76: submission

Communication on the Soul level proceeded silently. Linn displayed the strength of the Star Sea Territory army, painting a magnificent picture of riding side-by-side with powerful knights in the future to trample enemy lines, and finally extended the core invitation: "Follow me and become a member of the Star Sea Territory. I will grant you and your herd protection, honor, and a stronger future."

Silence persisted in the Soul link for a moment. Then, a clear, deep thought, carrying distinct arrogance and resistance, surged back along the link like muffled thunder, echoing directly in Linn's mind—it was actually the voice of a mature man.

"Human... powerful spellcaster. I have felt your power. I have also 'seen' the 'picture' you displayed." The Cyan Head Stallion's thought carried scrutiny. "But freedom is the supreme gift bestowed upon the Dragon Scale Horse race by the wind and fire. We are born in the wilderness and gallop across the plains. Bow to you and wear invisible reins? No. That means the breaking of a proud spine, it means the Soul being caged. I would rather shatter my horns in a charge than let my herd become driven livestock!"

His refusal was resolute, and his Soul fluctuations were filled with the pride belonging to the Dragon Bloodline and a persistent defense of freedom. The surrounding vines trembled slightly again due to his intense emotional fluctuations.

Linn was not surprised. If a proud Demonic Beast leader with Dragon blood could be persuaded so easily, he would not be worthy of becoming a future mount. His thoughts raced, and he threw out a second, more tempting bargaining chip.

"I understand your pride. But pride should not become a shackle to the development of your herd." Linn's thought became steady and full of power. "Do you feel that you have remained at the level of a Level 3 Demonic Beast for too long? Does the power in your Bloodline seem to have touched an invisible ceiling, making it difficult to advance even an inch? Has the size of your herd struggled to see significant growth for many years?"

He keenly captured a subtle ripple in the Dragon Scale Horse's Soul fluctuations when conveying these thoughts—an instinctive reaction to having his inner thoughts exposed. The Dragon Scale Horse race was limited by thin Bloodline and growth environment; reaching Level 3 (Silver Rank) was indeed almost the limit, and population reproduction was also relatively slow.

"Follow me, and what you lose may be the unconstrained wilderness, but what you gain will be the possibility of breaking the Bloodline shackles!" Linn's thought suddenly became highly inflammatory. At the same time, his left hand reached to his waist, and an exquisite crystal bottle appeared in his palm. Inside the bottle, a viscous liquid like molten gold rippled, and even in the morning light, it emitted a warm and majestic energy fluctuation—it was a bottle of Level 4 'Bloodline Enlightenment Potion', which had miraculous effects on Demonic Beasts breaking through Bottlenecks and purifying Bloodlines, making it priceless!

Linn clearly transmitted the scent of the potion, along with thoughts of its effects, through the Soul link: "Look, this is the key! The key that can help you break through the Level 3 barrier, cover your neck with more scales, make the flames under your hooves truly burn, and make your Bloodline take a step further toward a true Dragon descendant! And this is just the beginning. In my territory, your herd will receive the best care, a safe environment for reproduction, and even... perhaps more opportunities to help your Bloodline grow in the future. Will you choose to lead your herd in slow stagnation in the wilderness, possibly being destroyed one day by more powerful predators or the greedy, or will you choose to stand side-by-side with me and lead your herd toward unprecedented prosperity?"

Temptation, naked and irresistible temptation!

Groom's huge horse eyes stared fixedly at that bottle of golden potion, and a violent struggle came from the depths of his Soul. The desire for stronger power was deeply planted in every strand of Dragon blood! The prospect Linn painted and the physical object in his hand were like a heavy hammer, striking hard against his proud but trapped defense. He no longer neighed, but his heavy breathing showed the raging waves in his heart. Freedom was certainly priceless, but leading the herd to break through limits and move toward becoming stronger... this was equally fatal in its attraction to a leader.

Linn accurately grasped this moment of wavering. His gaze instantly became as sharp as a knife, and the soft white light still flickered at his fingertips, but a more powerful, more oppressive Mental Energy began to condense. Soft tactics had been given; now was the time to show an iron fist.

"My patience and sincerity are limited." Linn's thought suddenly turned cold, carrying unquestionable majesty. "I give you a choice out of respect for you, this Head Stallion, and the Dragon Scale Horse race. But the Star Sea Territory needs this power, and my will cannot be defied. Will you accept my friendship and gift to become partners and grow strong together; or refuse, and then... let me use a Soul contract to forcibly erase your will, turning you and your herd into obedient Puppets? Think about it: after that, your herd might still exist, but there will no longer be you, their proud leader, in their eyes, and you will sink forever!"

