"Unghh!"
Rihanna awoke from a very long and dreamless sleep, and couldn't help groaning in discomfort. Her whole body was burning and every limb was aching - as if someone had beaten her up then lit her on fire.
Even through the daze she could hear the low threatening growls and grunts, but try as she might, she couldn't pry open the heavy eyelids. She groaned again, fighting desperately against the nausea, and moved her limbs one by one. Everything felt heavy. But finally she managed to open her eyes, blinking through the half open lids to stare at the bright sky above.
She stared at the two suns for nearly half a day. For the life of her she couldn't recall where she was. Why did it feel like she had once more returned to that very first day in Poison Swamp?
"You destroyed the entire base of the Dormions...you sure have guts. Aren't you scared that woman will come after you and your family?"
Rihanna blinked at the sky in surprise, then with much effort, twisted her neck to look at the source of those words.
This young man looked familiar!....where had she seen him?....Rihanna kept blinking at him with a foolish look.....who the hell was this man?!
"Did the fall make you stupid? Well, I wouldn't blame you. It was such a huge explosion.....and you took most of the burn on yourself."
Explosion?...Oh....wait! Yes.....there was an explosion it seems....Rihanna cringed in pain as various memories of the past few days flooded into her blank mind. The pain from this sudden infiltration made her head ache, and she groaned again in pain.
"You seem to have a lot of energy for a person who was drugged and then tortured by a sadistic pervert! Good to know I don't need to waste much effort on you."
Ignoring the throbbing, Rihanna pushed herself up to a sitting position and looked about her. It was Fluffy who was growling at the young man. Apparently he was not only awake, but had also seized an opportunity to arm himself with a thick wooden branch and was currently standing a mere three feet away from her. Was he planning on beating her to death?
Rihanna didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"The antidote is still with me. If you kill me, you'll never be able to completely rid yourself of the drugs. At least not in here."
The man squinted his eyes and frowned at her, wariness flickering through his eyes. Rihanna glanced over him and was relieved to find him looking more clear headed and lively than what she had seen the other day.
"I have no interest in killing you. Though I would love to know why you dragged me in here with you. And.....how is it that a commoner like you can use spiritual energy?"
Rihanna had already turned head away, so the man did not see the sharp glint which passed through her eyes. She had made too many mistakes during this rescue mission. Now someone knew about her secret....was it a good thing or a bad thing?
She took a deep breath, then jumped to her feet, each staring at the other in suspicion.
'Make him swear an oath to the heavens and earth and sign a contract with you. That is the only way you can keep him in control. Otherwise he may create a lot of trouble for you in the future.'
'A contract between two humans?!'
'Of course. And make it a Master-Slave contract. In equal contract he will still have a chance to hurt you as long as he uses others to bring you down.'
Rihanna ignored the young man and turned her focus to Ye Luo who was still under the effects of the drugs, as she pondered on these words seriously. Little Purple was not wrong. She was still not strong enough, and already had a boatload of enemies.
She couldn't yet let people know about the strange methods of her cultivation. She didn't want people to look at her as a research subject! Also, having a subordinate through contract was not a bad idea.
"Sometimes, if you know too much, and even speak of it, it might just put your own life in danger....don't you think?"
The man snorted in reply, his expression a bit uncaring, as if he had nothing to fear.
"Hmph! Is that all you devil cultivators can do? Threatening the weak, drugging them and then tormenting them to the last breath of their life....what has that woman not put me through in the past few weeks. Do you think I care anymore! How different can you be? I am still drugged and can't use my energy.....come at me if you dare!"
Rihanna got up, feeling a bit annoyed. She could empathize with his experiences...but his sarcasm was getting on her nerves. Well, if he wanted her to shut him up once and for all....then she could only oblige!
And since he already knew that she could cultivate, she needn't hold back!
And so she blasted him with both fire and frost powers till he was plastered to the ground. Though, she had made sure not to hurt him too much, but since he was suffering from prior injuries, he was in a wretched state, even as he lifted his head and laughed into her face.
Rihanna stopped, heaving a long and tired sigh.
"Tired already? You can just kill me to absorb my blood.....then you can gain all the qualities of my body. Or you could cultivate just the way she did.....that too will increase your body's powers!"
"Just shut up....Make an oath to the heaven and earth and make a master-slave contract with me."
The man paused in his ranting's, looking at her as if she had suddenly grown two horns and three tails!
Then a dark and stormy cloud started forming in those eyes, glinting with a vicious and unbeatable light.
"Never!"
Both went back to their previous staring contest.
'Little Purple...how about I swear an oath first. Maybe that can ease his fears. After all....a master-slave contract is a big thing.'
After some discussion with Little Purple, Rihanna raised her right hand to the sky, with three fingers open, and the little finger and thumb, bent and touching each other. Apparently the gesture of taking an oath.
"I, Rihanna, make an Oath to the Heavens and the Earth, that I will never cause any harm to my contacted beings, be they human or animals. I will always see to their safety, never hurt them, physically or emotionally, and try my best to protect them. I will never make them go against their conscience to follow my orders. As long as my contracted beings do not hurt me intentionally or betray my confidence, they will always be a part of my family, and I will treat them with love, respect and care."
As she finished, she turned and noticed both Fluffy and Phantasm staring at her. Phantasm was not yet cured entirely, and he had been laying in the shadows of some boulders nearby. But now he scrambled to Rihanna, using all his remaining energy, and tried to jump on her legs.
Rihanna picked her up, cuddling her in her arms. Fluffy too rushed forth and jumped up to his favorite perch. Both of them stared at their master with tears and surprise in their eyes. Rihanna started feeling awkward and uncomfortable under their glowing gaze, and looked about in embarrassment.
Her eyes caught onto the eyes of the young man who was staring at her in shock.
"Yo-you!!.....What kind of a vow is that?"
Artreya was suddenly feeling befuddled. Why would anyone make that kind of a promise? And he made a heaven and earth promise....Did he know the consequences of breaking such a vow?! He could feel his eyebrows twitching in frustration.
"Now it's your turn. You know too much about me. So I can only be secure after we have made a contract. Don't worry....just think of it as working for me. I will not make you do anything against your conscience. That's why I took this vow....to appease your fears."
Artreya looked at the boy's clear and bright eyes, and felt at a loss. He also knew that this boy was offering him a chance. He took a deep breath. It was not like he actually had any place to return to. His team-mates had abandoned him a long time ago. Even if he was not caught by the devil woman, he wouldn't have been able to return to his old group.
"I, Artreya, make an Oath to the Heavens and Earth, that I will never harm my Master. I will treat my Master like my family, and obey every command. I will follow every instruction, and love care and honour my Master for the rest of my life. If I ever reveal any of my Masters Secrets, then may I receive the Heaven's punishment. I will also treat all of Master's contacted beings as my siblings, and will take care of them in Masters absence."
Rihanna looked at the young man in surprise. Then a smile broke through her pursed lips. Placing Phantasm down in a cozy and shaded corner, she stepped forward and completed the Master-Slave contract with Artreya. Finally she stepped back and grinned mischievously at her new subordinate.
Artreya looked at her confused.....what was this little guy planning now? Wait.....What?!
Right before his incredulous eyes, Rihanna released her spirit into the Trans-mutating Jade, and slowly her whole form started changing. Within moments, the young male cultivator changed....and was replaced by a tiny girl, who barely reached up to his chest!
Staring at her, Artreya suddenly wished he could retract back his vow and contract.....he was now working for a little brat who still hadn't lost her baby fat!!