"If Blood Clan are truly involved in this, then their intentions are truly despicable." Maxwell's expression was icy.
Cynthia shook her head, a hint of worry flashing in her gem-like eyes. "This matter must be handled with utmost care. It's also possible that Ashes deliberately framed the Blood Clan to incite internal strife within the Alliance. That organization is full of outright desperados and chaos-mongers who thrive on disorder and are capable of anything."
Maxwell nodded slightly, suppressing the anger between his brows. "Hmm, you make a good point. Let the Ninth Security Bureau investigate first. But before that, the Alliance forces must immediately go on high alert."
"A state of combat readiness? Isn't that going a bit too far..." Cynthia asked hesitantly, startled.
"No, I have a feeling that what happened today is just the beginning, and the mastermind behind it has not yet revealed their true methods." A trace of solemnity flashed across Maxwell's eyes, a rare expression for Moon Breaker.
Cynthia gazed intently and asked, "Do you suspect there's a bigger conspiracy behind this explosion?"
Maxwell sneered, "With the final exploration approaching, ambitious individuals are getting restless, and shifts in the dimensional situation are perfectly normal. Just in case, even if the mastermind behind this stops here, the Alliance must prepare."
"Is it necessary to convene a top-level meeting?"
"Hold the meeting. Don't notify the Blood Clan. Although the explosion resulted in the loss of too many biochemical experts, the initial research is enough to prove that the Blood Clan ' special constitution makes them immune to this virus. While it's possible that this involves Ashes's conspiracy, we can't rule out the possibility that the Blood Clan themselves were the masterminds behind it all..."
In short, Maxwell's attitude is singular: he has an extreme distrust of the Blood Clan!
"... Well, alright!" Faced with the strong stance of the pillar of the nation, Cynthia could only nod helplessly.
"In addition, issue a call for submissions across the entire plane, inviting biochemical experts with generous compensation to come and develop a virus vaccine as soon as possible."
"Clear!"
Blood Sea surged, dark red permeated every inch of space, and an aura of fear filled every nook and cranny.
Space distorted, and a round table covered with golden Rose patterns appeared in mid-air, surrounded by twelve huge wooden seats. Among them, three seats were the most prominent and tall, representing the status of their owners.
One after another, blood-red shadows descended from nowhere; they were all avatars, without physical form.
There were ten people in total, but only one of the three thrones was occupied.
"Greetings, Blood Ancestor!"
The other nine blood-red figures bowed their heads toward the throne.
The Third Blood Ancestor waved his hand, "The First Blood Ancestor and Second Blood Ancestor are both asleep. I will preside over this meeting as well."
The others had no objections, since this had been the case for many years. Two of the three Blood Ancestors were in a long-term slumber, and only the Third Blood Ancestor was relatively active, making the final decisions on major matters.
"Blood Ancestor, according to intelligence from below, the Alliance's higher-ups suspect that we deliberately spread the K11 Virus. Just now, humanity unilaterally convened a supreme meeting without informing us." A blood-red figure on the left spoke in a low voice, ethereal and unpredictable, its gender unclear.
These words caused the atmosphere to become tense. Over the years, under their watchful eyes, the relationship between humans and Blood Clan had become increasingly strained, and this was not the first time such a thing had happened.
"So, did you do it?" The Third Blood Ancestor asked coldly, his tone devoid of any emotion.
One of the Blood Shadows immediately said, "It definitely won't be me. Blood Ancestor, you know me. I strongly oppose severing ties with humans, so it's impossible for me to do such a thing! It's Karen Morgan who's always shouting that humans are monkeys and wants to completely eliminate them. He has plenty of motive for doing this."
Upon hearing this, one of the blood-red figures immediately stood up and said in an icy voice, "Kudolin Locke, do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course I know what I mean," Kudolin retorted immediately. "I wasn't wrong in the first place. Weren't you planning to go to war with humanity all along? What? Are you chickening out now?"
