Chapter 174: I Need Your Blood

Words : 1369 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

After Li De and Emi stepped out of the tavern, they exchanged a glance—and instantly, a sense of relief swept over them. Though they had appeared composed and unruffled inside, both knew full well that if they’d revealed even the slightest flaw, what awaited them would have been a brutal, bloody death. Infiltrating the enemy’s lair was always a thrilling and perilous task—but naturally, the rewards were just as great. Now, Li De already had a strategy for dealing with the Dark Pact, no longer helpless in the face of its overwhelming power. Had he relied on Emi to relay everything afterward, he wasn’t sure he could’ve gained such vital intel. After all, the two viewed the world from entirely different perspectives—Emi’s thinking was grounded in the mindset of a Glory native, whereas Li De’s was far more unorthodox. What one deemed useful might not even register to the other. In silence, they moved through the streets. Once they left the tavern, that sense of being watched faded away. Emi visibly relaxed. “Your Majesty, those damned rats are gone.” “Mhm. Let’s go back first.” After the sudden upheaval of the night, Li De was eager to return to a safe place and sort through the next stage of his plans. At the next corner—whoosh— Bat Transformation. The two of them no longer held back and used their innate ability to leave that place of danger behind. Southern District. Within a luxurious residential area about half a sun-hour’s walk from the Crimson Mage Tower. The silhouettes of Li De and Emi reappeared in a pitch-black hall as the bats vanished. As they entered, several joyful voices immediately called out. “Lord Progenitor!” “Clan Leader!” “—” Vampires were children of the night—without light, they saw even more clearly. Li De’s appearance instantly filled the second-generation Bloodline Descendants with elation. He was their king, their only sovereign. As long as Li De existed, the clan would endure. Li De looked over the six gathered second-generation Bloodlines and nodded with satisfaction. Fred, Odys, Dylon, Avi, Augustine, and Lucy—all had long since reached level 10, their strength formidable. Half a year ago, he was the only one among the vampires to surpass level 10. Now, there were six level-10 Bloodline Descendants, plus five Cyclopes—their combat strength over level 10 had surpassed ten in total. And among them were two top-tier powerhouses at level 15. His forces had grown more than tenfold compared to six months ago. A rising clan was taking shape. “Good. Everyone, have a seat.” Li De took the master’s chair, and the hall lit up with the warm glow of magical lights. Though vampires could see better in the dark than during the day, Li De still habitually lit the room. The hall wasn’t lavish, but it was clean and orderly. Here, in a city ruled by humans, Li De convened a meeting that would decide the fate of the vampires and the Crimson Mage Tower. “Today, Emi and I visited the Dark Pact’s headquarters.” After briefly recounting their harrowing experience, Li De made a decision that would shape the fate of their clan. His blazing gaze was like a torch, fierce and unyielding. “When the wings of the Whispering Bats soar over Dawn City, When the battle songs of the Saintlight Vampires echo above our enemies, Victory shall be our only end.” “No matter how powerful the enemy, they shall fall beneath the blades of the vampires. No one can remain calm under the gaze of our kind.” “The evil creatures of the Dark Pact will be the most formidable foes we’ve ever faced.” “But fear... does not exist within the vampire race.” “No matter who they are, no one is worthy of forcing the Saintlight Vampires, led by me—Li De Kachar—to take even a single step back.” “No matter how strong the enemy, we will strike first!” “And this time, our target... is a level-16 powerhouse.” The next morning, operations at the Crimson Mage Tower continued as usual. No one knew just how many terrifying beings in the shadows of Green City were already baring their fangs at them. Apprentices bustled about, chattering excitedly about how much their mana had improved the day before, or how their control over magic had progressed. It was as if no storm, however fierce, could breach the 5-blade-high walls of the tower. From sunrise onward, the Magic Factory was already in full operation. In fact, for many mage apprentices, the factory was a place of incredible value. Spending long hours inscribing magical patterns on the assembly lines pushed their mana to its limits. Day after day, their magical prowess grew rapidly. Everyone was grateful. After all, there was nothing more thrilling than gaining power. Practice makes perfect. Anyone working with mana twelve sun-hours a day would inevitably see significant gains. To further encourage productivity, not only were apprentices paid generously in Gold Pucks, but each month, twenty of them were promoted to official mages. And so everyone worked with fanatical enthusiasm, hoping to earn Lord Li De’s favor. But today, Li De had no time to focus on these things. His brows furrowed tightly—his mind still occupied with the Dark Pact. He had returned to the Mage Tower just before dawn. Now, he needed to retrieve something very important—something he would use as bait. Descending from his fifth-floor bedroom to the third-floor study via wooden stairs, he saw Isha and Vina already awake, flipping through magical tomes on the oak bookshelves. They were deeply engrossed in a discussion about magic and hadn’t noticed his arrival. Vina, in her deep blue mage gown, stood with elegant poise. The girl’s profile, so refined and graceful, matched the study’s atmosphere perfectly. But the most eye-catching aspect was her enchanting figure, every curve brimming with feminine allure. Little Isha, petite and slender, wore a black embroidered mage robe with matching black leather boots. Her flaxen hair slightly veiled her face, while those ruby-like eyes sparkled like stars. Sunlight streamed faintly through the gaps in the bookshelves, casting soft light upon their fair, beautiful faces. The scene was full of harmony and warmth. “Lord Li De~” “Teacher~” The two girls turned around simultaneously at the sound of footsteps. The moment they saw him, bright smiles lit their faces. Vina’s sapphire eyes shone with affection and closeness. Isha’s ruby gaze sparkled with devotion and adoration. Their joy was genuine, from the depths of their hearts. Seeing their radiant smiles, brighter than the blossoms of the Planting Season, Li De felt his worries melt away. He stepped forward and ruffled Isha’s soft hair. The little girl purred like a kitten, rubbing affectionately against his hand. Then, catching Vina’s slightly envious gaze, he gently pinched her flawless cheek, drawing a look of bliss from her beautiful face. “Isha, today I need to do something... but for that, I need my little princess’s help.” Isha’s eyes lit up instantly. Being able to help Li De was the greatest joy she could imagine. “Teacher, I’m willing~” She agreed without hesitation, not even needing to hear the request. Her pretty eyes curved into crescent moons. In her heart, Li De was the most trustworthy person in the world—bar none. She would even give her life for him. Li De nodded, his tone turning a bit solemn. “I need your blood.” Blood? Both girls blinked in surprise. In Glory, anything involving blood was often associated with evil. Vampires, demons, evil god priests—all were stained with the connotation of blood. But to Li De’s surprise, neither Vina nor Isha asked a single question. Both simply gazed at him with unwavering trust. In their eyes was a deep, unshakable faith—this was nothing out of the ordinary. “Teacher~ here.” Isha shyly extended her snow-white wrist toward him, her ruby eyes glowing with delight. She was finally able to help her teacher. Li De looked at them and felt a warmth in his heart. Few could ever understand what it meant to be trusted unconditionally. A smile slowly curved across his lips. “I won’t let either of you down.”

Chapter 174: I Need Your Blood

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