Chapter 66: When the Firewood is Spent, the Flame Passes On

Yet, after Qian Ye pondered deeply, he knew that it was all a delusion.

Putting aside whether Jun Du Zhao was willing to live on in such a manner or whether the Dawn origin force, which was equivalent to that of a divine general, could be successfully embraced, the phenomenon of Qian Ye’s blood energy and Dawn origin force coexisting was unprecedented. He could not claim to be a pure-blooded vampire, for his blood carried no clan insignia. Although he had gained some ancient inheritances from the River of Blood, he could not ascertain if he possessed the ability to bestow the Embrace.

Moreover, like the myriad treasures said to revive the dead, the Embrace could only maximize one’s vitality. If all signs of life had already ceased, where would one find the source to ignite it?

As the twilight began to fade, the silence was finally broken. Qian Ye suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a deep blue hue encircled by a dark golden ring within his pupils. A powerful pulse from his blood core resounded throughout the entire White City. In an instant, Qian Ye was ready for battle.

A figure appeared in the distant sky, still far off, yet the chilling aura of death had already pierced through the air. It was as if two colossal beasts, sensing each other’s presence long before seeing each other, recognized their formidable nature through mere breath and growls.

The figure did not pause, streaking directly towards the White City. Just as it was about to enter the attack range, it suddenly slowed down, its killing intent gradually dissipating.

Qian Ye had left his original spot and now stood before the figure, his Dongyue spear pointing obliquely at the ground, his gaze also slowly softening.

Standing before him was a woman of unparalleled beauty, bow in hand. Despite the faint traces of time etched upon her face, they did nothing to diminish her radiance; instead, they added a matured, rich allure.

More importantly, though she held an empty bow, the sensation that Qian Ye felt was a sharp, searing pain. This meant that even now, facing this woman, he had no certainty of victory.

The woman first glanced around the city, her expression relaxing when she saw Jun Du Zhao, Bai Ao Tu, and Song Zi Ning in the central area. Then, she turned her attention back to Qian Ye, saying, “You must be Qian Ye? Wei Huang Zhao is truly fortunate.”

“And you are?”

“I am Hai Mi. According to seniority, you should call me Aunt.” As she said this, she chuckled self-deprecatingly, “Oh, I haven’t been out much, and I didn’t realize how old I’ve become.”

Qian Ye looked at the woman before him, utterly bewildered, unable to understand the connection between them and why seniority mattered.

“Are you… here as reinforcements?” Qian Ye asked.

Hai Mi nodded, “Strictly speaking, yes. But I seem to have arrived rather late. It looks like I’m not needed anymore.”

Qian Ye suddenly felt a deep exhaustion and said, “It seems so.”

“The main forces will arrive later; there are still some obstacles on the way. Moreover, the overall situation on the floating land has changed. The armies of the dark races are retreating,” Hai Mi’s expression dimmed slightly, lost in thought, unsure of what had brought her to this moment.

Qian Ye found himself at a loss for words, wondering if blame was useful. He could see that, like Bai Ao Tu, Hai Mi had fought fiercely to get here. He could also see that she was severely injured, barely holding on. How could he blame her under such circumstances?

Hai Mi once again gazed at the White City, this time taking in the entire battlefield. She was shocked by what she saw. The brutality of the war here was evident, and the countless corpses silently told the story of the carnage.

Compared to the bloody path of bones left by the eastern army, this place was even more brutal.

Her gaze swept across the city, pausing briefly at a pile of rubble with a somber look. Beneath the debris lay the body of the 19th Princess.

After surveying the battlefield, Hai Mi said, “It’s good that we won. The losses, though heavy, are acceptable.”

“Acceptable?” Qian Ye couldn’t help but sneer, “Do we, the Zhao family, not count as people in your eyes?”

Hai Mi was taken aback and asked, “Zhao family?” She turned to look at Jun Du Zhao and the nearby Zhao family warriors, “Isn’t Jun Du still well?”

“Well?” Qian Ye was on the verge of exploding. He had chosen not to pursue the remnants of the Evernight army, even allowing the Vampire Duke to retreat, all to protect Jun Du Zhao during his final moments, hoping to preserve a peace that might never return.

Even if it was a false peace, he would believe in it until the end. With Hai Mi’s keen perception, Qian Ye found it hard to believe she could not see Jun Du Zhao’s current state.

At that moment, he felt a sudden sense of something and turned his head. Jun Du Zhao, who had remained motionless, suddenly stirred, stretching his body as if about to rise. With this movement, the vitality within him surged rapidly, growing stronger.

However, Qian Ye was not elated. He stood still, his vision blurring.

This was the final burst of vitality, the last attempt by the origin force to save itself. Yet, it was futile. After a brief flare, it faded into warmth, failing to reignite the flame of life. In a moment, Jun Du Zhao would forever fall into darkness, leaving no trace of vitality.

