Chapter 219 The Contract is Completed! Qian Rongrong's Little Secret?

"A Divine Soul intent?"

Under his mask, Jiang Yun's brow twitched imperceptibly.

He didn't agree immediately. His eyes, clear and sharp even through the mask, lingered on the Nine-Tailed Fox's stunning face for a moment with a look of scrutiny.

"Wait a moment. How do I know if this Moon Vow you're talking about is real or fake?"

His voice was steady.

Yet it carried a sense of caution—the kind that wouldn't release the hawk until the rabbit was in sight.

"What if this is just some clever illusion or mental induction from your Fox Race? On the surface, it's an oath, but in reality, it's a hidden trap for control or backlash. Wouldn't I be walking right into a snare? You must find a way to prove to me that it's real and that it truly possesses the binding power you claim."

"You—!"

Su Qingxue heard his words.

Those purple eyes, which had just been swirling with a faint lunar glow from performing the secret technique, were instantly clouded by a layer of slight anger.

Her chest rose and fell slightly.

She was clearly incensed by Jiang Yun's almost paranoid level of caution.

This guy!

He was simply too narrow-minded!

Far too cautious!

This Empress even brought out the supreme secret contract technique inherited from her ancestors, and he actually suspected it was a fake?

"I cannot prove it!"

She turned her face away testily.

Her voice grew several degrees colder.

It carried an annoyed tone of 'believe it or not, I don't care anymore'.

"This technique is profound and involves the Divine Soul; its authenticity exists within the heart and cannot be verified by words or ordinary means. If you don't believe it, then forget it!"

She snapped her head back.

Her purple eyes glared at Jiang Yun as she spoke out of spite.

"This five-colored origin divine seed, this Empress doesn't want it anymore! Is that fine with you?!"

Even though she said that.

The way she tightly gripped the hem of her skirt—her fingertips turning slightly white—and the flash of unwillingness and heartache deep in her eyes betrayed her true thoughts.

But she truly had no way to deal with Jiang Yun.

Her heart was filled with immense frustration and gloom.

To think that she, the dignified royalty of the Fox Race...

When had she ever suffered such humiliation... to be suppressed in Aura by a little brat of the Human Race!

And a Gold Rank brat at that... Seemingly feeling that her reaction was a bit unbecoming.

She forced herself back into a posture of pride.

Her tone carried a stinging sarcasm.

"Besides, don't you claim to be a Grand Tutor Level Appraiser who perceives the essence of all things? The runes of this Fox Heart Moon Vow are right before your eyes. Can't you look at the Law and contract power contained within and appraise it yourself? If you can't even see through this, I'm afraid your title of Grand Tutor is just for show?"

This final bit of provocation.

Combined with her 'believe it or not' tsundere attitude, actually caused the doubts in Jiang Yun's heart to fade a little.

With this Mother Fox's bone-deep pride, if she truly wanted to play tricks, she would likely prefer to weave a more perfect lie or use a stronger posture to oppress him, rather than acting like this—exasperated with a hint of the grievance and spite of being wronged.

"Appraise it? That suits me just fine."

Jiang Yun thought to himself, though his expression remained unchanged.

His gaze refocused on the contract light sphere floating between them, which was swirling with silver moonlight and ancient runes.

With a slight thought.

That unique talent—the ability to see the essence of all things through data entries—quietly activated.

His vision fell upon the lunar runes.

In an instant.

Lines of clear and profound information data entries manifested before his eyes.

[Name]: Fox Heart Moon Vow Rune (Condensed State)

[Description]: A supreme secret contract technique inherited from the Qingqiu Fox Race. Uses the caster's essence Soul as a guide to construct an equal or one-sided binding Soul contract. The contract core is engraved with the agreed-upon terms, jointly constrained by the power of the Divine Soul oath.

[Characteristics]:

Soul Imprint: Once the contract is established, an indelible Lunar Soul Imprint will be left deep within the Divine Souls of both parties.

Divine Soul Supervision: During the execution of the contract, it is implicitly monitored by the Divine Souls of both parties, significantly increasing the difficulty and perception of any breach of contract.

Controllable Duration: An effective time limit can be preset in the contract. Once the time limit is reached, the contract power naturally dissipates, and the Soul imprint fades.

Equal/Unilateral: Can be set as a mutual equal contract or a one-way binding contract according to the agreed content.

[Status]: Runes complete, lunar glow abundant, Laws responding, ready for contracting.

"Qingqiu Fox Race..."

Jiang Yun's gaze paused slightly on this description.

