Sword Douluo Chen Xin, as aloof as ever, stayed out of the chat between Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yan; his gaze swept over Xiao Wu without seeing through her disguise.
Ning Rongrong, who had come along, watched her father and Yu Yan happily discussing Spirit and spirit power theory, with no idea how to jump in.
At a loss for words, she turned to the girl beside Yu Yan—cool as moonlight at first glance, yet gentle as warm jade on closer look—smiling at Yu Yan while stroking the sleek black kitten in her arms, lovely as the moon in the sky.
Seeing her, the girl others called the little demon princess felt a faint pang of envy.
People always covet what they don't have; even Ning Rongrong, daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's master, was no exception.
Feeling eyes on her, Xiao Wu followed the gaze and saw a girl as dainty as a little princess.
Recalling Yu Yan's tales of the school, she guessed this was its pampered princess, the willful Ning Rongrong.
With a friendly smile, Xiao Wu acknowledged her, then turned her attention back to Yu Yan and Dark Snow.
'I never imagined your grasp of spirit power cultivation could be so profound—truly surprising.'
When their brief exchange ended, Ning Fengzhi offered heartfelt praise.
'Just some modest thoughts. You're the remarkable one, School Master Ning; our talk has given me many new ideas.'
From the conversation Yu Yan gleaned another feasible way to compress spirit power.
'What I mentioned came from a book—hardly worth praise. If you're interested, come to my school another day and read it.'
A leading theorist on Spirits, Ning Fengzhi could only relay what he had read on spirit power research.
Sensing Yu Yan's keen interest, he used the book as bait to invite the youth to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
'After I return from the Extreme North Land, I'll certainly visit and impose on your hospitality.'
Yu Yan pondered a moment, accepted, and gave a rough date.
The school itself held little allure, but its centuries-old library did; he stood poised to liquefy spirit power, and the full text of that Senior's work might push him past the final step.
Ning Fengzhi meant no harm, so a visit was no big matter.
His smile turning warmer at the acceptance, Ning Fengzhi believed deeper talks would draw Yu Yan into the school's camp, just his father's generation had won Sword and Bone Douluos.
'By the way, what takes you to the Extreme North Land? Need help?'
With the invitation secured, Ning Fengzhi shifted to Yu Yan's mention of the frozen region.
'Just to pick an herb—nothing major.'
The trip was no secret, and calling it trivial politely declined assistance.
'Then I'll await your visit at the school.'
Reading the refusal, Ning Fengzhi let the matter drop.
Nothing of substance remained; only polite small talk was left.
Lacking topics, he cited prior duties, had Rongrong show Yu Yan and Xiao Wu around Heaven Dou City, and left on the pretext of official business.
Between the earlier promise and his desire for the library, Yu Yan had no reason to refuse.
'Yu Yan, Xiao Wu, I'm Ning Rongrong—where would you like to go?'
Once her father was gone, she greeted them politely and asked for their preference.
As the school's heir, she might be spoiled but was no fool; elite schooling told her what to do.
Had she truly been unreasonable, after anger at Shrek she could have brought a few Spirit Douluos to flatten it—just as Heaven Dou's fourth prince Xue Beng might.
Given Sword and Bone Douluos' fondness for her, they might have done it themselves; save for Tang San and Grandmaster, few would have survived.
'We're guests; we don't know the city. Take us wherever you think is fun.'
Yu Yan had no preference.
Xiao Wu nodded agreement.
After some thought—and memories of noble antics—Rongrong decided to treat them to the finest restaurant in Heaven Dou City.
'Only you two are going to the Extreme North Land?'
On the way, she chatted casually.
'Yes, just us.'
Her sigh slipped out: 'How nice.'
Still, people crave what they lack; never free, she longed for that feeling, which later drove her to a backwater academy.
'It's not that great...'
With a glance at Xiao Wu, the pair began listing the perils lone Spirit Masters face on the road.
Unwittingly, their words only deepened her longing for such a life.