After everyone had left, Ning Fengzhi smiled gently. "Rongrong, aren't you supposed to be studying at Shrek Academy? How do you have time to come back?"
Ning Rongrong sat comfortably in a chair, her demeanor carefree. "Father, I must have been blind before. That Shrek Academy is completely useless. So, I decided to drop out."
"D-drop out?" Ning Fengzhi's shock was evident.
His daughter had been away for nearly half a year. He should have been happy about her return, but hearing that she had dropped out of school was far beyond his expectations.
Ning Fengzhi's face darkened, and his tone turned stern.
"Rongrong, kneel down!"
Startled, Ning Rongrong instinctively bent her knees and dropped to the floor.
Ning Fengzhi had hoped that Shrek Academy would temper his daughter's fiery personality. Yet not only had she not changed, she had gone as far as dropping out—a direct insult to the academy and its reputation.
"What are you doing, Fengzhi!"
Before he could continue reprimanding her, two powerful auras swept through the hall. Standing below, Zhu Zhuqing shivered instinctively.
Raising her head, she saw Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo suddenly appear beside Ning Fengzhi, their gazes fixed on him with evident displeasure.
In the eyes of these two Titled Douluo, Ning Rongrong wasn't just Ning Fengzhi's daughter—she was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. In their hearts, she was even more important than Ning Fengzhi himself.
Sword Douluo completely ignored Ning Fengzhi's authority. Striding forward, he helped Ning Rongrong to her feet.
"Rongrong rarely comes home, and this is how you treat her? So what if she dropped out? That so-called Shrek Academy isn't even a registered institution. What right do they have to teach our Rongrong?"
Faced with this pointed question, Ning Fengzhi deflated. With a sigh, he sat back in his chair, carved from a massive piece of warm jade. His gaze shifted to Ning Rongrong.
"Did you at least inform Dean Flender and the others before leaving?"
Ning Rongrong shook her head. "Father! Shrek Academy is a sham, a rogue academy! Sending me there was like throwing me into a fire pit."
"That's not possible," Ning Fengzhi murmured thoughtfully. "Shrek Academy's dean is Flender, one of the Golden Iron Triangle. It should—"
"Hmm?"
In his focus on reprimanding his daughter, Ning Fengzhi suddenly noticed Zhu Zhuqing standing silently nearby.
"Rongrong, who is this?"
Rushing over, Ning Rongrong pulled Zhu Zhuqing forward. "Father, this is a friend I made at Shrek Academy. Her name is Zhu Zhuqing. Her spirit is the Hell Civet, and she comes from the Star Luo Empire."
"The Hell Civet, Star Luo Empire..." Ning Fengzhi's expression turned contemplative as he pieced together Zhu Zhuqing's background.
"Greetings. I am Ning Rongrong's father. Please forgive my earlier behavior," Ning Fengzhi said warmly, his tone polite as he glanced pointedly at his daughter.
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue mischievously and darted behind Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo for cover.
Zhu Zhuqing quickly bowed. "You're too kind, Lord Ning. It's my honor to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Even as a member of a noble family herself, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but feel overwhelmed in the presence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's leader. She instinctively adopted a deferential posture.
"There's no need to be so formal. As Rongrong's friend, you're also a friend of our clan. Our gates are always open to you," Ning Fengzhi reassured her.
"Also, no need for titles like 'Lord.' Just call me Uncle Ning."
Zhu Zhuqing blinked in surprise. "Thank you, Uncle Ning."
Pleased, Ning Fengzhi nodded, then turned his attention back to Ning Rongrong.
"And now for you, Rongrong. How do you plan to explain this dropout business?" Ning Fengzhi's tone turned stern, his demeanor akin to that of a sleeping lion whose pride had been challenged.
Dropping out wasn't a trivial matter. While it might not seem significant, it reflected poorly on the clan's image.
Caught off guard, Ning Rongrong hesitated. But her eyes soon sparkled with mischief as an idea formed.
"Father, given your influence, I'm sure you already know about the arrangement between Shrek Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy, don't you?"
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow. "Of course, I'm aware. What about it?"
"Good! In a few days, when Dean Flender and the others arrive, you can accompany me to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. We'll explain everything then," Ning Rongrong suggested with a sly grin.
Bone Douluo interjected, frowning. "Fengzhi, are you seriously planning to meet with the people from such a minor academy?"
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Do you think I want to? But Rongrong made the mistake first."
"Rongrong? A mistake?" Sword Douluo's sharp gaze landed on Ning Fengzhi. The two Titled Douluo looked ready to pounce.
Ning Fengzhi froze.
"Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, please don't get angry. There's a reason for all of this!" Ning Rongrong quickly intervened, trying to diffuse the tension.
"A reason?"
The three men spoke in unison.
"What reason?"
Ning Rongrong giggled, grabbing Zhu Zhuqing's hand and heading toward the door.
"You'll find out in a few days."
Her cryptic reply left the three men behind, lost in thought.
"This girl is getting out of hand," Ning Fengzhi muttered with a helpless sigh.
"I wouldn't say that," Sword Douluo mused. "Rongrong is a bright child. You're the one who insisted on sending her to that countryside academy. What good could come from such a place? Even if Flender is a Soul Sage, what could he possibly teach her?"
Bone Douluo nodded in agreement. "Exactly. When Shrek Academy arrives at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, I'll go with you. I want to see what's so special about this so-called academy."
With no other option, Ning Fengzhi reluctantly agreed. But deep down, he couldn't help but wonder what his daughter was planning.
In the corridors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing walked side by side.
"Rongrong, are you sure this is okay?" Zhu Zhuqing asked hesitantly.
"Relax. My father isn't the petty type. He'll be fine." Ning Rongrong waved dismissively, then added with a glint in her eye, "In a few days, when Flender and the others arrive, we'll go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy together."
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. "What are you planning?"
"Shrek Academy has shown us no kindness, so don't blame me for showing none in return. Some truths need to come to light!" Ning Rongrong declared confidently.