Chapter 80: Helping Li Xin Awaken Her Talent — Journey to the Southeastern Fortress and the Warrior Temple
Upon hearing Ye Ling's response, even Li Xin couldn't help but think inwardly—
"That's it?"
That's your condition?
Becoming his retainer could increase her innate spiritual power?
That sounded impossible.
"Little brother," she asked suspiciously, "you're not just saying that to make your sister happy, are you?"
"No," Ye Ling replied calmly. "I mean it. Do you really think I'd lie about something like this?"
"Yes," Li Xin said, nodding without hesitation. "You already lied once about being blessed by the God of Light, remember? And that wasn't true at all."
Ye Ling froze for a moment.
So she really does hold grudges.
"This time, I'm not joking. I'm serious."
In the original records, Han Qian had once made Han Yu and Ye Hua become Long Haochen's retainer knights. Through that special retainer contract, both of them had their innate spiritual power increased by nearly half—surpassing their former limits.
And Ye Ling happened to possess that very same type of contract.
In fact, the one he had was even superior to Han Qian's version, found among the collection of advanced contract scrolls he'd obtained earlier.
"Really?" Li Xin's bright eyes gleamed with sudden excitement.
She couldn't help it—even a single point increase, from thirty to thirty-one, would be precious beyond measure.
For her, whose goal was to one day reach the Ninth Rank of the Divine Seal Knight, every improvement mattered. She knew her own limitations well—joining the Demon Hunt Squad was already pushing it, let alone achieving god-tier advancement.
But now, with Ye Ling's words, hope had rekindled in her heart.
Still, after a brief pause, her joy dimmed. She shook her head slowly.
"Forget it, little brother. Don't do it. Such a contract would definitely affect your spiritual power—it might even hinder your cultivation in the future."
"You'll reach the pinnacle of humanity someday. There's no need to hold yourself back because of me."
Her tone carried quiet resignation.
Clearly, she had already accepted her limits.
"See, Sister Xin, now you're treating me like a stranger again," Ye Ling said helplessly.
He fully understood her hesitation—Li Xin's straightforward demeanor often hid a very careful, thoughtful heart, especially when it came to him.
She had, of course, heard of the drawbacks of retainer contracts: how they could place a burden on the knight's spiritual core, limiting growth and mental focus.
And this particular version, which could even raise a person's innate spiritual power, would certainly come with stronger backlash.
That was exactly why she didn't want him to take the risk.
"My spiritual power is far greater than most," Ye Ling said earnestly. "And this particular contract I have—it minimizes the side effects by a lot."
Li Xin blinked in surprise, her suspicion giving way to cautious hope. "You mean… it's a contract without any side effects at all?"
"Exactly." Ye Ling nodded firmly.
At that, Li Xin froze. Then her entire face lit up with unrestrained joy.
In the next second, she grabbed Ye Ling's cheeks with both hands. "Are you serious, little brother? Then hurry up and form the contract already!"
She shook him lightly, her eyes sparkling. "Honestly! You had something this amazing and waited until now to bring it up? Hmph, I swear, I spoil you for nothing!"
Her ability to change moods instantly left Ye Ling completely speechless.
This woman… really knows how to switch faces.
However, Ye Ling didn't mind her reaction at all—this kind of liveliness, this sharp shift between pride and warmth, was Li Xin.
Thinking that, he silently took a step back.
Before the astonished eyes of everyone present, he released his spiritual power, which began weaving intricate lines in the air.
In the next instant, a mysterious golden sigil took shape before him, glowing with a deep, sacred radiance that carried an overwhelming, majestic aura.
Li Xin could feel its power pulling at her very core, as though the sigil itself was summoning her to step into it.
The sensation was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
"This is… your contract?" Li Xin asked seriously, her gaze fixed on the sigil. Her curiosity had turned to pure wonder.
"Yes," Ye Ling replied calmly. "This is the retainer contract."
He extended his hand, pressing a drop of liquefied spiritual essence into the formation.
The moment the drop merged with the sigil, an immense golden light burst forth, illuminating the entire hall.
The sheer force of it shook the air—it was vast, pure, and indescribably divine.
Li Xin's eyes widened in shock. She stared, speechless, unable to find the words to describe what she was seeing.
She had thought that the earlier surge of power was already the peak of what this contract could display.
But now… it was clear that was only the beginning.
"Little brother," she asked, her voice trembling slightly, "tell me honestly—what exactly is your innate spiritual power?"
"Even if I've never personally witnessed the talent of a Light Angel," she continued, "the purity of the energy you just released couldn't possibly belong to someone with only the Blessing of Light, could it?"
Her intuition was right.
"My innate spiritual power," Ye Ling said quietly, "is one hundred."
The words struck Li Xin like thunder.
Her eyes widened further, her entire expression frozen in disbelief.
One hundred points.
The number sounded simple—but its meaning was anything but.
Seventy points of innate spiritual power defined a Light Angel—an extraordinary talent said to shape the future of humankind.
But one hundred points?
Li Xin didn't even know if such a physique had a name. She only understood what it meant.
This was the talent of a being destined to change the world—perhaps even the one foretold to save it.
So long as he didn't perish prematurely, his future would be boundless.
A talent that might even seize the Eternal Throne—the unreachable seat countless generations had pursued in vain.
Such was the power of a hundred-point innate spirit.
"Little brother," Li Xin said with a half-laugh, half-sigh, "I should've known better than to ask."
"Now I just feel… defeated."
Her tone carried both awe and helpless admiration.
Ye Ling smiled faintly. "Don't feel that way. With this retainer contract, even if you can't reach my level, your innate spiritual power will rise enough to place you among the top ten knights of this era."
At that, Li Xin's eyes lit up instantly.
Without a trace of hesitation, she guided her energy toward the golden sigil, allowing it to merge with her.
Top ten innate talents…!
Here I come!
(End of Chapter)
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