# Chapter 22: Realities
Ning Rongrong's outburst had reached its crescendo, her voice sharp with indignation.
"Bastards! Yu Xiaogang, Flender! Do you comprehend the power of my sect."
"And Flender you are just a—"
Chen Sheng's intervention was swift and decisive. He reached out and gently pinched her arm, his voice dropping to an urgent whisper that only she could hear.
"Rongrong, you are alone right now. Don't forget you are just a support Spirit Master with no combat power. Don't just talk—use your brain."
The words struck with calculated precision. Ning Rongrong's protest caught in her throat, and the inflammatory statement she had been preparing to voice remained unspoken.
Flender had already unleashed his full aura in response to her defiance, his gaze fixed on Ning Rongrong with unwavering sternness, showing absolutely no inclination to yield ground.
"What? The Sect is the Sect, and the academy is the academy!" Flender declared, his voice carrying the weight of absolute conviction. "Within the Sect, your status grants you protection—others dare not challenge you there, so naturally you feel secure. But this is the academy, and I am in charge here. Those are the rules that govern this place."
The Dean's words hung in the air with undeniable force.
After Chen Sheng's whispered intervention, Ning Rongrong gradually regained composure. She realized her emotional reaction had spiraled beyond rational control. This wasn't the Sect, where her father's influence and her grandfather's doting protection shielded her from consequences. The Sect remained geographically distant, unable to provide the immediate backing she had relied upon when throwing tantrums.
Chen Sheng's observation also possessed uncomfortable accuracy.
As a support-type Spirit Master, her combat capabilities were negligible. She truly needed to employ her intellect rather than relying on emotional outbursts and family status.
In that moment, something within Ning Rongrong shifted. She seemed to mature instantaneously, her perspective crystallizing into sharper focus.
Support-type Spirit Masters succeeded through strategic application of resources and careful timing—delivering precision strikes when circumstances aligned favorably. She could not afford to expend emotional energy wastefully. When she did act, it must carry maximum impact.
Ning Rongrong made an internal decision. She would document today's events meticulously in her personal notebook and compose a detailed letter to Grandpa Sword within days. Her eldest grandfather possessed the deepest affection for her. Learning of her perceived mistreatment would absolutely provoke his protective instincts and intervention.
Moreover, Yu Xiaogang's training methodology genuinely seemed unreasonable. She would never have manifested such uncharacteristic rage within the Sect. Her behavior there typically manifested as mischievous rather than explosive.
Her composure fully restored, Ning Rongrong's smile returned with calculated elegance. She clasped her hands gracefully over her lower abdomen, embodying refined nobility.
"Okay, Headmaster Flender. Everything you said is entirely correct. I'll accept my punishment now," she said, her tone suggesting complete capitulation and internal resolution.
Flender appeared genuinely confused by her sudden transformation. What's wrong with her?
---
The group proceeded toward the academy gate with notably heavy steps, their expressions reflecting the weight of their impending ordeal.
At the gate, eight baskets stood arranged in a line, each bearing a name tag and containing stones of varying weight.
Yu Xiaogang had indeed considered the circumstances of support-type Spirit Masters with differentiated stone weights.
Tang San examined the baskets silently and reached an astute conclusion. His teacher possessed comprehensive understanding of the group's diverse capabilities and had calibrated training weights accordingly.
Chen Sheng surveyed the baskets and immediately recognized a pattern—his basket contained substantially more stones than any other.
Grandmaster really does hold high expectations, Chen Sheng reflected without particular concern.
As a battle-type Spirit Master with the Ancient White Tiger martial soul and enhanced physique comparable to Spirit King level, his inherent physical advantages transcended normal combat parameters. Unlike other Spirit Masters who required spirit power deployment to achieve exceptional strength, Chen Sheng could maintain peak performance through pure physical capability alone.
This is essentially child's play, he assessed with characteristic confidence.
Chen Sheng shouldered his basket and tested its weight momentarily. Approximately seventy jin—substantial, but genuinely manageable even while completing twenty village laps. The burden felt almost inconsequential against his upgraded physical capabilities.
As he examined the training setup, a devious idea suddenly crystallized within his mind. Completing these twenty laps wasn't particularly difficult—but what if he could convince Yu Xiaogang to run alongside them?
The irony was delicious. Didn't the Grandmaster constantly espouse grand theoretical frameworks regarding Spirit cultivation?
Strictly speaking, shouldn't he be classified as an attack-type Spirit Master as well? If physical conditioning was truly beneficial, shouldn't he demonstrate this principle through personal participation?
Pfft!
Chen Sheng suppressed his amusement, maintaining an expression of innocent composure.
