Chapter 195: Master‑Servant Agreement

What a pleasant surprise!

Lin Yifan felt a slight stir in his heart; it seems the Source of Ten Thousand Waters, although it exhausted its energy while Purifying the Red Moon's power, has regressed into an Ice Crystal Primal Body.

But the Source of Ten Thousand Waters still left some energy in him, perhaps because he had once merged with it, granting his body an extreme affinity for water, so he moves like a fish in water.

However, now is not the time to study this; he glanced at Su Xiao xi, whom he was dragging.

The river was only knee‑deep, but the current was swift; Su Xiao xi was almost half‑dragged along, her face pale, both hands gripping his arm tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Lin—Lin Yifan brother... s-slow down, I'm scared..." her voice trembled, her fingers gripping Lin Yifan were icy, clearly truly afraid of water.

Lin Yifan squinted, his guard against her lowered a little.

It couldn't even be said that his guard lowered a bit; it was simply because this little girl, though clever, was physically very weak.

With Lin Yifan's strength, he could easily subdue ten opponents at once.

If she can act this convincingly even in such a moment, she truly is a formidable opponent.

But judging by her reaction, it doesn't seem feigned.

"Hold on tight," he said calmly, applying a slight force, and carried her swiftly across the river.

As soon as they reached the bank, Su Xiao xi collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily, her eyes bloodshot, clearly quite frightened.

Lin Yifan ignored her, walking straight toward the blue Treasure Chest, intending to stash it first and open it later.

However, he suddenly recalled the Survival Realm's quirks: when he especially needs something, the Treasure Chest often yields it.

Anyway, he had two blue Treasure Chests in hand; even if this one didn't contain what he wanted, he could give the other to Ruan Qingtan and still get his wish.

And today he possessed the Lucky Double Daily Buff, so taking a gamble was fine.

Thus, without hesitation, he decisively chose to open the Treasure Chest.

A blue light flickered briefly, and the Treasure Chest opened automatically.

Lin Yifan stepped forward to look, his brows instantly knitting.

He had opened more than one blue Treasure Chest; he knew exactly the range of items they could yield.

But inside the blue Treasure Chest before him, there was only a single item.

It was a scroll, its ends set with jade, and the exposed back of the scroll was covered with mysterious runes.

Lin Yifan had previously seen magical runes and formation runes beneath the Water Pool; the runes on this certificate clearly originated from the same civilization.

And when he first looked at the scroll, its information appeared before his eyes.

Contract Book (Special Item)

Effect: Can establish a master‑servant contract with a target tag; once the contract is formed, the subordinate cannot disobey any command from the master, nor betray in any form, and the master can arbitrarily control the subordinate's life and death.

Note: The contract must be signed voluntarily by both parties; if forced, the contract is invalid.

Lin Yifan smiled; he knew that this so‑called Survival Realm, in a sense, was essentially a massive game world.

And these Survivors were the players in that game, each with only one life—log out and they're dead.

Precisely for this reason, when they trigger certain conditions that require specific items, the world's primary will naturally delivers the items before them.

However, Lin Yifan was now curious about what relationship the primary will of the Survival Realm had with the Red Moon.

Earlier, when he was drawn into an Illusion, he had received information from the illusionary Ruan Qingtan's mouth.

The Red Moon was exiled.

Does that prove that the Red Moon and the Survival Realm are two opposing factions, and that the Maggot Human Bone created with Red Moon's power represents the Red Moon faction?

And these Survivors represent the Survival Realm's faction?

If so, then his earlier avoidance of being swayed by the Red Moon's power to become a Maggot Human Bone was the most accurate choice.

"Got carried away!" Lin Yifan reached to rub his temples, quickly pulling his thoughts back.

He looked at the 'voluntary signing' note, his brows furrowing into a deep V.

The effect was indeed what he wanted, but the 'voluntary' condition was a bit troublesome.

Who in their right mind would willingly hand over their life to become someone else's slave?

Not to mention, Su Xiao xi is exceptionally intelligent, scheming, and possesses a remarkable special talent; claiming she has no ambition would be unbelievable.

But so what if she has ambition?

Ambition that hasn't matured is just empty talk!

Now that Su Xiao xi's life is in his hands, she will surely make the right choice.

Lin Yifan turned his head toward Su Xiao xi, noticing her secretly watching him; when she saw his gaze, she immediately lowered her head, pretending to still be catching her breath.

Sure enough, the little girl's thoughts had never wavered from start to finish.

"Heh..." Lin Yifan let out a light laugh, walked over, and looked down at her from above.

"Su Xiao xi, how about we make a deal?"

Su Xiao xi lifted her head, blinked, "What deal?"

"I can help you find your brother, even protect your safety," Lin Yifan said slowly, "but in exchange, you must pledge loyalty to me, never betray."

Su Xiao xi's pupils narrowed slightly, then quickly returned to an innocent expression, "Lin Yifan brother, I already listen to you, why do I need to pledge loyalty?"

"Stop playing dumb," Lin Yifan produced the Contract Book, waving it before her, "Sign this, and I can truly trust you."

Su Xiao xi stared at the Contract Book, silent for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"So that's it... Lin Yifan brother, you're afraid I'll betray you later, right?"

"Exactly," Lin Yifan admitted calmly, "Your talent and scheming I admire, but I don't like having an uncertain factor beside me."

Su Xiao xi tilted her head, then asked, "If I sign, can you guarantee you'll definitely find my brother?"

"I can't," Lin Yifan shook his head, "but I can promise that as long as he's alive, I'll do everything to find him."

Su Xiao xi stared into his eyes, seemingly judging the truth of his words.

After a moment, she extended her hand, softly saying, "Alright, I sign."

Lin Yifan was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected her to agree so readily.

"Aren't you afraid I'll deceive you?"

Su Xiao xi smiled, but her eyes grew dim: "I am afraid, but I have no choice, right?"

"I can't survive alone…"

Lin Yifan fell silent for a moment, said nothing more, and directly opened the contract book.

"Place your hand on it."

Su Xiao xi inhaled deeply and pressed her hand onto the contract.

The next second, the contract book turned into two beams of light that entered each of their foreheads.

【Contract Established!】

Lin Yifan could feel an extra link between himself and Su Xiao xi, as if a single thought could control her life and death.

Su Xiao xi's face turned pale, clearly also feeling the contract's binding force.