Chapter 1021: Completely Devoted! The Blinded Kitahara Takuma!

"Lord Takuma, Miss Sakuragi has dressed meticulously and finally went to Shi Tian Taiyi's office."

On the top floor of the headquarters building of the Tianyu Dojo, in a luxurious office.

A middle-aged man bowed respectfully as he reported to the man behind the desk.

The man was in his early thirties, tall and broad-shouldered, with a heavy aura and faint glimmers of brilliance in his eyes.

Kitahara Takuma, son of Kitahara Sohkaei, the sole ninth-rank Martial Saint of Sakura Country, and himself ranked eighth-rank mid-level.

"She went to Shi Tian Taiyi?" Kitahara Takuma's brows furrowed deeply.

Sakuragi Rin was the only S-rank psychic awakened in Sakura Country today, with an unimaginably bright future.

Merely by virtue of this talent, she was a one-in-ten-thousand existence.

Not to mention her figure and appearance were equally exquisite.

Therefore, after his father arranged their engagement a month ago, he had relentlessly pursued Sakuragi Rin.

He didn't just want to possess her body—he wanted her heart too!

Yet she showed no reaction whatsoever, not the slightest hint of interest in getting close to him, leaving him furious.

So he ordered his subordinates to monitor her movements—and now he'd received this very message.

"Shi Tian Taiyi is already over fifty, and his rank is only eighth-rank low-level—how could Sakuragi Rin possibly favor him?"

Though they weren't yet married, Kitahara Takuma already felt as if a green hat had been placed upon his head.

Not to mention the man was an old fool far beneath him.

"Come to think of it, over the past six months, Shi Tian Taiyi has indeed frequently attended to Sakuragi Rin."

It was he who originally proposed abandoning the selection of a Sacred Son and redirecting all dojo resources toward Sakuragi Rin."

But even so, this still shouldn't be possible..."

Kitahara Takuma couldn't understand it.

His father, Kitahara Sohkaei, was the chief administrator of the Tianyu Dojo—both he and his father controlled the entire dojo.

Why would Sakuragi Rin go out of her way to seek Shi Tian Taiyi when she could simply cling to him?

In the entire Tianyu Dojo, who could rival his influence?

"Could it be... that incident with Sato Ken?"

Kitahara Takuma's eyes flashed.

Over a year ago, Sato Ken—the Tianyu Dojo's most promising hope—died in Asahikawa City.

The headquarters sent Shi Tian Taiyi to investigate, but he concluded it was merely an accident, and the matter was dropped.

"It seems Shi Tian Taiyi and Sakuragi Rin have some secret I don't know about."

A sly smile surfaced on Kitahara Takuma's face, and he rose from his seat.

Shi Tian Taiyi's office was in the same building—knowing what they were up to required only ten seconds in the elevator.

Based on his understanding of Sakuragi Rin, even if Shi Tian Taiyi held some leverage over her, she wouldn't surrender her most precious thing.

If so, perhaps by eliminating Shi Tian Taiyi, he could win her heart.

As for the incident with Sato Ken over a year ago, he had no intention of digging deeper—it was a dead man anyway.

Shi Tian Taiyi's office.

Sakuragi Rin's bare upper body was exposed to the air.

Shi Tian Taiyi, standing beside Xu Jingming, had already turned away the moment he noticed Sakuragi Rin's action, and had retracted his spiritual perception.

Throughout, he had not glanced at Sakuragi Rin even once.

As a slave bound by the Slave Seal, he knew that in his master's presence, he must never look at what he should not see.

"You offer yourself as the price?"

Xu Jingming looked at Sakuragi Rin. "Ever since you used the Reverse Contract, your life no longer belongs to you."

I have to say, Sakuragi Rin really does have a great figure—fair skin, smooth and supple as if it would burst at a touch.

The ripe fruits hung heavy, tinged with a faint pink.

In terms of figure and looks alone, she was in no way inferior to Song Qiuyun and the other women.

But even with the influence of dragon blood essence, he was not someone who gave in to lust easily.

Otherwise, given his current strength and status, what kind of beauty couldn't he find?

