Chapter 57

The previous confrontation made Hu Gao realize the gap between the sixth and seventh stages of the Condensing Shadow Realm. Advancing from the middle stage to the late stage was not just a matter of yuan force, but also a difference in physical strength.

The refinement of the body by yuan force, the feedback of this stage difference, easily manifested and even magnified during prolonged confrontation. In the recent confrontation, if it weren't for the additional refinement by dragon force, which brought his physical strength to the early seventh stage level, and his speed being faster than that of a peer, and his perfect control of strength, he might have already fallen under Guo Dewen's spear.

After calming down, Hu Gao realized how arrogant it was to think he could use Guo Dewen as a sparring partner just because of his extraordinary healing ability. The previous instant kill of a seventh-stage Condensing Shadow Realm cultivator did not mean he could withstand a seventh-stage attack; it was just a lucky sneak attack. Facing a family's key cultivator like Guo Dewen, the difference of one stage was still significant.

After thinking it through, Hu Gao decided to use the old method to deal with Guo Dewen. If direct methods didn't work, he would resort to indirect ones! Entering the Dragon Armor Mountains, he might encounter eighth or ninth-stage enemies, and even with Xiao Wu, they might not be able to resist.

Hu Gao charged at Guo Dewen's blazing spear, red yuan force flowing into his hands, tracing the trajectory of the Qianqing Palm, and entered the spear's flower, slapping the spear body with one hand while gripping the spear shaft with the other.

Guo Dewen, noticing that Hu Gao had abandoned the Shadowless Sword, seemed to suddenly become more aggressive. With the spear shaft gripped, he rotated it and used his strength to shake off Hu Gao's hand.

Suddenly, a surge of red yuan force shot down the spear shaft, entering his wrist.

"Hey!"

Guo Dewen's smile froze as he felt his wrist suddenly weaken, all his strength faltering, and his proud strike was instantly interrupted.

"Huh, what... what's happening?"

Guo Dewen couldn't react in time, but his opponent didn't hesitate.

Bang!

Guo Dewen felt a force hit his chest, and he flew backward down the mountain, the impact causing intense pain.

Bang, bang, bang, bang...

In the air, Guo Dewen had nowhere to brace himself. Just as he felt he was about to land, the sound of rapid movement came from below, and a series of punches rained down on him.

At the same time, he heard Hu Gao's voice: "North—Dou—Shen—Quan!"

With each word, a punch landed on his body.

"Ah..."

The pain made Guo Dewen involuntarily scream.

Hu Gao, however, paid no attention to Guo Dewen's screams, continuously punching and kicking. He used all the yuan techniques he had previously used with the Shadowless Sword, integrating them into his self-created "North Dipper Fist."

The "Mixed Yuan One Qi Flow" circulated rapidly, yuan force rushing through his body, enhancing the power of each of Hu Gao's attacks, a fusion of yuan force and physical strength.

Guo Dewen, flying in the air, never touched the ground. No matter how he tried to control his body, the force was always immediately dispersed, followed by even more ferocious attacks landing on him.

Bang!

After five minutes, Hu Gao kicked out with all his might, and Guo Dewen was sent flying six to seven meters, landing like a dead dog, struggling but unable to get up.

"Damn, I'm tired from beating you." Hu Gao shook his hands and feet, somewhat displeased.

This was partly to provoke Guo Dewen, as Hu Gao was wary of accidentally killing him. Despite the chaotic beating, Hu Gao was drenched in sweat. Controlling and integrating two forces, as well as integrating and creating techniques, was not an easy task...

A seventh-stage Condensing Shadow Realm cultivator being brutally beaten by a sixth-stage cultivator, with no chance to fight back, would cause a sensation if it were to be known.

Hu Gao, however, sat down on the ground without realizing it, looking at Guo Dewen not far away, slowly regaining his strength.

Xiao Wu flew to Hu Gao's side but didn't land on his shoulder, as the clean five-clawed golden dragon found Hu Gao's sweaty body distasteful.

"Wow, your fist technique was quite something. Should I also create a claw technique?" Xiao Wu pondered, somewhat moved.

Dragon Claw Hand? He already knew it, no fun!

Dragon Tail Sweep? Also common, no novelty!

...

"Are you dead? Can you still move? If you can, come over, or I'll make sure you never move again."

"Uh... Ah..."

Guo Dewen struggled to lift his head, staring at Hu Gao sitting not far away, his eyes red, his voice choked, his once handsome face beaten to a pulp.

This was not just pain but also humiliation.

One step to heaven, one step to hell. One step's difference, and he had fallen to such a state, not knowing what Hu Gao had in store for him next.

When Guo Dewen finally managed to walk to the victor's side, Hu Gao's words almost made him spit blood.

"Hardly ever meeting a seventh-stage human punching bag, I almost killed you."

