Chapter 18: Blade Comes Calling! Progenitors Will — Kneel!
New York, Brooklyn.
In the early morning, sunlight spilled onto the windowsill of the Villa, and Li Heng was facing a problem even trickier than fighting the Old Gods —
Cooking.
"This fire... should it be turned up high or low?"
He stood in front of the stove, holding a spatula in his left hand and turning the knob with his right, while three eggs in the frying pan in front of him were charring at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Sizzle —"
Smoke rose, eggshell fragments mixed into the egg whites, and the whole kitchen was filled with a suspicious burnt smell.
"Li Heng! The pan is smoking!"
Wanda rushed in from the living room, saw the tragic state on the stove, and her mouth twitched fiercely.
"Don't move! Let me do it!"
"No need, I can handle it —"
"You can handle your head! Last time you made that lump of black charcoal, Pietro had diarrhea for three days after eating it!"
"That was because his digestion was bad, it has nothing to do with my craftsmanship."
"You put the eggshells inside and it has nothing to do with craftsmanship?!"
Wanda snatched the spatula away, cleared the stove in two or three moves, cracked three new eggs, and her movements were smooth and flowing, done in one go.
Two minutes later —
Three golden, plump fried eggs were neatly placed on the plate.
"...How do you know how to do everything?" Li Henglooked at the three perfect fried eggs, and his heart suffered a critical hit.
"Because I've had to take care of myself and Pietro since I was a child." Wanda pushed the plate in front of him, "When it was just the two of us depending on each other, if we didn't know how to cook, we'd starve to death."
Speaking of this, her voice became a little lighter, and a trace of imperceptible desolation flashed across the depths of her eyes.
Li Heng saw it.
He was silent for two seconds, and then said something Wanda completely didn't expect —
"Then I'll learn in the future."
"What?"
"Cooking." Li Heng lowered his head to eat, the tips of his ears slightly red, "You can't cook for a lifetime. I have to learn eventually, so that on days when you're not around, I can only eat instant noodles."
Wanda was stunned for three seconds, and then the corners of her mouth uncontrollably turned up, curving into an arc that she couldn't hide no matter what.
"Then I'll wait."
"Waiting to eat the fried eggs you make — the kind without eggshells."
"...I said that was an accident!"
The two bickered, and the morning light illuminated the entire kitchen warmly.
Pietro rushed down from upstairs, glanced at the fried eggs on the table, then glanced at the bickering pair, silently picked up a sandwich, and turned to leave.
"I'm heading out — you guys continue — pretend I don't exist —"
"Bang —" The door closed.
Wanda and Li Heng looked at each other and laughed out loud at the same time.
[Ding! Daily interaction detected — Host and heroine having breakfast together, atmosphere index: extremely high!]
[Wanda's favorability slightly increased! Current favorability — gratitude +85, trust +94, dependence +82, heartbeat +89!]
['Heartbeat' value continues to climb! Only 1 point away from the 90 mark! Host, keep it up!]
[System warm reminder: When the 'Heartbeat' value exceeds 90, the blood pact ring will unlock the second-stage ability — 'Soul Resonance'! At that time, the host and heroine can perform soul synchronization in battle, stacking combat power — 1+1 > 3!]
After reading the prompt, Li Heng felt pretty good.
Everything was moving in a good direction — Wanda's Chaos Magic was becoming more and more stable, the link of the blood pact ring was getting deeper, Morbius was also behaving himself under his control, and none of the thirty-seven vampire nodes in New York were making trouble —
Years were peaceful.
He really wanted it to stay peaceful like this.
But —
This world did not allow it.
"Buzz —!"
The Progenitors Will suddenly transmitted an extremely strong signal!
Not from inside New York —
But from — outside!
A vampire signal approaching New York at high speed!
Level — B-grade!
And —
The emotion of this signal was not awe, not fear, not asking for help —
Instead, it was —
Killing intent!
Pure, undisguised killing intent toward all vampires!
"What's going on?" Wanda instantly perceived the change in Li Heng's mood.
"Trouble is coming." Li Heng put down his fork, his dark golden vertical pupils slightly contracted, "A B-grade half-blood vampire — moving toward Brooklyn."
"He's carrying a very strong killing intent."
"And —"
He closed his eyes and felt the characteristics of that signal —
Mixed energy fluctuations of half-human and half-vampire.
Carrying a large amount of silver weapons and garlic-refined preparation aura on his body.
And a faint, but definitely unmistakable —
Anti-vampire serum taste.
"He's a hunter." Li Heng opened his eyes, his voice sinking.
"A hunter who specializes in hunting vampires."
Wanda's expression also changed: "Is he coming for you?"
"Not necessarily for me — but definitely for the vampires in New York." Li Heng stood up, "After the Progenitors Willwas activated, the vampire energy fluctuations in the entire New York have intensified. For a professional vampirehunter, this is like a bonfire in the dark night — it's hard not to notice."
He walked to the window and pulled back the curtains —
On the distant street, a black figure was moving at high speed.
Leather jacket, sunglasses, a silver longsword slung diagonally across his back, several silver daggers tucked at his waist —
The speed of that figure far exceeded ordinary people, but it wasn't entirely a vampire's way of moving — rather, it was a unique footwork somewhere between human and bloodline.
Fast, ruthless, precise.
Every movement was optimized for slaughter.
Li Heng recognized him.
How could he not recognize him —
The most famous vampire hunter in the Marvel Universe —
Blade.
Eric Brooks.
[Ding! Target information identified —]
[Name: Eric Brooks / Blade]
[Race: Half-vampire (A posthumous child born after the human mother was bitten by a vampire)]
[Level: B+ grade]
[Abilities: Daywalker ability (half-blood advantage, not weakened by sunlight), super strength and speed, accelerated healing, immunity to vampire conversion, perception of vampire presence]
[Equipment: Silver longsword, silver daggers, garlic spray, UV grenades, anti-vampire serum, etc.]
[Current status: Combat mode — 100% killing intent!]
[System reminder — Blade is one of the most threatening hunters to vampires in the Marvel Universe! His special half-human half-blood physique gives him both the power of a vampire and immunity to anti-vampire weapons — silverware, garlic, ultraviolet light are almost ineffective against him! Moreover, he is naturally immune to the mental suppression of the Progenitors Will — because the 'human' component in his bloodline is greater than the 'vampire' component!]
[In other words — the Progenitors Will can only play an 'interference' role against him, and cannot directly suppress him like it did to Morbius!]
[Win rate evaluation — Under the premise that the host's current combat power is suppressed by the daily life state — 61%. If entering full combat state — 89%.]
