Chapter Nine, The Soul Bond Contract
"Thank you for your guidance, my lord, but I have said that I will always stand behind you." Lu Yan had a different understanding of the relationship among the skeletons. This instinctive attachment to power was, in fact, a form of trust among the skeletons. Just as he believed that Kaerunval was the only one who could bring him back to the Skeleton Continent alive, he felt that Kaerunval would not stop at the mere level of a battle skeleton. Therefore, he would always follow this lizard-like battle skeleton. Beyond gratitude, it was more because Kaerunval, possessing both strength and wisdom, would serve as an excellent shield. Just as he believed that Kaerunval was the only one who could bring him back to the Skeleton Continent alive, he felt that Kaerunval would not stop at the mere level of a battle skeleton. Therefore, he would always follow this lizard-like battle skeleton. Beyond gratitude, it was more because Kaerunval, possessing both strength and wisdom, would serve as an excellent shield.
"Hehe, what a foolish declaration of loyalty," Karen Wall scoffed. "The bones have no trust. When you reach my level, you will understand this."
"Whatever. " Karenvar waved his sturdy forepaw, then placed a bone piece down, simultaneously consuming two of Luyan's pieces that were about to align: "You are quite a lucky fellow"
"Sir, could you please tell me about the附属 effects of the contract?" Lü Yan asked cautiously.
"The adult has saved me for the second time; for this reason alone, I will always stand behind the adult." Lü Yan's trust in Kerenval stems from an instinctive reliance of the skeleton on the strong, just as today, apart from being unable to kneel, he has an unshakeable belief that Kerenval will win; this is an intuition.
Lü Yan was at a loss for words; he did not understand the significance of Karen Wall placing so many "lucky hats" on his head
Lü Yan certainly understands the meaning of Kairenwaer; the red bones are forever the cannon fodder of the battle bones, just as the battle bones serve as stepping stones for the strong bones. Among the skeletons, there is only utility and command, with no friendship or trust.
However, Karen Val's next words immediately transformed all of Lu Yan's frustration into ecstasy: "However, to compensate for this fixed relationship, the Soul Bond Contract will prevent me from extracting living souls from you, and will transfer 10% of the living souls I obtain in battle to you!"
"So fortunate." Lü Yan pressed down a piece, capturing one of Karenval's pieces, and he began to feel the joy of this little game.
This black smoke, which once healed Lü Yan's broken bones, evidently possesses another terrifying and opposite effect. After retreating half a meter, Utreid's arched back came into contact with the black smoke, and a heart-wrenching scream erupted from his triangular head. His hind limbs instinctively altered their force direction, lunging back towards Lü Yan.
Hehe, there is nothing more," Karen Wall replied with a smile, "It is just that after the Soul Bond Contract is signed, our relationship will be permanently established. This means that if I do not reach the Strong Bone level, you will not be able to advance to the Battle Bone level and stand on equal footing with me.
Things happened too quickly; Utreid's foolish red-bone subordinates were completely caught off guard, and even the other war bones did not react. The only ones able to respond were Utreid and Kerenval behind him
Lü Yan struggled to sit up; although his entire body ached, every bone was indeed intact. It seemed that Kairenwal had not discarded him like a useless pawn, and this time, he had made the right choice again
Before Lü Yan made a move, Kairenval had already emitted a plume of black smoke from the triangular skull, as if he had anticipated that Lü Yan would certainly take action.
I understand now," Karen Val suddenly became serious: "You might be the legendary skeleton with black blood.
"Your bones will take a little more time to heal completely. We might as well play a game of chess; this will serve as a reward for your outstanding performance today," Karen said in an irresistible tone.
The Red Bone surprisingly defeated the Battle Bone with a single strike. Although there was cooperation from Kairenval, all the skeletons could see that it was Lü Yan who delivered the fatal blow
"Completed, my loyal red bone." Karen Val now believes in loyalty
"Moreover, just now, Battle Bone, how could a Red Bone like you have killed a Battle Bone? I have never heard of such a thing before"
Although Lyu Yan sensed the hidden information in Kerenval's words, he could not force Kerenval to speak, and he had no doubt that if he refused, the seemingly easygoing Kerenval would certainly kill him. This decisive spirit in dealing with the assassination of Utrede is evident.
