"We haven't seen each other for a whole month. Doesn't Brother miss Rongrong?"
Before her words faded, she suddenly leaned in, sniffing lightly at his chest with her nose like a wary little kitten.
The next second, she abruptly broke free from his embrace, stepping back half a step, planting her hands on her hips and widening her eyes in accusation:
"Husband Brother! You have another scent on you! Have you been secretly raising another little friend behind Rongrong's back?"
The grievance and seriousness in her tone were like crushed sugar, sweet enough to soften one's heart.
Su Yu looked at her puffed-up cheeks and let out a low chuckle from his throat, reaching out to pinch her face:
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward calmly. His moon-white brocade robe made him appear as gentle as jade, a faint smile gracing his face:
"Xiao Yu, you've had a long journey."
After speaking, he gently patted Ning Rongrong's head, his tone carrying a deliberately puzzled warmth:
"Wasn't Rongrong looking forward to Xiao Yu's arrival every day? What's this all about now?"
"Father!"
Ning Rongrong looked up, tugging at her father's sleeve, her small face full of indignation.
"Brother has another scent on him!"
How could Ning Fengzhi not understand his daughter's little thoughts? He immediately laughed heartily, his eyes shimmering with indulgent warmth.
This girl is still just a little sprout, yet her jealousy has already grown so big.
Ning Fengzhi looked at his daughter's pouting expression, then at the barely concealed laughter in Su Yu's eyes.
He couldn't help but laugh out loud, reaching out to gently pat Ning Rongrong's back:
"How old are you now, still throwing tantrums like a child?"
Su Yu walked up to Ning Rongrong and lightly tapped her forehead with his fingertip:
"Little clever one, your nose is quite sharp indeed."
He had Xue Na come down from the carriage. Xue Na jumped off, clutching the hem of her clothes. Seeing Ning Rongrong looking over, she lowered her head somewhat awkwardly.
"This is Xue Na, a child I met a month ago. I brought her back to Martial Soul Holy City when I discovered she has Innate Full Soul Power," Su Yu explained.
"I brought her this time hoping you could help her find a Soul Ring together."
Ning Rongrong's attention was instantly captured by Xue Na. She walked up to Xue Na in a few steps, examining the girl who was slightly shorter than herself.
Xue Na was wearing a clean light blue dress, her hair styled in a simple bun.
Her skin was a healthy pinkish-white, her eyes like obsidian stones soaked in water, reflecting a somewhat timid light.
Ning Rongrong leaned forward slightly, sniffing twice near Xue Na's face—this was the scent!
After sniffing, Ning Rongrong's small eyebrows moved almost imperceptibly. Then she straightened up, her gaze toward Xue Na containing less wariness and more curiosity.
Seeing that Xue Na kept her head lowered, her small hands clutching her clothes and creating several wrinkles, Ning Rongrong actively softened her tone, her voice gentle and soft:
"So you're Xue Na? I'm Ning Rongrong."
Xue Na flinched at this sudden closeness, quickly looking up at her before hurriedly lowering her head again, responding in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum:
"Yes... I'm Xue Na."
"Don't be afraid."
Seeing her like this, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile. She reached out to hold her hand, but afraid of scaring her, paused mid-air before gently touching her sleeve instead.
"Brother Su Yu said you're also here to obtain a Soul Ring? Then we can search together! I know many places with pretty Soul Beasts!"
Xue Na's fingers, which had been clutching the hem of her clothes, relaxed slightly as she secretly glanced at Ning Rongrong.
Dressed in a cyan dress with sparkling beads adorning her hair, Ning Rongrong's eyes twinkled like stars when she smiled—she didn't seem like someone who would bully others at all.
"Mhmm..."
Xue Na responded again, her voice slightly louder this time, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Su Yu stood nearby watching, a smile shimmering in his eyes, while Ning Fengzhi stepped forward and said gently to Xue Na:
"Little Xue Na, since you've come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, consider this your home. There's no need to be reserved."
Hearing Ning Fengzhi's voice, Xue Na quickly lowered her head again and whispered:
"Th-thank you, Uncle Ning."
Ning Rongrong tugged at Xue Na's sleeve, saying excitedly:
"Come on, Xue Na! Let me show you the luggage I prepared—there are lots of delicious snacks inside, and a new dress my father bought me! We can even swap clothes!"
Without waiting for Xue Na's response, she half-dragged, half-led her toward the inner hall.
Though her steps were somewhat unsteady from being pulled along, Xue Na didn't resist, and the corners of her mouth quietly turned upward.
Su Yu and Ning Fengzhi exchanged a smile before following them.
Ning Fengzhi and Su Yu entered the main hall while the two girls went to play behind the hall.
Ning Fengzhi took his seat in the Grand Preceptor Chair at the head position and gestured for Su Yu to sit opposite him.
He then personally picked up the teapot and poured amber tea into two celadon cups, the steam carrying the fragrance of tea throughout the room.
"Xiao Yu!"
He lifted his teacup, gently blowing on it as he looked warmly at Su Yu.
"Where are you planning to take Rongrong and Xue Na to obtain their Soul Rings?"
Su Yu lightly tapped the rim of his cup, pondering for a moment before answering:
"Let's go to Sunset Forest. Firstly, Rongrong's first Soul Ring needs to focus on strength enhancement. That forest has diverse Soul Beast species with a wide range of ages, offering more suitable options."
"Secondly, Xue Na's Martial Soul is lightning-attributed. Ordinary kingdom-maintained Soul Beast Forests hardly have any lightning-attribute Soul Beasts. Comparatively, Sunset Forest is clearly more appropriate."
Ning Fengzhi lifted his teacup, fingers rubbing against the warm surface as he listened to Su Yu's explanation, then nodded slightly:
"Sunset Forest is indeed a good choice. The variety of Soul Beasts and wide age range should perfectly meet both children's different needs."
He paused, a trace of consideration flashing in his eyes. "But that is after all a wild Soul Beast Forest, with considerable danger. You three..."
"Uncle Ning, don't worry. Although I haven't broken through to Soul King yet, ordinary Soul Emperors are no match for me!"
He paused before adding: "Besides, Old Poison is in Sunset Forest."
"He lives in the forest year-round. If we encounter any tricky situations, I can always seek his assistance."
Hearing his confident tone, Ning Fengzhi's worries finally settled, and he laughed heartily:
"With you there, I'm naturally assured."
His tone then shifted, his expression turning slightly indulgent: "But Rongrong has been spoiled since childhood and has quite a lively personality. When you're in the forest, I'll have to trouble you to look after her."
As he spoke, he picked up the celadon teacup from the table and offered it to Su Yu.
The tea within was clear, with delicate aroma rising with the steam:
"This is our sect's newly harvested Cloud Mist tea. Would you like to taste it?"
Su Yu took the teacup, his fingertips brushing against the warm surface. He raised his head and took a sip—the tea was clear and refreshing, with a lingering sweetness.
"Uncle Ning, rest assured. Though Rongrong may be lively, she understands what's important. Once we enter the forest, she'll naturally become more cautious. Besides, with me here, I won't let her suffer the slightest grievance."
Ning Fengzhi smiled upon hearing this, the worry in his eyes fading considerably:
"You do see things clearly."
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