On the way back after touring the night market, the streetlights gradually grew sparse, and the surrounding environment quieted down.
Ning Rongrong's small body could no longer hold out against a day's worth of exhaustion. Her eyes slowly closed, and her head rested gently against Guangling's shoulder.
Noticing the change in Ning Rongrong, Guangling looked down to see her head slightly lowered, eyes tightly shut, and breathing steady and soft.
A smile couldn't help but tug at the corner of Guangling's mouth. This little girl, usually so lively and cute, looked just like a quiet little kitten right now. He carefully adjusted the position of his arm so Ning Rongrong could rest more comfortably in his embrace.
Feeling her body heat and listening to her soft breathing, a warm current surged through his heart.
...
Early the next morning.
Ning Rongrong opened her eyes in her own bed. Her memories were still paused on the carriage, and she couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed. Being with her teacher had made her lower her guard too much; she would definitely need to be more mindful of that in the future.
As she sat up, Ning Rongrong noticed a change in the bracelet on her left wrist: the originally emerald-green jade bangle was now entwined with a circle of silver chain.
Ning Rongrong detached the chain, discovering that the links were shaped like arrows overall, ending in a pendant composed of five feathers. Each feather was inlaid with platinum in varying colors, resembling snowflakes.
Ning Rongrong gently spun the pendant and heard Guangling's voice coming from next door:
"Rongrong, this is a welcome gift from your teacher. The arrow was taken from my Guangling Ice Bow, and it contains my origin power. When you encounter danger, channel your Spirit Power into it, and I will appear before you instantly."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong cried out loudly, "Thank you, Teacher!"
What Guangling didn't tell Ning Rongrong was that this was no ordinary arrow; it was formed from the snowflake in the very center of the Guangling Ice Bow. There was only one such arrow in existence, and it was a part of his very own Martial Soul.
...
After partaking in breakfast, Guangling brought Ning Rongrong to the back mountains of Spirit Hall, where there was a simulated training ground. Standing within the training ground was a woman who looked to be around thirty years of age, seemingly having waited for some time.
She had a slender figure, dressed in a gold-and-white athletic outfit. Her long blonde hair was braided into a fishtail plait draped across her chest, with stray strands fluttering slightly. Seeing the master and disciple approaching, she chuckled and greeted them, "I've been waiting for you half the day! Dawdling so much—hurry up!"
Guangling retorted, "You're the one who's always so impatient!"
As the two drew closer, before Ning Rongrong could even offer a greeting, the woman said, "This must be Rongrong! What a cute little girl, hello to you!"
"Hello, Sister, my name is Ning Rongrong."
Upon hearing this, the woman burst into loud laughter, "Hahahahahahaha! Sister? Rongrong is such a good girl! That's right! I am your older sister!"
Guangling rolled his eyes and said, "Shameless! You're over eighty years old, and you still have the nerve to call yourself an older sister? Rongrong, don't listen to her nonsense! Let me introduce you: this is a Spirit Hall Elder, the Titled Douluo—Jin Li. Jin Li, this is my disciple, Rongrong!"
"Hello, Sister Jin Li~"
"Oh! Hello, Rongrong!"
Guangling continued, "Rongrong, Jin Li's Martial Soul is the Golden Scepter, and she is a support-type Titled Douluo. Starting today, every morning you will follow Teacher Jin Li to cultivate your Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and in the afternoon you will follow me to practice archery!Jin Li has attained a very high level of mastery in the support field, and I believe that with her help, your Distraction Control will become even more refined."
Yet...
Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Skills were identical to those from her past life. Continuing to cultivate them with her teacher would inevitably slow down her cultivation speed.
"Teacher, I'm sorry, but I want to cultivate my Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul on my own."
"What?"
"Teacher, Sister Jin Li, my Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is different from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and its cultivation method is also unlike that of ordinary Spirit Masters. Records in the secret chamber of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect state: *The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile, accompanied by twins; no Spirit Rings needed, skills follow dual souls.* Walking the ordinary path is walking a dead end."
I'm sorry, Teacher. In order to conceal my innate nine Soul Skills, I have no choice but to lie.
"Are you saying you must cultivate your second Martial Soul first?"
"That's right. Every time my Guangling Divine Bow gains a Spirit Ring, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda will also gain a Spirit Ring of the exact same age, which will generate corresponding Soul Skills."
Jin Li couldn't help exclaiming in wonder, "Unheard of! Rongrong, you truly are a genius!"
Ning Rongrong shyly scratched the back of her head.
Guangling said, "Since that's the case, Rongrong, every morning you will come to the back mountains to cultivate by yourself. I will instruct the guards not to let anyone else in to disturb you. In the afternoon, you will come to the archery field to find me."
"Okay~"
...
After finishing lunch, Ning Rongrong came to the archery training ground.
Guangling walked out holding a small bow, handed it to Ning Rongrong, and said, "Starting today, you will train using this small wooden bow. If the bow breaks, go over there and get a new one."
As he spoke, he pointed a finger toward a rack nearby, upon which twenty-odd wooden bows were neatly arranged.
Ning Rongrong asked in confusion, "Teacher, are we not going to use the Guangling Divine Bow directly?"
Guangling replied, "The Guangling Divine Bow is still beyond your current physical strength to properly support. For a Spirit Master, the power of a Martial Soul is certainly important, but what matters even more is the mastery over one's Martial Soul and Soul Skills. Using a divine artifact to display full might is easy; the difficult part is using ordinary tools to unleash ten-tenths of your power. I will keep those wooden bows on the rack replenished for you in time, so practice without worry."
"I understand, Teacher! I will practice diligently!"
Guangling looked at Ning Rongrong with satisfaction and immediately began the lesson.
Guangling explained, "Archery training is mainly divided into three stages. The first stage is the training of foundational movements, including stance, gripping the bow, nocking the arrow, hooking the string, drawing the bow, and anchor position. This first stage is mainly to help you establish correct movement patterns, improving standardization and stability. The second stage is training for strength and shooting accuracy, which can strengthen your muscle strength, improve movement stability, enhance your physical fitness, and boost your control over your own body. The third stage is training in combat techniques and tactical application; by then, I will arrange for you to team up with students from the Spirit Academy to participate in group training. Throughout these three stages of training, you must gradually improve your concentration and endurance. But you aren't allowed to cry if you fail, oh! I believe our Rongrong is the absolute best!"
Ning Rongrong muttered, "Is it still too late to run away?"
Just like that, Ning Rongrong spent every morning cultivating her Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda with Teacher Jin Li, and every afternoon practicing archery with Guangling, through wind and rain alike!
...
Six years later.
On the lawn in the back mountains of Spirit Hall, a young girl with fair skin, a slender waist, and long limbs lay lounging on a rocking chair beneath a tree to catch the breeze.
The young girl wore a short blue skirt, the silver embroidery and lace trim along its hem fluttering gently as the wind blew past. A blue glazed hairband lightly gathered her flowing long hair.
She raised her right hand casually, letting the sunlight guide her gaze to the branches and leaves overhead. As the wind swept across the treetops, a few leaves swirled down to land on her clothing, as if draping her in a thin, gossamer robe.
"Rongrong~"
A shout echoed from afar, shattering the girl's brief tranquility. Hearing the voice, the girl joyfully sat up straight to look at the newcomer, then haughtily turned her head away.
...
[End of Chapter]