Chapter 10: A Turn of Events

Suddenly seeing himself about to suffocate to death, Ye Qi was startled, but he quickly calmed down and asked the deep voice, "Who are you? Where am I? What do you want?"

Ye Qi's face was full of vigilance as he asked three questions in a row. Clearly, compared to the suffocation outside, he was more concerned about his current state. From his semi-transparent form and autonomous thoughts, the Demon Hunter had already understood that he was in the "soul state" mentioned by John.

In the soul state, the physical body is not dead; it is just that the soul has simply separated from the physical body.

However, this was not a good sign. Not to mention the various aftereffects caused by the soul being separated from the body for a long time, just the dark wizards who enjoy capturing souls for experiments and the dark creatures that like to devour souls were enough to make Ye Qi frown. Because, judging from the current situation, he was likely imprisoned by a dark wizard who enjoyed soul research.

Thinking about the experiments he would face in the future, even with Ye Qi's calm nature, he couldn't help but shiver—dark wizards' experiments were notoriously dangerous, and a slight mistake could lead to explosions. As for the fragile soul being experimented on, the outcome would naturally be complete annihilation.

Death was not scary; what was scary was dying completely, leaving nothing behind! Especially for someone like Ye Qi, who had lofty ambitions and ideals and was looking forward to the system providing career choices after reaching level five, allowing him to soar like a fish in the sea and a bird in the sky. Thinking about the blessing on the note left by John and the unanswered call last night, Ye Qi's bitterness grew even deeper.

"I am who I am, and I cannot tell you now; as for where you are, it is a special space; and what I want to do..." The deep voice paused for a moment before continuing, "I want to sign a contract with you!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a piece of parchment flew out from the nearest pillar of fire and floated in front of him.

"By signing this contract, not only will you be free from the current danger, but you will also gain unparalleled strength; countless wealth; revered power; and countless beautiful women who will bow to you... As long as you sign this contract, all of this will be yours... Everything will be within your reach..."

The deep voice was full of temptation, making Ye Qi, in his soul state, involuntarily tremble. He raised his arm in the soul state to take the parchment, but just as he was about to touch it, the system in his mind suddenly sounded.

"Unknown energy intrusion detected, unknown energy intrusion detected..."

"Hostile intent detected, hostile intent detected..."

"Host status unknown, system will forcibly expel..."

As the system sounded, Ye Qi's entire body in the soul state rippled like water, and his previously confused eyes became clear again. Seeing the parchment that was only a hair's breadth away from his fingers, he immediately recoiled as if he had touched a snake, retreating several meters.

"Damn! Demon!"

After experiencing the unintentional soul temptation and seeing the parchment filled with Abyssal script, even if Ye Qi were a novice, he would understand what kind of existence he was facing—the pinnacle of countless dark creatures, an existence that even vampires, werewolves, dark wizards, and various evil spirits must look up to—demon.

If the faithful in the human church worship gods, then if dark creatures have faith, they would definitely worship demons. Of course, that would require the demons to accept such worship. After all, according to legend, demons enjoy tempting various human elites to fall, spreading countless desires, and creating chaos and panic in the world. As for dark creatures, demons generally ignore them except for occasionally signing contracts with a few favored ones. This is also a testament to the favor of the heavens towards humans, whether it be gods or demons.

Thinking about facing such a creature, even with Ye Qi's nature, he couldn't help but shiver. As the unknown demon had said, by signing the contract, Ye Qi would undoubtedly gain unimaginable strength, wealth, power, and the admiration of countless beautiful women, but there would be a price! When the contract holder gains these things, they must pay with their own soul! Although the essence of the soul would not be erased, it would become a slave to the demon who signed the contract!

Moreover, this was not all. The essence of demons is chaos, and those who sign contracts with demons naturally fall into chaos and act according to the demon's will. It's not hard to guess that actions carried out according to the demon's will would certainly not benefit the country or the people, but would instead cause widespread resentment. When surrounded and attacked, the contract holder would surely die without a trace! After all, even if the contract holder were powerful, they could not single-handedly challenge the world's strong, let alone the church, which could "convey the will of heaven."

Ye Qi had once heard John say that historically, many who signed contracts with demons were eliminated by the church, which "conveyed the will of heaven" and sent down "divine punishment." Thinking about almost becoming the enemy of the entire world, Ye Qi had no good temper towards the demon that almost tempted him to sign the contract. Even knowing that the other party was an existence far above him, Ye Qi was still ready to curse.

However, before Ye Qi could curse, the unknown demon spoke first, "Why is there a backlash! Damn! Bastard! Are you a chosen one of some demon or deity? How infuriating! Roar..."

The deep, powerful voice was no longer calm and confident, but filled with a mix of brutality and intense dissatisfaction, echoing in Ye Qi's mind. Even in his soul state, Ye Qi was still pushed back several steps. However, despite being pushed back, Ye Qi was not afraid; instead, he felt more determined. Because for beings like demons and deities to enter the material world where humans live, they can only do so through possession or projection.

Possession involves a deity or demon attaching their soul and power to a believer, displaying their unique abilities. Projection, on the other hand, involves the deity or demon projecting only a part of their soul into the material world without their full power. The former requires a believer's firm faith and numerous complex rituals, but once completed, it gives the possessed deity or demon the means to dominate the material world. The latter is much simpler, as the deity or demon can do it whenever they want. However, there are pros and cons; while the projected soul is impressive, it lacks the corresponding power. In simple terms, it's just a facade!

Judging from the current situation, Ye Qi guessed that the unknown demon must have entered the material world through projection, otherwise, with the demon's cunning and brutal nature, he would have already torn him to pieces.

A chosen one of some demon or deity? Could it be the system?

Ye Qi's heart trembled as he pondered the meaning of the unknown demon's words, then turned to look at the screen where he was being held by the middle-aged vampire. He couldn't help but think, "If it's just a projection, maybe there's still a chance!"

Although Ye Qi did not yet know why the demon had projected into the material world and brought his soul to the demon's domain, this did not prevent him from making a deal with the other party within his control—since the projection had brought him to this domain, it must have some need; and his physical body was being held by the middle-aged vampire, and with his current strength, he was no match. So, why not exchange needs and make a mutually beneficial deal?

Of course, everything must be within his control—Ye Qi did not want to get entangled with the demon and become a target for everyone. Moreover, demons are demons, and the power gap made it inevitable for Ye Qi to face danger. For a Demon Hunter who valued his life, moderation was the key.

"Meeting you, Hunter Ye Qi is willing to serve you! Of course, if you can pay a certain reward, it would be even better!"

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End of Chapter 10

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