The Thunder Leopard moved with incredible speed, far too fast for Chris and his companions to catch up.
Chris turned to Bob and the woman, saying, “The interior of Celestial Peaks is far too dangerous. We need to find a place to rest first.”
The three of them soon found the entrance of a cave.
Inside the cave, they took a brief rest. The woman looked at Chris and introduced herself. “I haven’t introduced myself yet-I’m Jolin Tomczak.”
Chris nodded and replied, “I’m Chris.”
Beyond his name, Chris offered no further details. Seeing his reluctance to share more, Jolin refrained from asking. However, over the past few days, she had observed that while Chris was not an Aetherbinding practitioner, his strength was undeniable.
At this moment, Jolin recognized that, apart from Bob, Chris was the only person she could rely on.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
The sound of water echoed faintly within the cave.
Chris’s curiosity was piqued. “Should we go in and take a look?” he asked.
Jolin and Bob hesitated briefly before nodding.
As they ventured deeper into the cave, the Thunder Leopard, which had previously vanished, suddenly reappeared.
The sight of them entering the cave brought a trace of anxiety to the Thunder Leopard’s face.
The cave was damp and slippery, so Chris and his companions proceeded cautiously. After about half an hour, they discovered stunning stalactites deep within the cave. These formations had clearly taken millions of years to develop.
“Look over there-what’s that?” Jolin suddenly cried out.
Chris immediately turned in the direction she pointed.
About thirty meters ahead, a pool of water lay still and serene. In the center of the pool was a small island, on which grew a peculiar fruit tree.
The tree bore several white fruits, their ethereal glow casting a faint light around them.
“What is this?” Chris exclaimed in amazement.
Jolin’s face was filled with disbelief. “Could it be… Spirit Fruits?”
“Spirit Fruits?” Chris asked, puzzled. “What are Spirit Fruits?”
Jolin took a deep breath. “Spirit Fruits are an extraordinary type of fruit. Consuming them not only extends one’s lifespan but also transforms the body, allowing for a complete rebirth. They’re also immensely beneficial for improving strength. I read about them in an ancient text once, but I never imagined I’d see them with my own eyes.”
Chris’s eyes lit up with excitement. The idea of a fruit that could extend life alone was enough to drive anyone mad with desire. The ability to transform one’s body and improve strength only made it even more valuable.
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s dig up this tree and take it with us!” Chris said eagerly.
But Jolin shook her head with a bitter smile. “This tree requires incredibly specific conditions to grow. It can’t be transplanted. Once uprooted, it will wither instantly.”
Chris hesitated for a moment before saying, “If we can’t take the tree, then I’ll go and pick the fruits.”
As he approached the Spirit Tree, a series of angry roars echoed through the cave.
“Roar!”
“Roar!”
“Roar!”
The Thunder Leopard charged out, its fury evident.
Caught off guard, Chris and his companions were unprepared for its sudden appearance. The beast lunged directly at Jolin, having identified her as the weakest among them.
Bob quickly stepped in to block the attack, leaving Chris to shout, “Bob, hold it off! I’ll grab the Spirit Fruits!”
Without hesitation, Chris rushed toward the Spirit Tree. He carefully plucked all the Spirit Fruits from its branches and secured them.
Afterward, he considered digging up the tree again, but Bob shouted, “Chris, you can’t transplant that tree unless you have Spirit Soil!”
“Spirit Soil?” Chris froze mid-action.
Spirit Soil was a legendary substance said to possess immense vitality. Anything planted in it would thrive, no matter the conditions. But Chris, of course, had no such thing.
As he prepared to leave, his eyes caught sight of a small pool beneath the tree. The water in the pool was different-milky white and radiating a powerful energy.
This water had to be extraordinary.
Chris quickly retrieved jade bottles from his storage ring and began filling them with the milky liquid.
“Roar!”
“Roar!”
The Thunder Leopard growled furiously, abandoning Bob and Jolin to charge straight at Chris.
Seeing the beast approach, Chris drew his Dragon Slayer sword and swung it with all his might.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The clash between them was fierce, the sound echoing throughout the cave.
The Thunder Leopard’s fierce reaction to the milky water only confirmed Chris’s suspicions about its importance.
“Bob, help me out!” Chris shouted. Bob rushed to his side, and together they managed to knock the Thunder Leopard back with a powerful blow.
Seizing the opportunity, Chris filled every jade bottle he had, draining the entire pool of its mystical water.
As the last drop was collected, the Thunder Leopard glared at Chris with unbridled rage.
Chris held up one of the bottles, smirking. “You want this? Sign a pet contract with me, and it’s yours.”
In Aethelgard, pet contracts were a special type of bond. Once a beast entered into such a contract with a human, it became their pet, bound to obey its master’s commands without resistance.
This was precisely why most beasts in Aethelgard were unwilling to sign such contracts-it meant giving up their freedom.
The Thunder Leopard’s face was filled with fury. Signing a pet contract would make Chris its master, forever binding it.
Seeing its hesitation, Chris’s voice turned cold. “If you refuse, you won’t get a single drop of this water.”
The Thunder Leopard hesitated, its gaze flickering between Chris and the bottles of water. The milky liquid was vital to its growth-without it, it would never reach higher ranks.
Alone, the Thunder Leopard might have stood a chance against Chris. But with Bob’s help, it was outmatched.
In the end, the Thunder Leopard reluctantly lowered its head in submission.