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--- Chapter 87 ---
After walking away from the lake, Han Yuan and Ning Fengyuan arrived at the secluded forest area in the academy.
They suddenly stopped near a tall Banyan Tree as the mature, noble lady abruptly pushed Han Yuan to the tree and slammed her hand beside his head.
Thud!
Some banyan leaves fell on them, creating mirages between two meeting gazes.
Han Yuan could feel intense heat coming from Ning Fengyuan's gaze and body, feeling them on his body.
He smiled awkwardly and said, "Ms. Yuan, I don't think it's appropriate for an adult like you to do something like this to a child like me."
"I don't care! Don't play dumb, Xiao Yuan..." Ning Fengyuan's raspy voice and warm breath touch his ears. Han Yuan could smell her floral scents.
"How did you do it?"
"How did you make a storable spirit ring happen?"
Han Yuan overestimated the effect of shock on this woman, "Fine, I will tell you, but can we at least move from this ambiguous position? I felt like you're going to attack me at any moment..."
"No, let's stay like this." Ning Fengyuan's decisive reply surpassed Han Yuan's expectations again.
"..." Han Yuan.
Did my plan backfire?
Han Yuan sighed helplessly, "I only do this because you tutored me for a month. I can only tell you the theory, so don't expect much."
"As you already know, the spirit ring contained resentment of the dead spirit beast. It is a mechanism they left to attack the spirit master for the last time, hoping they could drag us down to the ditch."
"So, I purified the spirit ring with some methods, allowing it to be flexible and controllable. Then, I used a special container to store it."
"T-That simple?" Ning Fengyuan's understanding of things turned upside down again. Her face contorted in pain.
Han Yuan slowly reached for Ning Fengyuan's face and rubbed her temple with gentle motion and spiritual power, "Yes, that's simple. So, you should not overthink and take it easy."
"Take it easy..." Ning Fengyuan felt calmer.
Han Yuan felt somewhat bad for giving her too much shock in one sitting but didn't realize this was Liu Erlong's wrongdoing. She wouldn't be like this if Liu Erlong hadn't teased her too much.
Even then, Han Yuan knew he couldn't be soft. He was 'naturally' tempted to instantly use his spiritual power to manipulate Ning Fengyuan and make her agree to join his bandwagon, but he ultimately decided not to do it.
Although their moment together was short, Han Yuan has formed some connections with Ning Fengyuan. She's a good person and tutor.
In the end, Han Yuan chose to do plan b.
Han Yuan looked into Ning Fengyuan's eyes and said, "It's not impossible to learn my secret..."
"However, you must join Dao Academy and sign a contract. And it's not an ordinary contract because it will bind your soul."
"I will join! Where is the contract?" Ning Fengyuan replied decisively. She doesn't have to think much because she believes in Han Yuan's monster-like potential.
"Aren't you going to think about it?" Han Yuan was speechless.
Ning Fengyuan closed her eyes momentarily before stating, "No, but I hope you can do something for me."
"I hope you can find a way to break the limitation of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and my martial soul..."
"Wait, didn't Uncle Ning tell you about the limit-breaking method I gave him two months ago?" Hearing this, Han Yuan looks puzzled.
Ning Fengyuan chuckled, "It seemed he was keeping it for himself. I can't blame him."
Unlike the Ye Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's internal fight is intense.
After all, they are the number one sect since the Clear Sky Clan secluded themselves, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan left with only one Title Douluo. And this was a public secret.
Even though Ning Fengzhi held firm control over the clan's affairs, some greedy people couldn't help but get tempted. Ning Fengyuan is only the seventh elder, meaning there are six more elders, plus a grand elder above her.
With such a collective of interests, Ning Fengzhi couldn't possibly reveal the method of evolving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to others until his or Ning Rongrong's martial soul evolved.
Thankfully, Ning Fengzhi has Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo on his side to keep things quiet, even if some elders want to voice their insatiable opinions.
Ning Fengyuan sighed, "Can you tell me how to evolve our martial soul, Xiao Yuan? If you do so, I will join the academy and even sign the contract immediately."
Han Yuan shrugged despite the awkward position and told his vision of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and how to evolve it by utilizing the Heaven and Earth Treasures and spirit rings from gem-like spirit beasts, which could produce Treasure Qi.
He even told Ning Fengyuan about using divine essence, which works even better.
After five minutes of listening, Ning Fengyuan fell into a weird silence as she chuckled and mumbled something about "so that's how it is" and "we are wrong from the very beginning" because her clan focused on making support the best rather than enhancing the martial soul's origin.
While it might not be a wrong move, as their clan became one of three upper sects, they unconsciously stopped themselves from advancing.
