Chapter 440: You Pass!
Within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the records about Ning Rongrong were heavily exaggerated. Stories claimed that when she was born, auspicious clouds appeared in the sky, and all kinds of miraculous omens manifested throughout the sect. This was normal after all, since the founding of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she was the first to become a god while possessing the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda Martial Soul. It was an achievement worth celebrating and remembering by the entire sect. Otherwise, there would have been no reason to rename the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong hesitated. She couldn't actually follow through with a death sentence for Ning Tian. But spoken words were like spilled water once said, they couldn't be taken back. If she didn't provide a justification for not punishing Ning Tian, how could she proceed with testing her in the next two trials?
After some thought, she decided to use the same old trick whipping to make Ning Tian reconsider.
A golden whip lashed against Ning Tian, instantly tearing part of her clothing and leaving a fresh, bloody mark on her exposed skin. She cried out in pain.
Ning Rongrong spoke. "Refusing to answer the question, you are punished with one lash. Considering your young age, I will give you one more chance. Tell me, do you have someone you love?"
Ning Tian did not open her eyes. She remained silent, as if she was genuinely waiting for the so called death punishment.
At that moment, Wu Feng grew anxious. She couldn't hear anything, but through the transparent bubble surrounding her, she could see Ning Tian getting hurt. Rage surged through her.
In the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Tian was always the young sect master, treated like a noble lady. Wu Feng had been by her side for many years and knew that Ning Tian had never suffered such humiliation. Whenever danger arose, Wu Feng had always been there to stand by Ning Tian, protecting her and facing hardships together.
She did love Ning Tian this much was true. Seeing Ning Tian wounded felt as if she herself had been struck.
She could endure being whipped. But if Ning Tian was harmed, Wu Feng wouldn't stay silent.
Hot tempered by nature, Wu Feng, now consumed by fury, lost her composure and roared, "Unforgivable! How dare you hurt Ning Tian! So what if you're a god? Bullying the weak with your power how despicable! No matter how strong you are, you can't hide your wicked nature!
One day, I will become a god, ascend to the Divine Realm, and even if I have to sacrifice my life, I will rip your head off so that everyone can see what happens to those who dare to harm Ning Tian!"
Though the transparent bubble prevented her voice from reaching the outside world, and likewise blocked external sounds from entering, Ning Rongrong, as the controller of Qiankun Wenqing Valley, could hear her loud and clear.
She was furious. It had been many years since anyone had dared speak to her in such a manner. Wu Feng's words were outright disrespectful this was insubordination.
"Insolence! You will be punished with three lashes!"
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Wu Feng cried out as three fresh wounds appeared on her body. If she hadn't been a disciple of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong would have punished her even more severely.
Ning Rongrong then turned her gaze back to Ning Tian, who still refused to answer. Feeling helpless, she finally spoke.
"You remain steadfast in your beliefs, unwilling to bow to the strong. Even when faced with the threat of death, you remain fearless. You must truly be someone who is loyal to love and will never betray it. You have passed the first trial of True Heart!"
Huo Yuhao listened to this, thinking to himself that it had played out exactly as he had expected. No matter what Ning Tian did, she was destined to pass the trial. Whether it was due to divine laws or Ning Rongrong's own sentiments, she would never truly harm Ning Tian.
As for Tang San, he still had to maintain his pure and righteous image among the Seven Monsters of Shrek there was no way he would interfere and stop Ning Rongrong now.
"I passed? Just like that?" Ning Tian was in disbelief. She hadn't expected to clear the first trial so quickly.
At that moment, Huo Yuhao's influence over Ning Tian's thoughts gradually faded, and she began returning to her usual self.
Thinking back on what had just happened, she felt that she had been uncharacteristically forceful. Normally, she wouldn't have spoken in such a way.
Was this the effect of the divine entity's influence?
No, something still felt off. If the divine entity could manipulate her to that extent, why would it bother asking her questions at all?
A deep sense of confusion settled in her mind.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong released Wu Feng from the bubble and quickly conducted her test. However, she shortened many of her planned tricks and difficult questions. As a result, Wu Feng passed the first trial in no time.
After all, Wu Feng's earlier declaration had already been outrageous. Ning Rongrong worried that if she gave her more chances to speak, she might say something even more absurd and anger Third Brother. So, she simply let her pass quickly.
In Ning Rongrong's eyes, Tang San had always been a righteous and pure hearted person.
However, he had also survived countless bloody battles. Although he only killed those who deserved it, this proved that he wasn't a man without a temper.
If Wu Feng blurted out something even more extreme and it reached Third Brother's ears, he would undoubtedly be displeased. Though Tang San wouldn't punish juniors, as the sixth ranked member of the Seven Monsters of Shrek, Ning Rongrong didn't want to see him upset.
She wanted her Third Brother who had helped her so much to be in a good mood every day.
Soon, Ning Rongrong began testing the other students.
Having already passed the first trial, Huo Yuhao hid within Ning Tian's spiritual sea, observing the situation. When he saw Bei Bei step onto the platform, he knew that the next one to be tested would be Zhang Lexuan.
That's right the senior sister of Shrek Academy's inner court was also here. Her official reason for coming to the Sun Moon Empire was to protect the students from external dangers.
Though she wasn't as strong as Elder Xuan, she was still powerful and more than capable of shielding others.
In truth, she had always loved Bei Bei and wanted to truly become his wife. Her real reason for coming was to protect him because to her, Bei Bei was more important than anything else.
Then came Ning Rongrong's questioning of Bei Bei, a recreation of a classic moment asking him if he would castrate himself to save Tang Ya.
Of course, this was just Ning Rongrong indulging in her mischievous side.
Bei Bei was, after all, a descendant of Yu Xiaogang. There was no way Ning Rongrong would actually make him go through with it. Even though Yu Xiaogang was long dead, Ning Rongrong wasn't that cruel.
Before long, Bei Bei passed the first trial.
One by one, the others also cleared it under Ning Rongrong's questioning.
However, among them were also a few who were exempt from the test.
Her voice echoed across the trial grounds.
"The first round of True Heart is complete. The second round of the Adventure begins now. Those exempt from the test, proceed directly to the third trial."
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