Chapter 52: Ning Rongrong's Gift
"Not bad, Xiao Wu! You've given me quite a surprise!"
"Your third soul skill is teleportation, right? I would guess that you obtained your third soul ring from a Lightning Rabbit!"
However, instead of criticizing her, Yu Xiaogang praised Xiao Wu with a confident tone, accurately identifying the soul beast she had acquired her third soul ring from.
"Yes, it's the Lightning Rabbit! Master, you're amazing!"
Xiao Wu immediately responded with admiration upon hearing Yu Xiaogang's words.
Hearing this, Dai Mubai and the others also felt that Yu Xiaogang was truly remarkable. It reminded them of Tang San's extensive knowledge of soul beasts during their time in the Star Dou Forest, all of which had been taught by Yu Xiaogang.
"You guys are indeed geniuses, but from my perspective, you're still not good enough!"
"Starting today, I'll put you all through a three-month special training!"
"Do you all know why Su Mo's cultivation speed is so fast? The key reason is that his physical strength far surpasses that of any one of you!"
"The stronger your physical strength, the faster your cultivation speed, and it also allows you to absorb higher-quality soul rings!"
"So, for the next three months, I will put you through physical training."
"Now, head to the village entrance. I've prepared weights for each of you. Once you have them on your backs, run ten laps around the village!"
"If you don't finish, you won't get to eat!"
"Now, move!"
Yu Xiaogang finally revealed his plan for their physical training, which involved running with weights. Unlike the original novel, he didn't start with punishments but instead pointed out the need to enhance everyone's physical strength by mentioning Su Mo's superior performance.
And so, the physical training commenced.
Su Mo, although unimpressed with the idea of running with weights, did not protest or opt out. Doing so would make him seem unsociable.
Besides, it was only three months of training—he could endure it.
Unless Su Mo was willing to share his more effective training method, Zhan Zhuang (standing stance), everyone would have to run with weights. However, Su Mo was unwilling to do so.
Thus, the "hellish training" began.
During the first week, everyone except Su Mo was left completely exhausted every day, so much so that they didn't even have the energy to go to Soto City for battles.
Only Su Mo had the strength to visit the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City each day.
He participated in only one match per day. Even if he wasn't aiming for the Silver Spirit Fighter title, Su Mo still wanted to fight with more soul masters to accumulate enough combat experience.
A week later, Ning Rongrong finally regained enough energy to accompany Su Mo to Soto City.
"Su Mo, you wait at the entrance of the Great Spirit Arena for me. I'll be there shortly!"
Upon arriving in Soto City, Ning Rongrong asked Su Mo to wait for her at the Great Spirit Arena entrance.
"Alright."
Although Su Mo didn't know what Ning Rongrong was up to, he agreed.
However, once Ning Rongrong left, Su Mo quietly followed her. Although it was unlikely for anything dangerous to happen to her in Soto City, he decided to follow just in case.
Ning Rongrong, unaware that Su Mo was secretly following her, quickly arrived at an auction house in Soto City.
"Sister Goddess, can you go inside and see what Ning Rongrong is up to?"
When Ning Rongrong entered the auction house, Su Mo called Bibi Dong to help him investigate since he couldn't enter the auction house himself.
Without sufficient wealth or bringing an item for consignment, one could not enter.
"Fine," Bibi Dong replied reluctantly. Her figure appeared in front of Su Mo before following Ning Rongrong into the auction house. She quickly found her.
"You must be the manager of this auction house, correct? Bring out the best storage soul tools you have. I want to choose one!"
Bibi Dong soon spotted Ning Rongrong, who had taken out a gold card and was looking haughtily at the auction house manager.
"Honored Diamond Member, please wait a moment. I'll check that for you right away!"
The auction house manager became extremely respectful upon seeing the gold card in Ning Rongrong's hand.
Watching from a distance, Su Mo could already guess what Ning Rongrong was planning.
"This girl…"
He muttered softly, feeling a warmth spread through his heart.
Su Mo knew that Ning Rongrong was likely buying this as a gift for him. If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't have asked him to wait at the Great Spirit Arena entrance. Clearly, she wanted to surprise him.
"This little girl…"
Similarly touched, Bibi Dong, who was inside the auction house, also observed the scene.
For some reason, seeing Ning Rongrong's actions reminded her of her own past self.
She could easily tell that Ning Rongrong had genuinely fallen for Su Mo.
This left Bibi Dong conflicted. She wasn't sure if she should intervene, as she didn't want Su Mo to end up with Ning Rongrong. She had been hoping to introduce Qian Renxue or Hu Liena to him!
If Su Mo truly got together with Ning Rongrong, he would be tied to Shrek completely!
"No, I can't let Su Mo stay with Shrek any longer!"
"If this continues, he'll definitely end up with that girl!"
"Not to mention, he'll be completely bound to Shrek. In the future, he might not only refuse to help me save Xue'er and Nana, but he might even side with Shrek against the Spirit Hall!"
Bibi Dong suddenly shivered as she realized a frightening possibility, one she had never considered before.
Previously, she had only wanted to be close to Yu Xiaogang, which was why she persuaded Su Mo to become Yu Xiaogang's disciple and join Shrek.
But Bibi Dong had forgotten to consider if Su Mo would still be willing to help her after joining Shrek.
Even though being close to Yu Xiaogang was her personal desire, she hadn't forgotten that she needed to aid her current self—Pope Bibi Dong—and help her daughter Qian Renxue and her disciple Hu Liena.
This was something she had ignored all along.
"No, I can't let Su Mo stay with Shrek any longer!"
Bibi Dong's expression turned grim as this realization dawned on her. Her own happiness was important, but so were Xue'er and Nana!
The most crucial part was that getting Su Mo to leave would prevent him from ending up with Ning Rongrong.
"But how do I convince Su Mo?"
Now fully aware of the situation, Bibi Dong quickly frowned, her brow creasing tightly.
In the past, she thought she could easily influence Su Mo's decisions. However, over the years, she had come to understand that Su Mo was not someone who would easily follow her suggestions.
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