At that moment, Pei Ling finally understood where that idea had come from, and why the Heavenly Dao had sent Qiao Ranran before him.
No—the Heavenly Dao might never have expected Qiao Ranran and Pei Ling to come together. Her appearance in Clear Spring Town and her decision to save him had been her own choices, just as accepting her help had been his.
The same was true of everyone Qiao Ranran had saved. Those had been her choices too.
The Heavenly Dao had indeed read human hearts to perfection.
It had won its wager, and it had lost.
It had won because Pei Ling truly had been swayed by Qiao Ranran. He had chosen another path and no longer wanted to drag this world down with him. But it had lost because it had still underestimated him. In his previous life, even utterly alone, Pei Ling had risen to such heights that he had simply smashed the Heavenly Dao's game board and destroyed the entire world. In this life, his cultivation had yet to catch up, but his mind and methods were sharper still.
Besides, he was no longer alone.
There was Qiao Ranran, everyone in the Profound Heart Sect, and all the people they had met over the years. Pei Ling had little interest in making friends, but he now had people he could talk to.
He no longer lived alone on the empty, desolate Hidden Return Cliff, with only Guai Guai and puppets who would never harbor disloyal thoughts for company.
Holding Qiao Ranran's hand, Pei Ling stepped into the contract formation. A brilliant light instantly swallowed their figures.
The guests watching below were still laughing and making remarks. The raised platform was already exquisitely decorated, and the pair's ceremonial robes were even more eye-catching. Anyone with