[However — the system does not recommend the host having a full-scale conflict with Blade! Reason — Blade is not a bad guy! He is an anti-hero! He only kills evil vampires and never harms innocent humans! There is no fundamental hostile reason between him and the host!]
[Suggestion — Communication first! Fight only if absolutely necessary!]
Li Heng looked at the four words "Communication first", and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
Of course he knew Blade wasn't a bad guy — this guy was a proper anti-hero in Marvel, killing bad vampires during the day, continuing to kill bad vampires at night, and occasionally teaming up with the Midnight Sons to beat up demons and stuff.
The problem was —
Could Blade tell the difference between good vampires and bad vampires?
In the perception of most vampire hunters, there are only two kinds of vampires —
Dead ones, and about-to-be-dead ones.
"I'll go out and handle it." Li Heng said to Wanda.
"I —"
"You stay home." Li Heng looked back at her, his tone unquestionable, "This person specializes in killing vampires, and you have no resistance to his silverware and UV grenades. And —"
He pointed to the dark golden ring on Wanda's left ring finger.
"With the blood pact ring, if I really encounter danger, you'll be able to sense it immediately. It won't be too late to come help then."
Wanda bit her lip and finally nodded.
"Then be careful."
"Don't worry. Dealing with a half-blood little hunter — the Progenitor doesn't need to use full force."
Li Heng put on his sneakers and walked out of the Villadoor.
...
On the streets of Brooklyn, the sunlight was just right.
Li Heng stood at his front door, hands in his pockets, watching that black figure get closer and closer.
Blade obviously saw him too —
His footsteps paused.
The eyes behind the sunglasses narrowed slightly, and his nostrils flared a few times — he was sniffing the bloodline aura on Li Heng.
Then —
His hand pressed onto the silver longsword behind his back.
"vampire." Blade's voice was low and cold, as if squeezed out from between his teeth, "And — a very high-level vampire."
"The vampire energy emanating from your body — is stronger than any I've ever met in my life."
"What are you?"
Li Heng shrugged: "I'm an ordinary person living in Brooklyn, usually liking to sleep in, eat instant noodles, and occasionally cook — although I'm terrible at it."
"As for the vampire identity — consider it an occupational hazard, I can't help it either."
Blade's brow furrowed even tighter — he couldn't tell whether Li Heng was joking or mocking.
"A large amount of vampire energy fluctuations appeared in New York over the past week — at least thirty vampireindividuals." He slowly pulled out the silver longsword behind his back, the Blade reflecting dazzling light in the sunlight.
"I came here to clean them up."
"And you — are the one with the strongest energy among these vampires."
"So —"
The longsword pointed at Li Heng.
"You are my primary target to clean up."
Li Heng looked at the silver sword, the smile on his face remained unchanged, but deep within his dark golden vertical pupils, a trace of cold light flashed.
"Are you sure you want to fight me?"
"I'll give you a suggestion — put the sword away, let's go to that coffee shop next door and sit down to talk. I'll treat you to an Americano, you tell me why you came to New York, and I'll tell you the situation of these vampires. Everyone is a civilized person —"
"Civilized?"
Blade sneered.
"The words vampire and civilized shouldn't appear in the same sentence."
"I've seen too many 'civilized' vampires — wearing suits during the day, sucking the blood of innocents at night. I won't believe a single word you say."
"So —"
His killing intent soared!
"There is only one way to make you stop harming people —"
"Kill you all."
Before the words fell —
Blade moved!
"Whoosh —!"
His speed was astonishing — the half-blood physique gave him explosive power beyond ordinary people, rushing from twenty meters away to Li Heng in a split second!
The silver longsword drew a sharp arc, aiming straight for Li Heng's neck —
This was meant to be a decapitation strike!
But —
"Clang —!"
A crisp sound of metal collision!
Li Heng raised his right hand, two fingers — index and middle finger — precisely clamping the Blade of the silver longsword!
With just a gentle pinch —
Blade's full-strength swing was casually neutralized!
"What —!"
Blade's pupils shrank violently!
He felt the terrifying force coming from Li Heng's fingers — that was not the power of an ordinary vampire, but an absolute suppression that was deeper, more ancient, and seemed to come from the source of the bloodline!
"I said —" Li Heng's voice was as calm as water, without a ripple, "Are you sure you want to fight me?"
"I'm giving you a chance — I'm not begging you."
His fingers applied a little force —
"Crack —!"
The silver longsword — shattered!
It broke from the middle, and the tip flew out, embedding itself deeply into a utility pole ten meters away!
Blade subconsciously took three steps back, his right hand already reaching for the silver daggers at his waist —
But Li Heng didn't pursue.
He didn't even move — just stood in place, putting his hands back into his pockets, looking at Blade with the gaze of someone looking at a disobedient child.
"I'll ask you again — do you want to sit down and talk?"
Blade's breathing quickened slightly, but the eyes behind the sunglasses remained cold.
He didn't answer — instead, he pulled out all the silver daggers at his waist, while his left hand pulled a UV grenade out of his pocket!
"You guy —" Li Heng sighed, "Why don't you listen to advice?"
Blade pulled the pin of the grenade without hesitation —
"Boom —!"
Dazzling ultraviolet light exploded!
Ultraviolet light equivalent to one thousand times the intensity of midday sunlight instantly enveloped a radius of ten meters — this was the ultimate weapon designed specifically to eliminate vampires, and even B-grade vampires would be reduced to ashes within three seconds under this intensity of ultraviolet light!
But —
Li Heng stood at the very center of the ultraviolet light, completely unharmed.
A trace of dark golden light enveloped the surface of his body — that was the natural protective layer of the Progenitor Bloodline. After the bloodline awakening degree reached 0.5%, ordinary sunlight was already ineffective against him, and ultraviolet light —
"This is not bad." Li Heng even reached out, shaking his hand in the ultraviolet light, "Pretty warm. Feels just like sunbathing."
Blade was completely stunned.
UV grenade — ineffective against a Progenitor-level vampire?!
That's impossible!
In his many years of hunting career, no vampire had ever been able to emerge unscathed under a UV grenade — even B-grade veteran vampires would be severely burned!
And the person in front of him —
Actually said "Pretty warm"???
"What on earth... are you?" Blade's voice wavered for the first time.
"I said — I'm an ordinary person living in Brooklyn." Li Heng walked toward him step by step, "The difference is — I happen to be the progenitor of all vampires in the world."
"Those low-level vampires you killed — from a bloodline hierarchy perspective, are all my descendants."
"So — in a sense, you coming to New York to kill vampires is equivalent to making trouble in my territory."
"I didn't stop you — because if those vampires really harmed people, they deserved to be killed."
