Chapter 261: Su Ming's Confidence and Concerns About the Journey

Gu Rong considered Su Ming a scoundrel, but he hadn't considered that Ning Fengzhi, Rongrong's father, also had several women. Of course, Ning Fengzhi was the leader of a great sect, standing at the pinnacle of power and wealth.

"Su Ming, I have only one question," Gu Rong said in a deep voice. "Are you sincere about my Rongrong?"

Su Ming hesitated for a moment. "Grandpa Bone, I won't lie to you. I admit I have feelings for Rongrong and do intend to pursue her, but our relationship hasn't reached that level yet."

Hearing Su Ming's answer, Ning Rongrong's face turned a bit red.

Gu Rong continued, "Since you have feelings for Rongrong, I'll give you two choices: First, give up on Xiao Wu and choose my Rongrong. Second, stop pursuing Rongrong entirely, or I won't be so polite with you."

Gu Rong didn't demand that Su Ming distance himself from Rongrong completely, as he had to consider the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Losing someone as talented as Su Ming would be unwise, but he still couldn't stomach the situation.

To his surprise, Su Ming shook his head without hesitation. "Grandpa Bone, I choose a third option. Only children make choices—why not have both Xiao Wu and Rongrong?"

Gu Rong laughed in frustration. "You! And what makes you think you can have both?"

Su Ming replied confidently, "Because I'm already a twelve-year-old at the forty-fourth level, because I can create multiple powerful talismans, and because I will one day stand at the pinnacle of this continent!"

If Su Ming were relying on his natural abilities alone, he wouldn't dare make such bold claims. But with the system backing him, he had absolute confidence.

"Grandpa Bone, I know you might think I'm aiming too high, that being with Rongrong is a great honor for me since I'm just a talented but backgroundless commoner. But can't you see the bigger picture? With what you've seen of my abilities, don't you think I can achieve the rank of Titled Douluo, or even higher? I guarantee that I'll become a Titled Douluo before the age of twenty-five!"

Su Ming's estimate of twenty-five was actually conservative. If Tang San could become a Titled Douluo in his twenties, why couldn't he?

Gu Rong was shocked by Su Ming's bold declaration. On the current Douluo Continent, Tang Hao held the record for the youngest Titled Douluo, having reached that rank at forty-four. But what Su Ming said...

What Gu Rong didn't know was that Tang Hao wasn't actually the youngest Titled Douluo—Bibi Dong was. But even so, after calming down, Gu Rong had to admit that Su Ming might indeed break Tang Hao's record with his talent.

And by then, Su Ming would certainly have more than just Xiao Wu by his side. If Gu Rong opposed Su Ming and Rongrong's relationship now... it might not be worth it. He sighed inwardly, thinking it might be better to discuss this with Ning Fengzhi and that "old rascal" (Sword Douluo) when they returned.

Seeing that Gu Rong seemed to soften his stance, Su Ming pressed forward, "Grandpa Bone, you should also know that this world doesn't strictly enforce monogamy. Isn't Uncle Ning the same way? As long as I'm strong enough, there's nothing I can't achieve. Please trust me—I will be worthy of Rongrong."

Ning Rongrong also chimed in, "Grandpa Bone, aside from being a bit too affectionate, Su Ming doesn't really have any other flaws. You've seen how good he is to me. When you go back, please convince my father and Grandpa Sword to let us develop our relationship naturally. Whether we end up together or not should be up to us."

Gu Rong was at a loss. Rongrong was even pleading on Su Ming's behalf, almost as if Su Ming had cast some sort of spell on her. He couldn't help but feel that Su Ming had bewitched their little princess.

The only reason Gu Rong hadn't lashed out at Su Ming yet was because of his promising talents and the partnership with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Otherwise, if Su Ming had been someone like that toad-eyed food-type spirit master trying to eat swan meat, Gu Rong would've dealt with him directly.

With a sigh, Gu Rong finally said, "Boy, you better follow through on your promises. I won't do anything to you for now. But about you and Rongrong, I'll have to discuss it with her father and that 'old rascal'. Pray for your own luck!"

Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief. When he first entered the room, he had mentally prepared himself for a confrontation with Gu Rong. Fortunately, the normally hot-tempered Titled Douluo had been willing to listen to him. It seemed Su Ming's charm still worked!

Feeling a bit proud of himself, Su Ming then proposed, "Grandpa Bone, since you're already here, why don't you join us on our journey for now? We're heading to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and Dugu Yan has agreed to introduce us."

"However, her teacher was just dismissed, so we currently don't have a guide. You wouldn't want anything to happen to Rongrong on the way, right?"

Gu Rong knew the implications without Su Ming's explanation, but he still felt annoyed. "Oh? And why wouldn't I just take Rongrong and leave you behind? Why should I protect you, when this situation with Xiao Wu and Rongrong hasn't even been resolved?"

Ning Rongrong immediately pleaded, "Grandpa Bone, please!"

Gu Rong sighed in frustration. His beloved little Rongrong was clearly siding with Su Ming now.

Su Ming wasn't bothered by Gu Rong's tough words and responded with a smile, "Grandpa Bone, I'm sure you won't. My concerns are valid—Master and others are eyeing my cultivation method, and even some members of the Royal Fighting Team might be as well."

"Don't forget, both Master and Yu Tianheng are from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. You never know what could happen."

Gu Rong furrowed his brow after hearing Su Ming's reasoning. He had a point. If Yu Xiaogang or someone else reported tonight's events to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, things could get tricky.

Given what Gu Rong knew about Yu Yuanzhen, the clan leader wouldn't be as tolerant as Ning Fengzhi. If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan found out about Su Ming's method for speeding up cultivation, they might very well try to take it by force.

This was a reality that couldn't be ignored. If Su Ming hadn't been so close to Rongrong and taught her skills like the Lingbo Weibu, even Ning Fengzhi might have grown greedy. Not for himself, but for Rongrong and the sect.