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"Ning Tian, how'd you get these herbs?" Ning Rongrong asked, buzzing with excitement. If Zhu Zhuqing weren't there, she'd have jumped him and planted a kiss.
"Took some hard work," he said, keeping it short. She didn't push.
Staring at the herbs—soothing and uplifting Zhu Zhuqing hesitated. "Maybe you and Rongrong should take them."
Noticing only two herbs for three people, Ning Rongrong jumped in. "No way, you two should take it. Ning Tian earned them, and Zhuqing, you're his girl. It's only right."
"Enough," he cut in. "I've got mine." He flashed the Autumn Dew from his storage bag.
Their eyes swung back to the Water Immortal Jade Bone and Qiluo Tulip.
"Should we refine them now?" Ning Rongrong asked, eager.
"Not yet," Ning Tian said.
"Then when?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, unsure.
"We will leave the Academy," he said. "I've got a spot in mind. We refine there, then go incognito—new names and do spirit fights across the continent."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, she'd follow him anywhere. Ning Rongrong had to tell her family but figured she'd act first, explain later, to dodge trouble for him.
"Oh, by the way, Shrek's here."
Zhu Zhuqing frowned. "Weren't they in Suotuo City?"
"Academic exchange, they say," Ning Tian explained. "In reality, they're merging into the Imperial Academy for the competition."
"Ridiculous. No way I'm teaming with them again—a dung guy, a eunuch, a creep, and a jerk. What a mess." Ning Rongrong said.
She scowled, lumping Qin Ming in her dislike. She'd heard from Ye Lingling how he'd told the Imperial Academy to go easy on Shrek, only for them to get trashed. What kind of teacher was that? Just because he was a Shrek alum? With his talent, he'd still ended up with lousy soul rings at that dump.
Thinking of Shrek's nasty group, especially Oscar, who'd ganged up with Dai Mubai to mess with her, then played nice, she shuddered. If Ning Tian hadn't warned her, she might've bought it.
"We can't let them ruin Lingling," she said. "She's too sweet for those creeps."
Zhu Zhuqing added, "Her Nine Heart Flowering Apple's healing is unreal. With her, we'd train without worry."
."Speaking of Shrek," he said,"Dai Mubai castrated Xue Beng, the Heaven Dou Empire's fourth prince."
Both girls burst out laughing.
Ning Rongrong smirked and remarked, "Ever since that lecherous tiger got snipped, he's completely lost it. Xue Beng may not be the crown prince, but he still has royal blood."
"He deserved it," Zhu Zhuqing said.
...........
That night, over at Xue Beng's end, things were grimm. After Dai Mubai's kick, he'd been nervous, but soon felt a strange heat. The lust drove him to his usual brothel—a spot under Prince Xue Xing's name, built to keep up his playboy act. He valued his life, after all, no way he'd end up like his dead brothers.
Inside, he called for the top girl and went at it all night, despite the injury.
The outcome was predictable. It burst, blood splattered everywhere, soaking the courtesan.
By the time Prince Xue Xing got word and arrived, Xue Beng was unconscious from pain. Seeing him, Xue Xing's head spun, his anger flaring. He ordered his healing Spirit Master to heal him while ordering, "Someone tell me what happened...you, talk!"
The courtesan, trembling under his glare, spilled it all. Hearing Xue Beng blew up mid-action, Xue Xing's mind jumped to Xue Qinghe. His face tightened.
"Get out," he growled. As she left, he nodded to a guard, who tailed her. It didn't matter if she was planted by the Xue Qinghe, Xue Beng's mess meant she had to be silenced. If she was pregnant with his kid? She'd live a bit. Otherwise, dead.
...........
After 10 minutes, the healer had healed Xue Beng.
"How is he?" Xue Xing asked.
"There is too much blood loss, Your Highness," the healer said. "He's stable now, but going forward—"
"What about going forward?" Xue Xing snapped.
"His testicles are gone. He won't have kids...ever."
Xue Xing's face twisted. Unable to have heirs meant any chance for Xue Beng to rule were gone. If Xue Qinghe took over, their feud would bury them both.
'I can't just sit here,' he thought. He shot the healer a hard look. "You're done. Keep this quiet, or you're finished."
The healer nodded and left.
Once he was gone, Xue Xing turned to Xue Beng, pale and broken from the news. "Tell me everything, now."
Xue Beng, cowed by his uncle, recounted the Shrek clash—how a "sissy" kicked him down there. Knowing it wasn't Xue Qinghe, Xue Xing oddly relaxed. With Xue Beng unable to continue lineage, Xue Xing could control him. Maybe even line up his own kin for the throne later.
"Uncle, avenge me! Shrek did this, I want them dead!"
"Quit shouting," Xue Xing snapped. "Do you want your dad to hear you're useless down there?"
"First, we lock this down. I've handled the girl. You'll come here daily and act normal. I'll make sure no information is leaked out."
"But Shrek—" Xue Beng whined.
"They won't walk free," Xue Xing hissed.
......…
The night passed quietly.
Next morning, after daily practice, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong brought Ye Lingling to Ning Tian, breakfast in tow.
"Is that okay to call you Lingling?" Ning Tian asked, genuinely fond of the quiet girl.
"Yes," she said. Her voice was sweet but hollow, almost unreal.
He nodded. "Good. Lingling, I'm sure Rongrong and Zhuqing have filled you in. We're leaving the Imperial Academy to train on our own terms. We won't return until the Soul Master Competition. It's going to be grueling, pushing ourselves to the edge. When we're battered and bruised, your healing will be our lifeline."
He paused, studying her. Ye Lingling's expression remained calm, but a flicker of intrigue danced in her dark eyes. Ning Tian leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping with intent. "But it's not just about what we need from you. In return, I'll teach you something invaluable—how to defend yourself. You've seen what Rongrong and Zhuqing can do.. I know what it's like for an auxiliary soul master like you, always in the back, shielded by others, your Nine Heart Flowering Apple keeping everyone else standing while you're left vulnerable. But it doesn't have to be that way. With the right training, you can protect yourself. You can even step into the fray when it counts."
Her gaze sharpened, a subtle shift that betrayed her interest. "You're saying I could learn to fight?" Her voice, though quiet, carried a thread of curiosity, like a spark catching on dry tinder.
"Absolutely, come with us, to train and we will push each other to become stronger." Ning Tian replied, his confidence unwavering.
"Ok," she agreed fast. It was why she'd said yes. She had seen the trio improve so much by training together and pushing each other. Plus Ringrong and Zhuqing were her only friends left in the academy. She wanted to follow them.
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