CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 77: TEMPORARY CONTRACT [SECOND UPDATE]

When a person focuses on one thing, they tend to forget the passage of time. Rong Ye was in this state, completely immersed in the Rune World, feeling an exhilarating pleasure from inside out.

"What’s happening to Fifth Brother?" Gu Qingqing looked at Rong Ye, concerned and thought something was wrong. She asked Yue Zhao beside her worriedly.

"If I’m not mistaken, Rong Ye is probably attracted by those runes and is completely immersed in them. It’s fine, no need to worry." Fearful that Gu Qingqing would worry too much, Yue Zhao gently reassured her.

Gu Qingqing nodded understandingly, realizing that Rong Ye probably wouldn’t finish studying anytime soon, so she simply found a place nearby to sit down.

"Elder Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, and Jun Wu, all of you should come and sit while we wait. Judging by Fifth Brother’s appearance, it’ll probably take some time." She had seen Mu Chen in this state before; it’s somewhat like an epiphany, which usually takes quite a while, so it’s better to wait patiently beside him.

Evidently, the others shared her thoughts and sat down beside her.

Idly waiting wasn’t productive, and it happened to be mealtime, so they took out their food. They ate and chatted, waiting for Rong Ye to finish his research.

Two hours passed in this manner. Rong Ye stirred slightly, returning from the world of talismans, his eyes gleaming.

"Senior, I’ve figured out how to unravel the runes here, but it will require you to endure some hardship and possibly some pain." Rong Ye was full of confidence, having mastered all those runes, and it was now quite easy for him to break them!

The Black Flood Dragon was surprised at Rong Ye’s skill, figuring out the method to break the runes in just two hours. After all, back when the runes were inscribed, it took the person a whole day to get it done!

"No problem, don’t worry about me. Just do it." For the Black Flood Dragon, getting liberated made a little pain insignificant.

Having obtained the Black Flood Dragon’s consent, Rong Ye held nothing back.

He stepped backward, bringing his right hand together with the forefinger and middle finger, a gleam of light appeared at his fingertips. His expression grew serious as he entered a profound state again, then started to draw talismans in the air with his right hand.

His skills allowed him to draw talismans remotely, though it consumed a lot of Spiritual Power. He usually relied on talismans but for this instance, drawing them manually seemed more practical.

His speed was swift, and those runes did not linger in the air, instead, they all became infused into the chains that bound the Black Flood Dragon.

A glow flashed on the chains, and soon, Gu Qingqing and the others saw the runes on the chains begin to disappear, one by one. When Rong Ye drew the last stroke, all the runes vanished.

The Black Flood Dragon felt a lightness of being, the suppressive force on it had completely dissipated, bringing a sense of release unseen for many years.

"Elder Brother, those chains are up to you now." Rong Ye wiped the sweat from his brow, looked at his own handiwork, smiled satisfactorily, then turned to Si Lin.

Si Lin nodded, signaling Rong Ye to stand aside as he stepped forward with the Dragon Capturing Sword in hand.

The chains binding the Black Flood Dragon weren’t made from ordinary materials; otherwise, they wouldn’t bear the runes.

Among the six of them, Si Lin was the only one capable of cutting the chains without harming the Black Flood Dragon.

Suspended mid-air, Si Lin swung the sword at the chains repeatedly. One stroke after another launched Sword Qi toward the chains, and under the watchful eyes of the others, the chains were severed, falling in segments into the Cold Pond.

Once all the chains were cut, the Black Flood Dragon roared toward the sky. Its entire body emerged from the Cold Pond.

It was a large creature, and as it lifted, it covered the sky above Gu Qingqing and the others. Then, its body began to shrink; eventually, it transformed into a one-meter long black snake, with only two horns atop its head showcasing its true identity as a Jiao Snake.

"Hiss, I keep my word, this book is yours." Unexpectedly, Rong Ye and the others released it so easily, the Black Flood Dragon was delighted and directly tossed the "Ten Thousand Talisman Record" to Rong Ye.

Rong Ye quickly caught it carefully, "Thank you, Senior!"

He cautiously stored the "Ten Thousand Talisman Record," planning to read it when time permitted.

"Senior, how are we supposed to bring you out of here?" he asked the Black Flood Dragon, pointing out that since it didn’t come from outside, it might not be transmitted away when the others were.

The Black Flood Dragon had obviously thought of a plan, promptly speaking, "I’ve already planned for this. One of you will form a temporary pact with me, allowing me to accompany you out. Once outside, the contract can be dissolved."

Demon beasts could contract with humans, like Gu Qingqing and Little Yu. The Black Flood Dragon could as well, although due to the historically antagonistic relationship between demon beasts and humans, contracts were uncommon hence Gu Qingqing and the others hadn’t considered this initially.

Contracts varied, including servant contracts where humans lead and demon beasts follow—should the human die, the demon dies too, and the human can control the demon beast’s actions. There were also equal contracts where both parties are peers, if one dies, so does the other, with no control over actions.

Additionally, there were soul contracts, bound by souls, persisting as long as the souls remain, evident with Gu Qingqing and Little Yu’s pact.

What the Black Flood Dragon referred to was a lesser-known temporary contract, lasting only briefly, weakly binding both parties and dissolvable without harm.

"So, Senior, who are you choosing among us?" Rong Ye asked, understanding the Black Flood Dragon’s intention as they had several people present.

"You, kid, I find you agreeable," the Black Flood Dragon fixed its gaze on Rong Ye, regarding him favorably for having freed it from the runes, willingly choosing him.

While surprised, Rong Ye accepted, as it was merely a temporary contract eventually to be nullified, with nothing to celebrate about.

Subsequently, under Gu Qingqing and the others’ witness, the Black Flood Dragon formed a contract with Rong Ye, further shrinking in size to wrap around Rong Ye’s arm and be concealed under his sleeve, staying unnoticed.

Having not found the key at that location despite unexpected events, Gu Qingqing and her companions didn’t linger, heading directly to the next destination.