Chapter 109 - 95: Blood Binding

Chapter 109: Chapter 95: Blood Binding

Liu Zhiyi was a little curious. "By the way, why the sudden question? Did you run into an artificially created Extraordinary Awakened somewhere?"

"No, just asking."

Gu Qing gave a vague answer, not elaborating on his reasons.

The matter involved an ancestor of Xia Shuran’s family and was a private affair, so it wasn’t his place to say more.

...

Before they knew it, the time was approaching 3:00 AM.

After they had trained animals together for two hours, a long-awaited text notification popped up before Gu Qing’s eyes.

[You and your friend Liu Zhiyi have trained animals together for over an hour] x2

[Beast Language Ability +1] x2

[Beast Taming Skill +1] x2

[Accumulate 100 points in Beast Taming Skill to obtain the Attribute: Essence Blood Enslavement]

[Current points acquired: 6]

’Only 6 points accumulated.’

’Still 94 points away from getting Essence Blood Enslavement.’

’That’s way too far off.’

’Sigh, it’s mainly because Sister Zhiyi chose a bad location for this pet shop.’

’If she’d opened it on the Hai University campus, I would’ve maxed this out ages ago.’

Gu Qing felt that Essence Blood Enslavement was a distant dream.

"It’s almost three. Time to close up and go home to rest."

Liu Zhiyi got up from the floor and said to Gu Qing, who was still playing with a hamster, "You should head back and get some rest, too. Don’t stay up until dawn."

Gu Qing stood up as well. "Let me help you clean up the shop, Sister Zhiyi. I’ll head back after we’re done."

"Mm, okay."

Liu Zhiyi agreed softly.

In truth, she didn’t need Gu Qing’s help to clean.

With a single command, the shop’s pets would transform into a cleaning crew and have the place spotless in no time.

However, she didn’t mind spending time with Gu Qing.

In fact, she found it quite pleasant to be around this former student of hers, who was now a junior peer.

This former student and junior peer of hers wasn’t always perfectly behaved—his eyes would occasionally, inadvertently wander to her stocking-clad legs—but for some reason, it didn’t make her uncomfortable at all.

She just chalked it up to boys being boys, a part of human nature. There was no need to be overly harsh or condemn him for it.

Of course, this only applied to Gu Qing.

...

「Twenty-some minutes later.」

The entire shop was spotless and tidy.

"Sister Zhiyi, I’m heading back now. See you tomorrow."

"Gu Qing, wait a minute."

Just as Gu Qing finished speaking and was about to turn and leave, Liu Zhiyi suddenly called out to him.

He looked back, confused. "What is it, Sister Zhiyi?"

Liu Zhiyi’s voice was gentle. "About that Magic Mirror you just got today... I have a way to keep it from turning on you, to make sure it’s always on your side."

Gu Qing’s face lit up. "Sister Zhiyi, what is it?"

Liu Zhiyi tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I know a technique called a blood-binding ritual. It can bind you completely to the Magic Mirror."

"After the blood-binding ritual, if you die, the Magic Mirror will be destroyed on the spot."

"But if the Magic Mirror is destroyed, both your body and soul will suffer severe trauma."

"The trauma is extremely severe. Without external aid, you’d be bedridden for several years at least before you could fully recover."

"You’ll flourish together and suffer together, so to speak."

After explaining, Liu Zhiyi looked at Gu Qing and asked, "Think it over. If you want to do it, I can help you perform the blood-binding ritual with the Magic Mirror right now."

’A blood-binding ritual?’

Hearing those words, it all clicked for Gu Qing.

’No wonder maxing out the stats from the [Beast Taming King] tag grants the Essence Blood Enslavement Attribute.’

’It turns out Sister Zhiyi has mastered a similar technique.’

Without a second thought, Gu Qing answered decisively, "Sister Zhiyi, I definitely need this. Please, help me perform the blood-binding ritual with the Magic Mirror. Thank you so much!"

’If I die, it dies.’

’If it dies, I just get injured.’

’Is there even anything to think about?’

’Definitely doing the blood-binding ritual!’

’I’d be an idiot not to!’

’After all, this Magic Mirror seems sinister. A blood-binding ritual would be a way to restrain it, to keep it from ever having a chance to screw me over. It’s absolutely worth it.’

Seeing Gu Qing make the decision to bind himself to the Magic Mirror without a moment’s hesitation, a flicker of surprise flashed through Liu Zhiyi’s eyes.

Then, she said coolly, "Alright, take out the Magic Mirror. I’ll help you perform the ritual now."

Gu Qing took out his phone, pulled the Magic Mirror from behind the case, and handed it to Liu Zhiyi.

Liu Zhiyi took the Magic Mirror and said, "Give me a finger."

Gu Qing extended his right index finger.

Liu Zhiyi casually plucked a strand of her own hair, using it to lightly prick Gu Qing’s index finger. She squeezed a drop of fresh blood from the fingertip onto the surface of the Magic Mirror.

Then, with a mere thought, she released a wisp of Extraordinary Power, forcing the blood to merge with the mirror’s surface until it seeped deep within its body, forging a connection. ℴ

Driven by that wisp of Liu Zhiyi’s Extraordinary Power...

The blood immediately spread like a spiderweb, covering the entire surface in an instant.

Then, all the crimson liquid seeped into the body of the mirror, completing its fusion with the Magic Mirror.

For a moment, the Magic Mirror trembled slightly, and Gu Qing’s body twitched. An instant later, an intimate mental bond formed between their two consciousnesses.

"There. The blood-binding ritual is complete."

Liu Zhiyi handed the Magic Mirror back to Gu Qing.

Gu Qing steadied himself, took the offered Magic Mirror, and thanked her again. "Sister Zhiyi, thank you so, so much. If you ever need me for anything in the future, just say the word."

Liu Zhiyi gave a faint, knowing smile. "That’s the second time you’ve said that to me tonight. I might actually take you up on that offer in the future, so don’t you try to back out."

Gu Qing puffed out his chest and promised, "Don’t worry, Sister Zhiyi. I’ll be at your beck and call, anything you need."

Liu Zhiyi urged him, "Alright, hurry home. It’s past three in the morning. Get some rest."

"Then I’m off, Sister Zhiyi. See you tomorrow."

"Mm, see you tomorrow."

After saying goodbye, Liu Zhiyi stood at the shop’s entrance, watching Gu Qing walk a little ways down the street.

Only after she saw him cross the street did she go back inside the pet shop and pull down the rolling metal door.

She walked over to the sofa and collapsed onto it without even taking off her shoes. Her brows furrowed and her face grew pale. An intense wave of dizziness washed over her, and she felt awful.

The blood-binding ritual took a massive toll on the caster’s mind and spirit.

For the next few days, her condition would likely be severely compromised.

’Forget it, I’m not going home. I’ll just make do here for the night.’

Liu Zhiyi gently rubbed her throbbing forehead. She grabbed a nearby blanket, pulled it over herself, and decided to just sleep on the pet shop’s sofa for the night.

...

P.S. Putting out my bowl to beg for monthly and recommendation tickets!