Netherworld Retrograde

”I must say, presenting such an attitude in the guise of a little sister, Li Yelai really wanted to hit the other person with a ’brother’s fist.’”

”I understand,” responded Li Yelai, ”how about this. When I myself also recognize that what I am using is a weapon and target an enemy for a remote attack, only if the attack misses will it be considered a breach of the oath.”

This was the most critical point, otherwise Li Yelai’s life would become a complete mess, and he wouldn’t even need the enemy to attack; he would play himself to death.

Considering it a weapon excluded the possibility that certain objects used as weapons in special circumstances could not trigger the blessing.

For instance, there could be situations where Li Yelai might not have time to use the Thunder Spear and instead had to grab whatever was at hand to attack the enemy.

As for saying it was a target, and not an ”enemy.”

Li Yelai had thought this through, if there ever came a situation where he broke his oath,

he could simply throw a paper ball at a teammate or another target, thus lifting the status of breach.

”Did you dodge these steps?” the Oathkeeper chuckled, ”Continue. I am no longer optimistic about the blessing you will receive.”

Clearly, the Oathkeeper did not care about Li Yelai’s cleverness; all these were the prices to pay for powerful strength. If you avoided even these, then the blessing of the oath wouldn’t be too strong.

Li Yelai just smiled, ”If I fail to hit the target, and it successfully dodges, there will be consequences.”

”The consequence is that I will continuously be struck by lightning!”

Upon hearing this, the Oathkeeper sat up straight, ”What did you say? Struck by lightning?”

”Yes, if an enemy dodges my remote attack, I will be bombarded by Heavenly Thunder,” Li Yelai revealed with a smile, ”How about this consequence?”

The Oathkeeper was shocked. Was this the price for breaking an oath?

You must hate living, right?

Have humans become so suicidal?

Even for a swindler, the Oathkeeper felt this consequence was too much.

Although humans often say breaking a certain oath brings a heavenly strike of lightning, that was mere speech.

Being struck by lightning could indeed result in death; even if a Spiritual Ability User continued to be bombarded, they would use up their Spiritual Barrier and perish!

That consequence was still preferable to the previous one it offered; at least it wouldn’t result in immediate death, and there was still a chance for redemption.

Unless, the person stayed safely indoors, once there was a breach, thunderclouds would gather in the sky.

Facing this consequence, it felt more benevolent than ever.

”Human... what is your scheme?” It squinted at Li Yelai, though it could mimic the appearance of Li Yelai’s close ones, it couldn’t peek into memories or see through his thoughts.

Its gaze flickered, then it changed its appearance again, turning into a handsome middle-aged man in a leather jacket and with a crew cut, looking quite slick.

Seeing this appearance, Li Yelai’s gaze darkened, and he clenched his fist tightly, suppressing the urge to smash it into the man’s face.

The current form of the Oathkeeper was exactly like his father.

But Li Yelai knew it was fake, although anger surged in his heart, he did not act out.

The Oathkeeper laughed, ”If you are willing to pay such a price, then naturally I will offer you decent blessings!”

”Oh~” Li Yelai scoffed coldly, ”It seems, indeed, I have much more at stake.”

The price was the stake! The more dangerous the price, the stronger the blessings attainable!

Now, Li Yelai’s price was being bombarded by Thunder, even if other danger points were avoided by Li Yelai, this price was threatening enough to exchange for a relatively strong blessing.

”The effects of the blessings remain the same, also, your shooting, throwing, archery, and other remote attack skills will rapidly improve! The power of your ranged attacks will also increase by twenty percent!”

This was indeed a significant concession, the blessings of the oath would grant Li Yelai a rapid mastery of skills. Or rather, it could enhance Li Yelai’s talent.

In the future, even if Li Yelai lost the blessings, these skills would still be his own. In the event of breaking the oath, he would still have strong remote attack capabilities!

And the twenty-percent increase in ranged attack power was also very impressive. An unexpected delight.

