The method that the Great Kun Spirit talked about was already known to Erica. However, Erica didn't want to resort to that method.
She needed to sell the Black Lake Sect to that malevolent man to save her daughter. She couldn't even begin to imagine what plans he had for the Black Lake Sect. However, she believed none of them would be good.
But Erica also wanted to save her daughter. Christina meant the world to her.
On one side was the legacy of a historic sect and her subordinates who trusted and respected her sincerely, while on the other side was her daughter.
If she sold her sect, she would feel guilty for the rest of her life. She would never be able to look into the eyes of her loyal subordinates.
Erica would be distraught if she let her daughter die because she couldn't bear the guilt.
Within her, the Great Kun Spirit spoke 'Why are you so reluctant to accept that offer? Did you not realize what that man meant to say?'
"What are you talking about?"
'He said that you can't refuse his order while you remain the sect mistress. But he didn't say anything about the situation when you step down as the sect mistress. It means that the next sect master of the Black Lake Sect would be free of those restrains. You can save your daughter by submitting to him. That's a good deal, in my opinion. It would be sad if this little ball of sunshine dies because of your confusion and misunderstanding.'
Erica let out a sigh and spoke, "Marin, you think too simply. However, this isn't your fault. It's because you aren't a human and don't know of the hidden schemes that we humans have in our minds."
"That man specifically mentioned that the Black Lake Sect can't refuse his order while I remain as Sect Mistress. This was meant to convince me to accept his offer. However, if you think deeply, it indicates that he intends to have the Black Lake Sect involved in some shady activities. That sinister man will definitely hold the proof of those nefarious activities and then blackmail the next Master of the Black Lake Sect. In this way, the Black Lake Sect can never be free of his control!"
'I see. The evil schemes of you humans are indeed unfathomable for a Beast like me. As you said, my thoughts are quite simple. I don't think about the so-called future. I just know that I will protect my kin no matter the cost. And I believe that is the choice you should choose.'
"What about all my subordinates who have given their lives for me?! They fought to their deaths because of my order. They did it because they believed they were giving up their lives for me. It would be for the greater good of the Black Lake Sect."
"However, I am betraying their expectations. Their hope and their sacrifice. You have no idea what this feels like!" Erica nearly shouted at the end.
The Great Kun Spirit remained silent for a short while before it responded with a sad tone 'That is true. I have no idea how it feels about betraying someone like that and experience guilt for it. But… I do know what it feels like to lose a child.'
'Trust me. You don't ever want to experience that feeling,' The Great Kun Spirit spoke with its voice full of sorrow and solemnity.
Erica turned towards her daughter and saw her condition was worsening. She clenched her fists and flew towards Azaroth's camp. The water sphere in which Christina was submerged followed her.
Meanwhile, Azaroth was waiting for Erica to arrive.
In reality, he hadn't planned to force Erica to submit the Black Lake Sect to him so soon. However, when he realized the cooperation between the elders of the Black Lake Sect and the Night Mountain Sect, he realized that if he waited any more, the Black Lake Sect would suffer great damage and would hardly be of any use.
He had to take control if he wanted to extract some more benefits from this Black Lake Sect.
However, he couldn't use his typical techniques to force Erica to submit to him. Thus, he used her daughter to make her agree to submit to him.
Erica gritted her teeth as she stood in front of Azaroth. She spoke to him, "Please do not kill my daughter!"
Azaroth smirked at those words, and a paper appeared in his hand. He handed over that paper to Erica.
"Drip your blood on this contract, and I will agree to your request," Azaroth spoke.
Erica stared at the contract in her hand and carefully read it. She understood that this was soul control. She couldn't use any cheap tricks to be free of these contract bindings.
She then dripped her blood over the contract. The contract began to glow mysteriously and transformed into a chain.
This chain tightened around Erica's threat and turned into a collar. A contractual collar. Moreover, the other end of the chain was in Azaroth's hand.
This was the representation of the contract. Erica was the submissive party, and Azaroth was the master. Azaroth controlled this woman's actions who was more or less his slave.
Azaroth had a thin smile as he stared at Erica. He turned his head towards Christina's direction and snapped his finger.
Light purple-colored energy was released from Christina's body and soon fused with Azaroth's body.
Christina's Variant Flame Root soon began to calm down. The situation was slowly getting in the Golden Crow's Control.
Meanwhile, Azaroth turned towards Erica, "I have fulfilled the agreement from my side."
The chain around Erica's head glowed for a faint second before it disappeared. It had turned invisible, and only someone possessing special eye abilities could see this chain.
Azaroth spoke to Erica, "It's time to purge the pests in the Black Lake Sect. Return and keep an eye on the elders in the list I will give you. Also, assign your husband to a dangerous spot and have him killed. The rebellious movement against you will lose pace after his death. They will need some time to raise a new face for their rebellious movement."
Erica was quite confused and asked Azaroth, "Rebellious movement? What?"
Azaroth wasn't in the mood to give an explanation, "Return."
Erica was about to ask another question, but she felt a sharp pain in her soul. She understood that this was due to that Soul Contract.
She gritted her teeth and turned her body around. According to the soul contract, the pain vanished as Erica was following the order given to her.
Meanwhile, Christina was unconscious, and Azaroth created a wooden tent for her and had her rest there.
Because of the flames releasing from her body, the clothes she was wearing had been burned. No one noticed this because the flames she was emanating were too bright for them to notice. Erica noticed it, but she didn't focus too much on it.
And now, Azaroth felt his blood boiling slightly at the sight of this gorgeous naked beauty. Azaroth controlled his Demon Blood and urges and suppressed them while covering Christina's body with a large cloak.
He returned to his tent to meditate.
The Night Mountain Sect would soon find out that their plan had failed. Many of their elders had seen and heard of Azaroth's name during that time.
Azaroth allowed them to return so that they could spread the word about him. Now, the Night Mountain Sect would be focused on him. This was precisely what he wanted.