When Yu Xiaogang had explained the training methodology, Chen Sheng detected the underlying tension—Flender held some unspoken concern about the Dean's authority over Ning Rongrong, which suggested Ning Fengzhi possessed significant leverage over the academy.
"Rongrong, can you tell me how much weight you're carrying?"
Chen Sheng asked, approaching Ning Rongrong.
Her expression appeared noticeably downcast compared to the composed smile she had displayed moments earlier.
"Around fifteen jin," she responded quietly.
Oscar grinned widely and leaned toward Ning Rongrong with evident eagerness. "Don't worry about this. If you struggle later, I can help carry some of your weight. My basket weighs approximately twenty jin, which remains acceptable for me."
Oscar clearly intended to demonstrate his reliability and helpfulness through this gesture, hoping to rehabilitate his damaged reputation.
Ning Rongrong glanced at him briefly, remaining silent before walking directly out toward the starting point.
Only fifteen jin? Who do you think I am? her expression seemed to communicate. She harbored no intention of appearing weak or requiring assistance from someone whose character she had already begun to question.
Chen Sheng shook his head with amusement and followed her out, with Xiao Wu, Tang San, and the others close behind.
Dai Mubai patted Oscar's back with good humor, raising an eyebrow. "Little Ao, Ning Rongrong isn't an easy person to pursue, but you should definitely try. I'm genuinely rooting for you!"
Encouraged by this support, Oscar regained his spirits and determination.
---
As the group proceeded through their initial laps, Ning Rongrong gradually became aware of Chen Sheng maintaining a position immediately behind her. She slowed her pace intentionally, allowing for conversation.
"Thank you for just now," she whispered. "If it weren't for your intervention, I might have said something I truly regretted."
Chen Sheng smiled knowingly. "You mean you might have mentioned that Flender is merely a pinnacle Spirit Saint, and any Titled Douluo from your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School could eliminate him?"
Ning Rongrong's face flushed with embarrassment. She remained silent, her previous image of refined nobility thoroughly compromised.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," she finally admitted quietly. "But I was genuinely furious just now. I've never experienced such humiliation within the Sect! It completely destroyed my image as a young lady."
Xiao Wu had initially moved forward to continue her run more intensely, but upon hearing Chen Sheng reference Titled Douluos, she subtly maintained her position nearby—silently listening while appearing focused on her own pace.
"Indeed. When I first encountered you, you possessed a unique bearing—not only beautiful but also seemingly intelligent," Chen Sheng continued, his tone carrying gentle criticism. "But do you understand how your behavior appeared just now?"
"How?" Ning Rongrong asked, uncertainty evident in her voice.
"Like an ill-mannered, spoiled young girl," Chen Sheng stated without hesitation.
"You!" Ning Rongrong sputtered, rendered temporarily speechless.
"What? Am I incorrect? Consider carefully your behavior moments ago," Chen Sheng continued, his gaze remaining level and measured. "Additionally, remember my earlier counsel: always maintain rationality and calm. Never permit anger to cloud your judgment and decision-making processes."
Ning Rongrong realized that Chen Sheng's eloquence matched Flender's in both precision and effectiveness.
She understood intellectually that her behavior had been problematic and that it genuinely had compromised her carefully cultivated image. However, habits ingrained over numerous years could not be simply discarded through momentary revelation.
"One more thing I'm genuinely curious about," Chen Sheng asked as they continued running. "How does training typically occur within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? Do your father and grandfathers utilize running exercises to condition you?"
Ning Rongrong nodded, then shook her head in clarification. "They do, but not such extensive distances. Their original intention for my running was purely to maintain basic physical fitness—not specifically to develop enhanced self-preservation capabilities through what they term 'conditioning endurance.' Because honestly, such training is functionally useless."
She elaborated her perspective. "If proper conditioning truly provided meaningful survival advantages, my father wouldn't require at least one grandfather's constant protection whenever he travels. In confrontations against genuinely powerful individuals, concepts like 'running away' become complete jokes. Physical endurance means nothing against overwhelming power."
This philosophical disagreement explained her earlier explosive reaction. Yu Xiaogang's pedagogical emphasis on self-preservation through physical conditioning directly contradicted the fundamental philosophy she had absorbed within her Sect.
As they continued their run, Ning Rongrong suddenly grew concerned about potential social consequences. Her emotional outburst might have damaged relationships with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing," she called tentatively, turning to face them. "Just now I... my behavior was..."
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged knowing glances before laughing openly. "Rongrong, honestly, your reaction was completely understandable and quite normal," Xiao Wu assured her. "I nearly lost my temper myself, but Brother pulled me back from the edge."