He thought of the Qingqiu Immortal Beast descendants that President Yun Xi had just mentioned.

"This Mother Fox's ancestors are also from Qingqiu? Could that Immortal Beast tribe share the same Origin as the Qingqiu Fox Race she belongs to?

Or does that Immortal Beast refer specifically to this Qingqiu Fox Race?"

Jiang Yun was puzzled.

Thinking about it.

Even if they weren't exactly the same.

There must be a very deep connection between them.

Since this Fox Heart Moon Vow was appraised as a Legacy technique, its Origin and effectiveness were now beyond doubt.

The Nine-Tailed Fox, Su Qingxue.

She likely really did carry some ancient and shocking Bloodline Legacy.

The final trace of doubt in his heart.

Vanished as the appraisal results were clearly presented.

The data entry information almost perfectly matched Su Qingxue's previous description, and it even described the backlash mechanism in more specific and terrifying detail.

This, instead, made Jiang Yun feel more at ease.

The stronger the binding force, the more beneficial it was for him.

"It seems... I was overthinking it."

Jiang Yun withdrew his gaze.

His tone softened.

He said to the still-pouting Nine-Tailed Fox, "This technique is indeed the supreme contract of the Qingqiu Fox Race; its effectiveness is extraordinary."

Su Qingxue gave a light hmph.

She accepted this roundabout apology.

But the displeasure on her face didn't entirely vanish.

She urged, "Since you've confirmed it, then hurry and make the contract. Don't waste any more of this Empress's time."

Jiang Yun no longer hesitated and nodded.

He composed his mind and focused his breath. Following what Su Qingxue had said before, he separated a wisp of pure and solid Divine Soul intent and cautiously reached out toward that mass of lunar runes.

The moment his Divine Soul intent touched the runes.

*Buzz!*

It wasn't a loud noise.

But a clear resonance that acted directly on the depths of his Soul!

That mass of silver moonlight suddenly erupted with light. A soft yet irresistibly vast lunar power, mixed with an ancient, solemn, and inviolable contract Aura, surged toward him like a tide along his Divine Soul intent!

Jiang Yun felt a slight tremor in his mind, as if he were instantly transported into a boundless sea of cold, clear, and bright moonlight.

Vast, ancient Law intentions with a faint pressure enveloped him, but they weren't aggressive. They felt more like a fair witness and record-keeper.

At the same time.

He could clearly perceive the core of the contract.

Clear textual terms had already condensed there, which were exactly what he and Su Qingxue had agreed upon.

He would provide the five-colored divine seed; Su Qingxue would protect Jiang Yun's identity for half a year, allowing him to avoid danger in case of force majeure; he would do his best to help her obtain and use the divine seed... everything was laid out in detail.

It was exactly as he had said.

Even more wondrously.

He could also vaguely perceive the other end.

The existence of that wisp of Divine Soul intent belonging to Su Qingxue.

That intent felt to him like a cold pool under the moon—chilly and deep, with the unique spiritual charm of the Fox Race and a hint of indiscernible tension.

The two intents were connected through the lunar runes, but they didn't merge. Between them, there was always a transparent yet solid barrier formed by the contract Laws.

This was precisely where it differed from a Beast Taming Contract.

A Beast Taming Contract sought the Fusion of Souls and the unification of wills, whereas the core of this Fox Heart Moon Vow lay in constraint and witnessing, maintaining the independent wills and Souls of both parties, only binding and supervising the agreed-upon actions.

"Silently confirm, and the contract will be formed."

Su Qingxue's cold voice rang directly in his mind; this was a brief mental communication brought about by the contract link.

Jiang Yun no longer hesitated.

He immersed his mind into the contract terms.

Solemnly and clearly, he silently confirmed.

On the other end.

Su Qingxue's intent gave the same response.

*Boom!*

The lunar runes suddenly contracted, erupting with one last burst of dazzling silver radiance. Then they split into two, turning into two silver lines of light—refined to the extreme, as thin as hair yet as heavy as a mountain. Like a flash of lightning, one shot toward Jiang Yun's brow, and the other shot toward Su Qingxue's brow!

Jiang Yun felt a chill at his brow.

It was as if something cold and resilient had been branded into the deepest part of his Soul.

A clear connection with a faint sense of restraint was established, with the other end firmly tied to Su Qingxue.

At the same time.

He could vaguely sense that, in the unseen world, a "cold gaze" seemed to cast a wisp of attention from the infinitely high lunar runes, landing upon this newly born contract.

