Chapter 86: The Pact

It is well known that humans possess an instinct to survive. One of the main reasons so many strive to stay alive is the fear of death; even those who believe they have lost all meaning, who step into the abyss of despair and attempt suicide, often experience regret in their final moments. As death approaches, a surge of hormones can drive the will to survive to its peak.

Liu Tian, of course, never intended to demand such extremity from Chu Zihang—he had no way to bring back the dead—but his request was no less daunting. What he required was slowness: a test not only of endurance, but of self-control. If he had asked for a swift act, perhaps in a moment of resolve, eyes clenched shut, the sharp blade would have made it easier to cross that threshold. But to add the requirement of slowness increased the difficulty a hundredfold, and the result was merely to see if she would truly consider the matter.

Ordinary people, even those possessed of fierce desires, could neither make such a decision nor have the ability to carry it out. Yet Chu Zihang was no ordinary person. How else could she reach the minimum threshold of power needed to kill Odin within a decade? Liu Tian, deciding to accept this bargain, needed to ensure that Chu Zihang could meet his standard.

Only within twenty years, during the period when he would devour the split-off serpent personality, would Liu Tian have the leisure and energy to train a weakling. Considering his own persistence, ten years seemed a fitting benchmark. If Odin’s strength was the target, even a prodigy with no external aid could not hope to catch up in such a short span to an ancient being who had lived for tens of thousands of years.

Of course, Chu Zihang might have another path—such as the bloodline inherited from her father. Yet judging by Odin’s expression and words earlier, it was clear that, among the bloodlines on this planet, he had reached the end of the road.

Thus, to preserve his credibility and ensure that his promise would not falter because of someone else's shortcomings, Liu Tian needed to confirm Chu Zihang’s willpower—whether she could withstand the purest madness of the serpent's blood, just born within him.

To raise a girl with no foundation to the level required to kill Odin in ten years, the only way was to cheat fate. And the only “cheat” Liu Tian could offer now was the madness in his blood.

If the girl drank this blood, she would naturally establish a mysterious bond with Liu Tian, drawing upon his power to accelerate her progress.

Although Liu Tian’s current combat power was only roughly equal to Odin without his Word of Power, Liu Tian was advancing at a terrifying pace. To surpass Odin, who did not use his abilities, was simply a matter of time. In truth, even if Liu Tian ceased all training and waited for his body to mature, when he reached adulthood and his strength fully returned, he would naturally outstrip Odin—after all, he was only twelve, not yet fully grown.

By then, Chu Zihang could rely on the connection with Liu Tian to gain power greater than Odin’s, and then find a way to restrict Odin’s use of his Word of Power. Killing him would no longer be impossible.

The consequence of forging a bond with Liu Tian was that Chu Zihang would never hope to surpass him. But—did anyone in this world truly exist who could catch up to Liu Tian, burdened with two cheats? Such a minor flaw was nothing to Chu Zihang.

But could Chu Zihang do it? Could a girl who had never suffered such torment before today pass this difficult test?

The answer was yes—effortlessly.

In the instant she gripped the blade, Chu Zihang clenched her teeth without a hint of hesitation and swung it at her left arm. Though it was her first time wielding a blade, it was clear she possessed natural talent—steady, precise, ruthless. Even as her blood dripped away, even as cold sweat drenched her from head to toe, Chu Zihang uttered not a single sound, never paused nor shrank back, using a full minute to fulfill Liu Tian’s demand.

“Interesting.”

Liu Tian himself had not expected such resolve from the girl; in truth, he had never thought she would succeed when he set the challenge.

Often, people believe they can accomplish something before facing it, only to discover, in the moment, that they lack both the will and the ability.

“Please consider it,” Chu Zihang murmured, her voice barely audible, but she remained upright.

“Remember this pain, remember this resolve—it is the despair of those without power when disaster strikes.” Watching her face grow ever paler, Liu Tian spoke calmly, “The deal is accepted. The contract is sealed today. From now on, you belong to me—open your mouth!”

As he spoke, Liu Tian roughly pressed the severed left arm against Chu Zihang’s wound, his right palm splitting open naturally, letting a drop of golden blood fall into her mouth.

The instant that extraordinary blood touched her tongue, it merged instantly, forging a mysterious connection between the two. Powerful energy began to reshape Chu Zihang’s body, making her stronger, more perfect.

But it was not enough.

If he was to do this, Liu Tian would do it thoroughly. One drop, then another, then another...

Soon, all ten drops of the serpent's mad blood—born of Liu Tian from releasing the serpent—fell into the girl’s mouth, strengthening the bond and sending a fierce burning sensation throughout Chu Zihang’s body.

Rare but pure blood of the Celestial God race circulated within her, distinct from the dragon blood inherited from her father, which could never blend with human blood. The blood of the Celestial God fused easily with hers, elevating her physical abilities in every aspect.

Strength, constitution, reaction speed, resistance to blows, and most crucially, regenerative ability.

Without surgery, a tingling sensation swept through her; the severed left arm reconnected naturally, as if it had never been cut. Even Chu Zihang’s face, pale from blood loss, grew rosy again.

“Tch.” Weakness welled up inside Liu Tian, but he still felt dissatisfied with the pace of the transformation. “Looks like this is all I can do today.”

“Now, I’m hungry. Let’s go eat,” Liu Tian said. “Oh, take your blade. I won’t be coming back here—the living conditions are dreadful. Once is enough for the experience.”

“Yes, Master,” Chu Zihang replied crisply, sheathing the demon blade.

Liu Tian paused, surprised. “Don’t call me Master—I dislike that title. Just call me Tian.”

“Tian, peerless under heaven! If you prefer, you can call me Ah Tian.” Liu Tian shrugged. “Honestly, I’m easy-going. As long as you don’t violate the contract, I don’t care about titles.”

“Yes, Ah Tian.”