Chapter 182: Original Body Symbiosis

"Swear loyalty to me?" Lei En was somewhat surprised.

In Ai Lun E Si, loyalty and service have completely different meanings.

Service is a hired relationship; when the agreed time or contract expires, one can leave at any moment, and the employer has no right to stop them; loyalty, however, is indefinite, generally used between a sovereign and vassal, where the sovereign has absolute rights over the loyal subjects.

Unless the sovereign grants permission, a vassal cannot depart; otherwise it is deemed treason, and the sovereign may unconditionally deal with the traitor, a power that supersedes the law.

Lei En only wants the Makurage to serve him, and has no intention of making them pledge loyalty.

Others might be happy, but in his view, such loyalty brings not only benefits but also many burdens and obligations.

He prefers it to be direct and simple.

The Makurage use the Element, gaining power from themselves, then offer generous compensation for them to work for him—a win‑win result.

Both sides' interests are bound, the relationship is simple and clear; there is no need for the oath‑of‑loyalty routine.

Moreover, through the Soul Eye, he knows that Makurage's Element; the host can hear the other's thoughts and can sever the Element's link at any time, holding complete initiative, so he isn't afraid of betrayal—loyalty is merely redundant.

Of course, if Xi Ka Liu Si insists on loyalty, he would not refuse.

"Xi Ka Liu Si, I'm glad you're willing to serve me."

Lei En stood up and said seriously, "But you must think it through; once you swear, it's not easy to retract."

"Yes, sir, I am clear about what I want," Xi Ka Liu Si said, evidently after careful consideration, showing no wavering.

In fact, being defeated by Lei En in the arena was a result he found hard to accept and left his thoughts unsettled.

Because Lei En displayed terrifying physical qualities.

This reminded him of his own racial talent, yet he could not easily decide whether to reveal this ability to Lei En.

He still could not be sure of Lei En's character.

However, from the brief arena encounter, it was evident that Lei En is not a cruel, harsh person, nor does he possess the aristocratic arrogance or xenophobia.

Before leaving the arena, his former boss, Prince Tuo Saide Lin, came to see him off, extremely friendly, subtly hinting at past care and urging continued contact, not to be forgotten.

Xi Ka Liu Si discerned that Tuo Saide Lin valued not himself, but the lord.

From his understanding of Tuo Saide Lin, even legendary strongmen were not held in such regard; thus, in Tuo Saide Lin's eyes, Lei En's strength and status surpass ordinary legends.

Xi Ka Liu Si had not decided yet, but his two compatriots could no longer hold back.

On the way to the castle, the two decided to pledge loyalty to Lei En, using their racial talent.

Xi Ka Liu Si originally was not so eager; he planned to interact with Lei En for a while and decide later, but as the Makurage tribe's leader in Mo Du, he must be responsible for his people, so he demonstrated himself and first probed Lei En's attitude.

However, Lei En's reaction was cautious; he did not readily agree.

This made Xi Ka Liu Si even more at ease.

He no longer hesitated, saying, "Lord, we Makurage are born with an ability…"

"Hold on," Lei En hurriedly cut him off, noting that others were present, scanning the study, "Madam, sorry…"

Xi Ka Liu Si looked bewildered until a faint "mm" from a female voice drifted in the air, a portal appeared beside her and closed instantly, and he suddenly understood.

Ao Xi Li Ya, before leaving, casually tossed a Soundproof Force Field.

Lei En sensed she was somewhat displeased, but there was nothing he could do; he did not wish to conceal anything, yet for the sake of the Makurage, this was their most important secret.

"Xi Ka Liu Si, you may continue,"

Lei En helped the barbarian up from the ground, laughing, "Let's sit and talk; no need to make it so solemn."

Xi Ka Liu Si, infected by his relaxed demeanor, sat on the sofa; his heavy body creaked the couch, so he quickly straightened up to lessen the pressure, saying, "We have a racial talent called 'Original Body Symbiosis'; using it to select an Original Body lets us draw power from that body to strengthen ourselves."

Lei En thought, so this Element is called Original Body Symbiosis.

The chosen target is not called a host, but an Original Body.

He instantly made a very surprised face, "Original Body Symbiosis, I've never heard of it before; is it considered an Element?"

"It should be," Xi Ka Liu Si replied, also uncertain, "We Makurage only obtained this racial talent a few hundred years ago; the clan elders believe that after millennia of worshiping Ji Li Man and constantly praying for a response, we were granted this blessing."

"So the God of Loyalty can still answer his followers," Lei En exclaimed.

Ji Li Man has slept for millennia; even the "Glory" divine office was taken by a lake nymph, leaving only the "Loyalty" office, whose title changed to the God of Loyalty. People thought He had long fallen, yet He still bestows talents upon believers.

"Of course!"

