Absolute Freezing is the first bloodline skill of Mark, which not only freezes the target under the ice but there's also puts a layer of powerful barrier below it.
It was done in such a way that neither would the target get affected by the temperature nor would they be able to escape by force.
The skill has its own advantages and disadvantages. An advantage is that obviously, the affected target won't be able to move. Under this state, Mark and his Android assistants were able to cause damage to the frozen target with energy attacks.
The disadvantage is that all kinds of physical attacks from outside will only damage the ice and the barrier, helping out the trapped target.
Another disadvantage is that even Mark cannot free a person from a freezing state. So, if an ally was caught in the range by mistake, then, they were as good as going into a vulnerable state and he can't do anything about it.
There are only three ways to get out of the state.
First, they need to wait until the time limit is over. The time limit varies according to the strength of the trapped one.
Second, someone from the outside helps them out by attacking it.
Third, which isn't actually a way but a prerequisite condition. If a target possesses a powerful fire element bloodline like a phoenix, they can instantly get out with their own bloodline skill.
Unfortunately for Ji Guanli, he was only qualified for the first way. The only good is that he's temporary in the six-circle realm, so, it won't take an entire minute for him to get free.
However, this time is enough for Alina to use energy daggers and knock him out.
About 40 seconds later, Ji Guanli was freed but was found unconscious with several cuts over his body.
Without bothering to heal him, Mark first ordered Alina to completely rob him. Apart from the clothes he wear, everything else like a bunch of various talismans in his sleeve, a storage ring, his platinum grade lance was confiscated by Mark.
Another 20 seconds later, the others in the surroundings were also recovered. The ice below them was gone and everyone just started to run away in fear except for Liu Zhong as Mark called out his name. His five brothers and the three novice adventures also returned by then and stood behind him.
Before they thought they were just escorting some civilian tourist but now that they have seen how powerful both of them are, Liu Zhong and his brothers were sure that this is someone they can only offend in their dreams.
As Liu Zhong stood before Mark, the latter said, "I was impressed by your character. It is never easy to stand up against stronger people for the sake of upholding the principles. If you ever need a job with stable income, come to Imperial city and ask for Genesis Store."
"Eh? Genesis Store?" Liu Zhong's heart skipped a beat for a second. Taking a deep breath, he mustered the courage and asked, "May I know if you are the one they call, Cerberus Slayer?"
"Oh, you have heard of me." Mark let out a smile and nodded, "since you know who I am, then, it is even better. I'll get going. You and your brother might need to hurry up. This dungeon will close soon after I had enough fun. Oh, by the way…"
He pointed at the horse carriage, "If you don't mind, can you return the horse carriage to our store? Earlier, I paid you 50 gold coins, right? It's barely been an hour since we entered the dungeon, right? I'll let you keep the remaining 40 gold coins as a fee. Are you willing to accept this private quest?"
Liu Zhong's five brothers stared at him in envy as the 3-circle realm adventurer bowed and thanked him. 40 gold coins is indeed a high amount, considering their meager income that comes with risks of battling.
Mark then glanced at his brothers to say farewell.
It was then he suddenly remembered something and addressed the eldest brother of Liu's family who is standing a bit far away along with others, "Liu Gowei, I heard from your brother that you possessed a few intermediate grade Spirit Beast Contracts. I'm willing to buy each at the market price of 100 gold coins per each. For elementary scrolls, I'll pay 10 gold coins. What do you say?"
"Eh? Ah, yes." Liu Gowei was a bit surprised at first but then, agreed to sell right away.
What Mark offered isn't some generous amount. It was just a base price that was available in every market but unlike elementary scrolls, intermediate scrolls are a bit rare and not every store would just sell at 100 gold coins.
According to the demand, some would even take advantage of the customer's little knowledge about the market prices and sell it at higher prices.
However, these Spirit Beast contract scrolls that he had were the loots he gained by killing the adventurers some time ago. He was a part-time bounty hunter. Sometimes, he takes bounty missions too and earns extra income.
Liu Gowei planned to sell them at the market for 40-50 gold coins but since the business is here in front of him, he didn't wait any longer to discard them from his storage card.
Mark paid 500 gold coins in exchange for 4 intermediate Spirit Beast Contracts and 10 elementary Spirit Beast Contracts.
The Spirit Beast Contracts looked very simple to be fact. It is a scroll made of leather where it contained a contract symbol drawn on it, imbued with condensed energy.
While giving the pouch full of gold coins, he said, "If you ever got hold of any Spirit Beast Contract of advanced grade, you can visit my store and sell it to me. I'll pay 2000 gold coins for it. If you have it on you right now, I can even pay 3000 gold coins."
"3000?" Liu gasped in surprise when he heard the number. Sure, the advanced grade scrolls are super rare. But, even a 7-circle realm expert had a mere 5% chance to successfully form a contract with a 7-circle beast with an advanced grade Spirit Beast Contract.
That's why most of them are only sold for about 1000-1500 gold. Because people rarely buy them, the sellers would just offer 500-600 gold coins to buy them from the adventurers. Now, paying 3000 gold for them is considered too generous.
Liu Gowei was instantly tempted by the money and confessed, "Lord Lu, actually I have one with me. I didn't expect you are so interested in it. So, I didn't bring up the matter."
When Mark heard that, he got an urge to kill him and snatch it for free but he didn't have any enmity to do that. And Liu Gowei's brother also made a good impression on him.
So, Mark agreed to the trade.
Like the other intermediate ones, before giving them money, he inspected it with Sage's eye to make sure this isn't a scam. The details appeared on the holographic screen.
***
Item name: Spirit Beast Contract
Grade: Advanced
Description: As its name states, using this scroll, a user can form a contract with a Spirit Beast.
***
Mark waited until the Liu brothers counted the gold coins and confirmed the amount. Naturally, some adventurers who spotted it became greedy and thought of ambushing them and looting the money.
After giving a tight warning to Liu Zhong about the safety of the horses, he turned around and walked away a few steps to gain a bit of distance for enough space and summoned the battle tank under the mixed gazes of everyone.
