Contracting the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion

After Matthews finished arranging the mission for Asolun, he charged forward.

Logically, the safest method at a time like this would be for Matthews to guard the boulder directly. However, he was currently at his peak state; as he dragged out the fight with this Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, his condition would naturally decline due to metabolic fatigue and the onset of drowsiness. That would be a slow descent into a losing position.

Matthews did not know how long this lion had been tracking them. Therefore, he had no opportunity to gauge its condition and had no choice but to take the initiative while he was still at his peak.

"Boom--"

The slash from Matthews's Cold Light Blade was easily blocked by the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion's right claw. The sound of their simple collision generated a sonic boom no less powerful than a grenade explosion.

Matthews retreated over ten meters after the strike, and by this point, he had roughly estimated the general strength of this Blood-Eyed Mane Lion. Fortunately, it was not a Saint-level Magic Beast, but rather a peak level nine Magic Beast, just as he had suspected.

Lion-type animals leave their packs after reaching adulthood, and a Blood-Eyed Mane Lion is a Saint-level Magic Beast once fully grown. This particular lion clearly fit the characteristics of being near adulthood but not yet having established a family.

This Blood-Eyed Mane Lion already possessed its own territory, which meant it would likely become a Saint-level Magic Beast in a few years. Afterward, it would join the ranks of those competing for female Blood-Eyed Mane Lions, and once it established a family, Matthews estimated he would be facing several level nine Blood-Eyed Mane Lions!

This was an opportunity; Matthews himself had reached the peak of level eight, and he could use the pressure from this peak level nine Magic Beast to attempt a breakthrough to level nine.

"Again!"

Matthews charged forward once more, alternating between the techniques of Light as Heavy and Heavy as Light with his Cold Light Blade and Shadow Blade. Asolun also continued to cast Ice Magic amidst the clash between Matthews and the peak level nine Magic Beast, intending to freeze its claws and restrict its movement.

Although Matthews had grasped the concepts of Light as Heavy and Heavy as Light, he was limited by his level eight Battle Qi and physical constitution. Facing a peak level nine Magic Beast, he remained at a disadvantage, and the lion's heavy, powerful attacks left Matthews's chest feeling stifled.

"How is the preparation going!"

"Boss, it's almost ready!"

Hearing Asolun's voice, Matthews had no choice but to swing the Cold Light Blade again to meet the lion's attack. Matthews had not intended to fight a life-or-death battle, so the Shadow Blade in his left hand, used for defense and opportunistic strikes, had not caused much damage to the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, merely scratching its skin.

"Ice Seal of a Thousand Miles"

Following the same method used to kill the level nine low-level Black Snake, Asolun cast the ice-sealing magic on the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion once more. Matthews seized the opportunity, his legs flashing as he leaped before the lion.

Just as Matthews swung his blade down, he caught the mocking expression on his target's face.

"Not good!"

The blade, its momentum already committed, missed as the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion broke free from the ice and dodged. Matthews brought the Shadow Blade up to his chest for defense, but he was still sent flying by a single swipe of the lion's paw.

Looking at its playful expression, Matthews could only curse his bad luck.

"This guy actually knew how to hide its strength; it seems it was just toying with me before!"

Matthews spat out a mouthful of blood. Only now did he realize that this Blood-Eyed Mane Lion had also grasped a concept similar to Heavy as Light. That last strike of its paw was very similar to the intent he had used to attack it earlier.

"Boss, are you alright!"

"We're in trouble; this guy isn't someone we can handle right now!"

The Blood-Eyed Mane Lion felt it had played enough, and considering the time of day, it did not want to continue fighting the target in the rain. Thus, it unleashed its most powerful stance, intending to finish the target off!

At this point, Matthews was completely on the back foot. His level of comprehension was similar to the lion's, but his opponent's Battle Qi was far more potent than his own.

Under the prolonged battle, Matthews made another mistake and was swatted away.

Seeing Matthews on the verge of losing his ability to move, Asolun had no choice but to grow in size and block the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion's attack.

"Boom--"

Asolun, a level seven Magic Beast, was no match for a peak level nine Magic Beast. After just one strike, Asolun was sent flying even further away than Matthews!

"Boom--"

A bolt of lightning suddenly tore through the sky, illuminating the dim ground. It also shone into Matthews's heart; he had watched Japanese anime in his past life.

In the legend of Otsutsuki Kurotan saving his mother, Erzhuzi had used a technique to deal with his brother. By using his own energy, he linked it to the thunderclouds in the heavens. Matthews had never done this before, but in this desperate situation, he had no choice but to risk his life and try it!

When Matthews was just an ordinary mortal in his past life, he had been struck by lightning and survived. Now that he was a level eight warrior, although the lightning in the Coiling Dragon world might be more powerful than in his previous world, he had to gamble on it now.

Matthews raised the Cold Light Blade in his right hand, the electric light dancing along the length of the long blade.

"Boom--"

With a thunderous roar, the lightning elements at the tip of Matthews's blade suddenly made contact with the descending bolt of lightning. The electricity instantly surged through Matthews's entire body, and at that moment, the solid thunder orb in Matthews's dantian absorbed most of the lightning entering his body.

"Hahahaha, I am the lightning, and I am the thunder!"

As Matthews's wild laughter rang out, in the eyes of the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, the hair on Matthews's body stood on end, as if he were wielding the power of the heavens in his hands.

The lion let out a roar of its own, gathering all its strength for a final attack.

"Hahaha, have you ever heard of a technique that descends from the heavens!"

"Kirin--"

A lightning Kirin, carrying the might of the heavens, roared as it pounced toward the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion.

"Boom--"

After the strike, Matthews leaned on his blade and approached the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion, intending to deliver a finishing blow.

"Huh, quite a tenacious vitality. To think you haven't died under an attack of this level!"

The Blood-Eyed Mane Lion had completely lost its ability to fight, and seeing Matthews walk over, it no longer had the strength to stand!

"Hehe, I know you want to live. I see you have decent potential, so I'll reluctantly take you as my contracted Magic Beast."

From this battle, Matthews realized that although he had Asolun, the Tengshe Magic Beast, Asolun was only level seven and could provide limited help. This Blood-Eyed Mane Lion was a peak level nine Magic Beast; taking it as a servant through a contract would be a great boost to his combat strength.

After speaking, he channeled the magic power within his body, directly forming a magic circle for a master-servant contract.

After contracting this level nine Magic Beast, Matthews finally felt at ease to check on the injuries of his Magic Beast, Asolun.

Matthews brought the unconscious and injured Asolun under the boulder before returning to the crater where the Blood-Eyed Mane Lion lay.