The Contract That Shook the Heavens

The plaza remained silent.

No one dared meet Yun Qingjiu's eyes.

The black flame that had erased Elder Zhao had long since vanished, yet its terrifying presence still lingered in everyone's hearts.

Not even a trace of ash remained.

It was as if Elder Zhao had never existed.

The Grand Elder slowly closed his eyes.

He had lived for over three hundred years.

He had witnessed wars between great clans, the rise and fall of powerful sects, and even the awakening of Divine Beast summons.

Yet none of those experiences compared to what had happened today.

An existence that could erase a Nascent Soul cultivator with a flick of his finger...

Had become the Young Master's summon.

"...The heavens truly have changed," he murmured.

---

Meanwhile, Yun Qingjiu was blissfully unaware of everyone's fear.

His entire attention was focused on the hand resting atop his fox ears.

His ears twitched instinctively each time Ren Jushang gently stroked them.

A soft, contented hum escaped his lips.

The sound was so adorable that several younger disciples almost forgot the horrifying display they had just witnessed.

One girl whispered to her friend,

"He's... unexpectedly cute."

Her friend immediately covered her mouth.

"Don't let him hear you!"

"What if he erases us too?"

"I was complimenting him!"

"Exactly!"

The two girls quickly hid behind a pillar.

Yun Qingjiu tilted his head slightly.

"...Master."

"Hm?"

"You can continue."

Ren Jushang blinked.

"Continue what?"

"The ear pats."

"..."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Ren Jushang's lips.

"So you like them?"

Yun Qingjiu nodded without the slightest embarrassment.

"Very much."

"My tails too."

As if to demonstrate, all twelve enormous fox tails slowly surrounded Ren Jushang like a fluffy white cocoon.

The crowd watched with complicated expressions.

A moment ago, those tails had carried enough pressure to shake Heaven itself.

Now...

They were practically asking for attention.

Ren Jushang couldn't help but chuckle.

"You really are different from what I expected."

Yun Qingjiu looked confused.

"What did Master expect?"

"I thought you'd be..."

He searched for the right word.

"...more intimidating."

The fox blinked before smiling brightly.

"I am."

The smile remained gentle.

"Only to everyone except you."

Those words caused several disciples to shiver.

Indeed.

To everyone else, Yun Qingjiu was a nightmare.

To Ren Jushang...

He was a large, affectionate fox.

---

Suddenly, the Divine Phoenix cautiously raised its head.

"Your Majesty..."

Yun Qingjiu's expression instantly became indifferent.

"What is it?"

The Phoenix hesitated.

"I request permission to leave."

Yun Qingjiu looked toward Ren Jushang.

"My Master decides."

The Phoenix froze.

It had expected the ancient sovereign to decide.

Instead...

He deferred entirely to Ren Jushang.

Thousands of eyes turned toward the young heir.

Ren Jushang calmly looked at the Phoenix.

"So."

"You abandoned me because you believed Lin Tian was stronger."

The Phoenix lowered its head further.

"I was... blinded by fate."

"You saw only what Heaven allowed you to see."

Ren Jushang's eyes became cold.

"And now?"

"I was wrong."

The Phoenix's voice was filled with regret.

"Your destiny can no longer be perceived."

"I cannot see your future."

"I cannot even sense your limits."

For the first time in two lifetimes...

Ren Jushang felt satisfied.

His rebirth had already changed fate.

No...

Yun Qingjiu had changed fate.

"Go."

"I have no use for a summon that abandoned me once."

The Phoenix bowed deeply.

"I understand."

It spread its magnificent wings before transforming into a streak of golden light, disappearing toward the distant horizon.

Yun Qingjiu quietly watched it leave.

"Master..."

"Do you hate it?"

Ren Jushang was silent for a long time.

"I used to."

"But hatred wastes time."

"I'll simply surpass everyone."

Yun Qingjiu's eyes curved into a warm smile.

"You already have."

Ren Jushang looked at him.

"I mean..."

"You have me."

The words were spoken so naturally that the surrounding disciples nearly stumbled.

The Grand Elder coughed awkwardly.

He suddenly felt as though he were interrupting something.

---

A powerful laugh echoed across the plaza.

"Hahaha!"

Everyone turned toward the source.

An elderly man wearing luxurious crimson robes descended from the sky.

His aura far surpassed everyone present.

The Family Head.

Ren Cangxuan.

He had been cultivating in seclusion when the terrifying disturbance shook the entire estate.

His sharp gaze immediately landed on Yun Qingjiu.

For several heartbeats, neither moved.

The pressure between them caused cracks to spread across the jade floor.

Finally...

Ren Cangxuan cupped his fists.

"I am Ren Cangxuan."

"Patriarch of the Ren Family."

"May I know the honoured name of the one standing before me?"

The respectful greeting shocked everyone.

The patriarch had addressed Yun Qingjiu as an equal.

Yun Qingjiu nodded politely.

"Yun Qingjiu."

"I am Ren Jushang's summon."

"No."

He corrected himself.

A gentle smile appeared as he glanced at Ren Jushang.

"I am Ren Jushang's companion."

The patriarch noticed the subtle difference.

Not servant.

Not beast.

Companion.

It was a relationship of equals.

He nodded slowly.

"As long as you protect my son..."

"The Ren Family will treat you with the highest respect."

Yun Qingjiu's golden eyes softened.

"I don't need your respect."

"I only need one thing."

"What is it?"

Yun Qingjiu intertwined his fingers with Ren Jushang's.

Their hands fit together perfectly.

"I need Master to stay with me."

Ren Jushang glanced at their joined hands but made no effort to pull away.

The small gesture did not escape the patriarch's notice.

Instead of objecting, he smiled faintly.

For the first time since his wife had passed away years ago...

He saw genuine warmth in his son's eyes.

Perhaps...

This strange summon had brought with him more than overwhelming power.

Perhaps he had also brought hope.

---

As the sun began to set over the Ren Family estate, dark clouds slowly dispersed.

Yet high above the heavens, hidden beyond mortal sight, twelve ancient stone thrones trembled.

Eleven remained empty.

Upon the twelfth...

A faint silver light flickered for the first time in countless eras.

An ancient voice echoed through the endless void.

"The Sovereign of the Abyss..."

"...has awakened."

Far below, completely unaware of the chaos his existence had caused throughout Wushian, Yun Qingjiu happily walked beside Ren Jushang.

Still holding his hand.

Still smiling.

And silently making a vow in the depths of his heart.

This time...

No fate.

No heaven.

No god.

Will ever take Master away from me.

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