"But now you've pointed your sword at me — and I haven't harmed anyone."
"That's where you're wrong."
He stopped in front of Blade, less than a meter apart.
His dark golden vertical pupils stared directly into the eyes behind the sunglasses —
"Last time — sit down and talk?"
Silence.
A full ten seconds of silence.
Then —
Blade slowly lowered the silver daggers in his hand.
Not because of fear — but because his hunter's intuition told him that the vampire in front of him was telling the truth.
If he wanted to kill him — he could have done it the moment he clamped that sword.
He didn't.
"...Fine." Blade said in a low voice, "I'll listen to what you have to say."
...
Ten minutes later.
Villa living room.
Blade sat on the sofa, his muscles still tense, like a Black Panther ready to pounce at any moment.
His sunglasses were removed, revealing a pair of deep and sharp brown eyes.
Wanda brought two cups of coffee over, placed them on the coffee table, and then quietly sat down next to Li Heng.
On the ring finger of her left hand, a dark golden ring shimmered slightly under the light.
Blade's gaze lingered on that ring for a transient moment — he felt the faint vampire energy on it, but more than that — it was a warm, vibrant vitality.
That was not a curse — that was a blessing.
"Speak," he picked up the coffee and took a sip, "What on earth is going on with you?"
Li Heng leaned back on the sofa and simply explained the whole story — how he transmigrated, how he awakened the Progenitor Bloodline, how he repelled Chthon, how he subdued Morbius, and how he became the new Progenitor of global vampires.
Of course, he omitted many details — such as the existence of the system, the specific functions of the blood pact ring, and the "reward" mentioned by Chthon.
Some things were unnecessary to let a newly acquainted person know.
After listening, Blade remained silent for a long time.
"You mean — — Dracula will never be resurrected again?"
"Right. His resurrection coordinates have been covered by my bloodline. Unless I die — — otherwise he will never come back."
"..."
The corners of Blade's mouth twitched slightly — Li Hengwas not sure if that was the embryonic form of a smile.
Dracula — — the name he hated for a lifetime.
His mother was bitten by Dracula's subordinates — he was infected in his mother's womb and came into this world in a half-human, half-blood posture. His mother did not survive the night he was born.
Ever since then — — wiping out all vampires became his lifelong obsession.
But now — —
Someone told him that Dracula would never come back.
Replaced by a young man wearing a hoodie, eating instant noodles, and cooking for his girlfriend — —
This young man did not want to rule the world, did not want to build a vampire empire, and did not even want to be any Progenitor — — he just wanted to live a quiet life.
"You are making things very difficult for me," Blade finally said such a sentence.
"How so?"
"I kill vampires — — only those who harm people," his voice was low, "But if even you, the Progenitor, do not harm people... Then why should I kill you?"
"But what about those vampires you manage? Can you guarantee that every single one of them does not harm people?"
Li Heng shook his head: "I cannot guarantee it. There are too many vampires, at least tens of thousands globally — — my current Progenitor Will can only cover a fifty-kilometer range in New York. Beyond this range, I cannot manage them."
"But within my range — —" he emphasized his tone, "Any vampire who harms people, I will deal with personally."
"Morbius is now stable — — his bloodlust has been suppressed by me. The other thirty-six C-class and D-class low-level vampires — — I can monitor their status at any time. Once anyone loses control, I will know the first time."
"So — — your trip to New York is most likely a wasted trip."
Blade pondered for a moment, and then stated a problem that Li Heng did not expect — —
"You can manage New York — — but you cannot manage other places."
"Tens of thousands of vampires globally — — if they find out that a new Progenitor has appeared, what will happen?"
Li Heng's expression changed slightly.
"Will they come to worship you — — or will they come to challenge you?"
"Or else — — will someone use your name to do things you cannot control at all?"
These words were like a basin of cold water poured over Li Heng's head.
He really hadn't thought about this problem before — — he had always regarded the identity of the "new Progenitor" as a passively acquired label, feeling that as long as he didn't actively exercise power, there wouldn't be trouble.
But Blade's words reminded him — —
You don't look for trouble, trouble looks for you.
The Progenitor's name is not a label — — it is a double-edged sword.
It can allow you to control all blood kindred — — and it can also make all blood kindred target you.
"You are right," Li Heng took a deep breath, "I really need to consider this matter."
"But I don't have a concrete plan yet — — global vampiremanagement cannot be sorted out in a day or two."
Blade nodded: "I can help you."
Li Heng was stunned: "You help me? Aren't you a vampirekiller?"
"I kill vampires that harm people," Blade corrected, "If a vampire Progenitor is willing to restrain his own race and not let them harm people — — then the vampires I kill will be much fewer."
"My goal is to make vampires no longer harm people — — no matter what method is used. Wiping them all out is one way — — having someone manage them is also a way."
"If the latter is feasible — — I am willing to try."
When he said this, his expression was still cold and hard, but his tone rarely had a hint of... compromise?
Or rather — — hope.
A person who hunted vampires for a lifetime finally saw a possibility of solving problems without relying on slaughter.
[Ding! Blade's attitude changed — — from 'hostile' to 'neutral leaning friendly'!]
[Potential ally unlocked — — Eric Brooks (Blade)!]
[Ally bonus — — Blade's 'vampire Hunting' skill can form a perfect complement with the host's 'Progenitor Will'! The host is responsible for controlling the blood kindred, and Blade is responsible for clearing out out-of-control individuals that cannot be controlled! Clear division of labor, maximization of efficiency!]
[System evaluation — — Host, you've struck gold again! Blade is one of the core figures of the Marvel dark Universe! With his cooperation, the difficulty of your blood kindred management will be reduced by at least 60%!]
Li Heng said "Got it" to the system in his heart, and then looked at Blade.
"Since you are going to help me — — there is something you must tell me first."
"Speak."
"Before you came to New York — — did you encounter any anomalies elsewhere? For example — — a certain vampirestronghold suddenly became very active? Or a certain blood kindred individual suddenly became very strong?"
The reason he asked this — — was because when the Progenitor Will was activated, apart from perceiving the thirty-seven nodes in New York, he also vaguely sensed some more distant and blurred signals.
Those signals came from Europe, Asia, South America — — extremely widely distributed, and the energy fluctuations of a few nodes were abnormally strong, as if stimulated by something.
And according to the previous system prompt — — the Blood Baron of Romania had already issued the "Global Pilgrimage" command.
If Dracula's old subordinates began to gather towards New York — —
Then the trouble was not "one" — —
But a storm.
Blade's expression changed slightly.
"You really did sense it," he said in a low voice, "Before I came to New York — — I encountered an incident in Europe."
