A Bet—If You Lose, From Behind...

"Meng, get ready. In a few days, I'll take you somewhere and see if we can solve the cold poison problem in your martial soul once and for all."

Now that he had an idea, what was there to hesitate about? He just had to do it.

It just so happened that after undergoing two rounds of cleansing, Meng Hongchen's soul power had already surged to the peak of Rank 69.

After making a trip to the Extreme North and using the Ten-Thousand-Year Mysterious Ice Marrow, her advancement to Quasi-Soul Sage would be a sure thing.

Then, they could take advantage of the situation to hunt suitable soul beasts in the Extreme North, allowing Meng Hongchen to absorb a soul ring and complete her breakthrough.

At the thought of Meng Hongchen appearing at the Radiant City Tournament as a Soul Sage—and quite possibly an extraordinarily powerful Soul Sage with ultimate ice—Xia Yu could not help looking forward to it.

All of this was his doing.

After all, in the original story, Meng Hongchen at this point in time had not been nearly this strong.

If news of her rate of growth over this period got out, it would be enough to astonish the vast majority of soul masters.

However, compared with Xia Yu's earth-shattering, breathtaking rate of growth, Meng Hongchen's progress was still insignificant.

Xia Yu's cultivation progress during this period would be enough to shake the entire world of soul masters if spoken aloud.

After all, what soul master could break through to Titled Douluo and then raise their soul power to the peak of Rank 95 in just over a month?

That was right. After being cleansed by the Gold of Life and opening his Second Sea of Consciousness, Xia Yu's soul power had surged once again.

He was now at the peak of Rank 95 and could break through to Rank 96 at any time.

"Brother Yu, what are you talking about? Did I not explain myself clearly just now? Or..."

The moment Xia Yu said he wanted to solve the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison problem, Meng Hongchen's first reaction was denial. She thought it was impossible.

She would rather believe that she had not explained herself clearly and that Xia Yu had misunderstood her.

She absolutely refused to believe that there was a way in this world to completely solve the cold poison backlash caused by the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad martial soul.

In truth, the Red Dust Family had not failed to consider solving the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison backlash at its root.

But unfortunately, even after the family had spared no effort and expended countless amounts of time and energy, they had failed to find a way to solve the problem completely.

In the end, the only thing they had left was a method that treated the symptoms but not the cause: the Torso Soul Bone Method Meng Hongchen had mentioned earlier.

Thus, in Meng Hongchen's understanding, solving the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison backlash was nothing more than a fantasy.

She admitted that Xia Yu possessed peerless talent, great capability, and countless ingenious ideas.

But some things simply could not be done. No matter how much one struggled, it would all be futile.

"Brother Yu, I advise you not to bother. The Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison is an inherent trait, formed by the intertwining of its ice and fire attributes. Completely resolving it is simply unrealistic."

No matter what, Meng Hongchen did not believe there was any way to solve the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison backlash.

So, to keep Xia Yu from wasting his effort, she did not think twice before urging him to abandon that impractical idea.

"What, you distrust me that much? What if I really can solve the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison backlash?"

Seeing Meng Hongchen earnestly trying to persuade him to give up, Xia Yu was not angry.

In fact, for some reason, an extremely mischievous thought inexplicably surfaced in his mind.

Xia Yu raised a brow, a sly glint flashing through his eyes.

"Since you don't believe me, Meng, how about we make a bet?"

That was right. Xia Yu wanted to use the matter of solving the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison backlash to achieve certain ulterior aims.

"A bet?"

Meng Hongchen frowned upon hearing that, and a hint of vigilance rose in her heart.

"Brother Yu, what do you want to bet on? Don't tell me it's whether you can solve the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison backlash?"

Though she vaguely had a bad feeling, Meng Hongchen still wanted to hear what Xia Yu wanted to wager.

"That's right. We'll bet on whether I can solve the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad's cold poison backlash. If I can, I want..."

Xia Yu had no intention of beating around the bush and frankly stated the terms of the bet.

However, when he reached the stakes, his gaze turned teasing. His eyes drifted behind Meng Hongchen and lingered for a long time on a certain pert, upturned spot.

"You bastard! You're bullying me again. Don't even think about doing it from behind. I'll never agree to that."

Meng Hongchen had been wondering why Xia Yu stopped speaking when he got to the wager.

But after noticing where he was looking, she reacted as though she had been scalded.

With a swish, she covered her butt and sprang out of Xia Yu's arms.

Then her face flushed as red as burning clouds.

Her eyes filled with shame and indignation as she glared at Xia Yu, as though she wanted to bite him to death on the spot.

"Haha, Meng, if you don't agree to those stakes, we can keep discussing it."

Faced with Meng Hongchen's accusation, Xia Yu gave an awkward laugh.

Still, he did not want to give up such a good opportunity and wanted to fight for it a little longer.

"Hmph, I'm not discussing anything with a shameless bastard like you! Don't think I don't know what you're planning. Don't even dream of it."

Meng Hongchen seemed to have seen through Xia Yu's thoughts. She stood firm and gave him not even the slightest opening.

Seeing that, Xia Yu could only bring out his trump card.

Taking advantage of Meng Hongchen's inattention, he swiftly wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her toward the bed.

"Ah..."

With Meng Hongchen's cry of surprise, she instantly fell onto the bed and was pinned beneath someone.

"Y-you... what are you doing, you bastard?!"

Meng Hongchen pressed her hands against Xia Yu's chest, her tone both angry and coquettish.

Yet Xia Yu did not answer. Instead, he reached down and tickled her waist.

"Hahaha, don't tickle me, it tickles..."

The instant she was tickled, Meng Hongchen could no longer take it and burst into laughter.

"So, can we discuss it now?"

Xia Yu stopped his hand at her words, but he still did not release Meng Hongchen.

It was as if he would start again the moment she said no.

"Hmph, fine, I agree, all right? You awful guy, you only know how to bully me."

Under Xia Yu's threat, Meng Hongchen ultimately agreed to those humiliating stakes.

But a bet naturally had winners and losers. Xia Yu's prize for winning had been set, so there naturally had to be consequences if he lost.

Sure enough, Meng Hongchen fixed her burning gaze on Xia Yu, ready to establish the stakes for his loss.

"...If you lose, you'll serve me like a beast of burden for a month. Otherwise, I won't acknowledge this bet."

"Fine. If I lose, I'll let you deal with me however you want. Forget one month—even a year would be fine."

Xia Yu agreed to Meng Hongchen's terms without the slightest hesitation.

Since it was a bet he was certain to win, there was no need to consider what he would lose.

"All right, you got what you wanted. Shouldn't you let me go now, you bastard?"

After setting the bet, Meng Hongchen eagerly wanted to get up.

It was not that she could be blamed. Their position was simply too dangerous; one wrong move, and things could easily spiral out of control.

But unfortunately, things did not go as Meng Hongchen wished.

Having achieved his goal and being in high spirits, Xia Yu did not release her. Instead, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

"Mmph, you're doing this again. So annoying~"

Meng Hongchen's pupils suddenly constricted, and her hands tightly clenched Xia Yu's collar.

Yet she showed no intention whatsoever of pushing him away.