Qian Ye once again projected his consciousness onto the blood core.
The blood core remained as it always had, pulsating slowly. With each throb, the dark golden crystalline particles on its surface refracted a flickering light.
As his true sight penetrated deeper, the internal world of the blood core unfolded layer by layer. Qian Ye noticed that at some point, a drop of golden blood had appeared in the depths, suspended in the center, perpetually burning with a faint golden flame. As fresh blood flowed through this area, it carried away specks of golden light, distributing them to various parts of his body.
As the golden specks circulated, Qian Ye could feel his body gradually strengthening. Although the enhancement was minimal, almost negligible, his constitution and strength were indeed continuously improving. Moreover, this was a permanent increase, and over time, the cumulative effect would be significant.
Seeing this burning drop of golden blood, a term naturally surfaced in Qian Ye’s mind: “Burning Gold Blood!”
Burning Gold Blood only appeared in a blood core when a vampire advanced to the rank of Marquis. Each speck of light emitted by Burning Gold Blood contained energy hundreds of times greater than ordinary blood. When Burning Gold Blood was present in the bloodstream, the speed of gathering primordial force and recovering stamina increased dramatically.
Even if two individuals had equal strength, the one with Burning Gold Blood would easily defeat the one without. This was one of the crucial reasons for the absolute suppression of lower ranks by higher ranks within the vampire hierarchy.
According to legend, those Marquises who ranked above all others, their entire bloodstream had been converted into Burning Gold Blood. Such vampires had a fundamentally different life essence, almost a different form of life, with a chance to surpass even the Dukes.
In the hierarchy of the dark races, ranks matched power. From the rank of Knight, they left the ranks of cannon fodder, and the Viscount was a mark of entering the realm of true strength, while a Marquis was already touching the pinnacle of the pyramid.
However, in the Evernight faction, the power suppression of higher ranks over lower ones was much more pronounced than in the human War General system. Qian Ye, still at the Viscount stage, already possessing Burning Gold Blood, was clearly reaping significant benefits.
While Qian Ye was pleased with his increased power, thinking about the original source of his bloodline brought a mix of emotions. Additionally, his rapid advancement on the dark side, even with the guidance of the Song Ancient Scroll, made him wary of losing balance. Even if he could harness greater power, he did not want to do so at the cost of succumbing to darkness.
With this in mind, Qian Ye was struck by a thought. Theoretical reinforcement from Burning Gold Blood should allow him to withstand the tidal surge pressure far better than before. So, how much further could the Military Strike Technique progress?
Qian Ye had refined the Military Strike Technique to the forty-ninth tidal surge, a level that perhaps only Zhang Boqian had surpassed in recent centuries. However, Qian Ye felt it was becoming increasingly difficult. He had a clear premonition that taking another step forward might cause a monumental change in the Military Strike Technique, so he dared not advance further.
But now, with the formation of the blood core and the emergence of Burning Gold Blood, Qian Ye estimated that his physical strength was comparable to that of a vampire Count. Furthermore, the dark and dawn primordial forces within him urgently needed balance, which prompted him to seek further advancement.
Calmly, Qian Ye adjusted himself to peak condition and slowly initiated the Military Strike Technique. After years of practice, the technique had become instinctive. With a heart devoid of thoughts, the tides surged past twenty rounds effortlessly.
This was the foundation that had allowed him to join the Red Scorpion. Reflecting on it now, it felt like a lifetime ago.
In the midst of the sweeping tide, Qian Ye suddenly sensed a subtle difference. Where his chest and abdomen usually experienced some resistance, this time it was smooth, as if the obstructions had never existed.
His mind, slightly stirred, then steadied. The Military Strike Technique continued to flow, driven by the surging primordial force. Streams of primordial force constantly emerged from the nine nodes, converging into the primordial sea formed by the technique, driving the tides to layer upon layer.
Thirty rounds, forty rounds passed in a blink. The tidal force that could crush a human War General was now easily borne by Qian Ye. It wasn’t until the forty-fifth round that Qian Ye felt a slight pressure.
He set aside all thoughts, neither joy nor sorrow, and continued to drive the primordial force tides, steadily advancing to the forty-eighth round.
At this point, the blood core began to react to the increasing pressure, accelerating its pulse. The amount of Burning Gold Blood emanating from the core also increased, replacing the ordinary blood, protecting his organs from damage.
Easily crossing the forty-eighth round, Qian Ye finally reached the peak of the forty-ninth round with the Military Strike Technique.
At this moment, the primordial force within him was vast, beginning to take on the semblance of a primordial ocean. The tidal waves surged, converging into a massive wave, its crest almost touching the sky!
