Chapter 32: Zhu Zhuqing Takes the Initiative

[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]

===

Night had long since fallen.

"Where's Yunhan?"

In the dining hall, Ning Rongrong looked around but didn't see Xu Yunhan.

That evening, apart from Xu Yunhan, the other seven had arrived late for dinner, exhausted from the afternoon's long run.

"Yunhan? He already came to eat and went back a while ago," Shao Xin replied.

Xiaowu muttered under her breath, "He ate early and didn't even call us."

Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly nearby without saying a word.

The three girls had arrived last, only after Oscar had gone to fetch them. They had assumed Xu Yunhan was with Oscar and the others, but it turned out he had eaten alone much earlier.

Oscar explained, "We went to call him, but he said he was hungry and came ahead of us."

The fact that the three girls were so concerned about Xu Yunhan left Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar feeling sour.

Is it because the more outstanding someone is, the more they attract attention?

"Xiaowu, let's just focus on our meal and not worry about others," Tang San said. "What would you like to eat? I'll get it for you."

Xiaowu shook her head. "No need. The three of us will get our own food."

Tang San frowned. He couldn't shake the feeling that Xiaowu was becoming less dependent on him, less affectionate.

But perhaps he was overthinking it.

The three girls ate together, chatting and laughing, while the four boys ate in silence.

After dinner, Tang San invited Xiaowu for a walk, but she declined, claiming she was too tired and needed to rest. Left with no choice, he followed Dai Mubai and the others back to their quarters.

"Let's go see what Yunhan is up to," Ning Rongrong suggested.

Xiaowu and Zhu Zhuqing silently agreed.

Zhu Zhuqing's heart was in turmoil. Just days ago, she and Xu Yunhan had held hands, their intimacy undeniable. Yet now, she felt a growing distance between them.

Was it because she hadn't been proactive enough? Or did he simply not care? Was he more interested in Rongrong and Xiaowu now?

Should she take the initiative? The uncertainty gnawed at her.

The light was still on in Xu Yunhan's room, the door closed but the window open.

The three girls crept closer, peering inside.

They saw Xu Yunhan sitting cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed, deep in meditation.

The sight left them stunned.

How could someone so naturally gifted also be this diligent?

Feeling both embarrassed and ashamed, they exchanged glances, silently agreeing to leave.

Just then, Xu Yunhan spoke without opening his eyes.

"You three came all this way—was there something you needed?"

His powerful spiritual sense had detected their presence the moment they approached.

Ning Rongrong flushed. "Yunhan, sorry for disturbing you. We didn't see you at dinner, so we thought we'd check on you."

Xiaowu tilted her head. "Aren't you tired after running all afternoon? Don't you need rest?"

Xu Yunhan opened his eyes. "Running is nothing to me. Since I had nothing else to do, I figured I might as well cultivate."

Xiaowu gave him a strange look. "You're a real monster."

Ning Rongrong teased, "Yunhan, you're already way more talented than us, and now you're putting in more effort too? How are we supposed to keep up?"

Xiaowu nodded. "Exactly! You're downright cruel!"

Zhu Zhuqing simply watched him, longing to cultivate by his side.

"Everyone has their own path and pace in cultivation. Don't compare yourselves to me. If you keep at it, becoming Titled Douluos won't be a problem," Xu Yunhan reassured them.

Ning Rongrong leaned on the windowsill, smiling wryly. "You're good at comforting people. I envy you all—reaching Soul Douluo is practically guaranteed, and Titled Douluo isn't out of reach."

She sighed. "But for me, it's different. My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is incomplete. The highest I can reach is rank 79."

She laughed softly. "You'll have to protect me in the future."

The complete form of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, but none had appeared in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for generations.

Clan Master Ning Fengzhi had remained stuck at rank 79, unable to break through due to this limitation.

"Really?" Xiaowu blinked in surprise—this was the first she'd heard of it.

