At last, my dream has come true—immortality, eternal life, never to age or die!
I do not fear death, but the profound terror of the unknown darkness that follows it haunts me deeply. Since the day I became aware, this fear has gripped me tightly—I cannot explain why, though I was but a child at the time. Thus, I sought every means to escape it, desperately searching, whether through Eastern sorcery or Western magic, science or superstitions. I longed to escape the endless, inescapable darkness... I found it, yes, I truly found it—The Bloodline! The noble and solitary wanderers of the world—the Bloodline!
Today marks the beginning of Liu Lei's rebirth—perhaps, in the long, illusory years to come, he will forget the day he was born as a human, only to remember the day he first embraced the Bloodline—his first turning. The effects of his embrace are only now beginning to manifest. Liu Lei gazes into the mirror, caressing his long fangs as one would their child—who says vampires cannot be reflected in a mirror?
The old vampire used thirteen drops of blood to successfully embrace Liu Lei, and evidently, the number thirteen greatly pleased him. However, it seems that the Asian race inherently possesses some resistance to vampires. The old vampire remarked that embracing a Caucasian or African would require only a single drop, but Liu Lei required so many. Even so, it took over ten days for the signs of his transformation to show. Yet, Liu Lei felt a great joy at the old vampire's thirteen drops—since the vampire's power comes from blood, the more blood given, the more energy bestowed. However, Liu Lei still does not know which generation of vampire the count is, nor does he understand the nature of the power he has received.
After years of pursuit, Liu Lei had prepared everything needed for his new life as a vampire. The next phase was one of complete immersion in his obsession with his new identity, falling deeper into madness, imagining himself eternal, invincible, a being of vast knowledge, revered and feared by all…
Yet, this inflated arrogance lasted only three months.
One afternoon, Liu Lei was roused from his deep slumber by the persistent sound of knocking. Annoyed, he rubbed his eyes and opened the door: standing outside was a middle-aged man, dressed in a suit with a ponytail, a faint smile on his face. "Who are you looking for?" Liu Lei asked, irritably. No vampire, once disturbed in the daylight, is ever in a good mood. The man examined Liu Lei from head to toe with a gleam of fervor in his eyes, slowly replying, "I'm looking for you."
"Looking for me? I don't know you!" Liu Lei retorted, attempting to slam the door shut. But the man, still with that measured tone, said, "But I know you. They say vampires are a noble and elegant race. How is it that you make your guest speak outside the door?" Liu Lei's eyes flashed red, and he threw a punch. A shimmering, blue force field appeared around the man, and despite Liu Lei's punch—powerful enough to break through a wall—only a ripple formed on the shield, and his blow could not proceed any further. Suddenly, a vase from a nearby low cabinet flew up and hurled toward the man's head—vampires often have one or two special abilities, and Liu Lei had just acquired the power of telekinesis.
The blue shield rippled, sending the vase flying. Liu Lei withdrew his fist and transformed into a black bat, darting toward the window. As he approached, the glass, which had once been fragile, suddenly became as solid as a wall. Liu Lei collided with it, rebounded violently, and fell, disoriented. When he came to, he found himself enclosed in a blue orb. The man was now seated on the sofa, smiling at him. "If you could escape my 'Qi Control Technique,' all my seven hundred years of cultivation would have been in vain. Well, what do you think now? Are you convinced?" Liu Lei, dazed, nodded his bat head—what else could he do? The man had done nothing and yet rendered him utterly powerless.
As the blue orb vanished, Liu Lei returned to his human form. He sighed, turned, and poured two cups of tea, handing one to the man and sitting opposite him. The man took a sip and said, "Now, that's proper hospitality." Liu Lei ignored him and asked, "What do you want?" The man did not answer directly but instead asked, "Do you think there's a connection between vampires and the zombies widely spoken of in our country?"
Liu Lei paused before responding, "I'm not sure, but from their similar habits, there must be a close connection." The man nodded in agreement. After a moment, he extended his hand and introduced himself, "I am Lian Feng, Elder of the Western Yunnan God Sect."
Liu Lei, puzzled, shook his hand. "Liu Lei, a vampire."
Lian Feng, undeterred by Liu Lei's confusion, continued, "My sect is based in the borderlands, where we have long studied secret arts and occult techniques. One such technique involves using drugs and Qi cultivation to create the Zombie King." He glanced at Liu Lei's shocked expression before continuing, "The Zombie King, not only possesses greatly enhanced abilities, but also several powers that ordinary zombies lack, and can even walk in the sunlight without harm. Years ago, I came across some information about Western vampires, and I thought, if we could use a vampire to create a Zombie King, its power would rival that of a cultivator with five hundred years of experience. But vampires are rare in China. I searched for a long time and found none, until today—when I unexpectedly found one. So, what do you say? Are you interested? The creatures of the dark—can you resist the temptation of walking in the light?"
Liu Lei struggled internally. Indeed, he could not resist such temptation, nor could any vampire. But he had to ask, "Your sect has a rather dubious reputation, doesn't it?"
Lian Feng smiled knowingly. In China, any cult that delved into such dark arts could hardly expect a good reputation. "Indeed," he said, "We call ourselves the Western Yunnan God Sect, but the righteous call us a devil cult."
"Then the process of becoming a Zombie King is dangerous, right? Will I lose my self-awareness?" Liu Lei's greatest concern was this.
"No," Lian Feng replied firmly, "But the risks are evident."
"How long will it take to succeed?" Liu Lei pressed.
"At least six months. It depends on your aptitude."
Liu Lei considered for a moment, then looked up at Lian Feng and said, "Alright, I agree. But I have some conditions."
Lian Feng immediately responded, "Speak."
"I won't join your sect. I am free. Once I become a Zombie King, you cannot restrict my actions. I will go where I please, but if your sect is in danger, I'll lend a hand."
"Agreed," Lian Feng readily accepted. "Creating a Zombie King from a vampire is just one of my ideas. The sect has many experts; we hardly need a mere vampire Zombie King to do anything for us. Besides, whether it succeeds is still uncertain." Lian Feng mused to himself.
Seeing how quickly Lian Feng agreed, Liu Lei felt uneasy, but having already given his word, he couldn't back out. He said, "Wait here, I'll call my parents and then we'll leave."
"Do vampires still care about their human families?" Lian Feng asked curiously.
Liu Lei was dialing, not looking at him, and answered quietly, "I just want to accompany them on their final journey."
"Have you never thought of turning them into vampires to be with you? After all, immortality is a tempting offer for most people."
"Isn't the sanctity of Catholic doctrine somewhat problematic for Islam?"
"Hello, Mom, it's me... Where's Dad?... Are you both in good health?... I'm fine, don't worry. I've been sent on a business trip to Yunnan for six months. I'll call you once I get there... Yes, yes, I understand..."
Hanging up, Liu Lei said, "Alright, let's go."