Douluo; Zhongli Adventures in Mortal World with Paimon

"The entire sect has only me, Ning Rongrong, who meets Shrek's monster standards."

"As for you all, you're just a bunch of trash!"

When Ning Rongrong said this, it was like a thunderclap out of nowhere, leaving the two girls stunned.

If Ning Rongrong had possessed any other martial soul, they wouldn't have refuted her words, because it would have been possible for her to become a Soul Douluo or even a Title Douluo.

But they knew their own situation all too well. The limit of her martial soul was set in stone—what use was being a genius if the ceiling couldn't be broken?

Even after speaking so plainly, she showed no sign of repentance. Instead, she became even more arrogant!

No wonder both the Sect Master and the Supreme Elder wanted to lock her up in confinement. She deserved it. At this rate, it would be better to abolish her martial soul and let her fend for herself.

One of the girls, as if thinking of something, calmed herself and said, "Ning Rongrong, do you think you can break through to Soul Douluo?"

Ning Rongrong was momentarily stunned, feeling her brain freeze.

Break through to Soul Douluo?

Her martial soul was the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. How could she possibly break through to Soul Douluo? Among all the direct descendants of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, not a single one had ever achieved that, including her father, Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi had been stuck at level 79 for many years. Yet, because of the limitations of his martial soul, he could never break through to level 80.

Seeing Ning Rongrong fall silent, the girl shrugged and continued, "See? You can't."

"Being born with innate levels of six, seven, eight, or even nine spirit power just determines how quickly one breaks through early on. For us, it's just a matter of speed."

As long as someone had the qualifications to become a Soul Sage, achieving that rank was practically guaranteed under the protection of the sect.

The other girl folded her arms across her chest and said indifferently, "To the sect, your only worth, aside from being the Sect Master's daughter, lies in the potential of upgrading your martial soul to the Eight Treasures. That's the real reason you're cherished."

Ning Fengzhi had only one daughter, and she was the most talented. But he had plenty of sons! If his sons were useless, the sect tradition was to step down and make way for someone more capable.

"No, that's impossible!"

Ning Rongrong shook her head furiously. She refused to believe it. Even though her heart had wavered, she didn't want to accept their words.

She had always been the pampered young lady of the sect, the apple of her father's and the two grandfathers' eyes. How could that just be because of her potential?

Wait... didn't this just prove her exceptional talent?

But...

What they had just said wasn't entirely unreasonable.

If someone could become a Soul Sage, what harm would there be in taking a little longer to reach it?

"Face the reality, Ning Rongrong. The illusion you've constructed for yourself has already been shattered."

"The sect needs a Sect Master like your father, not a brainless person like you."

"Shrek? Shrek is just a scam of an academy. Do you really think you became a 'monster' by going there?"

"You didn't. It's just that this group of so-called monsters got tricked into going to Shrek."

The two of them took turns belittling Shrek Academy, tearing it apart. But what they said was all true; they weren't trying to deceive Ning Rongrong.

"Only those above level 25 at the age of 12 qualify for admission. Do you really think the sect would be worse at nurturing such talents than Shrek Academy?"

"Miss, you should really check if there's something wrong with your brain!"

"No, wait. After what you said to us earlier, you don't deserve to be our young mistress. Even if the Sect Master himself were here, we'd still say the same!"

Honestly, they had a point.

Outside the room, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong stood listening. Their expressions were dark as iron.

After exchanging a glance, they shook their heads and quietly left.

Once they were far enough away, Ning Fengzhi finally said, "Ning Rongrong is beyond saving. Even if we bring her back, she'll never win over the others."

"Agreed."

Gu Rong nodded. This time, he had no more hope.

Ning Rongrong was truly a lost cause.

Some thoughts should only ever remain unspoken. Once they were voiced, the implications were entirely different.

She had the qualifications to look down on her peers, but she lacked the intellect to match them.

"It's our fault—we spoiled her."

Suddenly, Gu Rong seemed to think of something. Turning to Ning Fengzhi, he said, "Fengzhi, since Ning Rongrong is beyond saving, you need to start carefully considering the matter of the next Sect Master."

"I understand, Uncle Bone."

Ning Fengzhi nodded.

He and Gu Rong had planned to give Ning Rongrong one last chance, but they never imagined she would say something so "adorable."

Today, she insulted the direct disciples. Tomorrow, she'd oppress the elders. And the day after that...

"As long as you understand. I won't say any more."

"This is on all of us—you, me, and Sword Douluo. We've all made mistakes. Let's make sure this never happens again."

Gu Rong's tone was stern and righteous.

The sect disciples already harbored deep resentment toward Ning Rongrong. Now that the decision to "abandon" her had been made, it was actually a relief for everyone.

Ning Fengzhi glanced sideways at Gu Rong, his emotions complicated.

"Let's head to the council chamber for today's meeting, Uncle Bone."

"Alright."

Before long, the two arrived at the council chamber.

Chen Xin was already seated, silent, seemingly deep in thought.

The sect's elders, both major and minor, sat neatly in their chairs, their expressions contemplative.

When the two entered, the others finally snapped out of their thoughts.

"Greetings, Sect Master. Greetings, Elder Bone."

After everyone was seated again, they seemed hesitant to speak.

It was clear they didn't know how to broach the topic.

Not speaking felt like a betrayal of the sect. But speaking up felt like courting death.

"In the council chamber, we've always encouraged open discussion. Why are you all so hesitant today?"

Ning Fengzhi scanned the room, frowning in confusion.

Hearing this, the elders exchanged glances. Finally, one of them gritted his teeth as if making a decision.

"Sect Master, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Ning Fengzhi: "..."

If you think you shouldn't say it, then don't.

But since you've made up your mind, just spit it out.

After a moment of thought, Ning Fengzhi said, "Go ahead. What is it?"

"Sect Master, the young mistress is still a genius after all—"

"Enough!"

Ning Fengzhi raised a hand to cut him off. He stood from his seat and looked around, noticing how tense the elders were. Finally, he said, "There's no need to plead on Ning Rongrong's behalf."

"From this day forward, she will no longer be a candidate for Sect Master."

The elders: "..."

Upon hearing this, their expressions remained the same. They had already expected this outcome.

"Hmm?"

Seeing their unchanged reactions, Ning Fengzhi grew even more puzzled.

Wasn't this exactly the issue they wanted to address?

"Sect Master, the young mistress is still a genius after all!"

The leading elder clasped his hands together again, raising his voice on the word "genius."

Ning Rongrong's identity wasn't the focus. Her talent was.

This time, Ning Fengzhi "saw the light." His eyes widened in disbelief.

These old foxes—so they had been scheming against him all along!

No wonder they looked so afraid of speaking yet couldn't hold back.