Outside Qingshan Town...
After Xiao Tiance spoke, the little beggar's body trembled again. However, sensing no killing intent, he quickly said, "I believe, sir, that it's not clever people you dislike, but clever people you can't control. I am willing to sign a soul contract with you. Once the contract is sealed, my life and death will be entirely at your command one thought from you, and I'll cease to exist."
Xiao Tiance looked at him approvingly. "You're clever indeed. I imagine that cleverness has helped you survive in Qingshan Town."
"Please, sir, take in," the boy pleaded earnestly, relieved that Xiao Tiance showed no signs of hostility.
"Stand up. What's your na?" Xiao Tiance asked.
"I don't have one. People just call 'little beggar.' I've grown up eating scraps from strangers," the boy replied humbly.
"'Little beggar' is too crude. I'll give you a proper na. You're of the Soul Devouring Tribe, but the grudges of the ancient past shouldn't be held against you. That's why I didn't kill you.
You'll take my surna, Xiao. As for your given na, let's call you Xiao Huai'en, signifying gratitude and benevolence. You'll be recognized as a distant mber of the Xiao Clan." Xiao Tiance smiled.
"Xiao Huai'en? That's a wonderful na. Thank you for granting it to !" Xiao Huai'en said excitedly.
Before he could savor the mont, an imnse, crushing spiritual force descended upon him. Immobilized, he instinctively resisted but found it impossible to move.
Xiao Tiance chuckled. "Huai'en, as you suggested, I dislike clever people I can't control. Open your soul I'll seal our contract."
Without hesitation, Xiao Huai'en complied, surrendering his soul. A mont later, he felt a mark form within it. He knew that with this mark, Xiao Tiance could end his life in an instant, leaving no chance of escape.
"Master!" Xiao Huai'en bowed deeply once the contract was complete.
"Haha, Huai'en, you're lucky to have acted quickly. Had you hesitated, I would've scattered your soul on the spot. But now, the contract is sealed, and you're mine.
Let's head back to Qingshan Town. You need a bath and so proper clothes." Xiao Tiance's tone was lighthearted, but his authority was unmistakable.
Grateful for his survival, Xiao Huai'en followed without complaint.
As they walked, a group of rcenaries ard with blades approached them with murderous intent. Leading them was none other than Otto, the man Xiao Yi Xian had stopped earlier.
"Haha! I thought you might've slipped away, but luck's on my side. Didn't even have to leave town to catch you," Otto sneered, his eyes gleaming with greed.
Xiao Tiance wasn't surprised. rcenaries like Otto lived by the blade, risking their lives in the Magical Beast Mountain Range for minimal gains. Compared to that, the fortune Xiao Tiance carried was irresistible.
His clothes, made from the hide of an eighth tier magical beast and enhanced with exquisite materials, were worth a fortune 10,000 gold coins at the very least. The two spatial rings on his fingers, even empty, were priceless treasures worth millions of gold coins.
It was clear Otto had been plotting this ambush since their last encounter.
Seeing Xiao Tiance remain silent, Otto grew bolder, laughing loudly. "What's the matter, kid? Too scared to speak? If you're smart, strip off those fine clothes and hand over those rings. Maybe I'll let you live."
"Master, these are mbers of the Demon Hunters rcenary Group. Their leader is a nine star Dou Shi, and they're notorious for their cruelty," Xiao Huai'en whispered.
"Are you afraid of them?" Xiao Tiance asked with a faint smile.
"Not at all, Master. With you here, they're nothing but insects," Xiao Huai'en replied confidently.
"Haha, well said. Calling them insects might even be too generous. In my presence, they're less than ants," Xiao Tiance laughed.
"Enough of this arrogance! Even if you hand over your treasures now, I'll still carve you to pieces!" Otto roared, infuriated by Xiao Tiance's calm deanor.
With a wave of his hand, Otto and his n charged forward, blades gleaming nacingly.
Xiao Tiance didn't move. Watching them approach, he sighed softly. "Pathetic ants, oblivious to their doom. Truly tragic."
He raised his hand, and a massive energy palm materialized in the sky. With a slow, deliberate motion, he pressed it downward.
"Boom!"
In an instant, the energy palm smashed into the ground. The rcenaries didn't even have ti to scream before they were obliterated, leaving behind a massive handprint etched deep into the earth.
Xiao Huai'en stood frozen in shock. Despite knowing his master was powerful, he hadn't anticipated such overwhelming strength.
"Master, your might is unparalleled. Truly invincible!" Xiao Huai'en exclaid, regaining his composure and showering Xiao Tiance with praise.
Xiao Tiance waved dismissively and began walking back to Qingshan Town without sparing the crater a second glance.
Xiao Huai'en lingered briefly, marveling at the seven ter deep handprint, before quickly following his master.
Back in Qingshan Town, Xiao Tiance rented a room for Xiao Huai'en to bathe and instructed the innkeeper to purchase new clothes, shoes, and accessories for him.
An hour later, Xiao Huai'en erged, clean and dressed in fresh attire. His appearance was strikingly handso, almost ethereal.
"Well, well, who knew you'd clean up so well? With a face like that, finding a girlfriend should be the least of your worries," Xiao Tiance teased.
"Master flatters . But it's true Soul Devouring Tribe genes are remarkable. Our looks are unmatched," Xiao Huai'en replied, grinning sheepishly.
"Haha, don't get too cocky. Now that you're ready, let's head out."
As they stepped out of the inn, Xiao Yi Xian ran toward them, her expression full of concern.
"Thank goodness you're okay! I saw Otto leaving town with the Demon Hunters and feared they were after you. I'm so glad you're unhard," she said, breathing a sigh of relief as she examined Xiao Tiance.
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