The contract was complete.

Su Qingxue's delicate body also trembled slightly.

A flash of relief crossed her beautiful face.

Mixed with a complex and unreadable expression.

She slowly opened her eyes.

The lingering lunar glow in her purple eyes had not yet dissipated.

It added a touch of mystery.

She looked at Jiang Yun.

She extended her jade-like hand.

Her voice returned to its usual calm.

Yet it carried an unquestionable tone.

"The contract is complete and takes effect immediately. Now, can you give this Empress the five-colored origin divine seed?"

Jiang Yun felt the firm and reliable contract brand in his Divine Soul; under the mask, the corners of his mouth finally curled into a relaxed and pleasant arc.

The greatest threat and uncertainty that had plagued him for a long time was now finally replaced by a powerful contract constraint.

Although it was only for half a year, during this time, he would not only be safe and sound but would also have an Amethyst Peak bodyguard.

"Of course."

He no longer hesitated.

With a thought.

That shimmering five-colored divine seed, containing the majestic Aura of the Five Elements Origin, was taken out from the storage ring and floated quietly above his palm.

In an instant.

The surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi stirred slightly, and the profound Five Elements Dao rhythm spread out, as if even the grass and trees in the cracks of the bluestone slabs beneath his feet were being drawn by Life Qi.

Su Qingxue's breathing...

...almost stopped at this moment.

Her gaze...

...was firmly attracted as if by a magnet...

...fixed deathly upon that divine seed.

The light in her purple eyes...

...instantly turned from calm to extreme heat and desire, as if a volcano that had been dormant for ten thousand years was about to erupt!

All previous annoyance, unwillingness, and complex emotions were submerged at this moment by pure and intense possessiveness and a longing for the Great Dao.

Almost instinctively...

...she stepped forward, her slender jade-like hand moving so fast it left only an afterimage, grabbing the floating five-colored divine seed into her palm!

The movement was so swift...

...that it even caused a faint sound of breaking air.

The divine seed was in her hand.

It was as warm as jade, yet as heavy as a mountain.

That vast and pure Five Elements Origin power transmitted through her palm, making every cell in her body cheer with joy; her long-stagnant cultivation Bottleneck even showed signs of loosening!

It was a perfect match for her!

She gripped it tightly.

As if afraid it would fly away, she quickly stored it into her own storage space.

After doing all this...

...she finally seemed to truly breathe a sigh of relief, but the look she gave Jiang Yun was even more complex than before.

Was she grateful?

A little.

But more than that, it was the displeasure of being so calculated and handled by a human boy.

Was it satisfying?

With the divine seed in hand and a Breakthrough in sight, it was naturally satisfying, but the thought of being someone's bodyguard for the next half-year dampened that satisfaction.

Ultimately.

These emotions turned into a light snort.

And a declaration carrying an obvious intent to hold a grudge.

"Human! This Empress will remember today's matter."

After saying that...

...she actually ignored Jiang Yun, as if out of sight, out of mind, and turned straight around, walking ahead with a cold pace that carried a hint of pique.

Her plain white dress fluttered in the night wind, her back still proud, yet it inexplicably gave off a feeling of being very angry and impossible to coax.

Jiang Yun looked at her back.

He couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head.

"This Mother Fox... her heart is smaller than the tip of a needle; she's already holding a grudge?"

However.

He was in an excellent mood.

With the constraint of the Fox Heart Moon Vow.

Within these six months, this Nine-Tailed Fox of terrifying strength and unpredictable mind could no longer threaten him at will; instead, she had become his guarantee of safety.

As for her little emotions?

In the face of a concrete contract, they were insignificant.

"With the five-colored divine seed, her strength will surely advance by leaps and bounds, and she might even touch the power of the Origin Laws..."

Jiang Yun's thoughts drifted, but he didn't have much worry.

"However, half a year is enough."

A light of confidence flickered in his eyes.

Relying on the massive resources obtained through his Appraiser identity, combined with his own talent and planning, he was very confident that within half a year, he could cultivate Little Fire and Little Skylark to a level sufficient to handle the vast majority of threats.

By then.

Even if the contract ended.

He would have enough power to protect himself.

"The priority now is to return to the Su Family and take a good inventory of the gains from this trip to the Appraisers Guild. Those Spirit Crystals, treasures, promises... all need to be planned and used."

Thinking of this.

Jiang Yun's spirits lifted.

He stepped forward to follow the white figure ahead.

He quickened his pace.

