Chapter 34: Add some cumin, and a touch of cilantro.

Xu Sheng and Ning Rongrong sat cross-legged. The former quickly built a campfire, the fierce flames gradually surging as the intense light slowly illuminated Ning Rongrong’s cheeks.

As Xu Sheng raised his eyes to gaze at this delicate and aloof countenance, his pupils constricted instantly. He immediately recognized that this girl was none other than Ning Rongrong, the daughter of Ning Fengzhi, the Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Because the night had been so dark earlier, he hadn't observed her face closely; only now did he realize who she was.

"Talk about a small world," Xu Sheng mused to himself. He had planned to meet the Shrek Seven Devils when he eventually went to Shrek Academy, but he hadn't expected to encounter Ning Rongrong ahead of time today.

As Xu Sheng studied Ning Rongrong, she was observing him in return. Especially after seeing his handsome features clearly, ripples of emotion occasionally stirred in her eyes. It was the first time she had seen a man who made her eyes light up, and the faint, lazy air about him made him seem even more approachable than her own father, Ning Fengzhi. After all, it wasn't without reason that good looks could improve one's favor in the eyes of others.

Ning Rongrong was the first to extend her fair arm, smiling gently as she said, "My name is Ning Rongrong. Thank you for saving me this time."

Xu Sheng paused for a moment before extending his hand to give hers a firm, brief shake, returning her smile. "I’m Xu Sheng. I imagine any man would save such a beautiful girl if they had the chance, wouldn't they?"

Her fingers were incredibly soft and smooth, as delicate as jade, making it difficult to let go. However, he remembered that before entering Shrek Academy, the Ning Rongrong he knew of was extremely arrogant and willful; she had even been willing to spend a fortune to have Tang San kill Dai Mubai. But the current Ning Rongrong didn't give him that impression at all; instead, she seemed to possess a gentle and intelligent aura.

Noticing Xu Sheng was still holding her hand in a daze, Ning Rongrong awkwardly pulled it back. "So, Xu Sheng, could you tell me what kind of Spirit Master you are?" She couldn't quite figure it out; his spirit clearly resembled that of an auxiliary-type Spirit Master, so how was he able to fight soul beasts?

Xu Sheng tossed a bundle of wood into the fire and nodded. "Of course. I am a dual-type Spirit Master specializing in control and auxiliary." His spirit skills could be interpreted as either control or support. One didn't necessarily have to use fixed thinking when it came to the direction a spirit should develop. For example, Hu Liena’s Sky Fox spirit could also acquire offensive spirit rings, and if Oscar’s sausage were to absorb a spirit beast like a Mandala Snake, he might even be able to function as a poison-type Spirit Master.

Hearing his answer, Ning Rongrong frowned. "A dual control and auxiliary Spirit Master? I’ve never heard of such a thing." If a Spirit Master tried to develop in two directions, they would only be a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, which would severely hinder their future development.

Xu Sheng scratched the tuft of hair sticking up on his head and explained, "Ah, that’s actually something I came up with myself. If I had to be specific, I suppose I’m an auxiliary-type Spirit Master."

Ning Rongrong nodded thoughtfully, her expression grave. "And your spirit power, as well as your spirit rings..."

Xu Sheng shrugged and said lightly, "Sorry, Rongrong, it’s not very convenient for me to tell you that right now. But I think there will be a chance in the future."

The two sat in silence for some time until it was broken by a sudden "rumble." Ning Rongrong hurriedly covered her stomach, a look of embarrassment in her eyes as she glanced at Xu Sheng, unable to speak.

Xu Sheng wore a strange expression as he asked quietly, "Rongrong, you didn't have dinner tonight, did you?"

Faced with such direct concern, Ning Rongrong’s cheeks flushed bright red. Under the glow of the fire, she simply gave a silent nod. When she had left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in a fit of pique, she hadn't had time to eat; it would have been strange if her stomach hadn't growled.

Xu Sheng stood up and instructed, "Stay here then, I’ll go find something to eat." He couldn't let the precious little treasure of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect go hungry. If Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, or Chen Xin found out, they would likely hunt him down even at the cost of their own lives—though he secretly added to himself that they might not even be able to defeat him if they tried.

Seeing him about to leave, Ning Rongrong instinctively reached out and grabbed his wrist, her voice hesitant. "Xu... Xu Sheng, can I... go with you?"

Seeing the worried look on her face, Xu Sheng suddenly realized she must have been traumatized by the Man-faced Demon Spider from earlier, afraid that if he left, other soul beasts would appear. Since she was an auxiliary-type Spirit Master, she had no means of self-defense.

Xu Sheng released his Nine-Heart Blood Begonia, and his third spirit ring lit up instantly, forming a light barrier around Ning Rongrong. He gently patted the back of her hand to reassure her. "Rongrong, you'd better wait for me here. As long as it isn't a soul beast with over thirty thousand years of cultivation, it generally won't be able to break this barrier."

Ning Rongrong considered this and sat back down, still somewhat hesitant. "This... alright, but be careful." However, thinking of how dozens of soul beasts had attacked the barrier earlier without breaking it, she felt less nervous.

*Snap.* A crisp sound suddenly rang out by the campfire.

Ning Rongrong, who had been leaning against a tree and nearly falling asleep, jolted awake, alert. "Who's there?"

It was Xu Sheng, returning from his hunt, holding two plump rabbits. Seeing that she was awake, he sat down beside her, smiled gently, and held up the rabbits. "Rongrong, you're awake? Let me prepare these two rabbits, and we can eat."

Ning Rongrong wondered if she was hallucinating. Who eats rabbits? She tried again, "Prepare the rabbits? Xu Sheng, you don't mean to eat them, do you?"

Xu Sheng looked at her in surprise. "Yes, rabbit meat is quite delicious." He had forgotten that Ning Rongrong, born into a grand sect like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, would never eat such food.

Ning Rongrong looked troubled. "This... isn't that a bit wrong? Rabbits are so cute, how could you eat them?"

Xu Sheng didn't answer. He decisively took out a dagger, skinned and bled the rabbits, then skewered them with branches. Finally, he took some oil from the storage-type spirit tool given to him by Bibi Dong and placed them over the fire to roast.

Before long, the roasted rabbit meat turned a rich, golden red. It looked appetizing, and a thick, savory aroma began to drift through the air. Ning Rongrong, who had initially been repulsed by the idea, caught the scent and swallowed hard, thinking to herself, *It... it smells so good.* Compared to the expensive food of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, this simple meal somehow seemed far more appealing.

Xu Sheng naturally noticed her small gestures and took one of the rabbits, handing it to her. "You must be starving. Go ahead and try it."

Ning Rongrong took the meat elegantly with both hands, took a gentle sniff, and brought it to her lips.

"Wait, Rongrong, adding some cumin and cilantro powder might make it taste even better." Xu Sheng stopped her, quickly produced two small containers of seasonings, and sprinkled some over the meat in her hands. He then said with satisfaction, "There, now try it."

Ning Rongrong took a small bite. The crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture instantly enveloped her tongue, and the slight spiciness of the cumin added a layer of pure satisfaction. Her eyes sparkled, and only three words filled her mind:

"So delicious."