In the Kunlun Heaven Realm, Chen Mu was still watching the slave trade, completely unaware that a great calamity was about to befall the Chen Kingdom.
"I see! These slave contracts have expiration dates, no wonder they're sold so cheaply."
After a period of careful observation, Chen Mu finally discovered a clue.
After a slave is sold, the slave owner will use a secret technique to make the slave recognize a new master. At this time, a rune pattern will appear between the slave's eyebrows. This rune pattern is the contract by which the slave owner controls the slave.
Chen Mu had studied many contract runes for taming demonic beasts, but this was the first time he had ever seen a slave contract.
However, this was no challenge for him, the rune master. He had learned from the White Turtle the secret technique of controlling slaves with Divine Soul Seed, and this slave contract was very similar to that secret technique. It involved burying the power of the contract deep into the slave's sea of consciousness. Once the slave dared to resist, the power of the contract deep in the sea of consciousness would make them wish they were dead.
However, the power of the Divine Soul Seed comes from the Divine Soul Master, while the power of the Slave Contract comes from the person who created the Slave Contract. No matter how strong the contract creator is, the power will gradually weaken over time.
Therefore, if these slaves sold by slave owners do not have their slave contracts reinforced periodically, they will automatically regain their freedom in just over ten years, which is why slave owners are so eager to sell them.
Even so, exchanging a few hundred World Crystal for the service of a Sage is still a worthwhile deal.
When Mingye learned of Chen Mu's deduction, he was not surprised.
"These slave contracts are not secure. Besides expiring and becoming invalid, some mental spells can also affect the contract."
Moreover, these controlled beings are all intelligent creatures; if they cannot be completely subdued, they could turn against us at any moment.
After some analysis, Chen Mu had lost interest in these slaves. If he didn't spend time and energy managing them, they would be a group of ticking time bombs.
"These contract runes are quite interesting, though. I'd like to study them if I have the chance."
Chen Mu had fought for so many years and collected countless manuals and notes on the art of Dao of Talismans, but he had never seen the method for making slave contract runes. If given the opportunity, he would naturally like to learn it.
However, at that moment, the appearance of a slave caught Chen Mu's attention.
"Roar~~!"
A little boy crawling on all fours was chained and forcibly dragged onto the sales counter.
Although the boy had a human appearance, his actions and behavior were no different from those of a wild beast. His eyes were fierce and bloodthirsty, and he kept baring his teeth and roaring, as if he wanted to tear everyone else to pieces.
"This is the wild man we captured in the Primordial Beginning Mountain Range."
Although it is still young, once it enters adulthood, there is a greater than 90% chance that it will reach the Yuan Formation Stage.
Its value is probably clearer to everyone than I am, so I won't go into details. The starting bid is 1,000 World Crystal. You may place your bids now.
The appearance of the little wild man surprised many people, and they began to discuss it.
These people are utterly depraved!
"They even capture and sell the Innate Lifeform born from the Primordial Beginning Mountain Range as slaves. Aren't they afraid of divine retribution?"
An elderly woman muttered curses under her breath, somewhat disgusted by the slave traders' behavior.
"Alas! I've heard that even God himself is struggling to survive, so how can there be any divine retribution?"
In this world, just being able to survive is a blessing. Old woman, please keep your mouth shut."
The so-called Innate Lifeform are those born and nurtured by nature, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon from places rich in Primordial Power, and naturally conceived.
When Kunlun Heaven was first born, all the native creatures were Innate Lifeform. However, later, these Innate Lifeform mated and gave birth to offspring, which led to the prosperity of Kunlun Heaven.
Compared to creatures conceived through union, naturally born Innate Lifeform have greater growth potential. Once they reach adulthood, they can generally break through the Yuan Formation Stage, and it is not uncommon for them to even grow into gods.
In the past, Innate Lifeform in Kunlun Heaven were highly respected. However, with the constant warfare in Kunlun Heaven and the local forces preoccupied with their own survival, these Innate Lifeform with great potential often became prey for interest groups once they were discovered.
"I've heard that in recent millennia, Innate Lifeform have become extremely rare, and it might take several years for one to emerge from the Primordial Beginning Mountain Range."
It is truly tragic that such a uniquely blessed existence met such an end.
Chen Mu had a great liking for Innate Lifeform and was also eager to study why they were naturally powerful, so he planned to make an offer to buy this little savage.
"One thousand one hundred World Crystal, I want this savage."
This wasn't an auction house, and there weren't many people bidding on the slaves, so Chen Mu didn't use any tricks and just made a bid.
While Innate Lifeform are indeed rare, to slave traders they are merely slaves with the potential to reach the Yuan Formation Stage.
This little savage will have to wait at least several decades to reach adulthood, which greatly affects his value. Otherwise, a Yuan Formation Stage slave would have a starting bid of at least three thousand World Crystal.
The auction here was very efficient. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Chen Mu successfully bought the little savage for 1,800 World Crystal.
With a whoosh, Chen Mu filled a cloth bag with 1,800 World Crystal and handed it to the slave trader.
"This savage is unruly. Although there's a contract binding him, he often harms people other than his master. Keep a close eye on him and behave yourself."
Although the slave trader was fierce and ruthless, he was unusually friendly to his customers. When transferring the slave contract, he even gave Chen Mu a few special instructions.
"Understood, thank you!"
After receiving the contract rune, Chen Mu took the chains from the slave trader and then left the slave market with the little savage.
" Chen Mu, do you want to study the genes of this Innate Lifeform?"
On the way, Mingye asked Chen Mu curiously.
Having followed Chen Mu for so many years, Mingye, though not a practitioner of Dao of Talismans, had acquired considerable knowledge of the basics of Rune Technology and thus guessed Chen Mu's intentions.
"Not entirely. Don't you think it's a waste to use such beings merely as slaves?"
Chen Mu and Mingye both grew up in a dog-eat-dog world and don't easily feel pity for others. To earn their respect, they must first prove that they are worthy of it.
"So you mean... you want to take him on as your apprentice?"
Mingye looked surprised.
"That's right, he met me, it can be said that it was fate."
I myself wonder if my Battle Talisman Master System can also be learned by Innate Lifeform.