Fate

Seeing that the Purple-striped Black Bear had been reduced to such a state after merely exchanging one punch with this detestable human—and had even broken an arm—the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon, which had been arrogant and unruly moments ago, decisively admitted defeat. It sprawled on the ground and cursed inwardly, Where did this freak come from? Why did he have to set his sights on me? This is big trouble!

Bolan stood straight in the center of the cavern. In Linley's eyes, Bolan seemed to be the center of the world, dazzling beyond compare. "This is my brother. This is a fully matured Dragonblood Warrior. He's so powerful—so terrifying!" Linley shouted excitedly to Doering Cowart beside him. Then he stared at Bolan, who looked down contemptuously on the two magical beasts, his eyes full of admiration.

Under the terrified gazes of the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon and the Purple-striped Black Bear, Bolan punched the Purple-striped Black Bear directly in its enormous head. The force warped and twisted its hard skull. The bear was now taking breaths in, but none came out.

The Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon lying nearby shuddered in fright and immediately buried its head between its foreclaws, as though its sharp dragon claws could offer it even a little safety.

Bolan beckoned Linley over and said, "Just sign a master-servant contract with that stupid dragon. It won't resist anymore." As he spoke, he cast the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon another murderous glance.

"Alright, Big Brother." Linley eagerly walked toward the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon, which had begun trembling again after Bolan's glance.

As Bolan watched Linley sign the contract with the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon, he walked over to the dead Purple-striped Black Bear. Looking at the bear's corpse, he considered how to remove the Saint-level magicite core from its head without dirtying his pristine white robes.

Just as he saw that Linley had finished signing the contract with the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon, he directly told Linley to do it.

Linley was incredibly excited. He actually had the chance to personally remove a magicite core from a Saint-level magical beast. As for dirtying his clothes, Linley felt that between an incomparably precious Saint-level magicite core and a dispensable outfit, even a fool knew which to choose.

After Linley handed him the extracted magicite core, Bolan looked at the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon. Though it was afraid, its eyes gleamed as it stared at the Saint-level magicite core in his hand. Bolan knew it wanted the core, because if a Level 9 magical beast had the chance to devour a Saint-level magicite core of the same attribute, it had a good chance of reaching the Saint-level. But the impression Bolan had left on it was simply too profound, so it did not dare ask for the core.

Bolan played with the Saint-level magicite core in his hand for a moment, then casually tossed the treasure countless people would covet to Linley. He spread his hands, indicating that Linley could handle it as he wished and that he would not interfere with Linley's decision.

Watching Linley struggle with his decision, Bolan knew Linley wanted to save the core for Bebe. But Bolan knew even better that Bebe, a divine beast known as a God-slaying Rat, did not need a Saint-level magicite core. So Bolan said directly, "Give this core to that stupid dragon. Bebe doesn't need magicite cores. Think about it—has Bebe ever encountered a bottleneck since he began growing?"

Linley immediately understood. That was right. Bebe had been with him since birth and was now already comparable to a Level 8 magical beast, yet Linley had never seen any bottleneck hinder Bebe's progress. He was practically the second freak Linley had ever seen! (The first was obviously Bolan!!!)

Hearing Bolan, who had been so violent and nearly killed it moments ago, speak up for it, the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon looked stunned. Its awkward expression made the others beside it laugh and cry at once. Then it looked hopefully at its master. Linley's conflicted expression eased just as he saw the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon's dark golden eyes pleading with him. At the same time, Bebe said in his mind, "I don't care for that big stupid bear's magicite core. I can break through to the Saint-level myself." He then looked proudly at Bolan.

Hearing Bebe say the same, Linley no longer hesitated. He tossed the precious magicite core in his hand to the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon. "Sadius!"

Sadius immediately swallowed the magicite core of the Purple-striped Black Bear—the very beast that had nearly killed her moments ago—and then closed her eyes to refine it.

Seeing the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon begin refining the magicite core, Bolan sat down cross-legged where he stood, a strange expression on his face. He had seen the two magical beasts that had perished together in the original story. Now, one had been killed by him, while the other was refining the first one's magicite core. As he marveled at the mysteries of Fate, he suddenly realized that this was Fate itself. Thus, he took his first step into the Fate Rules.

When Bolan sat down, Doering Cowart saw him begin meditating without saying a word and knew that this freak had gained another insight. He sighed and said to Linley, "That guy is too much of a freak. Inspiration comes to him whenever it wants. He's entered a state of enlightenment this time—I just don't know how long he can maintain it."

Linley, who had only recently entered a state of enlightenment himself, naturally knew how great the benefits were for anyone who could enter such a state.

He looked at Doering Cowart expectantly and asked, "Grandpa Doering, do you know how long my big brother will remain in enlightenment this time?"

Hearing Linley's question, Doering Cowart stroked his snowy-white beard and shook his head with a sigh. "You've entered this state before as well. It cannot be controlled; it depends entirely on one's personal insight. He might enter enlightenment for ten days like you did, but that possibility is too small. I expect he'll finish soon."

He muttered to himself, If this freak were allowed to comprehend for ten whole days, he might become a god on the spot!

Half a day later...

Sadius, who was absorbing and refining the magicite core, began trembling all over. Waves of black, mist-like vapor emanated from her body, making her look extremely strange.

Linley looked worriedly toward Doering Cowart. Doering Cowart stroked his long beard and smiled at Linley. "This Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon has completely absorbed that Saint-level magicite core. She's about to complete her transformation."

Only then did Linley relax and quietly wait for his brother and magical pet to awaken.

Bolan still wore the same expression of deep immersion in enlightenment, while the Spine-backed Iron-armored Dragon by the wall had already completed her advancement. Having shrunk herself, she lay respectfully before Linley. Yet the voice from her mouth was that of a woman. Hearing such a pleasant female voice come from the fierce dragon before him gave Linley an indescribably strange feeling.

Several more hours passed before Bolan, who had been in enlightenment, abruptly rose to his feet. Then strange light radiated from his hands, seeming golden yet not truly gold. The energy contained within it made the others nearby shudder involuntarily.

"That's the power of Fate!" Doering Cowart shouted. "I never expected this freak to have talent for cultivating the Fate Rules as well. Judging by his grasp of it, he's at least at the peak Saint-level now!"

Linley knew that, aside from the basic elemental Mysteries, this world also possessed the Four Supreme Rules, though every one of them was exceedingly difficult to begin comprehending. The legendary God-level expert of the Yulan Empire, the High Priest, had supposedly become a god through the Life Rules, one of the Four Supreme Rules.

If they knew that Bolan's Destruction Rules were already close to making him a god, and that he had also begun comprehending the Death Law, they would not merely be surprised—they would be horrified!

Seeing everyone staring at him, Bolan withdrew the power of Fate from his hands.

Then Bolan suddenly looked upward. At the top of the cavern, a huge black circular platform had been exposed. The black platform was embedded in the cave ceiling, though part of its massive round surface was still covered by stone. Clearly, when Bolan fought the two magical beasts earlier, many rocks had fallen from the ceiling, revealing part of this black platform.