Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends.

The Seven-Jeweled Glazed Pagoda.

The number one auxiliary weapon spirit in the world.

Gedo stood aside, watching quietly. Her spiritual power, like invisible mercury, silently spread out and coiled around the magnificent pagoda.

At the same time, a more subtle soul force, carrying her unique aura, like the finest tendrils, probed into Ning Rongrong's body along the meridians of her wrist.

She was indeed sensing the martial soul structure of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and observing the direction of the soul power within Ning Rongrong's body.

This was part of the deal, a necessary process for her to study how to break through the level 80 barrier.

Ning Fengzhi paid a huge price for this.

But that's not all.

Under the cover of perception and observation, a faint trace of dark purple energy, almost fused with Ge Duo's own soul power, was slowly seeping along Ning Rongrong's meridians into the depths of her soul's origin.

This wisp of energy was faint and concealed, its fluctuations perfectly masked by Gedo's powerful mental strength.

Let alone Ning Rongrong, who is only a Soul Master, being completely unaware, even a Title Douluo-level expert would find it extremely difficult to detect anything amiss unless they deliberately used their spiritual power to delve into Ning Rongrong's body inch by inch.

It meandered through Ning Rongrong's meridians, avoiding the main channels of soul power, like a cunning venomous snake, silently constructing a complex and eerie magical pattern.

This is a contract.

A contract different from the one she signed with Dai Mubai, which clearly defined master and servant roles and was characterized by domineering power.

This contract is more subtle and more covert, like a vine parasitizing a towering tree. In the early stages, it has almost no effect on the host and is even difficult to detect.

It will quietly take root deep within Ning Rongrong's soul, forming a secret connection with her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul.

Its power will not manifest immediately, but will slowly grow as Ning Rongrong's soul power increases and her control over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul deepens.

The function? Naturally, it's the same.

It subtly influences the mind of the contracted person, causing her to unconsciously lean towards the contracting party when making crucial choices.

This caused her to develop an inexplicable fondness and trust in the person who granted her the contract, ultimately etching a mark of obedience deep into her soul. Her life, death, honor, and disgrace were all tied to the decision of the person who granted her the contract.

However, this process will be very long and covert.

Gedo looked at the little girl in front of her, who was meditating with her eyes closed and completely unaware of the terrible changes taking place inside her body, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.

Since Ning Fengzhi personally handed over his most treasured pearl to her, how could she, Ge Duo, waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

Chapter 173 The Absolute Center

One Ning Rongrong might not be enough.

But once the seed is planted, it may influence the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School through her in the future.

That was one of the three most powerful and influential sects on the mainland, possessing wealth comparable to a nation.

The host, Lin Wan, did not impose many restrictions on the actions of these summoned characters. As long as they did not affect his core interests, they had considerable autonomy.

Eva stirs up trouble in the Heavenly Dou Palace, Ursula cultivates her faith in the deep sea, so why can't she, Godor, try to experience the taste of power?

While accumulating resources and influence through potion trading is important, the feeling of directly controlling a top-tier sect would surely be even more wonderful.

The patterns of the magical contract slowly emerged deep within Ning Rongrong's soul, spreading silently like the most intricate spider web.

This process requires patience; one cannot rush it.

Ning Rongrong was completely unaware of this; she even felt that this seemingly cold and aloof Her Majesty Godot wasn't so unpleasant after all.

Gedo maintained the output of mental and soul power, her eerie green eyes half-open, as if she were also immersed in the study of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

The valley was serene, with only the gurgling sound of the red and blue springs meeting and the sound of dense energy flowing in the air.

……

Meanwhile, on the way back to Holy Soul Village from Nottingham City, a slightly old-fashioned carriage slowly traveled along the bumpy dirt road.

Inside the carriage, Tang San and Cinderella sat side by side.

Compared to when they left Nottingham City for Tiandou City a few months ago, both of them had undergone slight changes in temperament.

The prosperity and complexity of Tiandou City, like a gust of wind, may not have changed their fundamental nature, but it has left some traces on them.