Karen Morgan stared intently at the man she loathed, gritting her teeth as she said, "While I despise ungrateful humans, I'm not so irrational as to rashly start a civil war without proper preparation. It will only result in mutual destruction. I, Karen, will never make such a foolish move."
"Who knows? Maybe these are all excuses you prepared long ago." Kudolin Locke, his scoundrel-like manner almost making Karen Morgan shove her fist into his mouth. This bastard was too infuriating.
The two old rivals were arguing, and Blood Shadow, standing by, acted as a bystander, watching their quarrel without saying a word. Of course, they weren't just there for the spectacle; while watching, they were also observing Karen and Kudolin's various behaviors and trying to decipher their words.
Any unusual behavior from the two would be immediately noticed, leading to countless speculations.
"Alright, you two shut up!" The Third Blood Ancestor spoke up in time, ending the argument between the two Blood Clan leaders.
With his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, the Third Blood Ancestor's gaze shifted to a blood-red shadow behind him on his right.
"Weier'nisi, you control the largest intelligence network. Tell me what you know."
"Yes, Blood Clan Lord!"
Weier'nisi stood up, looked around, and then spoke, "According to known intelligence, the K11 Virus originated from Planet Hundred Birds in the Third Star Sector, and then spread to the Crimson Continent via the 128th Route, after which it spiraled out of control."
"Initially, the K11 Virus only infected ordinary people, but soon it was able to infect Transcendent beings as well, and its infectivity became stronger and stronger. At this rate, it won't be long before the K11 Virus spreads throughout the entire Alliance, causing at least tens of millions of deaths."
"Furthermore, research has shown that our Blood Clan possesses innate immunity to the K11 Virus. Coincidentally, this immune gene fragment, because it belongs to a core life structure, cannot be preserved through the production of serum."
"In other words, only Blood Clan possess the key to control the virus, and this key naturally excludes groups other than Blood Clan, primarily humans!"
After Weier'nisi finished speaking, his voice became much lower. Given his mental fortitude, one can imagine the extent of the impact this event had on the Blood Clan.
"So that's how it is! Now that Weier'nisi says it, I'm starting to suspect that the K11 Virus is a bioweapon created by our Blood Clan. What a coincidence!" one of the vampires exclaimed, then looked at Karen Morgan, "Really not you, Karen? This kind of insidious and cunning method... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."
Karen Morgan's forehead veins bulged, her fists clenched, but she still gritted her teeth and calmly said, "No, it was me!"
"Oh, alright. Actually, what I was thinking was, even if it's you, it's already done, we can't kill you, right?" the Blood Shadow said again, seemingly on Karen's side, but anyone could hear the hidden meaning in his words.
Upon hearing this, all eyes turned to Karen Morgan, and the suspicion grew even stronger.
Karen bore the weight of those gazes and remained silent for a moment.
Heaven has mercy. Although he secretly planned many schemes to sever ties with humanity, none of them were formally implemented and were still in the preparation stage. After all, it wasn't just the humans who didn't want to start a civil war; the Blood Clan were also afraid. With the size of the Crimson Alliance, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a civil war would be devastating.
"Alright, stop guessing, I know who it is!" the Third Blood Ancestor suddenly spoke up.
The other blood-red figures immediately turned their gazes in that direction.
"Who is it?" Karen Morgan gritted her teeth, feeling truly awful to be wrongly accused.
The Third Blood Ancestor remained silent, raised his right hand, and gently waved it. The hazy blood mist above dissipated, and a gray-black portal quietly appeared. Then it opened, and a figure wearing a black iron mask and shrouded in thick gray haze walked out.
"Sun Eclipse, long time no see!"
The Third Blood Ancestor's deep voice echoed softly in the ears of the Blood Clan elites.
Like a Thunderclap exploding in their ears, the nine people, including Karen Morgan and Kudolin Locke, were greatly shocked, their bewildered gazes fixed on the gray figure in the sky.
It's no wonder they reacted that way.
The visitor's identity speaks for itself.
Compared to the Sun Eclipser, the leader of the Ashes, and the number one terrorist in the Elven Plane, Annula is just a minor character.
