Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

Ning Rongrong nimbly dodged her father's attempt to embrace her with a light movement, slipping out of Ning Fengzhi's grasp with ease.

Her current physical strength was far beyond what it had been a year ago. First, she had undergone lightning tempering with Lin Jie's help, followed by regular training under Yu Xiaogang. And just yesterday, she'd absorbed a powerful immortal herb. Now, her body was easily on par with that of a power-type Spirit Elder.

"Hmph! Give me the gift first. Otherwise, I won't let you hug me," Ning Rongrong pouted, puffing up her rosy cheeks in mock indignation.

Seeing how easily Rongrong had evaded his hand, Ning Fengzhi wasn't the only one stunned. Even Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo were surprised as they looked at the sulking girl with astonishment. Because of the unique nature of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul, unless she actively released her Spirit Power or they directly probed her body, even they—as Title Douluo—couldn't tell what level she had currently reached.

A curious glint flickered in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. "Rongrong," he asked, "tell Dad—what's your current Spirit Power level? If there's been good progress, I might consider giving you the gift. If not... then maybe not."

At this, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but smirk proudly. Thinking of her current strength, she held her head high. "My Spirit Power? Oh, it's just so-so. I've only improved by thirteen levels this past year."

"Thirteen levels, that's not—wait, how many did you say?!" Ning Fengzhi's voice cracked in disbelief.

He stared at his daughter. She'd only been away for one year. How could she have possibly increased by thirteen levels?

He knew his daughter too well. While her talent was exceptional, she had always been a little lazy about cultivation—more fond of wandering about than sitting down to train. Had he not forced her, she would have spent most days playing.

Ning Rongrong blinked innocently. "Yup. Thirteen levels. But honestly, compared to the others at the academy, I'm probably one of the slowest."

Ning Fengzhi's voice dropped. "You left at Rank 27… That means you're already at Rank 40?"

He looked at her, stunned. Then a thought struck him. "Wait. You said there are others at your academy who improved faster than you?" His brow furrowed. "You're not joking, are you?"

"Daddy, you're so mean," she pouted. "You never believe me! I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, ask Grandpa Sword to check."

She ran over and held out her delicate hand to Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

Chen Xin took her hand and gently probed it with his Spirit Power. After a brief moment, his face turned to shock. "Fengzhi, she's telling the truth. Her Spirit Power really has reached Rank 40."

"What?" Sword Douluo exclaimed. "That's… unbelievable. I've never heard of anyone increasing their rank by thirteen levels in a single year. Not even the youngest Title Douluo in history managed that."

The three men stared at Ning Rongrong, dumbfounded.

"Could it be that Rongrong is truly a genius? Or is that Shrek Academy really something else entirely?"

Ning Rongrong cocked her head. "Grandpa Sword, how do you know I went to Shrek Academy?"

Chen Xin chuckled. "You're our precious treasure. Of course your father kept track of where you were."

Ning Fengzhi, however, now wore a grave expression. He knew better than anyone how difficult it was to cultivate. One had to advance one solid step at a time. But his daughter had leapt from Rank 27 to Rank 40 in a single year? That was unheard of.

Unless... unless some dark or unorthodox methods were involved.

Just the thought made his face harden.

Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo were also clearly considering the same possibility, both their expressions darkening simultaneously.

Seeing their strange expressions, Ning Rongrong asked blankly, "Daddy? Grandpa Sword? Grandpa Bone? What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Ning Fengzhi stood abruptly and walked over to his daughter. "Rongrong. Tell us everything that happened at Shrek this past year, in full detail. I want to know exactly how your Spirit Power advanced so quickly."

Ning Rongrong blinked. "Why are you all acting so strange? Is it bad that I cultivated quickly?"

"I'm afraid you might have taken the wrong path," Ning Fengzhi said solemnly.

While Rongrong usually wasn't afraid of her father, seeing him so serious unnerved her a little. She nodded obediently and began to recount her year at Shrek Academy.

She told them about the academy, how she had discovered she was the weakest student upon arrival, and how that motivated her to train hard. Of course, she didn't mention the lightning tempering Lin Jie had done for her—that had been a private promise between them. And as for their relationship… that definitely wasn't something she could tell her father.

When she explained how all the other students were stronger than her from the start, Bone Douluo interrupted in shock. "Are you sure you're not mistaken? They're all your age, and some of them are Spirit Elders already? One even reached Rank 30?"

Rongrong giggled. "Told you! Our academy only accepts monsters. Everyone calls us the Little Monsters."

Sword Douluo furrowed his brows. "If that's true, then they really are monsters. But I'm especially interested in the one your age who reached Spirit Elder. What was his name again? Lin…?"

"Lin Jie," Rongrong said with a bright smile.

"Right, Lin Jie," Sword Douluo murmured. "So he really is the same age as you… and managed to hold off a Spirit Sage alone for half a stick of incense?"

Hearing Lin Jie's name, Rongrong lit up. "Of course! Why would I lie? He's actually the strongest person at Shrek right now. He's already at Rank 44, a Spirit Ancestor."

"Rank 44?" Ning Fengzhi and the two elders gasped in unison.

"Mhm!" Rongrong puffed up her chest proudly, like she was the one who had reached that level herself.

The three men exchanged glances. They all noticed something else—the sparkle in Rongrong's eyes when she spoke of Lin Jie.

Was it possible that… Rongrong liked this Lin Jie?

Ning Fengzhi silently mulled over that possibility. For someone to earn his daughter's admiration to such a degree… it was no small matter. Perhaps it was time he met this young man in person.

"And three months ago," Rongrong added, "I hit Rank 30 and went with the headmaster and Lin Jie to hunt a Spirit Beast and obtain my third Spirit Ring."

"Again with Lin Jie?" Ning Fengzhi's mouth twitched. Every time she mentioned him, her expression softened. There was no longer any doubt in his mind—his daughter had fallen for the boy.

But if Lin Jie was really as talented as she said… a Rank 44 Spirit Ancestor at their age? That was monstrous indeed. Worthy of attention. Possibly even worthy of courting his daughter.

Still… if he wanted to marry his daughter, it wouldn't be that easy.

Yes, he would definitely have to meet this Lin Jie face-to-face.

If Lin Jie had known what Ning Fengzhi was thinking at that moment, who knows what expression he would've worn...

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin