Chapter 19 - Rongrong's True Colours

After answering all their questions, Oscar brought Tang San towards the dorm he also told him about the rules of the academy and since he had nothing to do right now they were just chatting for a while,

"By the way brother san, what do you think about the girls who joined us this year?? Don't you think that they are pretty??"

"I agree with you, though I don't know much about the academy I can surely say that the girls from the exam were truly pretty. Especially Rongrong she had a noble air around her, do you think that she's a noble??"

"I agree, I too got that same feeling but I'm not sure if she is a noble though but the Seven Glazed Glass Pagoda is said to be the greatest auxiliary tool in the continent so it wouldn't be surprising if she actually was"

"I've heard about them but I think that your food spirit isn't bad either if trained well it may even compete with them and I'm telling this after experiencing both of your boosts so don't look down upon yourself got it"

"Do you truly think so?? Everyone tells me that my spirit is a vulgar spirit and being a food system spirit it doesn't have much potential"

"Brother Ao, my spirit is the Blue Silver Grass generally it is known as a trash spirit but despite all that I've trained it to the current rank with my own hard work so don't ever look down upon yourself. I believe that if you work hard you may even become a titled Douluo in the future"

"Me, a Titled Douluo??"

"Yes, I truly think that. Didn't you see even with Blue Silver Grass with just hard work I was able to fight with a spirit saint even if it was with the help of others I was still able to do it, who says that Food system should always be weak?? And who says that Blue Silver is trash?? We will surely reach great heights so don't ever give up on yourself"

"Brother San... from now on we are true brothers"

"….Sure"

Though they didn't know how or why maybe it was due to them having a similar type of spirits or due to Tang San's speech they felt a connection between them at this moment.

…

The next day,

He went towards them and saw that it was an even fight, Dai Mubai then came and stopped the fight. Then Tang San went in and restrained Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai then explained about Hongjun and his spirit, it was a phoenix variant spirit but it looked like a chicken so it was truly funny.

After that they heard about his mutation and that he needs women to calm down his spirit to which Xiao Wu gave a weird look towards him. After that, they went towards the dining hall to have breakfast, where they met up with Rongrong and Zhuqing.

They were chatting for a while and Mubai and Zhuqing had an awkward atmosphere between them. Then after finishing their breakfasts, they heard a dang dang dang sound from outside, Mubai called them out telling that it was the principal's call to collect the school fees of 100 gold coins every year.

When they were gathering near the ground Tang San spotted Oscar coming towards them while eating on a sausage. He saw that Oscar had shaved his beard and had a smile on his face when he saw Tang San,

"Good morning brother san"

"Morning, Brother Ao. What's up with the shaven beard??"

"After all that talk yesterday I felt that I shouldn't be wasting my life lazing around and should try to achieve something higher. I set my goal to be the greatest auxiliary type spirit master"

"Hahaha, that's right brother Ao, well said"

While they were talking, a person with long black hair and glasses with a brown dress came near the ground. When Xiao Wu and Tang San noticed him they were shocked as he was the same person who they met in the Spirit Tool shop.

"I am the Dean of this Academy Flender, regarding you fees teacher Li will collect them from you and you have your first classes in the evening until then you can rest, except for Oscar and Ning Rongrong"

Hearing that, everyone except Rongrong, Oscar, Tang San, and Xiao Wu left to do their own work. Tang San also followed behind them and found that the Dean was talking about auxiliary type spirit masters and that they both had to run twenty l_a_p_s around the village.

Hearing that Oscar was depressed, Tang San pat his shoulder and said,

"Well, it was sort of my fault for this so how about I run along with you too??"

"Brother San..."

Soon they left the academy and started to run, Xiao Wu didn't accompany them as she didn't like tasks like these. Before running Tang San spoke with Dean Flender and gave him Grandmasters letter after that he ran and caught up with Oscar and Rongrong.

While running Rongrong gave up halfway and went on her own towards the village. Tang San tried to convince her otherwise but she didn't listen and ran away with her speed boost. Tang San could only shake his head and continued to run along with Oscar, Oscar tried to give him a few recovery sausages but he politely declined by saying that he was used to physical exercise.