Ning Fengyuan regained her noble aura again, "Very well... Can you give me the contract now? I will sign it immediately."
"I have to remind you again." Han Yuan said cautiously.
"A binding contract is not an ordinary soul contract, so once you sign it, your soul is bound to it."
"I know." Ning Fengyuan smiled. "However, in exchange for your secrets, I think it's worth it."
"Well, I already warned you." Han Yuan slowly conjured a tangible leather scroll with his spiritual power and used the Dao of Soul he had learned recently.
Although Han Yuan wasn't on the level of God, his current mastery over the soul is enough to make a soul contract between two people. Using the power of the soul to conjure a chain, then use the ruling end on himself and the weaker end on the other.
"I've written what you shouldn't do and my side of the deal. Don't worry, I will pay you well. You can read it first."
Ning Fengyuan read the terms and conditions, narrowing her eyes slightly and giving Han Yuan a funny look. "I thought you'd be more ruthless to me, Xiao Yuan."
"So, let's get this straight."
"I can't reveal any of your secrets in any shape or form."
"I also can't harm you or anyone close to you in any shape or form."
"Lastly, I will be the representative of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in doing business from now on, huh?"
"You're really generous. I will give you that."
Han Yuan innocently smiled after she commented that. After all, there is actually one more condition, a hidden one, and the words are small.
Just a contingency plan if things went to shit.
"So, will you sign the contract?"
"What should I do?" Ning Fengyuan waved the flimsy leather scroll.
"Press it to your chest, and the contract will merge with your soul." Han Yuan replied.
Ning Fengyuan placed the leather scroll on her chest and watched it melt into her body, no, her soul!
At the same time, countless information about Han Yuan's theories and discoveries flowed into Ning Fengyuan's mind. Her eyes widened as she looked at Han Yuan in admiration.
"Business Genius, Drug Lord, Master Theorist..."
"True Spirit Method, Demonic Pill, etc."
"I don't know what to say about your talents anymore."
Then, the last information hit Ning Fengyuan's mind.
She covered her mouth in shock, "Y-You're a God's heir? Gods actually exist in this world!"
"Well, that's me." Han Yuan humbly said while rubbing his nose.
Ning Fengyuan bitterly chuckled, "This explains everything... Only God's heir could possibly have such feats."
"Now I feel like I'm not worthy of knowing this."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Ms. Yuan. Your value is much higher than you thought." Han Yuan consoled her.
"Please take care of me from now on."
Ning Fengyuan hurriedly said, "No, I should be saying that. Please take care of me from now on, Xiao-! I mean, Holy Son?"
"Xiao Yuan is fine." Han Yuan's mouth twitched.
"Then, please take care of me well, Xiao Yuan." Ning Fengyuan stared at Han Yuan's handsome face warmly. Knowing the heir of God is locked here in her embrace made her feel a little devious.
She started feeling a little impulsive, too.
Then, a light contact occurred on Han Yuan's forehead as she retreated in shame.
Han Yuan gave her a helpless look but didn't say anything. The effect of the hidden condition is activated.
Soul Contract's hidden condition: Prioritize Han Yuan over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
He did this to make Ning Fengyuan his double spy.
However, once again, Han Yuan underestimated his power over things and miscalculated something.
Since Han Yuan was new to the power of the soul, he didn't realize he made a "soul contract" with his own soul's piece, which was many times stronger than ordinary people's souls and boosted the effect of the soul contract by a few levels.
He also miscalculated the importance of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in Ning Fengyuan's heart. To her, the clan who raised her from young until this moment is everything, but Han Yuan is now a higher priority than that. Well, things between them are going to be funny.
...
...
Han Yuan and Ning Fengyuan returned to the lake and found that Ye Shan and others had absorbed their spirit ring. While it was a shame not to see it herself, Ning Fengyuan knew she would see more miracles with Han Yuan.
Liu Erlong walked behind Han Yuan and asked, "How was it?"
"Plan B." Han Yuan replied calmly.
"I see... You couldn't do it." Liu Erlong wasn't surprised by Han Yuan's decision. "At least Plan B is better for the long run."
"Yeah."
"So, our next target is to get that girl, Ning Rongrong, right?"
"Target is a strong word. It's a student, Erlong. Rongrong needs more education!"
Liu Erlong rolled her eyes, "Yeah, sure, education..."
"Anyway, what are you going to do with her?"
"You're soft with Ms. Yuan, so you'll be even softer to this girl."
Han Yuan glanced at the adorable girl, who was busy talking with his students, and replied, "To make Rongrong stay, I will evolve her martial soul into Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
...
...
Alternative Title: The First Soul Contract!