She paused briefly before continuing with subtle curiosity. "Brother, you wouldn't actually just obediently comply with this training, would you? That doesn't seem consistent with your typical approach."
Chen Sheng chuckled with evident amusement. "It's still you who understands me best, Xiao Wu. Training itself is necessary and beneficial, but Grandmaster's particular tone and condescending attitude toward us was genuinely unpleasant."
Xiao Wu observed Chen Sheng's devious smile and immediately understood. His apparent compliance concealed something far more strategic. She recognized that particular expression—it meant trouble was brewing beneath the surface.
"Brother, what are you planning?" she asked with familiar intimacy.
"You'll see," Chen Sheng replied mysteriously, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
---
By the ninth lap, Chen Sheng had orchestrated his moment. He caught Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing, gathering them together for whispered conversation.
After explaining his plan with characteristic cunning, the four of them—accompanied by Tang San, Dai Mubai, and even Ma Hongjun trailing behind—approached where Yu Xiaogang and Flender stood observing.
Yu Xiaogang immediately noticed their deviation from the running routine. "Why aren't you running? Get back to the training immediately," he commanded sternly.
Chen Sheng stepped forward before the others could respond, his expression serious and concerned.
"Grandmaster, I think this training is somewhat inappropriate, isn't it? Ning Rongrong is a support-type Spirit Master, correct? Running twenty laps without utilizing spirit power is already extremely difficult. Adding substantial weight seems excessive."
Yu Xiaogang hadn't anticipated Chen Sheng's direct challenge. He struggled to formulate an adequate response given the audience. "Chen Sheng, weighted running effectively improves physical conditioning for support-type Spirit Masters. If they encounter danger in the future..."
『DING! DETECTED Yu Xiaogang's frustration emotion toward host's questioning. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
The treasure chest notification appeared.
Before Yu Xiaogang could complete his explanation, Ning Rongrong's voice interrupted from the side, her tone carrying perfect sincerity.
"Don't worry, Brother Sheng! Grandmaster is absolutely correct. When I return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, I intend to popularize this training method throughout the entire Sect. Many direct disciples lack proper physical conditioning and self-preservation abilities. This methodology could prove invaluable."
Yu Xiaogang: ...
Flender: ...
A profound silence descended as both older men registered the implications. If Ning Rongrong implemented weighted running training throughout one of the Upper Three Sects, the consequences for Yu Xiaogang's reputation—whether positive or negative—would be substantial and permanent.
"Xiaogang, don't you think you're playing a bit too ambitiously?"
Flender murmured, finally comprehending why Ning Rongrong had capitulated so easily earlier. She hadn't given up—she had pivoted to strategic advantage.
Ning Rongrong blinked playfully at Chen Sheng with deliberate charm, her expression seemingly asking, How was my performance?
Chen Sheng chuckled internally. This Ning Rongrong was simply expressing her true nature beneath the refined exterior.
Yu Xiaogang's facial expression stiffened noticeably. If Ning Rongrong transmitted this training methodology back to her Sect and it became established practice throughout the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Fengzhi's letter of authorization to Flender would provide insufficient protection against potential consequences.
However, Ma Hongjun, feeling equally aggrieved by today's events, seized the opportunity. "Master, do you genuinely believe this training is absolutely necessary?"
He felt sudden resentment toward Ma Hongjun for joining this group. Why did you come here to complicate matters?
Yu Xiaogang, trapped by the mounting social pressure and his own reputation, bit the bullet. "Yes, they must complete this training! Originally, they wouldn't have needed to run with weights. Zhao Wuji could have employed his gravity Spirit Ability for equivalent conditioning, but Zhao Wuji is occupied these past two days..."
It was a transparent excuse, essentially admitting that the weighted training resulted from Zhao Wuji's unavailability rather than pedagogical necessity.
Chen Sheng smiled with characteristic confidence. "Alright, since Grandmaster firmly believes this training is beneficial, then you should run with us! After all, your spirit power hasn't advanced for so many years. This stagnation undoubtedly stems from insufficient physical conditioning. As a teacher, you should establish proper example!"
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened instantly as the implications struck him. "Chen Sheng, that's—"
"Grandmaster, there are no useless martial souls, only useless Spirit Masters!" Chen Sheng continued, preventing interruption. "Consider Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong. Their spirit power levels are all lower than yours, yet they persevere without complaint. Surely you cannot refuse to participate in training you yourself designed?"
Flender held his forehead in despair, unable to witness Yu Xiaogang's self-inflicted predicament any longer.
Zhu Zhuqing spoke with her characteristic coldness. "Grandmaster, I came to this academy specifically to become stronger. However, I hope your training arrangements are rational rather than arbitrary. If even you cannot complete the training, how can you legitimately demand completion from those of us whom you acknowledge as weaker?"
