Chapter 459: Choices Driven by Hatred

Chapter 459: Choices Driven by Hatred

It's no wonder that Yao Ming only now noticed the anomaly in Qing Lin. The uniqueness of the Tri-Flower Serpent Eyes is too enticing, and Xiao Ze had long instructed Qing Lin to conceal them when not in use. Additionally, Xiao Ze's presence is so overwhelming that Yao Ming didn't focus much on the three women accompanying him. After all, Yao Ming, being a two-star Dou Saint himself, naturally concentrated on Xiao Ze, a fellow Dou Saint, disregarding the non-Dou Saint strength individuals as beneath his concern.

Another reason for his lack of attention was his strategic decision to avoid provoking Xiao Ze by staring too much at the three women. If Yao Ming was killed by Xiao Ze in the depths of the Nine Nether Underworld for such a transgression, he wouldn't be able to avenge himself against Yao Xiao Tian—a fate he considered worse than death.

Yao Ming had been extremely cautious around Xiao Ze and his companions from the moment he sensed Xiao Ze's formidable combat capabilities. Now, as Qing Lin activated her Tri-Flower Serpent Eyes, Yao Ming finally saw those beautiful yet bewitching pupils, the three small green flowers spinning slowly, exuding an enchanting allure.

However, Yao Ming wasn't swayed by their charm; instead, a chill ran through him. The Tri-Flower Serpent Eyes are known as the nemesis of all serpent demons! Unless one belonged to the royal lineage of serpent demons, there was virtually no resistance to it. Despite the vast gap in strength between Yao Ming and Qing Lin, the inherent extreme suppression exerted by such eyes instilled a flicker of fear in Yao Ming.

Now, it was Yao Ming's turn to hesitate because he knew that even if Xiao Ze left a soul imprint on him, it wouldn't grant complete control over him—it could at most threaten his life to coerce him into service. Yao Ming could still choose death over servitude by self-destructing, an act of defiance against Xiao Ze.

But being bound by the Tri-Flower Serpent Eyes would be different. With centuries of inherited wisdom about the capabilities of these eyes against serpent demons, Yao Ming understood the profound restraint they imposed.

Seeing Yao Ming hesitate, Qing Lin looked towards Xiao Ze, who gently shook his head, signaling her to be patient. Xiao Ze and his party were in no rush; whether or not they secured the allegiance of the Nine Nether Earth Ming Python clan was immaterial to him. On the contrary, it was Yao Ming who was driven by a need to exact revenge and vent his hatred.

Under the extreme duress of his hatred, Yao Ming was about to make a decision he would never consider under normal circumstances. He looked at Xiao Ze, who remained expressionless. Realizing he had no more room to negotiate, a grim smile spread across Yao Ming's face, his thoughts on Yao Xiao Tian and his fierce vow of vengeance if he ever escaped.

With a fierce mental roar, yet a calm facade, Yao Ming slowly closed his eyes. A glimmer of light flickered on his brow as an invisible force of soul power surged out, eventually coalescing into a dark soul serpent in front of him.

Qing Lin didn't hesitate; the three flowers in her eyes spun rapidly, unleashing a powerful spiritual force that transformed into a greenish glow and landed on the forehead of the soul serpent.

The effort was visibly taxing for Qing Lin, suggesting the difficulty of enforcing a soul contract on a two-star Dou Saint. Xiao Ze observed closely, ready to assist. The soul contract he had taught her wasn't just about controlling; it allowed adjustments and could even alter the subject's loyalties imperceptibly, ensuring absolute obedience—even to the point of death.

Soon after, a fresh green flower appeared on the soul serpent's forehead, vibrant and alluring. Qing Lin, slightly pale, turned to Xiao Ze with a relieved smile, "Master Xiao Ze, I hope I haven't disappointed you."

"Well done, your mastery of the soul contract is impeccable," Xiao Ze complimented, genuinely impressed. If Qing Lin hadn't mastered the soul contract to such a degree, bridging the vast gap between Dou Zun and Dou Saint would have been impossible.

"If the cooperation goes smoothly, let's not affect Yao Ming adversely," Xiao Ze instructed, to which Qing Lin nodded understandingly.

Yao Ming retracted his soul serpent, taking deep breaths to calm his turbulent emotions. Although Xiao Ze hadn't detailed the effects of the soul contract, the shift from a mere soul imprint to this profound soul contract undoubtedly indicated its formidable nature.

"Now, shall we proceed to release this chain?" Xiao Ze smiled, approaching Yao Ming to inspect the chains binding him. Crafted from special materials and further tempered by the chilling forces of the Nine Nether Underworld, the chains were incredibly sturdy—unbreakable even by Yao Ming at full strength and constantly sapping his energy to keep him weak but alive, enduring endless torment.

Xiao Ze understood Yao Ming's hatred for Yao Xiao Tian all too well. Such a method of imprisonment was far crueler than death, torturing him for centuries.

"Rest assured, now that we have an agreement, I certainly won't go back on my word," Xiao Ze declared confidently. While these chains were indestructible to Yao Ming, they posed no challenge to Xiao Ze.

(End of Chapter 459)

Friends, if you want to read chapters in advance, subscribe to my patreon.

You can also buy the book if you are only interested in reading the novel.