"It seems that our Blood Clan has been outmaneuvered by the Ashes this time!" The Third Blood Ancestor narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them. His scarlet pupils seemed to be brimming with a heaven-shattering sharpness, as if he were about to unleash a world-shaking attack at the slightest provocation.
The three Blood Ancestors were all Peak Demigod; none of them were weak.
Among them, the Third Blood Ancestor is generally recognized as having the strongest single-target attack power; simply put, he is the most adept at one-on-one combat.
The Second Blood Ancestor possesses the ability to inflict damage over a wide area.
The First Blood Ancestor is the most mysterious, seemingly skilled in a little bit of everything.
"Scheming?" The Sun Eclipser chuckled, his voice sounding like sandpaper being rubbed, quite unique.
"I'm more inclined to believe this is the beginning of cooperation between the Ashes and the Blood Clan!"
"You seem quite confident." The Third Blood Ancestor sneered and launched a fierce attack.
"If you want to cooperate, you'll have to take my hit first!"
Clang!!
Thin, thread-like crimson rays appeared in a cross shape, and everything around them collapsed—space, blood mist, elements, matter... In the end, they condensed into a seemingly inconspicuous cross-shaped crimson ray.
A crimson light appeared, vanished in an instant, and then appeared behind the Sun Eclipser without warning the next moment.
"A slash that ignores distance, interesting!"
The haze floated, like ripples on the sea. When the crimson light came into contact with it, it was instantly stained, and then disappeared into the haze, as if nothing had ever happened.
Only when everyone looks up and sees the two spatial rifts, each thousands of kilometers long, that have silently opened up in the sky, will they realize just how powerful this inconspicuous cross-shaped blood-red light truly is.
Yet, this powerful attack was silently neutralized by the Sun Eclipser. Judging from its calm demeanor, it likely still had some strength left.
"It seems you are about to complete your Divinity Sublimation!" the Third Blood Ancestor said coldly.
"Still far from it. The closer one gets to the gods, the more one realizes one's own insignificance. Once you reach that realm, a mere hair's breadth is the difference between heaven and earth." The Sun Eclipser sighed, then naturally took his seat in the position of the Second Blood Ancestor.
The Third Blood Ancestor did not object to this.
Not falling to the position of the First Blood Ancestor is already considered a gesture of goodwill from this Sun Eclipser towards the Blood Clan.
"The matter has come to this point; what's done is done. I believe you have already made your decision regarding the future of the Blood Clan?"
"It is a matter of great importance to the entire clan, and I cannot make a decision on it," said the Third Blood Ancestor.
"Then why not ask the First Blood Ancestor?" The Sun Eclipser smiled, his words carrying a mysterious depth.
The Third Blood Ancestor's heart stirred slightly. Could it be that the First Blood Ancestor had already formed a tacit understanding with Ashes?
If that's the case, then the separation of the Blood Clan from humans will be inevitable.
The First Blood Ancestor was the one who single-handedly made the Blood Clan powerful, and even the Third Blood Ancestor admired his wisdom.
Moreover, what others may not know, the Third Blood Ancestor does know: the First Blood Ancestor was quite accomplished in the art of Fate, and was considered one of the top diviners in the Elven Plane.
The decision made by the First Blood Ancestor was almost equivalent to the supreme will of the Blood Clan.
With this thought in mind, the Third Blood Ancestor stirred his will, which drifted and traversed space to arrive at an unknown place.
This place seemed to be at the end of the world, shrouded in darkness, so dark that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, not a single ray of light could be seen, as if everything had been buried.
"Brother!" The Third Blood Ancestor bowed his head slightly, not because he was weaker than the First Blood Ancestor, but out of respect for the latter.
After a long silence, a hollow voice rang out, "Is it about cooperating with the Ashes?"
The Third Blood Ancestor nodded slightly and bowed, saying, "Yes, the Sun Eclipser has descended upon the Blood Shadow Space. Judging from his words, it seems you have reached some kind of consensus with the Ashes?"
