Chapter 306

Chapter 306: Soul Contract

Lou Yun had only read about foreseeing the future in books. But those were mere fabrications of the authors; no one capable of true prescience could exist. Yet if Gui You Quan spoke the truth, Mr. Commoner had undoubtedly foreseen events occurring on Spirit Weapon Star four to five hundred years later.

At this moment, Gui You Quan spoke again, "Young Master, all these years I have pondered Mr. Commoner’s words about my two tribulations. I could never grasp what they might entail. But now I understand my first tribulation was imprisonment in this place. And the only one who can free me is you, Young Master."

Pausing briefly, he continued, "As for the second tribulation, I believe it is the impending suffering of the heavenly punishment. Because my cultivation method is unique, the lightning strike I endure will be far more devastating than that of others. Likely, only you, Young Master, can help me survive it."

Lou Yun’s mind felt utterly muddled, incapable of coherent thought. Everything Gui You Quan said lay far beyond his understanding.

Fortunately, Chang Xiang chimed in, "Kid, he’s probably telling the truth. In his time, Mr. Commoner held immense reverence. He was also a preeminent genius whose knowledge stretched vast and wide. Beyond unparalleled mastery in pill refining and forging weapons, he possessed other extraordinary abilities. Foresight may sound unbelievable, but it isn’t necessarily impossible."

This explanation finally cleared Lou Yun’s mind. He considered, "If Gui You Quan is truthful, I should free him now and later aid him. Yet if he lies… once released, he might slaughter us all."

Chang Xiang also agonized over this dilemma. Indeed, after painstakingly sealing Gui You Quan, releasing him could yield catastrophic consequences if he deceived them.

After prolonged silence, Chang Xiang simply threw it back to Lou Yun, "You decide. I don’t know."

Even Chang Xiang was stumped; Lou Yun felt equally helpless.

Reading Lou Yun’s expression, Gui You Quan offered a faint smile. "Young Master, I understand mere words can’t inspire trust. But I possess a method to set your mind at ease."

"What method?"

"Do you know of the Soul Contract?"

"Soul Contract?"

Lou Yun remained unaware, but Chang Xiang explained, "A Soul Contract binds one’s soul to another. The subordinate party loses all autonomy and must obey every command. Disobedience allows the master to obliterate their soul with a mere thought."

"So formidable?" Lou Yun questioned skeptically.

"Indeed. None willingly submit to it. That Gui You Quan volunteers for a Soul Contract proves his sincerity."

After deliberation, Lou Yun asked Gui You Quan, "You’ll undergo a Soul Contract with me?"

Without hesitation, Gui You Quan answered, "Of course. My life was gifted by Mr. Commoner. Since he commanded repayment to you, Young Master, this Soul Contract is my honor."

"Very well!"

Gui You Quan’s unwavering resolve finally convinced Lou Yun.

Upon hearing acceptance, Gui You Quan shut his eyes instantly. A pale blue, firefly-like aura emerged from the crown of his head, drifting before Lou Yun.

"That’s a fragment of Gui You Quan’s soul. Let it enter your mind without resistance. That concludes the ritual," guided Chang Xiang.

Lou Yun observed the faint blue aura seep through his own scalp. An icy chill pierced his body—evidence of Gui You Quan’s devoured souls as a ghost weapons master.

The cold vanished swiftly. A pale blue character ["契"] for ’pact’ surfaced in his mind as Gui You Quan reopened his eyes, smiling. "Young Master, our Soul Contract is sealed. Trust me now?"

The sensation felt mystifying to Lou Yun. He sensed an intangible, foreign presence nestled in his mind. Yet he knew a single conscious command could annihilate it entirely—this manifestly being Gui You Quan’s soul.

His perception arose not through soul detection, but the Soul Contract’s metaphysical link allowing him to perceive the intruding soul fragment.

Despite the pact, Lou Yun delayed Gui You Quan’s release from the Binding Dragon Formation. "Gui You Quan," he declared, "Although I am Mr. Commoner’s disciple, neither master nor subordinate shall bind you. Remain free to act. But cease all wanton slaughter. Or face my retribution."

"Submitting to you remains my choice, Young Master; no need for your forbearance," Gui You Quan replied humbly. "Killing served my cultivation long ago. Now I require it no more. My cultivation nears completion, awaiting only the heavenly punishment’s final ordeal. You need not worry."

Lou Yun studied Gui You Quan intently before nodding. "Good. I trust you. Your freedom begins now."

He waved his hand, unleashing weapon spirit power to obscure the formation script on the ground. The Binding Dragon Formation shattered instantly, liberating Gui You Quan.

Lou Yun backed away warily, his defenses primed against betrayal.

Such caution proved unnecessary. After brushing dust from his robes, Gui You Quan knelt stiffly. "This servant, Gui You Quan, pays homage to his Young Master!"

This deference finally dissolved Lou Yun’s suspicions. Yet he retained private misgivings: Gui You Quan swore to abstain from killing, but could a ghost weapons master truly abandon a lifetime saturated in carnage? That ingrained bloodlust might prove impossible to eradicate.

Such issues belonged to the future. Presently, securing his comrades took precedence. "Rise, Gui You Quan," Lou Yun commanded. "Believe you, I do. Now demand one vow from you."

"Speak your will, Young Master."

"Forswear your vendetta against my sworn brothers. Never speak of revenge."

"I pledge obedience!"

Gui You Quan’s instantaneous assent seemed dubious, yet Lou Yun offered no protest. He turned his back, rushing toward Ao Wushen—beaten gravely while trying to shield him.

Though severely injured, Ao Wushen retained awareness and overheard the exchange. Unfamiliar with Mr. Commoner, he’d stayed silent. Now confronting Lou Yun, he summoned a strained smile and managed a whisper: "Lad… trust little that Gui You Quan says. Stay vigilant."

Lou Yun nodded reassurance. "Understood. How grievous are your wounds?"

Ao Wushen’s superior cultivation rendered his internal state unknowable to Lou Yun’s senses.

A pained chuckle escaped Ao Wushen. "I endure… death won’t claim me yet. Tend the others first. Gui You Quan’s Yin Ming energy suffuses them. Delay treatment and they’ll face irreversible harm."

"Yes. Try to regulate your energy. I’ll assess them."

Lou Yun stood just as Gui You Quan interjected: "Young Master, Ao Wushen advises rightly. Their wounds, though grave, concern chiefly the Yin Ming energy. If it melds with their magical weapons, recovery is forfeited. If you permit… I shall extract this taint."

Allowing Gui You Quan near them invited peril. But Lou Yun’s brief reflection ended in agreement. "Proceed."

Gui You Quan strode toward the stricken quartet—Beichen Ming among them. Lou Yun watched his every motion tensely, soul-shattering reprisal readied at any hint of ill intent.

Chang Xiang admonished, "Calm yourself. Possessing his soul guarantees his faithfulness. Betrayal holds no purpose for him now."

This proved correct. Standing motionless over the four, Gui You Quan merely inhaled. Wisps of pallorous vapor—greyish-white—streamed from each mouth into his own form.

"Young Master," he reported, "Their Yin Ming energy is purged. Though gravely injured, they shall soon awaken. Recovery through regulated circulation follows."

Chang Xiang’s assurance and the returning colour to their faces convinced Lou Yun. "Good," he acknowledged. "Once revived, we will devise our departure from here."