Just then, Zi Linling's voice appeared in the black dragon's sea of consciousness.
"My name is Zi Linling, and I am a friend of Long'er. If you trust me, I can save Long'er and protect him."
A gleam flashed in the black dragon's eyes. She gathered the last bit of spiritual power within her body and transmitted a message: "How can I trust you?"
"You don't have to believe me, but who else can you trust?"
Zi Linling's voice was clear and cold.
For some reason, the moment she first saw Long'er, a voice in her heart told her to save this child!
The only reason she was meddling in this affair was for Long'er's sake.
Therefore, she had no need to curry favor with the black dragon, especially not one that was on the verge of death.
The black dragon visibly paused and said, "You are right. Compared to those greedy people, I'd rather entrust Long'er to you."
Zi Linling said solemnly, "Rest assured! As long as I, Zi Linling, am alive, I will never let him die before me!"
Looking at her resolute promise, a touch of relief welled up in the black dragon's heart.
"Miss Zi, Long'er was originally meant to be the young patriarch of our dragon clan. However, due to an ancient restriction since birth, he cannot transform into his dragon form. Because of this, the dragon clan cannot accommodate him."
"His father and I risked our lives to help him escape the dragon clan, hoping to break the restriction for him. Unfortunately, with severe injuries, his father was then besieged by this group of greedy and treacherous humans. His fate is unknown!"
"Now, I am also at the end of my strength and can no longer protect him as he grows. If one day you have the ability, please help him break the restriction so that he can become a dragon with dignity!"
Although the black dragon spoke plainly, it was not hard to imagine the terrible price they paid to protect Long'er.
Zi Linling was not a cold-blooded person to begin with, and now she was deeply moved by the black dragon's maternal love. She solemnly promised, "Within my ability, I will not shirk! I will definitely help him reclaim his place in the dragon clan!"
A spark of light flashed in the black dragon's eyes again. She said gratefully, "Miss Zi, I don't ask for him to reclaim his place in the dragon clan. I only wish for his peace and safety!"
"Then I will do my best to protect his safety!"
Zi Linling said cheerfully.
"Thank you, Miss Zi! I have nothing to repay you with. After I die, you can open my beast mansion. Inside, there are some things I've left for you and Long'er to cultivate with!"
The beast mansion, also known as the beast's dantian. Because dragons have an innate affinity for spatial elements, their beast mansions can be used to store items.
"Oh, right. Although Long'er cannot transform into his dragon form, it does not affect signing a contract. Therefore, to prevent him from falling into the hands of those with ill intentions, please sign a contract with him!"
Zi Linling was taken aback.
Dragons were a proud race, and they had always vehemently opposed their kin signing contracts with humans.
Yet, the black dragon was now asking her to sign a contract with her own child. It was no wonder Zi Linling was shocked!
"Isn't that inappropriate? I consider Long'er a friend. How can I contract with him?"
The black dragon was very pleased with Zi Linling's reaction, but she was now out of options.
"Miss Zi, I can see that you are no ordinary person. If he forms a contract with you, it will not be a disgrace to him! I beg you, please agree!"
"No! This is taking advantage of my predicament! I cannot do this!"
Zi Linling firmly refused. Although she was tempted, she had her own principles and bottom line.
"Miss Zi, can you bear to watch Long'er form a contract with those who have malicious intent? If they capture Long'er, they will surely sign a master-servant contract. At that time, Long'er will be enslaved by them for his entire life!"
As the black dragon spoke, another tear rolled down from her draconic eyes.
"This..."
Zi Linling hesitated.
"Miss Zi, please don't hesitate. Consider it my plea. Long'er still has dignity with you. Where else will he find dignity elsewhere? Don't hesitate any longer. While I still have one last breath, let me help you complete the contract!"
Zi Linling looked at the pleading in her eyes, and her heart ached.
If one were to ask who in the world could love you selflessly and without desire, it would surely be your parents.
The black dragon, in her final moments, made the choice most beneficial for her child. This was the greatness of maternal love.
Zi Linling gritted her teeth and said, "Alright, I agree. But I have a condition!"
The black dragon no longer transmitted her thoughts, clearly waiting for her to continue.
"The contract between Long'er and me must be a life-and-death contract, not a master-servant contract!"
Zi Linling's words were filled with unyielding resolve.
Life and death together!
This was her promise to the black dragon! A promise to Long'er! And a promise to herself!
The black dragon knew that no matter what she said now, Zi Linling would not change her mind.
This was for the best. A master-servant contract could only protect Long'er, but not guarantee his survival. Because even if Long'er died, it would not significantly impact Zi Linling.
However, a life-and-death contract was different. Once signed, the lives of both parties were intertwined. They would live together and die together.
She was immensely grateful to Zi Linling and nodded, saying, "Good!"
Then, she addressed Long'er, "Long'er, give your mother a drop of your essence blood!"
Long'er, who had been crying, was startled. Although he didn't know what his mother wanted his essence blood for, he bit his chubby index finger without hesitation. Blood rapidly gushed out.
A drop of dragon blood shook the surroundings!
The aura within the dragon blood made the beasts of the Misty Forest tremble. This was the pressure of their bloodline.
The black dragon transmitted to Zi Linling, "Miss Zi, let's begin! Give me a drop of your essence blood."
She began chanting an ancient incantation, and thunder and lightning immediately flashed across the clear sky.
The two drops of essence blood tumbled and gradually merged amidst the thunder and lightning.
Xiong Tai and the others were greatly alarmed.
They had no idea what was happening.
However, before they could react, a solemn chant echoed in the air.
"In the name of the Dragon God, I witness this moment of miracle! Today, Ao Long'er and Zi Linling willingly form a life-and-death contract, not seeking to be born on the same year, month, and day, but only to die on the same year, month, and day! I pray for the heavens to show mercy and bestow the light of protection!"
Zi Linling and Long'er's figures slowly rose, and a divine light descended from the sky, enveloping them both.
The light first turned white, then successively silver, gold, red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and finally purple.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, two symbols rose from Zi Linling and Long'er's bodies. They exchanged and merged, then separated again, returning to their respective bodies.
The two drops of essence blood also separated and returned to their original owners.
A faint voice echoed from the distant sky.
"The light of protection has been bestowed, and the life-and-death contract is complete!"