Tang San remained taciturn, but the boyishness between his brows seemed to have faded a bit, and his eyes were calmer, occasionally flashing with a sharpness that was not easily noticed.

Only when his gaze turned to the girl beside him did that sharpness melt away like ice and snow, turning into a gentle warmth.

Cinderella wore a clean cotton dress, simple in style, yet it couldn't hide her increasingly slender figure and outstanding beauty.

Her long, golden hair was simply tied back, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.

Her azure eyes gazed out the window at the fields rushing by, her gaze clear, carrying a hint of contemplation.

A few months ago, after Yu Xiaogang successfully obtained his third soul ring and officially became a Soul Master, they followed Yu Xiaogang back to Notting City.

Although Tiandou City was a good place, it was ultimately not a place for Yu Xiaogang to stay for long. There was a past there that he did not want to face, and a psychological gap that he could not completely erase even after breaking through level 30.

In Yu Xiaogang's own words, Nottingham is quieter and more suitable for laying a foundation.

As for the Soul Ring Absorption Pill that he had secretly planned to use at the right time to exchange for Tang San and Cinderella's gratitude, it seems that for various reasons or other considerations, it has been temporarily abandoned.

He simply reminded the two not to slack off in their practice and to build a solid foundation.

After returning to Nottingham City, Tang San and Cinderella's lives resumed on their original track.

Attending classes, practicing, going to the blacksmith's shop... day after day.

With the annual Martial Soul Awakening approaching, Cinderella suggested returning to Holy Soul Village to help.

For the past few years, they have always gone back at this time.

Therefore, the two were currently sitting side by side in the carriage returning to Holy Soul Village. Their purpose in returning was to replace Su Yuntao, the deacon of the Spirit Hall, to help the children of Holy Soul Village awaken their spirits.

After all, they were Soul Masters themselves, so they were more than capable of presiding over the awakening ceremony, and they could also take the opportunity to see Old Chief Jack and the other villagers.

This idea was naturally proposed by Cinderella.

In Cinderella's view, before his martial soul awakened, Tang Hao was addicted to drinking and neglected his family. The neighbors in Holy Soul Village, especially Grandpa Jack, took good care of the two siblings.

Now that they have the ability, it's only right that they give back.

Therefore, in recent years, whenever the Spirit Awakening Day arrives, Cinderella and Tang San would return to Holy Soul Village to help, if circumstances allowed.

This would help the village and also reduce Su Yuntao's workload, as he is responsible for several villages, including Shenghun Village, and is constantly on the go.

In response, Su Yuntao highly praised Tang San and Cinderella, and even reported their enthusiastic deeds to the Spirit Hall branch.

Therefore, in recent years, the martial soul awakening in Holy Soul Village has been mainly presided over by Tang San and Cinderella, who have already become soul masters.

Tang Hao was naturally unaware of this matter; otherwise, he would have been furious.

Tang San, of course, would not object to Cinderella's thoughts and actions.

He would support Cinderella in whatever she wanted to do.

Moreover, Holy Soul Village was, after all, the place where he was born and grew up in this life. Although there was nothing to miss there, Cinderella cared about it, so he would care about it too.

"Sister, are you tired?" Tang San asked softly, looking at Cinderella's hair being blown by the wind outside the window.

Cinderella turned her head and smiled at him. Sunlight streamed through the car window and fell on her face, making her skin appear almost translucent.

"Not tired. But you, Xiao San, did you stay up all night again last night working on those parts?" Her gaze fell on Tang San's fingers, where there were fine marks.

Tang San calmly withdrew his hand back into his sleeve, his tone indifferent: "No, just a simple tidying up."

He didn't want his sister to know that he devoted almost all his spare time to creating more powerful and concealed hidden weapons to ensure her safety.

Those cold metal parts gradually transformed into deadly weapons in his hands, so that he would have enough power to instantly eliminate anyone or anything that might threaten his sister in the future.

Cinderella saw Tang San's feigned calmness and understood what was going on, but she didn't point it out.

She reached out and gently patted Tang San's hand, saying softly, "I know you're the best, Tang San. But you still need to rest; we're still growing."

