At the side of the “Slumber of the Colossus” controlled by the Evernight Council, powerful beings from various dark races were entering one after another. A werewolf count embraced his family members one by one and whispered something to a council viscount before letting out a long howl, transforming into his werewolf form, and descending the cliff.
Yan Tong stood on a stone ledge that jutted out five or six meters, gazing down at the swirling “Rainbow Chaos.” Behind her stood over a dozen sword-wielding guardians with the insignia of the council’s direct battalion.
The other dark powerhouses, even those much higher in rank than Yan Tong, did not have such a luxurious entourage. At most, they had two or three direct council subordinates behind them, some with none at all. The presence of these direct subordinates meant the powerhouse was recognized and supported by the council.
After an initial exploration of the “Slumber of the Colossus,” both major factions had uncovered the basic rules. For an original bloodline like Yan Tong, endowed with extremely potent eye abilities, she was almost born for this task. Naturally, she gained the council’s high regard, even drawing the attention of some heavyweights. The number of sword-wielding guardians around her indicated that she had more support than all others combined.
Standing there for who knows how long, Yan Tong finally emerged from her deep thoughts and took a step forward. The council’s sword-wielding guardians also began to move. Meanwhile, a few elders wearing the Monro clan’s insignia looked bitter and moved their lips, as if they wanted to say something.
At that moment, a hoarse voice called out from the distance, “Your Highness Yan Tong, please wait!”
A black dot appeared in the sky, flying close to the clouds. The figure approached swiftly, arriving at the edge of the cliff in an instant and landing gently in front of Yan Tong. This was a tall vampire, with a long, pale face, deeply downturned eyes and mouth, forming a cruel and arrogant expression.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” he said, bowing deeply, his upper body nearly parallel to the ground.
Yan Tong, seeing the Pas family insignia on him, frowned slightly and asked, “What is it?”
Before her stood a marquess, a significant figure even on the Twilight Continent. His sudden, deliberate visit to Yan Tong immediately made the Monro clan elders feel uneasy.
The marquess fixed his gaze on Yan Tong and let out a cruel, eerie smile. “I am Yuri, here on behalf of the Holy Son. The Holy Son wants to know how you feel about the matter we discussed.”
Yan Tong’s expression darkened, and just as she was about to speak, Yuri waved his finger, stopping her words. “Please do not rush to refuse. The Holy Son has proposed new terms. If you accept his kindness, he can ensure you a fragment of the Ancient Essence. With it, your chances of advancing to the rank of prince will multiply.”
A fragment of the Ancient Essence! The Monro elders exchanged glances, their faces betraying shock. Even if they claimed all the remaining fragments of the Slumber of the Colossus, the entire Evernight faction would possess no more than twenty pieces, and the vampires would get no more than six. The Monro clan, due to its unique situation, would likely not get any.
That the Holy Son offered a fragment, likely from his own share, showed great sincerity.
Yuri continued, “In addition, the Holy Son promises you can retain your Monro identity and need not join the Pas family. Even if you become a grand prince, you will remain a Monro prince. Finally, any offspring between the Holy Son and you can be alternately divided between the Pas and Monro families.”
When these conditions were laid out, the Monro vampires were all stirred, especially by the last two. Whether Yan Tong became a prince or grand duke, she would remain in the Monro family. This was not just a simple affiliation but involved a series of benefits and distributions.
It meant the Monro clan could still maintain its top-three position among the vampires. Moreover, it sent a strong signal that the Pas family would ease its pressure on the Monro. When the Queen of the Night awakens, no one in the vampire world can defy her will. If Lilith went all out, wiping out the Monro would be no difficulty.
The issue of pure-blooded descendants born from the union was, in comparison, less critical.
Therefore, all the Monro vampires looked at Yan Tong with evident hope. It was a stroke of good fortune, and the Pas family’s terms were much more lenient than before when the Queen of the Night awoke. Even disregarding the old grudge between the Queen of the Night and the Blackwing King, these terms were quite generous under normal circumstances.
But Yan Tong, without hesitation, stated firmly, “I refuse.”
Yuri was taken aback, and his smile froze. After a moment, he looked at Yan Tong again and said, “Then, I wish you and your blood kin good luck. I heard that Viscount Aaron had a mishap recently. He won’t be the last.”
Yan Tong’s face turned pale, and her fingertips trembled. She met Yuri’s gaze without flinching and said, “I wish you and your blood kin good luck as well!”
