthrough.

Tang San's heart warmed at that. He knew how proud his teacher was, yet here he was, humbling himself to question Ning Tian—for him. Besides his father and Xiao Wu, no one cared for him more.

Seeing Tang San's touched expression, Yu Xiaogang smiled gently and ruffled his hair. "How's Mubai doing?"

Tang San shook his head grimly. "It's not looking good. After you left, I checked again. That part of him is definitely dead—it's only a matter of time before it starts rotting. Even if Rongrong's father comes, I doubt it can be healed."

"Is that so?" Yu Xiaogang sighed, a trace of regret in his voice. He'd hoped to shape Dai Mubai into a key member of the Shrek team for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament in a couple of years—a team led by his star disciple, Tang San, tailored to showcase his brilliance. Now, with Dai Mubai's… condition, who knew if he'd still be up to the task?

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