Soon they finished the exams and were almost coming back to the academy but near the entrance, they met up with Rongrong, with a playful smile.

"Rongrong know that whatever the dean asks me I will answer truthfully without taking any sides"

"Brother San, do you want me to get punished??"

"That would be up to the dean as I'm in no position to punish you but with your actions, I'm very disappointed in you"

"Hmph, I won't talk to you!!"

Soon after entering they saw that everyone was present for the first class and were waiting for them. Tang San could have easily finished running twenty l_a_p_s with his physique but since he was only running because of Oscar he reduced his speed to match his and was also encouraging Oscar on all way.

"Tang San, did these two finish running twenty laps??"

"Oscar finished running twenty laps"

"What about Ning Rongrong??"

"She didn't"

After that the dean asked Rongrong why she didn't run twenty l_a_p_s, she honestly replied saying that she couldn't do it and she was hungry. Flender then smiled slightly and listed out all she did today after going to Suotuo City.

She was angry that he had spied on her but he shot back saying that he was responsible for all their well being and that he would do the same for anyone else in the academy. Then Rongrong started to insult Flender about the academy and how he was only a spirit sage but Flender had a calm look on his face not affected by anything she said he then pointed out that among all the people here everyone of them were better than her and he gave Ning Rongrong two choices either she leaves this academy or she listened to what he says and cultivate properly.

She had tears in her eyes and ran towards her dorm. Tang San just gave out a sigh and didn't say anything else. Flender told Oscar to go and comfort Rongrong for now and brought the others to Suotuo City's Spirit Arena.

He told them that one of the criteria to pass out from Shrek Academy was to earn a silver fighting badge from the Spirit Arena. Everyone registered for individual matches and Xiao Wu wanted to form a team but Tang San just denied it saying that she would just rely on him to fight.

Everyone won their first matches except Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing who still had to go up, but the next announcement said that the fight was between Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing, she was surprised but had a strong d_e_s_i_r_e to fight him.

Mubai didn't say anything so he decided to let it all out and not hold back, of course, he would only use his Blue Silver Grass as he didn't know when would be the right timing to tell them about the Quad Spirits that he had.

Right now they were facing each other, as soon as the fight started Zhu Zhuqing used her first spirit ring Hell Rush Stab, Tang San used his Scale Bind from below her feet trying to catch her legs. She canceled her attack and dodged the vines from below her feet.

She then used Hell Rush Stab and dashed towards Tang San with a higher speed and then used her Hell Hundred Claws to slash apart his Scale Bind. Without giving her time at all he used his second ability which was the Web Bomb, he made it into a net as that would be the most effective against Agility Type Spirit Masters. Seeing the ball of grass flying towards her she used her Hell Hundred Claws again but before the attacks could even connect the ball unwrapped itself into a web and caught her into it. He then used Scale Bind and threw her out of bounds ending the fight.

After that Mubai and Hongjun went to the brothel to which Zhuqing gave an icy cold look and went back to the Academy. Tang San and Xiao Wu waited for a while and went back with a refreshed Hongjun and Mubai.

Near the entrance of the academy, Rongrong and Oscar were waiting for them to return. Seeing Hongjun's relieved expression she asked,

"What happened??"

Hongjun replied as if it was quite natural

"I got my Evil Fire relieved before coming back and now I don't need to worry about it for the next two or three days. Of course, Boss Mubai also accompanied me so you can ask him for the details I'm very sleepy so I'll be heading back to the dorms"

She then turned towards Mubai and with a smile she said,

"No wonder Zhuqing came back with such a face it looks like you broke a maiden's heart tch tch tch"

"Shut up!!! Ning Rongrong, don't you dare talk about this ever again and if you do, I will kill you and I don't care about your background or anything keep that in mind"

Saying that he went back inside the Academy towards the dorms, everyone was silent after that and no one spoke. Rongrong had a furious expression and went towards Tang San and said,

