Contract

"What's wrong with Rouge?" Jiang Nannan asked nervously.

The Rouge she spoke of was the pink giant python that had been with her mother before—the Rouge Soft Tendon Python.

In the original story, Jiang Nannan's Soul Spirit had also happened to be a Rouge Soft Tendon Python.

Though she did not know whether this Rouge was the python that had become Jiang Nannan's Soul Spirit in the original story, Jiang Nannan presumably had some sort of fate with these pink serpents.

Last year, when Jiang Nannan returned to Jade City from Shrek Academy during her break, she happened to find the severely injured Rouge Soft Tendon Python lying unconscious in the forest.

A terrifying wound had nearly cut the rose-red serpent in two. The edges of the wound bore blackened scorch marks, and no one knew who had inflicted such a dreadful injury.

Jiang Nannan cautiously checked the surroundings, yet found no traces of battle nearby. Clearly, the Rouge Soft Tendon Python had consciously headed toward Jade City after shaking off its enemy.

Knowing to seek help in Jade City after being injured proved that the great serpent possessed considerable intelligence.

And if she left it there, the serpent would likely soon die, or be devoured by other soul beasts as food.

Thinking of Jade City's ideals, Jiang Nannan ultimately decided to drag the serpent back to Jade City for treatment.

A brave little rabbit was not afraid of difficulties!

The girl did not know where she found the courage or strength. A rabbit Martial Soul, Agility Attack Soul Master who had only just broken through Rank 30 and had yet to obtain her third soul ring, she had forcibly dragged the more-than-ten-meter-long serpent, thicker than herself, all the way back to Jade City.

Rouge survived under Jade City's treatment. Perhaps because Jiang Nannan had saved its life, the Rouge Soft Tendon Python became deeply attached to her. From then on, it remained in Jade City and lived with Jiang Nannan and her mother.

The highly intelligent serpent quickly integrated into the tiny household, as if Jiang Nannan's family had gained another relative.

Now that her mother said Rouge had a problem, Jiang Nannan was naturally extremely worried.

"I'm not sure either, but Rouge hasn't moved from the same spot since this morning. I thought it was dozing off, but when I got up just now, I saw that its eyes had turned white." Jiang Nannan's mother wore a deeply worried expression. "It looks like it's in terrible pain. It keeps struggling on the ground, and I really don't know what's wrong."

Jiang Nannan was at a loss as well. Why would a snake's eyes suddenly turn white? Had it eaten something poisonous?

"It's shedding its skin." Wang Rui pondered for a moment before speaking. "Soul beasts such as snakes and lizards shed periodically. Every molt is a minor ordeal for them. Generally speaking, such soul beasts prepare for it far in advance. But this Rouge Soft Tendon Python has been living with you, and every aspect of it has been affected. Its intelligence and cultivation speed have both improved. Its growth over the past two years was likely too fast, beyond its own expectations, so it did not have time to prepare in advance."

"Then... what should we do?" Jiang Nannan asked blankly, seeming somewhat helpless.

"I'll go take a look with you," Wang Rui said.

"I shall come as well." Lu Mingyou nodded, then turned to Huo Yuqing. "Yuhao, there seems to be a problem with the Storage Soul Tool in the shop. I invited a Soul Engineer from New City to repair it, and he should arrive after a while... I'll leave the shop to you."

Huo Yuqing obediently nodded. "All right, Teacher."

The group followed Jiang Nannan back to her home.

Jiang Nannan's house had a small backyard enclosed by a fence covered in flowering vines, with some vegetables growing inside.

At the moment, however, those vegetables had been trampled into a mess.

The Rouge Soft Tendon Python was rolling and struggling in the yard, letting out pained hisses. Its eyes had turned completely white, with none of their usual ruby-like clarity remaining. Its bright pink scales had also lost their luster.

The great serpent desperately rubbed its head against the fence and the house walls. Its entire body was twisted grotesquely, and it looked to be in immense pain.

