Chapter 178:

The twelve little players all drank the “Elixir of Immortality” together. This was the name given by Tris, the vampire, to this source blood concoction, due to the artistic inclinations that she could not find a place to put. One had to admit, it was quite fitting. Under the watchful gazes of the other players holding their breath, the bodies of these twelve people were as if stabbed by a million needles, and in an instant, a massive “blood mist” erupted from their bodies. The swirling winds of spiritual energy surrounded the little players, making them appear enveloped by crimson specks of light. The blood looked very real, but it was merely a catalyst for the alchemical potion. The process was no different from when Cheche and Niuniu experienced their new racial transformation, except that the manifestation was more artistic. The spiritual energy that composed the players’ bodies was scattered and barely maintained its form, while the blood of the Sin Descendants from the source blood fused into the projection of their spiritual energy, causing a substantial transformation in their life form in this world. At this moment, Murphy and Maxim, as the presiders of the initiation ceremony, also began casting spells. They raised their fingers, allowing their blood to seep out and slowly merge into the crimson storm before them. This was not giving their blood to the players but rather imprinting them with the “aura of elders,” so that other vampires could distinguish their allegiance. It was like a “scent” only vampires could detect. This was necessary and essential. To get along well in vampire society, a good background was a must! In this regard, Murphy himself was an excellent negative example, as his dire plight caused by Tris was still vivid in everyone’s memory. On the second-floor observation deck, Lady Adele carefully observed the entire ceremony. Although she was not participating this time, her master Murphy had informed her that she and Maxim would preside over the future Initiation Ceremonies. Following the principle of making the most of everyone’s abilities, the vampire lord had already planned the future faction paths for his two offspring and the young lady who was still away. Maxim’s “Monster Faction” would follow the close combat path, becoming the destination for strength-based vampire players such as warriors, defenders, and melee fighters. Adele’s “Shadow Faction” would recruit agility-based players like assassins, wanderers, hunters, and gunners. When the talented spirit mage Femis returned, she would establish the “Midnight Faction,” dedicated to recruiting intelligence-based vampire players who used spiritual abilities. These three factions would be the main factions of the Blood Vulture Clan, which was being rebuilt under Tris’s leadership. As for Murphy, his positioning was rather special. His “hidden faction” would only accept the twelve warriors and one “champion warrior” he had reserved spots for, as well as the first sixteen players. Apart from that, Murphy would not recruit any other vampire players. After all, he was a main storyline NPC, and a certain level of prestige was necessary. Anything that became too commonplace would lose its meaning, only scarcity could continue to attract players’ attention. Tris’s position as the Blood Vulture Grand Duchess, an extremely special NPC, was similar. Apart from the “lucky ones” who could later unlock the exclusive quest line of “Cavendina’s Warriors,” Tris would not recruit ordinary vampire players either. It’s worth mentioning that Lumina Yanghen, who had been persistently refusing to become a vampire, was not only a favored warrior player of Lady Adele but also had already entered the quest flow of the heavyweight title “Cavendina’s Warriors” even before her Initiation. This was because of her tireless efforts to increase her favor with Lady Tris and her completion of special team quests. This fully demonstrated that Lumina, the elf player, indeed had a connection with vampires. If she were willing to accept the Initiation, she could immediately become a direct offspring of the Blood Vulture Grand Duchess. In terms of blood relations, she could even be considered a “relative” of Lord Murphy. Although Murphy and Tris had already severed their blood contract, this was a secret known only to the two of them, perhaps a protection measure from Tris. In any case, under Murphy’s watchful gaze, the spiritual energy weaving ceremony of the twelve players proceeded in an orderly and swift manner. Enveloped in the storm of crimson light, the players’ forms and strength underwent perceptible changes. At this time, on the little players’ character interfaces, just like Murphy’s test administrator system, text notes were rapidly refreshing: 【Race Conversion Initiated. Spiritual Energy Projection Reshaping in progress. Sin Descendant Blood Infusion, Night’s Blessing Bestowed, Eternal Sin Descendant Status Generated. 1. Test Personnel Information Updated: Test Personnel ID: Onboard Joy Stick Race: Human → Vampire – Blood Vulture Clan Rank: Black Iron Body Profession: 10th Level Assault Gunner / 10th Level Sword and Shield Warrior / None 2. Test Personnel Character Attributes Updated: Strength: 9 → 12 Agility: 8 → 11 This is so unfair!” As the twelve players completed the spiritual energy weaving ceremony and descended from the air, Ashina complained rather discontentedly. Beside her, Sister Pomegranate rubbed her fists, feeling a newfound strength surging within. The darkness made her feel exceptionally refreshed, and the itching sensation on her shoulder blades seemed to indicate the growth of new organs. This peculiar experience prompted her to move her shoulders, after which she drawled: “Don’t just look at the nerfs. Look at the buffs too. Although the enhancements are weaker, the penalties for