[Grade 6 Sealing Contract identified]
[Recommended: Soul Bounding Contract]
[Purchase Amount: 10000 Exp]
[Description: Able to seal an impenetrable contract by merging into other contracts. Can be revoked when the Host wills]
[Abilities (1): Impenetrable]
[Abilities (2): Untraceable]
[Uniqueness: Can be used repeatedly, each time costs 10000 Exp]
[Limitations (1): Cannot be used by anyone other than the Host]
[Limitations (2): The terms must carry the Host's signature, or it will not merge]
[Limitations (3): Can be overridden by cultivators two realms above the Host]
Although Blood believed that the grade six contract was sufficient to bind the terms between the arrogant young lady and him—knowing she was only in the Silver Realm, equivalent to the strength of a grade-3 contract, he nevertheless purchased the Blood Book's Soul Bounding Contract, just to be safe.
The smug curve of her lips when she signed the contract had unsettled him, he had to be cautious.
It took him no more than five seconds to read the notifications, and the instant he confirmed the purchase; a soft click echoed faintly in his mind.
[Accumulated Exp: 10,700]
When the contract was finalized, Blood and Ballock revealed to Kate how they had entered and explained only what she needed to know about the domain.
Kate snorted coldly. "Hmm, so this is all you've got, and yet you act so secretive. You haven't even encountered a single Silver Realm beast." Her eyes rolled with disdain.
Still, she had to admit that if their words were true, then the place indeed held great potential. The exotic herbs they presented as proof were genuine, at least, the ones she could recognize.
In addition, the contract the duo used earlier, they claimed to have picked it along the way. She was almost in disbelief when she heard that. Or perhaps she already was.
A grade six treasure, found randomly along the way? Impossible!
When had the world become so easily lived? And the herbs—they could have been gathered elsewhere.
So, were they being cocky with her?!
A plan slowly began to form in her mind, one that wouldn't sit well with them. But she didn't care, keeping it to herself.
"Very well. If that is all, I will escort you out." she said coolly.
Blood nodded slowly. "Don't try anything funny when we leave. When we are ready for the next venture, we will alert you."
Kate's eyes twitched as irritation flared instantly. "Don't speak to me so casually over such a trivial deal. Moreover, you should respect your senior cultivators, or you may find yourself in the afterlife far too soon." she said with pursed lips.
"I'll be waiting." With a wave of her hand, the wall before them parted, revealing a narrow passage through which they could leave.
The woman who always accompanied Kate felt the disturbance. She appeared silently from behind a small structure; her gaze fixed upon the trio.
Blood glanced at Kate once more, with a strange glint in his eyes as he stepped toward the opening. He had already gathered the information he needed.
Kate's eyes shimmered faintly with an ambiguous thought. He's truly pleasant to speak with… perhaps that's the only gift he possesses.
An unknowing smile graced her lips, but it vanished as quickly as it came. The memory of his cryptic increase in strength unsettled her once again.
"At least there's now someone who could match me, even if not yet." she murmured inwardly. "But his cultivation speed is far too fast… too unnatural. And another thing—I couldn't sense his realm after the first time." She was perplexed, forcing her to conclude that this timid-seeming kid should not be underestimated.
What she didn't realize was that Blood had deliberately allowed her to sense his cultivation base at first. When they crossed the portal, they had prepared for the unknown, letting their energy fluctuate freely. But once they confirmed that they were safe, both he and Ballock calmed themselves, and Blood's aura vanished.
Kate's eyes remained fixed upon them, wary of any further tricks.
At that instant, just as Blood was about to cross the parted wall, a glistening red panel materialized before him, almost startling him.
[Hidden Optional Quest Condition met]
[Quest Title: Form a Blood Following (10)]
[Time Limit: 1094 days]
[Blood Followers: 0 of 10]
[Quest Reward: Complicated Wish]
Blood instantly froze, retracting his leg as he finished reading the issued quest. His gaze shifted backward immediately, settling upon the beauty standing alone in the distance.
Blood began to ponder the reason the Blood Book had chosen this moment to reveal such a task. He had been with Ballock all this while, and no such quest had appeared. Yet now, after only a brief exchange with this lady, the quest had manifested.
This could not be mere coincidence. The quest was clear—he was to select ten individuals to follow him.
Blood's eyes softened immediately they met hers. He began to imagine the unlikely occasion that she might agree. However, with her nature, it seemed impossible.
Still, he shouldn't conclude too quickly without an attempt. Blood turned back, walking toward her until he stood just two meters away, his expression steady, with a light smile now evident.
"What is it this time around? Am I not lenient enough, letting you go so easily?" Kate frowned, her patience thinning. The boy seemed to have grown bolder.
"It's not that." Blood replied, his tone calm though his eyes gleamed with intent. "It's just that communicating with you will be difficult since I have no means. We cannot simply come knocking on the princess's door whenever we please—we would surely be punished." He explained softly, almost to himself.
"Hm, that's reasonable." Kate admitted after a pause. A round jade object appeared in her hand; its surface was smooth and flat. "This is a jade chip already connected to mine. You may use it to contact me whenever something worthwhile arises." She fidgeted with it briefly before flicking it forward with sudden force.
The chip shot forward, but Blood caught it effortlessly, unperturbed!
She continued coldly, "Its range should reach your city. But most importantly—do not activate it without reason. If you disturb my cultivation with trivial matters, you will regret it. Now, off you go." She waved her hand dismissively, as though shooing away an insect.
"One more thing." Blood said quickly, drawing back her attention.
"If I were to offer you something great—something that could make you incredibly strong beyond belief—and only asked you to become my follower, would you agree?" His voice remained steady as he laid bare his intent at last.
Though he didn't yet know what would happen to anyone who became his follower, he was certain that they would never remain the same. Blood believed it would be something profound—something undeniably positive.
Kate's narrowed her eyes as her whip lashed out all of a sudden, without warning.
The tip of the whip shimmered as faint ice gathered upon it, spreading swiftly along its length. In the blink of an eye, it lashed forward and struck Blood squarely in the chest before he could react.
The force of the blow hurled him off his feet and sent him crashing past the opening.
It all happened so fast that Ballock was left stunned, his confusion quickly turning to anger. Yet he knew he could do nothing against her. He rushed quickly to his friend, who clutched his chest with reddened eyes.
Blood was thoroughly shaken but remained calm.
"You couldn't even protect yourself from a single strike." Kate said coldly, her gaze sharp with threat. "I suggest you refrain from participating in the battles between the two forces. You are not ready. The day you can defeat me—that instant is when you should try again." Her words were hard like rock, and with a flick of her hand, the opening was sealed shut, leaving behind only a glowing blue wall.
"Hey, are you alright?" Ballock asked, his voice laced with worry.
Blood smiled faintly, brushing the dust from his clothes. "There's nothing to worry about, Ballock. This small encounter has done me a favor. I know now where to incline."
Ballock was amused, seeing his friend's determination remained unshaken.
"Anywhere you go, I will follow without hesitation." Ballock said firmly.
Blood chuckled, his eyes now burning with deep resolve. "Hehe, do you think a petty lady could change my cause? There's no need to dally. I can already hear their cries. They need us—they need all the strength we can give."
And with that, they departed immediately.