Chapter 9: Tsundere

Tang San and Xiao Wu decided to stay behind and observe how Flender taught. Fender didn't mind and looked at Oscar and Ning Rongrong, saying, "You both have excellent talents, and the academy won't teach you how to cultivate. Everyone has their own methods."

"Your Martial Souls are both top-tier auxiliary types. What I will teach you is how to better utilize your Martial Souls to protect yourselves and assist your teammates."

Oscar kept his head down, already tired of this rhetoric, while Ning Rongrong nodded obediently, tilting her snow-white neck.

"As Spirit Masters like you are inherently very fragile, it's difficult to survive without strong teammates to protect you. Zhou Hao, tell me, how can an auxiliary-type soul master protect themselves?"

Zhou Hao was caught off guard. He thought Flender would ask Oscar instead.

"As an auxiliary soul master, the first thing you need to learn is how to escape," he said with a smile.

"Did you hear that? He's right. Oscar, you should understand it even better. So, your first class today will be physical training. Start by running twenty laps around the village at a fast pace. If you haven't completed it before lunch, then you'll have to finish it after. Oscar, lead the way, and you can use your Martial Soul."

Without a word, Ning Rongrong lowered her head and ran out, and Oscar hurriedly chased after her. Flender chuckled and then turned to Zhou Hao, saying, "You're the most surprising little monster this year, Zhou Hao!"

"Dean has a keen eye, hahaha."

"I heard you and Tang San are fellow villagers?"

"That's right, we've known each other since we were little," Zhou Hao nodded.

"You have an unheard-of talent, and us old fogies probably can't teach you much," Flender said with a gentle smile, looking at Zhou Hao.

"I have limited cultivation, and you and the other teachers are all seniors. Naturally, I can learn a lot from you. Talent is one aspect, but I also need to understand myself better," Zhou Hao replied.

Flender smiled even more deeply. "A student like you is worth teaching. I'll take you under my wing. Today, just follow behind them and keep an eye on that girl. She won't obediently listen. I'll leave it to you then. I can't discipline her properly right now."

"Yes, Dean," Zhou Hao inwardly grumbled but smiled and went out.

Flender then turned to Tang San and asked about Yu Xiaogang. The Golden Iron Triangle had been separated for many years, and their friendship had matured like a fine wine. They didn't need to express how much they missed each other, but the memories of the past had already settled in their hearts.

"Hahaha, he's still the same, as stubborn as a mule,"

Flender laughed loudly, patting Tang San's shoulder.

"Since you are his proof, then prove it to everyone." With that, he turned and left.

...

Outside the village, Oscar was running steadily ahead of Ning Rongrong, enjoying the sight of the beautiful girl. He felt like he wasn't tired at all.

Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, grew angrier as she ran. In the beginning, she was full of confidence because her father had always demanded that she exercise, and his words were almost identical to what Flender had said. So she believed she could easily complete the task. However, after running for so long, she hadn't even completed a single lap.

"Oscar, how far is this lap?" Ning Rongrong became irritated by the scorching sun.

Oscar smiled bitterly. "I told you when we just left the village, this is an impossible task. Even a Battle Spirit Master would be exhausted."

Ning Rongrong glanced at him. Although she was still young, her enchanting eyes carried a hint of allure.

Oscar felt weak in the knees under her gaze, chuckled, and leaned closer with a straight face, whispering, " I, your father, have a big sausage ".

Then he looked at Ning Rongrong as if offering a treasure: "As two Auxiliary Spirit Masters, we shouldn't go hungry."

A brightly glowing, steaming sausage appeared in his hand, which he handed to Ning Rongrong.

"Eat it without worries. My Spirit Incantation may sound unpleasant, but the restorative effect of this sausage is unquestionable."

Ning Rongrong finally stopped pretending and looked at Oscar disdainfully. "I still have my own enhancement, who wants your stupid fucking sausage. If you bother me again I'll fucking choke you to death. "

Her words were astonishing, completely destroying her image of a gentle noble lady.

After speaking, a rainbow-coloured glow flashed in her palm, granting her agility and assistance. In an instant, she ran far away, leaving Oscar dumbfounded. Even Zhou Hao, who was following from behind, couldn't help but laugh.

Although he knew Ning Rongrong couldn't hide her true nature for long, witnessing the transformation of a gentle and kind girl into someone like this was still shocking.

Zhou Hao walked over and smiled. "Oscar, can't handle it, huh? It's alright. She's just a pampered little princess, but she's not a bad person. Just keep running. The dean asked me to supervise you guys."

"Alright, I got it. I was just overthinking it," Oscar smiled and shook his head but didn't show any other signs of being affected. He continued running, eating the sausage along the way.

Zhou Hao narrowed his eyes, feeling like he could teach this unruly little witch a lesson.

Ning Rongrong ran fast, and her soul power was almost depleted. Feeling frustrated with Flender for making her run so much, she turned around and headed towards Soutou City. She planned to go shopping, eat something, and buy some beautiful dresses.

As she was thinking about treating herself later, Ning Rongrong saw Zhou Hao's figure appearing at the fork in the road ahead. Her dissatisfaction and resentment erupted.

