Chapter 142: Oscar and Ning Rongrong
Inside the room, Ning Fengzhi and the mighty Titan were discussing matters related to Tang San.
Looking at the tightly shut door, Dai Yao sighed helplessly and said,
"Rongrong, it seems like we can't get in. How about we go for a walk instead?"
Since Xiao Wu was nearby, her face filled with concern, unsure about Tang San's condition. After obtaining the Xiang Si Duan Chang Hong (a mystical herb), Xiao Wu appeared confidently in front of the Title Douluo. Yet Dai Yao only wanted to distance himself from her.
Upon hearing Dai Yao's words, Ning Rongrong's light blue eyes seemed to brighten,
"Alright, Dai Yao, let me show you around our Shrek Academy."
Under Ning Rongrong's guidance, the two strolled through Shrek Academy, chatting and laughing.
As they passed a corner, two heads suddenly appeared.
It was Oscar and Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun clenched his fists, glaring angrily,
"That Dai Yao guy, he already has a girlfriend, yet he's walking so closely with Rongrong. It's really annoying."
Oscar, looking worried, gazed at Ning Rongrong's smiling face, the usual carefree laughter now absent.
The Fatty nudged the still silent Oscar,
"Little Oscar, are you alright?"
Oscar sighed deeply, trying to release the nervous tension in his chest,
"I'm fine. Dai Yao is a guest of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School, and Rongrong is just introducing him to the academy."
The Fatty looked at Oscar, whose body was slightly trembling, and rolled his eyes internally,
"You say you're not nervous, but my arm is sore from how tight you're squeezing it!"
As Dai Yao and Ning Rongrong walked side by side, people greeted Ning Rongrong from time to time.
Looking at the elegant, poised, and graceful Ning Rongrong, Dai Yao couldn't help but feel a bit dazed. Was this still the little witch from before?
Gazing at her soft blue, serene eyes, Dai Yao teased,
"Rongrong, with this new look of yours, I almost didn't recognize you. Are you still that bossy little witch?"
Upon hearing Dai Yao's teasing, a faint blush appeared on Ning Rongrong's delicate face. She shyly glanced at Dai Yao, her body shifting uncomfortably. She lowered her head and mumbled softly,
"I... I was just... a little mischievous back then..."
Dai Yao couldn't help but laugh.
The two continued to chat, with a gentle breeze brushing by.
Ning Rongrong fidgeted with her fingers, her expression thoughtful, as though she'd made up her mind. She finally spoke,
"Dai Yao, I heard from Grandpa Jian that you're going to join the Spirit Hall in the future?"
"Yes."
"Does it have to be Spirit Hall? Our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School is not any worse than Spirit Hall, you know?"
Ning Rongrong stepped forward, a hint of anxiety in her voice.
Dai Yao sighed, unknowingly creating some distance between himself and Ning Rongrong,
"Yes, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School is the second strongest sect in the world, a dream destination for many soul masters.
But I can't stay there. You should know my background."
Ning Rongrong nodded, silently waiting for Dai Yao to continue.
"I was once the Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire. My mother was killed by the empress of the Star Luo Empire. Because of the cruel imperial competition, I survived only with the help of Spirit Hall."
"I'm not an ungrateful person. Since Spirit Hall helped me, I must join them in the future."
"And my enemy is the empress of the empire. If I want revenge, I have to rely on Spirit Hall's strength. Only then is there hope."
At this point, a fiery rage appeared in Dai Yao's eyes, and he clenched his hands tightly.
The hatred for his mother's death was as deep as the heavens.
Looking up at the emotionally charged Dai Yao, Ning Rongrong felt a ripple of sympathy in her heart. The seemingly strong Dai Yao was burdened with hatred as heavy as a mountain.
Hearing that Dai Yao would definitely join Spirit Hall, she felt an overwhelming sense of distance between them.
She was the daughter of the sect leader of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School, and their relationship with Spirit Hall was not good. The top three sects were closely connected and united in resisting the oppression of Spirit Hall.
Dai Yao, on the other hand, was destined to become a member of Spirit Hall, and after their brief interaction, they would both inevitably walk in opposite directions.
She thought to herself with a sense of sadness: This one-sided feeling should be let go...
She slowly stepped forward, gently took Dai Yao's tightly clenched hand, and comforted him,
"Dai Yao, don't let hatred consume you too deeply. There is still much beauty in life awaiting you. You must try to live a little happier."
Dai Yao slowly calmed his emotions and suddenly realized, This is actually something Ning Rongrong would say.
