The fox was still staring at the lizard.
No movement.
Just wide eyes locked in a tense gaze.
Whatever, the fox thought.
Since it agreed, I'm willing to take the risk.
It lowered its head slightly, eyes never leaving the lizard, and spoke aloud:
"Okay.
Since you agree... let's seal our agreement with a Blood Oath."
The lizard didn't move.
Still staring.
Wild-eyed.
Then it blinked, confused.
"Huh? A Blood Oath? Seal?"
It turned inward for a moment and asked the system:
"System, what's a Blood Oath?"
> A Blood Oath is a binding agreement between two or more parties, sealed through the symbolic or literal exchange of blood.
It is used to enforce trust and ensure compliance with the terms of the agreement.
Once sealed, the oath becomes a spiritually-enforced contract and may carry significant consequences if broken.
Lizarius didn't blinked stared with wide gold eyes.
The fox nodded slowly.
"Yes.
A Blood Oath.
Once we sign it, neither of us can break the agreement.
It binds us—
—beyond mere promises."
Lizarius just stared—wide-eyed, unmoving—as the system continued its solemn explanation:
> The agreement cannot be broken without triggering a penalty, curse, or consequence.
All parties must willingly consent before the seal is activated.
This oath is bound by the laws of Heaven.
All parties are monitored for adherence to the terms outlined at the time of the oath.
If any party violates the terms, immediate enforcement protocols may apply—such as the shattering of your Beast Core, loss of cultivation, or the descent of Heavenly punishment.
Lizarius pupils flicked, mind racing.
Huh…
So if I take the Blood Oath, I can't kill the fox—unless I want my core shattered.
And if the fox doesn't take me to where the humans are… then its core shatters.
It blinked slowly, tail twitching.
I don't want to kill the fox anyway.
It's going to take me to them—
More humans.
More Foundation Establishment humans.
The lizard's claws flexed slightly in the dirt.
---
As the system continued:
A Blood Oath is considered a high-level form of trust—something only done between those who are deeply serious, loyal, or desperate.
It is irreversible once sealed.
Proceed with caution.
But Lizarius was no longer paying attention.
It was staring at the fox.
It said, "Agree to do Blood Oath."
The fox thought, Huh? It agreed? Does it even understand what it's agreeing to?
Anyway… it's good it agreed.
With a Blood Oath, I won't need to worry about being eaten.
And I can already imagine all the treasure waiting for me.
This deal is worth the risk.
But I still can't underestimate it.
This beast's clever enough to see I'm more useful alive than dead.
It agreed to the deal instead of killing me.
It knows the stakes as well as I do.
It said, "Very well.
Since you agreed, now offer your blood, and I'll offer mine."
---
Lizarius just stared, wide-eyed, as the fox sat down and raised its paws.
Then, pressing a sharp claw against the pad, it made a thin cut—just enough to draw blood.
The blood welled up instantly, gathering into a small, round ball that glowed faintly, hovering before the fox.
Looking at the lizard still staring back, the fox said, "Now it's your turn."
Lizarius just stared, wide-eyed, for a while before raising its paw. Opening its jaws wide, it bit down—
CLANG!
Its fangs struck its own scales and were stopped cold.
Lizarius bit down harder.
The fox, seeing this, thought, Is that even going to work? I've witnessed how strong those scales are—even a Three-Layer Foundation Establishment could barely scratch them.
Steam hissed from where the lizard bit down.
As it pulled back, a few pieces of scale tore off and fell to the ground.
Lizarius licked its maw, and its paw hissed under its own saliva as blood welled up instantly from the spot where the scales had been torn off.
Seeing this, the fox narrowed its eyes, thinking, It managed it.
And... its saliva is corrosive.
But it quickly snapped out of the thought.
The lizard's blood was glowing faintly now as it gathered into a ball, floating toward the fox.
Both blood balls hovered before them.
Lizarius crouched, licking its paw as steam rose from it with a hiss.