Soul Land: Full Body Martial Soul

Ning Rongrong's voice carried a tone of stubborn defiance as she protested, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will definitely become even more powerful! I am the most talented person in our school's entire history."

Yang Xiong offered a gentle smile in response. "Cultivation talent? Given the inherent limitations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial spirit, does talent really make such a significant difference? Consider this - besides your father, Sect Master Ning, who is a Spirit Saint at level seventy-nine, there must be many other Spirit Saints in your sect who have also reached level seventy-nine, correct? Yet why is it Ning Fengzhi who serves as sect master? Not only do the others not challenge his authority, but they remain completely loyal and devoted to him."

Ning Rongrong found herself at a loss for words. Yang Xiong took this opportunity to continue, "The world is full of uncertainties and constant change. You should have already been exposed to considerable knowledge about the soul master world. The Spirit Hall is far stronger than most people can even imagine, and the pressure bearing down on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is much greater than you realize."

"In recent years, I'll admit that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has developed remarkably well. Its overall strength has even exceeded five thousand soul masters. However, compared to the Spirit Hall, it remains pitifully weak. The Clear Sky School of the past was considerably stronger than your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is today, but where are they now?"

Yang Xiong's expression grew more serious as he continued, "Sect Master Ning specifically arranged for you to study at Shrek Academy because he wants you to understand the true cruelty of the soul master world. Otherwise, with your current limited experience and abilities, do you truly believe you could push the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to new heights, or even maintain its current standing?"

"Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo are already quite advanced in age - older than you might think. As the future sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, you cannot always rely on their protection. Yet the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School cannot survive without the protection of Titled Douluos. Tell me, with your current attitude and behavior, could you gain the support of a Titled Douluo? Could you inspire such loyalty that a Titled Douluo would dedicate themselves to the sect?"

Ning Rongrong's expression darkened considerably upon hearing these harsh truths. She had never contemplated such matters before, and no one within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would have dared to confront her with these uncomfortable realities.

Nevertheless, Ning Rongrong maintained her stubborn facade, responding with forced confidence, "So what if that's true? I'm still young. I'll have plenty of time to learn these things in the future."

Yang Xiong posed another question, "What are your thoughts on Shrek Academy? More specifically, what do you think of your fellow students here?"

Ning Rongrong took a moment to carefully consider each of her classmates before answering, "All the students possess exceptional talent. No one from our previous class could compare to them. In fact, their talents might even surpass my own."

Yang Xiong's smile returned. "Everyone here is still a student, at their simplest and weakest stage of development. If you cannot even earn their approval now, how do you expect to gain their respect when they become more powerful in the future? You should understand that several of them possess the potential to become Titled Douluos."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is fundamentally a support-type sect. Regardless of how powerful it becomes, it's wisest to avoid making enemies unnecessarily. Have you ever witnessed Sect Master Ning actively antagonizing top-level experts?"

Ning Rongrong pondered for a moment before voicing her complaints, "I simply cannot stand the way Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun behave. They look at girls with such lustful eyes. Dai Mubai is especially hypocritical - I saw him at the Rose Hotel with women draped all over him, yet now he pretends to be deeply devoted to Zhu Zhuqing."

Yang Xiong's expression became notably more serious. "Dai Mubai possesses the White Tiger martial spirit, while Zhu Zhuqing has the Hell Civet. Neither of them originates from the Heaven Dou Empire - they're from the Star Luo Empire. Surely you understand what these two martial spirits represent to the Star Luo Empire? They must be from the Star Luo Royal Family and the Zhu Family respectively. Their backgrounds are certainly no less prestigious than your own."

"Dai Mubai in particular - you should be familiar with the succession rules of the Star Luo Royal Family. He's most likely a prince of the Star Luo Empire, and I suspect he came to the Heaven Dou Empire to escape his family's brutal competition."

Yang Xiong continued with a sigh, "I understand that you girls prefer men who are devoted to a single partner. But have you considered that even your own father, Sect Master Ning, has multiple women? In the soul master world, it's completely normal for powerful men to have three wives and four concubines. As long as one possesses sufficient strength, this isn't considered a problem - it might even be viewed as beneficial, since martial spirits need to be passed down through bloodlines. Having many children can strengthen a family or sect's foundation."

Ning Rongrong's face darkened further at these words. "Little Xiongzi, I thought you were solely focused on cultivation and becoming stronger. Don't tell me you harbor such thoughts as well?"

Yang Xiong felt somewhat exasperated by her accusation. "Rongrong, my current focus is entirely on cultivation. I haven't given thought to such matters. However, you must remember that the soul master world operates by one fundamental rule: the strong are respected above all else. I'm working diligently to become stronger so that I can control my own destiny - at the very least, I refuse to be at the mercy of others."

Ning Rongrong challenged him with a pointed question, "You're a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Who would dare to harm you so easily? Unless... do you have some hidden agenda?"

Yang Xiong felt a surge of internal frustration at her sudden perceptiveness. This little devil had just been scolded to tears, yet now she displayed unexpected cleverness.

"Rongrong, is the sect truly an absolute sanctuary? I'm merely a student now, and perhaps I can cultivate peacefully within the sect's protection. But eventually, I'll have to face the numerous dangers of the soul master world. Won't I need to serve the sect in the future? I have no desire to be killed the moment I encounter a powerful enemy."

Ning Rongrong studied Yang Xiong with a peculiar expression, sensing that his words carried hidden meanings, as if he were deliberately avoiding something.

"Then what should I do now? After being scolded like that, am I supposed to apologize to Dean Flender?"

Yang Xiong smiled reassuringly. "Rongrong, you may be the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but within Shrek Academy, you're simply another student here to learn. Isn't it perfectly normal for students to make mistakes? There's nothing shameful about it. Besides, if you truly don't wish to study here, we can leave immediately. Shrek Academy isn't the only institution in the world."

A flash of indignation crossed Ning Rongrong's face. "This is all my stubborn father's fault! Why did he insist on sending me to Shrek Academy? I refuse to admit defeat so easily. I'll prove myself to him!"

Yang Xiong quickly cautioned her, "Then you need to prepare yourself mentally. Based on Dean Flender's demeanor, he seems particularly strict with auxiliary-type soul masters. While his words weren't entirely accurate, they contained elements of truth. You're likely to face difficult times ahead."

Ning Rongrong snorted dismissively, a trace of her characteristic pride returning to her features. "What is there to fear? Besides, don't I have you, Little Xiongzi? If I encounter any real trouble, you can handle it for me. At worst, when we return to the sect, I'll ask my father to reward you generously."

Yang Xiong found himself speechless at her response.

At that moment, Yang Xiong truly had no words. While Shrek Academy might be average in many aspects, for a proud little princess like Ning Rongrong, it could indeed serve to temper her character. At the very least, it would prevent her from acting as recklessly as she had within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"Come on, the others are probably still waiting for us. We shouldn't delay the upcoming lessons."

When the two arrived at the playground, they found that Dean Flender and the other students were indeed still present, having not yet departed for Soto City.

Ning Rongrong was, after all, still just a young girl, albeit one with an impressive background. Seeing her with her head lowered in a show of contrition, Flender chose not to say anything further.

Following this conversation, the relationship between Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong improved noticeably. Where they had barely spoken before, they now interacted much more naturally. Among all the students, having attended school together since childhood had created an unspoken understanding between them that set them apart from the others.

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