"Interesting," Adrian said, stopping just beyond the reach of her spear.
He studied Marivelle carefully. The wounds he had inflicted were severe, deep enough that any lesser cultivator would have already collapsed. Yet her stance remained firm. The spear in her hands was steady, even though a faint tremor ran through her arms, betraying the strain she was forcing herself to endure.
"I'm not going to chase him," Adrian said.
Marivelle blinked, confusion breaking through the defiance on her face. "What?"
"I have no interest in hunting fleeing cultivators," Adrian replied as he dismissed his Source blade, allowing it to dissolve into white-grey mist. "My objective is the Core-Reforging plant, and nothing else."
Seeing him dismiss his blade, Marivelle stared at him in disbelief, "You're… letting me go?"
"No," Adrian answered calmly. "You're dying. Those wounds will kill you in minutes without intervention."
Marivelle glanced down at herself, as if only now fully registering the extent of her injuries. Her divine domain flickered weakly around her, then collapsed entirely. The sudden loss of its support made her body sway. She moved her spear into the ground to keep herself upright, gripping it with both hands.
Adrian watched her in silence.
He had never been someone who spared his enemies. He stood for the weak, protected his people, and showed compassion where it mattered. But when it came to those he truly considered enemies, he had never shown mercy. Anyone who harmed his people, or supported those who did, was treated the same. The Aethelian Emperor, Arcton, and even the beings that supported them had been erased by him without hesitation. This had always been who Adrian was.
And yet, standing before him now, Marivelle gave him pause.
He could end her life with a single strike. There was no doubt about that. But something about her unwavering resolve, even while facing certain death, made his thoughts wander.
She hadn't begged. She had simply stood her ground, buying time for someone she cared about, even though she knew it would cost her everything.
That kind of character was rare.
In the future, Adrian planned to establish his own sect. When that time came, he would need capable beings to help manage it. He would not allow just anyone to join, rather, it would be like his Origin Empire, built only on trusted and loyal individuals. And Marivelle, standing here despite everything, embodied the kind of character such a foundation required.
She had also lived far longer than Adrian, experienced the universe more deeply, and survived countless conflicts. Someone like her would be invaluable if brought to his side.
After a brief moment of thought, Adrian made his decision.
He retrieved his node and accessed the UNI-OS, navigating to the Auxiliary Systems. He selected the UNI-Contract System, a function that had only become available after he upgraded to Commercial UNI-Authority.
With a few controlled inputs, a thin holographic projection formed between them. Blue text shimmered in the air, displaying terms and conditions. It was a contract interface similar to the one Marivelle had offered him earlier, but unlike hers, this one bore no sect insignia.
"You offered me a mercenary contract earlier," Adrian said. "Now I'm offering you one. This is not a sect contract, rather it binds you to me."
Marivelle's eyes narrowed as she saw the contract. Then she let out a short, disbelieving laugh that quickly turned into a violent cough. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, "Turning my own methods against me, huh? You expect me to betray my sect?"
"No," Adrian replied evenly. "I expect you to accept reality. Your sect has already abandoned you. You know that better than anyone. I'm simply offering you a new path."
Marivelle's expression twisted, but she didn't argue. She couldn't. The truth of his words was undeniable.
She understood her situation all too well. Kenric had fled the moment Adrian's true strength became clear. Rhezan had wanted to help, but Kenric had dragged him away regardless. Velkor hadn't even hesitated. Even if she somehow survived and escaped, she doubted she would ever return to the Everlasting Pill Sect. At most, she might contact Rhezan, but she knew she would never truly belong there again.
Not after this.
Her grip on the spear tightened. "And if I refuse?"
"Then I will kill you," Adrian said without hesitation. "I will still reach the alchemy garden. The war will continue exactly as before, except you will no longer exist."
Marivelle felt the weight of his words settle over her. In that moment, her existence felt insignificant. Whether she lived or died changed nothing in the grand scheme of things. That realization struck her harder than any wound.
She released a slow breath, a bitter sense of irony washing over her. She had forced countless beings into similar choices throughout her life, cornered them with power and circumstance. Now fate had placed her in the same position.
Finally, she extended her hand, her mana interacting with the holographic contract.
The blue text shimmered as her mana touched it. The interface expanded, revealing detailed terms and conditions. She scanned through them despite her fading consciousness, years of experience forcing caution even in desperation.
As she read its contents, surprise flickered across her face. The contract was not permanent. It was limited to one hundred years, and after that, she would regain her freedom.
She could not comprehend this being anymore. If their positions were reversed, she would have imposed a permanent contract without hesitation. So his choice made no sense to her.
Adrian had set it to one hundred years because he had no intention of exploiting her. In his eyes, this was merely hiring a mercenary for the future, a potential sect member rather than a prisoner. Nothing more.
Marivelle looked down at the contract again. The terms were straightforward: absolute loyalty for one hundred years, non-disclosure of his methods and abilities, assistance in conflicts when summoned, and protection from external threats in return. No enslavement clauses or anything else fishy.
It was more generous than she deserved.
"I agree to this contract," Marivelle said.
Her mana signature flowed into the holographic interface. The blue text flared white, then showed new messages:
› Detected User — Marivelle
› UNI-Contract Signed
› Duration: 100 Years
Adrian glanced at his node. The UNI-Contract system functioned with the UNI Sect acting as a third-party enforcer. Any violation would result in immediate blacklisting, loss of UNI-OS access, and exclusion from most of intergalactic society. Because of this, betrayals of UNI-Contracts were exceedingly rare.
Even so, Adrian did not fully trust Marivelle yet. Trust could only grow with time. For now, the UNI-Contract was simply a practical safeguard.
He then turned toward Lara and the others of the Crimson Vital Sect. None of them had objected until now, but he could sense their unease. Sparing an enemy, especially an elder of the Everlasting Pill Sect, was not something they welcomed.
"I will take responsibility for this," Adrian said.
Lara, Torvain, and Maelis exchanged brief glances before nodding.
What other choice did they have?
They could not oppose Adrian, nor were they foolish enough to try. His display of power had made their hierarchy clear. Whilst some felt dissatisfied with Adrian's decision, they could also see the benefit. If his intentions were truly aligned with helping their sect, then having Marivelle was an advantage. She was an elder of the Everlasting Pill Sect. Through her, they could gain insight into internal structures, resources, and most importantly, the sect's future plans.
In the end, practicality won over resentment.