189. Return the Favor
The absorbed lifespan vanished like flowing water.
The vampire core dissolved in my mouth, rapidly transforming into immense demonic power.
The Nine Cycles Sanguine Resurrection's greatest strength lay in how each transformation increased the power ceiling for the next.
The Sixth Transformation consumed over five thousand years of lifespan and required only one Moonfeather vampire core for success.
In comparison, the Nemean Lion's crystal core contained several times more vampiric power than Moonfeather's. However, according to the panel's prompts, even one such powerful core would not suffice.
[Year 3200, you have successfully subdued the Nemean Lion's demonic power and ate the second lion vampire's core...]
Thanks to the powerful physique gained from the Sixth Transformation, my speed to absorb power increased several times over!
Within moments, I had fully absorbed the second lion's crystal core.
Glancing at the panel, I saw it still hadn't indicated a successful breakthrough. After a moment's hesitation, I retrieved the Red Mane Snow Rabbit vampire's crystal core and placed it in my mouth.
Surely two lions against one rabbit should win, right?
Between Lady Frostine's illusion magic and the Nemean Lion's Wind magic, I preferred the latter.
At this moment, a terrifying vampire—forged from the combined lifelong cultivation of three harmonizing vampire lords—was gradually taking shape.
Three newly born vampire consciousnesses, driven by instinct, fought savagely to destroy each other!
[Year 7958, the majestic giant lion lifted its head with pride. Its green face and menacing fangs struck terror in all who beheld them. Without a sound, it swept its imperious gaze across the six surrounding vampires—a silent declaration of dominion over this body]
[Transformed into the Immortal Lion King—its green face and netherworld-reaching fangs striking fear into all. The Boreas Wind and Baleful Rain tear through heaven and earth. Understanding destiny and the balance of Yin and Yang, its heaven-devouring maw commands life and death. Its wind and rain lay waste to cities, leaving naught but wandering souls.]
I closed my eyes, restraining another powerful vampire within my body.
Sensing its overbearing aura of supreme arrogance, I let out a soft sigh.
Fortunately, I still possessed ample absorbed lifespan.
I simply continued the simulation.
[Year 829, you annihilate the Nemean Lion's consciousness with death essence, fully claiming its power.]
[Remaining Absorbed Lifespan: 9208 years]
All the crystal cores I had painstakingly accumulated were instantly used up, draining half of my absorbed lifespan with them.
In exchange, my body now contained what felt like limitless power—as vast and deep as an ocean.
I clenched my fist lightly. The physical enhancements from the body tempering method indeed gave me the deepest sense of security.
"I need to hurry." Glancing at the setting sun, I gathered the two giant lion corpses and activated the Whispering Gale once more.
I also needed a strategy. For now, the vampires remained unaware that I had reached the harmonizing stage.
This presented a rare and valuable opportunity.
Once word got out, these cunning creatures would either band together for protection or set an ambush—anything to avoid being hunted down individually for their crystal cores.
And without doubt, they would most likely seek protection from the Blood Moon Vampire King.
Therefore, of course, I needed to eliminate as many Vampire Lords as possible before they could react.
...
Bellingham, Surrey.
In the second-floor bedroom of the house at the end of the cul-de-sac, Rose Hightower silently rolled up her crimson dress as she waited for Keisha Ellis to apply medicine to her back.
"I really don't know why you're pushing yourself so hard."
Looking at the bruise on her back, almost right at the heart position, Keisha sighed, "You are so young and already in Crystal Realm. Your accomplishments would definitely surpass your senior brother and may even exceed Aisha Patani when you get to her age."
In the back yard, Albany Laurent held a teacup, his gaze fixed upon the sky.
It had been many years since he had enjoyed such tranquility.
Even if it was only temporary.
But once he thought of General Kane being in the dangerous vampire territory, he inexplicably felt a sense of guilt.
Perhaps, only when Surrey's entire jurisdiction was completely stable would he be able to truly relax.
After a moment, he placed the teacup on a table. "Mother Keisha, I'll leave tomorrow morning. I must trouble you to look after Rose for a while."
He had originally planned to stay here until Kane returned, as this was the best location to provide support if Kane's plans went awry. However, the idleness was making him restless.
"If you leave, Rose will go looking for John," Keisha said helplessly, looking out the window at Albany. "I can't persuade her."
"Sitting idle always makes me uncomfortable," Albany Laurent exhaled, avoiding mention of Kane. He understood the pressure weighing on Rose, his junior sister. He had felt that same crushing powerlessness countless times—watching Junior Sister Patani first catch up to him, then surpass him, leaving a gap he could never close.
Suddenly, a thick scent of blood drifted into the yard.
All three of them tensed.
In the next instant, two massive Nemean Lions plummeted from the sky!
But just as they were about to hit the ground, the young man caught them effortlessly.
Albany Laurent stood speechless as Kane casually tossed the two vampire lords' heads and bodies in front of the doorway, gave him a slight bow, and stepped into the house.
… …
Rose leapt from her seat, ran downstairs like a streak of fire, and buried herself in John's embrace.
"I thought you wouldn't be back for days," she murmured. "I was so worried about you."
So the reason he didn't left any words before leaving was because there was no need. Was he planning to rush back before nightfall all along?
Keisha raised her head in a daze, her mind muddled and unfocused. She gaped at the vampire corpses outside, then at the newly darkened night sky.
In a single day, three harmonizing vampire lords had fallen in Surrey?!
"General Kane..." Albany Laurent crouched at the entrance of the yard, absently tugging at the lion's mane.
He was utterly baffled.
These two vampire lords—his longtime adversaries—now lay defeated before him in such an unceremonious way.
"What should I do now?" Albany mused after a long pause, rising to his feet to gaze at the young man inside the house.
… …
I realized that General Laurent was asking this question in complete sincerity.
A H.A.R.M. General was asking me what he should do?
"Guard Surrey?" I answered, somewhat uncertainly.
Laurent lowered his hands and shifted his gaze to the vampire corpses on the ground. "But who am I supposed to guard against?" he asked with bewilderment.
Hearing this, I couldn't help but flash an incredulous look.
What kind of logic was that?
Did a general really need instructions on how to slack off?
"Hah." Albany Laurent let out a soft laugh as he realized his gaffe, rubbing the space between his eyebrows with gentle embarrassment.
Though the heavy burden he had carried for years suddenly lifted from his shoulders, he felt confusion rather than relief.
Everything had happened so quickly—too quickly for anyone to process.
"You two talk. I need some air."
He stepped out of the yard onto the quiet street, his footsteps growing lighter with each stride.
"How have you been?" I looked back at Rose.
"I, I..." Rose bit her lip hard. John could kill two harmonizing vampires in half a day. Compared to that, it seemed she had nothing worth wasting his time on.
She took out the delicate silver bell, carefully placed it on the living room table, and extracted three crystallizing vampires' heart blood.
In truth, what Rose wanted to say was very simple: she wanted to show John how hard she was working to keep up with his foot steps, and she also wanted him to share in this joy.
I looked at the bell on the table, contemplating for a moment.
I drew a wisp of the Nemean Lion's heart blood from my silver bell and gently transferred it inside hers.
Back then, the life of a First Realm fox vampire had been exchanged for two Wave Realm top-grade techniques—techniques that helped me slay the Leviasaur of Crown Mountain and exterminate the sea god of Seamist County, carrying me all the way to the Crystal Realm.
Now, with my newfound strength, I could finally return that favor.