Douluo; Zhongli Adventures in Mortal World with Paimon

Oscar was stunned, looking at Ning Fengzhi with some confusion.

It wasn't that he didn't understand what Ning Fengzhi was saying.

Rather, he was puzzled as to why Ning Fengzhi was telling him these things.

Thinking carefully, if he were in Ning Fengzhi's position, he wouldn't have any better solutions either.

On one side was the royal family—untouchable.

On the other side was the Body Sect—unapproachable.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would have to be suicidal to offend both sides by supporting Shrek Academy.

The fact that they hadn't made a move against Shrek Academy was already the greatest mercy they could offer.

"Oscar, I only have one question for you," Ning Fengzhi suddenly said, his expression turning solemn, his gaze piercing.

"Wh-what question?"

"Are you willing to give up your freedom, give up Shrek Academy, your friends, and your teachers for Rongrong?" Ning Fengzhi asked bluntly.

Oscar's situation was something Ning Fengzhi understood fairly well.

He had good talent and character. Most importantly, he genuinely liked Ning Rongrong.

And Ning Rongrong had some affection for him as well.

Given Ning Rongrong's disposition, whether her partner had combat power wasn't the most critical concern. What mattered was talent.

One was innately level nine, the other innately full spirit power. The potential of their child was unimaginable.

Even if the occasional exception like Yu Xiaogang came along, as long as one extraordinary talent emerged, it would be enough.

Ning Rongrong: "???"

The occasional one or two exceptions??

In the original timeline, Oscar and Ning Rongrong did not have children, which contributed to the gradual decline of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

Hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, Oscar fell into deep thought.

Give up the academy, freedom, teachers, and friends?

This was something he had never considered before.

But for Ning Fengzhi to ask this, he must have his reasons.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean," Oscar said.

"If you give these up, you can be with Rongrong—even if you aren't a Battle Spirit Master. You should know the rules of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. This is already an exception," Ning Fengzhi said, his expression unchanged.

Oscar's entire body shook as he looked at Ning Fengzhi in disbelief.

He wasn't stupid. On the contrary, he could be considered the smartest of the Shrek Seven Devils! He simply chose not to point things out most of the time.

After thinking for a moment, Oscar eventually shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Master Ning, but I can't give up the academy, my teachers, and my friends."

As for freedom, what freedom did someone of his current strength even have?

"It's true that I like Rongrong, but I'll work hard for her, no matter how much effort it takes. One day, I'll prove that I'm worthy of her!" Oscar declared firmly, his voice resolute and unwavering.

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi exchanged a glance with Chenxin, both of their expressions twitching slightly.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had studied auxiliary systems for many years, including food-type systems.

Even if Oscar gained combat strength, how could it compare to a true Battle Spirit Master?

"Ahem…"

"Young man, it's good to have ambition, and I believe in you too. But how long will it take for you to prove yourself? Three to five years? Or thirty to fifty years?"

"You can wait, but can Rongrong wait?"

"Oscar, let me be frank. If we wait ten or eight years, I might already have several grandchildren," Ning Fengzhi said, his tone calm.

Oscar: "???"

Chenxin: "…"

Oscar's mouth opened slightly as if he wanted to say something, but the words seemed stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

This time, he truly understood.

Give up freedom?

It turned out not to mean the freedom he had imagined but true freedom!

"If you and Sword Douluo have the ability to bring me to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, why, why do you leave the choice to me?"

Oscar slumped to the ground, clutching his head in pain.

On one side were the academy, teachers, and friends.

On the other was the person he liked.

Both were things he couldn't bear to part with.

He was merely a Spirit Elder, and not even a combat-type one at that. Any random Battle Spirit Master could easily capture him and solve the problem.

Why did they leave such a decision to him?

"We respect your choice. After all, you're not the only option," Ning Fengzhi said.

Slumped on the ground, Oscar's eyes lost some of their usual brilliance.

"She's your daughter. Why, why has it come to this…" Oscar muttered after a long while.

"Because we're weak," Ning Fengzhi said calmly.

"And that's why we must face reality," he added.

"I carry the lives and futures of the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan on my shoulders. There's no room for carelessness or leniency."

"If time could turn back, I would never have let Ning Rongrong attend Shrek Academy," Ning Fengzhi concluded.

Hearing this, Oscar fell into deep thought once again.

"Can I at least finish this year's competition before going?" he asked after a moment.

"This competition is important to Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Dean Flender."

"You're too smart, Oscar. And smart people always have hard lives," Ning Fengzhi said with a sigh.

Oscar forced a bitter smile. If he had a choice, he would rather not be so clever.

"Does this mean the Sect Master agrees?"

"Hmm…" Ning Fengzhi nodded.

"You know full well that you have no chance this year. Why insist?"

"Xiao Feilian alone is enough to defeat you. Even a Spirit Sage might not be able to beat her.

"Not to mention the grandson of the Body Sect's deputy sect master. He has undergone a Silver-level second awakening and can even fight a Spirit Sage."

"Against them, even Soul Kings from the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation are as insignificant as ants."

Ning Fengzhi stood with his hands behind his back, his tone calm but incisive.

Oscar's expression, however, remained unchanged.

Did he not know the strength of Xiao Feilian and the others?

He knew, but so what?

If they avoided it now, they would never be able to face them, let alone defeat them.

"If it's me alone, I stand no chance. But Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Fatty—they will break through their limits and soar," Oscar said, his voice filled with determination.

"If they can't break through the shackles in their hearts, they will remain mediocre forever. They might as well be farmers living a peaceful life."

Oscar smiled as if recalling something and continued, "Honestly, if not for the dean bringing me to Shrek Academy, my lifelong dream would have been just to eat my fill and marry a wife…"

"And now?"

"My dream has come true, and I even have a wife. Surely the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan wouldn't starve me, right?" Oscar said, spreading his hands with a faint smile, though his eyes seemed to dim.

"That won't happen," Ning Fengzhi said.

"If you manage to reach a higher level, acquiring spirit rings will still be possible."

Hearing this, Oscar's dimming eyes suddenly lit up. He clenched his fists tightly.

Fate had not completely abandoned him!

He still had a chance to change his and Ning Rongrong's destiny!