Wang Rui immediately spotted a patch of pale pink protruding from the Rouge Soft Tendon Python's mouth.

A look of heartache flashed across Jiang Nannan's face. Just as she was about to approach, the giant python abruptly contracted. The front half of its body curled into an S-shape, its head aimed in Jiang Nannan's direction as it hissed a warning.

"It can't see right now. I advise you not to approach rashly." Wang Rui raised a brow, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

The girl hesitated, then cautiously lifted a hand and said gently, "Rouge, don't be afraid. It's me."

The serpent hesitated before its enormous head moved closer. Jiang Nannan remained calm and did not move.

The Rouge Soft Tendon Python flicked out its tongue to test her direction. After carefully distinguishing her scent in the air, its tense body gradually relaxed. The slender tip of its pink tail silently slid over and hooked around the girl's wrist with a snap.

Clearly, Jiang Nannan's presence gave this temporarily blinded serpent a sense of security.

"Teacher, is there any way we can help Rouge?" Jiang Nannan asked softly as she watched the restless python.

"I'm afraid not." Lu Mingyou showed some difficulty. "A snake soul beast shedding its skin is one of its own minor ordeals. If outsiders interfere rashly, it may only increase the difficulty of overcoming the ordeal... As far as I know, snakes need a great deal of water while shedding. Let's bring it some water first."

"I'll go." Jiang Nannan's mother picked up a bucket and went to fetch water.

Watching Jiang Nannan gently soothe the Rouge Soft Tendon Python, a trace of gratification rose in Lu Mingyou's eyes. She transmitted with Soul Power, "If a contract existed, its condition would be somewhat better during the molt... Auspicious Beast, do you think there is a possibility for the two of them to form a contract now?"

Wang Rui did not answer directly. He opened the Eye of Destiny.

The fortune surrounding Jiang Nannan and that surrounding the Rouge Soft Tendon Python had already begun to show an obvious tendency to merge.

The fortune belonging to the human and the fortune belonging to the soul beast rotated harmoniously, beginning to intertwine. A highly visible pink band of light connected Jiang Nannan and the great serpent, as though they truly were family, their fortunes linked together—this was the change brought about by deep affection and bonds.

Humans and humans, soul beasts and soul beasts, soul beasts and humans—if they trusted one another, shared deep feelings, and were united in purpose, such changes would occur.

For example, the fortunes of loving married couples, steadfast close friends, and like-minded companions would all show signs of merging.

The contract Wang Rui had developed drew upon this phenomenon. He called this power a contract, but while its effects resembled those of a conventional contract, it was in fact completely different.

Using the Power of Destiny, he could deepen the degree to which a human's and a soul beast's fortunes merged, making them a complete whole on the level of fate. They could truly advance and retreat together, their minds connected.

Once their fates became one, if the soul beast and the human's Martial Soul shared some connection—such as belonging to the same race, races with friendly and mutually beneficial relations, the same attribute, or certain other uncommon connections—their powers would resonate and undergo a special transformation.

Because the two were already considered a single entity from the perspective of fate, they could accelerate each other's cultivation, strengthen one another, share skills, and even divide injuries and consumption between them. There were many other special changes, depending on the specific circumstances of both sides.

However, if their powers had no connection whatsoever and could not resonate, Wang Rui could still use the Power of Destiny to merge their fortunes on the foundation of deep feelings. Yet such a fusion could bring no benefits at all and might even cause harm.

This was the limitation of the "contract" Wang Rui had developed himself.

And the Rouge Soft Tendon Python and the Soft Bone Rabbit...

"Sorry. Contracts have their limitations. I currently have no way to do anything." Wang Rui shook his head.

"Then why not try the contract magic from our world?" an aged voice sounded in Wang Rui's mind.

All right, today was Man Duanduan too!!!

Man Duanduan had an exam coming up soon, so she needed to build up some draft chapters!