Tang San, Who Lagged Behind

Flender said, "Since no one objects, let's get going. Zhao Wuji, I'll leave these little ones to you."

Zhao Wuji grinned, "Don't worry, I'll make sure to train them well."

There were still some bruises on his face from the beating he received from Tang Hao, and they hadn't completely healed yet.

Zhao Wuji looked at Ao Tian and the others, saying, "Ning Rongrong, you can use your soul skills to assist your teammates. If any of you decide you want to eat the sausages, feel free to speak up. Now, everyone, let's start running!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Wu had already dashed out. She found herself in first place and turned back to shout, "Sister Na'er, hurry up, do you all want to eat the big sausages?"

Oscar was the second to charge out. Thinking that these people who looked down on his big sausages were about to eat them, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

The dean had just stated the rule: except for him, whoever ended up last would have to eat his sausages. This feeling was absolutely delightful.

"As if you'll still dare to look down on my Oscar's big sausages..."

As he thought about it, he turned back to glance at Ning Rongrong. That one glance made Ning Rongrong shiver, and goosebumps quickly covered her body.

Her scalp tingled, and she immediately sprinted out.

The remaining four almost set off at the same time. Ao Tian and Gu Yuena raced side by side, the fastest, followed by Zhu Zhuqing, and lastly, Tang San.

These four quickly surpassed Ning Rongrong and caught up with Xiao Wu's pace.

Zhao Wuji wore a sardonic smile and followed suit.

Once they were out of the village, Zhao Wuji took the lead and turned back to shout, "Let me explain the rules in more detail. Except for Oscar, anyone who remains in last place will have to obediently eat Oscar's sausages. Does anyone object?"

Ning Rongrong was now trailing behind, her face looking unpleasant. However, she remained stubbornly silent.

Oscar slowed down and came to Ning Rongrong's side. This was his golden opportunity to win her favor.

In times of trouble, true feelings are revealed. This was also the experience that Dai Mubai had imparted to him.

"Rongrong, don't worry, I'll stay with you all the way," Oscar said.

Ning Rongrong was already irritated, and now hearing Oscar's feigned affectionate words, a surge of anger erupted within her.

"I'd rather die than eat your sausages!" she shouted loudly, speeding up to catch up with Ao Tian and the others.

Oscar was a little annoyed. Why was Ning Rongrong so unyielding? He was showing such sincerity.

Just a few minutes after they set off, the difference in everyone's abilities became evident.

Ao Tian and Gu Yuena were in the lead, followed closely by Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. Then came Tang San, who, no matter how hard Ning Rongrong tried to run, she couldn't surpass him.

Zhao Wuji turned back to look and said, "If you can't hold on, you can eat one of Oscar's recovery sausages. They can eliminate fatigue and restore vitality, allowing you to surpass the others."

Ning Rongrong's face was determined, and she remained silent. But she also didn't stop. She swore that if she were really forced to eat that stuff, she would immediately threaten to quit Shrek Academy.

Tang San, running along, was secretly surprised. He thought he would easily make it into the top three, but he hadn't expected Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing to be faster than him.

Although he had the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, it was a combat technique more specialized in agility and evasion. Its advantage in straight-line acceleration wasn't very significant.

However, he firmly believed that his endurance would be more lasting, because he had the Mysterious Heaven Technique. While it consumed his physical and spiritual energy, the Mysterious Heaven Technique was also operating within him, replenishing his stamina and spiritual power. Although the recovery couldn't completely keep up with the consumption, he was very confident in his distinct advantage.

This was the benefit of a powerful technique. As long as the technique was proficient, even in situations like running, he could practice without distraction. Unlike the indigenous spirit masters of the Douluo Continent who could only meditate for cultivation.

Clearly, it was impossible to meditate while running, as meditation required a calm mind with no distractions.

Therefore, Tang San was confident that he would be the victor. Even if Ao Tian and Gu Yuena were faster, he believed he would catch up to them eventually—it was only a matter of time.

He glanced back and thought to himself, 'I absolutely won't eat the big sausage. My endurance is still plenty. Even if Ning Rongrong ate it once and restored her stamina, she definitely won't catch up to me. I just need to stay ahead of her until we reach the Star Dou Forest.'

Tears glistened in Ning Rongrong's large eyes, feeling unfairly treated. The reason she hadn't given up was that she didn't want to admit that she was weaker than the others. Here, her soul power was the lowest, which was a great blow to her, as the eldest daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

Her pride wouldn't allow her to give up. But on the other hand, she couldn't bear the thought of enduring such hardship, feeling deeply aggrieved.

Just then, Xiao Wu spoke up, asking, "Teacher Zhao, can I carry Ning Rongrong on my back?"

Zhao Wuji revealed a mischievous smile and chuckled, "Of course, but if you two lag behind for too long, then both of you will have to eat Oscar's big sausages."

In his eyes, Ning Rongrong was destined to be the first to eat the sausage.

However, now Xiao Wu wanted to run with Ning Rongrong on her back. Zhao Wuji believed that Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong would definitely end up eating Oscar's sausages together.

Despite Xiao Wu's speed, carrying another person would significantly slow her down, and it would consume a lot of energy. There was even a possibility that she might not be faster than Oscar.

Even with Ning Rongrong's speed boost, carrying another person would undoubtedly lead to much faster energy consumption.

Upon hearing Xiao Wu's words, Ning Rongrong's eyes brightened, and she felt somewhat touched.

Xiao Wu came in front of Ning Rongrong, crouching down and saying, "Climb on."

Ning Rongrong didn't hesitate, climbing on Xiao Wu's back. At the same time, her martial soul also released.

"Seven treasures 2nd soul skill: speed increase."

A colorful light shot out from her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, landing on Xiao Wu, instantly making her body feel lighter.

With a swift leap, Xiao Wu shot forward. She quickly overtook Tang San again and returned to Ao Tian's side.

"Xiao Wu, thank you." Ning Rongrong was deeply moved. She hadn't expected Xiao Wu to choose to help her at this critical moment.

This might lead to both of them having to eat the big sausage.

Xiao Wu said nonchalantly, "You're my roommate. If I don't help you, then who will?"

"It's so nice to have a friend like you," Ning Rongrong said. "If you can't hold on, just put me down. I don't want to burden you."

She still held onto some sense of loyalty. Worst case scenario, she would choose to withdraw from Shrek Academy. It was just a pity to leave behind this group of astonishing geniuses that had left her so awestruck.

Beside Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing said, "Sister Xiao Wu, if you get tired, let me carry her."

Ning Rongrong felt another wave of warmth in her heart. It turned out that being cared for by a friend was such a comforting feeling.

Due to her status, she had never truly had friends before. But now, she felt like she had found true friends.

After some consideration, three more beams of colorful light shot out from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, landing on Ao Tian, Gu Yue Na, and Zhu Zhuqing respectively.

'Tang San, I'm sorry, but there has to be someone who eats the sausage,' Ning Rongrong thought to herself.