Chapter 24: Did He Learn It Secretly Too?

Rumble—

As the thunder rolled, Wang Dong had just closed his eyes when he found himself in a place both familiar and strange.

Gazing at the suspended buildings perched halfway up the mountainside and the massive iron chains, Wang Dong’s eyes lit up. He muttered subconsciously, "Is this... the Haotian School?"

He quickly dismissed the thought. This place was a sprawling expanse of ancient-style courtyards, whereas the Haotian School was a place of bitter cold; only a few architectural styles bore a resemblance.

Boom—

Another clap of thunder rang out, followed immediately by a torrential downpour. Accompanying the sound of the rain were voices filled with rage.

"Tang San! How dare you steal the sect's Xuan Tian Record? Your crimes are heinous!"

"Tang San! The Tang Sect took you in and taught you its arts; to think you would commit such an act that defies both heaven and man! It is truly intolerable!"

Tang San? The Tang Sect?

Wasn't the Tang Sect founded by Tang San? What was going on here?

Wang Dong followed the voices, discovering they originated from deep within the clouds halfway up the mountain. As the rain intensified, seventeen white-clad figures gradually emerged, along with the young man facing them—the one called "Tang San."

The two sides stood in a standoff.

"I know that stealing the inner sect's forbidden techniques is an unforgivable sin, but Tang San has never forgotten his roots. I have never leaked the sect’s techniques to the outside world!"

Stealing? Inner sect?

Wang Dong hurried to the edge of the cliff, looking at the person before him in disbelief.

Although the vision was blurry, he truly bore a striking resemblance to the statue standing in the center of Shrek Academy ten thousand years later. Wang Dong finally understood: Tang San was an outer sect disciple who had stolen the inner sect’s secret techniques. It seemed he had mastered them well, which was why this group was so desperate.

However...

"Everything Tang San has was given by the Tang Sect, whether it be my life or my abilities. I am a person of the Tang Sect in life and a ghost of the Tang Sect in death... I will not take anything from the Tang Sect away, nor will I pass it on."

With that, "Tang San" was enveloped in white mist. Leaving behind only the words, "Tang San shall now return everything to the Tang Sect," he plummeted off the cliff.

Everything happened in an instant. Wang Dong rapidly digested the information he had received.

Suddenly, an elderly voice rang out, "Wait—"

***

Unfortunately, it was already too late...

...

When Wang Dong opened his eyes again, the sky was already bright.

A wild thought sprouted in his mind: Could it be that all the hidden weapons created by the Tang Sect’s ancestor, Tang San, originated from this "other" Tang Sect? Those firm vows never to pass on the "Tang Sect’s secret techniques" still seemed fresh in his memory.

Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable.

He began to supplement the blueprints he had nearly finished drawing. This time, he included the secret methods of the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

In Ning Fengzhi’s room.

"Xiao Dong, these... did you design all of these?" Ning Fengzhi looked at the drawings in his hand, his excitement causing his hands to tremble.

The appearance of these things called "hidden weapons" would send a shockwave through the entire Spirit Master world.

Wang Dong replied truthfully, "No, it was from a rare book I saw earlier called 'The Hundred Solutions to Tang Sect Hidden Weapons.' It likely originated from a sect that has long since hidden itself from the world. I simply transcribed them from memory."

"Hidden from the world? That is a pity. If not for that, they would surely have earned a place among the Seven Great Sects!" Ning Fengzhi sighed. The items depicted were incredibly intricate; they were truly rare treasures.

"Someone, send for the Hall Master of the Hundred Refinement Hall."

Having delivered the items, Wang Dong did not wish to linger. "Uncle Ning, I’m going to go see Xiao Wu and Rongrong. Please excuse me."

With that, he kicked off with his short legs and leaped away. When would he finally grow up? He still wasn't used to the length of his legs.

"Xiao Dong!" Ning Fengzhi’s voice called out again. Wang Dong turned around, and Ning Fengzhi held out a black gold card. "There are fifty million gold spirit coins here. Take it; it’s some pocket money from your uncle."

Wang Dong knew this was compensation for the hidden weapon designs. He waved his hand and said, "Uncle Ning, I did not design these drawings, so I cannot take this money."

Ning Fengzhi hadn't expected Wang Dong to be so principled. "It is I who was narrow-minded. However... Rongrong has pocket money too; this is for you and Xiao Wu."

Wang Dong did not refuse again. "Thank you, Uncle Ning."

Watching Wang Dong’s retreating figure, Ning Fengzhi went back to studying the blueprints. The value of the items on these pages was far beyond fifty million gold spirit coins.

***

That night, Ning Fengzhi and the Hall Master of the Hundred Refinement Hall spent the entire night studying the drawings until every hidden weapon was accounted for. As for the Mysterious Heaven Skill, it required further consideration.

As for Wang Dong, he found the two girls hard at work practicing in the private training grounds in Ning Rongrong’s backyard.

Xiao Wu was the first to sense his presence. "Xiao Dong!"

Ning Rongrong opened her eyes upon hearing this, and both of their faces lit up.

"Xiao Dong!"

Before Wang Dong could react, two little figures were already in his arms.

"It’s only been a few days; how have you both become even prettier?" Wang Dong looked at them with a smile and handed over the fifty-million-gold-coin black card he had just received. "Pocket money from Uncle Ning."

Ning Rongrong reached out, took it, and stuffed it directly into Xiao Wu’s rabbit-shaped bag. It had originally been an ordinary bag, but Ning Rongrong had specifically asked the Third Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to craft a storage-type soul tool in the shape of a jade rabbit, using the same jade as her own bracelet, and attached it to the bag.

The rabbit bag had been sewn by Xiao Wu’s mother, and inside it lay a sandalwood comb. Now, there was another little rabbit to protect her.

"Rongrong, this was given to you by Uncle Ning. I can't take it," Xiao Wu said, subconsciously trying to refuse.

"Rongrong! Although I really want you to stay at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School forever, you haven't promised yet. You need to have some money to live on," Ning Rongrong said seriously.

Wang Dong nodded from the side, agreeing with the sentiment. "Besides, you don't have to worry about Rongrong not having money. A Spirit Master with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit is the most formidable treasure appraiser!"

What’s more, Ning Rongrong already possessed the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Xiao Wu’s eyes misted over. After a moment of thought, she said solemnly, "Rongrong, Xiao Dong, thank you! I am willing to stay and live with you both, because you are the family I have chosen for myself."

Ning Rongrong’s eyes lit up. "Really?" She then grabbed Xiao Wu’s arm tightly. "That’s wonderful! With me and Xiao Dong here, no one in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will dare to bully you!"

"Mm! I will protect you both too!" A bright, radiant smile bloomed on Xiao Wu’s face.

"Um..." Wang Dong hesitated, but spoke up anyway. "I came today because I wanted to say goodbye to you both."

"What?" Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu widened their eyes, speaking in unison.

...

End of Chapter.