Upon his return to Xi'an, Liu Lei refrained from revisiting his old rented apartment, knowing full well that, after five years, the landlord had likely reclaimed it. There was nothing of significance left inside anyway, though one might wonder whether the landlord ever had nightmares upon seeing a coffin in the bedroom where once there had been a bed. His parents, deeply moved by the hardship their son had endured in the "wilds" over the past five years, showered him with tender care. Every day, his mother prepared meals for him, and Liu Lei, claiming he needed rest, refrained from seeking employment. His parents never chided him, understanding that after such an arduous five years, he deserved a period of reprieve. Liu Lei spent his days in quiet solitude, practicing his skills and occasionally dabbling in investments—thanks to the wealth he had accumulated through Lian Feng's tutelage, which would suffice to sustain him for several lifetimes. In his spare moments, he took his elderly parents on leisurely vacations, savoring the slow, comfortable rhythm of life.
Suddenly, Liu Lei experienced a profound sense of contentment: waking up every morning to his mother's lovingly prepared tofu pudding, engaging in activities of his own choosing, free from the distractions and anxieties of the world, and surrounded by the smiles of those he held dear. What more could he wish for in life?
In the quietude of these days, Liu Lei meticulously reviewed the teachings he had learned on Mount Diancang, diligently practicing spells that he had not yet mastered. He did not chase after ambition, but rather acted from an instinctive drive. The vampire's long lifespan afforded him the luxury of indulging in such pursuits at his leisure. With a heart full of fondness and nostalgia for the loved ones he had left behind on Mount Diancang, Liu Lei engaged in his cultivation, a practice that required no external motivation but perfectly suited his current stage of "effortless" self-cultivation.
After a modest success in the *Blood Refining Art*, Liu Lei entered a prolonged process of energy accumulation. Those who relentlessly sought power would likely grow frustrated at their stagnation and push themselves to the brink, but this lengthy accumulation could not be hastened by mere effort. Constant stagnation would lead to agitation and, ultimately, madness. However, Liu Lei's life, bathed in the comfort of quietude, had erased any desire for competition. The energies of the moon and his bloodline coursed through him with gentle ease, like a stream winding through a mountain valley. Gradually, the accumulated power lay in wait for the moment it would erupt.
Upon his return, Liu Lei had yet to seek out the old Count. Oddly enough, the elder vampire had never marked Liu Lei with the family's bloodline seal, nor had he ever revealed his name. Liu Lei had not lacked the desire to ask, but simply never had the opportunity. After his initial embrace, he had felt unwell and stumbled home to sleep, and before he had recovered, Lian Feng had whisked him away to Mount Diancang. When he returned, Liu Lei had no intention of visiting the Count, knowing that doing so would irrevocably shatter the peace he had cultivated.
But, in the end, he could not escape his true nature.
Following the faint trail left by the Count, Liu Lei arrived at a secluded villa nestled in the mountains, perplexed that the old vampire had remained in China for five years. This was not their usual domain.
The Count was already aware of his arrival. As Liu Lei reached the door, his hand was scarcely raised when the door swung open. Inside, the Count sat elegantly on a sofa, a glass of red wine in his hand, with another set out for Liu Lei on the table. Liu Lei sat down, swirling the wine in his glass, mesmerized as it slid slowly down the sides, before taking a sip and savoring its rich flavor. The Count observed him quietly, waiting for him to finish before speaking.
"You've grown so swiftly," the Count remarked. "In just five years, you have nearly surpassed me. Would you share your experiences from these years?"
Liu Lei smiled faintly. "These five years have been quite happy. It feels as though everything I ever wanted has suddenly been fulfilled."
The Count nodded thoughtfully. "You've left the city, haven't you? I can no longer sense your presence."
"Yes," Liu Lei replied.
After a brief silence, Liu Lei finally asked, "You still haven't told me your name."
"Anthony," the Count replied. "Anthony Hopkinson. You need not concern yourself with which family I belong to. I did not mark you with their seal, for I belong to no family. I gave you eternal life, simply to allow you the time to enjoy the beauty of existence. Do not involve yourself in family conflicts. I came to China because I sought a life of joy."
With those words, Hopkinson walked to the window, spreading his arms wide, speaking in a tone almost lyrical in its cadence. "This great country is beautiful and prosperous. Here, I can live the life I desire—free from the strife of family, untouched by the eternal struggle between light and dark. Here, I can fully immerse myself in the splendor of the Eastern landscapes and savor the exquisite cuisine."
Turning back, he gestured for Liu Lei to come closer. "Come here, child." Liu Lei knelt before him, and the Count placed a hand upon his head, speaking slowly. "Liu Lei, my child, I did not plan to impart these lessons to you, but as a vampire, they are essential. It is time I teach you."
Liu Lei felt a surge of warmth radiating from the top of his head as knowledge flooded his mind. The sensation lasted for several minutes, and when it subsided, Liu Lei closed his eyes, silently processing the wisdom he had received. The Count's voice echoed in his ear. "The magic I have created differs from other dark magics. Like the 'legacy' you have just received, it can pass both power and knowledge. As a vampire, it is crucial for you to understand dark magic. You may never know when you will need it."