He subtly withdrew his hand from hers and asked,
"Rongrong, why does that sound like something your father would say, not you?"
Ning Rongrong, feeling the absence of her hand in his, understood Dai Yao's feelings. A sense of disappointment welled up in her heart, but she quickly flashed a playful smile and said,
"Yeah, this is what my dad told me."
"Ning Fengzhi, huh? No wonder..."
Dai Yao muttered to himself.
From the corner, Oscar, who had been secretly watching, nearly ground his teeth in frustration at the sight of Ning Rongrong holding Dai Yao's hand.
Ma Hongjun, standing beside him, asked with concern,
"Big Sausage Uncle, are you alright?"
Oscar shook his head, his eyes fixed on Ning Rongrong and Dai Yao, and said,
"Dai Yao is a VIP of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School, so it's normal for them to be close."
Ma Hongjun didn't buy Oscar's words and silently criticized him in his mind after observing for a moment,
"If things go on like this, even if they end up kissing, you'll still say it's normal because Dai Yao is a VIP of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School..."
"By the way, Dai Yao, why didn't you just join Spirit Hall directly and instead came to the Heaven Dou Empire to participate in the Soul Master Tournament?"
Ning Rongrong clasped her hands behind her back, her slender legs lightly hopping and landing on the ground. Her coffee-colored hair swayed in the wind as she leaned closer with a sweet smile, asking.
On one hand, Dai Yao had come to the Heaven Dou Empire to steal Tang San's opportunities, and on the other, he wanted to challenge the so-called golden generation of Spirit Hall.
He was determined to prove that even without Spirit Hall's training, he could still defeat their so-called golden generation.
In this way, not only would he prove his worth to Spirit Hall, but he would also establish his authority among the younger generation there, ensuring that future resources would flow to him smoothly.
It would also deal a blow to Tang San's development, a win-win situation. But Dai Yao couldn't explain all of this to Ning Rongrong.
"As a traitor to the Luo Empire, if I joined Spirit Hall directly, no one would feel any goodwill toward a traitor."
"So, I decided to avoid the conflict and came to the Heaven Dou Empire to join an ordinary academy and prove my value in the tournament."
Ning Rongrong immediately understood Dai Yao's predicament. He truly was alone, yet he was trying so hard to prove himself, and her heart filled with sympathy and pity.
She said with concern,
"Dai Yao, don't feel sad. We're friends, and I'll always support you."
"Thank you."
"But if we meet in the Soul Master Tournament, I won't go easy on you."
Ning Rongrong raised her little fist, smiling at Dai Yao playfully.
"Alright, when the time comes, we'll have a good match."
Dai Yao chuckled.
"Let's make a promise. No backing out."
Ning Rongrong extended her pinky finger, leaning in with a bright smile.
"Mm, pinky swear."
Dai Yao nodded and extended his pinky finger, linking it with Ning Rongrong's.
Feeling the warmth of her touch, a subtle ripple stirred in his heart, but he quickly suppressed any wayward thoughts.
He understood Ning Rongrong's feelings all too well.
Though part of him entertained the idea of living like a playboy, surrounded by stunning women—a dream for many men—he also recognized that in reality, each woman had her own independent personality and aspirations.
Take Ning Rongrong, for instance. As the daughter of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's master, her family was at odds with the Spirit Hall.
If Dai Yao recklessly pursued her and she fell for him, what would happen when the Spirit Hall targeted the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan?
Forget about Dai Yao—how would Ning Rongrong cope?
Especially since Ning Rongrong was the kind of girl whose love was unwavering once given. She would find herself torn between her love for someone from the Spirit Hall and her loyalty to her family in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
Right now, when Dai Yao was so uncertain about his own future, he couldn't give Ning Rongrong the answer she wanted.
For that reason, Dai Yao would rather cruelly reject Ning Rongrong than let her face such a dilemma.
Watching her leave, Dai Yao made a silent resolution:
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan has shown me kindness. I'll do my best to stop the Spirit Hall's soul-hunting operations. Even if I can't stop them entirely, I'll help minimize their losses."
What he failed to notice was the tear that slipped down Ning Rongrong's cheek as she turned away.
After parting with Dai Yao, Ning Rongrong could no longer hold back her sorrow. The brave front she had maintained shattered under the weight of her grief.
"For the first time in my life, my heart is moved, and I lose so completely," she thought.
Tears streaming, she began running, trying to leave this painful place behind—only to stumble upon someone else sobbing quietly in a corner.
"Oscar!"
She cried out in surprise.
"Rongrong..."
Oscar looked up at the familiar and beautiful face, his heart heavy with sorrow. She felt so close yet so far, so utterly unreachable.
A princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, heir to the world's most powerful auxiliary martial soul. And what was he? A mere commoner.
Seeing the two of them crying, with an awkward atmosphere lingering between them, Ma Hongjun scratched his head. His eyes darted between them nervously, and he pointed vaguely in one direction.
"Uh... Oscar, I... I have something to do. You two talk," he stammered before bolting away without waiting for a response.
After Ma Hongjun left, Oscar suddenly found the situation ridiculous. Ning Rongrong pined for Dai Yao, but wasn't he also yearning for someone he couldn't have?
A vicious cycle of unrequited love.
Taking a deep breath, Oscar's usual frivolity disappeared, replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Rongrong, can you give me an answer?" he asked.
Wiping away her tears, Ning Rongrong responded coldly, "What answer?"
Her indifferent tone chilled Oscar to the core. He already understood her feelings, but he still refused to give up. His voice trembled with emotion as he asked,
"Rongrong, is there really no chance for us?"
Ning Rongrong shook her head slightly, her coffee-colored hair swaying with the motion.
"There's no chance," she said.
"I've never told you this before, but our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan has a rule: all soul masters with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda as their martial soul must marry a strong attack-type soul master. Only a strong attack-type soul master can protect an auxiliary-type soul master."
Hearing this, Oscar's heart shattered into pieces. Her coldness now made sense.
With a bitter smile, he replied,
"I understand. Thank you, Rongrong. I hope my forwardness doesn't affect our friendship."
"Of course it won't," she replied.
"Good, that's a relief."
Oscar then gazed up at the sky and let out a long sigh.
He didn't even understand why he felt so heartbroken. After all, Ning Rongrong had never shown him any romantic interest.
But for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had loved her in a dream. The memory of her familiar fragrance, the vivid clarity of it all—it felt so real.
"Forget it. It's time to move on. Chasing after Rongrong was just my way of keeping up after Boss Dai got Zhu Zhuqing and Third Brother had Xiao Wu," he thought.
In the original story, Oscar had pursued Ning Rongrong only because Zhu Zhuqing had already been claimed by Dai Mubai, and Xiao Wu was inseparable from Tang San, leaving Ning Rongrong as the only option.
Shrek Academy Lounge
The door slammed open.
Seeing Oscar's dejected figure, looking as haggard as a middle-aged man in his forties, Ma Hongjun's eyes widened in shock.
"Big Sausage Uncle! What happened? What about Rongrong?" Ma Hongjun blurted.
Oscar raised his brow.
"Don't bring it up. Forget love! I'm done with it. From now on, the Honest and Reliable Young Gentleman who used to walk through the brothels of Soto City without a care is back!"
Ma Hongjun immediately perked up.
"Now that's the spirit! A real man doesn't fret over a wife!"
"Let's go. The women in Heaven Dou City are leagues ahead of Soto City's. The legendary duo that once dominated the nightlife is back in action—time to relive our glory days!"
Grabbing Oscar's hand, Ma Hongjun eagerly led him toward their usual haunt.
A Windswept Overlook
Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo stood facing the breeze.
Bone Douluo slammed a hand against the railing, his voice filled with anger.
"That brat Dai Yao dared to make Rongrong cry!"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly.
"Uncle Bone, this is part of Rongrong's growth."
"Dai Yao is a good child. I was worried he might be too young and immature, toying with Rongrong's feelings. But now I see he's very mature," Ning Fengzhi said thoughtfully.
"He understands the opposing positions he and Rongrong will hold in the future. Rejecting her is for her own good."
Bone Douluo was still indignant. He treasured Ning Rongrong dearly and hated to see her hurt because of Dai Yao.
"So we're just going to let this go? Should we step in and sever their connection completely? After all, he'll eventually join the Spirit Hall," Bone Douluo suggested.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head lightly, his expression serene as he stood in the wind like a master chess player.
"There's no need. Let the children handle it themselves. Even if Rongrong faces setbacks, it's a necessary part of her growth."
Bone Douluo sighed deeply.
But he didn't realize that Ning Fengzhi had deeper plans in mind.
"Dai Yao, oh Dai Yao, you hold so many secrets," Ning Fengzhi mused.
"Zhu Zhuqing and that girl called Wu Tong—whose real name is Feng Wutong—both experienced qualitative upgrades to their martial souls after meeting you."
"Their enhanced martial souls surpass even my Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. What about Rongrong?"
After a long silence, Ning Fengzhi exhaled softly.
"Sigh... Whatever happens, let it be."
(End of Chapter)
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