Chapter 48: Return
The duel had few witnesses, and once it concluded, Ruo Ling quietly returned to his quarters to rest.
He had already obtained the Split Mind Control Technique and progressed quickly—mastering the second stage, Dual Consciousness, and soon approaching the third, Mind of Command.
He could now perfectly control both his Crow Shadow Puppet and his own body simultaneously in combat, while also manipulating two additional enemies through dark threads.
Time passed swiftly, and soon, the day to leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan arrived.
Ning Rongrong stood beside him, wearing a finely crafted dress that accentuated her noble bearing.
"Your Holiness, I entrust Rongrong to you," Ning Fengzhi said, unable to hide the reluctance in his voice.
"Rest assured, Sect Master Ning."
"And please, Ruo Ling, look after her for me," Ning Fengzhi added, turning to the young man.
Ruo Ling nodded. For some reason, he thought the man's gaze on him felt strangely—complicated.
And so, their journey back to Spirit City began.
Throughout the trip, Ning Rongrong and Ruo Ling hardly spoke to each other. He made no effort to start a conversation either.
Three days later, their carriage rolled through the gates of Spirit City.
"Xiao Ling, since you brought Rongrong back, I'll leave her arrangements to you," Bibi Dong said as they entered the city.
Although he noticed an unreadable look in her eyes, Ruo Ling didn't question it. He simply led Ning Rongrong to his residence within Spirit Hall.
There were two empty rooms—more than enough space.
Still, Ning Rongrong's silence along the way made her feel uneasy.
"How exactly will you arrange things for me?" she finally asked.
Ruo Ling stopped and turned to her.
"If you wish, you can keep your identity secret and enroll in the Spirit Hall Academy. All cultivation resources will be available to you."
"If not, you may simply live here and train alongside me. It's only for three years, after all."
His tone was calm, almost indifferent—a demeanor that made Ning Rongrong unexpectedly angry.
He was the reason she was here in the first place, and yet now he acted as though she didn't exist.
Biting her lip, she snapped, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"Me?" Ruo Ling chuckled softly. "Then allow me to formally welcome Miss Ning to Spirit Hall."
With that, he turned and kept walking.
Ning Rongrong stood frozen, cheeks burning with a mix of frustration and embarrassment, before hurrying after him.
Sensing her following behind, Ruo Ling smirked inwardly.
The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan might have matured a bit, but her "little witch" nature hadn't disappeared.
It was time for her to learn—the title of princess carried little weight here. No one in Spirit Hall would indulge her whims.
...
Soon, they arrived at his residence—just in time to run into Hu Liena returning from the academy.
"Xiao Ling! Where have you been? You've been gone for half a month!"
Her voice trembled slightly as she threw her arms around him without hesitation, eyes reddened with worry.
Caught between surprise and warmth, Ruo Ling smiled helplessly and patted her back.
"Senior Sister, the teacher and I were away on important business. That's why I couldn't tell you."
Hu Liena pouted, staring at him like she wanted to see through his excuses.
"Alright, alright. Next time, I'll make sure to tell you. But I brought back some gifts for you all."
"Gifts? Hmph, they'd better be good, or I'm not forgiving you!" she said, refusing to let go.
"We'll find Xie Yue and Yan together; I'll give them to everyone," Ruo Ling suggested.
Reluctantly, Hu Liena released him—and that's when she noticed the unfamiliar girl standing beside him.
"Who is she?"
Hu Liena's tone sharpened as she took in the elegant girl's beauty and noble aura—a faint sense of rivalry igniting instantly.
"She's Ning Rongrong," Ruo Ling said calmly. "A guest the teacher brought. She'll be staying here for some time."
"A guest? Don't tell me the teacher's taken in another student?" Hu Liena's eyes widened.
"No. She'll only be here for three years, on an exchange of sorts," Ruo Ling explained.
Hu Liena relaxed slightly, though the hostile glimmer in her eyes lingered.
"Where are Xie Yue and Yan now?" Ruo Ling asked, changing the subject.
"They should be at the training grounds."
"Then let's go find them. I'll give everyone their gifts together."
He glanced back at Ning Rongrong. "Miss Ning, would you prefer to rest first? There are two spare rooms—you can choose whichever you like."
"I'll go with you," she said after a pause, biting her lip.
She had already realized that Ruo Ling didn't care for her noble status.
If she was going to stay in Spirit Hall for three years, she would have to adapt. She might be proud—but she wasn't foolish.
Ruo Ling smiled slightly. "Alright, then."
Together, he led the two girls toward the training ground.
...
There, they found Xie Yue and Yan mid-training. Ruo Ling quickly ushered them into an empty room.
"Xiao Ling, who's the pretty lady?" Yan asked immediately, eyes lighting up.
"She's the teacher's guest," Ruo Ling replied with a light chuckle. "Don't even think about it."
He then took three herbs from his soul device—gifts entrusted to him by Bibi Dong.
"What's that? They're beautiful!" Hu Liena exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
Ning Rongrong stared as well. The glittering herbs reminded her of the Golden Threaded Amber Tulip Ruo Ling had once produced before her father.
"These are three immortal herbs," Ruo Ling explained. "Phoenix Crest Aster, Eight-Petal Orchid, and Heavenly Fox Heart Blossom. Each will greatly enhance your strength."
"The Phoenix Crest Aster boosts fire-attributed martial spirits, the Eight-Petal Orchid is mild but profound—perfect for refining your body and purging impurities—and the Heavenly Fox Heart Blossom can evolve any fox-type spirit to extraordinary purity."
As he calmly described each effect, all three stood there wide-eyed in disbelief.
"Xiao Ling, you're joking, right? These little flowers can do that?" Yan stammered.
"These are immortal herbs—treasures born of heaven and earth. The teacher and I found them in an uncharted land," Ruo Ling said, smiling.
Then, one by one, spirit rings rose from beneath his feet.
Yellow, purple... and black.
The air trembled with power.
"I was level 29 before I left," Ruo Ling continued. "Now I'm 37. The result of consuming one of these herbs."
"Xiao Ling… that black ring—is that a ten-thousand-year spirit ring?" Hu Liena asked, eyes wide with shock.
Even Ning Rongrong, standing silently behind him, felt awe wash over her. No wonder Bai Yu had lost so miserably—this strength was simply overwhelming.
"Just my luck," Ruo Ling said casually with a shrug.
Silence filled the room as everyone tried to process what they'd heard.
Finally accepting it, Ruo Ling handed the three herbs to his companions, carefully instructing them on how to absorb the energy.
When he finished, he turned to leave—with Ning Rongrong quietly following behind him.
(END CHAPTER)
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