"How dare he?!"
Raging fury boiled up from within Alyssa, blood rushing to her ears. "A beginner-level spirit practitioner – nothing more than prey... how dare he negotiate with me?!"
Could he possibly know her true intentions?
Impossible – utterly impossible!
The shame of her secret being exposed clouded her judgment completely.
The urge to kill him immediately overrode all other thoughts.
Without a moment's hesitation, Elisa raised her hand abruptly. The condensed demonic energy – powerful enough to destroy anything in its path – surged like a wild black python, hissing through the air as it viciously struck toward Bai Hao's face!
She eagerly awaited the fear and despair that would surely flood his features – that was how the weak were supposed to react!
To her utter shock, Bai Hao remained completely unmoved, even squeezing his eyes shut tighter.
Boom!
The destructive shockwave slammed into Bai Hao's face, roughly tossing his slightly messy hair back into a disheveled style.
Flying gravel and fierce wind lashed at his skin, leaving only a faint stinging sensation.
Yet his eyes stayed firmly closed.
Elisa ground her teeth, her chest heaving with rage. "Why didn't you dodge?!"
At the sound of her voice, Bai Hao opened his eyes, glancing at her helplessly before noticing the ethereal chains binding his limbs. He spoke flatly, "Dodge? Do you think I didn't want to?"
"Just kill me and stop with all this nonsense!"
Elisa was genuinely stunned. His bold words and arrogant demeanor made it seem as if he were the captor.
The anger sparked by being looked down on by an insect reignited her full sense of pride.
"Do you really think I won't kill you?"
Her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits glowing with murderous intent. The space around her twisted slightly under the weight of her killing will, and bone-piercing cold pressed down without mercy.
Bai Hao let out a dry chuckle, shifting his body slightly in the chains to find a more comfortable position. He spoke lazily:
"So what? If there's no way to refuse, you might as well embrace it fully."
Bai Hao had already figured things out – given her power and level, begging for mercy would be useless.
Yet the fact that she was wasting time arguing with him instead of acting immediately meant he still had value.
Considering her severe injuries, it was highly likely she was being hunted by someone far stronger than herself.
So he might as well make the most of this opportunity.
Elisa: ...
This combination of defiance and total resignation drove Elisa more insane than any curse ever could.
The air grew thick with tension.
Could this be what made Emperor-tier talents so special?
Was it true?
Elisa suddenly had an idea – a plan forming in her mind.
"Hehe, very good!"
Elisa's tone softened abruptly, even carrying a hint of admiration. "Interesting child – you've passed our 'test.' Truly a rare talent."
"Now that you've qualified, you can enter a contract with me. What do you say – will you take it?"
Her voice held a subtle allure, as if carrying some unbreakable charm.
Bai Hao's eye twitched: ...
Are you serious?
He knew she couldn't be trusted, but her sudden offer felt off.
Making a spiritual contract with himself... that would be incredibly difficult for her to pull off.
"Of course!"
Elisa nodded firmly, her eyes practically shining with excitement.
The fish was about to take the bait!
Once the contract was sealed, his life would be in her hands.
She'd make him pay a thousandfold for the humiliation he'd caused!
"Fine, I agree."
Bai Hao's answer was straightforward and decisive, no hesitation in his voice.
Yet this very certainty made Elisa suspicious, even stirring a vague sense of unease.
Could this little human be hiding malicious intent?
"Forget it – they're just humans, and low-level Spirit Realm trash at that. The advantage is all mine!"
Thinking this, she snapped her jade-like fingers. The thick, slender chains vanished instantly, transforming into ghostly motes of light that merged into her body.
After all, to a high-ranking Holy Spirit Realm being, a low-level spirit practitioner was no more than an insect – why waste energy restraining them?
Being overly cautious would only make her seem guilty and raise unnecessary alarms.
"No more delays – let's begin."
Elisa urged impatiently. The space inside this ordinary secret realm wasn't large. With a Spirit Emperor's power, they'd be tracked down in mere minutes.
Seeing her obvious eagerness, the smile Bai Hao had been holding back nearly broke through.
Desperate and impatient, Elisa had no time to think things through.
A strange reddish-purple datura flower bloomed, its petals seeming alive. Intricate black-purple chain patterns swirled around it, etched deeply into her snow-white skin – three-dimensional and mysterious.
Bai Hao knew spiritual contract marks were tied to one's fundamental power.
But the mark's location was too private, and the stunning sight suddenly before him left his mind blank for an instant.
The Demon Spirit Clan clearly had no human inhibitions about modesty...
Some breathtaking and captivating scenes nearly pushed past his mental boundaries.
Bai Hao jolted involuntarily, his body tensing slightly – an instinctive reaction.
"Where should the slave mark be placed?"
Initially, Elisa was about to say "slave mark," but caught herself just in time.
"On your face! That spot will be very prominent!"
Before he could react, Elisa used her Holy Spirit Realm physical strength to close the distance in an instant. With unexpected speed, she reached out her delicate hand to press the mark directly onto Bai Hao's face – right over his old burn scar!
"Wait!"
Just as the strange flower was about to touch his nose, its warm, peculiar scent nearly suffocating him, Bai Hao suddenly roared. His hand shot out like lightning, grabbing Elisa's wrist precisely!
