Ning Rongrong's skin really was beautiful. Among the three girls of the Shrek Seven Devils, her tender, lychee-like complexion was something even Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing envied. Not a single blemish could be found on her fair skin, and that luminous, dewy quality was truly as captivating as the finest white jade.
Though none of them had fully developed yet, girls always matured a bit earlier than boys, and their young figures had already begun to take shape.
Of course, when it came to development, Zhu Zhuqing was clearly the best among the three girls.
Ning Rongrong giggled, widening her eyes to stare at Xiao Wu. "You look great too! I'm fair-skinned, while you're more of a rosy fair. If anything, I look less healthy than you by comparison."
Xiao Wu's body proportions were slightly different from most people — her legs were exceptionally long.
Generally speaking, the ideal golden ratio for leg length to total height was around sixty-two percent. But Xiao Wu's ratio already exceeded sixty-five percent, and yet it didn't look the least bit jarring. On the contrary, it was perfectly harmonious.
That perfect figure, combined with Xiao Wu's long scorpion braid that nearly touched the ground, gave her an irresistible, endearing quality — like a girl-next-door you couldn't help but want to protect.
Of course, if anyone actually tried to treat her as some innocent girl-next-door to mess with, they'd likely suffer the same fate as that creepy uncle from before.
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue. "Actually, Little Ao is a pretty nice person. It's just..." At this point, she couldn't help but sigh, a strange expression flickering across her face.
"But what?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.
Ning Rongrong shook her head gently. "The clan has its rules. There's no possibility between Little Ao and me. Besides, we're still so young — isn't it a bit early to be talking about all this?"
Xiao Wu looked puzzled. "What rule? Is it because Oscar wasn't born into a noble family?"
Ning Rongrong shook her head. "That's not it. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has never discriminated against Soul Masters from ordinary backgrounds. Otherwise, why would so many Soul Masters willingly serve as affiliates to the clan? The rule is that direct-line members of the clan are not permitted to form relationships with Support-type Soul Masters. It's a safety measure for the direct-line members. In general, our clan members pair up with Battle Soul Masters — after all, protection from a loved one is certainly more reliable than from anyone else. But Little Ao is a Support-type Soul Master too, which is why I said it's impossible between us."
Xiao Wu's expression cleared with understanding. "So that's how it is. Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's rule isn't unreasonable. But you should probably let Little Ao know sooner rather than later, so he doesn't keep hoping."
Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes went distant for a moment before she rallied her spirits. "Enough about me. What about you? I really envy you and Tang San."
Xiao Wu said irritably, "Don't talk nonsense. Little San and I are like brother and sister. How could we possibly— oh my, that's so embarrassing!"
Ning Rongrong sat up in bed. "I'd say you're more like sweethearts. You're not even blood-related. Go ask anyone else — does anyone actually see you two as siblings? You're practically Little San's exclusive treasure. Didn't you see how his eyes went red for you? It was terrifying. Back in the Star Dou Great Forest, when that Titan Giant Ape took you away, he went absolutely berserk. If you hadn't come back, I have no idea what he might have done. The last time Zhu Zhuqing and I were chatting, even she was envious of you. She said if Dai Mubai could be even half as devoted as Little San, she'd be satisfied."
Xiao Wu said, "Rongrong, did she say what exactly her relationship with Dai Mubai is? Why does Boss Dai treat her so differently? He was like that right from when we first entered the academy. You're beautiful too, but Boss Dai never acted that way toward you."
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue. "Who knows? I asked, but Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't say. She only mentioned they knew each other before. Maybe they were childhood sweethearts."
Xiao Wu shook her head. She still remembered clearly that when she and Tang San first arrived at the academy, Dai Mubai hadn't seemed to recognize Zhu Zhuqing at all when he first saw her. He'd only said they might be able to perform a Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
Just then, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
Ning Rongrong asked, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Tang San."
"Oh, your Little San is here!" Ning Rongrong scrambled in a panic to pull on her outer robe. Xiao Wu was startled too, but she wasn't as quick as Ning Rongrong. By the time Ning Rongrong rushed to open the door, Xiao Wu had barely managed to get dressed.
Walking into the girls' dormitory, Tang San felt somewhat awkward. What puzzled him even more was that the way Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu were looking at him seemed rather peculiar.
"What's wrong? Why are you both staring at me like that?" Tang San asked with a frown.
"Well, it's because..." Ning Rongrong was just about to explain with a mischievous grin when Xiao Wu, her face flushed crimson, clamped a hand over her mouth. Xiao Wu glared at her threateningly, her heart pounding like a startled fawn.
Tang San naturally had no understanding of what went on in girls' minds, and he had no idea they'd just been discussing the intimate secrets of their hearts. For a moment, he felt completely at a loss. If it hadn't been for actual business, he probably would have excused himself from their dormitory right then.
Ning Rongrong nodded repeatedly at Xiao Wu, signaling she wouldn't blab. Only then did Xiao Wu release her hand and step in front of Ning Rongrong to face Tang San. "Little San, what are you doing here?"
Tang San smiled. "I've come to find Rongrong. We only have two months left before we head to the Tiandou Royal Academy. I'd previously promised Rongrong I'd help her clan produce mechanical Hidden Weapons. Once we're at the Tiandou Academy, we probably won't have time. So I wanted to confirm the details with Rongrong first."
Only then did Ning Rongrong realize Tang San had actually come looking for her. "Little San, you already gave me the Zhu-Ge Divine Crossbow a few days ago. This kind of thing can only be decided by my father. We still have time, so how about this — I'll ask Headmaster Flandre for leave and go home for a visit. I think my father should agree."
During the month they'd spent competing in the Spirit Duel, all ten Zhu-Ge Divine Crossbow component sets had been fully manufactured. Tang San had assembled them smoothly and given one to each person, completing the successful replication of his mechanical Hidden Weapons to every member of the team.
Tang San nodded. "That works well. But will it be safe for you to go back alone?"
Ning Rongrong giggled. "Safety won't be an issue. Actually, I know that our clan has always had guards posted around the academy. There's no way my father doesn't know I'm here. The fact that he never sent anyone to take me back means he's implicitly approved of me studying at the academy. I'll naturally have an escort when I return."
Tang San's expression cleared. "That's perfect then. Rongrong, you haven't forgotten how to use those Hidden Weapons, have you? Be extremely careful when using them — don't accidentally injure anyone. Especially the Zhu-Ge Divine Crossbow. Its power is enormous, and it takes time to re-cock the mechanism, so don't use it lightly."
Ning Rongrong laughed. "I know, I know. Alright then, I'll go find the Headmaster now. Actually, my home isn't far from the Tiandou Imperial Capital — it's in Seven Treasure City. I can head straight there from home to meet up with you at the Tiandou Royal Academy."
Tang San said, "If that's the case, there's no need for you to go back right now. We can sort it out after we've arrived at the Tiandou Royal Academy. It's just that it's quite far from Sotuo City over there, and I'm not sure it'll be easy to find another smithy as good as the one we have now."
Ning Rongrong smiled. "So that's what you're worried about. No problem at all — my family has a smithy of our own. If you don't mind the secrets of your Hidden Weapons being exposed, just have our smithy manufacture the parts. The craftsmanship will be absolutely top-notch."
(End of chapter)