Chapter 34 Sprinkle some Ziran, add some cilantro. _1
Xu Sheng and Ning Rongrong sat down cross-legged. The former quickly kindled a campfire, and the blazing flames gradually surged, casting a warm glow on Ning Rongrong's cheeks…
Xu Sheng lifted his gaze to her face—a visage that was slightly delicate and aloof—and his pupils contracted sharply as he immediately recognized the girl as the daughter of Ning Fengzhi, Sect Leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong!
Because the night was too dark before, he hadn't taken a close look at her face, only now realizing it was Ning Rongrong…
Xu Sheng thought to himself, "It's a small world after all!"
He had planned to visit Shrek Academy later and meet the Shrek Seven Monsters along the way, but he hadn't expected to encounter Ning Rongrong so soon.
...…
Xu Sheng was sizing up Ning Rongrong, and she was also taking measure of him…
Especially after getting a clear look at Xu Sheng's handsome features, ripples of interest occasionally appeared in Ning Rongrong's eyes…
This was the first time she had met a man who caught her eye like this, particularly with his aura of effortless languor that made him even more approachable than her father Ning Fengzhi…
After all, good looks can indeed improve one's favorability in the eyes of others—this saying isn't without merit…
Ning Rongrong was the first to extend her fair arm, smiling, "My name is Ning Rongrong. Thanks for saving me this time."
Xu Sheng was taken aback for a moment, but then shook her hand firmly and returned the smile, "My name is Xu Sheng. I suppose any man would save such a beautiful girl, right?"
Ning Rongrong's fingers were soft and smooth, tender to the touch like creamy jade, hard to let go of…
But he remembered that Ning Rongrong, before she entered Shrek Academy, had been extremely proud and willful, even going so far as to pay a hefty price for Tang San to kill Dai Mubai.
However, the current Ning Rongrong didn't give off that feeling at all; instead, she seemed to possess a touch of gentleness and intelligence…
Seeing Xu Sheng grip her hand and zone out, Ning Rongrong retracted her hand somewhat awkwardly with embarrassment…
Curious, she asked, "Then Xu Sheng, can you tell me what class of Soul Master you are?"
She couldn't quite understand how Xu Sheng's Martial Soul seemed more like a support-class Soul Master, yet he was also able to deal with soul beasts.
Xu Sheng threw a bundle of wood into the campfire and nodded, "Of course, I can. I am a dual-system support and control-class Soul Master."
His soul skills could be understood as either control or support class.
The direction a Martial Soul develops in needn't be confined to a fixed mindset…
For instance, Hulena's Martial Spirit Sky Fox can also acquire offensive Soul Rings…
Oscar's sausages, if imbued with the spirit of a Datura snake, could potentially qualify him as a poison-class Soul Master…
Hearing Xu Sheng's response, Ning Rongrong frowned, "A dual-system support and control-class Soul Master? Why have I never heard of such a type of Soul Master?"
If a Soul Master tries to develop in two directions, it usually leads to mediocrity in both and could severely impact the Soul Master's future development.
Xu Sheng scratched at a tuft of hair sticking up on his head, explaining, "Ah, this is just my own idea. To be specific, I should be considered a support-class Soul Master."
Ning Rongrong nodded thoughtfully, a serious expression on her face, "Then your Soul Power and Soul Rings…"
Xu Sheng shrugged his shoulders, casually responding, "Sorry, Ning Rongrong, it isn't convenient for me to tell you about those. But I think there will be a chance in the future…"
...…
The two sat in silence for what seemed like ages, until they were suddenly interrupted by a "gurgle gurgle gurgle~".
Ning Rongrong quickly covered her stomach, eyes betraying her embarrassment as she stealthily glanced at Xu Sheng, unable to speak…
Xu Sheng wore a puzzled expression, quietly asking, "Ning Rongrong, you wouldn't happen to have skipped dinner, would you?"