Karen Val and the books smiled slightly, as if they had long anticipated that Lü Yan would agree. He began to recite an ancient and lengthy incantation, the eerie low chant echoing in the small dark canopy
No, the black-blooded skeletons do not quickly recall their past after being reborn, so your judgment is invalid. Karenval suddenly placed his hand on Luyan's head: "Your strength has grown too rapidly, which makes me a bit concerned"
That is the achievement of your esteemed self
Approximately three minutes later, Utrede ceased his screams, his limbs gradually stopped trembling, and all of his subordinates, the Red Bones, felt as if a thread had snapped, for their leader, the War Bone, had died
He is very strong; to speak frankly, under normal circumstances, even adults would find it difficult to defeat him
"Loyal Red Bone, do you wish to form a soul bond with me, Kairenwal, and never betray me from this day forth?" Kairenwal concluded his incantation, and a strand of red light appeared at the tip of his claw, pointing directly at Lv Yan's brow
Completed
"With your loyalty to me, I exchange it for my nurturing of you; this is the essence of the Soul Bond Contract!" Karenval placed a chess piece in front of the ecstatic Luyan, capturing his last piece: "There is still plenty of time ahead; you must improve your chess skills diligently."
"I am willing, Lord Kaerunvar," replied Luyuan readily. As far as he knew, once a Red Bone was chosen by the Battle Bone, it could not be separated. The incantation from Kaerunvar seemed somewhat superfluous for an ordinary Red Bone.
"Lucky..." Lü Yan answered honestly. Looking back now, if it weren't for those red skeletons that climbed over the wall and killed a bunch of militia, I would probably have already died at the hands of Alec
The red glow at Karenval's fingertips penetrated into Luyan's body, and immediately Luyan felt a warmth in his head, as a point of white light flew out from his forehead and surged into Karenval's body
When Lü Yan woke up, he felt that the surroundings were pitch black. He thought it was nighttime, but he quickly realized that he was in the "dark tent" where the warriors were temporarily residing.
Utreid visibly stiffened for a moment, then lost control and collided with Lu Yan, falling to the ground. A piercing scream erupted from his mouth, and his limbs thrashed desperately, sending grass and mud flying everywhere. Lu Yan remained pinned beneath him, uncertain whether he was alive or dead, yet his white bone needle remained embedded in Utreid's cervical vertebra.
What does "adult" refer to
Are there any other additional effects, sir?
The ambush from behind is terrifying. Utreid knows without thinking that it is certainly easier to break through the vulnerable red bones in front. The bone techniques of the red bones can at most create a small gap in the battle bones, making it difficult to inflict any fatal injuries
Oh, that's impressive, but I am not.
What a pain! Lü Yan was furious; isn't Karen Wall going to be a constant burden on his shoulders?
After signing the Soul Bond Contract, Lü Yan not only will no longer provide living souls to Kairenwal, but will also simultaneously receive 10% of Kairenwal's living souls. This means that if Kairenwal has 100 red-boned subordinates, it is equivalent to having ten of them supplying half of their living souls to Lü Yan, thereby increasing his leveling speed by 11 times
The skeletons all prefer to stay in the damp and cold underground, even those at the level of bone riders or even higher. Thus, whenever high-ranking skeletons arrive at a temporary camp, they instruct their subordinates to dig holes and construct temporary resting dark canopies. Currently, the place where Lü Yan is located is such a dark canopy, and Kaierunwa is sitting opposite him, toying with several fragments of bones arranged in a certain manner on the ground
Um, there are some other trivial effects as well, but let's sign the contract first; time is running out
The white tip of the bone needle in the right hand finally touched the cervical bone of Utrede
Lü Yan is much smarter than the average Red Bone. He understands what this means: in battle, the Red Bone will acquire half of the life soul absorption amount from all of its subordinate Gray Bones, while the War Bone will acquire half of the life soul absorption amount from all of its subordinate Red Bones. Higher-level skeletons also follow this rule
Karen was completely unconcerned by Lu Yan's frankness; he excitedly waved his claws and said, "So I say, such a strong prairie warrior actually drank your bathwater and was pierced through the head by you. You are merely a red-boned individual, at most able to contend with an old farmer tilling the land, yet you killed a prairie warrior. Do you consider yourself lucky?"
