Fluff.

After talking some more about the co-operation between Shrek and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda clan, Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe decided to leave.

"Father, why are you leaving so early? It's too bad I'm a support system spirit master so I can't be in the qualifying rounds, otherwise I'll show you my strength."

Ning Rongrong pouted while holding her father's arm.

"I believe in you and Flender's teaching. As soon as you graduate from Shrek Academy, I'll officially announce you the next clan head of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda clan."

Ning Fengzhi patted Rongrong's head but didn't she her expression dimming. Oscar who was at the back also had a change in expression.

(A/N : It's decided Oscar and Ning Rongrong will have the same relationship they had in cannon. And no, I'm not gonna change it. It's one of the things that made me love Douluo Dalu.)

"You're my only daughter, this is your inborn duty. With my current health condition, i can still continue to lead the clan for few more years. Isn't this time enough for you to enjoy yourself."

Ning Fengzhi said with some emotion in his eyes. He loved his daughter more than his life but he also had to think about the clan and the people believing in himself.

But he didn't know the main reason she didn't want to become the clan head.

She took a glance at Oscar, who had his head down.

'Ao has been working hard since I told him. What if...what will happen to Ao?'

(A/N : They call Oscar 'Ao' lovingly. It's kind of a nickname or so i believe.)

Both their eyes met, Oscar's full of determination but also helplessness and Rongrong's full of worry. But at this time Tang Ming suddenly patted Oscar's shoulder as he said in a confident manner.

"What? Are you giving up already. As long as your captain is still alive do you think anyone can hurt or separate any of my family. You just have to do your best Ao, leave the rest to me. Even if you love the princess of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda clan, so what? They better agree when the time comes, or i won't mind erasing the name of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda clan from the history. Hmph!"

Tang Ming ended wickedly. Even if he didn't have any enmity with Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda clan and it can even be said that he has some business relationship with them. It still came after Shrek Seven Devils, their teachers( Zhao Wuji, Flender, Liu Erlong, Qin Ming and Grandmaster) and the four substitutes members in his heart for he regard them as his close ones, family.

Tang Ming never believed himself to be righteous, he doesn't care about anyone else than those who he thinks of family or friends. He wouldn't even care if all the humanity perishes as long as his loved ones are safe.

"Don't worry, Ao. No one can separate you two as long as I'm alive, even the king of heavens himself."

He truly believed so, his strength had already reached the upper Titled Douluo levels and just a few more years, he will really be unrivalled in the Douluo World, as God Realm people can't come down.

He also gave Ning Rongrong a thumbs up discreetly. The latter looked with some relief.

After that Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe bid farewell to them as they went on their way.

.....

As everyone was resting in the main camp and talking with each other about some stuff. Flender, Grandmaster and Qin Ming entered with hurry.

Tang Ming listened what they had to say and was relieved that nothing seems to be different than what he remembers.

Barack Academy is still their first opponents. Flender also told them about how Barack disrespected and humiliated them in the past and didn't gave them one of the two quota, which led to Qin Ming missing the previous Continental Advanced Elite Spirit Master tournament.

Everyone was immediately angry learning this. Even he felt some anger toward them.

"What a good Barack Academy! I'll see what capabilities do you have to be so arrogant about. Hmph, I'll kick their balls..."

Xiao Wu said in slight anger as everyone shared the same sentiment.

"Please be rest assured teacher Qin we will definitely do our best and defeat Barack Academy!"

"Yes."

Dai Mubai looked at Qin Ming resolutely and stated as everyone else nodded in agreement.

Grandmaster also told them about how Continental Advanced Elite Spirit Master tournament consisted of Preliminary rounds, Qualifying rounds and lastly Finals.

"Heaven Dou Empire has six Preliminary divison. They're Heaven Dou City Branch, the four vassals kingdom and one vassal dutchy that held a preliminary divison each."

"Heaven Dou City branch possess five quotas and vassals kingdom and dutchy possess two quotas each. It makes up a total of 15 quotas to the qualifying round."

Grandmaster explained.

"Barack being the biggest of the vassals kingdom also possessed two quotas. Shrek fought for one quota of Barack kingdom however, because of the suppression of royals, we failed to get one quota to enter the qualifying rounds." Flender added from the side with a furious expression.

He considered this being failure of a teacher as he wasn't able to let Qin Ming participate in Continental Advanced Elite Spirit Master tournament whom he felt quite guilty to.

"You don't have to feel bad, Dean Flender. It's all in the past, you don't have to blame yourself."

Qin Ming consoled seeing Flender mood down.

"Don't worry teacher Qin, we'll take special care of Barack Academy tomorrow."

At this moment Tang Ming added as everyone also looked at him in surprise. Qin Ming was also surprised but felt warm in his heart seeing his juniors so supportive of him.

Only Tang San felt that what Tang Ming said wasn't as simple as he said. And he was right, Tang Ming already had planned to enact revenge on behalf of Qin Ming.

Just stopping Immortals Love from branching in Barack kingdom and retracting all the already set up stores, restaurant, hotels and all the others installment will lead to them having an economic crisis. Even though he'll also incur some losses but it paled in the satisfaction he will gain from destroying them.

After that Grandmaster once again told them about the rules and how it is different from preliminary as in it is one vs one until all of the team members of the one team is defeated.

The order in which each of them will battle was set as such, first to go will be Xiao Wu, if defeated the second to go will be Jing Ling, then Huang Yuan, then Tang San, Dai Mubai and lastly Tang Ming himself.

They wanted to hide Ma Hongjun and Tai Long as long as they can. Ma Hongjun and Tai Long were specially reserved for certain academies.

Everyone agreed with that order, after which they all were done for the day. Most of them trained or meditated.

Tang Ming and Zhu Zhuqing also left as they went toward the bonfire the others built outside of the camping tents. Tang Ming held her tiny waist by one of his hands as Zhuqing rested her head on his shoulders listening to others talk.

"You know Zhuqing, last time when I went away from school. I travelled...."

Tang Ming thought of something as he decided to tell Zhuqing about his travels. He narrated his travels through the Extreme North, how he faced against some ice element spirit beasts. He even told her about Ling Qingzhu.

He was extremely warry and somewhat nervous when he told her about Ling Qingzhu but found that she didn't had any noticeable changes in her expression.

'Atleast its a good start. I didn't even knew how to break it to her but it seems I was overly worried.'

He didn't tell her too much about Ling Qingzhu as he too wasn't sure about their relationship.

"You know what, i also have a house at the extreme north. After this tournament, how about i take you there, you'll really love it." Tang Ming told her with some excitement.

"Hm." Zhu Zhuqing just hummed with her eyes closed but Tang Ming knew that she gave her agreement.

They both continue to rest against each other, enjoying the silence, warmth and company of each other they both so loved.

But as the night deepened, both of them stood up with the others and simply went in their tent respectively. Tang Ming kissed Zhuqing a goodnight, obviously on her cheeks and turned around to leave.

"Tang Ming.."

Tang Ming hearing Zhuqing calling turned his head but was caught off guard as Zhuqing also pecked his cheeks with her lips.

"Goodnight."

Before immediately leaving, blushing heavily.

Tang Ming touched his cheeks as a silly smiled formed at his lips. He was happy, happy that Zhuqing is finally opening herself, slowly but that's still a progress.

....