He didn't know that Ye Ningze's current speed was secondary; what Ye Ningze was displaying was the most precious.
This was a keen intuition for combat. He could easily sense every move of the opponent and react accordingly.
It was precisely because of this that Ye Ningze could get ahead of him and grasp everything in his hands.
The Purple Lightning Rat became thoroughly anxious. It knew this couldn't go on, so its body transformed into one after another afterimage, and these afterimages then scattered in all directions.
If Ye Ningze hesitated even slightly, the opponent could completely escape him. Thus, this was the last opportunity Ye Ningze had to seize. If he failed to seize it, he would completely lose track of the opponent.
Regarding the current situation, the Purple Lightning Rat not only possessed immense speed but also powerful detection abilities.
It could easily locate treasures underground and move without a trace.
While it couldn't fly, it was an expert at burrowing. Therefore, Ye Ningze had to capture it at all costs.
The Purple Lightning Rat used its deceptive tactics to confuse Ye Ningze's judgment. It was evident that this creature possessed considerable intelligence.
However, even with this, it hadn't completely escaped Ye Ningze's control.
This was because Ye Ningze's body also transformed into over ten phantom images, and moments later, he followed the Purple Lightning Rat's body out of the place.
Man and rat, one in front and one behind, raced madly through the valley.
Ye Ningze intended to exhaust the Purple Lightning Rat's stamina and its pride. Only then could it be completely subdued.
Thus, the two creatures began a contest, but during the chase, the Purple Lightning Rat grew increasingly weak.
This was because Ye Ningze's speed had not decreased at all, while the Purple Lightning Rat's speed had significantly declined.
The Purple Lightning Rat once again utilized its special ability, its body becoming like a thin, narrow streak of purple lightning.
It instantly traversed mountains and crossed ridges, disappearing from Ye Ningze's sight. But the moment it vanished, Ye Ningze's lips curved slightly.
Because this was the moment he had been waiting for. As the opponent transformed into a lightning bolt, Ye Ningze had already taken corresponding action.
His body instantly accelerated several times, as if he had already known the Purple Lightning Rat's move. Ye Ningze pierced the Purple Lightning Rat's body almost instantaneously.
The Purple Lightning Rat had no time to react before Ye Ningze pinned it to the ground.
The Purple Lightning Rat wailed incessantly but could not alleviate its pain. Ye Ningze then reminded it again with his cold voice:
"You now have only two paths before you: either surrender to me, or be eliminated by me. And this is your last chance to choose."
Ye Ningze's voice was cold and devoid of any emotional fluctuation, making one believe every word he said.
The Purple Lightning Rat finally began to tremble. It hadn't expected this person to be so formidable.
It had been so easily subdued. Since the opponent could so easily control it,
it meant the opponent's strength far surpassed its own. Escaping now was an impossible feat.
Therefore, it was better to consider what to do next. The Purple Lightning Rat was not foolish; it knew its life was in the opponent's hands.
It also knew what the opponent wanted. Thus, the Purple Lightning Rat spoke first to the person before it:
"Since you want me to submit to you, you must know that without absolute power, I would never help a human."
Ye Ningze sneered. He knew the creature before him was somewhat arrogant, but he hadn't expected it to be so stubborn even now.
"What kind of power is considered absolute power?"
After Ye Ningze asked this question, the Purple Lightning Rat fell silent.
Clearly, it hadn't thought of a precise answer to this question and intended to stall for time, hoping to devise a plan to escape.
In fact, this creature was not only intelligent but also quite cunning. Precisely because of this, it needed time to find an opportunity to break free from Ye Ningze.
Its eyes, as small as soybeans, continuously flickered with a cunning glint, suggesting that it was indeed contemplating how to escape Ye Ningze's grasp.
However, Ye Ningze exerted pressure with his hands and said to the creature before him:
"Don't think of any tricks. Rest assured, you will never escape. You can try if you don't believe me. I will show you what true despair is."
As Ye Ningze applied pressure with his hands, the Purple Lightning Rat felt as if countless needles were piercing its body.
It couldn't muster any thought of resistance. At this moment, the Purple Lightning Rat finally understood what true power was.
Because the opponent's power, upon entering its body, had rendered it completely unable to resist. If the opponent had used this power against it back then,
it might have already been a corpse. Despite how unwilling the Purple Lightning Rat was to admit the reality before it,
the stark truth was laid bare. Seeing that the Purple Lightning Rat still couldn't make up its mind, Ye Ningze poured his explosive power into the Purple Lightning Rat's body all at once.
The Purple Lightning Rat felt a powerful force stirring within its body.
And it was utterly incapable of resisting this force. Finally, under this intense torment, the Purple Lightning Rat surrendered. It spoke to Ye Ningze:
"My lord, I am willing to submit to you and serve as your vanguard from now on."
Ye Ningze smiled and patted the Purple Lightning Rat, saying:
"See, isn't it better this way? Why waste everyone's time? You wouldn't have to suffer so much, would you?"
The Purple Lightning Rat could only clear its throat and give a dry chuckle before saying to Ye Ningze:
"Master, please tell me what you need me to do next."
The Purple Lightning Rat knew it was in a situation where it had to bow its head, as it was under someone else's roof. One should have such awareness, otherwise, the situation would be very difficult.
Ye Ningze pointed to a spot in the northeast and said to the Purple Lightning Rat before him:
"Do you know if there is a special mineral deposit about thirty li in that direction?"