Ning Rongrong decided not to beat around the bush. "Su Ming, what if... the Split Mind Control secret technique from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could help you balance the three energies during Sage Mode?"
Hearing this, Su Ming's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa! That's right!"
He had nearly forgotten about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's unique ability to control multiple things at once through the Split Mind Control technique. He couldn't be certain if it would work, but it was definitely worth considering.
The system chimed in: "Ding! Host, it might be worth a try. You never know—it could work!"
Su Ming playfully retorted, "System, you gave me toad oil and the beating stick. Why didn't you give me something that could help me gather natural energy?"
The system responded with a sarcastic tone: "Ding! Host, that line of thinking is wrong. If I gave you everything, you'd be a useless slacker. What would I need you for? And besides, rewards are random. If you have bad luck, don't blame the system."
Su Ming: …
Fine, he was just venting to the system, but it wasn't wrong. If everything was handed to him, he really would be worthless. The system seemed to be challenging him to grow, rather than just handing out solutions.
For example, even after all these years with the system, he still hadn't received a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. He had a few below that level, but he didn't care for them. As someone with a system and knowledge of the story, how could he be satisfied with less than the best? However, the lesser soul bones could still be useful in the future for his allies or to gain influence.
These were considerations for later. Right now, his strength didn't rely heavily on soul bones. High-quality auxiliary soul bones were rare, and the only one he had was the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone.
He wasn't in a rush to absorb it, since doing so would reveal Ah Yin's presence. He could wait until he either joined the Spirit Hall or until Ah Yin fully recognized Tang Hao's true nature. At that point, revealing it would be the perfect timing for their confrontation.
Of course, it didn't have to be an auxiliary soul bone, since those were particularly rare. Most soul bones provided offensive or defensive abilities, with auxiliary effects being secondary. If he had no other options, Su Ming hoped that any future soul bones he absorbed would have the highest possible age, though he wasn't sure if the system could enhance a soul bone's age.
The system responded vaguely: "Guess you'll have to wait and see..."
Since the system had suggested trying the Split Mind Control technique, it was probably effective. Su Ming was familiar with how the system worked: it didn't appear unless something was important. Otherwise, no amount of shouting could summon it. If it had emerged now, it meant the technique was valuable.
However, Su Ming wasn't eager to approach Ning Fengzhi for the secret technique just yet. He preferred to strengthen his relationship with Ning Rongrong first—otherwise, it might look like he was trading with Ning Fengzhi, rather than building a genuine bond.
"Your clan's Split Mind Control technique would likely be useful for me, but I can't be sure how effective it will be. Are you suggesting that...?"
Before Su Ming could finish, Ning Rongrong confidently declared, "Yes! I want to bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Split Mind Control technique to you. I'll head home this afternoon and convince my father!"
Su Ming hesitated, "Rongrong, I didn't teach you Lingbo Weibu just to get your clan's secret technique..."
Ning Rongrong smiled warmly, "I know that! But I want to contribute. You mentioned that when you're in Sage Mode, your entire body is enhanced, but the short duration is a flaw because you can't gather natural energy while fighting. That's why I thought Split Mind Control could help you. So don't refuse!"
Ning Rongrong playfully turned to Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, help me convince your brother!"
Xiao Wu had already noticed how much closer Su Ming and Ning Rongrong had become during their training. Ning Rongrong was even willing to share her clan's secret to help Su Ming. Naturally, Xiao Wu wanted to support this and chimed in, "Brother, Rongrong means well. You should accept her offer."
Seeing how determined they both were, Su Ming finally relented, "Alright, I'll wait for your good news."
"But are you sure it's safe for you to go alone? Do you need me to accompany you?" Su Ming asked, still concerned.
Ning Rongrong waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I've got Lingbo Weibu now—if I run into danger, I can escape easily. Besides, I believe the clan has people secretly protecting me, though I've never seen them."
After a moment of consideration, Su Ming agreed, "Alright, but be careful. As for Master and the others, we'll keep them in suspense, hehe..."
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu both giggled, "Su Ming, you're so mischievous!"
Su Ming's plan was simple: by not revealing the real reason for Ning Rongrong's departure, Flender and Yu Xiaogang would naturally assume she was going back to complain about their interference. But in reality, she had another purpose, leaving them to their own speculations.
"Alright, Su Ming. Now that we've rested enough after Master interrupted us, let's get back to training!" Ning Rongrong said with determination.
She wasn't sure when it happened, but over the past couple of days, she had grown deeply fond of Su Ming—perhaps because of everything she had personally witnessed and experienced with him.
As the next hour passed, Su Ming finally began to master the initial process of absorbing natural energy. No longer did it rush into him violently, like when he first applied the toad oil. However, due to the earlier interruptions, it was nearly time for lunch, so Su Ming decided to pause and continue in the afternoon.
"Let's go grab some food. And before you leave later, Rongrong, I'll give you something—just a little trinket to keep you safe."
Hearing this, both Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu became curious about what Su Ming had in mind.
Feigning a pout, Xiao Wu teased, "Su Ming, you're playing favorites. Why don't I get one too?"
Of course, Xiao Wu wasn't truly upset. She knew a protective item would be more useful to Ning Rongrong than to her.