"Brother San, I want you to kill Dai Mubai, I will pay you 10.000 gold to do it and from now on you will have the backing of Seven Treasured Glass Clan unconditionally"

Hearing that everyone gave her strange and distaining look when Tang San replied,

"Rongrong, you should know that the world doesn't revolve around you and money can never buy everything, though I like you somewhat I would never be with someone who has an arrogant character such as yourself. So I hope that you unless you change yourself for the better you never call me Brother San and only Tang San will do, that is all I want to say"

He too then left along with Oscar back to the dorms seeing that even the remaining of them who were standing and watching all this left back to the dorms. Rongrong who for the first time felt alone stood there with tears falling from her eyes and crouched down hugging her knees she started to cry.

…

Right now Tang San woke up and saw that Oscar was cultivating in the morning, he too got up to practice his Red God's Eye, right now he was in the second level and to reach the third he needed quite a long time he was hoping to meet Dugu Bo as he wanted to go to his Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well and get a few Heavenly Herbs to improve his and the others strength and potential.

After practicing the Red God's Eye he got up and saw Oscar still cultivating, he knew that he would breakthrough today and they would go to Star Dou Forest for his third ring, Tang San was also a little excited as he wanted to search for Spirit Rings to his other Spirits, but he knew that the only spirits he could get rings for is the Samsara Eye as he can't get rings for his Clear Sky Hammer yet as he was still searching for the proper beasts to add rings to it and his Ice Jade Empress Scorpion is an ice type spirit which means that he can only find rings for it in either the Sea or at the Northern Plains.

He was hoping to find rings with the help of his Brother Daydream as he would be really great at scouting out for beasts which would suit him greatly.

Right now everyone was gathering near the training grounds for their second lesson, Tang San knowing what the lesson would be was a little eager as he had already gotten used to Oscars Food but the same could not be said for the others, he wanted to see how weird their reactions would be.

Mubai and Hongjun were talking about the 'fun' they had last night and Rongrong looked like she had not slept at all yesterday and had dark circles under her eyes. Seeing this Tang San went up to her and asked,

"Do you know what you did wrong??"

Without saying anything she just nodded her head, he could only sigh at that he too knew that he was a little too harsh on her but with all, she said he couldn't hold back her anger.

"Sigh, Well it's good that you understand and you can call me Brother San as you used. I too was a little harsh on you but the others won't trust you so easily and you need to prove it to them with your actions this time"

After a while Flender came and noticing Oscar missing he asked where he was, Tang San just replied saying he was still cultivating but when he was about to go and get him from the dorms,

"Hey, everyone sorry for being late"

"Oscar do you still want to run more laps??"

Hearing that he started sweating and hurriedly explained himself that he just broke through to the 30th rank and due to which he was late today morning.

Hearing that everyone except Tang San was surprised, cultivating Food Spirits are the toughest even compared to other spirits and Oscar who is only 14 years old had reached the 30th rank this showed how great his potential as an innate full spirit for a food spirit was.

After everyone congratulated him about his breakthrough Flender announced today's class was to eat Oscar's food, Tang San was about to go and eat it but Ning Rongrong beat him to it and while holding the sausages she glanced at Tang San a little and just bit down on the sausages, he could only give a wry smile at this.

After feeling the effects of the sausage she was surprised, even food spirit masters at the 40th rank couldn't produce such effects while Oscar who was at the 30th rank was able to do so.

"Your spirit is actually better than most of the other food masters who I know"

Hearing that Oscar was a little happy and then Tang San, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun finished eating his sausages. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were quite reluctant at eating the sausages but after a little persuading by Tang San about the benefits they were able to eat it.

After that, they were told to get ready to go to Star Dou Forest for Oscars next Spirit Ring.

Oscar asked him about what type of spirit ring should he get while thinking for a while he said,

"I think strengthening types can be ruled out as that way you would only be competing with Rongrong and who knows if the effects may or may not stack up so a ring which gives an ability to the spirit master would be the best, like underwater breathing or flying or maybe even teleporting would be great abilities"

"Hmm…. Thank you for the help Brother San"

"No problem, don't mention it, we should get to bead since we have a long journey ahead of us"

…

Two Days Later,

Tang San and the others were now in the outskirts of Star Dou Forest slowly making their way to the middle regions where 1000-year-old spirit beasts live, here they were planning on getting Oscars Third ring. They arrived at a town near the forest yesterday where they had a few disagreements with another academy of the kingdom.

