After the vines binding Dai Mubai loosened, he stretched his arms and legs, then silently walked back towards the academy.
Following him were Tang San and Oscar, with Su Ming, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong trailing behind. Su Ming glanced at Oscar and shook his head slightly. Oscar had said he wanted to pursue Ning Rongrong, but when Dai Mubai almost attacked her, Oscar hadn't reacted at all. In fact, he had even defended Dai Mubai in the end. With such behavior, there was no chance Oscar would win her over.
Su Ming understood, though. After all, Oscar had spent more time with Dai Mubai and naturally felt a stronger bond with him than with the recently met Ning Rongrong. But this likely meant Oscar had lost any chance with Ning Rongrong.
Su Ming had also decided not to take Oscar as his follower anymore. Originally, Oscar's desire to compete for Ning Rongrong's affections had put an end to that possibility. Now, after siding with Dai Mubai, Su Ming didn't even see Oscar as competition—it would only lower his standards.
As Su Ming's mind wandered, Ning Rongrong's voice came from beside him.
"Su Ming, thank you for helping me today. If Dai Mubai tries to cause you any trouble in the future, my father and my two grandfathers will make sure nothing happens to you!" Ning Rongrong spoke softly, sincerely grateful.
Since Su Ming had no plans to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Rongrong didn't intend to push the matter. She understood that he had his own path.
Su Ming chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about it. Dai Mubai doesn't have the means to be a threat. He's weaker than I am, and even if he tried to hire someone, it would cost him a fortune. He doesn't have any extra income right now. And even if he did try, I've got my own cards to play. You don't need to worry."
Hearing Su Ming's reassurance, Ning Rongrong felt much more at ease.
Xiao Wu, standing beside them, chimed in, "That's right! My brother Su Ming is really strong. If he says he's not worried about Dai Mubai, then he definitely isn't."
Xiao Wu had absolute confidence in Su Ming. After all, he hadn't used his Sharingan in a long time. She figured it might have even evolved during his training.
Before long, the group arrived back at the academy, and each person headed to their own dormitory.
In the girls' dormitory, Zhu Zhuqing had already been back for a while, but the others had not yet returned, making her feel uneasy. Something seemed off, as if something had happened.
Just as she was about to go out to check, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong returned.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Wu, Rongrong, weren't you both right behind me? Why did it take you so long to get back?"
Xiao Wu, still fuming, recounted everything that had happened after Zhu Zhuqing left, expressing her frustration with Dai Mubai's behavior.
Hearing the story, Zhu Zhuqing felt a wave of guilt. Ning Rongrong had spoken up for her and nearly been hurt by Dai Mubai. Thankfully, Su Ming had intervened in time, or the consequences could have been dire.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ning Rongrong with a guilty expression. "Rongrong…"
Before she could finish, Ning Rongrong took her hands, patting them gently, and said, "It's fine, Zhuqing. Everything turned out okay. Besides, I've been annoyed with Dai Mubai for a long time. It felt good to finally stand up to him, and it was kind of thrilling. And just so you know, I wasn't only standing up for you—I had my own reasons too."
Xiao Wu shot Ning Rongrong a questioning glance. "If Su Ming hadn't stepped in, it wouldn't have been thrilling—it would have been terrifying!"
Ning Rongrong, aware of the danger she had been in, didn't argue and playfully stuck out her tongue.
Then, as if recalling something, Xiao Wu asked curiously, "Rongrong, what other reason did you have for confronting Dai Mubai? I get that you wanted to stand up for Zhuqing, but it was still pretty risky. Even though you're the heir to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, you're still an auxiliary-type spirit master, while Dai Mubai is a power-type."
Ning Rongrong, leading the two girls to sit down in the room, finally explained, "Yes, confronting Dai Mubai was dangerous, but it was worth it. And I've already achieved what I set out to do. I'm quite satisfied with the outcome."