C8 They Would Give up Their Family Ties to Live for Their Dreams

In Dingyuan County, it is customary for family members to keep a vigil for three days and four nights after a death, ensuring that the spirit of the deceased can find its way home and not wander as a lonely ghost. This time also serves as an opportunity for friends and colleagues to visit and pay their respects.

On the fourth day following the vigil, the burial takes place. Jia Jiucheng, a mere fifteen-year-old boy, though proficient in martial arts, found himself ill-equipped to handle these intricate rituals. Thankfully, Mr. Liu was there to manage everything on his behalf.

Jia Yong's final resting place was chosen on Mount Yuanbao, situated a short distance from the county. The mountain, modest in height and spanning only a few dozen kilometers, resembled the shape of a yuanbao, leading many to believe it was a geomantic treasure. It was said that burying one's ancestors there would not only bring prosperity but also bless future generations.

At the site, a sea of yellow paper money lay scattered before a black earthen mound. A green and white tombstone rose from the ground, bearing the inscription: "Tomb of the late father, Jia Yong, erected by his son, Jia Jiucheng." The reverse side of the stone, engraved by a skilled artisan from the county, detailed the heroic exploits of Jia Yong's valiant fight against bandits, where he claimed the lives of two.

Clad in white mourning attire, with a white cloth wrapped around his head, Jia Jiucheng's handsome features were etched with solemnity. He bowed deeply before his father's tombstone, striking the earth with his forehead three times. Silently, he vowed, "From this day forward, I am Jia Jiucheng. Father, if your spirit watches over me from the heavens, please guide me to the shadowy figure behind all this, that I may exact revenge in your name."

Beside him stood the gleaming straight sword and the wine gourd Jia Yong had once used. As a chill wind swept through, it rustled the green tassel hanging from the sword's hilt, casting an air of desolation over the scene.

Having paid his respects, Jia Jiucheng rose, drew his sword, and took up the wine gourd. He uncorked it and poured a libation of clear, refreshing wine over the blade. The liquid cascaded down the polished steel, spilling onto the earth—a fitting tribute to the memory of Jia Yong.

Behind Jia Jiucheng, Mr. Liu, clad in green, watched with a hint of wistfulness. Jia Yong's life had been unremarkable, yet he had transformed his destiny. From a simple farmer tilling the soil to a valiant Captor lauded by the county magistrate, he had indeed led a meaningful life.

"Uncle Liu, I'm grateful for your assistance these past few days. I'll prepare a meal at home soon and invite the elders to express my appreciation. I hope it won't be an imposition," Jia Jiucheng said.

Mr. Liu smiled, nodding in approval. Jia Jiucheng's determined expression reassured him. The young man had withstood the loss of his kin admirably. Daniu could rest easy in the afterlife knowing this.

Upon reaching Dingyuan County and entering the eastern main street, Jia Jiucheng excused himself from Mr. Liu and headed home alone.

Jia Jiucheng rushed back, eager to discover the nature of the black-level, universe-exclusive Super God Beast pet that the system had so extravagantly boasted about.

"Damn, the Dao Ancestor's excrement has completed its three-day hatching period. Hatch successful. Would you like to open it?"

"Open it!" The mass quivered slightly, and something inside seemed to be struggling to break free. Initially feeble, it eventually pierced through, revealing a maggot — a white maggot that promptly turned and devoured the entire pile of excrement.

"This is revolting. It's really a maggot. The system must be playing a sick joke on me," Jia Jiucheng thought, disgusted. "Others have majestic Super God Beasts like unicorns and dragons, and here I am with this repulsive creature."

The maggot spoke up boldly, "I am the undying flower from the Dao Ancestor's grasp, the silent stone that has witnessed centuries!"

"Uh... This creature really has quite the high opinion of itself," Jia Jiucheng mused sarcastically. "Do you lack self-awareness? Are you a maggot?" he mocked. "You're composing songs and poems? Are you sure you're a flower? A stone? Not just a repulsive maggot?"

The maggot chortled, its mouth agape. "Hahaha, let's not dwell on the trivialities. Time to sign the contract, shall we? Will it be a partnership of equals, a master-servant bond, or a cooperative agreement? I'm in a good mood today, so the choice is yours—any will do!!!"

"Hold on," Jia Jiucheng interjected, "equality implies a collaborative friendship, while master and servant denote a clear hierarchy of dominance and submission. An agreement suggests an employer-employee relationship. Friends ought to support one another, and employment involves a transaction, requiring resources or money. Ideally, the master-servant dynamic is preferable, as the servant owes a duty without the need for compensation. However, if people were to find out that you're friends with a maggot, that you've enslaved a maggot, or that you've employed a foul-smelling bug, it would be mortifying. Why? It's simply too shameful to even contemplate facing others!!!"

"Can I opt out of this?" Jia Jiucheng asked timidly.

The maggot replied with agitation, "What? You refuse? I am the one and only in the universe, the singular entity across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. I am an exceptional find, difficult to come by, and you dare to reject me! This infuriates me!"

Jia Jiucheng responded meekly, "It emerged from a heap of waste."

"That's irrelevant," the maggot insisted. "Just look at my attributes and skills. Aren't they impressive?"

Jia Jiucheng glanced at the data displayed on the system room's document:

"Unnamed Maggot: Born from the excrement of the Dao Ancestor before his enlightenment, imbued with various negative energies. Black level, Super Divine Beast. Attributes include:

Passive Defense: High collagen content, excellent skin, and remarkable resilience. 100% immune to any attacks below the Dao Ancestor level.

