The contract ceremony took place in Shen Lao's quarters shortly after dawn, with only Chen Xing present as a witness. Ancient scrolls covered the dragon's desk, their symbols glowing faintly.
"Before we proceed," Shen Lao said, his expression serious, "I need you to understand exactly what you're committing to. This isn't simply a business arrangement—it's a binding that will affect you and anyone who binds themselves to you."
"I understand," Grim replied.
"Do you?" the dragon asked with penetrating intensity. "Because I can sense something within you that concerns me. There are energies in your system that feel... foreign."
Grim exchanged glances with Chen Xing.
"What kind of energies?" Grim asked carefully.
"Dark mana," Shen Lao said directly. "Corruption that's been woven into your spiritual structure with remarkable sophistication. How did you acquire this... enhancement?"
