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Ivan pondered for a moment, extending his hand slightly as a beam of light illuminated Tina for testing. He aimed to discern if she possessed any special magical items. Considering his previous encounter with the cross, Ivan speculated that Tina might also unintentionally possess unique items.
As the beam swept across Tina's body, Ivan's attention was captivated by an unusual energy fluctuation. Though not particularly potent, the purity of this energy made it impossible to dismiss.
"Indeed! How fortunate"
Ivan was pleasantly surprised. Initially, he did the test as a precautionary measure, never expecting to uncover anything significant.
However, Ivan soon realized that this stroke of luck might not bode well for Tina. The energy fluctuations did not emanate from any items on her person but rather from her body, indicating a special physique or some form of soul mutation. Should she opt for a deal, it seemed she could only bargain with her soul or body.
Driven by curiosity, Ivan resolved to unveil the nature of Tina's uniqueness. He directly invaded her mind with his mental power, delving into her memories to swiftly discern the peculiarities.
Tina, the young mother, was born at a particularly auspicious time according to the Chinese calendar, with eight characters favoring yin. Furthermore, her exceptionally pure soul attracted the interest of devils, angels, and gods alike. In the eyes of ancient Chinese practitioners, she would be considered a cultivation genius.
Even within the Western pantheon, her purity could lead to recognition by the church, potentially elevating her to the status of a saint or even direct dedication to the gods she admired.
Ivan hesitated, unsure whether to reveal to Tina, the distressed mother, the revelation about the shadowy figure and her pure soul. However, when he observed her eyes, devoid of hope, cradling two children on the brink of lifelessness, on the verge of departure, Ivan couldn't suppress his concern any longer.
"Hold on a moment. Upon my recent examination, I discovered that you do possess treasures that can be exchanged with me. However, I must caution you that this may not bode well for you. The price you'll pay is beyond your imagination, and you need to be mentally prepared."
Ivan's words seemed to cascade into Tina's heart like a clear spring, sparking a glimmer of hope in her once-lifeless eyes.
Without hesitation, Tina declared, "As long as I can save my children, no matter the cost, I am willing to pay. Tell me, what should I do?"
Sighing, Ivan replied, "Based on my examination, you possess an extremely yin physique and a pure soul. In some ways, this is also the source of your suffering."
"A pure soul alone is inconsequential, the crux lies in your yin constitution. It affects your children; I believe you've noticed their persistent frailty since childhood, a consequence of your yin constitution."
"And your husband, to be frank, few men can endure a pure yin body. Under the influence of your negative energy, yang energy is unknowingly depleted, leading to a seemingly inconspicuous but significantly shortened lifespan."
"What? Are you saying my husband's death is because of me? Why is this happening? Sob..." Tina sobbed even more upon hearing Ivan's words.
Recalling her husband's fate, Tina acknowledged the truth in Ivan's words. He had been healthy before marriage, but her husband's health deteriorated progressively, culminating in his demise shortly after the birth of their two children. Tina now realized she was the root cause of it all.
"Don't be too despondent. Some things are beyond your control. Right now, the priority is to save your child. You can choose between exchanging the life of your children with either your soul or your body. The decision is yours."
"I do" Tina nodded without hesitation.
"What do I need to do?"
Ivan was shocked by the woman's determination.
'It's crazy what a mother would do for her kids.'
Ivan produced a contract made of dragon skin, distinct from the parchment paper used in Jon's transaction. Given the rarity of the yin body and pure soul, Ivan placed great importance on this contract.
The detailed contract featured dozens of clauses, with clear and precise terms. Tina focused on the sections related to her child's rescue, ensuring everything was acceptable. She then cut her finger, using her blood to sign the contract.
Once the contract took effect, Ivan took immediate action. Producing a test tube from seemingly nowhere, he filled it with red blood, adding intermittent drops of variously colored night essences. A cloud of white mist emerged, turning the liquid milky.
