Chapter 20 : Who is the MC?

As the kids introduced themselves, I couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of dread. It started as a tickle in the back of my mind, but by the time Wang Mie shyly mentioned her two concepts, it had blossomed into full-blown anxiety.

"Okay, this might not be good," I muttered under my breath. I could already see where this was heading.

Ning Jian stood there, talking with my adoptive mother, Ning Lian, while the kids continued their introductions. His expression was calm, but there was a glint in his eye that hinted at something more. How in the world did he manage to find all these prodigious kids? It was like he had some sort of supernatural radar for talent.

"That Ning Jian is not someone normal," I thought, my suspicion growing two notches higher. "All of this suggests one thing... MC incoming."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This was an extremely unusual situation. Four people with special physiques in one place, three of them with mid-level concepts. In the world of cultivation, this was practically unheard of. And to top it off, Ning Jian was like a magnet for these prodigies. First, he finds the Naga's Gem, then he gives birth to someone like Ning Rong, and now he stumbles upon these talented kids. It was like he was the Jiraiya of this world, gathering potential Narutos. But which one was the true Naruto?

"Hey, Feng'er, what's with the serious face?" Ning Rong's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was looking at me with a mix of curiosity and concern.

I forced a smile. "Oh, nothing. Just... amazed at the talent we have here."

She raised an eyebrow. "Amazed or worried?"

I chuckled nervously. "Maybe a bit of both."

Ning Rong looked at the other kids, her eyes narrowing slightly. "They are impressive, aren't they?"

"Yeah," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "Almost too impressive." I thought to myself.

I shook my head, trying to make sense of it all. This was all too much to be mere coincidence. "Ning Jian is way too lucky for all of this to make any sense. He must have some sort of plot armor."

But then, my worry crept back in. "Am I going to get swept up in the fate of these chosen ones? Am I a MC magnet?" the mere of thought of it sent shivers down my spine.

I imagined myself getting dragged into epic battles, secret realms, and who knows what else, just because I happened to be around all these prodigies. "Great, just great," I thought, rolling my eyes. "I just wanted to have a peaceful life, programming runes and calculating formations."

As the kids continued their introductions and discussions, I couldn't help but laugh internally at the absurdity of it all. "This is like some kind of parody," I mused. "Here I am, an average guy with no special talents, surrounded by future world-shakers. What are the odds?"

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud exclamation from Li Liang. "So, Ning Rong, what about you? What's your story?"

“ As you all know my name is Ning Rong, I am 8 years old , I have a special physique as well , I became eight today and I like to battle.” She said while subtly glancing at me.

I understood what she was asking about whether she should mention her concepts , I have told her before to never mention it to anyone and even if she does, don’t mention that she has two concepts of mid level as even in the clan only Ning Lian , clan leader and now probably Ning Jian knows about it, everyone else in the clan thinks that she one mid level concept , Soul concept in her special physique.

“ I also became eight years old today , so we have our birthday on the same day” for the first time she showed a smile “happy Birthday ” Wang mei said a with less awkwardness than before.

It seems like kids do get comfortable a lot quicker when they have something in common.

“What about you little guy, what’s your name?” Wang mei ruffled my hair as she asked. Girls were usually taller than boys their age before puberty and she was 2 years older , so in normal cases this would have been fine but I am actually her fathers age on the inside.

My face turned red not embarrassment but from indignity .

“Ha Ha Ha , don’t be shy kid , tell this elder sister about yourself” she said with kind smile .

Look who is talking about being shy , you damn mouse. He cursed in his mind and swatted her hand away .

On the side Ning Rong was laughing hard , I felt like she was about to burst into tears.

“Come on, Feng’er, introduce yourself properly,” Ning Rong teased, her voice shaking with laughter.

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I took a deep breath and looked at Wang Mei, who was still waiting expectantly. “I’m Ning Feng. I’m six years old, and… well, I have a normal physique.”

Wang Mei blinked in surprise. “Really? No special abilities at all?”

I rolled my eyes What you think special physiques grow on trees or something

I shook my head, feeling a bit annoyed. “Nope. Just your average, everyday physique.”

Ning Rong snorted with laughter again, and I shot her another glare. “It’s not funny, Rong Rong,” I muttered.

She tried to stifle her laughter but failed miserably. “Sorry, Feng. It’s just… you’re so serious about it.”

I sighed, feeling my earlier indignity return. “Well, not everyone can be as special as you lot,” I said, trying to sound polite. kids are so hard to deal with.

Wang Mei reached out to ruffle my hair again, but I quickly dodged out of her reach. “Don’t worry, Ning Feng,” she said with a kind smile. “I’m sure you’ll find something you are good at .” at least she tried to be polite.

“Yeah, like his talent for runes,” Ning Rong boasted as if she was talking about her own talent.

“What?” Wang Mei asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Runes” she repeated more loudly. “He is pretty good at runes. It’s not as flashy as a special physique, but it’s very useful.”

“Feng is really good at that. ”

Wang Mei’s eyes widened in admiration. “That’s really impressive, Ning Feng. I’d love to learn more about runes from you.”