Ma Hongjun grinned mischievously, deciding to push further. "That's right, Grandmaster. Considering your age, you don't even need to carry weights. Simply running with us would suffice. You're still one lap behind!"
Ma Hongjun wasn't defending Chen Sheng's plan from any sense of loyalty.
Rather, he was expressing his own accumulated frustration with Yu Xiaogang's dismissive tone and arbitrary demands.
These were genuinely talented individuals—naturally possessing certain arrogance.
They wouldn't simply comply with whatever Yu Xiaogang decreed without legitimate rationale.
"Fatty! What are you saying? Remain silent immediately!"
Flender glared at his impetuous disciple with undisguised exasperation.
Ma Hongjun smiled sheepishly but offered no further commentary. Still, he had effectively assisted Chen Sheng's manipulation.
Chen Sheng seized the momentum, his expression radiating cunning intent. "Grandmaster, consider this opportunity carefully. You haven't advanced in spirit power for numerous years. Perhaps training alongside us might provide the catalyst for your breakthrough. What do you think?"
His final words were deliberately drawn out and suggestive.
Xiao Wu immediately followed his lead. "Yes, yes, Grandmaster! You've been researching Spirit theory extensively for so long—surely you must be near completion, right? When do you intend to resume active training? Certainly you don't plan to remain at level twenty-nine for your entire life?"
Flender genuinely felt he couldn't bear to witness further developments. Xiaogang had successfully incited public resentment.
Except for Tang San, who remained characteristically silent, everyone else had contributed commentary criticizing Yu Xiaogang's training methodology and authority.
"Xiaogang, you must decide how to address this situation," Flender whispered privately. "If this matter reaches the ears of those three individuals from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School..."
The unspoken implication hung heavily—Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo would not react favorably to learning that Ning Rongrong had been subjected to potentially inappropriate training without proper oversight.
Yu Xiaogang's mouth twitched slightly as he contemplated his options. He was already advanced in age and carried the prestigious title of Grandmaster. The prospect of swallowing his pride and training alongside these teenagers was genuinely humiliating.
However, Chen Sheng, recognizing Yu Xiaogang's hesitation and internal struggle, exchanged a subtle glance with Ning Rongrong. She immediately understood her cue.
Ning Rongrong's eyes curved slightly as she regarded Yu Xiaogang with calculated sweetness. "Oh, by the way, Grandmaster, I've been away from home for quite some time now and haven't written to report my safety. This experience has been quite eventful—particularly discovering a true sword genius like Chen Sheng. I'm absolutely certain my Grandpa Sword will be very interested in hearing these details."
Yu Xiaogang: ...
Flender: ...
The threat was unmistakable. This represented a direct warning that Ning Rongrong would inform her grandfathers—the two Titled Douluos who reportedly doted upon her even more intensely than Ning Fengzhi himself.
Given the rumors surrounding their absolute indulgence of Ning Rongrong, even the slightest suggestion of her mistreatment would provoke their protective fury.
"Alright, if that's the case, then I, as your teacher, will set an example for you all!" Yu Xiaogang finally capitulated, his tone betraying gritted teeth and wounded pride.
Ma Hongjun, immediately seizing the opportunity with characteristic mischief, grinned widely. "Then Grandmaster, do you wish to carry weights alongside us?"
Although he had just suggested moments earlier that Yu Xiaogang needn't carry weights, he was essentially asking: Now that you've committed, will you truly demonstrate your belief in this training methodology?
Could Yu Xiaogang reasonably refuse after his entire philosophical argument centered on the training's importance?
"Cough, cough, I do wish to carry weights," Yu Xiaogang responded, but his expression suggested reluctant compromise. "However, I only prepared eight baskets..."
The obvious implication was transparent: he hadn't anticipated needing to participate personally, therefore hadn't prepared adequate equipment. It was a face-saving excuse—technically accurate while suggesting external circumstances rather than his own reluctance prevented full participation.
Ma Hongjun, displaying characteristic scoundrel behavior, immediately volunteered. "Grandmaster, I'll gather the necessary stones and basket! It would only take a few moments!"
Before Yu Xiaogang could formulate a polite refusal, Ma Hongjun had already departed with remarkable speed.
Flender sighed heavily, finally understanding the full scope of Chen Sheng's manipulation.
The boy had trapped Yu Xiaogang through the Grandmaster's own logic and pride—with strategic assistance from Ning Rongrong's threat and Ma Hongjun's deliberate provocation.
『DING! DETECTED Flender surprise emotion toward host's questioning. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
The treasure chest notification appeared again.
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