"London's vampire underground organization — — has behaved themselves for the past five years and never crossed the line. But three days ago, they suddenly mobilized collectively. Everyone moved in the same direction."
"I asked an old vampire abandoned by them — — he said a new Progenitor had appeared, and they were going on a pilgrimage."
"At that time I thought Dracula had resurrected — — so I immediately rushed to New York."
"But now it seems — —"
He looked at Li Heng.
"The new Progenitor is you. And they — — are coming towards you."
Li Heng's pupils contracted slightly.
"How many?"
"I don't know the exact number — — but London alone has at least forty. Add Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo — —"
"Conservatively estimated — —"
"Hundreds."
Hundreds of vampires — — were gathering towards New York from all over the world.
And New York — — was his home.
The place where Wanda lived.
"Damn it."
Li Heng's fists clenched involuntarily.
The thing he least wanted to see — — was happening.
He didn't look for trouble, but trouble came looking for him — — and in a way he completely couldn't ignore.
If hundreds of vampires poured into New York — — Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't possibly fail to notice. The Avengers couldn't possibly sit idly by.
By then — — he wouldn't be "an ordinary vampire living in Brooklyn" anymore — —
He was the center of an international incident.
"I need more information," Li Heng stood up, "Blade — — you stay in New York. Help me monitor the blood kindred dynamics in Manhattan and Queens. If there are any anomalies, through — —"
He paused for a moment — — Blade did not have the linking function of the Progenitor Will, and could not communicate mentally with him directly like Morbius.
"Take this."
Li Heng reached out, and a drop of dark golden blood condensed at his fingertips — — that drop of blood suspended in the air, slowly solidifying into a dark golden ear stud.
"This is a beacon condensed from the Progenitor Blood — — put it on, and you can communicate with me one-way within a fifty-kilometer range. Call me if anything happens."
Blade looked at that ear stud, hesitated for a transient moment — — then reached out to take it, and pinned it on his left ear.
The dark golden ear stud formed a strange contrast with his black leather jacket — — the combination of a hardcore hunter and an ancient blood kindred.
"There is one more thing," Blade stopped when he reached the door and glanced back at Li Heng.
"You said over in Romania — — the Blood Baron issued a pilgrimage order?"
"Right."
"The Blood Baron is Dracula's most loyal subordinate — — his pilgrimage order has immense influence among global blood kindred. If you don't respond — — he will think you are not worthy of being the Progenitor."
"If he determines you are not worthy — —"
Blade's voice sank.
"He will come to take your blood — — and offer it to Dracula's residual will."
"Using your blood — — to forcibly resurrect Dracula."
Li Heng's expression suddenly turned stern!
Using your blood — — to resurrect Dracula?!
This — —
He only knew before that Dracula could not be resurrected because the resurrection coordinates had disappeared. But if there was a subordinate of the Blood Baron's level, using the new Progenitor's fresh blood as substitute coordinates — —
Then theoretically — —
Dracula could indeed be forcibly resurrected!
And the pilgrimage order issued by the Blood Baron to the globe — —
Might not be a "pilgrimage" at all — —
But rather — —
A hunt!
Hunt the new Progenitor — — resurrect the old Progenitor!
"I understand," Li Heng's voice grew cold.
"Thanks, Blade."
"...Call me Eric," Blade pushed open the door, "Since we are going to cooperate — — let's use real names."
"Alright, Eric," Li Heng nodded, "You can just call me Li Heng too. Don't call me any Progenitor — — it sounds tiring."
The corners of Eric Brooks's mouth twitched slightly — — that was probably the expression closest to a smile in his life.
Then he disappeared into the streets of Brooklyn.
After the door closed — —
Wanda walked to Li Heng's side and gently held his hand.
"Hundreds of vampires are coming to New York?"
"Mn."
"And someone wants to use your blood to resurrect Dracula?"
"Mn."
"...Are you still going to slack off?"
Li Heng looked at her — — in Wanda's eyes, there was worry, tension, but more than that was a silent trust.
She trusted him.
No matter what happened — — she believed he could handle it well.
"Slacking off still has to be done," Li Heng took a deep breath, the corners of his mouth curving into a helpless smile, "Except — — we have to change posture to slack off."
"Before it was slacking off lying down — — now we might have to slack off standing up."
He squeezed Wanda's hand tightly.
"No matter how many people come — —"
"As long as they dare to touch you — —"
"I will let them know — —"
"What the Progenitor's anger is like."
[Ding! Plot critical node triggered — — 'Blood Kindred Pilgrimage' event officially begins!]
[Event overview — — The Blood Baron of Romania has issued a pilgrimage order to global blood kindred, and hundreds of vampires are gathering towards New York! Purpose unknown — — it might be to worship the new Progenitor, or it might be to hunt the new Progenitor to resurrect Dracula!]
[Event threat level — — A-class! Far exceeding all previous events!]
[Estimated arrival time of first batch — — 48 hours!]
[System suggestion — — Host, you need to make the following preparations within 48 hours:]
[1. Master control of all blood kindred nodes in New York!]
[2. Formulate an emergency plan with Morbius!]
[3. When necessary — — seek external assistance (Kamar-Taj / Avengers)!]
[Most importantly — — protect Wanda well! She is Chthon's 'dimensional gateway' target, if she is taken advantage of and marked during the chaos — — the consequences would be unimaginable!]
Li Heng looked at the string of red warnings on the system panel and let out a long breath.
48 hours.
He only had 48 hours.
Starting today — — his slacking-off life officially entered Hard mode.
But just as he was preparing to start deploying defenses — —
"Hum — —!"
The Progenitor Will transmitted a completely unexpected signal!
Not from Europe — —
Nor from New York — —
But from — —
Underground!
Directly below the Villa — — about twenty meters deep — —
There was an extremely faint, but absolutely unmistakable blood kindred signal!
Level — — A-class!
Higher than Morbius by a small notch!
And — —
The emotion of this signal — —
Was not killing intent, not awe, not fear — —
But — —
Waiting.
A long, patient, as if having waited for hundreds of years — —
Waiting.
Then — —
An aged voice came from underground — — not through the ears, but through the mental link of the Progenitor Will — — ringing directly in Li Heng's mind:
"My Lord — —"
"This old one has waited for you — — for over three hundred years."
"Please — — move underground for a chat."
"There is something — — entrusted to Dracula by Lord Varna before his death — —"
"And before Dracula's death — — it was entrusted to this old one."
"Now — — it should be returned to you."
"That is — —"
"The final missing page of the darkhold."
Li Heng's whole body's blood at this moment — —
All froze.
darkhold — —
Final page?!
