Chapter 368: The Contract
"Finally reached peak Foundation Establishment."
Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes.
This secluded cultivation lasted a full week.
Even with his unrivaled comprehension, extraordinary mind, superior Origin Sovereign Physique, and absurd cultivation speed—he still hit a bottleneck.
The barrier was faint, barely perceptible, like he only needed to push a little further to pierce through and enter the next realm.
"Gotta go find a fight."
He cracked his knuckles, hands tightening until they popped. The hyper-intelligent synergy of his Origin Sovereign Physique and his mind instantly presented a solution.
To put it simply—his realm had advanced too fast and was unstable. Only through combat could he fully integrate and master the cultivation he had accumulated.
He burned through ten spirit crystals an hour, trained for sixteen hours a day, and meditated the remaining eight. After seven days, his stash of crystals was nearly wiped out.
Hakyryu noticed Chen Huaian had woken up.
He quickly scrambled up from the ground, lowering his head in a posture of obedience.
"Same seven days of cultivation—how come there's no visible improvement in your aura? Been slacking off?"
"No, just slow-witted, cultivation speed is weak."
Though that’s what he said, Hakyryu was internally crying.
At first, he could sponge a little spiritual energy near Chen Huaian.
But ever since Chen reached the later stage of Foundation Establishment, his spiritual absorption had no cap. After reaching peak Foundation Establishment, it was terrifying—just like before, he was a full-on vacuum.
If he weren’t already a demon beast with a demon core, he might’ve been sucked dry—his demon energy refined away too.
"Little bro, you’re falling behind. Gotta train harder next time."
Chen Huaian pulled out his phone, wanting to check if Zhao Ying or the others had messaged him. That, and of course, his personal little world and his adorable disciple.
Though he had chatted with Li Qingran briefly each day over the week, he hadn’t descended in person. His little disciple was probably sulking hard.
"Boss, do you need a mount?"
Before Chen could open his message alerts,
he suddenly heard Hakyryu blurt that out.
"A mount?" He turned his head, giving Hakyryu a strange look.
His eyes lingered on Hakyryu’s tall frame and majestic appearance.
Didn’t think much of it at first—but now that he looked at him, his rear started itching. Like his butt had a mind of its own and needed to sit on something.
"You don’t say. Really, don’t say that."
Chen Huaian started walking in circles around Hakyryu.
Nodding as he clicked his tongue, he said, "With that build and that look, in a game you’d be worth at least three to five Heaven’s Bounty Stones. Level you up a bit more and you’d be worth a million easy. Yeah… you do seem fit to be a mount. But are you actually willing to be my steed?"
"Boss, please! It would be my honor to serve as your mount."
Hakyryu lowered his posture even more—this was all part of his plan.
If he became the Boss’s ride, the Boss would have to bring him along wherever he went. That way, he could follow him right into the Demon Sealing Tower.
"Not bad. You’ve got some real self-awareness."
Chen Huaian gave Hakyryu a look of approval.
He was honestly tempted, but still shook his head. "You’re too dangerous. As much as I want to accept, I have to consider the threat you pose to the environment around you."
Hakyryu blinked in disbelief.
Still not taking the bait?
Wasn’t he handsome? Didn’t he look epic?
He was Taotie, a ferocious beast of legend!
This kind of mount—how was it not tempting?
D*mn it. This was what made a true Boss.
Guess this guy had ridden phoenixes and dragons in his past life. No wonder an ancient beast like him wasn’t impressive in comparison.
If that’s the case, time for the ultimate move!
With a dramatic slide, Hakyryu skidded up to Chen Huaian, slamming his giant head to the ground with a loud thud. He spoke sincerely,
"Boss, you really don’t have to worry about safety. I’m willing to sign a blood contract with you. That way, even if I lose control, you can keep me in check."
"Contract?" Chen Huaian’s expression got weirder. "You really want to be this Venerable One’s mount that badly?"
Of course, Hakyryu didn’t actually want to.
But he still flattered him, "Mainly because I’m in awe of your power. But also, I want to see more of the world. This place you live in is nice, but staying here all the time feels like being a caged bird. The world is huge… and I want to see it."
"Alright!" Chen Huaian was touched by Hakyryu’s sincerity and dreams. He clapped enthusiastically. "Alright! I thought you were just some lazy fish of a monster, but you actually have aspirations and a sense of purpose… very well! This Venerable One will sign a contract with you!"
Who doesn’t want a flashy monster steed?
Everything up till now had been testing the waters.
Now, Chen Huaian was genuinely on board.
The contract was simple.
Just a drop of blood on Hakyryu’s forehead.
With a flash of dazzling special effects, the contract was complete.
Chen Huaian could now clearly sense Hakyryu’s presence. It was an odd but amazing feeling—it wouldn’t fade with distance. Even if Hakyryu was at the ends of the earth, Chen could still pinpoint his location and even access his vision.
"What kind of contract is this? This Venerable One isn’t a cruel man. I don’t want to force others, even if you’re not human."
Boss really was the real deal—not even thinking of exploiting a beast.
He answered honestly:
"This is a mutual contract. As long as my strength doesn’t surpass yours by a whole major realm, you’ll still have authority over me."
"Oh." Chen Huaian blinked and paused for a moment before suddenly asking,
"Do you know how to turn a mutual contract into a master-servant contract? Don’t give me that look—this Venerable One’s just asking out of curiosity. What, you think I’m that kind of person?"
"You can’t switch from mutual to master-servant right away," he answered honestly. "But if your cultivation surpasses mine by two major realms, you can cancel the current contract and sign a new one. Then you can choose to make it a master-servant contract."
At that level, cultivators were called Patriarchs by even Nascent Soul cultivators—there was no way a lie would go unnoticed.
Still, he had his own little plans.
Boss was likely a reincarnated cultivator, training fast.
But he was Taotie—as long as he could eat, his speed was peerless.
And once they entered the Demon Sealing Tower, he might find a great opportunity.
The Boss surpassing him by two whole realms anytime soon? Not likely.
In fact, once he gained that opportunity, who knew if the Boss would ever catch up again?
Maybe… someday, the Boss would have to rely on him.
Maybe their roles would be reversed—and he’d be the Boss!
Just imagining that future made Hakyryu’s tail wag uncontrollably.