I couldn’t help but feel a bit pleased at her interest. “Sure, I’d be happy to teach you what I know,” I said, feeling a bit more confident. Well showing off isn't that bad since I am only Six years old. he chuckled.

“Teach? Someone like you?” Li Liang interjected, looking at me with a mix of amusement and disdain. “You’re just a kid with a normal physique. What could you possibly teach?” Here comes the young master type . Ning feng could only roll his eyes.

Ning Rong’s smile faded, replaced by a look of irritation. “Li Liang, that’s enough. Feng has his own strengths. Not everyone needs a special physique to be valuable.”

Wang Mei frowned as well, clearly displeased by Li Liang’s attitude. “Li Liang, you shouldn’t look down on others. Everyone has something unique to offer. It’s not fair to look down on others.”

Li Liang shrugged, unrepentant. “I’m just stating the facts. Without a special physique, he’s always going to be behind.”

Ning Rong’s irritation was palpable. She stepped forward, her dark pink eyes flashing with determination. “If you’re so confident in your abilities, why don’t you back them up with action? I challenge you to a sparring match, right here, right now.”

Li Liang’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with interest. “You think you can take me on? Fine, I accept your challenge.”

Wang Mei looked concerned. “Rong Rong, are you sure about this?”

Ning Rong nodded firmly. “I won’t let anyone belittle my family.”

Li Liang looked taken aback for a moment but then smirked. “Fine. Let’s see if you are enough to take me down. Let’s see what you’ve got, young mistress”

Wang Mei sighed, looking between them with concern. “Is this really necessary?”

I watched as the two squared off, feeling a mix of apprehension and excitement. This was going to be interesting. Knowing Ning Rong, she wouldn’t hold back, and it would be a good lesson for Li Liang.

“Alright, let’s make this quick,” Li Liang said confidently, taking his stance.

Ning Rong mirrored his stance, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t worry, I won’t take too much of your time.”

As they prepared to face off, I couldn’t help but think about how unpredictable this world was. Even in the midst of all these prodigies, I’d find my own way to stand out. And who knows? Maybe I’d surprise them all. I thought with a smile on my face .

With a final glance at me, Ning Rong smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Feng. I’ve got this.”

I hope it does not start some MC revenge quest or something similar.

I nodded, hoping she’d teach Li Liang a lesson he wouldn’t forget. This was going to be one birthday to remember.

She is worthy of being my student , Ning feng thought while wiping off an imaginary tear from his eyes.

“ Just so you know I am already at the limit of initial stage body tempering realm and I will give you a chance to back down , I don’t like to hurt pretty girls.” Li Liang said.

“Don’t care” Ning Rong replied with a blank expression.

Suddenly Li liang moved with a movement technique which caused a explosion and propelled him towards Ning Rong . His raised his fist and used another technique , his arms were covered in fire and then started to get concentrated on his fists , he was fire concept but at a preliminary stage , he has not reached initial level in his concept yet .

But the moment he came close to Rong , he stopped as all he could see in front of him were two dark pink nebulas the colour of her eyes rotating in front of him , he felt as if his soul was about to get sucked in it , he screamed but no one helped , all he could feel was despair and loneliness , he felt he was back when he hadn’t met his master Ning Jian , when he hadn’t met his junior brother and sister when he had no one .

On the outside , all wang mei and Lu Jing saw was a pale Li Liang with glazed eyes staring in front with no emotion but suddenly his whole body was on fire and they both knew what was going to happen , they both tried to warn Ning feng who was in range of what was about to happen while Ning rong was just outside the range .

“ Jump back Ning feng” Wang mei screamed but just as her voice fell there was a huge explosion with Li liang as its centre and all they saw was a mushroom cloud rising in the air .

…..

As Ning Jian and Ning Lian saw what was about Ning Jian suddenly dashed towards the direction of Ning feng but he was a bit too late .

“Ning feng!!!!!!!!” both Ning Lian and Rong screamed as they rushed towards the aftermath of the explosion .

Meanwhile Ning Feng who just heard Wang mie’s scream tried to jump backwards on sheer instinct saw what was coming for him he knew what he had to do , there was no time for any formation or rune all he could do was thank his luck ironic as it may be as what was supposed to be the tragedy was nothing more than a hot bath for him as he also had attained a preliminary level in fire concept so when the fire touched him while he was jump back , he manipulated it to slide off of him like he was fire phobic material but the shock wave still hit him and he was flung away some distance while covered in soot .

I wished my concept also worked on soot. he thought a little grumpily. The only reason I was able to reach this level in fire concept was mainly due to my knowledge of science behind fire but I still couldn’t reach initial stage and if people knew I had preliminary stage fire concept already without a special physique they will probably loose their minds.

Then I heard two pairs of legs rushing towards me.

“Feng’er” Ning Lian saw me and came to check on my injuries. “Don’t worry mother I was aable to jump back in time to avoid the fire .

“Ning Rong , stop” I heard Ning Jian’s voice as turned around , I saw Rong rushing towards Li liang who was falling with a sword in her hands .

Wang Mie and Lu Jing also moved “ Wait , its not his fault .” Wang mie yelled.