Qian Ye was momentarily taken aback by the unfamiliar expression on Song Zining’s face. He then realized he was floating in midair, with his domain fully extended beneath him. The sea surged like an immense tide, and even the earth seemed to undulate. Layers of crimson mist hovered over the ocean, as though it were the residual wave from the blood river in his consciousness world.
The sea and the blood mist adhered closely but remained distinct, not a single hint of mingling. It was like the distance between dawn and darkness.
Song Zining’s solemn expression gradually lost all emotion, and his eyes, usually filled with a flirtatious smile, became as calm and indifferent as a mirror, reflecting only what lay before them.
Qian Ye saw himself in those eyes. Although his domain of ocean waves had not materialized, the powerful origin fluctuations distorted the air, causing his vision to fluctuate. Qian Ye stood aloft on the crest of a wave, surrounded by billowing blood mist. His original wings, extended, folded their tips, encircling him protectively.
Qian Ye’s blood core suddenly thumped powerfully, “thump,” like the drumbeat of war.
Suddenly, Song Zining moved, walking step by step towards Qian Ye. Qian Ye felt no trace of a domain being opened or any use of origin power, but after a few steps, Qian Ye found he had lost track of Song Zining’s position.
Qian Ye did not move. Soon, Song Zining stepped into the range of the ocean waves, but Qian Ye still felt nothing. His domain showed no signs of disturbance, as if the person entering did not exist.
However, as Song Zining continued forward, nearing the blood mist, a change occurred. A barrier of lustrous glass rose around him, with petals and leaves fluttering within. In the brief distance they fell, they underwent a complete cycle of life and death, flourishing and withering.
Qian Ye took a deep breath and slowly descended to the ground. As he did, the domain of the sea, his original wings, and the blood mist dissipated. After they vanished, the glassy barrier became more apparent, forming a transparent canopy of about ten meters in diameter, encompassing both Qian Ye and Song Zining.
“Zining.”
Song Zining looked at Qian Ye quietly, the indifference in his eyes gradually fading. “Qian Ye.” When the warmth returned to his gaze, the glassy barrier around them silently disappeared.
Qian Ye watched the last few specks of lustrous light fade away, “Your domain is different from before.”
“This is the true domain of the Three Thousand Floating Leaves Technique. Once one reaches the advanced realm, each practitioner chooses one of the Three Thousand Paths, entering a unique domain.” Song Zining smiled slightly, “My domain is called the Crystal Realm. A heart clear as glass, inside and out, untouched by dust.”
Listening to Song Zining’s lofty explanation, Qian Ye felt something was amiss and couldn’t help but say, “Untouched by dust? Seeing so many women around you, I feel like you’ve chosen the wrong path.”
Song Zining, showing no shame, replied firmly, “To taste the mortal world and yet remain untainted by its myriad ways. A touch of red lips sharpens the stone of the Dao. I told you not to mix too much with that wild boar from the Wei family. Now, you can’t even grasp this subtle truth.”
Qian Ye gave him a sidelong glance and asked, “Why are you here? What happened to Blackflow City?”
“The Iron Curtain has opened, and strange changes have swept through the land. Even on the outskirts of Blackflow City, we felt the tremors, but only a few unstable buildings collapsed.” Song Zining smiled, “I came to find you, and here you are, but… ” He shrugged.
Recalling the scene in his consciousness world, Qian Ye fell silent. He had never considered himself a blood kin. Humans could also gain dark powers, especially in the Evernight Continent, where some hunters and scavengers possessed purely dark powers yet still fought against dark races. But what was that just now? Why did he sense a call from the blood kin’s river of blood?
Song Zining patted his shoulder, “Qian Ye, I’ve always wanted to tell you that power itself has no allegiance. As long as we are strong enough, we can control it without becoming its puppet. I’m glad you were conscious just now.”
Qian Ye nodded, feeling a heavy weight.
On the highest peak of the Dusklight Continent, in the oldest castle of the Pas Clan, all the important figures of the clan, dukes and above, had gathered. They were in the largest and most ancient hall, and it was somewhat crowded. This alone showcased the strength of this ancient clan.
The upper blood kin conversed in hushed tones, many of whom hadn’t seen each other in centuries. Recently, the head of the Spurk Clan, Habus, ascended to Blood Prince and was crowned, causing a great stir in the entire Sacred Blood River, giving them endless topics to discuss.
At that moment, an irresistible pressure descended silently, and a projection appeared on the high seat at the end of the hall. Though no one could see the figure clearly, all the blood kin knew it was Queen Lilith, the origin of their bloodline.
