Soul Bind

In the end, no matter how much A-Cong persuaded against Hei Hui's decision. Her words were final. Within that hour, they left the caves and onto the surface under the heat of the sun. Raaji had just retrieved Wes from the hut and followed after them. It was a shock at first when he saw A-Cong turn into a gigantic shiny black scorpion, but, after seeing everything that happened during these last two days, how can he still be surprised enough to freak out senselessly again?

However, riding on a large scorpion was like something out of an MMORPG game! However, considering that the mount was someone so strong, he doubt that there would be another chance, so it would be better not to think of this again. Still, during the entire time, it was a little nerve-wracking that their guardian kept acting as though he was air, but he still felt a little conflicted since he didn't know if that was really a good thing or a bad thing.

It took less than an hour before they could finally see the large bundle of white fur. Raaji watched the creature in shock. He had thought that the attack being that big and A-Cong's scorpion form being so big that the hound must've been gigantic as well. However, that wasn't the case, this "hound" is really the size of a great dane, but the image of a large arctic wolf he's seen in zoos!

Next to the wolf was a hawk that could probably be confused for a monster at that size it was at! If it had more vibrant colored feathers, he might even take it for a pheonix! However, the feathers are a dull brown and only the mid row of it was a row of vibrant purple. Could it really be able to create that big explosion back then?

"Huh..." He heard Lotus hum curiously, "So, it's a roc."

"A Rock?" Raaji looked to her in confusion.

"A roc." Lotus corrected, "They're a powerful bird clan that can rib apart large prey with ease, I believe they're rather powerful birds as well... However..."

Lotus sighed in dismay, "How in the world did he not see two students chased by a hound?"

Upon seeing people, the hound had little worry at first. As a descendant of the heavenly hound, it was naturally second to his former pack leader. As a result, it was naturally relieved to find people here. Now all he needed to do was...

"Took you long enough to get here!" He growled at them, "Release me!"

"Hmph..." A-Cong huffed in disdain, "It was due to your negligence that you fell into this array trap and now you try to shamelessly control others, even after breaking the rules set by all of the guardians? Who gave you the right to have such bold ideas?"

"Hmph! And what's a mere spirits beast, like you-!"

It was then that the wolf's mouth was clammed shut as a heavy aura fell upon them.

The hound shuddered in horror as it slumped to the ground nervously muttering under his breath, "M-M-M-Mythical... Beast..."

To think his luck was so bad that he provoked a mythical beast! Mythical beasts are much stronger than spirits beasts and he hasn't reached the mytical beast stage yet! He's going to be finished this time since he offended a mythical beast! Wait!

He glanced over to the roc briefly. If he wasn't going to get away with it, then neither can this bird brain here! Didn't he also intruded onto Scarabia grounds? Actually... is he not from Scarabia dorm?

"Mistake or not, you've broken the rule and attacked a student." Hei Hui huffed in disdain, "At first, we thought of letting you make it up to us by performing manual labor, but it seems we were too lenient on you. Such an shameless attitude when you've even intruded onto the wrong grounds... We've already decided now. You may not remain here for long. Let these students decide your fate."

Despite the low growl, the hound didn't dare to refute afraid that he would lose his life instead. However, these students?

He turned to the two puny humans in dismay. His life is now in the hands of two weak mortals?!

Hearing, this Raaji was shook! He turned to Lotus nervously, "L-Lotus, we can't exactly control a beast like this, you know? Can't we just let it off for now?"

"Of course not." Lotus shrugged, "However, he made an irreversible error. If he had done something else much worse, he would've implemented all of the dorm's only line of defense leaving the school completely vulnerable. The lives of the guardians and the safety of the school. He can't be let off that easily. Not when the school has treated their students so well."

Raaji looked to her in confusion, but what can they do?! They can't do something against such a large beast!

"Don't worry." Lotus smiled confidentlly at the large beast, "I have a condition that may interest both parties."

Before she could continue, Hei Hui turned to the roc that kept his head down and gulped after noticing her eyes resting on him. He shuddered in fear. She thought for a bit before she frowned firmly with a tight lip, "Child..."

It was only when that the roc dared to look up and saw the dark eyes of its caretaker. Lotus easily released the array tying down the bird and the bird gave himself a shake to unruffle his feathers from the tension.

"This mistake..." Hei Hui said as she petted his head, "You understand we are unable help you anymore than this."

Hearing this, the little roc was saddened greatly by this, but he knew the two and knew that, if they could, they would be willing to help him. Now that she said they couldn't, it could only mean that they really can't help him anymore.

Lotus thought for a bit before she said with a small smile, "Well, as students with intruders invaded into our school, we need protection."

"You want us to protect you?!" The dog growled with glaring red eyes.

Seeing the disdain and the tone of disdain coming from him, Raaji knew that the dog was very unwilling and, naturally, he grew more afraid.

After this, he turned to Lotus pleading her not to do anything crazy when She naturally opened her mouth, "Of course, you were the first to attack us, so I don't see any reason you should refute. As the roc attacked us by mistake, we can release him since it was a mistake, but he also has to make up for his mistake. Since you tresspassed onto the Scarabia ground, I don't have the right to release you, but you do have to serve your punishment. so, you can serve as my protector."

What is this?!

The more the dog heard about it, the more ridiculous it sounded! A spirit beast protecting a mortal who isn't even a cultivator?! How could he bear this sort of humiliation?! However, he couldn't just complain about it. Before him sat two other spirits. If he acts negatively now, won't he be on the brink of death after?

However, the roc was the least bit conflicted by this and held a stronger sense of responsibility and justice. Now that he broke the rule and nearly endangered those close to him, he was willing to make it up to them even if it meant being a slave for life. It was just how much he owed the two guardians and how much he cared about them. They were the first thing he saw when he hatched out of his egg seventy years ago. Even knowing that he was different and not any of theirs, he was treated well and raised properly. If doing this much was going to help make up for it, then he was willing to do anything.

"I understand, master." He replied when a nervous thought came across his mind, "However, I am unable to leave the dorm."

Lotus raised a brow and turned to the two. Hei Hui shook her head and said, "He was not hatched during the period when the co-founder of the school was around to take part in the vow. However, being in the presence and around us for so long has restricted him to this dorm with us. Though powerful, he has a physique called soul bind."

"Soul bind?" Lotus looked up in surprise, "Now, that's something I haven't heard in a long time..."

"Soul Bind?" Huo Wei glanced over to A-Cong.

"It's a physique that is established once a fetus is formed. When the pregnant mother or those in their surroundings are influenced by some event, the pressure can effect the fetus still developing itself into an infant. If there was a vow taken place outside of the womb or egg and is especially powerful, it makes it all the more difficult for them not to be affected by the powerful aura of the vow." The Scorpion King explained, "At the time, there were over seven guardians and their assistants there taking the vows all at once. It was certain without a doubt that this kid, who was still a fetus in his egg, to have been affected."

"It's like if the baby in the womb is close to something dangerous." Lotus explained to the confused Raaji, "Didn't they say that exposing a pregnant mother to nuclear contaminated areas or dangerous levels of blot can harm the infant's growth in the womb? Vows give off a strong aura of celestial aura, or what we call purified light mana. Too much of this can alter or hurt the child's growth in the womb."