"Then let's make your fiancé, Dai Mubai, the subject of our bet. We'll wager on whether he changes over the next six years or remains exactly the same as before."
"I believe that after he leaves, he won't let me down. He'll seize these six years to train diligently and surpass who he once was," Zhu Zhuqing said. "When I meet him again, I believe he'll be a different Dai Mubai."
"Very well. Since you believe he'll change, I'll bet that he won't. I say he'll still chase after women just like before. Zhu Zhuqing, if you win this bet, the God King-level Divine Seat of Shadows will be yours. It's a godhood that aligns perfectly with you. But if Dai Mubai doesn't change, if he remains the same as before his rebirth, then you lose the wager. You won't get the godhood—but I'll still give you the mysterious gift."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, and a moment later, her soul returned to her body.
Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect
Ning Rongrong opened her eyes to the sound of excited voices around her.
"Innate level-nine soul power! As expected of the Sect Master's daughter!"
"This is great! Rongrong might be able to break the limits of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
"She truly is the granddaughter I've doted on since childhood!"
"Hmph, I've pampered her more than you, you old softy!"
Ning Rongrong came back to her senses and realized she'd returned to when she was six years old, just after awakening her martial soul.
In childhood, she had the love of her two grandfathers and the powerful backing of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Carefree, fearless, she earned the title of "Little Witch."
Ah, childhood...
Some things, you only learn to cherish once they're gone.
Her father was still young, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were still alive. As she stepped down from the awakening platform, tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the two elders. Unable to hold back her emotions, she threw herself into Sword Douluo's arms and burst into tears.
"Rongrong, my dear Rongrong, tell Grandpa Sword—who bullied you? Grandpa will make them pay!" Sword Douluo said.
"Grandpa Sword... Grandpa Bone... Rongrong missed you so much!" Ning Rongrong sobbed.
In her past life, during the Battle of Jialing Pass, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo had sacrificed themselves to save Tang San. After Tang San was revived, he refused Ning Fengzhi's plea to bring them back, saying the dead should not be resurrected so casually.
She remembered their tragic deaths, remembered her father's haggard, aged form as he begged Tang San. The memory made her nose tingle with grief.
After becoming a god, she too wanted to resurrect Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone. But the divine light of resurrection could only be used once, and as secondary gods, she and Oscar lacked the ability to bring back the dead. They gave that one chance to Tang San—who, after coming back to life, ignored her father's desperate plea.
This soured Ning Rongrong's feelings toward Tang San. Did she hate him for not saving her loved ones? No. After all, she owed him everything. Without him, she would have been a mere auxiliary-type Soul Sage at best.
But in this new life, Ning Rongrong had made up her mind. She would take control of her own destiny. The tragic downfall of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would not happen again. The deaths of Sword and Bone Douluo—she would never allow it.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would no longer be a stepping stone for Tang San's rise.
As she basked in the long-lost warmth of her grandfathers' love—
Caoji Village
"Innate level-nine soul power? What kind of chicken martial soul is this?" The Wuhun Hall deacon frowned as he looked at the pudgy little boy's soul manifestation.
The chubby boy glared at the deacon and muttered disdainfully, "My martial soul is a Phoenix, not a chicken!"
"What?! A Phoenix?" The deacon was stunned. He quickly knelt beside the boy and said, "Ma Hongjun? That's your name, right? Would you be willing to join the Wuhun Hall?"
Ma Hongjun shook his head and replied, "Sorry, Uncle Deacon, but I don't want to join. I want to become a free soul master."
Join Wuhun Hall?
Please. Everyone knew about the conflict between Wuhun Hall and Third Brother. Wuhun Hall was doomed to fall. Following Third Brother meant getting the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, the inner core of the Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Serpent, and even a godhood. What could he get from Wuhun Hall? A spot on the losing side?
"Little guy, do you know what it means to join the Wuhun Hall?" the deacon urged. "With our support, your path as a soul master will be smooth. This is a chance for your future—why give it up?"
"No thanks, Uncle. I want to be free!" Ma Hongjun grinned and replied disdainfully.
"You really won't join?" The deacon stepped forward, grabbing his arm. "Fine then, I'll talk to your parents. I'm sure they don't want you missing this opportunity."
"Hey, if the kid doesn't want to join, are you planning to force him?" A voice interrupted. Flender stepped forward from nearby.
"Teacher!" Ma Hongjun shouted in delight.
"Teacher?" Flender blinked, puzzled by the title. But after a brief pause, he nodded and said, "He's my student. I'll take care of him. No need to force anything."
Flender had a great reputation in the area. The deacon dared not offend him and left reluctantly.
Flender looked at Ma Hongjun, pushed up his glasses, and said, "You're Ma Hongjun, right? Don't go around calling anyone 'teacher' lightly."
"I'm not mistaken." Ma Hongjun smiled. "You are my teacher, Flender!"
Flender chuckled. "Fine. My academy happens to be in need of talent, and your potential is impressive. From now on, you'll be my student."
Ma Hongjun nodded firmly, a determined light flashing in his eyes.
Xiangxiang, wait for me.
In this life, I won't slack off. I will claim the Fire God's divine position like I should have. When the time comes, I'll take you to the Divine Realm and share eternity with you.
At the same time, Oscar found himself back at age eight, training in a beginner-level soul master academy.
In the Star Dou Forest, a newly human-formed Xiao Wu skipped happily toward the human world.
Now, having returned to life, Xiao Wu couldn't wait to get to Nuoding Academy—to meet her dear Third Brother!
Beast clan responsibilities? Her mother's vengeance? None of that mattered anymore. What mattered most was winning Tang San's heart before it could be stolen by some seductive vixen!
With how deeply affectionate Tang San was, if he fell for another woman, Xiao Wu wouldn't even know how to cry!
What she didn't know was that this time, Tang San was already plotting to use her as a tool to gain fortune and opportunities.
(End of Chapter)
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