In Chthon's curse, in the Old Gods' chessboard game — —
What on earth was written on that page?!
Chapter 19 Underground for Three Hundred Years! The darkhold's Final Page — Blood Moon Prophecy!
Twenty meters below the Villa.
Li Heng stood on the backyard lawn, the signal of the Progenitors Will locked precisely onto that position — deep within the soil beneath his feet, an extremely ancient vampiric energy was slowly pulsing.
The frequency of that pulse was strange — not the breathing of a living creature, but more like the heartbeat indicator light of some sleeping device, thump, thump, faint yet constant, as if it had been beating for hundreds of years.
"You say there is someone underground?" Wanda walked to his side, frowning as she looked at the flat lawn beneath her feet.
"Not a person — a vampire." Li Heng squatted down, pressing his palm against the ground, "A-class, stronger than any I've encountered so far. And—"
He closed his eyes to sense the details of that signal —
"He is very old."
"How old?"
"At least three hundred years old. Maybe longer."
Wanda's pupils constricted slightly — although her understanding of vampires was not as deep as Li Heng's, she knew that the longer a vampire lived, the more powerful they became. An A-class vampire over three hundred years old — that was definitely a remnant from the era of Dracula!
"Are you going down?" Wanda's voice was calm, but her hands had unconsciously clenched tightly.
"Must go down." Li Heng stood up, patting the dirt off his hands, "He said he has the final page of the darkhold — if this is true, then Chthon's 'reward', the resurrection of Dracula, and the truth of the vampire pilgrimage — might all be on that piece of paper."
"I'll go with you—"
"No." Li Heng shook his head, "He specifically named me to go alone. And staying above is safer — in case the underground is a trap, you can still provide backup from the outside."
He squeezed Wanda's hand —
"With the blood pact ring here, the moment I encounter danger, you'll know. Trust me."
Wanda bit her lip and finally nodded.
"Then... be careful."
"Rest assured — I am the Progenitor. In my own territory, could the heavens possibly turn upside down?"
Li Heng took a deep breath, his dark golden vertical pupils glowing slightly —
"Progenitor Bloodline · Earth Travel!"
A dark golden light enveloped his feet, and the soil beneath him automatically parted like butter encountering high heat, forming a passage just wide enough for one person to pass through.
Li Heng leaped forward —
"Whoosh—"
The soil closed up behind him again, completely cutting off the sunlight.
The underground world was pitch black.
But this could not stump a vampire — dark golden vertical pupils lit up in the darkness, seeing everything around clearly.
He was traversing downward.
Five meters, ten meters, fifteen meters —
The texture of the soil gradually changed — from the brownish-yellow loam common in Brooklyn to an older gray-blue clay layer, mixed with broken shells and ancient shell fossils — this was a stratum from before the Ice Age, with a history of at least ten thousand years.
Twenty meters —
"Hum—"
The signal of the Progenitors Will abruptly strengthened!
Li Heng's foot stepped on a hard object —
Not soil, not rock —
But —
A floor.
A stone floor.
A stone floor polished as smooth as a mirror, densely carved with ancient runes upon it — those runes flickered with a faint fluorescent glow in Li Heng's dark golden pupils!
They were vampiric runes!
And they were — extremely ancient Atlantis vampirerunes!
[Ding! Ancient vampire array detected — 'Coffin of Slumber'!]
[Array era — approximately 18000 BC! Late Atlantis!]
[Array function — reduce the vitality of a vampireindividual to the minimum, entering a near-death dormant state! Theoretically, it can be maintained indefinitely — as long as there is an external energy supply!]
[And the external energy source of this array — is the ley lines!]
[Host, this array directly connects to the ley line nodes beneath Brooklyn! The energy of the ley lines nourishes the array, and the array maintains the life of the sleeper — this is the reason why he has been able to live for over three hundred years!]
18000 BC?!
Li Heng's heart shook violently —
That was an era when Atlantis had not yet sunk!
It was the era when Varna — the first generation vampireProgenitor — was still alive!
According to Marvel lore, the Atlantean Grand Sorcerer Varna used magic from the darkhold to transform himself into a vampire, becoming the first vampire in the Marvel Universe. He ruled the vampire race for thousands of years until 1459, when he grew weary of his long undead life, passed his power to Dracula, and destroyed himself in the sunlight.
That is to say —
The person sleeping beneath his feet for more than three hundred years —
Most likely witnessed Varna's death and Dracula's succession with his own eyes!
He was even — a survivor from the Varna era!
Li Heng walked along the stone floor, soon arriving at a spacious underground stone chamber.
The stone chamber was not large, about fifty square meters, with its four walls inlaid with faintly glowing vampiric rune stone slabs. In the center of the room was placed a stone coffin — a black stone coffin carved with bat motifs, with a line of Atlantean characters engraved on the coffin lid.
The lid of the stone coffin — was open.
The inside was empty.
And beside the stone coffin —
A person was sitting cross-legged on the ground.
He looked to be about sixty or seventy years old, with full white hair like snow, a withered and emaciated face, skin pale to the point of being nearly transparent, where a network of dark purple blood vessels could be seen beneath the skin. He wore a tattered black robe, embroidered with a long-faded bat emblem on the robe —
Exactly the same as the emblem on the chest of the Blood Baron in Dracula's castle.
But his aura — was deeper, older, and more unfathomable than the Blood Baron.
His eyes were closed, his hands resting on his knees, his posture as serene as if he were dozing off — but Li Hengcould clearly feel that although the vampiric energy within him was weak to the extreme, it possessed an astonishing purity —
That was — undiluted, pure vampiric power originating from the Varna era!
"You have come."
The old man slowly opened his eyes —
Those eyes were not scarlet, but dark golden —
Dark golden, exactly the same as Li Heng's vertical pupils!
"The Progenitor's Eyes..." Li Heng blurted out.
"Yes." The old man nodded gently, his voice hoarse yet calm, "This is the grace of Lord Varna — the vampiric power within me is too pure, so my eyes, like yours, present the dark golden color unique to the Progenitor Bloodline."
"But I am not like you — I am not the Progenitor, merely the Progenitor's... grave keeper."
He slowly stood up — his movements stiff, his joints creaking, like a machine that had been left unused for too long without starting.
"This old man — Albion."
"Once the attendant of Lord Varna, later the advisor of Lord Dracula, and now—"
He bowed deeply toward Li Heng.
"Your servant."
[Ding! Target information identification —]
[Name: Albion]
[Race: Orthodox vampire (direct conversion by Varna)]
[Grade: A-class]
[Age: Approximately 21,000 years! (Born in late Atlantis, personally converted by Varna!)]