"He lied to you!" said the First Blood Ancestor.
"What?" The Third Blood Ancestor was furious, but his anger quickly vanished as the First Blood Ancestor followed up with his words.
"But we do need to cooperate with the Ashes."
"Have you... discovered something?"
"I guess so. Do you remember what I told you?"
"You said that in the Mist of the future, the Elven Plane will face calamity, and many Child of Destiny will appear." The Third Blood Ancestor's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled the boy that Kudolin had mentioned to him a few months ago. If he remembered correctly, his name was Lancelot Terra, a Quebec People.
"Child of Destiny generally do not appear. They uphold the World Will and consume the potential of the entire world. Only when they encounter certain calamities or when the world's accumulation is exceptionally abundant will Child of Destiny be born." The First Blood Ancestor seemed to gradually awaken from his slumber. His words became more numerous and clearer, and he gradually shed the hollow tone he had at the beginning.
"When Child of Destiny appears in a cluster in a certain era, it signifies impending catastrophe. In my observation, among the countless possibilities for the future, cooperating with the Ashes is one of the best options for the Blood Clan."
"But isn't Ashes a terrorist organization? Cooperating with them..." The Third Blood Ancestor frowned. Although the Blood Clan were once part of the dark world, a thousand years had passed, and the Blood Clan had reformed and turned over a new leaf.
Cooperating with the Ashes would be tantamount to willingly plunging into darkness and going against the tide of the international community.
The First Blood Ancestor did not provide an answer to the Third Blood Ancestor's questions, perhaps because he himself did not know, but he chose to follow the dictates of Fate.
"Go ahead, treat it as a gamble, and the god of Fate will be on our side."
"Yes, elder brother!"
Just as the First Blood Ancestor believed in the guidance of Fate, the Third Blood Ancestor chose to wholeheartedly believe in his elder brother, who had single-handedly guided him to the Peak Demigod status and developed the Blood Clan into a powerful force.
The will breaks free from the darkness.
The Third Blood Ancestor on the throne slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the Sun Eclipser beside him, seemingly trying to see through the haze and mask to discern the hidden face. Unfortunately, he could see nothing but emptiness.
"So? What's the First Blood Ancestor's decision...?"
The words of the Sun Eclipser caused everyone around the round table to look at the Third Blood Ancestor.
The latter paused for a moment, then slowly said, "It's a pleasure to cooperate!"
Upon hearing this, Kudolin Locke's pupils contracted sharply. He knew all too well the turmoil that the Third Blood Ancestor's words would unleash.
Ashes orchestrated the virus incident, and the leader even personally descended to force the Blood Clan to cooperate with him. Therefore, the development of the situation is very clear: the countdown to the break between the Blood Clan and humans has officially begun.
"Since you are a collaborator, can you tell us about Ashes's plan?" The Third Blood Ancestor stared at the Sun Eclipser, his pupils flickering with blood-red light like flames.
"Don't rush. I will inform you when the time is right. Right now, there's only one thing you Blood Clan need to do: mobilize all resources and prepare. The opportunity for chaos is coming soon!"
After saying this, the Sun Eclipser chuckled softly and suddenly disappeared.
The feeling was like merging into the space.
The Third Blood Ancestor snorted coldly, turned his head, and looked at the crowd with their various expressions. "Since you've made your decision, then everything should be for the sake of your clan. The Alliance can be rebuilt if it's gone. Don't forget your identity, especially you, Kudolin. You should stop your underhanded tricks immediately."
"... Understood!" Kudolin Locke lowered his head, concealing his pained expression.
Time flies.
Before he knew it, Lancelot had already graduated for almost half a year.
During this time, he continued to live in the Sea Lake Villa, spending his days not only training and cultivating, but also connecting with Zyra and Mona.
Once adults break through that barrier, many things become natural, which is why Zyra would come to Lancelot every now and then to have various kinds of exchanges.
Sometimes on the training field, sometimes on a large, soft bed.
The process was quite intense, and a lot of things were broken.