"My face isn't pretty enough – let's use my hand instead."
With that, he pressed her hand onto his palm without hesitation, even squeezing it firmly as if on purpose.
Elisa frowned, clearly displeased that a mere human "slave" would dare defy her will.
But now wasn't the time to argue over such matters – she couldn't afford complications.
The entire process went surprisingly smoothly.
A tingling sensation like electric shocks ran down his spine, and Elisa trembled violently, her Holy Spirit power nearly spiraling out of control!
Shame and anger burned within her, and she almost tore the human apart on the spot!
But with the contract already in motion, she could only bite her lip so hard it bled, her eyes practically shooting fire as she forced herself to endure.
After careful observation, Bai Hao realized this alien had inexplicably ignored all precautions and was determined to sign a spiritual contract with him.
Whatever her goal...
As long as it benefited him, that was enough!
A cold smile curved at the corner of Bai Hao's mouth.
Hum—
The terrifying reddish-purple petals finally solidified completely on Bai Hao's left palm.
The moment it took shape, searing heat – hot enough to incinerate anything – suddenly erupted!
It felt like holding red-hot iron fresh from the forge; his palm hissed and crackled, the excruciating pain piercing straight to his soul!
Bai Hao groaned, veins bulging on his forehead.
The chaos power hidden within his body ignited like dry kindling, surging into a frenzy as it consumed his own essence to forcibly suppress, devour, and assimilate the far superior Holy Spirit power!
His inner strength was drained to the brink of exhaustion, sweat streaming down his temples, his face pale as paper.
Elisa seized the moment when Bai Hao relaxed from the pain. Her eyes flashed, and she struck his chest with a powerful blow using her high-level Holy Spirit strength!
Bang!
Bai Hao was sent flying like a rag doll, slamming hard into the cold stone wall. He groaned, a metallic taste filling his throat.
A flicker of vengeful satisfaction crossed Elisa's face. "You lowly slave – how dare you disrespect me..."
Now that the slave mark was implanted, he'd have to obey her every command!
She hadn't finished speaking.
Suddenly, she felt scorching heat – a thousand, even ten thousand times hotter than the contract mark itself – erupt from her thigh root, right next to her exclusive spiritual contract mark. It was like molten lava injected directly into her veins!
Accompanied by intense, agonizing pain, she let out an uncontrollable short scream – almost a cry!
"Ah!"
Elisa bent over in shock, hastily lifting her skirt.
Next to her once-hidden spirit contract mark, an intricate, never-before-seen dark golden sacred rune – like the most luxurious yet vicious anklet – wrapped dominantly around her softest, most sensitive inner thigh, etched deeply into her flesh!
This was not her spiritual contract!
Instead, it was a shackle forged from chaos power!
One by one, the backlash from the soul contract's origin surged like a raging tsunami, crashing wildly into Elisa's body and soul through the dark golden sacred rune. It brought overwhelming breathlessness and unbreakable binding force to her will!
"Damned human!!!"
Elisa's voice shrieked and distorted with horror, rage, and fear – sharp and piercing like the wail of a vengeful ghost. "What have you done?!?"
Overwhelming shame, fury at being tricked and completely controlled...
And deeper, more profound dread for her future finally erupted into a screech that tore through the air, filled with hatred and madness.
Her terrifying high-level Holy Spirit power exploded outward!
Countless vicious void chains ripped through space itself, like venomous snakes hunting prey, converging on Bai Hao from every direction!
She wanted to tear him to shreds!
Reduce him to the most despicable dust imaginable!
"Tsk."
Bai Hao leaned against the stone wall, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. Facing the deadly attack that could tear him apart a thousand times over, he managed a bright yet ice-cold smile.
Calmly, he raised his left hand. The reddish-purple petal mark on his palm – still warm from contact – glowed brightly.
"In the name of the Spirit Contract, I command you: from this moment forward, you shall not overstep your bounds in any way!"
One of the Spirit Contract's functions allowed the user to issue three commands restricting the bound party from certain actions.
For example: you may not harm yourself...
Naturally, commands that forced the target to undo their own modifications were not permitted. Double negatives were forbidden. If a command was too harsh and triggered strong resistance from the bound party, it would most likely fail.
Like ordering them to be themselves, or preventing them from controlling their own improper behavior.
This type of enslavement was usually coercive. Even if the bound party wanted to tear apart the contractor, they couldn't act violently as long as restricted by the spiritual contract.
After all, killing – unless driven by deep hatred – rarely sparked strong internal resistance.
Of course, this function was usually unnecessary, as both parties entering a spirit contract were unlikely to harbor such intense animosity.
But given Bai Hao's current situation, the contract's effects were absolutely essential.
Not satisfied with just that, Bai Hao added, "In the name of the Spirit Contract, I command you: you shall not, directly or indirectly, conspire against or deceive me!"
"You!!!"
Endless rage, humiliation from being tricked, despair at being reduced to a "slave"...
And deeper, more overwhelming fear for what lay ahead finally transformed into a shriek that split the air, filled with hatred and madness.
Elisa was so furious she began trembling uncontrollably.