[Identity: Attendant of Varna → Advisor of Dracula → Guardian of the darkhold's final page]
[Special status: Dormant for over 300 years, current combat power is only 15% of the peak period! But even so — still A-class! Peak strength may be above S-class!]
[System exclamation — Host, what kind of luck is this... a twenty-thousand-year-old Atlantean survivor! This is a living history book! A living fossil! A living — forget it, I won't describe it! Anyway, you've struck it rich!]
Twenty-one thousand years old?!
Li Heng looked at the emaciated old man before him, towering waves churning in his heart.
He was older than Dracula — older than the entire vampire dynasty!
He had witnessed the sinking of Atlantis, the suicide of Varna, the rise of Dracula, the rise and fall of the vampireempire —
He was the oldest living vampire in this world!
"Albion." Li Heng steadied his mind, "You said you waited for me for three hundred years — what do you mean?"
"Literally." Albion sat back down, signaling Li Heng to sit down as well, "Before Lord Dracula's death — I mean, before he was killed the last time — he entrusted me with a matter."
"He said: 'When the next Progenitor appears, hand the final page over to him.'"
"I asked: 'What if the new Progenitor does not appear?'"
"He said: 'Then you keep waiting. It doesn't matter if the world is destroyed — the final page cannot fall into the hands of the wrong person.'"
"So — I waited."
Albion's voice was as flat as if he were describing the weather.
"After Lord Dracula died at the hands of Blade, I activated the Coffin of Slumber, reducing my vitality to the minimum, retaining only the most basic perception — waiting for the vampiric signal of the new Progenitor to appear."
"This wait — was three hundred and twelve years."
"Until three days ago —"
He raised his head, his dark golden eyes gazing at Li Heng.
"I perceived your Progenitors Will. A Progenitors Willstronger than Lord Dracula."
"Therefore — I woke up."
Li Heng was silent for a moment.
"The final page of the darkhold — where is it?"
Albion stretched out his withered right hand —
His palm slowly opened, revealing a neatly folded, yellowish piece of parchment.
That parchment was only the size of a palm, but the energy fluctuation emanating from it —
Made Li Heng's Progenitor Bloodline tremble!
That was — pure Black Magic energy!
The most primitive, most core Black Magic energy originating from Chthon himself!
Exactly the same as the aura of Chthon felt previously in the dimensional rift — but richer and more fatal!
[Ding!!!! Highest level energy reaction detected —!!!!]
[Final page of the darkhold — confirmed!!!!]
[Energy level — exceeds the system's evaluation range! Unable to quantify!]
[Item introduction — darkhold, authored by the Old GodsChthon using indestructible parchment, recording all Black Magic in the Universe. There are many existing copies and fragments of the darkhold in the world, but the final page — has never been found by anyone!]
[Because the final page was not in the book — it was torn from the original book by Varna on the eve of Atlantis's sinking!]
[Content recorded on the final page — system is parsing — parsing —]
[Parsing complete!!!]
[There is only one item recorded on the final page —]
['Blood Moon Prophecy'.]
[Full text of the prophecy —]
["'When the old Progenitor falls, the new Progenitor rises — the Blood Moon will ascend in the world.'"]
["'Beneath the Blood Moon, the passage of the Old Godswill open completely.'"]
["'At that time, the Old Gods will use the blood of the new Progenitor as the key, and the body of the Chaos Vessel as the door —'"]
["'To return to the world, walking upon the earth.'"]
["'And the condition for the Blood Moon to ascend —'"]
["'Is the complete integration of the souls of the new Progenitor and the Chaos Vessel.'"]
["'When the two achieve complete heart-stirring and great blood pact accomplishment —'"]
["'The Blood Moon — will surely ascend.'"]
Li Heng's entire body of blood at this moment —
Completely froze.
The Blood Moon Prophecy —
The Old Gods will use the blood of the new Progenitor as the key, and the body of the Chaos Vessel as the door —
The new Progenitor — is him.
The Chaos Vessel — is Wanda!
And the condition for the Blood Moon to ascend —
["'Is the complete integration of the souls of the new Progenitor and the Chaos Vessel —']
["'When the two achieve complete heart-stirring and great blood pact accomplishment —']
This —
Isn't this — the relationship between him and Wandaheading in that direction?!
blood pact ring — heart-stirring value — Soul Resonance—
Everything was developing in the direction of "complete soul integration"!
And the system kept telling him — the higher the heart-stirring value, the better! The deeper and stronger the blood pact resonance!
He kept getting stronger — Wanda also kept getting stronger —
But —
The stronger they became — the closer Chthon was to returning!
This was — Chthon's "reward"!
This was — the chess game of the Old Gods!
From the very beginning — Chthon had been pushing all of this!
He left the curse mark not to harm Li Heng — but to establish a "passage"!
He invaded Wanda's dreams not to mark her — but to test the growth progress of her Chaos Magic!
He intentionally let Li Heng "steal" the dimensional rule fragments — because he needed Li Heng to become strong enough, strong enough to carry out "complete integration" with Wanda on a soul level!
Everything was a chess game —
And he and Wanda —
Were the two most important chess pieces on the chessboard!
"Damn it —!"
Li Heng abruptly stood up, his fists clenched tightly, dark golden light bursting across his entire body!
The floor of the stone chamber cracked under his anger, and the rune stone slabs on the four walls trembled violently!
"Calm down — Lord Progenitor!"
Albion's voice was trembling, but he did not retreat — twenty thousand years of time had endowed him with a calmness far exceeding ordinary people.
"A prophecy is not an ending — only a possibility!"
"Lord Varna tore off the final page precisely to prevent the propagation of the prophecy! He knew — as long as the final page did not fall into the hands of Chthon's followers, the prophecy was merely a piece of text — and would not become a self-fulfilling curse!"
"But more importantly —"
Albion stood up, presenting the yellowish parchment to Li Heng with both hands.
"On the final page — besides the prophecy, there is also a marginal note left by Lord Varna."
"That was what he wrote on the back of the parchment with his last bit of strength before committing suicide in the sunlight —"
"A method — to break the prophecy."
Li Heng snatched the parchment, flipping it to the back —
Indeed.
On the back of the prophetic text, there was a line of marginal notes written in ancient Atlantean characters — the handwriting was sloppy, as if reluctantly written in an extremely weak state.
But the content —
Made Li Heng's pupils expand abruptly!
The note read —
["The Blood Moon key does not necessarily have to be opened."]
["The new Progenitor can choose — to refuse integration. A solitary soul walker, the Blood Moon never ascends. But the price is — the Progenitor will forever lose the one he loves."]
