104: Griffin King

The Griffin King's dark-gold pupils suddenly constricted, like two balls of dark-gold flame abruptly ignited. The fluctuating aura in the air instantly froze, transforming into a physical, icy killing intent that enveloped the entire highland cliff.

“An opportunity to evolve...” Its low voice echoed in Linn's mind, every syllable seemingly carrying ice shards. “Human, what do you know? Who told you?”

Linn's expression remained unchanged as he calmly met those wary and dangerous eyes. “I see a king stuck at the threshold of the Fifth Rank Advanced level, with an unstable aura, wandering for far too many years. I also see a clan in the highland winds that, while free, has also stagnated.”

“Presumptuous!” The Griffin King let out a deafening roar. The sound waves almost materialized, kicking up gravel from the ground. “How can a human like you pry into my clan's secrets! You didn't come here today for peace, but to take advantage of our vulnerability!”

Its massive wings suddenly spread, their dark-gold feathers reflecting a metallic cold light under the sun. It no longer hid its Earth Rank pressure, which bore down on Linn like a mountain. Although its aura was still unstable, the violent power contained within was enough to make an ordinary Earth Rank expert pale.

“Those who pry into secrets shall die!” Murderous intent flared in the Griffin King's eyes. It had to completely erase this potentially massive threat.

Sensing their king's resolute fury, the griffin flock circling in the air let out a shrill cry filled with Battle Intent. A gale began to howl as talons and beaks locked onto the target below.

Facing this certain-death situation, Linn merely shook his head with a slight sense of helplessness.

“As expected, negotiations always require enough chips as a foundation.” He whispered to himself, his gaze instantly becoming as sharp as a blade. “Very well then, I'll let you see what a true ‘Overlord of the Sky’ is.”

He spoke no more. With his right palm facing upward, his Mental Energy and mana resonated, instantly connecting to the profound link within his body—the passage to the Breath of Life Demi-plane.

“Destiny, answer my call.” Linn's voice wasn't loud, yet it possessed a strange penetrating power, as if it rang directly in a higher-dimensional space.

Above the plateau, the originally azure Sky seemed to be torn open by an invisible force. There was no world-shaking boom, but an ancient and noble majesty, originating from the very peak of life hierarchy, flooded out from the rift like a silent tsunami.

What emerged from the rift was not green natural light, but a flowing silver glow like spilled mercury—cold, noble, possessing a metallic texture and the brilliance of stars.

Immediately after, a slender and elegant figure slowly descended from the silver glow.

She stood tall, wearing a robe that seemed woven from moonlight and mithril, with subtle light traces flowing over it like the movement of stars. Her long hair, like flowing liquid silver, reached her waist, shining with a soft yet undeniable light. Her face was perfect to the point of being sacred, and her eyes were the color of molten silver—calm and waveless, yet containing an iciness that could freeze the Soul and a majesty that looked down upon all living beings.

The Sky-rank Advanced Silver Dragon, Destiny. She manifested in human form, but her essential Dragon Might now unreservedly enveloped the entire plateau.

“Roar—!!!”

The sound the Griffin King let out was no longer a roar filled with killing intent, but a mournful wail of trembling, mixed with boundless fear, shock, and a reaction from the deepest part of its Bloodline! As the king of the Sky's raptors, it could sense more clearly than any other creature that the being before it was a predator and ruler at the absolute peak of their food chain and life hierarchy... a Dragon, and specifically a Silver Dragon, renowned among the Dragon Clan for wisdom, magic, and nobility! That suppression on the Soul level made it difficult for even its wings to flap smoothly.

The griffin flock in the air fell like dumplings, letting out chaotic and terrified wails as their formation completely collapsed. Many griffins couldn't even maintain flight, landing clumsily on the ground and burying their heads deep into the rocks, their bodies shivering. For them, this wasn't just fear of a powerful enemy, but an uncontrollable instinctual submission and despair when a lower being has an audience with a supreme king!

Destiny's molten-silver eyes swept indifferently over the Griffin King. She said nothing, only slightly releasing a trace of Dragon Might belonging to a Legendary Dragon.

“Crack...”

The rock at the edge of the cliff where the Griffin King stood was instantly covered in fine cracks. It felt as if it had been thrown into a ten-thousand-year-old ice cellar, or as if its throat and Soul were being throttled by an invisible dragon claw. Its proud Earth Rank power crumbled inch by inch under that pure, high-tier Dragon Might, and even its thoughts almost froze. It had no doubt that the opponent only needed a single thought to completely crush it from Soul to body.

The gap was a chasm that could not be bridged by any amount of courage or numbers.

“I... submit! The Windwing Clan... submits!” The Griffin King exerted its last strength to let out a cry from its Soul, its high-held head lowering heavily until it even touched the cold rock. All its pride, killing intent, and resentment turned to dust before this absolute Dragon Might.

Linn walked up to the Griffin King, who was slumped on the ground. Complex and profound Soul Contract runes condensed at his fingertips—gold and silver intertwined, containing the power of binding and connection.

“Sign it. From now on, the Windwing Clan's fate will be bound to the Star Sea Territory, becoming the sword that guards the firmament.” Linn's voice left no room for doubt.

The Griffin King... Wind Wing, did not hesitate for a second, actively opening its consciousness to the contract rune. The rune sank into its forehead, and a clear, stable Soul link was established between it and Linn. It felt Linn's will and also caught a faint glimpse of the Soul foundation within Linn that contained infinite possibilities.

The contract was complete. Destiny nodded slightly, and the terrifying Dragon Might that enveloped heaven and earth receded like a tide. Silver light flowed around her, and her figure gradually faded, eventually turning into a silver glow that returned to the Breath of Life Demi-plane. The rift in the Sky quietly closed.

The pressure vanished instantly. Wind Wing and its clan gasped for air like drowning victims who had been saved, but the way they looked at Linn had completely changed, filled with deep awe. They understood that behind this human lord stood a Legendary Dragon!

Linn patted Wind Wing's still-lowered head, his voice softening but carrying a heavy promise:

“Remember the power of this contract, and remember my promise. Serve well, fight for the Star Sea Territory with your loyalty and valor, and also win a future for yourselves. When the time is ripe and you have proven your value and loyalty, I, Linn, swear in the name of Lord and Master of the Contract, that I will return this Soul contract to you, giving you and the Windwing Clan true, glorious freedom.”

Wind Wing jerked its head up, its molten-gold eyes erupting with an unbelievable light mixed with hope. Freedom... it wasn't eternal enslavement, but an allegiance and test with a clear endpoint?

“Master... are these words true?” Its mental fluctuations trembled with excitement.

“I keep my word.” Linn's gaze swept over all the submissive griffins. “But freedom must be earned with merit. Now, put away your fear and lift your chests. You are no longer a clan trapped on the plateau, but the Wings of the Firmament for the Star Sea Territory! Follow me to welcome your new life and glory!”

Led by Wind Wing's long cry—one that contained complex emotions but ultimately turned into firm obedience—all the griffins took flight once more. This time, they were arranged in an orderly fashion behind and above Linn, like the most loyal guards and the sharpest aerial spear formation.

The king of the Northern Highland Plateau bowed its head under the might of the Silver Dragon, entering into a Soul pact with a human lord that had freedom as its final destination.