Chapter 7 — Strategy

An idea flickered through Lin Rong's mind. He continued right after Ning Rongrong's question:

"Your sect's Seven-Treasure Glazed Tower is a gemstone martial spirit."

Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes.

"Duh, isn't that common knowledge? You can tell from the name!"

Lin Rong seized the moment to declare his proposal:

"Miss Ning, you might consider hunting gemstone soul beasts to get your soul ring."

"The Seven-Treasure Tower's first soul skill would most likely be a boost to strength or agility."

"In that case, Diamond Mammoth and Emerald Demon Bird would be excellent choices."

"Both diamond and emerald feathers are gemstones—perfectly matching your martial spirit, don't you think?"

With that, Lin Rong and Steward Yu turned and began walking out of the valley. As they reached the exit, Lin Rong tossed back one final provocation:

"Oh, by the way—my first soul ring is over four hundred years old. I'm sure that as the daughter of Sect Master Ning, you wouldn't settle for anything less than four hundred years, right?"

Before Ning Rongrong could react, they had already vanished.

"How dare he look down on me?"

Ning Rongrong seethed at the valley entrance, her pride pricking like a hedgehog's quills:

"A 400-year-old first soul ring? Don't be conceited—I'll get one in no time!"

Her escort captain, Gu Feng, tried to intervene:

"Um, Miss—shouldn't we...?"

"What are you waiting for?"

Ning Rongrong glared sharply at him:

"Didn't you hear me? Go find Diamond Mammoth, and don't come back unless it's over four hundred years old!"

"Now! Right now!"

"Yes, Miss!"

Seven voices echoed in unison, as they exchanged glances — this little tyrant was truly difficult to please. Diamond Mammoths were exceedingly rare and not easy to find!

On the Road Back to Heaven, Dou City

Lin Rong sat in his carriage, reflecting on the situation.

In the original tale, Ning Rongrong's Seven-Treasure Glazed Tower evolved into the Nine-Treasure version after absorbing a Qiluo Tulip — a soul flower imbued with heaven-and-earth essence and sunlight, thus synergizing perfectly with gemstone spirits.

But natural gemstones themselves contain heaven-and-earth essence, and gemstone-type soul beasts also absorb light energy.

Conclusively, even without a Qiluo Tulip, gathering enough gemstone-based soul rings from soul beasts might well trigger the same evolution.

And in any case—whether her spirit evolves or not—Lin Rong loses nothing. If it does evolve, he gains favor from the Seven-Treasure sect, which could be strategically useful.

Best of all, he would send a lesson to the ill-mannered Ning Rongrong, whose arrogance stemmed from being spoiled by two Sect Masters. As soon as her spirit shows signs of evolution, her father, Ning Fengzhi, will push her to train seriously and obtain her next soul ring. Even the indulgent Douluo parents will follow his lead in such a major matter.

"Ning Rongrong—if my plan works, your carefree leisure days are over!"

"You'll focus instead on refining soul power, cultivating noble virtues, and mastering Spirit Control."

"As for some Shrek Academy nonsense—don't bother. You'll stay at Seven-Treasure Glazed Tower and learn your place as its young sect leader."

Meanwhile, in the Escort Team

"Ah-choo!"

Ning Rongrong sneezed.

Captain Gu Feng immediately said:

"Miss, spring nights are chilly, especially in the forest. Please wear more layers to avoid catching a cold."

"Are you telling me how to behave?"

She replied, half-annoyed but still accepting his advice, and draped a fur coat over her shoulders.

"While you have free time, aren't you supposed to be finding us a Diamond Mammoth?"

Gu Feng faltered. Six of the seven guards were already out searching; he was the only one left to ensure her safety. If anything happened to her, the Sect Masters would skin him alive.

Then:

Boom!

Far off, fireworks flared into the night sky, tracing the shape of a seven-tiered pagoda.

"That fast?" Gu Feng was startled.

Ning Rongrong, however, was single-minded:

"What are you waiting for? Take me over there!"

Meanwhile, in Lin Rong's Carriage

He was multitasking—circulating the Marrow Cleansing Sutra to train soul power while asking:

"Grandpa Yu, it's been over two months—any news from the guard sent to the Barrack Kingdom?"

Yu Yuan paused thoughtfully, then replied respectfully:

"Captain Xu has located a child near Soto City in the Barrack Kingdom who awakened a Fire Phoenix martial spirit."

"As per your instructions, he did not use force—he used persuasion instead."

"He took the child on a culinary tour through nearby towns, since the child showed interest in local foods, thus delaying his progress somewhat."

"Meanwhile, when he set out for Sunset Forest, news from our scouts indicates they're now not far from Heaven Dou City."

"They should have arrived at the ducal estate within these few days."

"Excellent," Lin Rong nodded slightly and fell silent.

Thoughts on Team Recruitment

In the original story, the Shrek Seven Devils consisted of:

Dai Mubai, royal cousin of the Star Luo Empire

Zhu Zhuqing, daughter of that empire's queen

Tang San and Ning Rongrong, both from top aristocratic sects

Xiao Wu, daughter of a 100,000-year soul beast

Oscar and Ma Hongjun, commoners

Only the commoners were recruitable—Zhu and Dai would remain loyal to their imperial families.

Between Oscar and Ma Hongjun, Oscar was intelligent and perceptive but wary—best gained through sincere brotherhood rather than power. Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, was straightforward and loyal—perfect for transforming into a powerful ally.

Lin Rong deliberately waited until Ma Hongjun's martial spirit awakened to recruit him for two reasons:

It avoided confusion, as many shared names in the crowds.

Ma Hongjun's innate level‑9 soul power made him an ideal recruiting point.

With Ma Hongjun on his side—and once Ning Rongrong's spirit begins evolving, making it unlikely she'll join Shrek—the academy lineup would shrink from seven to five: Dai, Zhu, Tang, Xiao Wu, and Oscar.

But Lin Rong has further plans for Tang San as well—driven by his schemes and the resulting chain reactions, Tang and Xiao Wu might not even attend Shrek by the end.

Thus, the academy's famed seven would dwindle to just three—and without them, Shrek Academy might collapse entirely.

Right now, Tang San is only six years old, and there are still fourteen years before the world of Douluo Pi becomes truly chaotic. This continent is far too peaceful for now.

His thoughts concluded, he issued his next order to the steward:

"Grandpa Yu, after we return to the estate, send a formal invitation to Lady Yue Xuan. We will visit her when the timing is right."