Douluo Dalu 1: The Tang Family Rebel

"Oscar, just how far is this lap?" Ning Rongrong's voice carried a hint of helplessness.

At the beginning, she was full of confidence. Even though she was an auxiliary-type Soul Master, her father had always required her to train her body at home. What he said was almost identical to what Flender had told her before.

So, her physical condition wasn't bad. Although she couldn't compare to Battle Soul Masters, years of training had not only given her a healthy physique but also made her especially good at running.

However, from the moment they left the academy until now, following Oscar's lead, Ning Rongrong hadn't even completed a single lap. Quite a bit of time had already passed. At this pace, forget about finishing by noon—even getting to dinner on time would be a problem. Moreover, her stamina was gradually declining, making it impossible to maintain her speed indefinitely.

Oscar smiled bitterly. "I told you from the beginning, this is basically an impossible task. But don't worry—when have us two auxiliary-type Soul Masters ever been afraid of going hungry together? Do you want something to eat…?"

Ning Rongrong glanced at him. Though still young, her charming gaze carried a hint of allure. Oscar felt his bones go weak under her look and let out a cheeky laugh. "I, your father, have a big, delicious sausage!"

A flash of light appeared, and a fragrant sausage materialized in his hand as he offered it to her.

"My sausage—my first soul ring ability—restores stamina. Not only does it promote healing, but it also replenishes energy. Have some. With this, forget twenty laps—even two hundred wouldn't be a problem."

Ning Rongrong looked at Oscar with a strange expression before suddenly uttering a rather bold remark. "I, your mother, have two thick slices of bread. Eat your damn sausage."

With that, her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda floated into the air. The agility enhancement was activated, and her speed abruptly increased as she sprinted forward.

"Uh…" Oscar was momentarily stunned. It wasn't just him—if Tang San or Dai Mubai were here, they too would have been shocked to hear such words from someone as elegant as Ning Rongrong.

They had no idea what kind of role Ning Rongrong played in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

And finally, even Ning Rongrong couldn't suppress her true nature anymore, revealing a glimpse of her real self.

…

With her agility boost, Ning Rongrong ran for a while longer but soon found herself struggling to keep going.

"This is way too long. I'm done running!" Ning Rongrong muttered. She veered toward the main road, intending to head straight to Soto City for a big meal before taking a leisurely stroll.

After all, she was the young lady of a noble clan. Sneaking out from home was for fun—studying was just an excuse.

Shrek Academy? That was merely a cover for her escapade.

Just as Ning Rongrong was about to leave the academy grounds, she suddenly noticed a figure leaning against a tree on the road ahead, as if waiting for her.

"Teacher Tang, what a coincidence! What are you doing here?" Ning Rongrong looked at the figure before her, feeling a little guilty. After all, a student skipping training and running into a teacher could never act completely nonchalant.

"Ning Rongrong, where exactly are you going?" Yun Chuan, who had been lying in wait for a while, looked at her with a half-smile. He thought to himself, Finally, I've caught you, little troublemaker.

"I… I…" Ning Rongrong's beautiful sapphire-like eyes darted around as she quickly thought up various excuses. In the end, she decided to just tell the truth. After all, in her eyes, the headmaster was simply making things difficult for her.

"I'm going to Soto City." She decided to go all in and speak frankly.

"Oh, going to Soto City?" Yun Chuan nodded knowingly before tilting his head slightly and saying, "But don't you think you're forgetting something?"

"Huh? Forgetting something? I have a great memory—I haven't forgotten anything!" Ning Rongrong's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression innocent, clearly trying to play dumb.

"I recall Headmaster Flender giving you a task—to run twenty laps around the village. Have you finished all twenty?" Seeing that she was still pretending, Yun Chuan decided to cut straight to the point.

Since Yun Chuan had exposed her so bluntly, Ning Rongrong gave up on pretending. Her face changed as she directly admitted, "No, I haven't finished running. But that headmaster is just being unreasonable! Twenty laps? That's impossible!"

Yun Chuan looked at her helplessly. In truth, twenty laps were a lot, but if she worked hard, she could definitely complete them with her current abilities. She would just be exhausted afterward. But clearly, the pampered and spoiled Ning Rongrong wasn't willing to suffer like this.

Seeing Yun Chuan's expression, Ning Rongrong's face darkened further. She simply dropped all pretenses and declared, "Tang Chuan! Just because I call you 'teacher' doesn't mean you actually have the right to control me. I advise you to mind your own business! If you think you can force me back, dream on!"

With that, she took a few steps forward.

"Heh, finally couldn't keep up the act, huh?" Yun Chuan chuckled at her shift in attitude. He shook his head and said, "As long as you're still a student of Shrek, I am still your teacher. That means today, if you don't finish those twenty laps, you won't be leaving! I don't normally lay a hand on girls, but I don't mind making an exception once in a while."

"…" Ning Rongrong suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"If you don't want to suffer, go back and finish your task." Yun Chuan continued in a leisurely tone.

For girls like her, who had been spoiled all their lives, simply trying to win her favor wouldn't work—doing so would only turn one into a mere sycophant. The only way to leave a lasting impression on her was to shatter her pride and make her realize her own weakness.

And once an impression was made—good or bad—it meant that the strategy to conquer her was already halfway successful.

So today, Yun Chuan, who usually treated women with gentlemanly respect, was acting like a total hardliner. A rare sight indeed, but all part of the plan.

Listening to Yun Chuan's calm yet firm words, Ning Rongrong's face turned livid with anger. She finally exploded, glaring at him with her beautiful eyes. "Who do you think you are to control me? This is just an academy! Tang Chuan, if you dare lay a finger on me, you won't be able to handle the consequences!"

She had always been pampered. In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, everyone catered to her every whim. Yet now, this man—though admittedly good-looking—was actually stopping her? Unacceptable!

"Of course, it's the headmaster who gave me the authority to keep an eye on you," Yun Chuan said nonchalantly, subtly throwing Flender under the bus. If the two Titled Douluos of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan ever came seeking revenge, the first one they'd deal with would undoubtedly be the headmaster. As for himself? He might not even be at the academy by then. After all, his time here was bound to be short.

"If you think this is just an academy and you don't want to follow its rules, you're welcome to leave! As for consequences? Do you think I, Tang Chuan, fear your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?" His calm tone carried a powerful aura, making Ning Rongrong involuntarily take a few steps back.

Yes, a twenty-five-year-old Soul Sage.

What did that mean?

It meant that at the very least, he was destined to become a Titled Douluo in the future.

And someone who reached this level so young—if he didn't have powerful backing, even Ning Rongrong wouldn't believe it. So trying to intimidate him with her clan's name? Likely ineffective.

"You!"

Ning Rongrong trembled with fury.

"I don't believe you actually dare to hit me!"

She huffed, stepping forward. She refused to believe he would actually lay a hand on her. No one had ever dared treat her this way before.

As she passed by him, Yun Chuan silently extended his foot and lightly tripped her.

Thud!

Ning Rongrong fell to the ground.

Yun Chuan sighed and said casually, "You were right—I wouldn't hit you. But I never said I wouldn't trip you."

"You—you!"

Ning Rongrong's eyes welled up with tears.

For the first time in her life, someone had dared treat her like this.

Fine! Very well!

you have successfully caught my attention!