novelhk Chapter 23: Zhu Zhuqing's Misunderstanding
Chapter 23: Zhu Zhuqing's Misunderstanding
Ning Yuanshan didn't intend for Zhu Zhuqing to know that his trip was to buy that crystal plate. However, his earlier wandering around and even splitting up to explore different shops clearly indicated that he had a specific purpose.
So Ning Yuanshan picked out the prettiest piece of crystal and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing, saying, "This crystal is for you... Um... I'll head back to the hotel now. Take your time browsing around!" Ning Yuanshan didn't care about being impolite by suddenly abandoning Zhu Zhuqing. He was joking; going back to study the Dragon Beard Needle was the real business at hand.
"Hmm?" The usually gentle and refined Ning Yuanshan had completely changed his usual image and actually abandoned her and ran away. This suddenly brought color to Zhu Zhuqing's cold face. She looked at Ning Yuanshan, who had not dared to glance at her after giving her the crystal and fled in panic, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart.
"Hahaha, this is a good thing! The Dragon Beard Needle, ranked eighth in the Xuan Tian Bao Lu Hidden Weapon Hundred Solutions, and it doesn't need to be forged. I can use it directly!" Ban Jing was smashed into dust by Ning Yuanshan with a "bang." Zhu Zhuqing had already shaken him off and was not afraid that he would hear the noise and become suspicious next door.
Although he lacked the extraordinary ability to absorb the falling gold dust, Ning Yuanshan could simply gather it slowly using his soul power. Unlike Tang San, who possessed a multitude of skills, Ning Yuanshan could dedicate significant energy to mastering the use of his martial soul. For instance, his second soul skill, "Adrenaline," could, when fully activated, restore 100% of its energy consumption while providing a nearly 15-minute boost to all his attributes. However, under Ning Yuanshan's control, he could fully utilize his soul skill, whether it was at its maximum or only partially, with complete and effortless mastery!
There's no need to treat spitting out one mouthful of blood and spitting out two mouthfuls of blood the same, right? However, this soul skill has a drawback: it can only be used once a day on the same person, otherwise… "Hey, wait! Can't this also be developed into a 'poisonous milk' technique?"
"My second soul skill can kill people too! I even thought of that! Am I a genius? Hahaha," Ning Yuanshan rejoiced at his own cleverness. His biggest problem right now was the lack of powerful offensive methods.
"He seems really happy, laughing so stupidly, it's so silly..." Zhu Zhuqing, who had just returned to the hotel, was blushing. Then, as if something had popped into her head, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upwards. She withdrew her hand that was about to knock on the door and hopped back to her room...
It took Ning Yuanshan a tremendous amount of effort to collect nearly 20,000 particles. Once he had collected all the Dragon Beard Needles, Ning Yuanshan began experimenting. The power of this hidden weapon was indeed as described in the original story; after piercing the human body and losing the infusion of soul power, it could cause the muscles in the body to curl up. "It hurts quite a bit..." This was the conclusion Ning Yuanshan reached after testing it on himself.
"Tang San said that the Dragon Beard Needle could pierce Dai Mubai's third soul skill, 'White Tiger Vajra Transformation,' and once the protective aura was broken, Tang San's 'Parasitic' soul skill and poison application would be invincible." It must be said that this hidden weapon was tailor-made for Tang San. If Ning Yuanshan used the Dragon Beard Needle to break through the enemy's defenses, although the enemy would lose their protective aura, as long as they dodged Ning Yuanshan's next attack, they might still have the power to fight back. Unless the enemy refused to dodge and opted for a head-on confrontation.
Even if the dragon whisker needles pierce deep into the body, causing muscles to tangle, the pain is undeniable, but some strong individuals can endure it. Is there truly no cure for the dragon whisker needles? Probably not. If a Soul Master has masterful control over their Soul Power, they can fill their subcutaneous muscles with it, allowing the injected dragon whisker needles to revert to granular form before forcing them out of the body. Of course, if the control over Soul Power is not refined enough, the worst that can happen is to cut out flesh.
