The two rings were clearly a pair.
Although Ning Rongrong held a high status within the sect, given her current age, there was no way she could independently take control of something as valuable as a Soul Guidance Ring.
Most likely, Ning Fengzhi had deliberately placed the Soul Guidance Rings somewhere noticeable so Ning Rongrong would "find" them and take them.
If he had handed them to her directly, given her age, she probably would have immediately blurted out the truth and exposed him.
"Looks like the Sect Master is quietly pushing for an arranged engagement between Rongrong and me," Ning Tianchen thought.
However, he wasn't opposed to the idea.
Being engaged to the daughter of the Sect Master meant he would never have to worry about cultivation resources in the future.
Haha, latching onto this little rich girl made transmigrating to the Douluo Continent all worth it!
Besides, he was already a disciple of the sect. This didn't really count as freeloading, did it?
"Thank you, Rongrong. I really like your gift. But you shouldn't take things without asking," Ning Tianchen smiled as he gently tested her reaction.
With her hands on her hips, Ning Rongrong huffed indignantly. "I did NOT steal it! I found it under my pillow! If it weren't for how nice you are to me, I wouldn't have given you the other ring!"
Ning Tianchen immediately understood the situation.
Not long after, all the newly awakened inner and outer disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect gathered at the martial training field.
After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a major sect. Between the inner and outer sects, there were more than 3,000 disciples.
For an outer disciple to enter the inner sect for study, they must have at least Level 6 innate soul power.
Where there are people, there will be rivalry. Before coming here, many of these disciples had undoubtedly been instructed by their parents:
"Win over Ning Rongrong, and your whole family will live in wealth and honor."
Seeing how close Ning Tianchen was with Ning Rongrong, many of them couldn't help but clench their jaws in frustration.
Sensing their hostile stares, Ning Tianchen chuckled inwardly:
"A bunch of kids, and they can't even hide their thoughts."
Of course, he was just a six-year-old himself now. Even if he did win over Ning Rongrong, there wasn't much he could actually do.
The sect deacon in charge of the martial training field began separating the battle-type and support-type soul masters.
Before they parted, Ning Rongrong quickly added, "Tianchen-gege, after class, Rongrong wants to go to Heaven Dou City for candy!"
"Alright, alright," Ning Tianchen replied without hesitation.
For battle soul masters, the most important thing was combat training.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's educational methods were completely different from those of ordinary soul master academies.
Typical elementary soul master academies focused on theoretical knowledge. Only at the intermediate level would combat training be introduced.
But in a powerful sect like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, battle training started right after martial soul awakening. As for soul master theory, disciples were expected to attend the sect's academy on their own initiative.
The teaching deacon introduced himself:
"I am Jiang Fei, your instructor. Starting tomorrow, you will undergo six years of special sect training. For every five days of cultivation, you will get two days off. I hope that during your rest days, you will voluntarily attend the sect's academy to study theory."
"A soul master must improve both soul power and knowledge. From time to time, I will randomly test your theoretical understanding. Anyone who fails will have their training workload doubled."
"Ahhh—" the children collectively groaned.
At six years old, it was only natural for children to prefer playing over studying.
Ning Tianchen, being a transmigrator, could control his impulses, but these children certainly couldn't.
Still, the sect was investing heavily in them. Stricter training was expected. Even with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealth, they didn't want to waste resources.
"Now then, let me see what you're all capable of."
As he spoke, Jiang Fei's gaze fell upon Ning Tianchen.
He had received specific instructions from the Sect Master: Ning Tianchen had originally been trained as a support-type soul master, so his sudden shift to the battle-type might require an adjustment period.
"Ning Tianchen, if you feel unprepared, you may sit out for two days and simply observe. You can start sparring afterward."
Ning Tianchen shook his head. "No need. I'm ready."
Jiang Fei nodded slightly. "Very well. Everyone, choose your own opponent. One rule: no holding back, no throwing matches!"
Immediately, many children cast provocative glances at Ning Tianchen.Though they didn't yet understand love or romance, they did know one thing:
If they wanted to get Ning Rongrong's attention, they'd first have to deal with that nuisance—Ning Tianchen.
"What's this? You all want to spar with me?" Ning Tianchen asked with a faint smile.
Jiang Fei, observing from the side, couldn't help but praise him inwardly:
"To stay calm in the face of a group confrontation—this kind of composure is rare. No wonder the Sect Master values him so highly."
Even older soul masters might lose their cool under pressure. Yet Ning Tianchen remained calm and collected—remarkable for someone his age.
"We can't just let one of you go up. Since all of you want to spar with Ning Tianchen, we'll let him choose his opponent," Jiang Fei said.
Ning Tianchen understood very well:
If he picked the weakest among them and won, the others would still be unconvinced—and would likely challenge him one after another.
At this stage, he needed to focus on refining his swordsmanship, not waste time in endless sparring.
"Who among you is the strongest?" he asked.
Strike hard once to avoid being pestered a hundred times later.
A chubby kid—clearly the tallest among them—stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
"Fight me. If you lose, stay away from Miss Rongrong and never show your face in front of her again."
Ning Tianchen responded calmly,
"If you beat me, then you can start making demands."
As he spoke, he patted the wooden sword strapped to his back and turned to Jiang Fei,
"May I use this wooden sword?"
For soul scholars who hadn't yet obtained a soul ring, using their martial soul directly would quickly drain their strength. That's why in practice bouts, they often used a physical weapon similar to their martial soul instead.
Jiang Fei did not object.
The chubby kid's martial soul was a Black Bear, a type of beast martial soul.
"My innate soul power is Level 7!" the boy declared proudly. "You'd better get ready to lose."
His martial soul hadn't fully possessed him—only his hands had transformed into bear claws. With that, he charged straight at Ning Tianchen.
Ning Tianchen spun the wooden sword in a small flourish, then swept it upward. Though not sharp, the sword's edge struck the boy's claw with surprising force, making him yelp and recoil from the pain.
"How does he have so much strength?!" the chubby kid thought in alarm.
Before he could catch his breath, the surrounding kids started to egg him on:
"Boss, don't hold back! Teach that guy a lesson—show him who's boss!"
The boy gritted his teeth, opened his hands, and fully revealed his sharp bear claws.
Ning Tianchen stepped his right leg back, pointing the wooden sword's tip directly at his opponent.
Before the bear-clawed boy could react, Ning Tianchen suddenly exploded forward—his right leg pushing off the ground with force.
The wooden sword thrust out like lightning. Caught off guard, the boy panicked and raised both arms to block.
The tip of the wooden sword was surprisingly sharp. If this strike landed, his hands would surely be pierced through.
After all, this was only a sparring match—and both of them were still children.
Showing such a decisive, lethal move might not reflect well on him.