"My friend, what do you want from me?" Sabo asked with a smile, clearly in a good mood.
Bai Yi sensed a shift in Sabo's aura. The man now seemed even more enigmatic, as if unpredictable forces were at play.
Bai Yi reached out and patted Luo Ning on the head. "Keep an eye on the store. If anything goes wrong, contact Orr."
With those words, he turned and started walking away. "Let's go, Sabo. It's not ideal to talk here."
Sabo raised an eyebrow, surprised, but the smile on his face grew wider. "Of course, my friend. I'll follow your lead."
Bai Yi glanced at him. "Can you take the same teleportation array as last time?"
Sabo shook his head firmly. "No, my friend. If it's not too far, we're better off taking a car."
Bai Yi nodded, falling silent. The two of them walked to the end of the street, hailed a taxi, and headed toward the outer city.
Sabo's brow furrowed as thoughts flashed through his mind. But since there was a driver present, he refrained from asking further questions.
The ride passed quickly, and soon they reached the city gate. Outside, the snow had melted, and though it was mid-January, the first hints of spring were starting to appear. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, signaling an approaching rainstorm.
When the street grew quieter, Sabo could no longer contain his curiosity. "My friend, where exactly are we going?"
His voice held a trace of unease. Outside the city, he felt vulnerable, especially since he had no fighting abilities and preferred to stay within the city's walls.
"Don't worry," Bai Yi reassured him. "I came across a contract with a bone dragon. But the contract is an equal one, which isn't ideal, so I'm hoping you can help. Also, bone dragons aren't suited for the city. At least not under such terms."
Sabo's eyes lit up at the mention of the bone dragon, his excitement palpable as he matched Bai Yi's pace. "My friend, I need to discuss something with you."
"I don't have much use for a bone dragon," Bai Yi said flatly.
"But I could make it more valuable for you." Sabo rubbed his hands together nervously, his tone turning a little sheepish. "Name your price."
Bai Yi's gaze sharpened. "This isn't about money, but I can tell you about a cemetery belonging to an undead wizard. It holds immense contractual power and is connected to a Skeleton Lord."
Sabo's interest piqued. Skeleton Lords were formidable, lower-level gold-ranked beings. "A Skeleton Lord? Really? Please, tell me more. I have a few ideas that need testing."
Bai Yi smiled knowingly. "We're headed toward the road leading to the Tomb of the Dead now. But I have two conditions."
Sabo grinned widely. "Name them. As long as it's not too unreasonable, I'll agree."
Bai Yi glanced around to ensure no one was in earshot. They had reached the barren wasteland outside the East City Gate, where even ordinary citizens dared not venture. Adventurers were scarce in the area, at least for now.
After a moment of thought, Bai Yi spoke. "First, you help me modify the contract. Second, you share some of your inheritance—at least a portion of it—regarding contracts."
Sabo's expression grew contemplative. He paused for a few seconds before meeting Bai Yi's eyes. "In addition to the Tomb of the Dead, I'll need a reward of 5 million gold coins."
"Deal," Bai Yi agreed without hesitation.
He had long coveted Sabo's inheritance, especially his expertise with contracts. In a world where the god of notaries had disappeared, contracts still played a vital role, especially in dealings between the extraordinary. A solid contract could save considerable trouble, and Bai Yi knew this better than most.
Bai Yi retrieved the Dawn Badge, transferring 5 million contribution points onto it, then handed it to Sabo.
Sabo accepted it eagerly, and a satisfied grin spread across his face. He clasped his hands together, and a dark, fetid aura briefly flickered around him, prompting Bai Yi to step back instinctively.
A book appeared in Sabo's hands. It was black, with intricate golden patterns that seemed like a mixture of strange symbols and incomprehensible runes.
Bai Yi recognized it immediately. The prompt that flashed in his panel confirmed his suspicion.
[You have obtained the complete collection of devil's contracts.]
The devil's contract—representing the race most proficient in manipulating contracts across the universe. Anyone who entered into a contract with a devil rarely ended up in a good position.
Sabo's inheritance, tied to evil gods and demons, was truly extraordinary.
"Alright, my friend," Sabo said, his excitement mounting. "Let's head to the Tomb of the Dead." He paused briefly, before adding, "Of course, everything has its price. There's nothing that can't be sold with the right offer."