Zhu Zhuqing had heard rumors before. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda were all Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagodas, the clan would have been invincible long ago.

"That's how it is. Otherwise, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would already rule supreme," Ning Rongrong said bitterly.

"That's also why I've never pushed myself too hard in cultivation. No matter how much effort I put in, I'll still hit a wall at rank 79. It's… disheartening."

Xu Yunhan recalled that in the historical records of the Shrek Seven Devils ten thousand years later, Ning Rongrong had possessed a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. She had achieved this by consuming a rare immortal herb from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which evolved her spirit.

Zhu Zhuqing spoke up. "Is there really no way to upgrade the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"

Ning Rongrong shook her head. "A spirit is determined at birth. Hoping for a mutation into a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is just wishful thinking."

"There have been mutated Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagodas before, but none ever evolved into the Nine Treasure version."

"My father says the heavens are fair. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is already incredibly powerful. If the Nine Treasure version were easily attainable, who knows if it would be a blessing or a curse?"

Xu Yunhan smiled. "Maybe you'll encounter a lucky opportunity, Rongrong."

He didn't mention the immortal herbs, thinking to himself that once he reached the rank of Soul King, he would visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to collect them.

If he could use the herbs to win Ning Rongrong over completely, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could become a powerful ally.

Ning Rongrong chuckled, taking his words as mere comfort.

The three girls lingered by the window, chatting with Xu Yunhan for a long while before finally leaving, reluctant to part.

When they returned, all three immersed themselves in cultivation, not sleeping until late into the night.

The next morning, they overslept.

Arriving at the gathering spot, they saw Xu Yunhan full of energy, and couldn't help but admire him.

The gap between people really was vast.

Morning training began.

The eight of them gathered in a quiet grove.

Zhu Zhuqing deliberately sat beside Xu Yunhan.

Before long, Ning Rongrong joined them. "Let's borrow some of Yunhan's talent aura—maybe it'll help our cultivation!"

"Really? I'll try too!" Xiaowu chimed in, squeezing in beside them.

The sight of the three girls surrounding Xu Yunhan made Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Oscar burn with jealousy.

Ma Hongjun watched enviously. The boss really is the boss.

Glancing at Oscar's darkened expression, he smirked inwardly. Oscar's going to distance himself from the boss soon. Then I'll be the favorite!

Surrounded by three beautiful girls and irritating the others, Xu Yunhan was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Yu Xiaogang observed silently from the side. Childhood infatuations mean nothing. They'll understand when they're older. No point lecturing them now.

The morning passed in a flash.

"It's noon. Go eat, and meet at the square for running this afternoon," Yu Xiaogang announced, ending the session.

"Xiaowu, let's go." Tang San tugged her along, though she seemed reluctant.

Oscar fawned over Ning Rongrong.

Ma Hongjun babbled nonsense to Dai Mubai.

Left behind, Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing walked at the rear.

Neither spoke, but Zhu Zhuqing, her face flushed, suddenly reached out and took Xu Yunhan's hand.

Startled, he glanced at her, then smiled and clasped her hand firmly.

Relieved by his reaction, Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, continuing to walk in silence.

Ning Rongrong turned and saw them holding hands. Her heart twisted with envy. "Leave me alone!"

Shaking off Oscar, she rushed ahead, pulling Xiaowu away from Tang San to whisper privately.

Tang San could only glare in frustration.

Oscar, left behind, had no choice but to walk with Tang San.

Ma Hongjun, ever the instigator, nudged Dai Mubai. "Hey, Dai-laoer, look—the boss is holding Zhuqing's hand again. I thought he'd shifted his interest to Ning Rongrong, but I guess not."

Dai Mubai's eye twitched. He quickened his pace, leaving Ma Hongjun behind before he lost his temper and punched him.

...

===

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 45 on my patreon, go check it out. 

https://patreon.com/roooaaa

Give me all your power stones