The next day, after having breakfast together, Su Cheng and Ning Rongrong arrived at the core hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Today, they were about to return to the Tian Dou Royal Academy, so they came to say goodbye.
When Ning Rongrong saw Su Cheng, there was a slight awkwardness on her face, and her eyes seemed to avoid him.
Su Cheng didn't think much about it. His mind was preoccupied with various thoughts, and he didn't have much energy to focus on other matters. Plus, he planned to take the opportunity later to consult Ning Fengzhi and others about some other issues.
At this moment, without actively probing with soul power, others couldn't see the dark golden patterns on his forehead anymore. Su Cheng temporarily concealed it with a prepared drug.
After the three of them sat down in the hall, they started chatting casually.
Regarding their imminent departure, Ning Fengzhi didn't show much reluctance. The Tian Dou Royal Academy was close to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, so meeting up anytime wouldn't be a problem.
"Sect Master, do you have any knowledge about the major elemental academies?" After some small talk, Su Cheng finally asked the question he had in mind.
"I do know some," Ning Fengzhi nodded, although he didn't understand why Su Cheng suddenly brought up this topic, he still nodded.
Unlike other sects that were either closed-off or low-key, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always been active in the upper circles of the Tian Dou Empire, and they were well-informed about various matters.
"These major elemental academies are Thunderclap Academy, Divine Wind Academy, Heavenly Water Academy, Blazing Academy, and Elephant Armored Academy. They all possess considerable strength and represent the powers of five powerful elements, collectively known as the five major elemental academies of the Tian Dou Empire."
"I remember there's also a Botanical Academy?"
"The strength of the Botanical Academy cannot be compared to these five academies. Moreover, their academy mainly focuses on plant-type martial souls, but both the martial soul attributes and the combination of soul rings are not singular, making it quite unconventional," Ning Fengzhi explained dismissively.
Having heard this, Su Cheng nodded and continued, "If I want to join one of these five elemental academies, is it possible?"
Ning Fengzhi was surprised by Su Cheng's question, "Do you want to go to one of the elemental academies?"
"Yes, I have that idea."
Ning Rongrong, who had been sitting quietly beside him, couldn't help but tremble slightly when she heard Su Cheng's words. She first looked at him in astonishment, then her face turned pale, and she looked visibly upset.
However, the others didn't notice her reaction at this moment; they were still surprised by Su Cheng's sudden idea.
"Your plan may not be feasible," Ning Fengzhi said after a moment of contemplation.
"The elemental academies themselves are powerful, with ample resources, and they don't often accept external students. Although your talent is unique, the problem is, these academies have always been exclusive, accepting only students with the same elemental affinity, especially those from their own families. Their teaching philosophy emphasizes teamwork."
"I see," Su Cheng said thoughtfully, not too disappointed.
He roughly knew some information about the five elemental academies but hadn't interacted with them personally, so his understanding was not detailed.
As for the so-called emphasis on teamwork, Su Cheng knew about it too. He knew about the concept of "limit flow," where a soul master's abilities were focused on a single attribute to maximize its potential. However, he believed that with his unique path of advancement, he didn't need to conform to such principles.
However, the others didn't know about his unique circumstances. So, they continued explaining.
"In addition to the elemental affinity issue, the key lies in the powerful forces behind these academies. They are more like sects than mere academies. For example, the Thunderclap Academy is supported by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Although they recruit some peripheral disciples, the core disciples are trained internally within the clan. The same goes for other academies, each with its own background."
Su Cheng nodded silently, realizing that he could only understand more about these academies during the academy competition.
He didn't have the intention of visiting them just for the sake of it. Since there was no enmity between them, and he didn't belong to a powerful force like the Martial Soul Hall or the Haotian Sect, there was no need for him to unnecessarily offend others.
After a moment of silence, Ning Fengzhi added, "Moreover, someone like Rongrong, with a clear family background as an auxiliary-type soul master, would not be accepted by those academies."
Su Cheng was taken aback by this statement. He hadn't planned to bring Ning Rongrong with him to enroll in another academy; if he were to go, it would be on his own.
Seeing the somewhat scrutinizing looks from the others, he couldn't help but furrow his brows inwardly. Were they treating him as Ning Rongrong's guardian?
However, Su Cheng didn't say anything more. Since it seemed that his plan wouldn't work out, he decided to let it go. After the Soul Master Competition, he would go to the Martial Soul Hall.
