Chapter 458: The Soul Contract
The imprisoned demon, Yao Ming, recognized that the group was clearly led by Xiao Ze, who seemed unperturbed and unconvinced by his words alone. Despite Xiao Ze's youthful appearance, his profound strength indicated he was no naive soul who would easily trust the words of a stranger. Yao Ming knew he had to make Xiao Ze believe him, as this might be his only chance at freedom.
He had been imprisoned by Yao Xiao Tian in the depths of the Nine Nether Underworld for centuries, enduring the torment of chilling forces for all that time. Even with a nearly insane desire for revenge, he couldn't endure another few centuries waiting for another foreigner to venture to the bottom of the Nine Nether Underworld. Therefore, Yao Ming offered the whole Nine Nether Earth Ming Python clan as a bargaining chip in desperation, pleading for Xiao Ze to rescue him.
Determined, Yao Ming knew he must persuade the man before him. He forced down the endless hatred and rage swirling in his mind, closed his eyes for a moment, and then slowly reopened them.
"I understand that you wouldn't trust the words of a stranger, especially since I am a prisoner. But at least allow me to explain what happened. Even if you choose not to help, let others know the vile face of that beast, Yao Xiao Tian."
After speaking, Yao Ming didn't just continue talking; he looked at Xiao Ze for a response. Xiao Ze glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, Medusa, and the others by his side, who seemed somewhat interested, so he nodded for Yao Ming to continue.
Yao Ming, reassured by Xiao Ze's response, hurriedly proceeded with his story, "I am Yao Ming, the clan leader of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python. Hundreds of years ago, that bastard Yao Xiao Tian plotted against me and had me imprisoned here at the bottom of the Nine Nether Underworld!"
Yao Ming paused, visibly struggling to keep his composure as rage surged within him. Seeing that Xiao Ze's expression remained unchanged, he took a deep breath, knowing that merely venting his anger would achieve nothing.
"Yao Xiao Tian is my own brother. Though older and stronger than him, he knew he couldn't surpass me, so he conspired with his confidants to severely injure me…"
After Yao Ming detailed his imprisonment, seeing Xiao Ze still noncommittal, he hurriedly added, "Although he has imprisoned me, he didn't obtain the Nine Nether Scepter, the symbol of our clan leader's authority. Only with the Nine Nether Scepter is one truly considered the clan leader of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python!"
"Thus, even if you rescue me, it won't offend the entire Nine Nether Earth Ming Python clan. You would only need to deal with Yao Xiao Tian and his close followers!"
Xiao Ze frowned slightly, surprised by Yao Ming's frankness. In the original story, Yao Ming hadn't been so forthcoming. Perhaps Xiao Ze's presence had altered things compared to Xiao Yan's solo journey to the underworld in the original narrative.
After consulting Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa, Xiao Ze realized that the change in strength among his companions had likely influenced Yao Ming's tactics. Strong as he was, Xiao Ze alone could confront Yao Xiao Tian and the elder. Pondering another possibility, Xiao Ze thought Yao Ming, having endured centuries of torment, might be driven by sheer desperation—a grasp at any straw of hope.
Seeing that Xiao Ze had not yet responded, Yao Ming, perhaps sensing that his bargaining chips were insufficient to ensure his release, proceeded to reveal everything in a last-ditch effort to gain Xiao Ze's sympathy or aid.
Xiao Ze, observing Yao Ming's demeanor, couldn't be entirely sure of his motives but didn't hesitate for long.
"Yao Ming, you know as well as I do that empty words won't convince anyone," Xiao Ze said calmly. "If I go to great lengths to rescue you and help you fend off Yao Xiao Tian and his followers, and you then betray me, wouldn't all my efforts have been in vain?"
Xiao Ze deliberately framed the situation as if the rescue would be a massive undertaking, perhaps even beyond his considerable abilities.
After a moment of silence, Yao Ming seemed to make a significant decision. "If you don't trust me, I will open my soul defenses and allow you to imprint a soul seal on me. That way, my life and death will be in your hands."
Pleased with Yao Ming's proposal, Xiao Ze smiled subtly. The women by his side exchanged looks of surprise, having watched Xiao Ze maintain a detached demeanor throughout the conversation, showing little interest in controlling the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python clan.
"This condition is worth considering. However, I won't be the one to place the soul seal," Xiao Ze decided, turning to Qing Lin. "Qing Lin, you do it."
Qing Lin was momentarily startled, then remembered the ability Xiao Ze had helped her develop—the capacity to enact a soul contract.
Yao Ming's eyebrows knitted together. Xiao Ze's decision to let one of the seemingly weaker companions perform the seal instead of doing it himself made him uneasy. If the seal were placed by Xiao Ze, a fellow Dou Saint, it would unquestionably control his fate. But if one of these young women, whose power he assumed to be lesser, did it, the bond might not be as binding.
However, when he focused on Qing Lin, his pupils shrank in shock. The Tri-Flower Serpent Eyes!
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