Guo Dewen took a long time to catch his breath, understanding Hu Gao's meaning, feeling both surprised and cautious, he asked, "So, you don't want to kill me?"

"Bullshit!" Hu Gao cursed. "I'm not like you. If I wanted to kill you, you would have been dead many times over ten minutes ago!"

Guo Dewen looked disbelieving, even as a prisoner, he still thought Hu Gao was overestimating himself. Not to mention killing him, even defeating him, Hu Gao had only used underhanded tactics.

"Don't think you're so great!" Hu Gao directly crushed Guo Dewen's resistance. "When you used the Raging Sea Divine Technique, you had five weaknesses. Do you think I couldn't take advantage of them? I don't want to kill you and add trouble for myself. Don't forget my identity."

A Hu Clan inheritor!

Thinking of Hu Gao's identity, Guo Dewen finally understood that Hu Gao had other means to kill a seventh-stage Condensing Shadow Realm cultivator besides today's display of strength.

And he, Guo Dewen, was just an ordinary direct descendant of the Guo family. The Guo family wouldn't blame the Hu family for Hu Gao killing him.

He had overestimated himself.

Guo Dewen took a deep breath and gathered the courage to ask, "What do you want?"

"Simple! I want you to live for me!" Hu Gao said directly. "I want you to swear to become my slave!"

Hearing this, Guo Dewen spat out a mouthful of blood. "You want me to swear a blood slave oath? No, that's absolutely impossible!"

A blood slave oath, a will enslaved.

The "Blood Slave Oath" is an ancient vow that has been passed down for a long time on the Totem Continent, one of the most toxic vows.

Once a blood slave oath is sworn, the will is completely at the mercy of the master. Facing the master, bravery, confidence, and strength are all sacrificed, even hatred is forcibly abandoned, leaving only reverence, supreme reverence, to the point of being terrified.

Warriors value freedom, the freedom of spirit and will. Too much fear can make a warrior hesitant.

A weak will is easily manipulated, and facing the master, there can be no lies, only obedience.

In other words, if Guo Dewen swore a blood slave oath, his entire life would be controlled by Hu Gao.

To break free from the blood slave oath, one's cultivation must at least reach the Swallowing Heaven Realm, capable of controlling space, and the cultivation must be higher than the master's, using one's spatial heart to devour the master's spatial heart. Otherwise, one would be a slave for life, with no freedom.

Even a mere thought from the master could force the slave to appear before them, bowing and scraping.

However, the blood slave oath is not used often.

On one hand, it depends on the swearer. If they are unwilling, they can end their life on the spot, why suffer for a lifetime?

On the other hand, the blood slave oath also affects the master.

Warriors cultivate through nine major realms, and the higher the realm, the harder it is to advance. Sometimes, they need to focus entirely on cultivation, or they cannot advance. Cutting off six roots for dedication, or eliminating six relatives for obsession, is not unheard of.

The blood slave oath enslaves others, but it also affects the master. Manipulating others' will is not a good deed, making the master arrogant and distrustful, which is not a way to stand in the world.

Using the blood slave oath to control one person or a group of people, but not everything. To deal with the master, one only needs to target the blood slave, which is not difficult.

When Hu Gao heard Guo Dewen mention the blood slave oath, he was startled. This was truly an unintended consequence. He had only wanted to recruit a subordinate, but on the Totem Continent, there was such a vicious vow. Seeing Guo Dewen's grim expression, this was exactly what he wanted.

"I'll give you ten seconds! Or you die!" Hu Gao stared at Guo Dewen, speaking with determination.

Reverence, starting now. Guo Dewen's body trembled slightly. If he became a blood slave, his fate would be completely controlled by someone else, losing freedom and dignity, making life meaningless.

But if he died, he would lose everything. And death seemed so distant to him!

Feeling the unrelenting killing intent from Hu Gao, Guo Dewen finally felt utterly hopeless.

Death means losing everything.

Life, at least, offers a glimmer of hope!

"Ten seconds are up!"

"I swear!"

Guo Dewen sighed softly, then bit his fingertip, forcing out a drop of essence blood, and imprinted it on his forehead, moving to stand before Hu Gao.

Guo Dewen looked at Hu Gao, his gaze complex, but he quickly recited the oath: "I swear, I, Guo Dewen, will be Hu Gao's slave for life, dedicating my soul. I will obey my master's commands at any time, ready to face any danger."

As his voice fell, the blood on his forehead slowly moved, forming a bright red pattern with the word "slave."

The pattern flashed twice and then disappeared into Guo Dewen's forehead.

"Hmm, quite interesting..."

When the pattern disappeared, Hu Gao's eyebrows raised, as he discovered a special connection in his mind, as if he had complete control over someone's fate. No matter where they were, a mere thought could end their life.

Of course, this was just Hu Gao's illusion. No one can control another's fate. The heavens witness the oath, and the heavens also test the oath. This is the first test for the master.