Suddenly, Qian Ye realized that above the primordial ocean was not a void, but an intangible barrier blocking the tidal wave, preventing it from rising further.
During the previous attempt at the forty-ninth round, Qian Ye’s full attention was on resisting the overwhelming force, protecting himself from fatal harm. Now, with the protection of Burning Gold Blood, he noticed the presence of this intangible barrier.
“Is this the limit of the Military Strike Technique?” A realization dawned on Qian Ye.
Yet, Zhang Boqian had proven that the forty-ninth round was not the ultimate limit.
Qian Ye unleashed the tidal surge, crashing against the barrier. The wave shattered instantly, but the barrier remained unyielding. The counterforce from the collision was enormous, shattering the protection of Burning Gold Blood, leaving numerous wounds on his internal organs. Qian Ye’s face paled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
However, instead of being disheartened, Qian Ye was elated. In the fierce impact, he detected a barely perceptible waver in the barrier.
Qian Ye did not rush, controlling the tides to ebb back to the starting point, and then build up again. Moments later, he reached the forty-ninth round once more. At this juncture, Qian Ye drove the tidal wave, striking the barrier again!
This time, he was prepared. The blood core pulsed strongly, emitting a steady stream of golden light, with nearly half of his blood ablaze. Though the counterforce was intense, Qian Ye only turned pale, managing to withstand it. The minor injuries inside his body, aided by the powerful regenerative ability of the vampire physique, healed visibly.
Qian Ye did not hurry to the next strike, allowing the tides to ebb, waiting for his injuries to heal. Once the wounds were mostly mended, he began a new round of strikes.
Thus, Qian Ye immersed himself in the Military Strike Technique, forgetting the passage of time.
After the great battle, Blackflow City enjoyed a day and night of peace, but soon became bustling again. Various people poured in, emissaries, agents, and even members of influential families.
Song Zining stepped out of his study, having just seen off a group of guests with a smile. More people hurried to greet him. The leader introduced himself, “I am Wang Shanxing, my father is Lord Wang Dongyuan of the Jushan family. I have come to pay my respects to the Seventh Young Master.”
Song Zining nodded with a smile, “When I was young, I had the pleasure of meeting your esteemed father, and he imparted valuable martial knowledge to me. Come, let us sit. How is your father’s health?”
“He is well,” replied Wang Shanxing, following Song Zining back to the study. After the pleasantries, he grew eager, “Seventh Young Master, your prowess in this battle has shaken the Empire. However, may I inquire if some of the military merit from this battle could be transferred?”
Song Zining’s smile remained, “The military merit is still being tallied, and it will take some time. Transferring some merit is not out of the question, but you must understand, my humble abode needs extensive resources. It is a bit premature to discuss this now.”
Wang Shanxing made many promises and offered a variety of lists, but Song Zining deflected them, saying the time was not yet right. He could not push too hard, but at least Song Zining had not outright refused, leaving room for negotiation.
No sooner had Wang Shanxing left than the younger brother of a newly appointed border Viscount, whose fiefdom was in Xinjing, arrived, seeking to discuss the transfer of military merit. In the adjacent reception room, two more groups waited.
Throughout the day, Song Zining met with seven or eight groups, all interested in the military merit.
In the Battle of Blackflow, the dark race forces, led by Duke Ludwig, lost five Viscounts, and nearly a hundred nobles of lesser rank. Over a thousand rankable dark warriors perished, and the number of casualties among the foot soldiers was incalculable. This was the most substantial single military merit since the onset of the Blood Wars.
This merit primarily belonged to Song Zining and the Darkfire Independent Battalion. However, even a battalion couldn’t be promoted to a group army through a single battle, and whether Blackflow City was worth expanding was debatable. Thus, exchanging this merit solely for resources and gold would be a waste.
This was an obvious truth, understood by all.
Well-informed individuals had already pieced together the details of the siege of Blackflow City. They knew that if Song Zining, now separated from the Song Clan, were to report this merit, it would be a matter of considerable importance.
Since the Empire had publicly released the Blood War rankings, military merit had become highly coveted, especially such a large amount that could alter the top ten rankings. How could it not be sought after?
The forces near Blackflow City, with their agents, moved quickly. They did not expect to claim all the merit, but even half a share would be more than their best teams had earned.
So far, most of the visitors were from smaller factions, but it wouldn’t be long before higher-ranking noble families came. Song Zining was not in a hurry; whatever terms they proposed, he listened without committing.
With Qian Ye in seclusion, Song Zining returned to his role as the charming and free-spirited Seventh Young Master. What lay beneath his captivating smile, no one could tell.
The brief calm did not last long. Just two days later, a special army appeared outside Blackflow City.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage