Of course, Anda wouldn't be satisfied with just a verbal agreement. In addition to the oath, Dastan also had to sign what was regarded as the most powerful contract paper in all of the Protogaea Continent.

Each of these contracts was imbued with the authority of the twelve Dao Manifestation Realm powerhouses who oversaw the continent. To breach its terms was to openly insult and defy their will.

Although the paper itself had no direct means of punishment, the spiritual imprint and blood essence left upon signing allowed the twelve to track the violator and deliver judgment from afar.

There had been arrogant individuals in the past who dismissed the paper as mere ritual, believing they could escape its consequences. One infamous clan head broke his agreement and fled across the seas, only to be struck down by lightning that descended from a cloudless sky, his body burned to ash in front of his men.

Another warlord sealed himself inside a fortress built from spirit-iron and guarded by thousands of soldiers, yet in the middle of the night, his soul was plucked out of his body, leaving only a lifeless husk. Even the most cunning of schemers who tried to twist loopholes found themselves crushed, sometimes weeks later, by punishments that came without warning.

The message was clear: once bound by the contract, there was no escape. The Dao Manifestation Realm powerhouses never forgave those who undermined their authority.

Because of its overwhelming weight, the contract was never used lightly. It appeared only in matters of utmost importance, such as transactions tied to survival, legacy, or life and death itself.

Tamina wasn't shocked that Anda would resort to such a measure, given the stakes. What puzzled her was how Anda had even learned of this contract. She had never mentioned it herself. That left only two possible sources: Seraphina or Cempaka.

However, Tamina couldn't help but feel a seed of worry take root. Could Anda truly guarantee Dastan's safety later? If the assassination threat was real, then the assassins must be terrifyingly strong. After all, they were targeting multiple princes.

Anda had saved her life. If possible, Tamina didn't want her getting dragged deeper into such dangerous currents.

High above, a silvery bowl-shaped cloud drifted toward the mansion at an unhurried pace. Anda had combined several celestial clouds, enlarging the space so extra passengers could ride along.

"We are flying! So high!" "Pandas can finally fly!" "But how?" "Yes, how?" "It must be the Panda Goddess's divine power!" "Yes, yes! That must be it!" "Panda Goddess is the best!"

"Panda Goddess is our blessing!!" they all cheered together.

The seven pandas tumbled about, making excited noises and dancing clumsily across the cloud. Ropes were tied around their waists, the other ends held firmly in Valenia's hands to keep them from rolling off the edge.

They simply wouldn't stay still.

Sigh. I'm supposed to be an Alchemic Knight, yet now I'm just a pandasitter. Where did Madam even find these chaotic creatures? Valenia thought bitterly. Then her lips twitched. Actually… compared to the Leyan Family, they're not that different.

She cast a glance at Anda. Right now, she was accompanying her lady back to the mansion after the deal, while Lilian and Ava remained in the mine to cultivate near the spiritual vein. As Anda's knight, it was her duty to keep Madam safe, especially in a place like this where safe areas are lacking.

Meanwhile, Anda smiled sweetly as she listened to the pandas' cheers and watched their antics. She would have preferred Valenia to cultivate near the spiritual vein as well, but she knew her knight would refuse. Duty always came first, especially after being separated for more than a year. Anda understood that Valenia still felt vexed, believing she hadn't fulfilled her role as an Alchemic Knight properly.

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Valenia turned her gaze to Anda, a thought slipping out before she could hold it back. "Is that contract paper really that powerful?"

"Right. I sensed a dozen different Dao auras imbued within it. Only slivers, but each carried a depth of profound understanding. When I tried burning the contract with my Fire Concept, my flames were extinguished instead. The power of the Dao Manifestation Realm might be even more terrifying than I first imagined. Incredible." Anda praised sincerely.

Valenia's hand tightened around the panda-ropes, sweat prickling her back. Madam, you tried what? What if those exalted ones were offended by such a test?!