Hai Mi’s expression instantly changed. Severely wounded and with her strength greatly diminished, she only realized Jun Du Zhao’s true condition when he moved.

After the shock, Hai Mi noticed something unusual and pointed at Jun Du Zhao, “No, his vitality…”

Jun Du Zhao’s vitality continued to surge, even at the cost of overexertion and burning. This was the origin force’s last struggle, and the rank of his origin force was no less than Qian Ye’s.

Yet, no matter how close, it fell short of reigniting the flame of life.

Hai Mi was frantic. With her experience, she knew this was a rare opportunity, but it was fleeting. Even she had no means to help. There was no myth of creating vitality out of thin air.

Just then, a speck of light descended from the sky, circling above Qian Ye before shooting towards Jun Du Zhao, sinking into his brow.

This light was intense, filled with the peak of Dawn energy, even surpassing Qian Ye’s Dawn Awakening! Like a spark, it ignited the long-accumulated vitality within Jun Du Zhao!

As the light approached, Qian Ye’s blood core suddenly throbbed violently, causing a dull ache. Before he could think, he was drawn to the miraculous scene unfolding before him.

Jun Du Zhao’s eyes slowly opened!

His usually deep, purple-tinged pupils were now clouded with confusion, appearing unexpectedly clear and innocent. He seemed disoriented, mumbling, “Qian Ye…” before swaying and falling.

In an instant, Qian Ye appeared, supporting him. Almost simultaneously, Hai Mi appeared, stabilizing the other side of Jun Du Zhao.

They both clearly felt Jun Du Zhao’s heart beating. Though weak, it was real, unlike the previous phantom sensation.

“He, he is…”

Hai Mi, after a quick examination, said, “I don’t know why, but Jun Du is alive. However, he is very weak and needs immediate treatment. I’ll take him to the rear base; any delay could be fatal.”

Jun Du Zhao’s condition required more than a few potions; it needed large medical equipment, available only in the fortress base.

Qian Ye carefully scanned Jun Du Zhao’s body with his senses, fearing any disturbance might extinguish the newly ignited flame of life. He confirmed Hai Mi’s words; although Jun Du Zhao’s vitality was reigniting, it was like a candle in the wind, fragile and needing immediate care.

Qian Ye hesitated, wanting to go with them.

Hai Mi, seeming to read his thoughts, said, “My fleet is nearby, and the ship has emergency medical facilities. I can take Jun Du to the rear safely. You have work to do here.” Her gaze swept over Qian Ye, adding, “You need to take care of your injuries as well.”

Qian Ye knew Hai Mi had sensed his dark origin force and did not argue. Looking at Jun Du Zhao, who had fallen unconscious again, he finally nodded, “Alright.”

As Hai Mi was about to leave, Qian Ye stopped her, handing over a pile of items, “These should be useful.”

Hai Mi glanced over, recognizing various precious herbs. Though she, as the Crown Princess, had no shortage of such resources, she was surprised to see a piece of prime origin crystal among them, “Such a thing exists?”

This crystal was the result of Qian Ye’s plundering several great stars of the vampires and fusing their astral energies, creating a super-grade origin crystal. Though it leaned towards the dark, it could enhance one’s constitution, making it suitable for any faction. For Jun Du Zhao, it was perfectly suited.

Hai Mi, straightforward as ever, took the crystal, “This is very useful. Keep the rest for yourself.”

Time was pressing, and Hai Mi wasted no more words. She soared into the sky, disappearing in an instant.

Qian Ye returned to Song Zi Ning, who had woken up, and Bai Ao Tu, who turned to look at them. Qian Ye briefly explained, and all three felt a touch of joy.

At that moment, the last light of twilight disappeared, and night fell.

Simultaneously, the sky displayed an abnormal phenomenon: a shower of meteors and rising winds.

A swarm of meteors entered the floating land, burning as they fell, creating a spectacular sight.

Seeing this, Qian Ye and Song Zi Ning’s expressions changed. Qian Ye felt a void in his heart, a strange emptiness. Song Zi Ning, due to his cultivation of the Heavenly Mechanism Technique, felt it more acutely. He picked up a broken branch, carved it into counting rods, and silently calculated.

The more he calculated, the paler his face became.

Qian Ye, watching Song Zi Ning, saw his expression darken. Song Zi Ning’s calculations became increasingly erratic, his breathing unsteady.

Qian Ye gently patted Song Zi Ning’s back, dispersing a layer of illusion. Song Zi Ning looked up, dazed, two lines of blood trickling from his eyes, unaware.

Qian Ye sternly said, “Knowing the result is enough. No need to confirm further.”

Bai Ao Tu, however, remarked, “A great power has fallen, and the heavens mourn.”