Blushing profusely from Xu Sheng's direct care, under the flame's glow, Ning Rongrong shyly nodded her head in agreement…
When she angrily left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she simply didn't have the chance to eat anything…
It would be strange if her stomach wasn't growling…
Standing up, Xu Sheng instructed, "Then wait here for a moment, I'll go find something edible."
"We can't let the darling of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect go hungry, can we?"
"If Ning Fengzhi and that old Gu Rong Chen Xin found out, they'd probably hunt me down at all costs."
"Well, even if they teamed up, they might not necessarily be able to defeat me..."
Seeing Xu Sheng about to leave, Ning Rongrong subconsciously reached out and grabbed his wrist, her voice hesitant, "Xu... Sheng, may I... come with you?"
Seeing the worried expression on her face, Xu Sheng suddenly realized...
She must have been traumatized by the previous encounter with the Man-Faced Demon Spider, afraid that once Xu Sheng left, another soul beast might come...
Being a support-class Soul Master, she had no means of defending herself.
Xu Sheng conjured the Nine-Hearted Begonia, and his third soul ring lit up instantly, forming a protective barrier around Ning Rongrong.
He gently patted the back of Ning Rongrong's hand, comforting her, "Rongrong, you should wait here for me. Unless it's a soul beast with a cultivation level over thirty thousand years, this barrier shouldn't break easily."
Ning Rongrong thought it over, sat down again, and said with some hesitation, "Okay... fine, then. But be careful yourself."
But remembering how dozens of soul beasts hadn't been able to break through this barrier, she didn't feel quite so anxious...
...
A crisp "Crack" suddenly sounded near the campfire...
Ning Rongrong, who had almost fallen asleep leaning against a tree, woke up instantly and asked warily, "Who's there?"
The arrival was none other than Xu Sheng, returning from the hunt, now holding two plump rabbits in his hand.
Seeing that Ning Rongrong was awake, Xu Sheng slowly sat next to her, smiled tenderly, and lifted the two rabbits, saying, "Rongrong, you're awake? I'll just deal with these two rabbits, and then we can eat."
Ning Rongrong doubted her own ears – who ate rabbits?
So, she tried asking again, "Deal with the rabbits? Xu Sheng, you don't mean to eat the rabbits, do you?"
Xu Sheng looked at her in surprise, "Yes, rabbit meat is quite delicious."
He had forgotten that Ning Rongrong, born in the Great Sect of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, certainly wouldn't eat such food.
Ning Rongrong said with difficulty, "I... guess that's not very nice? Rabbits are so cute, how could we eat them?"
Xu Sheng didn't respond, instead decisively pulled out a dagger, promptly skinned and bled the two rabbits, and then skewered them onto a pair of sticks...
Finally, he took out some sauces from the Storage-type Soul Guidance Device given by Bi Bidong and started smoking them over the fire...
...
After a short while, the smoked rabbit meat, its color now reddish and plump, looked appetizing just to look at. Not only that, but it also began to emit a rich, meaty aroma that spread to the surroundings...
Ning Rongrong, who had initially been averse to rabbit meat, couldn't help but quietly swallow at the scent, thinking to herself, "It smells... so good."
The expensive food of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect paled in comparison with this simple dish – the latter seemed far better!
Xu Sheng, of course, noticed her little movement and took down a piece of rabbit meat to offer Ning Rongrong, "You must be starved. Try this…"
Ning Rongrong gracefully accepted the rabbit meat with both hands, gently sniffed the aroma, and then shyly brought it to the edge of her lips...
"Wait, Rongrong. Adding some cumin and coriander might enhance the taste," Xu Sheng said, stopping Ning Rongrong's action and quickly taking out two containers of spices to sprinkle on the rabbit meat in her hands...
Only then did Xu Sheng say with satisfaction, "There we go, now give it a try."
Ning Rongrong took a small bite of the rabbit meat and immediately felt the tender, crispy, and delicious flavor envelop her tongue, with the slight spiciness of the cumin adding to her sense of satisfaction.
Her eyes sparkled with delight, and a single thought surfaced in her mind!
"So delicious"
...