Douluo Dalu 2: Reincarnated as the Auspicious Beast

To be honest, this came earlier than Wang Rui had expected.

He closed his eyes and entered his mental sea.

Wang Rui found himself seated on a reddish-brown leather sofa, with a coffee table piled high with books in front of him, and a crystal chandelier radiating golden-green light above.

Before he entered, his mental space had been a modernized bedroom suite filled with books.

"I must say, experiencing your ever-changing mental space firsthand is truly remarkable," the white-robed elder across from him said with a relaxed smile, sitting as if he were at home. "The mind and consciousness are profound domains. For most people, the imagery of their mental world remains static. Yet, your ability to reshape it at will demonstrates an unparalleled level of self-mastery."

"You're too kind," Wang Rui replied with a mischievous grin before cautiously asking, "So, about that contract magic you mentioned earlier...?"

"First, let's discuss this ability you've devised to unite humans and spirit beasts—or rather, soul beasts," Electrolux said, tapping the table as he grew serious.

Wang Rui made no attempt to hide his findings, explaining all of his research achievements to the legendary Necromancer God.

"Fascinating," the elder mused, stroking his beard. "I never imagined you could manipulate the power of fate to this extent. In the fragmented memories I retain, even those from my world who could touch the power of destiny couldn't achieve this level of finesse."

"Still, your approach has significant flaws. First, both parties to the contract require long periods of bonding. Second, the process is inefficient, as it relies heavily on your personal involvement. Finally, the compatibility requirements between the contracting parties' species and martial souls make it difficult to scale." Electrolux pondered for a moment. "In my world, human researchers had access to millennia-old knowledge from the ancient Elven race. For you to independently craft and refine a nearly original system to this level is already extraordinary."

Wang Rui felt slightly embarrassed by the praise from such a brilliant figure.

Electrolux then summarized the contract systems prevalent during the heyday of the Holy Radiance Church: equal partnership contracts, master-servant contracts, and the extreme blood pacts. However, all these contracts inherently favored humans. Even the so-called "equal" contracts leaned toward human dominance and carried a commanding nature. These contracts' efficiency—allowing immediate establishment without requiring emotional bonds—made betrayal and exploitation rampant. Humans could easily sacrifice their contract partners without facing any consequences.

Thus, Wang Rui couldn't directly adopt the magical contract system. He needed to improve it significantly and merge it with his "Fate Contract." Otherwise, implementing such a system in the Douluo Continent would be disastrous. Large sects or royal families might exploit lower-ranking disciples to contract soul beasts, only to later kill those partners to extract soul rings for their elites.

Wang Rui had never underestimated human greed.

Nonetheless, contract magic had undeniable advantages: its accessibility to most practitioners without requiring summoning magic and its "summon-locate-transport" functionality.

Soul beasts could reside in their natural habitats, appearing only when summoned for battle. Likewise, humans could assist their partners during times of danger, offering greater mobility and stealth—features Wang Rui aimed to integrate into his system.

"Combining these elements with your Fate Contract could address its shortcomings," Electrolux said with a smile. "In my world, contract magic had been simplified into templates accessible to all. I can teach you the basics directly. However, adapting it to this world's power system will require you to delve deeply into its underlying principles."

"That's a given," Wang Rui nodded.

"Here are the foundational concepts—runes, incantations, and the principles of mana condensation. Study them thoroughly. There's commonality across different worlds' power systems. If you have questions, come to me." Electrolux made a casual motion, summoning several thick, weighty tomes into existence. They were manifestations of his fragmented memories.

"That's it?" Wang Rui raised an eyebrow. "No formal apprenticeship or anything?"

"Don't act like a child—you're far from it." The elder chuckled, his tone teasing. "Considering your age, you're older than I am by a few millennia. A wily soul like you, wearing a child's exterior, calling me 'Master'? I can't bear it."

Wang Rui paused briefly before hiding his reaction with a shrug and a grin. "What can I say? In my species, I'm still considered a baby. Powerful soul beasts measure their lifespan in tens of thousands of years."

Quickly suppressing his mirth, he tapped his finger thoughtfully against his knee. "Your memories aren't fully restored, are they? I thought you'd focus on recovery and observing this world. Why help me directly now?"

"I'm fond of your Emerald City," Electrolux replied nonchalantly. "You've built a beacon of hope and peace atop the dark laws of this world and humanity's boundless greed. Like a lighthouse in a black sea, it attracts both those who cherish light and the ravenous shadows seeking to steal its flame."

"Of course," Wang Rui replied with a carefree laugh. "But beneath the lighthouse lie jagged reefs." His tone carried an unmistakable meaning.

The neighboring Gu City was no mere decoration.

"Oh? It seems my warnings are unnecessary," Electrolux remarked, raising his eyebrows.

Through the beauty and peace of Emerald City, he saw the blazing fire of ambition.

The rules of this world forced humans and soul beasts to be mortal enemies. Wang Rui's goal of creating a new system challenged the laws of the world itself. Publicizing it would undoubtedly shake the foundation of every cultivator's interests.

The three-eyed golden beast, though kind and scholarly in appearance, harbored an audacious desire to reshape the world. He had chosen the most arduous path.

"In my fractured memories, I recall the darkness of the human world and the greater terror I once brought upon it. But you—you aim to defy this world's rules by building a new system of equality and hope. Turning auxiliary tools into equal partners, even family—that's a direct challenge to the world's order. You'll inevitably become a target of all."

Wang Rui didn't deny it.

"How could I not join in on such an intriguing endeavor?" the elder suddenly laughed heartily. "Once, I wielded the power to hold the sun and moon and pluck the stars!"

Wang Rui's smile grew wider and wider.

He had underestimated Electrolux.

Originally, Wang Rui thought the once-repentant Necromancer God had found inner peace, uninterested in worldly matters. After all, Electrolux's portrayal in the original story had been just that—concerned only with Huo Hang's welfare, detached from external affairs.

But he had been mistaken.

This was the man who, betrayed by love and the world, turned to necromancy and unleashed the Scourge upon the entire realm, challenging it head-on.

Betrayed? Socially crushed? No problem. Electrolux struck back at the whole world.

Such a man could never be a pushover.

Wang Rui looked at the elder's ethereal face.

That aged countenance brimmed with pride and defiance—a spirit unique to true powerhouses.

Even as a fragment of the former Necromancer God, Electrolux's grandeur remained.

"Come, let's see how far I can go with your help." Wang Rui smiled, reaching out to accept the heavy tomes.