The warm, soft touch from his palm made Tang San's body stiffen slightly, then he relaxed, a faint blush creeping up his ears. He gave a soft "hmm."

"I wonder if any children in the village will awaken their soul power this year," Cinderella said, turning her gaze back to the window with a hint of anticipation.

"If we had a few more Soul Masters, life in the village would be much easier."

Tang San didn't respond. He didn't care whether Holy Soul Village could produce Soul Masters. Apart from his sister and Old Jack, he didn't have much interaction with the people there.

The only reason he was willing to come back every year to do this troublesome thing was because it was what Cinderella wanted to do.

His world, both past and present, is not that big.

In his past life, within the Tang Clan, the only thing he cared about was hidden weapons.

In this world, Tang San cares about very few people, while Cinderella is undoubtedly the absolute center.

Chapter 174 Returning to Holy Soul Village

Holy Soul Village, this small village, still maintains its consistent tranquility and simplicity.

The low mud-brick houses, the wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, and the iconic locust tree at the village entrance—everything was largely unchanged from before.

The carriage stopped at the village entrance. Tang San jumped off first, then carefully helped Cinderella down.

Old Jack, the village chief, and several villagers, who had already received the news, were waiting at the village entrance.

Upon seeing the two, old Jack's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he quickly came to greet them.

"Little Three, Cindy, you're finally back!" Old Jack's voice was hoarse and warm, typical of old people. He looked the two of them over carefully, his eyes full of relief.

"Good, good, you've grown taller and more energetic! Studying in Nottingham must have been tough!"

“Grandpa Jack,” Cinderella called sweetly, stepping forward to take old Jack’s arm.

"It's not tiring. How are you feeling?"

"Good, very good!" Old Jack was beaming with joy, his eyes filled with affection as he looked at Cinderella.

He then looked at Tang San and patted him on the shoulder, "Little San, you're getting stronger and stronger too."

Tang San nodded to Old Jack as a greeting. Although his expression remained calm, it was much gentler than when he treated outsiders.

His gaze swept over the villagers behind old Jack, whose faces held a mixture of curiosity and awe, and he nodded slightly.

"Grandpa Jack, is everything ready for the awakening ceremony?" Cinderella asked.

"It's ready, it's been ready for a long time! It's in the Spirit Hall in the village. Oh, it's in that little wooden house," Old Jack said hurriedly.

"Six of our children are turning six this year, and they're all waiting for you to come back!"

The so-called Spirit Hall was nothing more than a slightly larger and cleaner wooden house in the village, with a handwritten Spirit Hall sign hanging on the door.

This is standard equipment in almost every village, used for the annual Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony.

Surrounded by old Jack and the villagers, Tang San and Cinderella walked toward the cabin.

Along the way, villagers kept peeking out and whispering among themselves.

"Look, those are the Tang siblings. I heard they're Soul Masters in Notting City!"

"Tsk tsk, she's really grown up! Cindy is getting more and more beautiful."

"That kid Tang San seems quiet, but I've heard he's incredibly capable..."

"Yes, they come back every year to help the children awaken their martial spirits. They're so kind-hearted..."

Hearing these whispers, Cinderella maintained a gentle smile and occasionally nodded to the villagers who looked at her.

Tang San kept his eyes straight ahead, as if he hadn't heard anything, and simply followed silently beside Cinderella.

When we arrived at the cabin, six children, around six years old, were already waiting there with their parents.

The children's faces showed confusion, nervousness, and anticipation, while their parents were filled with more anxiety and hope.

Soul Masters were unattainable beings for these villagers who toiled in the fields, beings whose lives could be changed by the sun and the loess soil.

Upon seeing Tang San and Cinderella, the adults all showed respectful, even reserved, expressions, urging the children to greet them.

"Greetings, Soul Master..."

"Sister Cindy, Brother Tang San..."

The children called out timidly.

Cinderella crouched down, looking at the children at eye level, her smile gentle: "Don't be nervous, everyone. Just relax. Just do as I say later, and maybe one of you will become a little genius who can become a Soul Master."