Seeing the situation, Li Chang'an could only let out a wry smile. He understood perfectly well that this was nothing more than an opening test.
He needed to strike the right balance here—neither too overbearing nor too submissive. If he acted overly strong, it would be seen as disrespectful; if he showed weakness, it would mean he wasn't worthy of Ning Rongrong.
Thus, he remained in his bowing posture, his expression calm though faintly more solemn. Yet he did not retreat a single step.
"Enough! Bone Grandpa, Sword Grandpa, you can't treat my friend like this. Otherwise, I'll just return to the academy!" Ning Rongrong, having realized what was happening, immediately put her hands on her hips and pouted in protest.
"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare, Rongrong. We were just… testing him a little," the two Title Douluo quickly apologized, withdrawing their oppressive aura. Their gazes toward Li Chang'an now carried a touch of newfound respect.
'This boy… he has some real composure.'
"Alright, Rongrong, bring your friend to sit," Ning Fengzhi interjected, bringing the test to an end. Pouting, Ning Rongrong dragged Li Chang'an over to take their seats.
"Little girl, it's been almost a year, hasn't it? Your father has missed you dearly." Ning Fengzhi's face lit with joy upon seeing his daughter again. He nodded at Li Chang'an, then rose from his seat, intending to pat Rongrong's head.
But Ning Rongrong quickly twisted her head away. "Missed me? As if! You probably wish I'd stay away forever."
Her sulky expression made Ning Fengzhi's heart ache. He reached out to hug her, only for Rongrong to slip easily out of reach with a deft turn.
That startled him. Though an auxiliary-type spirit master, his rank surpassed seventy, and the tremendous soul power had long refined his body. Compared with ordinary people, his physical ability was far superior. Yet his daughter had dodged him with ease.
Unaware of her father's shock, Ning Rongrong went straight to Sword Douluo. Seeing the apologetic kindness on his face, her anger softened instantly. She understood well—Sword Grandpa had only tested Li Chang'an for her sake.
Without restraint, her longing burst forth. She threw herself into Sword Douluo's arms, sobbing, "Sword Grandpa, Sword Grandpa! I've missed you so much… wuu…"
After so long apart, the little girl couldn't hold back her tears.
Sword Douluo gently embraced her, his voice full of tenderness. "My little treasure, you're finally back. Sword Grandpa has missed you too, more than you can imagine."
"Really?" Rongrong asked, lifting her tear-streaked face.
"Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, ask your Bone Grandpa," Sword Douluo said with utter seriousness.
Rongrong blinked her clear eyes. "But… I feel like Bone Grandpa missed me just a little more than you did."
"Nonsense! He's spouting rubbish!" Sword Douluo immediately retorted, showing no mercy to his old partner. "I can guarantee I missed you more."
"You're the one talking nonsense!" Bone Douluo suddenly stood, towering at nearly two and a half meters. His skeletal frame and raspy voice made him seem even more terrifying.
"Rongrong is right—I missed her the most!"
The unified front they'd shown earlier collapsed in an instant.
"Not convinced? Then let's go settle it outside!"
Sword Douluo puffed out his chest, glaring challengingly.
"Enough, enough. Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, you've been fighting all your lives. Rongrong and her friend just returned—can't you let it go for today?" Ning Fengzhi said helplessly, casting a meaningful glance at Li Chang'an, who had been left quietly to the side.
"Hmph!" The two Douluo snorted in unison. Without looking at each other, their gazes returned to Rongrong—then landed on Li Chang'an. For the moment, their alliance was restored.
Turning serious, Ning Fengzhi asked, "Rongrong, first tell your father—what level is your soul power now? If you've made progress, I'll reward you."
At once, Rongrong's pride bubbled forth. "Daddy, my talent is far better than yours. I didn't slack off this past year. My soul power didn't increase that much… only about fifteen levels."
"So little? Rongrong, you must work hard. Wait—how much did you just say?"
Ning Fengzhi knew his daughter all too well. Since childhood, she had hated cultivation. Though gifted, she only trained under pressure or in exchange for rewards.
The moment he realized she had said fifteen levels, disbelief flooded his face.
Rongrong batted her innocent eyes. "I said fifteen levels. It's not much, I know, but I'll keep working hard."
Ning Fengzhi's voice dropped a pitch. "Fifteen levels? You left at level twenty-seven. That would mean… you're now level forty-two? You're not lying to me, are you?"
Glancing at Li Chang'an, who nodded encouragement, Rongrong smiled sweetly. "Bad Daddy, don't doubt me. Rongrong may be mischievous, but I never lie. If you don't believe me, let Grandpa check."
She extended her hand to Sword Douluo.
Sword Douluo clasped it, and moments later his face showed astonishment. "Fengzhi, it's true. This girl's soul power really is at level forty-two. It's unbelievable."
He shook his head in wonder. "Aside from that Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, I've never heard of anyone gaining fifteen levels in just one year. Even the youngest Title Douluo in history didn't achieve that. Could it be that Rongrong truly is a once-in-a-generation genius? Or… is Shrek Academy truly that extraordinary?"
"Wait, Sword Grandpa, how do you know I went to Shrek Academy?" Rongrong asked curiously.
Sword Douluo chuckled. "How could we not? You're our precious treasure—your father has kept track of you all along."
By now, Ning Fengzhi's face had grown grave. He, along with the two guest elders, knew well how Spirit master cultivation worked. Progress must be steady—too fast, and one risked death.
There were sinister methods that traded life force for faster growth. He would never allow his daughter to be ruined that way.
If Shrek had taught her such a thing… his eyes darkened, filled with killing intent.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo clearly realized the same possibility. Their faces hardened.
Looking between the three elders, Rongrong was puzzled. "What's wrong? Why are you all silent?"
Ning Fengzhi's tone was solemn. "Rongrong, tell me everything about your cultivation at Shrek Academy this past year. Leave nothing out. I must know why your growth was so fast."
If she had truly fallen into a forbidden path, he might still have a chance to save her.
Ning Rongrong pouted. "Daddy, what's wrong with you? When I was lazy, you scolded me. Now that I've worked hard and improved, you're still unhappy?"
"This is no joke. I'm afraid you've gone astray. Tell me your process, quickly," Ning Fengzhi said firmly.
Though usually unafraid of her father, Rongrong wilted before his seriousness. "When I snuck off to Shrek Academy, I discovered I was the weakest one there…"
This time, Li Chang'an had no intention of concealing the truth about the fruit he'd given her. Rongrong explained that at a certain point, when she was struggling, Li Chang'an had given her a miraculous fruit to help her.
"One fruit… increased her soul power by eight or nine levels?!"
"Incredible. Sword Uncle, check again. Make sure her foundation hasn't been damaged," Ning Fengzhi ordered sharply, his eyes locking onto Li Chang'an. Bone Douluo's gaze followed suit, brimming with unspoken threat.
If Rongrong had suffered even the slightest harm, Li Chang'an would not be leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alive.
But after another inspection, Sword Douluo's voice turned strange. "Her body is perfectly fine. Not only that—her soul power and foundation are astonishingly solid. More stable, in fact, than some veteran spirit Kings."
At those words, all three elders turned to stare at Li Chang'an—the quiet young man who had barely spoken until now.
Their eyes held disbelief… and deep shock.
How could this be possible?