”Not bad, could it also strengthen the power of my ranged attacks?” Li Yelai inquired. He remembered the powerful augmentation effects of Captain Yang Chen’s blessings.

”No, if you remove the restrictions of ’Weapon’ and ’Target’, I could indeed grant you greater long-range attack power,” the Oathkeeper responded.

”Then there’s no need,” Li Yelai replied. ’Weapon’ and ’Target’ are very important, there can be no concessions.

The Oathkeeper pondered, ”Then I must also perfect the price, for an oath is not omnipotent. Even with the Heavenly Thunder overhead, there must be reasonableness.”

”When you break the oath and fail to hit the target, Thunder Clouds will gather above you. Whether you dodge or defend, until you fulfill the contract again, you’ll not be rid of the Thunder Clouds.”

”In certain special environments, if Thunder Clouds cannot gather, Thunder will not appear out of nowhere. But if the environment there is special, then the Thunder will be even more violent.”

”If you break the oath under the Virtual Realm Starry Sky, you will face the Virtual Realm Thunder, what is known in ’Heavenly Tribulation’!”

”If you break the oath within the Forbidden Zone of Thunder Zone, you will bear the overturning of Thunder Pond, with Thunder transforming into an ocean to submerge you!”

”In other words, once you breach the contract, you will invite Catastrophe.”

This was indeed unexpected. Different environments produce different kinds of Thunder? Perhaps even Thunder bearing powerful Spiritual Energy.

It seems there are significant risks.

Li Yelai asked thoughtfully, ”Does the Thunder only strike me? Could it also harm my teammates close by?”

”That’s hard to say. The main target is naturally you, but if there’s any collateral damage, I’m not responsible,” the Oathkeeper said with a smile.

”I see, wait a moment.” Li Yelai passed all the information to his colleagues outside the room.

The strategic groups at the headquarters quickly analyzed and conducted simulations.

Many of the strategic group’s members were shocked by the cost for Li Yelai, confirming it with him repeatedly.

After receiving Li Yelai’s confirmation, they settled down and continued their analysis and simulations.

Once they confirmed there were no loopholes, they notified Li Yelai.

Li Yelai then said to the Oathkeeper, ”Then, let’s swear the oath.”

”As you wish, human, hope you don’t regret it,” the Oathkeeper said with a smile, suddenly producing a piece of parchment and a Feather Pen in his hand: ”Now, sign the contract...”

With the help of an official template, Li Yelai successfully signed a contract with the Oathkeeper.

As the contract was signed, Li Yelai felt a force fall from the Virtual Realm Starry Sky and flow into his body.

”Is this the Blessing?” Li Yelai picked up the Feather Pen, flicked it casually, and it landed precisely between the fingers of the Oathkeeper.

”How about it?” The Oathkeeper was unsurprised but smiled, ”My Blessing is still powerful, right?”

”It’s really good. It makes me want to find you to sign a few more,” Li Yelai also showed a smile, but his smile twisted a bit as he looked at his father’s face.

”Unfortunately, one person only gets one chance,” the Oathkeeper said, smiling: ”I hope you face your cost with the same joy.”

”That is certain! I will joyfully face the Thunder! And look forward to the power of the Thunder!” Li Yelai replied.

The Oathkeeper appeared slightly taken aback but saw Li Yelai rising to leave.

His figure conveyed satisfaction and joy!

The cost?

Struck by Thunder?

Hahahaha!!!

Had it been before reaching the level of Four Awakenings, this would have been Li Yelai’s eternal nightmare. Even a Five Senses Spiritual Ability User would be fearful of such a cost.

But now, with Li Yelai having mastered Red Thunder Dragon Claw.

The Thunder striking him would be the very weapon to batter his enemies!

These were all Li Yelai’s capitals to embody Catastrophe!

Now, his tactics would be thoroughly refined!

”I am the Catastrophe!”