Bai Yi smiled. "Help me modify the contract first. I need the bone dragon to be obedient. And I'll need a space teleportation to get to the Tomb of the Dead. If you'd rather not take it, I can give you the coordinates, though it's a bit far."
Sabo gave him a bemused look. "You're becoming increasingly resourceful, my friend."
"There's no other choice. The Tomb is about a thousand kilometers away. If you're willing to spend the time, it's not a bad trip. As travel compensation, I've left a few thousand pieces of low-level equipment for you on the mountain," Bai Yi said with a grin, completely oblivious to the fact that he might be taking advantage of Sabo.
Sabo hesitated for a moment, clearly weighing his options. "I need some time to think."
"Fair enough," Bai Yi said with a shrug. "We're heading to a wooden house ten kilometers ahead. It has a teleportation array that will take us directly to the Tomb of the Dead."
They continued walking in silence for a while. Bai Yi casually flipped through the Devil's Contract Encyclopedia. It was fascinating. Some of the knowledge and techniques in the book could even become skills if mastered. However, it would take years of practice—at least a decade unless he had a considerable amount of skill points to fast-track his progress.
The journey took about an hour, and by the time they reached the cabin, dusk had fallen. The sky turned gold, casting long shadows over the desolate landscape.
As they neared the cabin, Sabo finally spoke again. "Alright, my friend. Give me the Bone Dragon Contract. I should be able to fix it for you soon."
A contract materialized in front of Bai Yi. He didn't touch it, instead using his mental power to guide it toward Sabo.
"This type of contract is even simpler," Sabo remarked with a sly grin, his signature dark energy flaring as he took hold of the contract.
As his hands grasped the parchment, an eerie aura began to twist the contract. The undead text shifted unnaturally, and Bai Yi could see the contract becoming multi-layered, like a napkin made up of several thin layers.
The devilish symbols from the Devil's Contract Collection filled the blank spaces, gradually altering the contract. As the twisted aura continued to surge, Sabo's wicked grin widened.
Bai Yi watched in awe as the contract was meticulously modified. The numerous clauses and restrictions were removed, leaving only the four words "Contract Signed." Every clause was replaced with a form of abyssal energy, marking the transition from a simple contract to something far more dangerous.
As Sabo completed his work, a multi-layered contract hovered before Bai Yi. "There you go, my friend. In the hundred layers, you can add a restriction to each one. Modify it at will using the method I taught you. The notary has been replaced by Abyss Consciousness. Now, I must take my leave."
Sabo didn't linger, glancing around before quickly dashing into the cabin. He activated the teleportation array inside.
A flash of energy passed, and Bai Yi was left standing alone in the twilight, holding the scarlet contract.
The Abyss Contract—the most powerful form of binding known. Breaking it would bring the terrifying wrath of the Abyss itself.
Bai Yi examined the contract carefully before placing the Devil's Contract Encyclopedia into his space ring. He knew that even with his newfound knowledge, he would need years of practice to catch up to Sabo's current level.
With a focused expression, Bai Yi's mental power shifted, and he began inscribing the final clauses onto the contract. The words appeared as if by magic, sinking into the paper. As the last restriction was written, Bai Yi pressed down on the contract, activating it.
[You have obtained the permanent summon: Bone Dragon Lord!]
A deafening roar erupted from another dimension, shaking the very ground. The Bone Dragon Lord materialized in the world, its towering form sending shockwaves through the air.
The dragon's massive head, over ten meters wide, emerged from the undead dimension, its blue soul fires burning fiercely in its eye sockets.
A deep, booming voice echoed through the air: "Ant, where is my sacrifice?"
Bai Yi grinned, snapping his fingers. A massive scarlet eye appeared in the sky, locking onto the Bone Dragon.
The dragon froze. "The Abyss? How is this possible?"
Before it could react, a blast of purple lightning erupted from the Eye of the Abyss, striking the dragon with devastating force.
Boom!
The ground trembled beneath them as the Bone Dragon crashed into the earth, its impact creating a small quake.
Bai Yi floated in the air, his mental power surging. "Ant? Call me 'Boss.'"