daytime activities are also reduced! NPC vampires suffer a 30% damage reduction during the day, but ours is only 15%. It’s alright. This way, we’re not completely useless during the day.” The little players’ complaints reached Murphy’s ears, bringing a slight smile to his lips. His adorable little players really lacked intelligence points. What was their status? How could they expect to have the same talents as the noble NPCs? Ha, he and Tris had spent a long time studying and formulating these precise doses of nerfs and buffs. Players were, after all, different from the natives. Rendering them incapable of activity during the day was unacceptable. No matter how much realism and hardcore gameplay were pursued, the necessary conveniences had to be provided, and game balance also had to be considered. Appropriate nerfs and buffs to their talents could improve their gaming experience, at the very least preventing them from being unable to defeat even a single gnoll in broad daylight, which would be too demoralizing for their enthusiasm. Most importantly, the players’ current forms were not true vampires, this was essentially a spiritual simulation, so changes to their talents were expected. At this point, all twelve players had completed the ceremony, and their skin had become paler. But they were still “darker” than normal vampires. Their canine teeth protruded from the corners of their mouths. Cheche was baring his fangs and making threatening gestures at Gugu Chicken beside him, pretending to bite, only to have Gugu Chicken beat him to it and bite his wrist, causing him to nearly scream in pain. Their bat wings had not yet grown, as the reduced dosage of the source blood concoction used this time allowed them to fully experience the sensation of growing wings over the next three days. It also gave them enough time to learn the basics of taking flight from the “Flight Instructor” Mary, lest they grow wings but still be unable to fly like flightless chickens, which would be embarrassing. Ah yes, that unfortunate soul Mary, who had been rescued from Bataxin City, had been appointed a new duty. It was clear that under the rule of Lady Tris’ Blood Vulture Clan, no one could remain idle, and her carefree days were likely over. “Pay respects to the Blood Vulture Grand Duchess, my brethren.” Murphy softly murmured into the ears of the players, who were perceiving their new bodies and strength, prompting them to snap out of their trance. Under Maxim’s lead, they immediately performed the standard Blood Vulture salute towards Lady Tris on the second floor. The Blood Vulture Grand Duchess nodded in satisfaction. Although the newborn “clansmen” differed from typical vampires in every way, this was a good start! If their numbers could indeed increase to over 500 within six months as Little Murphy had predicted, then the rapid revival of the Blood Vulture Clan would become a reality. But the surprises for the vampire players did not end there. After Murphy announced the conclusion of the ceremony, Maxim and Lady Adele immediately presented the newly prepared skill scrolls, along with bloodstone rings representing the players’ new identities, as gifts to the new clansmen. Advanced racial professions like Tomb Guard, Midnight Hunter, Blood Inquisitor, and Blood Vulture Nightwalker were now within their reach, further exciting the “Blood Vulture Twelve Warriors.” “Damn, that’s awesome!” Brother Stick swaggered back to his brothers, strutting with a conceited gait as he was admiringly observed by the Tiger Leopard Rider brothers, as if he were a prized animal. These brothers did not intend to become vampires. They were more interested in the exclusive power system of the Avalon Church, which, although lacking the night bonuses of vampires, had no glaring weaknesses and offered a significant combat boost in their preferred terrain. As the commander, Stick could indulge himself a little, but they had to consider maintaining their “large army’s” strength during the day. After all, as excellent mercenaries, they couldn’t only operate at night, right? “Oh my god! We can really capture our own blood servants? Damn, I’m tempted again!” Meow King soon learned about the vampire race’s unique gameplay and lamented as if he had missed out on five million yuan. After all, as a flamboyant man who enjoyed exploring foot massage parlors, he shared the same depraved fantasies as other men. The absolute control an elder had over their offspring alone offered countless possibilities for indulgence. Of course, using common sense, even if the game development team did provide such an 18+ gaming experience, they would undoubtedly impose certain restrictions to prevent players from going too far and causing trouble. Even though Meow King was a player himself, he had no expectations for players’ moral boundaries. “It might just be pie in the sky,” he said sourly to the smug Invincible Tyrannosaurus Cheche beside him. “The development team might not even plan to implement this feature! I’m a professional in this area, I know how complex the algorithms required to achieve something like this are. Tsk, this feature might not even be available by the time the game goes into open beta.” “Tsk, someone’s getting sour grapes, but I won’t say who,” Cheche snorted, baring his teeth and making faces. “Just wait until I’ve raised my blood servant, and I’ll bring them for you to sample. I’m sure I can find another E-Sister like Adele while traveling the world. Don’t get too jealous then. Hehehe, it’s better to lack than to be promiscuous!” “Why would I be jealous? Look, I’ll go offline and find a real ‘E-Sister’ right away. Tsk, dare you? You’re just a kid.” “W-Why wouldn’t I dare? I just can’t be bothered. Hmph, don’t you understand chastity?” “Uh-huh, a college student without a girlfriend saying that sounds so tough.”