Contract, Breakthrough

"Have you had enough?" Bolan asked with a faint smile. Although he had not gained an overwhelming advantage, the stupid dragon opposite him definitely would not dare fight him again. It had already been frightened by the speed of his improvement.

Roar! Leibulus let out a loud roar, though it sounded somewhat weak.

There were two ways to subdue magical beasts on the continent. One was for the magical beast to willingly submit to you, like his younger brother Linley and the God-slaying Rat Bebe. The other required setting up a Soul Contract Array to make the magical beast your servant.

Of course, one could also buy a Soul Contract Scroll. Tearing it apart would directly form a Soul Contract Array. But Bolan, being broke, had no money to buy a Soul Contract Scroll, so he looked rather troubled.

Setting up a Soul Contract Array required at least a seventh-rank mage. At that thought, Bolan scratched his messy hair in frustration.

Then a flash of inspiration struck him. When his younger brother had formed an equal contract with Bebe, Linley had only been a second-rank mage! Bebe had taken the lead in forming it. At that thought—

"Stupid dragon, come over here. I have something to ask you," Bolan called to Leibulus.

Roar! Leibulus was no longer as arrogant and spirited as before. After all, his handsome face still hurt. I wonder if I've been disfigured. Will it affect the great Lord Leibulus finding a wife? I don't know water- or light-element healing magic, and this stupid dragonman doesn't look like he does either.

"Stop pretending to be pitiful. I refuse to believe a dignified Level 8 Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon is this bad at taking a beating. Can you set up a Soul Contract Array?" Bolan asked.

Upon hearing this, Leibulus first nodded, then began grumbling inwardly. I thought this guy wanted to beat me up again. I didn't expect it was just for this. Over the past three months, Leibulus had clearly seen Bolan's potential. He would definitely become a Saint-level powerhouse in the future, while Leibulus would surely stagnate after reaching Level 9. Perhaps this guy would someday get him a dark Saint-level magic core, allowing him to become the first Saint-level Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon in history. Then he could have any woman he wanted. With that thought, Leibulus eagerly ran toward Bolan.

"Then go ahead. I'm not a mage, and I don't have a Soul Contract Array scroll either." Bolan was overjoyed when he saw Leibulus nod. This guy really could set up a Soul Contract Array.

Having made up his mind, Leibulus did not delay at all. He immediately began setting up a Soul Contract Array between the two of them—or rather, between one man and one dragon.

Seeing this, Bolan partially transformed his thumb into a dragon claw and lightly sliced his index finger. Blood immediately flowed out. With a flick of his finger, that drop of blood accurately landed in the center of the array Leibulus had set up. Leibulus, standing within the array, opened his mouth and sucked the drop of blood inside.

A black, pentagram-shaped magic array floated in the air before flying directly toward Bolan's head. Bolan did not resist, allowing the magic array's pattern to merge into his mind. At that moment, both Bolan and Leibulus sensed a connection to each other's souls.

"Master," Leibulus respectfully called out in Bolan's mind. Leibulus had truly acknowledged Bolan's strength and believed that Bolan would one day become one of the continent's foremost figures. After all, Bolan was only ten years old. To Leibulus, this was an incredible bargain.

Things will be interesting from now on. A faint smile appeared on Bolan's lips.

"Leibulus, keep watch over the surroundings. I'm about to break through," Bolan said. Leibulus, beside him, was greatly shocked. The master he had just recognized was far too monstrous. This breakthrough would probably bring him to Level 9, wouldn't it? At that thought, a trace of seriousness appeared on Leibulus's dragon face. He also released his own Momentum to prevent any ignorant low-level magical beasts from entering the place where Bolan was cultivating in seclusion.

At that moment, the Dragonblood Battle Qi within Bolan's body boiled as never before, constantly washing over his body and bringing it ever closer to the seventh rank.

An unknown amount of time passed before Bolan suddenly sprang to his feet and directly transformed into a Dragonblood Warrior, carefully savoring the sensation of advancing from Level 8 to Level 9.

"Haha!" After a moment, Bolan suddenly burst into laughter. He was too strong—Level 9 warriors were simply too strong. In his current state, he could kill his pre-breakthrough self in at most ten moves. How could Bolan not be delighted? Of course, this was only the first step on his path forward. There was still a long road ahead. After steadying his mindset, Bolan called Leibulus over and continued deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.