Passive Life: Possesses extraordinary life force and regenerative capabilities. Regardless of the severity of the injury, it can regenerate unless killed in one blow.

Passive Endurance: Exhibits formidable stamina and boundless energy, akin to a perpetual motion machine.

Passive Resistance: Boasts impeccable resistances—Dark, Demonic, Ice, Fire, Natural, and Poison Resistances—nearly impervious to any adverse conditions not inflicted by a Dao Ancestor.

Main Ability Skill: Perfect Parasitism. Capable of parasitizing any being beneath the Dao Ancestor level, extracting their memories and skills for its own use, and supplanting the host. It also has a one-time opportunity to reshape the host, regardless of the host's survival."

After reviewing the data, Jia Jiucheng was genuinely thrilled. The item boasted only passive attributes, yet it was incredibly powerful. "Wow, just wow! You're unstoppable. With your ability to undergo Perfect Parasitism, if it weren't for the lack of self-awareness, I'd be tempted to experience it myself."

The maggot smirked smugly, "So, what do you think? I'm pretty impressive, right? You wouldn't be at a loss. Maybe you should consider making a pact?"

Jia Jiucheng replied, "Maybe we should just drop it? I couldn't face anyone after this."

The maggot retorted, "A hero's origins are unimportant. Besides, only you, I, and the system know about this. As long as we keep it to ourselves, it's all good! The system certainly won't spill the beans."

Jia Jiucheng nodded, "You have a point!" After pondering for a while, he continued, "You're so powerful, you've transcended humanity and even the Dao Ancestor. You're an invincible being. Let's make it an equal pact. With your strength, you shouldn't be anyone's slave."

Upon hearing this, the maggot vehemently shook its head, "No, I want to be a slave. I have no interest in tedious cultivation. With an equal pact, I'd have to fend for myself, make my own choices, and consider my own affairs. The mere thought is unbearable!"

The maggot protested, "I don't want to think, I don't want equality, I want to be a slave!"

"Wow, I never realized you held such lofty ideals!" exclaimed Jia Jiucheng, taken aback.

"Alright then," Jia Jiucheng conceded, "please bring out the pact and let's sign it."

"Please! You're actually saying 'please' to me! Have you lost your mind? I'm going to be your slave, and you're saying 'please'? You've deeply wounded my spirit. I'll have to kill you and then myself!" the maggot exclaimed indignantly.

Jia Jiucheng, surprised, responded, "Is it really that serious? I just said 'please'."

"Yes! I'm dead serious," the maggot declared, visibly enraged.

"Ding... The system has issued a mission. There's a special Side Line Mission 2: Pet."

Mission Description: When one finds enlightenment, even chickens and dogs can ascend to heaven. A maggot, too, has the potential to achieve divinity and possesses the right to equality and freedom. Yet, it chooses to be enslaved, content to be a lapdog. As punishment, the maggot's abilities are limited; it can only ever be a maximum of ten levels higher than its host (this limit will automatically adjust as the host levels up).

Please enslave it and put it to rigorous work!

Mission Completed: Receive a Slave Beating Whip; one lash will make your liver quiver, two will split your soul, three will shake your spirit, and four will extinguish your three souls... Let's see if you still wish to be a slave! Earn 200 coins.

Cultivation Method: Life Link, boosts the host's vitality by 100%.

Jia Jiucheng commanded, "You wretched worm, crawl over here and sign the contract to become my slave."

"Right away, Master!" A swarm of maggots approached Jia Jiucheng's feet, and a hexagram pattern illuminated, intertwined with some intricate and indistinct symbols. "Master, just stand here," they said.

Jia Jiucheng did as instructed.

...

He promptly received a System Notification: "Ding... Slave contract successfully signed, pet acquired. Congratulations to the host for obtaining a unique black-level Super God Beast from across the universe."

"Ding... The system has issued a special Side Line Mission 2: Pet — Completed. You've obtained a Slave Beating Whip; one lash to make your liver quiver, two to split your soul, three to shake your spirit, four to extinguish your three souls... Will you still choose to be a slave? Earn 200 coins.

The passive skill, Life Link, enhances the host's vitality by 100% (effective only when the maggot is within 100 meters of the host).

...

Jia Jiucheng returned the maggots, buzzing with inexplicable excitement from the successful signing of the slave contract, back to the system room. He then drew his sword, filled with joy, and began to practice the martial arts techniques he had recently mastered. His thrusts were more powerful, his stabs quicker, his parries more solid, and his flourishes more elaborate. As the western sky dimmed, Jia Jiucheng reveled in the waning sunlight of the courtyard, freely brandishing his long sword. He executed the eight sword techniques, rehearsing each sequence over and over, his arms as stable as a mountain, without the slightest tremor.

Finally, Jia Jiucheng sheathed his straight sword and exhaled deeply. He gripped his right hand tightly, examining it with great attention. His skin remained as pale and smooth as ever, with a dimple at the end of his thumb reminiscent of a baby's softness. The Pass Pill, combined with 20 years of foundational training, made his exterior appear even more delicate, yet his strength had significantly increased. Today, he was much stronger than the man he was yesterday.

The most noticeable improvement was in the force behind his swordsmanship. With the same moves and proficiency, his strength had tripled, and the potency of his attacks had increased even more.

At his current level, with Stage 8 external force, he was more than qualified to serve as a small captor in Dingyuan County. With hard work and a bit of luck, it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility for him to rise to the rank of captor within the Divine Captor Office, potentially earning a reputation that would resonate across the nation.