There is also that elemental defense formation; don't even mention the strong bones, I doubt even Lord Bone Rider could handle it. Yet you managed to break it, do you think you are lucky
Karen Vale, however, became more and more animated as she said: "And according to you, that Zama is very strong today?"
Lü Yan had never seen a skeleton that could recite incantations like a wizard; he increasingly felt that Kairenwal was not simple. Perhaps Kairenwal himself was the skeleton with a black lineage.
The contract is completed
"Bring him and his shattered bones to my dark tent," Karenval said, pointing at Lu Yan's broken body. After saying this, he glanced at the other battle corpses: "Once I have healed my subordinates, we will bypass that pond from the southwest and continue westward"
"You need not thank me; Utreid was destined to die anyway. I did not kill him for your sake." Kerenval used his thick forelimb claws to pick up a bone the size of a knuckle and gently placed it in the square he had drawn on the ground: "Three in a row can capture the opponent's pieces, and the side that loses all its pieces is considered defeated"
It is truly fortunate. Lyu Yan felt quite embarrassed by what Karen Wald said
Just before Lü Yan's bone needle was about to touch the cervical vertebra of Utrede, the skeleton, as agile as a leopard, immediately reacted. Its entire spine quickly contracted, and its two feet nimbly pushed forward. At the same time, its right claw had already swept out fiercely, striking towards Lü Yan's chest
Lü Yan felt a tingling sensation in his skull. Could it be that Kairenwal feared his rapid growth in strength and wanted to eliminate him? His right arm gently swayed, and the instinct to fight desperately before death surged within him once more, yet he knew he could never be a match for Kairenwal
But fortunately, there is Karen Wall
Soul Bond Contract
Lü Yan realized that his movements could not keep up with Utrede's evasive actions. Although the bone needle was just a hair's breadth away from piercing Utrede's cervical bone, that slight difference felt as insurmountable as a towering mountain. There was indeed a vast chasm between the red bones and the battle bones, and he was almost certain that he would not be able to touch Utrede or the book.
Alright, I agree
"Yes, the agreement among the bones," Karen Vahl's words carried a hint of cunning: "Once this agreement is reached, I can never kill you unless you consent; otherwise, I will die alongside you. Of course, you cannot kill me either"
"Bloodline?" Lü Yan was taken aback: "My lord, do we skeletons still have blood?"
That is merely a metaphor, borrowing from the expressions of those filthy humans. Karen Val placed a piece on the board, completely disrupting the advantageous position laid out by Lu Yan: "Among the skeletons, there are some special individuals who possess undying bone souls. Each time they die, they can be reborn, and they become stronger. These skeletons are referred to as having black bloodlines, and once they mature, they will become figures that can shake the entire continent.
Do not say it was me; my black sand had no effect at all. It was your bone spur that killed him. How can a red bone technique be so powerful? Do you not feel fortunate?
The sound of hot iron falling into lard echoed, accompanied by a foul stench of burning bones. Lu Yan clearly saw the bone needle piercing through Utrede's cervical vertebra, and the crack in Utrede's red-black cervical vertebra was turning white, as if the whiteness at the tip of the bone needle was contagious.
The evolution of He Gu Village, such a vast battlefield, the enemy's sorcerers unleashed over a dozen firewalls, and yet you are the only one who survived, with a wall of recently deceased human corpses providing you with souls. "Kailunval shook his head: 'Two hundred thousand gray bones, and you are the only one to win the grand prize. Do you consider yourself lucky?'
The steel-like claws of Utrede swept across Lü Yan's chest, severing all 24 of his ribs. Generally speaking, in such circumstances, an ordinary person would find it very difficult to survive. However, Lü Yan did not fall; he did not even take a step back. The pain from the ribs that had fractured for the second time today seemed less unbearable. He had even begun to ignore this pain, focusing all his attention on his bone needle.
"Make a soul contract with me, so I won't lose a good subordinate, and you won't have to engage in today's third life-and-death battle." Karenval's words instantly extinguished the killing intent of Lü Yan.