But soon, the immense joy of her martial soul's evolution once again took precedence.
Ning Rongrong focused her thoughts, and a brilliant nine-colored radiance blossomed from her palm. A delicate, translucent pagoda with nine distinct layers slowly emerged.
The light danced and shimmered, breathtakingly beautiful, exuding an aura of completeness and power.
"The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda… it really is the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda…"
Ning Rongrong gazed at her martial soul in a daze.
Though the cost had been embarrassing, it was all worth it!
"I can do this…"
Ning Rongrong clenched her small fists, her eyes gradually growing resolute. "I will become stronger, and make the name of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—no, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—resound across the entire continent!"
As for her tangled mess of feelings with Dai Chengfeng…
Ning Rongrong shook her head, trying to cast aside those vivid memories.
"I won't think about it anymore! Just pretend that I got bitten by a dog!" she tried to convince herself, but her cheeks only grew hotter.
Outside the window, the night grew deeper.
Ning Rongrong leaned against the door, staring at the nine-colored radiant pagoda in her palm, her heart a whirlwind of emotions.
There was shyness, joy, confusion, and also a newfound sense of anticipation and determination—like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
This night would undoubtedly be long and sleepless for her.
---
The next morning.
The first rays of dawn gently filtered through the large lattice windows of the inn's dining room, spilling over the long table covered with a simple yet elegant cloth.
The air was filled with the aroma of fresh bread, creamy milk, and sizzling meat.
Zhu Zhuqing was already seated there, still dressed in her form-fitting black attire that accentuated her graceful yet aloof figure.
She quietly sipped her bowl of clear porridge, her movements elegant and silent, like a black cat grooming itself in the morning light—calm and detached.
Occasionally, her icy gaze would subtly sweep toward the entrance of the dining room, carrying a faint trace of curiosity.
Across from her sat Hu Liena, exuding a completely different charm.
She wore a pale white dress that made her skin appear even whiter than snow.
Even during breakfast, her poise was impeccable. Her slender fingers held a silver spoon, every movement naturally exuding an innate allure.
A faint smile lingered on her lips, her eyes sparkling like silk threads.
She also glanced toward the doorway from time to time, hiding her anticipation well, though it didn't escape the notice of observant eyes.
It was as if she were waiting for something—or someone.
The dining room was quiet, with only the faint clinking of utensils breaking the silence.
This quietness made the arrival of the next person even more conspicuous.
After a while, just as Zhu Zhuqing's bowl of porridge was almost empty and Hu Liena had begun lightly tapping her fingers on the table, a hesitant figure finally appeared at the entrance of the dining room.
It was Ning Rongrong.
Today, she was nothing like the radiant little sun or the slightly spoiled princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Clan.
Her head was bowed, her thick, curly lashes concealing the sparkle in her eyes, leaving only faint shadows beneath her lower eyelids.
Her steps were unsteady, as if walking on cotton, each step filled with hesitation.
She didn't greet everyone with her usual energetic demeanor but instead moved quietly to the table like a quail trying to hide itself…
She chose a seat neither too close nor too far from Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena.
"Go… good morning, Zhuqing, Sister Nana."
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, tinged with the hoarseness of someone who had just woken up, and carried a noticeable undertone of guilt and unease.
"Good morning, Rongrong."
Zhu Zhuqing lifted her cold gaze, pausing on Ning Rongrong's face for a moment before slightly furrowing her delicate brows.
Hu Liena, on the other hand, flashed an even brighter smile, her voice soft and enchanting: "Rongrong's here. Eat something; the honey bread today is baked perfectly."
As she spoke, she pushed the basket of golden, crispy bread toward Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong gave a faint "Mm," extending her fair hand to pick up a small piece of bread and nibbling on it absentmindedly.
Her gaze wandered aimlessly, sometimes fixating on the patterns of the tablecloth, other times drifting toward the window—but she avoided any direct eye contact with Zhu Zhuqing or Hu Liena.
Two unnatural patches of red seemed to permanently reside on her pale cheeks, as if she had applied too much rouge.
Zhu Zhuqing set down her spoon, the silver clinking against the porcelain bowl producing a crisp "ting" that rang out clearly in the quiet dining room.
She looked at Ning Rongrong, her tone as cold as ever but tinged with concern: "Rongrong, what's wrong? Your complexion looks strange. Did you not sleep well last night?"
Hu Liena leaned in closer, bringing with her a faint, sweet fragrance.
Her captivating eyes carefully examined Ning Rongrong, blending concern with a woman's natural curiosity and investigative instinct:
"Yes, little Rongrong, you seem distracted."
"Did you practice too hard last night, or… did something else happen to disturb our little princess's peace of mind?"
Her words carried a teasing tone, her voice rising slightly at the end, like a soft feather brushing against Ning Rongrong's already tense nerves.
Ning Rongrong's heart tightened suddenly, as if the most hidden corners of her mind had been exposed to the light, leaving her nowhere to hide.
Had they figured something out?
Could they have known about last night's events? No, impossible! That guy Dai Chengfeng definitely wouldn't say anything, so how could they know?
A wave of intense embarrassment surged to her head, spreading the blush on her cheeks rapidly and turning even her small earlobes pink.
"N-nothing! I'm fine! Really fine!"
She sounded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her voice unintentionally rising with a panic that only made her seem more suspicious. "It's just… I didn't sleep well last night!"
"Yes, I didn't sleep well! Maybe… maybe it's because I'm not used to the bed! Yes, that's it!"
She tried to appear more natural, even attempting a relaxed smile, but the smile came out stiff and forced. Combined with her darting eyes and flushed cheeks, the effect was quite the opposite of what she intended.
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena exchanged glances, both seeing deeper confusion and puzzlement in each other's eyes.
This was clearly more than just a lack of sleep.
And just as Ning Rongrong squirmed under their probing gazes, almost wishing she could sink into the ground, a steady, powerful, rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed from the wooden staircase leading to the second floor.
"Tap… tap… tap…"
The footsteps were unhurried but carried a peculiar rhythm. The already subtle atmosphere in the dining room seemed to grow even more complex and indescribable with the intrusion of these sounds.
Ning Rongrong's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and she instinctively held her breath.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)