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"Killing someone should stop when the head meets the ground?"
Not a chance!
In Chu Chengzhou's eyes, ordinary enemies on opposing sides could simply be killed and done with. But for those burdened with deep, personal vendettas? Even reducing them to dust and scattering their ashes would be an act of mercy.
Since husband and wife are one flesh, and Ning Rongrong was already his fiancée, the Spirit Hall's Eleventh Elder, Xue Sha—who murdered her mother—was also his mother-in-law's killer. Therefore, he too had every right to exact vengeance.
"Ah Heng, can you see this? The very man who killed you has been brought here by your son-in-law to face judgment."
Ning Fengzhi gently touched his late wife's tombstone, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, whispering silently in his heart.
Leaving the cemetery, Ning Fengzhi's mood remained heavy—there was no joy in vengeance fulfilled.
After all, no matter how thoroughly he avenged her, his beloved wife, gone for so many years, would never return.
"Father-in-law," Chu Chengzhou, sensing Ning Fengzhi's gloom, deliberately changed the subject, "You've had your martial soul upgraded to the Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda for several years now—how come you're still only at Level 82, a Soul Douluo?"
"My limit's already set," Ning Fengzhi sighed, shaking his head. "What's the point of pushing myself? I'll leave it to fate."
If his spirit had been the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—free of level restrictions—Ning Fengzhi certainly wouldn't have become a soul master couch potato.
But with the Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's hard cap at Level 89 Soul Douluo, why bother grinding? Even reaching that ceiling would only grant him slightly more total soul power and stamina—no qualitative leap over his current state.
He wasn't alone in this mindset. Many gifted Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda soul masters in the sect felt the same.
Throughout the vast Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, there were few Level 79 Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Saints—but plenty who'd just barely crossed into the seven-ring threshold.
Before their ascension, they'd all been diligent prodigies. But once they hit that wall? Most turned into dreamless, old "salted fish"—spiritually pickled and resigned to idleness.
They'd worked hard their whole first half of life. Why slog through the second half when lying back as a salted fish felt just as good—and far more relaxing?
Ning Fengzhi: I'm an old salted fish—extra salty, and utterly redundant.
Chu Chengzhou countered firmly: "I must respectfully disagree!
"It's said that when a soul master ascends to godhood, their martial soul undergoes a fundamental transformation—and they can even bestow that evolved martial soul upon blood relatives or other soul masters.
"What if one day Rongrong achieves godhood? Couldn't she upgrade your martial soul to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—or even something stronger?
"Take the Spirit Hall's Angel Clan, for example. The source of their Six-Winged Angel martial soul's immense power lies in the fact that it was passed down after the Angel God attained divinity."
This wasn't just idle speculation. As far as Chu Chengzhou knew, neither the Angel God Qian Yuhan nor the Sea God Bo Saidong had spouses—yet both the Six-Winged Angel martial soul and the Sea God martial soul were inherited. That proved god-ranked beings could grant their martial souls to others.
Whether that required blood ties or was open to anyone, he wasn't sure—but either way, as Ning Rongrong's father, Ning Fengzhi absolutely qualified.
"Rongrong becoming a god?"
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but twitch his lips.
If Chu Chengzhou claimed he could become a god, Ning Fengzhi might've believed it—but his sweet, sheltered daughter?
Well… that was about as likely as his long-departed wife resurrecting tomorrow.
"Father-in-law, have you ever heard this saying?" Chu Chengzhou said with a grin.
"In this world, there's nothing Gold can't buy—and if there is, it only means you haven't spent enough!"
"Hss—!"
Ning Fengzhi sucked in a sharp breath.
Nothing Gold can't buy—and if there is, you just need more?
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
"Can't buy health with money?"
Nonsense! I'll spend like a tycoon—hire top-tier healing-type soul masters to follow me day and night, blasting me with century-old healing soul skills. My health will be ironclad!
"Can't buy love?"
Ridiculous! With enough cash, beautiful girls who adore me will line up from Tian Dou City all the way to Spirit City!
"Can't buy power?"
Don't be silly! With limitless funds, I'll snap up peerless soul bones and celestial-grade treasures—making me vastly stronger than my broke self.
And if wealth itself could ascend to divinity… couldn't one even purchase the faith of the masses and become… the God of Gold?
Perfect! From this day forth, that saying shall be my life motto.
"You agree it makes sense, right?" Chu Chengzhou pressed. "Then just replace 'Gold' with 'fists'—same logic applies!
In this world, there's nothing fists can't solve—and if there is, it only means your fist isn't big enough yet.
Push space to its absolute limit, and you'll roam infinite worlds.
Master time to its apex, and you can reverse the flow of history.
Attain the ultimate mastery of life and death—and even the dead may rise again!"
His words rang with unwavering conviction.
"…Good son-in-law. Keep going!"
After a long pause, Ning Fengzhi patted Chu Chengzhou's shoulder.
Clearly, he—Ning Fengzhi—would never reach such heights. But you, Chu Chengzhou? Your father-in-law believes in you!
Chu Chengzhou: "…."
After a lunch at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Chu Chengzhou headed straight for the Tian Dou Imperial Palace.
"You're back from Spirit City already?"
Qian Renxue, handling state affairs in a side chamber of the Council Hall, looked genuinely surprised to see him.
By now, the entire Tian Dou Empire was firmly under Qian Renxue's control—every high-ranking official in court, administration, and the military was her loyal subordinate.
In effect, she'd already shed the identity of Xue Qinghe—only the empire's official name hadn't changed yet.
Indeed, at this very moment, she appeared not as "Prince Xue," but as her true self.
"Yep," Chu Chengzhou nodded. "Got a summoning beast as a mount—super fast."
"Oh, by the way—I've got some good news. Want to hear it?"
"Good news? What kind?" Qian Renxue asked, suspicious.
"If you want to know…" Chu Chengzhou waggled his eyebrows suggestively, "it depends on your performance~."
"Pah! All you ever think about is that!"
Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed pink.
"'Food and desire are human nature!' Gao once said" Chu Chengzhou quoted sagely.
"'Gao once said'?" She blinked. "Sounds like someone named 'Gao' said that. Who's 'Gao'?"
Chu Chengzhou: "…."
"Ahem! Never mind who he is. Just remember: lust is part of human nature—and it applies to both men and women."
With that, he flicked his hand, closing the chamber door behind him.
"You—don't come any closer!"
"Do you want to?"
Trapping her against the wall, Chu Chengzhou asked.
"Yes!"
Qian Renxue licked her lips without hesitation.
Chu Chengzhou: Food and desire are human nature… The ancients truly spoke no lies!
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