Chapter Seventeen: The name Ning Tian was never spoken again; only a single phrase was uttered—"Young Mistress."

“Here’s the deal: I’ll provide the funds and help you, and in return… you can repay me with anything, as long as it exceeds the initial investment by a little. How does that sound?”

With that, Ning Tian pulled a gold card from her storage soul device. The card was edged in striking red and black, and on its face was a magnificent glazed emblem of the Jiubao Bank of Treasures.

The dazzling gold card nearly blinded Ning Wuque’s impoverished eyes, instantly captivating his gaze.

A wealthy benefactor... a lifeline... a lifetime of glory and wealth!

“Is this… really possible?” Ning Wuque scratched the back of his head, unable to resist asking again. He wasn’t confident about accepting help outright, but the prospect of an investment was something he could consider.

Tying their relationship with mutual benefit made it more secure and rational, far more reassuring than bonds of friendship or trust.

Even stepping back, with Ning Tian’s repeated invitations, could Ning Wuque refuse?

No, he couldn’t! She had even invoked her father’s name! Perhaps a Soul Saint or Soul Douluo was secretly observing everything; if the sect master held a grudge later, it wouldn’t be good.

Sect Master of the Jiubao Glazed Sect: “You can’t be ungrateful now!”

“Yes! We’re friends, aren’t we?” Ning Wuque replied.

No, we’re not friends.

In his heart, Ning Wuque shook his head vigorously. Sister, don’t cloak a mere transaction of interests in the guise of friendship—I’m uneasy!

But he certainly couldn’t say that out loud. Instead, he offered an embarrassed smile and said, “Thank you, young lady. It’s an honor to be valued by you.”

At that moment, the cunning pragmatism of adulthood shone through Ning Wuque.

When he spoke the words “young lady,” Ning Tian’s joyful expression stiffened.

Holding a gold card with a limit of ten million Gold Soul Coins, the words she had prepared caught in her throat.

“Young lady?”

Had Ning Wuque always regarded her this way? Between them, perhaps a thick, sorrowful barrier had long since formed.

Whether by birth or by soul power.

Ning Tian was stunned, and even Wu Feng beside her was taken aback.

She looked at Ning Wuque in disbelief. Never had she imagined hearing this title from his lips—it felt even more estranging than being called the Sect’s Young Mistress!

Usually, Ning Wuque either avoided calling her by name or used her full name. She had thought… that she had no real rival!

Wu Feng’s surprise quickly turned to laughter, her face brimming with joy.

Why did she constantly tease Ning Wuque? Because this detestable fellow had stolen some of Tian Jie’s attention away from her!

Ahahaha, now Tian Jie’s attention was all hers again!

So happy~

“You never used to call me that. If it makes you uncomfortable, you can just say no…” Ning Tian said, cooling down after the cold water of his reaction.

As the Young Mistress of the Jiubao Glazed Sect, she quickly understood why.

She looked at Ning Wuque with hopeful eyes, signaling that he need not be so reserved; if it weren’t for her father’s approval, she wouldn’t have spent so much time with him.

She knew their differing statuses caused Ning Wuque some worry, fearing they might become too close.

Truly, a genius praised by her father—just one sentence nearly severed their connection.

So ruthless! So ruthless!!!

Ning Wuque, realizing Ning Tian had seen through some of his thoughts, stopped pretending. His embarrassed expression softened into calm. He nodded slightly, then shook his head, saying nothing further.

The more he spoke, the more mistakes he risked making. Sometimes, silence and action were better.

“I understand, but the more you act like that, the more I want to upset you! Like you said, I am the Young Mistress of the Jiubao Glazed Sect!”

Though she understood Ning Wuque’s meaning, Ning Tian was far from satisfied! She was a child, with selfishness and caprice!

If Ning Wuque dared to play her and wound her heart, she’d make things difficult for him. Whether he accepted her help or not, he would have to accept it!

After all, she was the Young Mistress! Hmph!

The sudden reversal left Wu Feng’s mind blank. What was going on? Why were they suddenly reconciled?

Wasn’t the script supposed to be that Ning Tian angrily pulled her little hand away from Ning Wuque and returned to their sweet solitary days? That was the proper storyline, wasn’t it?

Wu Feng’s face darkened as quickly as the sky turned from clear to overcast.

Not happy anymore~

“Ning Tian, we don’t belong to the same world. If you’ve inquired about me with your father, you should know that I could die at any moment in the future.”

Ning Wuque crossed his arms and spoke calmly, his eyes devoid of fear of death, filled only with the pursuit of power.

The “Ring Explosion” was just the first step of the “Ninefold Gates of the Underworld,” but not the most dangerous.

The ring explosion alone could kill a soul master; the advanced stages of the Ninefold Gates were even more perilous.

Bearing both human and soul burdens is always safer than bearing one alone.

He was meticulously identifying risks to reduce the chance of being killed by the very method he created.

This was surely known to the sect master who had read his submitted theories.

Ning Wuque didn’t want anyone to be harmed because of him, nor did he wish to harm anyone himself. His world was small now.

So small it only held the wish to care for his grandfather in his final days.

Once he was free of all bonds, he could truly begin his madness.

Across from him, Ning Tian’s heart was a tangle of emotions. It was precisely because she understood this that she wanted to help Ning Wuque!

Otherwise, given Ning Wuque’s usual physical prowess, why would he ever need her help?

She just… wanted this friend to live a little longer…

“Father, I… I want to ask you about someone.”

“Ning Wuque, right?”

“Yeah… he’s been gone for so long. Without him, I really can’t train for long.”

“Tian’er, there were things I didn’t want to tell you so soon. I wanted you to have as happy a childhood as possible, but…”

Seeing his daughter so worried over a boy, Ning Fengxiao seemed to make up his mind to sever this childhood-like bond quickly. He said bluntly:

“But he’s not worth your concern. Don’t worry, he’s fine now, but the future is uncertain.”

“W-why, Father?”

Ning Tian suddenly had a foreboding feeling.

Until…

Until everything about Ning Wuque was laid bare before her eyes.

Only then did she realize how talented, how hardworking he was.

And how utterly tragic!

“I just want to help you, Wuque. I know. I know everything. But that’s exactly what I must do—as your friend. To help you.”