Douluo Continent: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

"Hmph, you're smiling so happily. It can't be anything good. Come on, tell me, which girl are you thinking about?" Ning Rongrong took two light steps to Zhao Ming's side, speaking in a playful tone.

"Even if I were thinking of someone, it wouldn't be you. You're so small, I…" Zhao Ming looked Ning Rongrong up and down, making her feel a bit embarrassed before he chuckled.

"You!" Ning Rongrong widened her eyes, pouting. "I knew it. You like bigger ones. Zhuqing is so… big, you must like that."

"Well, isn't that obvious? What man doesn't?" Zhao Ming mumbled quietly.

However, instead of getting angry, Ning Rongrong's eyes twinkled with mischief as she smiled and looked behind Zhao Ming.

Just three meters away, Zhu Zhuqing stood with her head lowered, unsure of what to do.

Her fair and delicate face was full of bashfulness.

It was clear that Ning Rongrong's words were meant to break the ice between Zhao Ming and Zhu Zhuqing. And Zhao Ming's muttering had obviously been heard by Zhu Zhuqing.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's shy and beautiful expression, Zhao Ming suddenly recalled a line from a poem: "The gentlest lowering of the head, like a water lotus enduring the cool breeze, bashful and tender." Perhaps this was the exact scene the poem described.

But Zhao Ming's attention wasn't only on that.

As he admired Zhu Zhuqing's nearly perfect figure,

he couldn't help but sigh,

It's so nice. When tired, one could lean their head against it for rest.

Men don't get that luxury. Being a man is indeed tough.

At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing was almost overwhelmed with shyness.

She stole another glance at Zhao Ming and found him staring at her intently.

She felt both embarrassed and annoyed—how could he stare at a girl like that in front of everyone?

But seeing him look at her like that also made her heart swell with sweetness.

"A gentleman appreciates beauty by nature." Zhao Ming awkwardly cleared his throat. With so many people watching, it wasn't the right time to bond with Zhu Zhuqing.

Hearing Zhao Ming's words, Zhu Zhuqing slowly calmed her shy heart and rolled her eyes at Zhao Ming, though it lacked any real malice.

Even her eye roll was so charming that it stirred his heart.

"Oscar, don't worry, I'll make sure you get a powerful soul ring." Zhao Ming changed the topic, turning to Oscar.

"Thanks, Brother Ming. I'm counting on you." Oscar smiled, and in that smile, he completely let go of any grudge he had against Zhao Ming.

Last time, when Zhao Ming fought Zhao Wuji, Oscar wasn't there to witness it. Although he had been amazed by Ning Rongrong and the others' descriptions, it hadn't quite registered until today. Watching Zhao Ming defeat Li Yusong, a powerful Soul Emperor, with his own eyes had a huge impact on him.

Yesterday, after breaking through to level thirty, he felt quite proud. As a food-type soul master, reaching level thirty at his age and stepping into the threshold of a Soul Elder was rare. When his respected teacher, Shao Xin, praised him yesterday, he felt a surge of pride.

But compared to Zhao Ming, his achievements seemed insignificant.

Zhao Ming had defeated a Soul Emperor,

a level far beyond Soul Elders, Soul Kings, and Soul Emperors.

And Zhao Ming was only twelve years old, even younger than him. A twelve-year-old reaching the Soul Elder level was already a rare feat, but to have such powerful combat abilities was almost unbelievable.

Thinking about his prideful attitude yesterday, Oscar felt his face flush with embarrassment.

After all, Zhao Ming had defeated a powerful Soul Emperor and still remained humble and composed. Yet, he had become boastful after a minor accomplishment.

The difference in mindset was huge.

Now, Oscar fully admired Zhao Ming.

Looking at Zhao Ming, he felt a sense of relief.

He was relieved that Ning Rongrong had found a good match. Though he still liked her, he decided to bury that feeling deep within his heart.

As long as Ning Rongrong was happy, even if he could only watch from afar, he was content. Besides, Zhao Ming was so strong and capable, someone who truly deserved Ning Rongrong.

Oscar looked at Zhao Ming and Ning Rongrong. Under the afternoon sun, they seemed like a golden couple, a picture-perfect scene, only enhanced by the presence of two other beautiful girls.

The next morning, after breakfast, when everyone gathered on the training field, Zhao Wuji was already there waiting for them.

Although Zhao Wuji had said that Zhao Ming would lead the team to acquire the soul ring, he had only said it half-jokingly. All of the students of Shrek Academy were geniuses, and each of them was extremely precious; he couldn't afford to be careless.

If he didn't accompany them and something happened, even taking his own life wouldn't be enough to atone for it.

"Our task today is to go to the Star Dou Forest to acquire Oscar's third soul ring. This is also a training exercise for you as a team. The Star Dou Forest is not a place for fun. It's filled with numerous soul beasts, many of which are highly aggressive. You all must be vigilant and cautious. Zhao Ming, you'll lead the way. I'll take the rear." Zhao Wuji said as he handed the map to Zhao Ming, assuming the role of supervisor.

With high spirits, Zhao Ming and the others set off for the Star Dou Forest.

Along the way, it wasn't Oscar, the main character of this mission, who was the most active, but Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu.

Ning Rongrong had been stifled during her time at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, which was why she had come out to have some fun. Though Shrek Academy was much more enjoyable than her clan, daily classes still felt dull. The prospect of visiting the Star Dou Forest now was a fresh and exciting experience for her.

As for Xiao Wu, the Star Dou Forest was her home. Returning felt like coming home, so naturally, her mood was elevated.

The Star Dou Forest was located southeast of the Balak Kingdom, with a small part bordering the kingdom. Since Soto City was also in the southeastern part of Balak Kingdom, the forest was less than five hundred kilometers away.

By nightfall, Zhao Ming and his group had reached a small town outside the Star Dou Forest.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.