Chapter 35: Strike First!

"You said your name is Ning Rongrong?"

Hearing the familiar name, Zhou Chen was momentarily surprised, though he maintained a nonchalant demeanor and complimented, "What a cute name."

"Oh, cute, is it?" Zhu Zhuqing shot Zhou Chen a sidelong glance, her tone icy, instantly sending a chill down Zhou Chen's spine.

"Ahem..."

Realizing his slip, Zhou Chen awkwardly cleared his throat, turning his attention to Ning Rongrong with a serious expression, "My name is Zhou Chen, 'Chen' as in 'Stardust'. And she's Zhu Zhuqing, 'Zhu' as in 'Bamboo', and 'Qing' as in 'Clear Lotus'."

"Wow, both of your names are so nice," Ning Rongrong said sweetly, her voice soft and soothing, making one feel weak at the knees.

Her expression was equally charming, a gentle smile like a spring breeze. Even Zhu Zhuqing, typically cold and aloof, found her gaze softening toward Ning Rongrong.

But Zhou Chen knew it was all an act.

As the heir to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, the wealthiest young lady on the continent with assets in the billions of gold soul coins, Ning Rongrong's personality in the original story was quite spoiled and arrogant, earning her the nickname "Little Witch."

However, as a well-traveled scion of a noble family, Ning Rongrong was adept at feigning innocence. With just a few words and a sweet smile, she quickly dispelled Zhou Chen's annoyance and won Zhu Zhuqing's favor.

This little girl was quite the actress, meeting her match in Zhou Chen, a master of performance himself.

"Rongrong, since we're all friends, there's no need to be polite. These skewers are all yours," Zhou Chen said generously, pointing to the untouched skewers on the grill.

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up with affection for Zhou Chen. As a young lady accustomed to getting her way, she loved nothing more than having her desires met.

Her aim in approaching Zhou Chen had been those enticing skewers.

Moreover, the handsome young man who obliged her request filled Ning Rongrong's vanity, quickly dispelling any grievances over Zhou Chen's earlier rebuke.

"Wow, this is delicious," Ning Rongrong exclaimed as she ran to the grill, grabbing a lamb skewer. One bite, and her blue eyes twinkled with happiness.

"Rongrong, come sit by me," Zhu Zhuqing invited, a rare gesture indicating her favorable first impression of Ning Rongrong.

Smiling, Ning Rongrong nodded and obediently sat beside Zhu Zhuqing, chatting with her while holding a skewer in one hand and clasping Zhu Zhuqing's arm with the other.

Despite Ning Rongrong's typical spoiled demeanor, her social skills were unparalleled, quickly warming up to the reserved and silent Zhu Zhuqing.

Meanwhile, Zhou Chen played the part of a gentleman, refraining from private conversations with Ning Rongrong, and instead gazed affectionately at Zhu Zhuqing.

Juggling interests wasn't Zhou Chen's style; it was too risky.

His focus was on winning over Zhu Zhuqing first, before considering any potential involvement with the wealthy Ning Rongrong.

Alas, if not for the insistent demands of a pesky system, Zhou Chen, a man of high moral standing, wouldn't entertain the thought of benefiting from Ning Rongrong's wealth.

A lifetime with one true love was his original aspiration.

Oh, the irony of fate!

As Zhou Chen lamented his plight, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing joyfully ate and drank...

Time passed, and night deepened.

The campfire blazed brightly, with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing having a grand time drinking dark beer. Meanwhile, Zhou Chen tended to the grill, preparing more skewers.

Suddenly, Zhou Chen's ears perked up, halting his sauce-brushing.

His gaze seemed to pierce the void, focusing on the forest five miles away, where three figures were stealthily approaching.

"Coming in the dead of night, up to no good! Could it be someone from the Spirit Hall or the Xingluo Empire?"

Zhou Chen set down his brush, standing tall, as three brilliant golden soul rings rose from his feet!

Seeing Zhou Chen release his soul rings, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were momentarily dumbfounded.

"Stop eating, someone's coming," Zhou Chen said calmly to the two girls.

Startled into action, the girls quickly stood and released their martial souls and soul rings.

Zhu Zhuqing's hair sprouted fluffy cat ears, and a tail extended from her rear, making her look adorably fierce.

"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile," Ning Rongrong's gentle voice rang out, as dazzling seven-colored light burst from within her, revealing a foot-tall, colorful pagoda in her right palm.

Two yellow soul rings rose from her feet.

"Rongrong, you're from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, surprised. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was the continent's top auxiliary martial soul, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan was one of the three upper sects, known to many.

"Yes, the current clan master, Ning Fengzhi, is my father," Ning Rongrong said proudly, lifting her chin slightly.

"The first treasure, increase strength!"

"The second treasure, increase speed!"

With her soul rings flashing, Ning Rongrong pointed with her left hand, sending two beams of colorful light to envelop Zhu Zhuqing and Zhou Chen.

Instantly, Zhu Zhuqing felt strength surge through her, her movements becoming lighter.

But Zhou Chen felt nothing, and the colorful light that had enveloped him rebounded, returning to Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Ning Rongrong was stunned.

Her auxiliary skills not only failed but were reflected back—an unprecedented occurrence that piqued her curiosity about Zhou Chen.

What secrets did this handsome young man hold?

But now wasn't the time to ponder such mysteries, as the suspected villains had arrived!

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Three whooshing sounds heralded the arrival of three white-clad figures, faces obscured by white scarves, before Zhou Chen and the girls.

"We are..."

The lead figure began, but Zhou Chen, disliking unnecessary words and favoring preemptive strikes, transformed into a golden figure and appeared before the speaker!

Third Soul Skill—Earth Traversal Golden Light!

First Soul Skill—Imperial Sky-Shattering Fist!

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