On this day, after a fierce competition, the woman, seemingly without a second thought, walked out of the bedroom, dressed scantily, and came to the living room to enjoy the delicious food cooked by Christine.
After a while, Lancelot, with his messy hair and dark circles under his eyes, came out. Without even glancing at the stunning figure whose cleavage was just beginning to reveal her, he went to the safe, opened it, and took out a blue and white potion.
"Are you going to awaken a new Ability Energy?" Zyra appeared beside him in a flash, holding a fruit platter in her hand, her cheeks bulging like a hamster.
"Obviously," Lancelot said casually, yawning as he walked towards the stairs, preparing to go to the Totem World.
"Are you alright in this state?" Zyra frowned, watching the man's retreating figure.
Lancelot paused, looking at Zyra with a rather dangerous gaze. "What did you say? Say it again?"
Men hate hearing their women say "no" the most.
Lancelot was no exception.
Zyra realized the inappropriateness of her words, but being the stubborn person she was, she retorted with a stiff neck, "Didn't you hear me? I'm asking you if it's okay!"
As soon as she finished speaking, her body felt light as she was lifted up in a hug.
Bang!
The door was slammed shut, and then...
Night!
On the campus path, Lancelot walked slowly, with Zyra beside him, wearing a white trench coat, white shirt, and black trousers, her hair loose. This woman was worried about him and insisted on walking with him.
The moonlight, as beautiful as a silver river, fell in fine threads, like a curtain or veil, draping over the two of them.
Lancelot turned his head to look, and the woman's exquisite face appeared even more beautiful under the silvery light. Her loose hair was gently swaying in the wind, giving her an unusual softness that enhanced her charm, which was usually associated with a heroic and dashing image.
"What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen me with my hair all messed up?" Zyra sneered.
Lancelot knew this stubborn woman all too well, and didn't mind her irritating tone at all. He smiled and said, "I never thought you looked so good with your hair down. You're beautiful!"
As the saying goes, sincerity is the ultimate weapon.
Lancelot's words were absolutely sincere.
Therefore, as soon as she finished speaking, Zyra, who was usually very carefree, turned her head unnaturally, which made Lancelot next to her click his tongue in amazement. "Rare indeed, very rare indeed."
They bickered and played around all the way to the Totem World, directly reaching the highest level corresponding to level 21 permissions.
Since he has a year of free access, he doesn't need to worry about consuming credits.
As for Zyra, she didn't care about those credits.
My mom's happiness is the most important thing!
Sitting cross-legged, Lancelot took out the potion, pulled out the cork, and drank it!
The medication took effect immediately upon entering the stomach.
Blue and white lightning surged forth, enveloping him in a ball of electricity. The crackling and popping sounds were deafening. Zyra's expression turned serious, her attention completely focused on Lancelot, ready to act at the slightest sign of trouble.
However, it's clear that Lancelot won't give her that chance.
Having awakened his Ability Energy multiple times, he is quite adept at it.
For ordinary people, awakening Ability Energy may become increasingly dangerous as time goes on, but Lancelot has the help of two other clones.
Both Logo's superior expertise in "bloodline studies" and Gustavo's experience in devouring gene fragments can greatly reduce the risk of him awakening new Ability Energy.
As consciousness rose, within his mind's space, a colossal thunder dragon roared madly, baring its fangs and claws as it charged toward Lancelot's soul core. However, in an instant, Iron Fist descended from the sky, shattering the remaining dragon's will with a single punch.
The gene chain trembled as it began to absorb the power of the completely ownerless bloodline, and a brand new organ formed in Lancelot's throat.
It resembles a fleshy sac, with dense dragon runes covering its surface. Inside are tens of thousands of fine channels that extend to the throat and even the mouth, giving Lancelot the ability to breathe like True Dragon.
After a long while, he opened his eyes.
My throat felt itchy, so I coughed unconsciously.
Result!
Boom!
A bolt of lightning shot out, creating a charred crater in the ground.
New Ability Energy: [Lightning Breath]!