Chapter 29: The Girl Next Door Has Come of Age

Inside Ning Tian’s luxurious courtyard.

Ning Wuque held great disdain for those who sacrificed strength for appearances. It wasn’t because he was unwilling to spend money on such matters, nor was it due to a lack of talent to back such choices—absolutely not!

Originally, Ning Wuque estimated that when Wufeng first reached level twenty, her body would be capable of bearing the soul ring of a millennium-old Lesser Azure Dragon. Yet, she had stubbornly held back for several months before finally meeting the requirement.

Indeed, Wufeng had already attained level twenty shortly after turning ten, wielding an innate soul force of level eight. Even with her playful nature, her power was impressive.

Moreover, Ning Wuque had spent over a year rigorously training this little red dragon, so her breakthrough to level twenty was well deserved.

However, to secure the second soul ring of a millennium-old, high-quality Azure Dragon, she had no choice but to temporarily halt absorbing soul rings, enduring months of arduous self-discipline until her physical condition reached a “stable” standard.

“All right, put on your training gear first. Do you have a target soul ring in mind? Are you going alone or with family?”

After stretching slightly, Ning Wuque took out a compressed meatball, restoring some energy, and casually drank some water before swallowing it. He was long accustomed to this efficient way of eating.

Across from him, Wufeng nodded silently, then walked a few steps to the nearby clearing where she picked up several pieces of forced training gear and began equipping them.

Unlike Ning Wuque’s gear, Wufeng’s father was far wealthier than Zhang Can. To ensure a brighter future for his daughter, her training equipment was a full set of level seven soul-guided devices, divided into a total of twelve parts!

Forearms, upper arms, upper torso, waist ring, thighs, calves, and ankles.

Wearing it was cumbersome, but it allowed Wufeng to maintain a perfect figure after training.

As she dressed herself, she spoke, “My father chose my target half a year ago—it’s the subordinate Azure Dragon overlord of the Tyrannosaurus Rex I mentioned before, the Tyrannosaurus Terror.”

“I’m quite lucky. With the sect’s help, I successfully located a Tyrannosaurus Terror that just entered its millennium. It’s in the Azure Dragon Mountain Range within the Starry Forest.”

Perhaps due to Ning Wuque’s careful guidance over recent days, or because persistent training leaves little room for distraction, Wufeng’s tone was no longer as sharp as in her youth. Unless Ning Wuque provoked her, she spoke calmly when alone with him, occasionally teasing Ning Tian but generally composed.

Long-term training, the perseverance in a single pursuit, truly changes a person.

It teaches patience and tempers impatience.

“My father originally wanted to capture that creature for me, but I refused. I only asked him to release it into the sect’s soul-hunting forest.”

Her words abruptly stopped; it seemed she had more to say but held back.

With her back turned, Ning Wuque couldn’t see her expression, but after days of interaction, he had come to understand Wufeng’s nature.

She was shy, a little inexperienced and playful. When embarrassed, she behaved awkwardly like a foolish child; yet, she was obedient and attentive to those she liked and respected.

Ning Wuque spoke, “So, you plan to challenge your limits and face that guy head-on? Listen to me—if you can survive even three minutes against a millennium Azure Dragon overlord, I’ll truly be impressed.”

The implication was clear: you’re no match; better beg your “master” for help!

Having adopted his customized training method, Wufeng was, in effect, his disciple. Even if she never admitted it, Ning Wuque liked to tease her with the joke, “I’m your master.”

Turning around, Wufeng had finished equipping all her training gear. The upper torso piece neatly covered her sports top.

She wore a striking pair of black and red leather shorts, her long, slender legs adorned with two pairs of leg rings—one large, one small.

She looked every bit the fiery young lady, though Ning Wuque’s moral compass was firmly set; he harbored no improper thoughts. After all, she was only eleven—off-limits!

“I’ll have Ning Tian assist me then. As for you...” Wufeng glanced at Ning Wuque with a mock disdain.

“Just watch my performance from the sidelines. Who needs your help, hmph!”

“Such a proud tsundere.”

“Who are you calling tsundere!”

“Whoever reacts to that, that’s who.”

Ning Wuque laughed as he bantered with Wufeng. This playful exchange had become an essential pastime during their training breaks, and watching the little red dragon blush and flustered was endlessly entertaining.

As expected, upon hearing Ning Wuque utter the word “react,” Wufeng immediately clenched her teeth and pursed her lips—blushing deeply!

“Wuque, Feng, are you done training?”

“Ning Tian!”

“Ning Tian.”

From afar, Ning Tian’s figure slowly approached the courtyard gate. She wore a simple blue and white dress, waving a greeting to the two.

She had just returned from the academy and, from a distance, saw Wufeng’s flushed face—it was surely Ning Wuque teasing her again.

“Ning Tian, I plan to go soul-hunting in a couple of days. Can you come with me? It’s in the soul-hunting forest.”

Running up, the tall Wufeng, now nearly 1.7 meters, clung affectionately to Ning Tian’s left arm, rubbing against her. The young girl, newly blossomed into adolescence, stood a respectable 1.6 meters tall.

Feeling the softness of the arm, Ning Tian glanced down at her own slender frame. Though a bit self-conscious, she smiled and said, “Of course, Feng. By the way, Wuque, do you want to come too?”

After agreeing with Wufeng, she turned to Ning Wuque with an invitation.

She knew Wufeng well; only she could coax Ning Wuque into joining their team. Wufeng would never say such things outright, preferring hints and subtlety.

“Maybe yes, maybe no.”

“Hmm, just right—I need a sparring partner to help me break through level twenty.”

“You’re about to break through level twenty? Congratulations!”

Hearing this, Ning Tian smiled warmly, congratulating Ning Wuque. He was one step closer to his dream!

Ning Wuque smiled back.

Without Ning Tian’s support, reaching level twenty so quickly would have been impossible—he might have been twelve before achieving it, given his low innate talent.

“By the way, Ning Tian, when will you break through to level thirty?”

Ning Wuque suddenly asked.

Though slightly puzzled by his concern, Ning Tian replied directly, “In about half a year. I’m already at level twenty-nine, and I’m confident I can break the level thirty bottleneck within six months. Why? Want me to help plan how to acquire the third soul ring?”

“I see. If you’re willing, you can leave it to me. I do have some ideas.”