Chapter 88: The Three Little Ones of the Sect
After a delightful nap with Dugu Yan, the two finally broke free from the bed's confines and once again basked in the sunlight of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After lunch, the two strolled through the sect's plaza and, not long after, arrived at the training grounds. A group of disciples were gathered around, occasionally cheering in excitement.
Wherever there was excitement, Ning Bei knew that Rong Rong and Xiao Wu were sure to be there. From a distance, he could already hear their enthusiastic shouting.
"Go for it, Ah Du ! Beat him!"
"That's right, Ah Du ! Throw away that useless scythe, use the eight segments throw I taught you to slam him down hard!"
Xiao Wu was gesturing a shoulder throw, mimicking the actions of coaches shouting wildly on the KOF stage.
The disciples around them were equally excited, cheering for the two combatants in the ring.
As Ning Bei and Dugu Yan got closer, they realized that the two fighting in the arena were Ah Du and another blonde man.
"Ah Du , you've improved a lot recently, but you're still no match for me. Watch me perform the Morning Dew Blade."
The blonde man threw his kitchen knife into the air, which then transformed into hundreds of frost blades, attacking Ah Du .
"Nian Bing, I know you're strong, but don't underestimate me now. Giant Scythe Sweep!"
Ah Du spun his body, forming a massive vortex barrier with his scythe, deflecting all the ice blades, then charged toward Long Nian Bing, slashing with his scythe.
Long Nian Bing's pupils constricted. Since Ah Du 's martial soul had changed recently, his soul skills had become much stronger, which greatly surprised him. In the past, Ah Du would never have been able to break through his Morning Dew Blade.
Avoiding the scythe's attack, Long Nian Bing looked at Ah Du seriously.
"Ah Du , be careful, Yin Yang Chaotic Mind."
His third purple soul ring flashed, and he casually slashed with his sword.
Ah Du quickly raised his scythe to block the attack. He had never seen this third soul skill before. However, its power was surprisingly unimpressive. Quite the opposite, it seemed like a simple attack with no real strength behind it.
After blocking the strike, Ah Du paused for a moment, confused, and looked at Long Nian Bing.
"Is this your third soul skill?"
"Ah! Yes, that's right. It should be very troublesome for you now, but you've really put a lot of pressure on me. So... sorry."
"Huh?"
After hearing Long Nian Bing's words, Ah Du suddenly felt a strange sense of sadness. Why did he feel so sorrowful? Was it because the opponent had underestimated him with such a weak move? But that didn't seem right.
While Ah Du was in confusion, his negative emotions grew stronger, reaching a level he couldn't resist. Tears began flowing from his eyes uncontrollably, and the scythe in his hand disappeared. All the negative emotions flooded his mind, and he couldn't summon the will to fight.
Xiao Wu and Rong Rong, watching from the side, were puzzled as they saw Ah Du in such a state.
"Hey, Ah Du , what's going on? Are you surrendering?"
As things were almost over, Long Nian Bing looked back at the black-haired boy behind him.
"Yin Zhu, it's almost time, help Ah Du break out of this state."
Yin Zhu nodded and summoned his martial soul, the ancient zither.
A beautiful melody immediately filled the air. After hearing the music, Ah Du slowly emerged from his despondent state, confused as he looked at Long Nian Bing.
Seeing his confusion, Long Nian Bing explained:
"This is my third soul ring, which I obtained from a mental-type soul beast. It can activate various negative emotions in the target and cause them to lose their will to fight. However, I can't pull the target out of this state myself. I need Yin Zhu to help."
Xiao Wu, seeing her younger brother being toyed with, angrily glared at Long Nian Bing.
"You're being sneaky! Why don't you just fight head-on?"
Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Long Nian Bing awkwardly scratched his head but didn't argue.
Ah Du , however, shook his head at Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, it's my own lack of strength. I'll keep working hard."
Xiao Wu then spared Long Nian Bing and said to Ah Du in a serious tone:
"Since you understand, then practice the eight segments throw I taught you properly. Got it?"
Before she could finish, Ning Bei hit her on the head with a playful smack. Turning around, she saw Ning Bei's familiar figure.
"You can be lazy all you want, but don't spoil Ah Du . He has potential and knows how to work hard. We don't want him to become the third laziest disciple of the sect."
Xiao Wu covered her head and mumbled:
"If you don't teach, then don't. You've knocked my head off!"
Ning Rong Rong, who had been standing by, looked at Ning Bei in confusion.
"Brother, what is the 'third laziest disciple'? Who's the second one?"
Ning Bei gave her an irritated look and pointed to Xiao Wu, who was still rubbing her head.
"What about the first?"
Ning Bei smiled at his little sister but didn't answer. Everything was unspoken.
Ning Rong Rong, unsatisfied, glared at him.
"How is that possible? I work very hard!"
"I didn't say anything. Don't assume what I didn't say!"
"Ah?"
Ning Rong Rong frowned and didn't press the issue further.
At this point, Ning Bei walked over to Yin Zhu, who was still playing the zither.
"Your zither music seems to have an emotional influence, just like the soul beast from the mental type. Did you obtain it from one of them?"
Yin Zhu paused for a moment when he heard Ning Bei's voice. Turning around, he saw Ning Bei approaching and immediately stopped playing, respectfully greeting him.
"Second young master, you've arrived. Yes, my soul rings were all obtained from mental-type soul beasts. This first soul skill can awaken the truth, goodness, and beauty within people's hearts."
"Oh? It has such an effect? Play another song and let me hear it."
Intrigued by the introduction, Ning Bei immediately asked for another performance.
Yin Zhu nodded and sat down again, starting to play.
Ning Bei relaxed his mental defenses and began to listen carefully to the music.
Dugu Yan, Xiao Wu, Rong Rong, and the disciples around the sect also became absorbed in the beautiful melody.
After a while, the music ended, and everyone slowly opened their eyes.
Xiao Wu happily looked at Yin Zhu.
"Your zither playing is really good!"
"Xiao Wu, you're too kind, it's just the basics!"
At this point, Dugu Yan looked at Ning Bei with concern. He was still with his eyes closed, seemingly feeling something.
A few minutes later, Dugu Yan couldn't hold back any longer and shook his arm.
"Xiao Bei? What's wrong?"
Ning Bei opened his eyes, looking strangely at Dugu Yan.
"My mind is completely full of that 'diu diu diu diu'... do you know what that is?"
Dugu Yan looked at him in confusion and shook her head.
"What is it?"
"Ah, it's that 'diu diu diu... handkerchief... handkerchief.'"
The loud, raspy voice of Ning Bei singing the song made Dugu Yan wrinkle her brow.
Ning Bei saw the expression on her face and stopped singing.
"Ha! No childhood toys!"
(END CHAPTER)
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