The threat of a Soul attack was like a cold dagger pressed against Groom's Soul core! Linn did not actually launch an attack, but the ready-to-fire Mental pressure, far exceeding the Silver Rank, made all the scales on Groom's body stand on end involuntarily. He did not doubt that this human had such ability, and he understood that such an outcome was more terrifying than death—he would lose his self, and the herd would lose its Soul.

The proud head, in the face of the realistic choice, the future of the herd, the temptation of power, and total destruction, finally... slowly lowered a fraction. It was not the sycophancy of submission, but a heavy recognition tinged with calculation and helplessness.

"I accept... your conditions." The deep thought came, carrying heavy reluctance, but more of a demand for the promise. "But you must keep your word! Give my herd what it deserves, and help me... become stronger!"

"Of course!" Linn responded without hesitation. The milky white light at his fingertips flared, forming a simple Soul mark representing an alliance and promise, which he gently branded onto the surface of Groom's Soul. This was the prototype of an equal mutual aid contract, not master-servant enslavement. "Now, let your herd quiet down and give up meaningless resistance. They will understand later that this is a new beginning."

"Neigh—!" Groom raised his head and let out a long neigh completely different from before; the sound had less rage and more complex, indescribable majesty and soothing. The neigh spread throughout the river valley. The Dragon Scale Horse herd, which had been restless and trying to charge the Guard Army's defensive line because their leader was bound, suddenly stopped in unison. Although there was still suspicion in their eyes, they no longer tried to break out, just restlessly stamping their hooves, looking at their leader bound by vines.

Seeing this, Linn waved his hand and removed the "Forest Entanglement". Having regained his freedom, Groom shook his neck, took a deep look at Linn, then trotted toward the herd, neighing in a low voice, communicating in a way unique to the herd.

The crisis was resolved. Clay and Angus both breathed a sigh of relief, commanding the soldiers to maintain formation but relax their vigilance, and began to cautiously approach and soothe the frightened horses, especially the foals snuggled beside the mares.

Only then did Linn have the leisure to carefully examine this hard-won, precious herd. The number was exactly as Angus had reported, about one hundred and thirty head. Among them, strong adult stallions and mares accounted for about half, while the slightly smaller young horses and lively foals made up the other half, a healthy and reasonable structure. Their coat colors were mostly white, their scales shimmering, and each one was extraordinarily magnificent.

And his mount, his future partner, was the best among them. His shoulder height was nearly two and a half meters, a head taller than ordinary Dragon Scale Horses, and his muscle lines were as perfect as if carved, filled with explosive power. His entire coat was a rare pale cyan, shimmering with jade-like luster in the sunlight. The scales from his neck to his chest were the finest and thickest, presenting a faint metallic cyan, while the fire-red patterns above the ankle joints of his four hooves were like molten lava engravings, with faint light flowing from time to time. Just by standing there, an invisible Aura radiated outward.

"Pale cyan like jade, walking on fire... from now on, you shall be called 'Little Cyan'." Linn walked to his side and patted his neck, which was as strong as rock. The Dragon Scale Horse leader snorted upon hearing this, seeming somewhat dissatisfied with this slightly "light" name, but he did not strongly object, only gently rubbing against Linn with his huge head, which counted as acceptance.

Linn laughed heartily, his mood incomparably cheerful. He took out another bottle of Level 4 'Bloodline Enlightenment Potion', pulled out the cork, and the rich Aura of vitality and energy permeated the air. Little Cyan's eyes went straight immediately; his huge tongue curled, swallowing the bottle and the potion directly into his mouth, crunching it to pieces and swallowing.

Almost instantly, the majestic and gentle medicinal power dissolved within his body! His pale cyan scales became more glossy and deep at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the coverage extended slightly from his neck and chest toward his shoulder blades. The fire patterns on his four hooves suddenly lit up, the color becoming more vivid and scorching, and even the short horn on his forehead seemed to grow and sharpen by a fraction! He let out an incomparably comfortable long neigh toward the sky, the sound shaking the surroundings, with wind and fire elements faintly gathering around his body, and his Aura clearly climbed by a small margin!

Feeling the stronger power surging within his body, Little Cyan excitedly reared up, his front hooves pawing at the air, then he trotted in circles around Linn, his posture much more intimate, and clear joy and anticipation flowed in his huge horse eyes.

Linn was also greatly delighted. Seizing the opportunity, he leaped and landed steadily on Little Cyan's back, which was as wide as a platform. There was no saddle, but relying on his Gold Intermediate Rank strength and exquisite control over power, he sat as steady as Mount Tai. Little Cyan just swayed slightly, then adapted to the weight on his back, letting out a gentle neigh.

"Go! Little Cyan, let me see your speed."

"Neigh—!" Little Cyan raised his head and neighed long, stepping out with steady and powerful strides, carrying Linn, and galloping at extreme speed on the New Moon Plain. Linn felt the extreme speed and sighed with emotion; with this horse, he estimated that he could reach any place on Shattered Star Island in a single day.