As for why Bai Qi chose such a bloody and painful method to strengthen Cleven, were there no gentler and more efficient magics?
The answer was yes.
But Bai Qi did not choose it after weighing the pros and cons.
Lord of Magic could use magic like Dao Long, which turned people into dark assassins. The enhanced effect was also very significant, but the drawback was that facing a great mage like Old Man, he could be reverted with a few incantations.
Although the current method was very painful, once successful, the enhancement was almost permanent. It could not be undone unless all the absorbed blood was drained from the body.
"How do you feel?"
After absorbing all the animal blood, Cleven stood up, feeling the surging power within him and filled with excitement.
"Yes, Master, I feel very good."
Cleven thought to himself that following the Lord of Magic was indeed the right choice. His strength and speed had been greatly enhanced, and his power had increased by at least thirty percent compared to before.
"Master, do you need me to find Osborn to get the amulet back?"
Feeling the surging power within him, Cleven was brimming with confidence.
"No, your mission is the Snake Amulet. Someone else is retrieving the Rabbit Amulet."
Bai Qi opened his computer, logged into the dark web, and began searching in the mercenaries section.
Soon, Bai Qi found that person, that familiar name, Deathstroke.
In the DC universe, there was a supervillain, or rather, a super mercenary. He had an extremely high mission completion rate and professional ethics. This person was Deathstroke.
Deathstroke's full name was Slade Joseph Wilson. After gene modification, his body possessed strong regenerative abilities, and his physical capabilities far surpassed ordinary people. He was cruel and cunning, with his brain developed to 90% capacity. He could be considered the world's most powerful tactician and assassin. He had single-handedly fought members of the Justice League such as Batman, Green Arrow, and The Flash, and was the arch-enemy of the Teen Titans.
Most importantly, as long as the money was right, Deathstroke would take any job. Every time he completed a kill, he would charge a commission of fifty percent of the target's total assets. Most importantly, Deathstroke's strong professional ethics meant he would never be bribed or betray his employer, which was precisely to Bai Qi's liking.
As a demon who had lived for an unknown number of years and had once been the ruler of a dynasty, the Lord of Magic lacked nothing, especially money. If Bai Qi wished, he could even pay to buy Norman's head.
Shortly after Bai Qi placed the order, he turned around and saw a figure standing in the darkness.
The shadow slowly walked out, wearing a black and orange form-fitting suit, with two katanas on his back. This person was Deathstroke.
Deathstroke's sudden appearance made Bai Qi break out in a cold sweat. Good heavens, the world's number one mercenary truly lived up to his reputation.
Upon appearing, Deathstroke directly asked Cleven, "Are you the employer? Whom do you want me to kill?"
Cleven shook his head and stepped back behind Bai Qi, saying, "This lord is your employer."
Seeing the subtle change in expression under Deathstroke's mask as he looked at Bai Qi, Deathstroke couldn't remember how many people he had killed, but it was the first time the employer was a child.
Facing Deathstroke, Bai Qi showed no fear. Instead, his aura clashed with the killing intent emanating from Deathstroke.
Bai Qi's demeanor also surprised Deathstroke. Years of living on the edge had honed his senses beyond ordinary.
The aura emanating from this child was no weaker than his own, and even felt like it was subtly surpassing his. Looking him in the eye was like gazing into an abyss.
Bai Qi did not speak, but gave Cleven a look. Cleven, understanding, raised his hand and threw two throwing knives, aiming straight for Deathstroke.
Cleven was fast, but Deathstroke was faster. As Cleven threw the throwing knives, he drew his katanas and deflected both with two precise strikes.
Cleven moved forward, his combat knife aimed directly at Deathstroke's throat.
Seeing the cold glint of the combat knife, Deathstroke remained unfazed. He held his katana horizontally in front of him, blocking the knife a step ahead.
"Such great strength."
Feeling the power in the combat knife, Deathstroke immediately changed tactics. He used his wrist to force the knife away, then with his other hand, delivered a punch to Cleven's chest.
Cleven stumbled back two steps, stabilized himself, and touched his aching chest, filled with rage. He wielded his combat knife and charged at Deathstroke again.
Both Cleven and Deathstroke were agile fighters. Deathstroke's body had undergone gene modification, with attributes far exceeding ordinary people. Cleven had also been baptized by African witchcraft and then further enhanced by Bai Qi. Their attributes were almost on par, and it was a battle of skill and will.
Though they seemed to be evenly matched, Bai Qi knew that Cleven was no match for Deathstroke, and defeat was only a matter of time.
However, defeat was also good for Cleven. At least it would make him realize that there were always people better than oneself, and that he shouldn't get too arrogant after a little enhancement.
As Bai Qi had predicted, after more than ten minutes, Deathstroke seized an opening in Cleven's attack and decisively struck him on the neck with a palm strike, followed by a series of punches that knocked Cleven to the ground. Just as Deathstroke was about to deliver the final blow, his katana in mid-air was enveloped by an unseen force. Sudan Fiction Network.
"Magic?"
Deathstroke turned his head and saw Bai Qi holding a dragon-headed staff, speaking calmly.
Most people would be shocked to see magic, but for an experienced mercenary like Deathstroke, he had seen all sorts of strange things. He had also killed several people who used magic.
Bai Qi lowered his staff. "Cleven, step down. The world's number one mercenary indeed lives up to his reputation."
Deathstroke released Cleven.
Bai Qi did not speak, but chuckled inwardly, "No matter how high your price, I can afford it."
He took out a photo of the Rabbit Amulet and handed it to Deathstroke, saying, "I want you to go to Osborn Industries and retrieve this for me."
"This is your commission."
Bai Qi conjured a diamond the size of a baby's fist and tossed it to Deathstroke.
This was the first time in his career as a mercenary that Deathstroke had seen someone use a diamond as commission. Moreover, the item in the photo was not that large, while the diamond was about the same size.
Deathstroke sized up Bai Qi and asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll take the commission and not do the job?"
Bai Qi's lips curled up, "The world's number one mercenary relies on his reputation. I don't think you would tarnish your brand for such a small amount of money."
"Three days. Within three days, you will have what you desire."
With that, Deathstroke slowly retreated, gradually merging into the darkness.
Watching Deathstroke, who appeared and disappeared without a trace, Bai Qi didn't know what to say. Those who knew him knew he was the world's number one mercenary, Deathstroke. Those who didn't would think he was a Shadow Ninja with a different skin.