And walked side by side with the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Su Qingxue glanced at him from the side without speaking, but she somehow produced a crystal-clear pastry that emitted a faint floral fragrance and began to eat it in small bites.

Her movements were elegant, but her speed was not slow; clearly, her mood wasn't as bad as she made it out to be. Perhaps the joy of obtaining the divine seed was enough to dilute much of her displeasure.

"Next, what are your plans?"

She asked vaguely while eating the pastry, her tone casual, as if the earlier declaration of holding a grudge hadn't come from her.

"Return to the Su Family."

Jiang Yun answered concisely.

Su Qingxue gave an 'en' and said no more, just quietly eating her pastry and walking beside Jiang Yun at an unhurried pace.

The moonlight stretched their shadows.

One black and one white, there was actually a strange sense of harmony.

They walked along the bluestone path, leaving the quiet residential area belonging to the core high-level members of the Appraisers Guild.

However.

Neither of them noticed that shortly after they left, a petite figure quietly stepped out from the shadows behind the courtyard gate.

It was Qian Rongrong, who had returned, her heart anxious and unwilling, finally deciding to hide and wait for another opportunity.

She bit her pink lips tightly.

Her bright, large eyes were now filled with shock, confusion, and a hint of jealousy that even she hadn't fully realized.

She watched the two figures, one black and one white, gradually merging into the night in the distance, her mind a tangled mess.

"That woman who is beautiful beyond words... who is she?"

"She's actually walking side by side with Great Master Dong Xuan, and their manner... actually has an indescribable familiarity?"

"Just now... what Great Master Dong Xuan took out was the five-colored origin divine seed, right? That unique Five Elements Dao rhythm, I couldn't be mistaken! He actually... actually gave such a precious thing directly to that woman?"

Qian Rongrong's heart rate inexplicably quickened.

A sense of sourness and crisis that she couldn't explain welled up in her heart.

She was jealous.

Jealous that the woman could be so close to Great Master Dong Xuan, who was only sixteen years old yet already stood at the Peak of Appraisers.

A figure as brilliant as Great Master Dong Xuan, destined to shine across the entire Federation in the future, should be a star that all young Appraisers look up to; how could he be easily approached by a woman who suddenly appeared and seemed to have nothing but beauty?

She was even more jealous of that woman's appearance.

Even through a veil, even with just a fleeting glimpse, that otherworldly beauty that seemed to gather all the spiritual essence of heaven and earth still made this eldest Young Miss of the Qian family, who had always been quite confident in her own appearance and temperament, feel an unprecedented sense of defeat.

"It's impossible..."

Qian Rongrong shook her head vigorously.

Trying to convince herself.

"Great Master Dong Xuan is only sixteen years old! To have such achievements at such a young age, he must have put all his heart and Soul into the path of appraisal to achieve such unprecedented success! How could he... how could he have time for romantic entanglements at a time like this?"

"But... if it's not that kind of relationship, then what is their relationship? To let Great Master Dong Xuan give away the five-colored divine seed so easily?"

Thinking of the evaluations of the five-colored divine seed's value by various experts, and thinking of the price paid by various forces today to curry favor with Great Master Dong Xuan, Qian Rongrong couldn't figure it out.

"No!"

She suddenly clenched her small fists, her eyes becoming determined again, even carrying the stubbornness and competitiveness of a daughter of the Qian family.

"Great Master Dong Xuan is a Legendary figure in the appraisal world; the person by his side should be someone with talent and pursuit in the path of appraisal as well!"

She took a deep breath.

Straightened her back.

Her bright face regained its radiance.

"I am Qian Rongrong of the Qian family, an eighteen-year-old High-Grade Appraiser! My talent is obvious to everyone in the younger generation of the Provincial Capital! Only a Genius Appraiser like me is qualified to follow Great Master Dong Xuan and ask him for guidance!"

"Yes! I want to take Great Master Dong Xuan as my teacher! As long as I become his Disciple, I can rightfully stay by his side, learn supreme appraisal techniques, and exchange appraisal insights with him every day... At that time..."

Thinking of that scene.

Qian Rongrong's cheeks couldn't help but flush with two patches of red, looking exceptionally charming under the moonlight.

That was not only the longing to be close to an idol but also mixed with a hint of a young girl's first awakening of ignorant and passionate feelings.

She gazed in the direction where Jiang Yun had disappeared.

Silently making up her mind.

Whatever the case.

I must find a way to let Great Master Dong Xuan see me!

See my potential and sincerity in the path of appraisal!

Make Great Master Dong Xuan take me as a Disciple!