["Alternatively, one can choose — to embrace integration, but not open the door for the Old Gods. The method is: at the moment of complete soul integration, counter-infuse the Chaos Vessel with the Progenitor's blood — reversing the passage of the Old Gods into a seal!"]
["This move carries extreme risk — if it fails, the descent of the Old Gods is unquestionable. If it succeeds — the passage of the Old Gods will be permanently closed, and the source of Chaos Magic will be severed."]
["But after the Chaos Magic is severed — the Vessel will lose all power."]
["She will turn back into an ordinary person."]
["Forever."]
["I cannot make this choice for anyone."]
["Therefore — I leave this page to the new Progenitor."]
["The choice — is yours."]
Sign-off —
["Varna, in the sunlight."]
Li Heng's hand holding the parchment —
Was trembling.
Not out of fear.
But out of — anger.
Ultimate, pure anger gushing forth from the depths of his soul!
He finally understood —
How vicious Chthon's chess game was —
If he and Wanda continued to deepen their blood pact ring, their souls would completely merge—the blood moon would rise, and Chthon would descend.
If he refused to merge and kept his distance—the blood moon would never rise, but he would lose Wanda forever.
If he chose the third path—embracing the merger and then reversing the seal—if successful, Wanda would lose all her powers and become an ordinary person; if it failed, Chthonwould descend.
Three paths—
None of them were safe.
None of them came without a price.
This was the method of the Old Gods—
He didn't need you to make a mistake; He only needed you—to make a choice.
Because every choice—came with a price.
"My Lord Host."
Albion's voice pulled him back from his thoughts.
"This old man has lived for twenty thousand years—and has seen far too many things. The sinking of Atlantis, Varna's suicide, Dracula's tyranny—I have experienced all of them."
"I can tell you one thing—"
"The reason Lord Varna chose to commit suicide under the sun was not because he grew tired of eternal life—but because he saw this prophecy."
"He foresaw Chthon's chessboard—he knew that as long as the Progenitor Bloodline and Chaos Magic existed for a single day, Chthon would use them to return."
"That was why he chose to end himself—attempting to cut off the inheritance of the Progenitor Bloodline from its root."
"But he failed—because he softened at the last moment."
"He passed his power on to Dracula."
"Because he could not bear—for the vampire clan to become completely extinct after his death."
"He chose the continuation of his race—even if it meant that Chthon's chessboard might start up once again."
Albion's dark golden eyes stared directly at Li Heng.
"Now—the exact same choice lies before you."
"What will you do?"
Li Heng was silent for a long time.
The underground stone chamber was dead silent, with only the low humming of the distant earth veins echoing around.
Then—
He spoke.
"Varna chose his race—but he went soft."
"Dracula chose power—but he lost his humanity."
"I—"
He carefully folded the parchment and put it into his arms.
"I choose Wanda."
The moment those words left his mouth—
The blood pact ring on his left chest suddenly grew hot!
A warm wave of emotion came from the other end of the soul link—
It was Wanda.
She felt his emotional fluctuations on the ground—anger, pain, struggle—and finally, that firm choice.
She did not speak—but that emotion itself was the answer—
Warmth, trust, and unreservedness.
"But I will not act blindly." Li Heng's gaze turned sharp. "The prophecy says 'if it fails, the Old Gods' descent is certain'—meaning the key to the third path lies in the success rate."
"If a method can be found to increase the success rate of reversing the seal—even if it is only raised above 50%—it is worth a gamble."
"Albion—in the past twenty thousand years, have you ever seen or heard of any method that can enhance soul seals?"
Albion pondered for a moment—
"There is one—but it is extremely dangerous."
"Speak."
"Before Atlantis sank, Lord Varna once mentioned a legend—deep within the library of Vishanti, there is an ancient scroll known as the 'white moon scroll'. It is said that the scroll records a white magic sealing technique—one that can construct a permanent dimensional barrier at the soul level."
"Vishanti?" Li Heng raised an eyebrow—
The Vishanti—the source of white magic in the Marvel Universe! The supreme magical system formed by the Trinity of supreme deities, Oshtur, Agamotto, and Hoggoth!
The darkhold records all Black Magic, while the Book of the Vishanti records all white magic—the two are opposites of each other!
If the sealing technique of the white moon scroll could be obtained from the Vishanti's magical system—
Then at the moment of soul merger, using the white magicseal to reverse Chthon's Black Magic channel—
The success rate would increase significantly!
"The library of the Vishanti—is in Kamar-Taj!" A thought flashed through Li Heng's mind like lightning.
"That's right." Albion nodded. "But the white moon scrollis the supreme secret canon of the Vishanti—only the Sorcerer Supreme is qualified to read it. Even the current Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One might not agree to impart such an important spell to a vampire."
"That is a problem I need to solve." Li Heng stood up. "You—"
He looked at Albion.
"Come up with me."
"My Lord Progenitor?" Albion was slightly stunned.
"You are already twenty thousand years old, aren't you suffocated staying underground?" Li Heng said irritably. "Come up with me—bask in the sun, drink a cup of coffee, and eat a plate of fried eggs."
"By the way, tell me all the information you know about the vampire pilgrimage, the Blood Baron, and Dracula's residual will."
"I need to make a plan—within 48 hours."
Albion was silent for three seconds—
Then the corners of his mouth slowly curved into an arc.
That was the first time in twenty thousand years—he smiled.
"As you command—My Lord Progenitor."
...
Above ground.
Wanda stood in the backyard, waiting anxiously.
The soil closed up again near her feet—Li Heng's figure slowly emerged from underground, the dark golden light on his body fading away.
"Are you alright?!" Wanda grabbed his arm and checked him up and down.
"I'm fine." Li Heng patted the dirt off his body. "Come—let me introduce you."
He stepped aside—
Albion walked out of the underground passage.
The twenty-thousand-year-old Atlantis survivor stood in the sun, his emaciated body enveloped by the golden light—his skin smoked slightly the moment it touched the sun, but he did not retreat, instead closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"The sun..." He muttered, "I haven't felt it for over three hundred years..."
"Although it's very hot—it's indeed warm."
Wanda looked at this white-haired old man, her eyes filled with shock—she had felt his emotions from Li Heng's blood pact link and knew that something important had happened underground.
"Li Heng—who is he?"
"An old friend." Li Heng said casually. "And also—a living history book."
"Let's go, let's go inside first. I have something very important to tell you."
He held Wanda's hand and felt that hand trembling slightly—not out of fear, but because—
She was waiting for his answer.
Waiting for him to tell her the truth.
Li Heng took a deep breath—
He knew that what he was about to say would be very cruel.
But he had to say it.