"Zhou Hao, did Flender ask you to monitor me?" She stood with her hands on her hips, displaying a spoiled princess demeanour, fearless and unyielding.

"Yes, the dean asked me to supervise you and ensure the completion of the training. I didn't expect you to try to slack off after just two laps. Go back and continue," Zhou Hao didn't give her any leeway.

"Who do you think you are? You're just a Spirit Master with some talent. Do you know who I am?"

"Of course, you're the favourite little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Clan Head, right?" Zhou Hao said calmly.

Ning Rongrong wasn't surprised either, and a proud expression appeared on her pretty face. "Our clan has Grandpa Bone and Grandpa Sword, two Titled Douluos. Those who know their place wouldn't dare to stand in my way."

"Ning Rongrong, you really are pampered like a child," Zhou Hao couldn't help but laugh in his heart. He found her current state quite cute.

"But now you're in Shrek, not your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. And you're just a Spirit Grandmaster without any combat power," Zhou Hao remained indifferent on the surface, the dark golden radiance in his hand flickering unpredictably, unmoved by her words.

Ning Rongrong was startled by Zhou Hao's momentum. She had never experienced such frustration before. She felt like crying but also felt embarrassed.

Suddenly, a thought came to her. "Ahem, Zhou Hao, with your talent and strength, would you consider joining our sect? Rest assured, I will have Grandpa Bone and Grandpa Sword personally teach you. They are both Super Douluos, much stronger than Flender and the others. They can also help you hunt for the most suitable soul rings."

"The conditions are quite tempting," Zhou Hao seemed to be tempted, and the look of satisfaction in Ning Rongrong's eyes was almost impossible to conceal. She was determined not to let this opportunity slip away.

"But I refuse!" Zhou Hao suddenly turned serious and firmly declined. Ning Rongrong looked at Zhou Hao's teasing gaze and realized she had been played. With a loud cry, she burst into tears.

With Ning Rongrong crying, Zhou Hao became flustered. He didn't know what to do when a girl cried, and he was in a state of confusion.

At that moment, Oscar arrived, panting heavily from running. Zhou Hao quickly signalled to him, "Oscar, you take her and continue running. I have something to attend to."

After saying that, he winked, patted the bewildered Oscar on the shoulder, and swiftly made his escape while Ning Rongrong continued crying.

Oscar realized the situation and glanced at Zhou Hao with gratitude. He walked to Ning Rongrong's side and took out a large sausage. "Have some if you're tired. I'll run with you."

Ning Rongrong turned her head, her eyes slightly red, and she grabbed the sausage forcefully. She took a big bite, which made Oscar shiver. Ning Rongrong finished it in a few bites, glared at Oscar, and resumed running. Oscar smiled cheaply and hurriedly followed.

...

As night fell, Flender, the Four-Eyed Owl, stood on the main training ground, staring solemnly at the eight students in front of him.

Zhou Hao, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, and the composed and neat Zhu Zhuqing were all prepared and full of energy. Ning Rongrong and Oscar, on the other hand, had just finished running and were so exhausted that they couldn't stand up straight. They finished twenty laps, Zhou Hao knew it.

Flender held a letter from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in his hand, a cunning smile playing on his face as he looked at Ning Rongrong.

"Did you complete the twenty laps?" His tone was calm, concealing his emotions.

"We both completed them," Oscar glanced at the sweaty Ning Rongrong next to him and felt a tinge of pity. He answered Flender.

Flender remained silent and walked up to Ning Rongrong. "Tell me, did you complete the task I have you?"

"I did," Ning Rongrong's voice was weak from exhaustion. She stared at Flender with resentment.

"Then why did you initially go to Soutou City, thinking that I wouldn't find out?" Flender pushed his glasses up.

Ning Rongrong had had enough. "Flender, you old man! You're just as bad as Zhou Hao. I clearly finished the laps. I'll have Grandpa Sword teach you a lesson. Waaah..." She ran away crying, leaving Flender with a stiff face.

The others looked at Zhou Hao with confusion. He awkwardly smiled, not saying a word. Only Oscar gave him a grateful look and said to Flender, "Dean, I'll go talk to her."

With that, he chased after Ning Rongrong, leaving as Ma Hongjun's envious gaze followed him.

Zhu Zhuqing's cold gaze flickered with a hint of emotion. She glanced at Ning Rongrong's retreating figure, followed closely by Oscar. An indescribable tremor ran through her heart. Her black eyes glanced at Zhou Hao briefly before quickly retracting.

Flender still held the letter in his hand, remembering how Zhao Wuji had been beaten up by Tang Hao last night for caring about his son. He felt some regret. He shouldn't have provoked Ning Rongrong. The child had a strong personality, and the Sword Douluo probably wouldn't hold back when he would beat him up.

With these thoughts in mind, Flender coughed twice: "Alright, from now on, if you want to stay here and cultivate, you must abide by the rules and attend every class diligently. My words are absolute commands. Each of you has your own curriculum, and if you neglect it, I will make sure you understand the consequences."

"Dai Mubai, take them and set off with me. Let's go!"

.....