Until then, everything was just a transition.
After having lunch, Su Cheng and Ning Rongrong left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and started walking back to the Royal Academy of Douluo.
During the journey, Ning Rongrong seemed a bit gloomy, but Su Cheng didn't pay much attention as he was still pondering his own issues.
The knowledge about elemental academies should be profound, especially regarding martial soul and soul ring attributes.
There would definitely be many things worth learning from there, which he might not have noticed before but with his True Sight now, there were many areas to explore.
However, according to Ning Fengzhi's explanation, his previous idea of enrolling in another academy seemed far-fetched.
"Brother, what did you mean by what you said at home?"
While Su Cheng was silently contemplating, Ning Rongrong suddenly asked beside him, her tone somewhat subdued, catching him off guard.
"What?"
"You never really intended to take me with you to other academies, did you?"
"Right. Why would I take you with me? You're not suitable for joining elemental academies anyway."
"Obviously, you're not suitable for those elemental academies either. Why did you just leave me at the Royal Academy of Tian Dou for no reason?"
Ning Rongrong stopped walking, her bright eyes fixed on Su Cheng.
"The teaching environment at the Royal Academy of Tian Dou is more suitable for you," Su Cheng said somewhat puzzled, "and it's closer to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, making it more convenient for the sect master and the teachers to look after you."
"I don't need anyone to look after me. Why do you all treat me like a child? Aren't you just a few years older than me?"
Ning Rongrong's voice suddenly became agitated. "Or is it because you're avoiding me that you want to go to other academies?"
Su Cheng frowned slightly, helplessly saying, "You're overthinking it. It's my own idea, nothing to do with you. And why would I avoid you?"
Ning Rongrong didn't believe his words.
In her view, in just one night, Su Cheng's attitude had suddenly changed, wanting to go to those elemental academies for no apparent reason, there must be another reason.
After all, Su Cheng had been eagerly looking forward to joining the Imperial Combat Team before.
But now, he was thinking of leaving after joining the academy and the team.
Thinking about it, the reason for this sudden change could only lie with her.
More precisely, it was because of Ning Fengzhi's proposal last night.
"If you want me to stay away from you, just say it. With my talent, there are plenty of people willing to have me. Is the Royal Academy of Tian Dou really that good?"
Ning Rongrong's mood was extremely bad at the moment.
The night before, Ning Fengzhi's words had indeed not affected Su Cheng much.
His mental age was already very mature, with his own thoughts and understanding, not easily influenced by others' words.
But Ning Rongrong was different. Those words had a great impact on her.
Even she had not expected that the dream of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, which had been the aspiration of the entire sect for countless years, would actually be realized with Su Cheng's help.
Last night, under Ning Fengzhi's guidance, the complex emotions in Ning Rongrong's heart had finally fermented further.
However, these were all unilateral thoughts on her part.
At this moment, in Su Cheng's view, Ning Rongrong's recent behavior was completely irrational.
Making him feel somewhat annoyed.
"So, what do you want to do now?"
"I'm not going back to the Royal Academy of Tian Dou. You go back by yourself. I can do just fine in other academies."
Su Cheng stared at Ning Rongrong, who also stared back unapologetically.
After a moment of silence, he calmly said, "Rongrong, if you stay by my side, I will teach you to protect yourself, fulfilling my duty as an elder brother. But if you act recklessly, you'll have to bear the consequences of your actions, even if it means dying. I won't regret or blame myself for not saving you."
Ning Rongrong's expression changed rapidly upon hearing this, her eyes suddenly filled with tears.
"I'm saying this not out of spite. Since you claim you're not a child anymore, I'll treat you like an adult and explain some principles to you."
Ning Rongrong remained silent, her eyes red with anger and frustration, overwhelming any sadness.
Su Cheng, however, remained indifferent, his voice calm and cold.
"I just want to tell you two things.
"First, everyone has the right to choose their own future, and no one has the authority to make decisions for you, including your parents.
"Second, if you want to take control of your own destiny, then take responsibility for your actions. Don't think just because you're my sister, I'll take care of you forever. If you're determined, even if you die outside, don't regret or blame anyone, and don't expect me to save you from danger."
Su Cheng gazed calmly at Ning Rongrong.
Wanting to be willful but afraid of danger, making a choice but unwilling to pay the corresponding price.
There was no such good thing in the world.
. . .
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