But with Tang San and Dai Mubai they were able to easily beat all the students of the academy and Zhao Wuji took care of the teacher who was accompanying them.

Right now, Tang San under Zhao Wuji's command took the lead and since he had gotten his first spirit ring with Renxue here he knew most of the how's and to's. While he was thinking about that, he remembered about Renxue and his face had a slight smile on it.

They had a standard formation with Zhu Zhuqing in the front as the scout followed by Boss Dai and Fatty as the main attack and Tang San with Rongrong and Oscar with Xiao Wu at the end. The only other person who was with them was Zhao Wuji who was at the back tailing then and ready to help if necessary.

They spotted a few beasts which were non-aggressive and left them alone he explained the importance of not killing too many spirit beasts as it would disrupt the flow of nature and they take a long time to grow into proper beasts which can be used as spirit rings. He was, in fact, thinking about this topic for a while and trying to find alternative solutions to Spirit Rings but until now he couldn't think of much and left it as a future topic to brood upon. He knew that with Renxue and Bibi Dong on their side the spirit hall would be very easy to deal with unless there isn't another change in the timeline.

Then with his Spiritual Detection he was able to find a target flying towards them, he then saw that it was Phoenix Tailed Chicken Comb Snake which was nearly 1800-years-old, he had a few spirit ring boosts which he had already bought and was ready to use it for any spirit beasts which were suitable but it looks like that was unnecessary.

"Guys we have a Phoenix Tailed Chicken Comb Snake coming towards us from the back and it looks like someone else is pursuing it too but they look far away if we try we can get the snake before they do. SO what do you guys want??"

Zhao Wuji then said,

"If they're far away then we can try for it, so what do you think Little Ao??"

"Guys help me catch that snake I want it as my third ring"

"Okay remember the snake spits out venom which has a slight dizzying and paralyzing effect watch out for it and it is really fast and can fly so Zhuqing we'll be depending on you the most. Oscar and Rongrong boost Zhuqing's speed and give her a detoxifying sausage. Boss Dai, Fatty you guys have to restrict the snake's movement Xiao Wu, stay back and make sure the Snake doesn't retreat"

Everyone replied all at once,

"Got it"

Zhao WUji was surprised at Tang San's planning, his plan had little to no flaws at all. Soon with Hongjun using his Phoenix Fire to restrict the snake's movement and Zhuqing's Hell Rush Stab, they were able to corner the snake but due to its speed and slippery nature, they weren't able to do much. Tang San then sent out his Scale Bind to grab the snake along with Web Shot in a net form.

Rongrong boosted Zhuqing's speed and due to being at such restrictions it tried to fly away. Zhuqing then ran up along the trees and straight in front of the snake when it spits out some weird smoke she felt a little dizzy. Due to Tang San's warning, she ate Oscar's Detoxifying Sausage and continued to attack the snake.

Mubai then used his White Tiger LightWave and attacked the snake, soon with the continuous bombardment of attacks it finally fell. Noticing people coming he gave Oscar a knife and told him to hurry up as someone else was coming nearby without waiting he just prayed a little and stabbed the Snake.

A purple ring then formed from its body while they heard the rustling of bushes nearby when a woman with a snake staff came out from it. When she saw the dead snake she had an angry expression on her face,

"Who dared to kill my snake??"

Without waiting for anyone Tang San went ahead and spoke in a calm voice,

"Miss I think you're mistaken this snake was killed by us and it doesn't belong to you"

"Hmph, I and my granddaughter chased this snake all this while and you reap the rewards, don't you think that this is too unfair little kid??"

When they heard the voice they saw an old woman with eight rings come out from behind the girl. They were all surprised that she was a Spirit Douluo, their luck was truly bad as they just stole a spirit beast from her.