Cruelty and brutality flashed in Yuri’s eyes, and a surge of blood rose in his pupils, signaling he was ready to attack. This marquess was known for his savagery and quick temper, and even milder vampires found his methods excessive.
Yet, he ultimately withdrew his blood energy, gave Yan Tong an exaggerated bow, slowly retreated, and then flew away.
All the Monro vampires wore anxious expressions. By rejecting the Pas family’s reconciliation proposal, the Monro’s situation would likely worsen.
A white-haired elder sighed and said softly, “Your Highness, why didn’t you agree?”
“Why should I?”
“Their terms are very favorable, and beneficial to the Monro.”
Yan Tong smiled mockingly. “Indeed, it’s good for the Monro. And, you don’t have to sell yourselves, right?”
The elder felt awkward and defended, “If you agree, Your Highness, you wouldn’t have to risk going to the Slumber of the Colossus. According to the latest news, a third of the first group that entered have already perished.”
Yan Tong said resolutely, “I would rather die in the Slumber of the Colossus than agree!”
The elder’s face turned ugly. “Even if not for the prince who gave you your name, don’t you think of Count Chaos and other kin?”
Yan Tong clenched her hand so tightly that her knuckles turned blue. She exhaled and said, “Do you know what I would do first if I agreed to the Holy Son?”
“What?” The Monro elder clearly hadn’t considered this.
“I would kill all of you, without exception! You are not worthy of being the descendants of the Blackwing King, nor deserving of the Monro emblem.”
The elder was stunned. If Yan Tong set this condition, the Holy Son would surely fulfill it. The Pas family had been continuously attacking the Monro, and the generous terms were to win Yan Tong over. Killing more people would not be difficult.
“So, do you still hope I agree?” Yan Tong sneered.
The Monro vampires were speechless, their faces grim. The council’s sword-wielding guardians watched coldly, and except for the few Monro, most showed disdain. The Monro, despite being the second-oldest clan, had shown weakness throughout this affair.
Dark races revered strength, and thus they were filled with disdain for the weak.
Shortly after Marquess Yuri left, the air suddenly rippled, and space twisted, revealing a stern, elderly figure. His most striking feature was a ruby staff embedded in his left cheek.
Upon his appearance, someone below exclaimed, “Lord De Kleiss!”
De Kleiss, also known as the Blood Staff, handled external affairs for the Pas family and represented them in dealings with other clans and races. He was also the Pas family’s spokesperson in the Evernight Council. Though only a duke, with several stronger members in the clan, his power was second only to the prince.
Everyone immediately bowed in respect, even Yan Tong. De Kleiss was the embodiment of the Pas family, and the respect was not just for him but for the clan.
De Kleiss descended and stood before Yan Tong, examining the young vampire whose reputation had risen recently. To him, she was just a newly adult girl, but the latent power in her bloodline made his blood core tremble.
This was not about the quantity of power, but its quality.
“Yan Tong?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
A strange light flickered in De Kleiss’s eyes, but his expression remained unchanged. He spoke slowly, “Her Majesty, the supreme Lilith, has decreed that if you can retrieve a fragment of the Ancient Essence from the Slumber of the Colossus, she will recognize your freedom and cease interference in your affairs. Are you willing?”
Yan Tong’s body shook, and she looked at De Kleiss in disbelief. The Monro’s weakness in this matter stemmed from the Holy Son’s pressure in the name of the Queen of the Night. The Monro also had senior councilors who knew that if the council confirmed what the celestial demon was seeking, they might awaken the Queen of the Night, as she was the most effective against the celestial demon.
Now, with the Queen of the Night promising non-interference, the Monro faced only the Holy Son’s faction, different from opposing the entire Pas family.
De Kleiss leaned slightly forward and spoke softly, “Her Majesty will not interfere at all. Do you understand?”
Yan Tong’s eyes lit up, and she said, “I understand. I will obtain the essence fragment.”
“Good. I believe Her Majesty will be pleased to hear this.” With that, De Kleiss departed, rising into the air and vanishing into the void.
The iron curtain in the sky rippled, and a cold consciousness swept over De Kleiss, but was dissipated by his blood energy.
Yan Tong, without further hesitation, approached the edge of the cliff and leaped into the dense clouds.
In a distant shadow, Dusk silently appeared. She watched where Yan Tong had disappeared, her expression complex, and let out an almost imperceptible sigh before vanishing once more.
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