In the days that followed, Liu Lei immersed himself in the study of dark magic, seeking answers from the Count whenever something was unclear. He discovered that the old Count's power was vast, though he could not fathom its true extent. Clearly, he was far more than just a Count, but out of respect, Liu Lei refrained from pressing him on the matter. For Liu Lei, Hopkinson was an admirable elder, a figure of wisdom who provided answers to all his questions about magic, and whose vast experience offered invaluable guidance.
Every night, Liu Lei sat in the darkness, attuning himself to the energy of the void. After three months of rigorous study, he was finally able to sense the faint presence of dark power.
His demon wings unfurled, aiding his connection to the dark forces. Slowly, he began to condense the energy into a force field that enveloped a nearby building. "Shatter!" he uttered, casting his first spell. A deafening explosion followed, debris flying as the once-sturdy building collapsed as though it had been detonated. Liu Lei watched in awe at his magical debut, thinking, *How could it have crumbled so easily? It was reinforced concrete, after all.* Ignoring the destruction he had caused, Liu Lei flapped his bat wings and sped toward the Count's villa—compensation? That was the insurance company's concern, not his.
Upon reaching the villa, Liu Lei heard the Count's voice from within. "No need to knock, come in."
"You knew?" Liu Lei asked timidly.
"If I couldn't sense such a large disturbance, I'd send you off myself," the Count replied, clearly displeased by the trouble Liu Lei had caused.
"But how could I know I'd make such a commotion? I'm only a fledgling vampire, just five years old, and still a beginner in magic!" Liu Lei protested, feeling a little wronged.
The old Count shook his head. "You still don't realize the full extent of your power, do you?" After a moment of contemplation, he added, "My power has now reached the level of a Duke. Watch." With that, he cast "Shatter" upon Liu Lei, causing him to feel as though his very organs had been crushed, his limbs too heavy to lift.
"Ah!" Liu Lei cried, struggling to break free. "You're trying to kill me!"
The Count smiled. "See? My 'Shatter' can no longer restrain you. That means your power is already surpassing mine." After a pause, he clenched his teeth. "A Duke-level vampire using magic in the city? What are you planning, Liu Lei? My dear child!"
Liu Lei's mouth hung open, and after a moment, he finally reacted. "Wait… I have the power of a Duke now? Haha! Watch out, when I return, I'm going to show Grand Killing Elder who's boss! Haha, who told you to make me so ruthless? You must regret it now! Haha, I'm going to make you pay for trampling on the noble dignity of the bloodline!"
In his euphoria, Liu Lei retained a modicum of self-awareness, not daring to make further boastful threats about confronting more powerful vampires—like Xuanyuan Xuejian, whom he knew he was not yet strong enough to challenge. Meanwhile, the old vampire contemplated, *"The noble dignity of the bloodline"? Does this fool even have any? I can't find it anywhere. Praise Cain, my lord, tell me, was it right to bring this unworthy fool into our ranks?*
Liu Lei, oblivious to the Count's bewilderment, reveled in his newfound power and excitement, oblivious to the deep thoughts of the old vampire. Overcome with joy, he flew back to his room to rest.
*"Shatter"* could increase an opponent's weight instantaneously, depending on the caster's strength. Liu Lei's power could now multiply the weight up to twenty-seven times. After all, how else could his magic have reduced the steel-reinforced building to rubble?
Time passed swiftly, and Liu Lei had now mastered all the magic the Count had taught him. Yet he realized that the day of departure was drawing near. One day, when he arrived at the old Count's villa, he found the door locked. He flew in through the window, finding a letter and a set of keys on the coffee table. The old Count had gone, leaving behind Liu Lei's two most influential mentors: Lian Feng and Count Hopkinson.
The letter contained the code for the Count's bedroom safe—after all, in today's world, certain things were still necessary. Liu Lei understood: the Count had come to China alone, seeking the life he desired, and had waited for him for five years. Had he not been waiting for Liu Lei, he would have left long ago. The Count had saved Liu Lei's contact information, hoping one day he would call.
Now, with a deeper understanding of magic and spells, Liu Lei began to explore the connection between them. His interest in magical research surpassed that of his cultivation, but there was one matter that had recently been troubling him—his mother was beginning to set him up on blind dates!
"You're almost thirty!" his mother scolded. Liu Lei froze, suddenly realizing that, indeed, he had reached his thirties. But no matter—thirty-year-old vampires were still young! He could afford to play around for a few more years. Of course, he couldn't say that to his mother. After coming down from the mountain, his mother had nagged him non-stop. Liu Lei, in a good mood that day, decided to ignore it. A few months passed without any progress, and finally, his mother, unable to wait any longer, called him home for dinner. When he arrived, he found his mother cooking, his father watching football, and a young lady sitting in the living room.