Because—
Wanda had the right to know what she was facing.
He led her into the living room and made her sit on the sofa.
Albion stood silently in the corner, his emaciated body almost blending into the shadows.
"Wanda—"
Li Heng squatted in front of her, holding her hands in both of his, looking straight into her eyes.
"Regarding the blood pact ring—regarding our soul link—there is a truth I didn't know before."
"I must tell you."
"Because—your choice is more important than mine."
Wanda's eyes widened slightly, her fingers tightening involuntarily.
"What truth?"
Li Heng looked at her—his own reflection mirrored in those green eyes—
One second, two seconds, three seconds—
He spoke.
"The stronger the blood pact ring, the closer we get to soul merger. And the moment of soul merger—"
"Chthon will use our power to return to the human world."
"I am the key—you are the door."
"Our love—is the final piece of the puzzle for His return."
The air froze.
Wanda's pupils shrank violently—
She looked down at the dark golden ring on her ring finger—the ring that Li Heng had personally put on her, representing protection and a promise—
At this moment—
It was like a ticking time bomb.
"So—" Her voice trembled, "the more we love each other... the closer He is to returning?"
"...Yes."
"Then what if—we don't deepen the blood pact anymore? What if we keep our distance?"
"The blood moon will never rise. But—" Li Heng gritted his teeth, "our soul link will stagnate at the current level. You will never be able to fully control Chaos Magic—and I—"
"Will never—"
He couldn't say those two words.
But Wanda understood his gaze.
"You will never—fall in love with me." She finished it for him.
"No!" Li Heng suddenly tightened his grip on her hands, "I have—dammit—Wanda—I have—"
"I know." Wanda suddenly smiled—there was bitterness and helplessness in that smile, but even more—gentleness.
"I felt it from the blood pact link—your anger and struggle down underground just now."
"You were angry because you were afraid of hurting me—not because you were afraid of Chthon."
"Right?"
Li Heng was silent for a second—then nodded.
"I won't let you get hurt—no matter what."
"I know." The corners of Wanda's mouth curved deeper, her eye rims turning red, but she didn't shed tears.
She raised her left hand—the dark golden ring shimmered in the sun.
"This ring—you said its function is to protect me."
"To keep me free forever."
"Do you still remember?"
"Of course I remember—"
"Then—" Wanda looked straight into his eyes, her voice suddenly becoming extremely firm.
"If soul merger means Chthon's return—then we will find a way to stop Him."
"If reversing the seal means I lose my power—then I accept it."
"Because—power is power, and I am me."
"You taught me that."
Li Heng was stunned.
"But—"
"There is no but." Wanda interrupted him. "You said protecting me is your duty—then trusting you is my duty."
"No matter what is ahead—we face it together."
"It's not you protecting me—it's not me depending on you—"
"It's us walking side by side."
"Do you remember—I said this sentence in a dream?"
Li Heng looked at her—
In those green eyes, there was no fear, no retreat—
Only him.
Completely, unreservedly—him.
[Ding!!!! The blood pact ring resonance index—charts are off the scale!!!!]
[Wanda Maximoff's 'heartbeat' value—+3!! Current: 92 / 100!!!! Breaking the 90 mark!!!!]
[The blood pact ring's second-stage ability—'Soul Resonance'—is officially unlocked!!!!]
[Soul Resonance effect—The host and the female lead can perform soul synchronization in battle! During synchronization, the combat power of both sides stacks—1+1 > 3! Duration: 30 seconds! Cooldown time: 24 hours!]
[System's exclamation—Host, this girlfriend of yours... has a broader vision than most Avengers!]
[System's suggestion—Although the third path (reversing the seal) carries great risk, the host still has time! The 48-hour vampire pilgrimage countdown is the top priority! As for the blood moon prophecy—that's a matter for later! Survive these two days first!]
Li Heng recovered from the system's bombing, looking at Wanda's firm gaze—
He suddenly smiled.
Not a helpless smile, not a bitter smile—
But a heartfelt smile, infected by a girl's courage.
"Good."
He stood up and pulled Wanda up as well.
"Walking side by side."
"But first—we have to survive these two days."
He turned to Albion in the corner—
"Albion, tell me now—how much do you know about the Blood Baron and Dracula's residual will?"
Albion stepped forward, a trace of solemnity flashing across his emaciated face.
"The Blood Baron—his original name is John, and he is Dracula's direct first-generation embraced dependent. He has served Dracula for over five hundred years—his loyalty bordering on fanaticism."
"The pilgrimage order he issued—on the surface, it calls upon global vampires to come to New York to pay homage to the new Progenitor. But in reality—"
"He wants to use your blood to resurrect Dracula."
"Although Dracula has been killed by Blade multiple times, he possesses a special resurrection ability—he can perfectly resurrect no matter how he is killed. The reason he didn't resurrect this time is because the new Progenitor's bloodline overwrote the resurrection coordinates."
"But if the Blood Baron uses your Progenitor Bloodline as alternative coordinates—forcibly catalyzing the resurrection ritual—"
"Dracula can come back."
"And once Dracula is resurrected—as the previous-generation Progenitor, he will automatically reclaim mental control over all vampires!"
"By then—you will lose all power of the Progenitors Will! Morbius will betray you! Blade will be isolated and helpless! All the vampires in New York will become Dracula's army!"
"And the Blood Baron—"
"He is already on his way."
"What?!" Li Heng's expression changed drastically!
"My Lord Progenitor—" Albion's voice sank to rock bottom.
"Having slumbered for three hundred years, my perception of time is somewhat dull. After awakening just now, I used the remaining Progenitor Resonance to scan the globe—"
"The Blood Baron's pilgrimage order was issued three days ago—the exact moment your Progenitors Will was activated!"
"And the Blood Baron himself—"
"He is not in Romania—"
"He—"
Albion's dark golden eyes stared directly at Li Heng, full of ominousness and warning.
"He is already in New York."
"And—"
"He didn't come alone."
Before the words fell—
"Boom————!!!!!!"
The front door of the Villa was blown away by a terrifying force!
The entire wall turned into dust in the Impact!
Rubble and dust splattered—
Three figures walked out of the smoke.
The person at the lead—
White hair, pale, with a silver badge pinned to his chest—a baron's crown and a spread-winged bat.
Blood Baron.
Behind him were two vampire guards draped in black cloaks—each one was B-level!
Blood Baron stood in the ruins, looking up at Li Heng—
In those crimson eyes, there was no awe, no fear—
Only cold, condescending—
Scrutiny.
"So—you are Dracula's replacement?"
He sneered.
"Looks like—"
"Nothing much either."
(End of chapter)