Alone with Ning Rongrong

Looking at the three choices, Gao Yang decisively picked the third.

[You took Oscar to a tavern. After a few cups of rough wine, you slowly told him about an ironclad rule of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. When Oscar heard that the spouse of a direct-line disciple had to be a Battle Soul Master, he nearly fell apart.

You knew that in his two years with the sect, no one had worked harder than Oscar. To get this in return—and not lose his mind on the spot—was already remarkable.

Still drunk, Oscar rose to find Ning Rongrong. You knew that if he went to her now, her guilt would only deepen her feelings for him.

You stopped Oscar, and he gradually calmed down. He asked whether the rule existed to ensure direct-line disciples had someone to protect them. If he gained the ability to fight like a Battle Soul Master, would the rule no longer stand between him and Ning Rongrong?]

No wonder he was second only to the protagonist in intelligence in the original story. He had a sharp mind.

Even as a romantic rival, Gao Yang admired Oscar from the bottom of his heart.

[After saying that, Oscar suddenly dropped to his knees and asked you to let him leave the sect. You asked where he intended to go. He said he could never gain the abilities of a Battle Soul Master within the sect, so he wanted to venture out and train.

But you shook your head. His expression darkened, and you noticed him pointing some little gadget at you. It gave you a faint sense of danger.

You did not turn hostile, though. Instead, you urged him to sit down and hear you out.]

[You told him that, aside from Soul Skills, support-type Soul Masters had two other paths to becoming Battle Soul Masters.

Oscar's eyes lit up. He put the gadget away and earnestly asked what those paths were.

You told him the first was simple: absorb a Soul Bone.

But he shook his head. Everyone knew how precious Soul Bones were. Even the mighty Spirit Hall had offered only three as prizes.

You went on to tell him about the final path: Self-Created Soul Skills.]

[You used Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer as an example. The Clear Sky Sect was called the foremost sect not only because of the hammer's power, but also because of the Self-Created Soul Skills passed down through generations. As Tang San's teammate, Oscar knew the power of Chaotic Cloak better than anyone. It was no weaker than any Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill.

You told Oscar that, to the strong, the Soul Skills granted by Soul Beasts were merely flowers added to brocade. Only Self-Created Soul Skills were the soul of a true powerhouse. According to Sword Douluo, Chaotic Cloak was merely the weakest Self-Created Soul Skill in the Clear Sky Sect. The Upper Three Sects, Spirit Hall—every sect that had endured for centuries kept Self-Created Soul Skills as their trump cards!

Your words sparked a glimmer of hope in Oscar's eyes.

Oscar was clever. He immediately realized that if he learned a Self-Created Soul Skill or two, then with his sausages and Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, they could protect themselves even against powerful enemies!

The way he looked at you grew steadily more fervent.

Because in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, apart from Sword Douluo, you were the only one who knew Self-Created Soul Skills!]

[You guessed what Oscar was thinking and said slowly that you could teach him, but there were two prerequisites. Oscar asked what they were. You answered: talent and a weapon.

After a long silence, Oscar asked why you were being so good to him. He added that he did not like men.

You were speechless for a moment. Then you explained that although learning Self-Created Soul Skills was difficult, it was at least safe. If he went out to train and died at the hands of a Soul Beast or another Soul Master, Ning Rongrong would remember him for the rest of her life.]

Clap, clap, clap!

Gao Yang could not help applauding!

Now that was how a professional did it!

You can be the moonlight my beloved keeps in her heart, but you absolutely cannot be the moonlight that died!!

And especially not one who fucking died for her!!

[Oscar was deeply moved. He nearly knelt and kowtowed to you, but you caught him and told him not to get excited yet. If he wanted to learn sword-based Self-Created Soul Skills, fine—but first he had to win over your father.

Oscar did not understand, so you explained that your family owned a treasured sword, a masterpiece by the Forging Master Lou Gao. Infused with Soul Power, it could easily pierce an ordinary Soul Douluo's defenses.

You told Oscar that you could write him a letter of introduction, but you would not plead on his behalf. Whether he got the sword depended on how he persuaded your father.

If your father gave Oscar the sword, it would mean he recognized his character and talent. If Oscar failed to get it, there was nothing you could do.]

[Full of confidence, Oscar asked you to write the letter at once. You did not refuse. After receiving it, Oscar asked why you were helping him.

You told him honestly that you liked Ning Rongrong too, but whom she ended up with was her choice. If she chose Oscar, you would help him gain the ability to protect her.

Your honesty did not anger Oscar. Instead, it earned his respect.

Oscar said that if Rongrong chose you in the end, he would give you his blessing too.

You smiled at each other, then went back to drinking rough wine.

Early the next morning, Oscar left the sect with the letter and headed for your hometown.]

Brilliant!

Fucking brilliant!

Gao Yang was stunned by the sheer finesse of it.

From beginning to end, it had been an open gambit. It did not matter if anyone saw through it.

Hell, Oscar would even have to thank him afterward.

At that moment, Gao Yang could hardly wait to see what came next.

[Before leaving, Oscar had left Ning Rongrong a letter. At first, she was a little angry, but over the next few days, uncertainty began to gnaw at her.

You realized you could not let her keep brooding, so you promptly informed Ning Fengzhi, then took Ning Rongrong and Xiao Tian to the Star Dou Great Forest.]

Here it came! Here it came!

Gao Yang rolled back and forth across his bed in excitement.

He could not wait to see what happened next!

Wait. Why am I so excited?

Was I born a Blondie, only for nine years of compulsory education to straighten me out?

Gao Yang could not help despising himself...

[Once you had ventured deep into the Star Dou Great Forest, your smile grew radiant. Buoyed by your mood, Ning Rongrong emerged from her gloom, the carefree innocence befitting her age returning to her face.]

[Perhaps the unfamiliar, dangerous surroundings made her instinctively seek protection. When you took her hand as though it were the most natural thing in the world, she did not resist as she usually did.]

[As you searched for a Soul Beast, you also planned how to take things further with Ning Rongrong. Most of the details were settled. The only thing you could not decide was when to make your move. And so, you chose...]

[1. Before obtaining a Soul Ring for Ning Rongrong.]

[2. After obtaining a Soul Ring for Ning Rongrong, but before leaving the Star Dou Great Forest.]

[3. Before arriving at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.]

Even Fan Xiaoqin could answer this one!

Gao Yang decisively chose the second option.

[Before long, with Ning Rongrong's support and the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's help, you easily killed a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. You immediately had Ning Rongrong absorb its Soul Ring, and the process went smoothly. Perhaps it was your imagination, but after absorbing the ring, her legs seemed longer, her figure fuller, and there was a hint of Peach Aroma to her whole demeanor.]

[That night, you spread a large blanket beside the campfire. Then you told Ning Rongrong to close her eyes, not to peek, and to lie down slowly on the blanket.

Though a little suspicious, Ning Rongrong obediently did as she was told. You lay beside her, breathing in the young woman's scent.

You placed the gift you had prepared in her hand, then told her she could open her eyes.]