Although Ye Tian hadn't awakened his War Dragon Bloodline and thus couldn't possess War Dragon Essence Blood, his own blood still contained the aura of a War Dragon. This was incredibly beneficial to the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python, which currently only had One Wing.
Elder Qing had brought it back to Shen Li Palace because a secret chamber beneath the palace contained Dragon Qi left behind by a War Dragon. He had hoped that growing within the Dragon Qi might help the python break through. It was a long shot, but the only option they had.
Ye Tian hesitated. If what Elder Qing said was true and this creature was so incredible, then he really wanted a pet. Obtaining a pet in a small place like Lisha City was an absolute miracle.
However, when he remembered that this place was once the site of an Ancient Battlefield, obtaining a pet with an Ancient Bloodline didn't seem so strange anymore. 'Still, I don't understand why this is the site of an Ancient Battlefield. It should be incredibly far from the Three Holy Lands, the Secret Realms, and the Sea Regionā¦'
He decided not to waste energy on questions he couldn't answer. 'I'll ask the Divine Dragon Remnant Soul inside me some other day; perhaps it knows. To think, it's a sealed ruin... That must mean there's still plenty of good stuff down below.'
"If it is possible to keep this Eight-winged Golden Scale Python by my side, please instruct me on how to do so, Elder Qing!" Ye Tian said with a serious expression. He knew it wouldn't be a simple matter of just accepting it.
"The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python was an extremely vicious creature in Ancient Times. Even the Four Great Divine Beasts would get a headache just dealing with one. Therefore, if you want to make it your pet, you must form a Soul Contract with it. Only then will it truly obey your commands."
"However, forming this Soul Contract is an incredibly painful process, so you must be mentally prepared, Young Master. There is a price for everything. To obtain a heaven-defying creature like this, you must be willing to pay that price," Elder Qing said.
"Brother Tian, you want to become stronger. This Eight-winged Golden Scale Python could be your greatest ally in the future. I think you should endure it, no matter how painful it is. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Ye Feifei couldn't help but chime in.
"The Young Madam is correct. This Eight-winged Golden Scale Python currently has only One Wing, meaning it's still in its infancy. Now is the best time to form a Soul Contract with it. It has no defenses and will come to see you as the one closest to it! You mustn't hesitate any longer, Young Master!"
"However, forming a Soul Contract requires you to separate a part of your own soul. The pain of the soul is incomparable to any physical suffering. For the sake of your future power, Young Master, you must endure it!" Elder Qing said, looking at Ye Tian.
"Alright! I believe I can endure it. But I don't know how to separate my soul. Please, Elder Qing, instruct me. I am ignorant and inexperienced in many things and require your help!" Ye Tian said.
Ye Feifei didn't know how to do it either, so she was learning as well. 'Who knows,' she thought, 'maybe one day I'll find a Demon Beast I like and need to form a Soul Contract with it. It's good to learn this now!'
"Separating your soul is something only you can do; no one else can help you. However, I can tell you the method. Whether or not you succeed will be up to you! The stronger a person is, the stronger their Soul Power, and the more painful the separation will be."
"If it were me forming a Soul Contract with this Eight-winged Golden Scale Python, I would rather give up! Soon, you will know exactly what the pain of the soul feels like," Elder Qing said.
"To separate your soul, you must clear your mind of all distractions and focus your entire Heart Power on your Dantian. Then, use your Divine Thought Power to slowly peel it away from your body. As you do this, an indescribable pain will erupt from your Dantian. That is the pain of the soul!"
"After you have separated a piece of your soul, you must force a drop of your Essence Blood from your body. This is also extremely painful. You must drip the Essence Blood onto the Demon Beast and then channel your Spiritual Power into it."
"A hexagram pattern will appear. You must then infuse your separated soul into this pattern. The Demon Beast will be drawn into it, and when it emerges, the Soul Contract will be complete!" Elder Qing continued.
Ye Tian and Ye Feifei exchanged a glance. They both realized how difficult separating one's soul must be. If even a powerhouse like Elder Qing said it was painful, the experience was bound to be unbearable.
At that, Ye Tian slowly closed his eyes. Following Elder Qing's instructions, he began to cast aside all distracting thoughts and focus his Heart Power on his Dantian.
Elder Qing placed the Snake Centipedeāthe Eight-winged Golden Scale Pythonāon the ground. It lay there motionless, suddenly becoming completely docile and a far cry from its earlier ferocity.
Ye Tian, meanwhile, stood perfectly still. The muscles in his face twitched occasionally, perhaps from pain, perhaps from tension.
As the minutes ticked by, beads of sweat gradually formed on Ye Tian's forehead, and his brows furrowed tightly. It was obvious that he was in great pain; tearing away a piece of one's own soul was bound to be agonizing.
Ye Tian was indeed in the process of separating his soul. He felt as if he could see a transparent version of himself. This version was ethereal, seemingly fragile enough to shatter at a touch, yet it was also incredibly tenacious, refusing to budge no matter how he pulled at it.
The muscles on Ye Tian's face contorted continuously, and sweat dripped from his chin. He had bitten through his lip, but he still hadn't uttered a single sound of pain. His sheer willpower earned Elder Qing's admiration. 'Perhaps,' the elder thought, 'handing Shen Li Palace over to a Young Master like him is truly the wisest choice.'
Ye Tian felt as if his head were about to explode. An intangible pain wracked his entire being. He was drenched from head to toe in sweat. This was worse than being run through with a sword several times. Only now did he truly understand why Elder Qing had warned that separating one's soul was so agonizing.
After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Ye Tian finally opened his eyes. His face was deathly pale, and he looked utterly drained.
He slowly walked over to the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python and began to circulate the Dragon Spiritual Power within him, forcibly guiding the Essence Blood from his Dantian toward his fingertip. The pain was like a million ants gnawing at his heart.
Watching from the side, Ye Feifei's heart ached seeing Ye Tian's pained expression. There was nothing she could do to share his burden; all she could do was worry for him in silence.
The veins on Ye Tian's face bulged, and his muscles bunched together, twisting his features into a hideous grimace. Anyone who encountered him in the dead of night would have been scared half to death.
But he endured. His stubborn pride would not allow him to make a single sound. 'I am the Young Master of Shen Li Palace,' he thought. 'If I can't even bear this much pain, how can I ever hope to restore the palace's glory? How can I complete the mission the Divine Dragon entrusted to me?'
Ye Tian knew that Essence Blood was exceedingly rare and precious. It was blood condensed from a person's very essence, qi, and spirit. Its color was not red, but gold, and it possessed immense Energy. However, a person could not use the Energy of their own Essence Blood unless they employed a special Secret Technique.
After a final glance at the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python on the ground, Ye Tian steeled himself. Enduring the immense pain, he bit through the tip of his middle finger. A single drop of golden blood welled up and fell, landing precisely on the python's back.
(PS: My head really hurts today! Writing is a struggle! So, just two chapters! Please understand, my dear readers! Please show your support, vote, and send tips!)