In her past life, Mo Yuan had chased after Ye Chuxue relentlessly, forcing her to hide everywhere.
This life, he risked everything for her sake, even shielding her from the deadly Nine Heavens Divine Thunder.
With Mo Yuan's current cultivation, standing under the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder meant certain death.
That was why a flicker of hesitation stirred deep within Song Wanníng's heart.
She was not cold-hearted. On the contrary, she cared deeply for her people and was willing to sacrifice for them.
The moment Mo Yuan risked his life to save her, he had severed ties with his past self.
"Ah..." Song Wanníng let out a soft sigh.
In his past life, Mo Yuan did not know her. Past life and this life—everything was just a matter of stance, not absolute right or wrong. If things could be changed, it did not have to end in death.
Besides, she had originally planned to replace herself with a clone, but her cultivation was growing so fast she might ascend soon.
The lower realm was no longer her main battlefield.
So it was not impossible for Mo Yuan to stay.
"Mo Yuan."
Song Wanníng called softly. Mo Yuan immediately lifted his head.
"Senior?"
He stammered, eyes full of grievance.
His gray pupils looked moist, like a puppy wagging its tail, waiting for comfort.
Who would have thought that the once moody, sensitive, and fragile Mo Yuan would show this expression?
She had expected to face questions and accusations, but Mo Yuan's reaction surprised Song Wanníng.
She crouched down and looked straight into his eyes, asking without any disguise, "From the start, I've been using you. Now that you know, why do you still shield me from the thunder?"
If he simply wanted revenge, he should have watched coldly and let her be struck down.
Not risk his life to save her.
Mo Yuan's face paled. He pressed his lips together but still said, "At first, I was very angry and wanted to question you. I even wanted to abandon you and leave, or launch the entire demon clan to take revenge, make you regret it."
He gave a bitter smile.
"But…"
Song Wanníng's strength was too great—like an unyielding wall. Unconsciously, she had become his reliance and spiritual support.
So it was not just mere use.
That meant he was useful to her, right?
Mo Yuan reassured himself and kept looking at Song Wanníng eagerly.
"Senior, I am very useful. May I continue to follow you?
From now on, the demon clan will be the Song family's rear guard. I will train hard and try to ascend to the Spirit Realm soon, to continue being a blade in your hand."
Being called a dog was never pleasant.
Mo Yuan twisted his words but showed sincere expectation.
Since meeting her, his life had a goal.
Wasn't this the kind of life worth living?
"..."
Song Wanníng's lips twitched slightly. She admired Mo Yuan's adaptability.
But she would not leave any hidden dangers, especially since if Mo Yuan betrayed her, the Song family in the lower realm would face huge trouble.
So she did not keep him guessing and directly made her demand.
"If you want to follow me, you must sign a master-servant contract."
Master-servant contracts were common between humans and beast demons—after all, who would willingly become another's servant?
But there were those who chose to follow masters voluntarily and sign such contracts.
Song Wanníng could spare his life, but he had to sign the contract.
She could not let her family suffer because of her soft heart.
After stating her terms, she expected Mo Yuan to hesitate or even refuse.
To her surprise, a sudden bright light burst from his eyes. He nodded eagerly, afraid she might change her mind.
Being able to contract with his senior meant she truly accepted him as one of her own!
Their relationship would become closer than anyone else's.
"Senior, I am willing, I am willing!"
He reached out without hesitation, offering a thread of his Primordial Soul into Song Wanníng's hand.
Once signed, Song Wanníng could erase him with a thought.
But he understood that as long as he never betrayed her, she would never kill him. Otherwise, she would have ended him already.
Meeting Mo Yuan's hopeful gaze, Song Wanníng did not hesitate. She completed the contract ritual, binding Mo Yuan to her completely.
A new thread appeared in her sea of consciousness—whenever she sent a thought, Mo Yuan would sense it immediately.
From now on, she also had a new channel to understand the lower realm. A perfect arrangement.
Mo Yuan's ears flushed red as he fought to suppress his excitement.
Xiao Jin clicked his tongue.
"He is truly captivated by our master's strength!"
The cultivation world did admire power—this was no empty talk.
Long Ling nodded silently. Who would have thought that one day, their 'companion' would add Mo Yuan to the group?
...
After clearing the risk, Song Wanníng followed Mo Yuan back to the demon palace.
Now that the contract was signed, there was no need to hide secrets from Mo Yuan. She took out several legacies obtained from the Secluded Land and handed them over to Mo Yuan.
Besides that, she told Mo Yuan about the Secluded Land's ongoing efforts to break the seals.
"If anything stirs, you must report to me immediately. If the Song family needs help, you must secretly find a way to assist, understood?"
"I understand! Rest assured, Senior!"
Mo Yuan nodded solemnly, fully aware of the gravity. If those from the Secluded Land appeared, not only humans but even the demon clan could be affected. After all, there were so many Divine Transformation cultivators...
"Yes, but now with the Dragon Vein, everyone's cultivation speed will improve. We may not lose to them after all."
Mo Yuan kept watch on the human clan and naturally knew the tremendous feats his senior had accomplished.
The situation was different now; she no longer had to worry so much.
Song Wanníng also understood and nodded. After spending a day or two in the demon clan, she headed back to the Song family.
When she erased Ye Chuxue, her aura had nearly become uncontrollable.
It seemed she would ascend to the Spirit Realm soon.
Now, she wanted to spend more time with her parents and with Li Ruo.
Facing the ascent thunder tribulation, life and death were uncertain. She did not know if she could survive it.
So after returning to the Song family, Song Wanníng did not leave home or open the second gate. She focused on accompanying her parents, occasionally guiding Li Ruo's cultivation.
Compared to her previous three disciples, Song Wanníng had spent the least time with Li Ruo.
But Li Ruo was different from the others—she understood gratitude and contentment. Her eyes toward Song Wanníng were filled with respect and admiration.
Under Song Wanníng's guidance, Li Ruo's cultivation and pill refining advanced rapidly.
One year passed just like that.
Finally, Song Wanníng's cultivation could no longer be suppressed.