She steadied her tone. "Madam, isn't it too risky to use the contract paper so freely? What if we fail to protect the crown prince? Wouldn't you be punished for it?" She spoke while controlling the cloud's course and tugging a restless panda away from the edge, juggling both tasks at once.

Anda's reply came with a soft smile. "No need to worry. It's a unilateral contract, so I take on no risk. It simply ensures he upholds his end of the bargain. He is the crown prince, after all. Without this, we'd have no way to hold him accountable. This paper is perfect. Even if he were assassinated, I wouldn't be held responsible."

Then her smile deepened, her eyes carrying a calm determination. "But of course, I won't just do nothing. I need him alive for our cooperation, and for the spiritual vein to remain in our family's hands."

"Wew, that's good then. I was worried about you," Valenia said, though her tone carried more relief than certainty. She wasn't entirely sure what her madam's real plan was, but since Anda spoke with such confidence, there was no reason to doubt her. After a moment, curiosity got the better of her. "By the way, where did you get that contract, madam?"

Anda's lips curved in a knowing smile. "I first heard of it from Seraphina, back when she tried bragging about her continent while belittling ours. Recently she brought it up again, and even handed me the real contract paper. Hehe… this girl actually thinks she can scheme against me. She hoped I'd use the paper to reach an agreement with Dastan, only for the deal to fail and drag me down with it. But her methods are too shallow. Did she really think I wouldn't notice? She has no idea that I already hold the leverage against the crown prince. I don't need to be bound by that paper at all."

Valenia frowned, trying to recall which one of the young women was Seraphina. She had only met them once since her return. To dare plot against her madam… was that girl courting misfortune?

"Why not just kill her, madam? She seems like a threat to us," Valenia asked bluntly.

Anda tapped a finger against her lips, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. "I considered that at first. But now, I think it's far more entertaining to let her live. I want to see what other tricks she dares to play."

Valenia could only sigh inwardly. For her madam, even danger seemed like a game to toy with. Still, she asked the practical question. "Then why are we heading back to the mansion, madam?"

Anda's smile turned calm, but her eyes shone with purpose. "To start preparing, of course. I can't just make a deal and then sit idly. I need a few methods in place to keep that crown prince alive. It's a good thing to have Lilian around. All the alchemy ingredients can be gathered easily."

Valenia blinked, realizing just how far ahead Anda had already planned. It seemed her madam was ten steps ahead as always.

Meanwhile, at this moment, the pandas peeked over the edge of the cloud, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. Then, without hesitation, Kanda hopped right off, dangling beneath the cloud as the rope held firm. He swung back and forth with a delighted squeak, like a child on a swing.

The others immediately followed, leaping one after another until a whole row of pandas dangled beneath the cloud, swaying happily in the wind. Their fluffy bodies bumped together as they swung side to side, forming a chaotic line of living pendulums.

Valenia's face darkened. She rushed to the edge, gripping the ropes tightly. "Why would you all jump off?! You're supposed to stay on top, not dangle like lanterns! Madam, look at those troublemakers! What if the ropes snap?"

She struggled to keep them from tangling as the pandas squealed in joy, clearly having the time of their lives. Thankfully, she was physically strong even as a Qi cultivator, able to hold all their weight together.

Anda covered her mouth, but her shoulders trembled with laughter. "Pffft—ahaha! Look at them, Valenia! A whole panda parade swinging under the cloud! They're too cute!"

"Madam, this isn't funny! They're going to cause a disaster before we even reach the mansion!" Valenia rolled her eyes and protested, sweat beading on her forehead as the pandas happily knocked into each other, oblivious to her panic.

Anda waved dismissively, still giggling. "Relax, just let them swing. I'll steer the cloud. You can keep… playing with them."

Valenia's mouth twitched. Madam, do I look like I'm playing with them? she complained inwardly.

At this moment, Valenia had the premonition that she would be demoted from an Alchemic Knight to a pandasitter.

Meanwhile, the pandas continued to swing gleefully beneath the cloud, completely unaware of her inner turmoil. Anda, on the other hand, looked as if she couldn't be happier, her laughter ringing in the wind as they drifted toward the mansion.

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