852: Chapter 78: Unfavorable Times_2 852: Chapter 78: Unfavorable Times_2 The casualties of the Dalton Family had nothing to do with him.
If it hadn’t been for Master Hudson’s effort to save the day, the Dalton Family would have suffered considerable damage.
Having lost their main fleet, their maritime trade was bound to be affected, and the loss of this most important source of income could have led to their decline.
If it weren’t for the ongoing continental war, Hudson needed a good reputation to amass more political capital, they definitely couldn’t have escaped this wave.
“Ah Piao, if you don’t want to die, sign the contract!”
During the conversation, Hudson quickly drafted a Soul Contract on the parchment.
Dealing with a mere Third Order Ghost didn’t require much effort.
It was merely an experiment, and if the Soul Contract could control these ghosts, that would be ideal, but if not, it was no matter.
“Why are you dawdling, you idiots?
Hurry up and sign the contract!”
The mini version of Maxim barked out an order.
Mixing with Master Hudson was tough, maybe not starving for three days out of nine, but the status really wasn’t high.
He could act tough in front of strangers, but at home, he was often bullied by the bear.
Losing face to complain, getting totally crushed in arguments, and never having an advantage in “friendly sparring,” Maxim really couldn’t muster much defiance.
To change his bottom-rung status, gathering more subordinates was imperative.
These ghosts were perfect, visibly easy to bully.
If they disobeyed, he could kill them with a swipe of his claw; they definitely wouldn’t dare cross Lord Dragon.
As a matter of fact, with Maxim’s strength growing rapidly, private sparrings between dragon and bear had become less frequent recently.
The main reason Maxim was previously suppressed, other than Earth Bear’s strong innate talent, was that Belsden had a higher level of cultivation.
A bloodline talent advanced one to Sanctuary, which was essentially a process of power accumulation.
By absorbing more energy that could be metabolized, one could hasten this process.
Belsden’s growth was naturally quick, but once the bloodline talent was fully metabolized, the next challenge—understanding the rules—was not just about energy anymore.
Seeing Maxim’s strength quickly catching up, and his own strength reaching its limits, Belsden naturally didn’t want to continue “sparring.”
The strength of a Giant Dragon was comprehensive, whereas the Earth Bear was a bit lopsided.
At the same level of cultivation, a dragon versus a bear, unless the battle took place on the ground where it could take advantage, it really couldn’t overcome the Giant Dragon elsewhere.
If it weren’t for Maxim’s lack of experience, always sparring on the ground with Belsden, he wouldn’t have been defeated so miserably.
Unaware that it could turn the tables, Maxim was now nearly developing a phobia of bears, continuing to pull others down with him.
A knowledgeable ghost said in panic.
Following, the captured ghosts all began to tremble.
Tormenting soul bodies was a Necromancer’s specialty.
Falling into anyone else’s hands meant just dying, as they could be resurrected on the ship afterwards.
But encountering a Necromancer was different; death was a luxury.
Fear awakened their remaining self-interest from life, frightening every ghost significantly.
“Since you know about Necromancers, it seems you’re not entirely foolish.
Either sign the contract willingly, or after a hundred years of soul refining, we’ll discuss this again,” Hudson threatened with a sardonic smirk.
The Necromancer’s identity couldn’t be exposed, but since the ones in the know were a group of ghosts, it didn’t matter.
Even if they wanted to leak the news, there was no place for them to report it.
Being universally despised as Dark Creatures, no one would listen to their nonsense.
The unfortunate ghost quickly left a mark on the contract.
After establishing the master-servant contract, the previously aggressive Hudson instantly changed his demeanor.
The burning Soul Fire not only subsided but also a surge of pure Dark Force emerged, repairing the damaged Soul Bodies of the ghosts.
The previously hesitant ghosts hastily signed the contract.
Having become his own ghosts, the tense atmosphere in the room dissipated.
Feeling the connection between them, Hudson was certain that he could kill these ghosts with the force of the contract at this moment, and even the Ghost Ship couldn’t resurrect them.
“Alright, let’s talk about the Ghost Ship!
Do not tell me you know nothing about it,” Hudson asked cheerfully.
The casual inquiry struck endless terror in the ghosts.
They hadn’t forgotten the scene of their souls being scorched just moments before.
“Master, we don’t know how the Ghost Ship came to be.
In our memories, we started by following the captain, robbing traders and growing from ordinary people to where we are now.
Before we met you, we didn’t even realize we were dead.
Our daily routines weren’t much different from those of living people.
Especially during our days on the ship, our memories seem to have been affected, making us forget the passage of time.
Yes, we can sense the location of the Ghost Ship.
If you want to find them, we can lead the way,” the ghosts replied hastily, having learned their lesson.
Regrettably, among these pieces of information, other than the location of the Ghost Ship being valuable, the rest weren’t of Hudson’s interests.
The origins and weaknesses of the Ghost Ship were all unmentioned.
They didn’t even remember their identities from before they died.