"However, if you want me to help you, it's not impossible."

Suddenly, Xu Jingming shifted his tone.

The light that had already faded from Sakuragi Rin's eyes, who had lost all hope, returned once more; she knelt again and said, "Please, Master, speak plainly."

"It's simple—help me rule the Sakura Country." Xu Jingming said with a faint smile.

"Rule the Sakura Country?"

Sakuragi Rin's pupils shrank, and she instinctively said, "But the Sakura Country is a vassal state of the United States..."

"You don't need to worry about that." Xu Jingming said concisely.

To tell the truth, he really didn't have much interest in ruling the Sakura Country.

But the Sakura Country was home to a large number of fierce beasts, and if he came often, it would inevitably attract the attention of the ninth-tier ability users stationed there by the United States.

In that case, he might as well just drive the United States out directly.

And Sakuragi Rin was originally a saintess, with extremely high prestige in the Sakura Country, making her very suitable to serve as his proxy.

This was a plan he had already thought through before coming; what he had just said was merely to make Sakuragi Rin more obedient to him.

After all, while the Slave Heart Seal was effective, it would suppress a person's potential.

He wanted to see what astonishing effects Sakuragi Rin's S-rank ability, "Shikigami Summoning," which possessed an area-of-effect capability, would ultimately display in the later stages.

And methods like these, even without the Slave Heart Seal, could still make Sakuragi Rin utterly devoted to him.

Indeed, seeing Xu Jingming make a promise, Sakura Rin's eyes instantly filled with an unprecedented look of emotion.

He's willing to fight against the entire United States for me? No wonder he's my master—he's so good to me!

Thinking of this, she even felt a twinge of relief.

Thank goodness I cast the reverse contract back then; otherwise, how could I have such a kind master?

"Tsk tsk, S-rank, you're really cruel."

A voice echoed in his mind: "Look at Sakura Rin—even if you break the reverse contract, she'll still be utterly devoted to you, willing to die for you without hesitation."

"I help her kill her enemies; she helps me with my tasks. A fair trade."

Xu Jingming felt no guilt about deceiving an innocent girl.

After all, Sakura Rin's hatred for Kitahara Sōsuke had reached an unbearable extreme—she would sacrifice her life without hesitation.

He hadn't sent her to die; that alone was already decent.

"I noticed that since discovering your SSS-level Grand Void Azure Dragon ability, you've grown even colder—yet... I like it." Eva giggled.

Xu Jingming suddenly sensed something and turned toward the door.

The next instant,

A loud bang echoed as the door was violently smashed open—standing outside was none other than Kitahara Takuma.

"Rin-chan, I've come to save..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw her kneeling on the floor.

Her upper body bare, barely covering her vital parts, her chest half-exposed, tears glistening at her eyes from emotion—Sakura Rin.

Oh no!

He was too late!

Kitahara Takuma's vision darkened—but the next moment, he noticed that the man behind the desk was not Ishida Taiichi, but a tall young man.

"Xu Jingming? How are you here?"

Kitahara Takuma's face turned pale, his voice sharpening with shock.

In an instant, his mind connected the dots—he realized everything and shouted in disbelief:

"It's you! You killed Sato Ken! There's a record—you came to our Sakura branch back then!"

He turned to Sakura Rin, face blazing with rage: "You wretched woman! I trained you in the Tenmi Dojo—why are you with Xu Jingming?"

"Because he's my great master!"

Sakura Rin no longer bothered to pretend; her fair, delicate face glowed with an unprecedented fervor.

"You—!" Kitahara Takuma's pupils shrank.

She was the Holy Maiden of the Tenmi Dojo! How had she been corrupted like this?

"You came just in time—saved me the trouble of finding your father."

Xu Jingming raised his sword-like brows; SSS-level Chaotic Divine Thunder surged forth, instantly engulfing him.

Poor Kitahara Takuma never got to speak another word—he was obliterated into ash by the thunder.

The next instant,

A roar like a raging tidal wave erupted from another building: "Bakayarō! Who dares harm my son!!"