The Purple Winged Dragon watched as Chen Tian's aura continued to surge, a grey power and presence filling it with a sense of impending danger. Chen Tian slowly opened his eyes, which now contained the vastness of the universe. The instant his eyes opened, the entire space shattered. Simultaneously, everything around them was engulfed by the cosmos. Chen Tian and the Purple Winged Dragon stood amidst the universe, with Chen Tian appearing as its king, cosmic energy pouring into his body.
"No, impossible," the Purple Winged Dragon cried out in panic, "The power of the universe! How could you possibly gain its recognition!"
The Purple Winged Dragon truly panicked. This was the power of the universe, a power only those recognized by cosmic consciousness could wield. Yet, the young man before it had gained the universe's approval. Now, the Purple Winged Dragon wasn't just fighting Chen Tian alone; it was fighting the entire universe. How insignificant it was within the vastness of the cosmos.
Chen Tian's eyes merely narrowed, and the Purple Winged Dragon's body was instantly restrained by space, compressed. The Purple Winged Dragon felt pain throughout its entire being. With just a glance, it was utterly incapable of resistance. This was like resisting the entire universe, and no matter how powerful a being was, it could never overcome the cosmos.
The Purple Winged Dragon's body exploded, its crystalline form cracking. It knew that if it continued to maintain its human form, it wouldn't last much longer. Its colossal body unfurled from within, reverting to its true form. The compressing force seemed to lessen, but for the Purple Winged Dragon, it was only a matter of time. It was simply no match for the universe.
The Purple Winged Dragon looked at Chen Tian, whose back was enveloped by the universe, resembling an emperor of the cosmos. At this moment, Chen Tian's true consciousness had fallen into slumber, and his body was being controlled by the primordial will of cosmic chaos.
Chen Tian spoke indifferently, his voice like a god's, an irresistible decree: "I'll give you a chance. Surrender your soul and bloodline, become my pet, or face death."
The Purple Winged Dragon fell silent. How could a proud dragon possibly become a pet? It was a disgrace, an insult to its bloodline. Yet, it knew that if it refused, its fate would be sealed in the next instant.
"Don't worry, I'm only in control of this body for a short while. When he fully awakens, you won't regret today's decision."
"So?"
The Purple Winged Dragon understood clearly that the cosmic will was currently in control. It then spoke, "Alright, I agree."
Submitting to the cosmic will did not mean submitting to Chen Tian. It spat out its blood, and a white light shot out from its brow. Chen Tian nodded with satisfaction and pointed a finger, the blood and white light entering Chen Tian's mind.
The Purple Winged Dragon's body returned to normal, and the surrounding compressing forces vanished. The Purple Winged Dragon dared not make any move. Chen Tian's body, under the control of the cosmic will, sat down in a meditative posture. Simultaneously, the cosmic consciousness spoke: 'Growth is still too slow. It's too far from that place. Never mind, this tiny bit of consciousness can be discarded. It will help you recover faster.'
Chen Tian's body was engulfed by a grey aura. The grey aura entered Chen Tian's body, and his form began to transform bit by bit, all without Chen Tian's conscious awareness as he slept.
A grey cocoon appeared in the universe. Chen Tian's voice echoed, "Guard me. When I emerge, rest assured, you won't be shortchanged."
"Yes, Master."
The Purple Winged Dragon had no choice. Now, their fates were intertwined; if Chen Tian died, it would die too. They had signed a contract, becoming each other's pets. However, submitting to the cosmic will was not considered shameful. Thus, the Purple Winged Dragon stood guard nearby while Chen Tian entered secluded cultivation, awaiting the moment of transformation upon breaking free from the cocoon.
Days passed, and cracks appeared on the grey cocoon, spreading wider. The surrounding universe gradually vanished. The Purple Winged Dragon paid it no mind, understanding the situation: the cosmic will had departed, and the body was returning to its original consciousness.
With a 'boom,' the grey cocoon shattered. Chen Tian stood in the sky, looking bewildered. Hadn't he been fighting the Purple Winged Dragon just moments ago? What had happened?
"I feel like I just slept, and something else happened," Chen Tian mumbled, utterly confused. The Purple Winged Dragon, now in its human form, approached Chen Tian, who tensed and assumed a fighting stance.
The Purple Winged Dragon waved its hand. "Master, I've signed a contract with you. I cannot attack you, don't worry."
"What the heck?"
Chen Tian was full of questions. Master, contract, what did it all mean? Had he forgotten something, or lost his memory? He had no recollection of subduing the Purple Winged Dragon.
As Chen Tian pondered, a dragon's roar echoed in his mind. He received a flood of information, his expression changing rapidly. It was indeed a contract!
But Chen Tian had no knowledge of it. When had it been signed?
"Forget it, at least I don't have to fight anymore. Uh, what should I call you?" Chen Tian asked calmly. He needed a name for it. After a moment of thought, he clapped his hands. "Purple Dragon! That's it. It suits your true form's name."
"Thank you, Master, for the name."
"Alright, we need to leave. Master has tasks to complete. And call me Chen Tian. I don't like the 'Master' title." Chen Tian said kindly. Having signed a contract, they were now allies. Chen Tian was always amiable towards his allies.
"Understood, Chen Tian."
Chen Tian and Purple Dragon emerged from the space. Chen Tian looked around and asked, "Purple Dragon, did you create this space?"
"No, I was already inside when I woke up. I've been outside a few times, always in deserted areas, so it was uninteresting. As for the beasts, I couldn't be bothered to manage them." As a dragon, Purple Dragon commanded beasts, and sometimes it was simply too lazy to bother. Chen Tian inquired, "Purple Dragon, were you responsible for the stampede of beasts before?"
"Beast stampede? What beast stampede? I don't know. I wouldn't deign to command such low-level demonic beasts. It's better for them to fend for themselves."
As Purple Dragon finished speaking, Chen Tian froze. If it wasn't Purple Dragon, then who was behind the massive beast stampede?
"No, Xue Qing You."
Chen Tian suddenly remembered Xue Qing You. He had left her behind alone and didn't know if his clone had survived. Chen Tian communicated with his clone and felt relieved. The clone had already dealt with the beast stampede, and Xue Qing You was safe. This was crucial for Chen Tian's mission rewards.
"System, switch to game mode."
"Host conversion complete."
"Purple Dragon, let's go. Two more stages and I'll be done. Wonderful."
Two beams of light shot into the sky, heading towards Xue Qing You's location. Over at Xue Qing You's side, countless beast carcasses lay scattered on the ground.