"Once I get my third spirit ring and the gun, I'll see if I can easily defeat Tang San's Dragon Whisker Needles." After obtaining his second spirit ring, Ning Yuanshan unlocked the third item in his virtual panel, but the icon was still grayed out and it was currently unusable. The item in the third item was a pistol!
Other concealed weapons, such as blowguns, damage through their penetrating power. The dragon whisker needle, however, is superior, causing muscle contraction. But the spin of a bullet can create a cavity effect, opening a large hole without requiring you to cut through flesh.
……
The four of them appeared on the path outside the village. Ning and Tang's groups had a great time in the city and soon headed to Shrek Academy to report for duty.
Xiao Wu, who was perched on Tang San's back, immediately spotted a small village about a mile away in the distance.
She straddled Tang San's back, pointed a finger, and, like a majestic female general on horseback, exclaimed, "Brother, speed up!"
Tang San slapped Xiao Wu's pert buttocks with his backhand, causing the soft flesh to jiggle and tremble before everyone's eyes. Zhu Zhuqing felt nauseous watching the overly intimate interaction between the brother and sister. Over the time she spent with Tang San and Xiao Wu, she realized that although they were not related by blood, they truly treated each other like siblings. If they were siblings, Tang San's behavior was too greasy, wasn't it? Zhu Zhuqing subconsciously compared Ning Yuanshan and Tang San, and the comparison made her feel somewhat satisfied, even her steps became lighter.
Actually, Ning Yuanshan felt a little awkward watching the two of them being so affectionate. It wasn't that he couldn't stand the "friends today, girls tomorrow, darlings the day after" dynamic, but rather that Tang San and Xiao Wu's relationship hadn't yet transitioned to "lovers," yet they were already behaving in a very inappropriately intimate way. In other words, it's fine if you and your partner first become friends and then gradually develop a romantic relationship. But right now, you're just friends! And you're already touching her butt?
Tang San rode quickly forward on Xiao Wu's back, and as they approached the village, they finally found Shrek Academy. "No way? Master made a mistake? This dilapidated place is also an academy?" Everyone was stunned, even Ning Yuanshan, who already knew that Shrek Academy was in ruins, shook his head.
"Well, we're already here, let's go in and take a look..." The four of them had just stepped forward when they heard a commotion.
"How can this be? They didn't say the registration fee wouldn't be refunded! That's our family's hard-earned money..." The front of the line started arguing.
Ning Yuanshan frowned upon hearing this. Initially, he didn't say much because, although Shrek Academy's money-making tactics were despicable, it was difficult to say anything if they had clearly stated their rules from the beginning. However, it was clear that Shrek Academy's official advertisements and enrollment brochures did not contain a clause stating "registration fees are non-refundable once enrolled."
The elderly father who brought his child to register knew the rule that the enrollment age was under thirteen. He thought that since his son had just turned thirteen, there was still room for negotiation. Even if the registration failed, it would just be a wasted trip. However, he did not expect that the registration fee would not be refunded.
The dispute continued to escalate, with the admissions officer explaining the application requirements while simultaneously unleashing his Soul Ring to demonstrate his Soul Emperor cultivation and intimidate the crowd.
Seeing the Soul Master display his power, nine out of ten people in the group of over a hundred turned around and left the ranks.
Are all these people blind and unable to understand the application requirements? Or did Shrek Academy simply fail to make the requirements transparent and public from the beginning? Ning Yuanshan casually asked a few applicants who were about to leave.
Most families that can afford to send their children to Shrek Academy are not wealthy, and these children are often the only Soul Masters in their families. Therefore, their knowledge and experience are extremely limited. Otherwise, why would they come to an obscure Soul Master academy that doesn't even have a ranking system? The Spirit Hall claims that graduating from Shrek Academy will make one an Imperial Viscount? That's just false advertising.