Chapter 51: Ning Rongrong's Confusion
Welcome our new Patron: kurtis newman
------------------------------------------------------
After Yang Xiong followed Ning Rongrong to the dormitory, he indeed found her crying alone, looking deeply upset.
Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head at the sight of her. She was still just a little girl, reduced to tears after being scolded a bit. However, he didn't offer comfort and instead sat quietly beside her.
Feeling Yang Xiong's presence, Ning Rongrong looked up and glared at him. "Little Bear, why are you here? Are you here to laugh at me?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "Rongrong, what's so funny about this? Didn't you insist on coming to Shrek Academy? I couldn't stop you even if I tried."
Ning Rongrong faltered for a moment. "I only wanted to come because Father told me about it. I never expected it to be like this."
Yang Xiong countered, "What exactly is it like? Did Principal Flender say anything wrong?"
Recalling Flender's words, Ning Rongrong replied, "I'm the most talented successor of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. How dare he look down on me?"
Yang Xiong chuckled. "Did Flender say anything incorrect? Among our eight students, what advantages do you have?"
Ning Rongrong retorted, "I'm an auxiliary-type soul master! My soul power level isn't much lower than Tang San's or the others."
Yang Xiong was momentarily speechless. "Why are you comparing yourself to others? Do you really need to compare these things? Your talent isn't inferior to anyone else's, and in some aspects, it might even be better."
"If you're truly angry, we can leave Shrek right now. We can tell Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone what happened today. They might even raze Shrek to the ground to avenge you."
Ning Rongrong was left speechless. She was only a twelve-year-old girl. Though her words had been sharp, she hadn't actually intended to harm anyone. She wasn't the ruthless type.
Yang Xiong continued, "Rongrong, you're so smart. Can't you see that this entire incident was part of Flender's plan? He wanted to assert his authority over everyone. You, being a little troublemaker, were too proud and reckless, which is why this happened."
Ning Rongrong was confused. "How could that be? Did Flender predict I wouldn't finish those twenty laps?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "It wasn't a prediction—it was certainty. Oscar is a boy, and he barely finished after great effort. I ran more than ten laps this morning before breakfast. The length of this route is over twenty kilometers. Given your physical condition and lack of similar training, it's completely normal that you couldn't finish."
Ning Rongrong quickly asked, "Then why did Flender do this? Was he deliberately trying to teach me a lesson?"
Yang Xiong replied, "It wasn't just about teaching you a lesson. It was about using you to teach everyone. Every student in this academy is a genius—none lack talent or background. You, with your outstanding talent and extraordinary background, naturally became the example to make others obedient. After today, all the students will behave themselves."
Ning Rongrong, being intelligent, immediately grasped the key point. "That sly Flender dared to humiliate me on purpose! I'll go find him and give him trouble!"
Yang Xiong remained silent, sitting calmly beside her without saying a word.
Ning Rongrong said, "Little Bear, do you think I'm afraid to go? Flender is just a Soul Sage, after all."
Yang Xiong shook his head. "Rongrong, do you think a mere Soul Sage would dare to say those things to you without some kind of backing? You're the little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and consider yourself incredibly clever. Haven't you thought about where his confidence comes from?"
Ning Rongrong's face turned cold. "That cunning Flender! Even if he has backing, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect isn't afraid of him."
Yang Xiong responded, "But what if his backing is your father? Or what if this whole thing was orchestrated by your father from the start, and sending you to Shrek Academy was his intention all along?"
Ning Rongrong was shocked. "How could that be? How could Father allow him to say those things? How could he tolerate him humiliating me?"
Yang Xiong smiled faintly. "Rongrong, I'd bet that as soon as we arrived at Shrek Academy yesterday, your father probably wrote a letter to Flender, asking him to properly discipline us. And you just happened to walk right into the trap."
Ning Rongrong's expression grew bewildered. "Why would Father do this? Am I not his favorite daughter?"
Yang Xiong's lips curled into a faint smile. "It's precisely because you're his only daughter and the future heir of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect that he specifically asked Flender to discipline you. Within the sect, you're spoiled by Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone. No one dares to truly discipline or punish you. Only by leaving the sect can you receive proper education."
Ning Rongrong was puzzled. "Why is that? Haven't I performed well enough at the Seven Treasures School? My soul power is the highest among everyone, and I'm the most talented disciple the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul has ever seen."
Yang Xiong shook his head. "It's not about talent or soul power. It's about how you conduct yourself and handle difficulties."
"Rongrong, what kind of sect do you think the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is? Why has the Ning family become its rulers?"
Ning Rongrong thought for a moment. "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is the wealthiest sect in the world and currently the most powerful. Even the Tiandou Imperial Family maintains good relations with us. My father is the greatest leader the sect has ever had, and the sect is now at its peak."
Yang Xiong laughed. "Then let me ask you another question. The sect leader is only a seventy-nine-level Soul Sage. There are many within the sect with higher soul power levels. So why is he able to lead the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and command respect across the soul master world?"
Ning Rongrong replied, "Because of Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone's support. They're both Title Douluos."
Yang Xiong glanced at the naive Ning Rongrong. "Title Douluos are figures who dominate their era. Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone are top-tier experts. Why would they listen to your father? With their strength, they could receive treatment equal to—or even better than—the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect anywhere in the world. Yet they remain fiercely loyal to the sect. Aside from being nurtured by the sect, don't you think there are other reasons?"
"Moreover, being the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is far more difficult than you imagine. The soul master world is far crueler than you realize. No sect remains perpetually strong. After reaching its peak, decline often follows."
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)