Wang Chunhua came back with an elder. It happened to be her uncle, Wang Lung.

“Uncle Lung.” Said Wang Chunhua after stopping in front of Jake. “Jake and I have a wager and we want you to witness it.”

“It will depend on the wager.” Said Uncle Lung. He did not want to be seen to be taking advantage of a junior or in this case, Jake, who he thought could not cultivate.

“This one vows to be Jake’s servant forever if she loses.” Wang Chunhua replied. “If Jake loses he has to leave the sect and join the mortal world. That is what I propose.”

Uncle Lung thought about it for a second. It would be a major loss of face to their family if she lost. In this world he knew nothing was certain.

“I cannot agree to that wager.” Said Uncle Lung.

“Senior Lung that is not the terms I proposed.” Replied Jake. “I agreed to leave the sect if I lose. However I said if Wang Chunhua lost she would have to agree to be my Dao Partner when we come of age and not my servant.”

Uncle Lung was in a dilemma, the family would love to get rid of Jake. They had gained a lot by taking over his possessions. However they would not want their star to marry a mortal if she lost. He thought about it for a minute and came up with a better idea.

“You cannot have a personal battle before the competition. I have a different solution.” Said Uncle Lung. “You both will enter the competition. If you meet then it will be easier to pick a winner. If you do not meet then the person who finishes higher will win the wager. Will you both agree to this?”

Jake knew that with his level there was nobody among the outer disciples who could beat him.

“I agree.” Said Jake.

Wang Chunhua thought about it for a second. She thought he was still a mortal and she had won the last competition in which she took part. She thought she would easily beat Jake either way.

“I agree.” Wang Chunhua said. “But we must be in different brackets however, so we will meet only if we both make the finals.”

“No problem.” Said Uncle Lung. “In the rankings Wang Chunhua is first and Jake is last. There is no way to meet unless you both win your way to the final. I will witness both of you swearing the oath now.”

“I swear on my cultivation the following oath.” Said Jake. “If I lose either in the ranking or in personal battle with Sister Wang Chunhua, I will leave the sect on the same day never to return. If I break this oath the Almighty Dao may strike me dead.”

“I swear on my cultivation the following oath.” Said Wang Chunhua. “If I lose either in the ranking or in personal battle with Brother Jake, I will agree to be his Dao Partner when we come of age. If I break this oath the Almighty Dao may strike me dead.”

“Hold out your hands.” Said Elder Lung.

They both put their right hand in front of Elder Lung. Elder Lung took out a knife and slit the palm of each of them. He then made them clasp hands so their blood mixed.

“I witness this.” Said Elder Lung.

With that a large sound of thunder was heard. This meant that the Almighty Dao witnessed their oath.

“This will be decided in the competition.” Said Elder Lung. He then walked away.

Wang Chunhua flicked his hand out of hers and also walked away with a triumphant look on her face. If she had looked behind her she would have seen a triumphant grin on Jake’s face.