Chapter Sixteen: A Wealthy Woman Submits a Funding Proposal—Will You Accept?

One month remained before the academy’s quarterly assessment. Ning Wuque did not act out of line; after a day of deep meditation, he reported to the academy and checked in, then went alone to the training ground to exercise.

Following his previous communication with his spirit beast, Ning Wuque had now achieved a preliminary ability to enter a deep possession state in harmony with his spirit beast. He could directly bear the beast soul within his body, gaining the physical enhancements of spirit possession without altering his appearance, as well as some of the spirit beast’s inherent abilities.

Currently, due to the imperfect compatibility between them, Ning Wuque’s tests showed that the deep possession only provided about sixty percent of the usual enhancement compared to ordinary possession.

Yet!

This enhancement would gradually increase over time, becoming more perfect as the bond between Ning Wuque and his spirit beast grew closer, potentially surpassing the original values to deliver over one hundred and twenty percent of the possession bonus!

It could be regarded as a toned-down version of the spirit beast fusion technique—the higher the compatibility, the more extraordinary the power.

...

Just as Ning Wuque reappeared at the familiar refresh point within the academy after more than a month’s absence, not far off, Ning Tian, who had been waiting at the observation point every day since Ning Wuque’s disappearance two weeks prior, was present along with Wu Feng, who was inevitably always by Ning Tian’s side.

“Big Sister Tian, that guy actually came back? I thought he’d given up,” said Wu Feng, her arms crossed. Despite being only nine years old, she already carried an aura of maturity, standing at about 1.6 meters with a high-arched nose that practically declared her superiority.

Beside her, Ning Tian looked quite different—shorter by a full head at 1.5 meters, her delicate face lit with surprise and relief upon seeing Ning Wuque again.

“Little Feng, he won’t give up. Didn’t I hear? He’s already obtained his first spirit ring and entered deep meditation. Maybe this quarterly assessment will mark a bright future for him.”

“So what? The top spot will definitely be me and Sister Feng! I’m the best in the entire grade. With your boost, Big Sister Tian, I can take him down with a single swipe!”

As she spoke, Wu Feng couldn’t help but hum proudly, imagining how she would impress Big Sister Tian. Perhaps she could even teach a lesson to Ning Wuque, who had always been a bit ‘ungrateful.’

Hehe~ So happy~

“Honestly... sigh, let’s go see him. It’s been a while, and I wonder how much he’s improved.”

With a helpless shake of her head, Ning Tian called Wu Feng and they walked toward Ning Wuque.

---

Soon, the two arrived beside Ning Wuque, who was doing one-handed push-ups. When they were about ten meters away, he sensed their presence. Hearing two distinct footsteps, he relaxed and resumed his training.

At this time, most others were still in class, so these two were the only ones who would come looking for him besides those few others.

“Ning Wuque, you’re back?”

“Mm.”

“Hey, Big Sister Tian is greeting you! Why don’t you stand up and respond? That’s so rude!”

Seeing Ning Wuque continue his workout while giving a perfunctory reply, Wu Feng instantly became irritated.

Fortunately, Ning Tian stopped her in time, patting her shoulder to signal quiet, then turned to Ning Wuque and asked:

“Ning Wuque, how’s your preparation for the quarterly assessment? Do you need me to help you?”

“Huh?”

Ning Wuque paused his exercise and slowly stood, looking at Ning Tian with a puzzled expression.

What’s this about?

He wasn’t surprised that Ning Tian and Wu Feng came to find him. Ever since they officially met, Ning Tian often brought Wu Feng along during unnecessary class hours.

Sometimes they’d sit nearby reading advanced books; other times they practiced the “Distraction Control Technique,” while Wu Feng trained her soul power.

At first, Ning Wuque couldn’t understand why until Ning Tian explained:

“Because training at home never felt motivating, but seeing how hard you work makes me want to try harder. So to keep pushing myself, I just follow you.”

The effect of peer pressure in full swing: only with strong willpower can one persist when working alone, but when you see others striving, you want to strive alongside them.

Ning Tian, as the young sect leader, lacked no reason to work hard; what she lacked was the drive and motivation.

Ning Wuque’s daily routine thus became a kind of oasis for Ning Tian, serving as her “simulated environment” for assisted training.

Although this connection raised their relationship to the level of friendship, it wasn’t enough for Ning Tian to openly offer her help.

“There’s nothing much to prepare. You’ve seen my strength for yourself. It won’t be much different. So, no need for help.”

Ning Wuque shook his head, refusing Ning Tian’s offer.

He thought of that guy named Ao from ten thousand years ago, and the other name for Douluo Continent, and he didn’t want to end up like someone shot seven times in the back and declared a suicide.

Normally, Ning Tian wouldn’t be the type to fall for him.

But this was Douluo Continent! Ning Wuque couldn’t be sure that dangerous “what if” wouldn’t happen to him.

Being sponsored by a wealthy woman would be nice, but only if her family didn’t care about her future and her happiness was paramount.

Clearly, Ning Tian was not that kind of wealthy woman.

Nor did Ning Wuque deserve leniency; his spirit beast, innate soul power, and path were too unstable.

“Hey, what do you mean by that? Do you look down on my Big Sister Tian? Others would kill to—”

“Enough, Little Feng! Sorry, Wuque, I’ve always wanted Feng to be more polite, but...”

“It’s fine. We’ve known each other for two years. I don’t mind.”

How could an adult get angry at a child? At worst, he’d just punch her awake during the quarterly assessment!

The more Ning Wuque acted indifferent, the more embarrassed Ning Tian became. Her upbringing was too good, making her personality gentle, and she was a sensitive girl.

Within her heart, the guilt she felt toward Ning Wuque because of Wu Feng deepened.

Clearly, both Feng and Wuque were her good friends; they should share double the happiness.

But why had things turned out this way?

“Well, if you don’t need help... can I invest in you? This is... my first investment. I learned from my father, and it’s just that... just that...”

Ning Tian stammered, her tone faltering with guilt and hesitation, stumbling over the backup plan she had drafted.

As a friend (though one-sided) and through her “simulated environment” assistance, Ning Tian truly wished to help Ning Wuque achieve his dreams.

She was still just a child; no matter her lofty status, she couldn’t change the fact that her intentions were pure and heartfelt.