Approaching Tina, Ivan poured the concoction into the mouths of the two children. The medicine quickly took effect, lengthening and smoothing their breathing, dispelling the abnormal flush. Everything seemed to be improving.
"Alright, there should be no issues. I administered a potion made of dragon blood and special ingredients. Dragon blood itself strengthens the human body. Legend has it that dragon slayers bathe in it to boost their strength. Not only does it neutralize the negative energy in your children, but it also enhances their physical fitness, ensuring they'll be healthier than ordinary people."
Unspoken were Ivan's thoughts on the potency of the dragon blood. Ordinary dragon blood lacked such power; the blood of the colossal fire dragons in the magical world had degenerated, now serving mainly as a material for refining medicine or creating magical potions.
The dragon blood used by Ivan was drawn from Smaug, awakening the ancient fire dragon's blood. Picture a colossal body over 100 meters long, innate magic in the dragon family blood, and fiery energy usable as fuel. Expelling negative energy posed no challenge.
"Thank you for saving my child" Tina repeatedly expressed her gratitude. She had broken down before, and if her two children had died, life would have lost its meaning.
"No thanks. We're just trading, each taking what we need. I'll remind you again; when you signed the contract, your body and soul became mine. You can't even commit suicide without my permission. I can control you at any time, erase your memory and feelings, and make you an obedient puppet."
Tina's face paled as she looked at her sleeping children. Finally, she nodded, "I understand. But my two children are still young. Allow me to send them back and make some arrangements."
Ivan had no objections to this trivial matter. He produced a box and tossed it to Tina, saying, "You have seven days. After that, the door you came through will reopen, and you must return. Use what's in the box to place your children inside."
Tina opened the box to find it filled with gold coins. The value was sufficient to raise two children to adulthood, with much left over. Tina wanted to refuse instinctively, but Ivan waved his hand, saying, "Take as much as you like. You won't have many opportunities to meet your children in the future. This money can, at least, make their lives more comfortable."
In the end, Tina accepted the gold. Despite her outward softness, Tina possessed inner strength and dignity. In the past, she would never have accepted others' money. Now, for the sake of her children's future, she sacrificed the last trace of resistance in her heart.
Watching Tina fade away, Ivan sat in contemplation. Seeing a mother willing to do anything for her child, he couldn't help but think of his unfortunate son submerged in the cultivation tank.
According to calculations, his son should be fully developed now, reaching the due date for birth. There was no need to stay in the culture tank any longer.
Ivan had some concerns. He couldn't provide his child with a complete family, lacking a mother's care. This was a constant source of pain. Despite appearing as a young man in his twenties, Ivan was middle-aged. He hadn't experienced a genuine relationship, even with the Black Widow. Their interactions were scripted scenes—no authentic emotions.
Now, there seemed to be a solution to the lack of maternal love for his child. If Tina cared for her children, her love would likely transfer to his kid. While not a complete replacement, it could alleviate the absence of maternal love.
Ivan decided to leave the Devil's Cabin, heading to the underground space of Skull Island using a quick apparition. In the deepest hidden room, a baby soaked in culture solution awaited—Ivan's unfortunate son.
"Red Queen, how is my son? Has there been any problem during this time?"
The red queen's voice replied, "Dr. Ivan, rest assured. The young master is in excellent condition, and healthy with no defects. He'll grow up like a normal child."
"That's good. Today will be his birthdate, he is destined to stand at the top of the world. I'll name him Kyle Shaw. Address him as Young Master Kyle from now on."
"Congratulations on your successor, Dr. Ivan. I hope he'll be as smart as you in the future."
Ivan smiled at the compliment. He responded to the Red Queen, "Thank you, even though you're just an artificial intelligence. I appreciate it."
The sound of running water filled the room as the nutrient solution drained from the culture tank. The tank opened automatically, revealing the baby inside. Ivan cradled him, lifting him upside down. After a few pats on the back, a loud baby cry echoed—his firstborn, Kyle Shaw, was born.