They all fell silent, placing their hands over their hearts and kneeling on one knee, offering the highest respect. No one spoke, and even the sound of breathing ceased. Silence was the highest honor in the presence of the Night Queen.
After a moment, Lilith gently raised her hand, and everyone dared to rise.
This was the first time Lilith had summoned all the clan’s high-ranking members since her awakening. Her index finger tapped the armrest, lost in thought. No one dared to speak and interrupt her musings.
After a long while, Lilith finally spoke, “How is the situation with the Monroes?”
A duke responsible for external intelligence stepped forward and respectfully reported, “The Monroes have been developing steadily. King Anduya, the Blackwing, has not reappeared since his disappearance. Recently, clues about his hidden treasure emerged, causing a stir. We dispatched people to search, but ultimately… “
The duke continued to recount the major events of the Monroes over the years, speaking so rapidly that even the dukes struggled to follow. However, this was no issue for the Night Queen. Lilith’s awakenings were rare, and every second was invaluable. Naturally, she would handle everything in the shortest time possible.
Lilith sat quietly, and it was unclear if she was listening. Suddenly, her tapping fingers froze in mid-air. The duke immediately halted his report.
“You mentioned earlier that there is a descendant of the Monroe Clan who awakened Anduya’s bloodline recently?”
“Yes, her name is Nighteye. She was originally from a minor branch of the Monroe Clan, but was later discovered to be a pureblood with exceptionally pure bloodline,” the duke replied.
Lilith listened, then said slowly, “A pureblood, then which ability did she awaken?”
“Based on the current information, we believe she possesses the Pupil of Destruction, though it has not fully manifested yet.”
“The Pupil of Destruction?” Lilith’s voice carried a slight ripple, and the temperature in the hall plummeted. A frigid, murderous intent spread throughout the room.
Under this icy aura, even the dukes felt a shiver and wanted to kneel along with the others.
“If the Pupil of Destruction has appeared, where is the Pupil of Control?”
The duke’s face turned pale, but he managed to stand firm under Lilith’s killing intent. He steadied his voice, “We have thoroughly searched, but so far, no other clan’s descendants have shown signs of awakening the Pupil of Control.”
Lilith remained silent for a long while, and the coldness in the hall gradually dissipated. “Let Nighteye come to me.”
At these words, a few faces brightened. A young blood kin, with a determined look, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said loudly, “Noble Majesty, could you spare a little of your time to hear my suggestion?”
Lilith’s brows furrowed slightly, and the grand duke standing beside her quickly said, “This is Edward, who has awakened your bloodline and has been recognized by the Council as our Sacred Blood Clan’s Holy Son.” This meant that this young blood kin was Lilith’s pureblood, and the title given by the Eternal Night Council was a gesture of respect, acknowledging her as the supreme ruler of the entire blood race.
Hearing this, Edward’s face flushed with pride and excitement. Normally, he was not easily agitated, but today was a special occasion.
Lilith was not only the founder of the Pas Clan; she was an almost divine figure for all blood kin. For centuries, only one blood kin dared to challenge her authority: the legendary Blackwing King, Anduya. Yet even he had never directly challenged the Night Queen.
If he could receive a word of praise from Lilith, it would be the greatest honor, especially for one who had awakened her bloodline.
However, instead of praise, Lilith snorted coldly, “Since when do the affairs of my Sacred Blood Clan require the Council’s intervention?”
All present were her descendants from different generations. Sensing her displeasure, the entire hall trembled, and no one dared to mention the Holy Son again.
Still, Lilith’s gaze fell on Edward, and she said indifferently, “What is your suggestion? Speak.”
Edward tried to calm his surging blood and spoke as calmly as possible, “This suggestion concerns Nighteye. You are the second drop of sacred blood in the holy river, and in the last thousand years, only the sacred blood of the Blackwing King was not subdued by you. I possess the purest and most potent of your bloodline, and Nighteye, with the Pupil of Destruction, also has a very pure bloodline. Therefore, I propose that we unite, and our offspring might combine our bloodlines, producing exceptionally powerful descendants.”
The Holy Son had been pushing this plan for a long time, but the Monroe Clan was strong, and Nighteye was adamantly opposed. The Spurk Clan also intervened, creating significant resistance.
On the other hand, the Pas Clan was ancient and powerful, with many factions. Not everyone wanted to see the Holy Son’s rise. Hearing him present his plan to Lilith, the other factions grew uneasy.
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