"It's probably because I naturally resonate with this kind of technique," Su Cheng put away his martial soul, looking somewhat embarrassed.
That was just a façade.
He had already decided that in front of Ning Fengzhi, he wouldn't hesitate to seize any opportunity to showcase his abilities.
"But I'm just barely getting started. If I want to continue improving, I'll need Rongrong to give me more guidance," Su Cheng added.
Ning Rongrong pursed her lips, remaining silent.
"We can discuss this matter later," Ning Fengzhi intervened, feeling a bit embarrassed for his daughter and quickly changing the subject. "Su Cheng, what are your plans for the future?"
"I want to focus on improving my cultivation in the next few years, and then witness the brilliance of young talents from other academies during the Soul Master Grand Competition," Su Cheng replied.
Ning Fengzhi nodded, having anticipated this.
He had witnessed Su Cheng's determination to join the Emperor Team when he enrolled, so he roughly guessed his intentions.
Glancing at Ning Rongrong, Su Cheng tentatively asked, "Master, isn't Rongrong planning to join an advanced Soul Master Academy?"
Although disciples of sects had decent learning conditions within their respective sects, in general, disciples from various sects would still join various Soul Master Academies for study.
Systematic knowledge and cooperation among soul masters were only one aspect of the reason. The key was that as disciples of sects, expanding their network was necessary. And the academy was the best way to meet young soul masters.
"Rongrong, what are your thoughts?" Ning Fengzhi asked, after a moment of contemplation, also turning to Ning Rongrong.
He actually had this idea long ago; otherwise, he wouldn't occasionally take Ning Rongrong out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as a guest.
Ning Rongrong hesitated upon hearing this, looking at Ning Fengzhi and then glancing at Su Cheng sitting beside her.
Su Cheng knew there was a chance now, and it was his turn to play along.
"I think it's a pity for someone as talented as Rongrong to stay closed off. The Soul Master Grand Competition is a good opportunity to showcase the brilliance of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's martial soul to everyone."
"What's the point of the Royal Academy?" Ning Rongrong muttered. This place was too close to home; she didn't want to study here.
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi frowned, instinctively wanting to reprimand her.
"The Royal Academy indeed isn't very meaningful, and the students there are also weak," Su Cheng surprisingly agreed with Ning Rongrong's words.
"However, there's only a little over three years left until the Soul Master Grand Competition. After winning the championship, we can leave this place, right?"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong was immediately intrigued.
As the heiress of a top sect, she had seen many so-called geniuses, but she had never seen anyone as strong as Su Cheng.
Regardless of her personal feelings towards him, she had to admit his strength.
"Do we have a chance to win?" she asked.
"Of course!" Su Cheng nodded confidently, with a spirited demeanor. "With your assistance as the top auxiliary martial soul in the world, why wouldn't we have a chance?"
Ning Fengzhi glanced at him but didn't say much more.
He wasn't really interested in winning the championship; he wanted to use this opportunity to train the future heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Originally, he had intended to wait for the next generation, but participating earlier was also a good idea.
As for the talk of winning the championship, Ning Fengzhi was somewhat skeptical.
Although Su Cheng was strong and had exceptional talent, he knew how profound the foundation of the Martial Soul Temple was.
No matter how outstanding this child was, he was still just one person.
But the teams in the Soul Master Grand Competition required seven people to cooperate with each other in battle.
...
The next day, Su Cheng and Ning Rongrong returned to the Royal Academy together.
Under the guidance of Su Cheng and Ning Fengzhi, with the cooperation of Chen Xin and Gu Rong, Ning Rongrong finally chose to enroll in this advanced Soul Master Academy closest to her home.
Along the way, Su Cheng figured out how to get along with the heiress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
First, you had to be strong enough to earn her respect.
On this basis, flattering her a bit and slipping in some personal remarks would easily sway this naive girl to his side.
In areas she didn't understand, Ning Rongrong was actually quite willing to listen to others' advice.
"Brother, are you serious about what you said yesterday about auxiliary-type soul masters?" When they arrived at the academy, she asked the question that had been weighing on her mind.
"Ah, that's just an idea of mine. You've seen it yourself; I like to research soul skills. Martial souls themselves possess some characteristics of tools, even auxiliary martial souls have some similarities with assault-type martial souls," Su Cheng explained.
"Su Cheng, classmate."
Ning Rongrong was about to ask further questions when three students from the academy approached, apparently waiting specifically for Su Cheng.
"Who are you?" Su Cheng turned to the newcomers, somewhat surprised.
"I'm Xue Beng. I've been wanting to exchange ideas with Su Classmate since I saw your talent yesterday, but you went directly to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I had no choice but to wait here," the leading youth said with a polite smile.
"Your surname is Xue?"
"He is the fourth prince of the Tian Dou Empire," Ning Rongrong reminded Su Cheng from the side.
Upon seeing Xue Beng, Ning Rongrong didn't react much.
She was still young during the time when Xue Beng was causing trouble, and she mostly stayed within the sect, knowing little about the situation. Moreover, Xue Beng couldn't have caused any trouble at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Over the years, he had become much more restrained, and Ning Rongrong didn't harbor any ill feelings towards him.
"So you're the Fourth Prince," Su Cheng nodded. "Did you wait for me for something?"
Xue Beng's face changed slightly, and his smile became forced. "My own talent for cultivation isn't very good, so I've always admired talented soul masters like you. I wonder if you would do me the honor of having a meal together and exchanging ideas."
Su Cheng did intend to get to know Xue Beng, but now wasn't the best time.
Just as he was about to decline, another person approached.
"Su Cheng, the Crown Prince has come to the academy and wants to meet you."
Upon hearing this, Su Cheng hadn't had a chance to say anything yet, but Xue Beng's expression suddenly changed, and his smile became strained.
Su Cheng couldn't help but furrow his brows.
Why was the Fourth Prince reacting like this upon hearing just a name?
Was it just a coincidence?
"But something's not right. Why does it feel like there's something strange going on everywhere in Tian Dou City now? Ning Fengzhi, Xue Beng, and what I imagined aren't the same. Did I unintentionally change something?" Su Cheng pondered silently.
"But I've been in the Nuoding City for the past few years; there's no reason I could have influenced the situation in Tian Dou City so far away."