Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled as she imdiately lifted the dumbbell again, ready for another round.
"I want to do more!" she declared eagerly, sticking out her pink tongue with a hint of charm.
For an auxiliary-type soul master, gaining three pounds of strength was no small feat—especially when it only required half an hour of exercise. Who wouldn't be tempted?
"Huh? Why does it feel so light now? Compared to before, it's like there's no weight at all."
Shen An chuckled. "This divine tool can only be used once a day. Half an hour of exercise grants three pounds of strength—theoretically, it can stack infinitely."
Ning Rongrong's mind reeled. This is too overpowered! She quickly handed the dumbbell back to Shen An while scanning their surroundings to ensure no one was watching.
Taking a deep breath, her small face turned serious. "Shen An, you must never let anyone else know about this. It's too dangerous. If word gets out, you'll be in trouble."
Three pounds a day might seem insignificant, but over a year, that added up to over a thousand pounds. A single punch from that kind of strength could overwhelm even a Soul Elder. And in the Douluo Continent, there had never been a genius who reached Soul Elder rank in just one year.
Ning Rongrong didn't even dare imagine—if her Grandpa Sword used this dumbbell for a century, gaining a hundred thousand pounds of strength in one arm, a single swing of his sword would be catastrophic.
Jerry stifled a laugh. Just a tiny dumbbell? In my eyes, it's not even worth a big block of cheese.
Shen An smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I checked—no one's around. Besides, you're not just 'anyone.'"
"From now on, only you, Zhuqing, and I will know. With this, you'll have more strength to protect yourselves."
Cough cough. Jerry cleared its throat pointedly.
Shen An quickly anded, "Ah, right—and you and Tom. Just the five of us."
These two little troublemakers always had to insert themselves into everything.
'I'm not an outsider.'
Ning Rongrong's lips curled into a smile, her eyes shining with happiness.
Then, her expression turned solemn. "Shen An, I promise—until you have the power to protect this divine tool, I won't tell a soul."
"Not even my father, Grandpa Sword, or Grandpa Bone." She patted her small chest emphatically, producing a soft thump thump.
Shen An froze montarily, recalling the... uncomfortable sensation from before.
Ahem. "Good. But in the future, you should find a way to co to my place. I can't carry this dumbbell around every day."
Ning Rongrong's big eyes glead with mischief. "No problem! I'll just move in with you. I know how to convince my father."
---
"Big Brother Xue Beng, wake up! Are you okay?"
Xue Beng faintly heard soone calling him. His blurred vision slowly focused on one of his lackeys from Heaven Dou Academy.
As the empire's fourth prince, even as a notorious wastrel, many nobles still sought to curry favor with him—especially since his uncle, Prince Xue Xing, was the academy's true authority.
Fang Shuo fought back laughter at the sight of the usually domineering Xue Beng now looking like a dazed fool.
Helping him up, he fawned, "Big Brother, Teacher Sun noticed you were absent and sent to find you. What happened?"
Xue Beng's mories rushed back—how Shen An's cat had humiliated them with a re firecracker.
His face twisted with venomous hatred, fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
"Shen An! And that damned cat! How dare you attack ? I won't rest until I've flayed you both alive!"
"Cat? Shen An? Big Brother, who in our academy would dare provoke you? Tell , and I'll teach them a lesson!"
Fang Shuo's eyes lit up with excitent. This is my chance to rise in the ranks!
Xue Beng scoffed. "You? Worthless trash. Help up—I'm going to see my uncle. And get soone to carry Shao Hu and the others back."
Fang Shuo's eyes flashed with anger. I'm trash? Look who's talking—a royal parasite who can't compare to your eldest brother.
But he quickly plastered on a servile smile. "Right away, Big Brother!"
---
Headmaster's Office, Heaven Dou Royal Academy
Prince Xue Xing listened to the story, his expression darkening.
"So, you provoked Shen An?"
Xue Beng whined, "Uncle, I didn't start it! He injured Shao Hu first. I just asked for an apology, but he acted all high and mighty—even threatened !"
"I couldn't swallow that insult, so I tried to teach him a lesson. But he ended up humiliating instead! Uncle, you have to avenge !"
Xue Xing sighed in exasperation. "I told you—Shen An isn't just exceptionally talented, he's also under Dugu Bo's protection! And you picked a fight over pride?"
"I told you to lay low, not turn into an idiot! Keep this up, and you'll never surpass your eldest brother!"
Xue Beng's face twisted in frustration. Xue Qinghe again! But mories of his mysteriously deceased brothers quickly doused his anger with fear.
Seeing his nephew's soot-covered face and explosive hairstyle, Xue Xing relented. He's still family. Ti for damage control.
With a sigh, he said, "Shen An is best left alone. Dugu Bo personally told —Shen An is a great benefactor to his family."
Xue Beng pouted. "So I just let this slide?"
"As a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, being bullied by an outsider is unacceptable. Go find ng Shenji and the others—let them handle it."
A sly grin spread across Xue Xing's face, mirrored by Xue Beng.
If ng Shenji intervened, it would inevitably lead to conflict with Dugu Bo.
But if they refused, Xue Xing could report their inaction to the emperor, weakening their influence.
No wonder these two are so pleased with themselves.
---
Outside Zhu Zhuqing's room, Shen An pondered the relationship between soul power, sword intent, and techniques.
Jerry lounged on a beach chair, blissfully detached from the world—oversized coconut in paw, earplugs in, and an eye mask on.
Inside the room, unseen by others, Tom mirrored the scene—though his chair was a recliner.
Cat and mouse, masters of the art of doing nothing.
anwhile, Ning Rongrong imrsed herself in ditation. Since awakening her Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda and receiving her father's guidance, she had shed her laziness, determined to achieve what no one in her clan ever had—becoming a Titled Douluo.
Hm?
Shen An, leaning against a tree, suddenly straightened.
Three imnsely powerful auras were approaching—slowly, openly, without concealnt.
His eyes narrowed.
ng Shenji and the others?
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