Xi Ka Liu Si's expression was solemn, eyes full of confidence, saying without doubt, "The deity has always been with us; His brilliance will reappear."

Lei En nodded; the deity's majesty was ethereal, and he thought he should not argue.

"How exactly is Original Body Symbiosis used? Are there any limits?" he asked.

"In the name of the deity, we initiate a Loyal Blood Oath, selecting the target— the Original Body— and upon its acknowledgment, the talent activates," Xi Ka Liu Si explained in detail. "The stronger the Original Body, the more power we receive."

"The Original Body can be a fellow of our race, a human, elf, or other sentient being, but cannot be a vastly different species, such as a dragon or Demon; despite their great power, they cannot serve as an Original Body."

"During symbiosis, we will do everything to protect the Original Body; if it dies, our souls suffer severe damage, hard to recover."

"Once symbiosis forms, the Original Body can hear our thoughts."

"This makes the link tighter, yet the Original Body is constantly interfered by thoughts, attacking its Willpower like a mental curse, never at peace."

"Therefore, the number of symbionts an Original Body can accept should not be too many, preferably three or fewer."

"If the Original Body's Willpower is firm, the number can be a few more."

"But it still cannot be too many; if symbionts exceed five, the Original Body becomes dangerous, possibly causing a mental split, like the human Blood Soul Curse driving one mad."

Xi Ka Liu Si finished in one breath, somewhat uneasy, saying, "Lord, if you are unwilling to become an Original Body, please keep this secret for us."

"I will," Lei En solemnly nodded.

Original Body Symbiosis, this talent Element, gives the Makurage the potential of top‑tier slaves.

If leaked, it is foreseeable that slave‑hunting squads would rush to the Saen Plateau to capture Makurage, which for a barbarian tribe of only a few thousand would be a catastrophic disaster.

Lei En began to ponder.

Original Body Symbiosis also has a limit on numbers; he wondered whether that thought‑interference would affect him.

If True Will can immunize against thought interference, that would be wonderful!

Lei En was confident about this.

The Element of legend is by no means an empty reputation.

He didn't think further and immediately replied, "Xika Liusi, I accept your symbiosis and become your primary host."

"Sir, the loyalty of the Makurag people will never disappoint you." Xika Liusi was extremely pleased; his towering frame rose, and he said solemnly.

Lei En nodded and smiled, "I prefer you call me 'Boss'."

"Very well, Boss."

Xika Liusi immediately corrected himself, "According to tradition, a symbiosis must be established in the presence of a fellow clan member; please let my two kin enter."

Lei En naturally would not refuse; Xika Liusi went out and soon returned with two Makurag people.

They had already learned that Lei En would soon become their primary host, and were very excited, eagerly introducing themselves to Lei En—one named Gelong, the other named Kiwat.

After questioning, Lei En discovered that the two robust Makurag individuals were only twenty years old, the same age as himself.

Xika Liusi was a bit older, yet still under thirty.

Lei En couldn't help but sigh; the Makurag's innate talent was indeed far stronger than that of humans.

"Boss, I am ready to begin," Xika Liusi said.

After receiving Lei En's permission, he knelt on one knee before Lei En, slit his palm with a dagger, and blood flowed out.

He clenched his bloodied fist, his gaze fixed on Lei En, and loudly proclaimed, "Loyalty is my life, loyalty is my belief, loyalty is my glory! I, Xika Liusi, under the witness of Ji Liman, offer my loyalty to Ryan Augustus, obey his Willpower, execute his orders, remain forever loyal, and never betray!"

Xika Liusi's oath stirred the blood in his hand.

The blood rose and twisted in midair into a strange sigil; Lei En recognized it as identical to the Element rune of primary host symbiosis.

Following Xika Liusi's guidance, he stepped forward, extended his finger, and lightly touched the blood-colored sigil.

At once, a surge of Willpower flooded his mind, reaching the depths of his soul, causing no damage but awaiting his response.

The world tree within his soul trembled gently, and the Little Red Flower of the MutatedPhone also emitted light.

Lei En knew that a single thought could either expel it or accept it, establishing a symbiotic bond with Xika Liusi.

His expression remained calm, and he chose acceptance.

"I accept your loyalty."

As soon as the words fell, the hovering blood-colored sigil instantly turned into light and vanished; on Lei En's soul world tree, a brand‑new branch sprouted rapidly, positioned neither too high nor too low, between the existing two layers of branches.

A bud emerged at the tip of the new branch, and within seconds it grew into a leaf.

In the phone interface, an icon formed in the blank area.

Lei En watched in amazement; soon the icon became more concrete, ultimately taking the shape of a human face, as if a portrait drawn from Xika Liusi's appearance.

At the same time, a dramatic change occurred on the half‑kneeling Xika Liusi.

(End of Chapter)