The ever-burning flame seemed also not to expect such firm resistance and stood silent for a moment before raising two fingers and saying, “Two, I need two additional quotas.”
Losar and Meidanzuo never expected that the requirement raised by Yongran Flame would be so modest. After exchanged their divine intentions and thoughts, Losar asked, “Is the order of rank an issue?”
“The ranks are issues I will resolve on my own. All I need is two extra places. The recompensation for the allocation can be discussed gradually,” replied Yongran with a solemn tone.
Given the stature of Yongran, the first titan below the魔皇 (Mao Huang) in all魔裔 (Ma Yi), his personal request for such minor matters would most probably be accepted even devoid of recompensation, not to say there being such compensation. As one of the elite in the魔裔, any recompensation mentioned was likely more valuable than expected. Losar and Meidanzuo inevitably wonder who the魔裔 might be reserving such quotas for.
But obviously asking would result in no answer, so Losar continued, “Fine, two positions will be granted.”
Yongran then let out a low, steady chuckle as if of dark omen, replying, “Marvelous then. I shall proceed toward The Place Neutral with you three to stay three days. That young child who occupies the Blood Throne shall not afford me disrespect.”
This brought some unease to Meidanzuo’s face.
The current holder of the Blood Throne is under the Vampire dominion, whose societal hierarchy exerts brutal blood-bound repression. In theoretical conditions, Yongran should find most—if not total—of his powers restrained when facing Meidanzuo. Still, it was quite the opposite where instead of suppression, even full respect should be extended towards the latter. The opposite however remained as history tells how Yongran had suffered before under Meidanzuo with near fatal wounds and only escaped calamity beneath ‘The Tides Fractured,’ with both the Vampire sovereign growing since and the upcoming duel expected within the neutral space making this an unwelcomed scenario for Meidan.
Therein lurked a humiliating blemish in all Vampiric annals. However, as the past clash of annihilation was wrought upon not only Vampires—the neutral territories were littered with the corpses of various species’ masters also fallen under the broken tides—but occurred during Lilith’s prolonged slumber as well spared a war of extermination being waged for blood against the Throne.
Now that Yongran once again brought this to light—though publicly it seems as support to claim the portal—it was indeed subtly another jab at Vampir’s might. By the same note, the meeting grew far from harmonious.
After the negotiation’s conclusion, the noble trio retreated to personal vessels and led their respective fleets in unison toward the neutral lands. Amongst the assembled fleets, none would mistake the Vampire fleet as unrivaled, save the spider kin as lesser rivals too, with the魔裔 fleet’s might being hardly half compared with its allies upon initial glance.
Yet through all, the魔裔 ships matched every league with no lag—displaying quite a bold challenge toward the two fleets. In a world dominated by might as Night Eternal, Yongran made a clear point—an unspoken taunt echoing, “Bring another half, still you’d fear my flame.”
Upon his flagship, Meidanzuo’s mood had curdled into thunderous silence and all attendents wisely scattered afar—desiring no role of scapegoat in their lord’s brewing rage. Alone at last lay an empty chamber, that is but momentary.
Suddenly appeared a holo from Losar, whose dark features too seemed disturbed as the Spider Kin General’s presence formed.
“Such arrogance those魔裔 displayed—it truly passes all acceptable measure,” Losar muttered, his voice tight with rage.
“So be said. He is Yongran Flame, wielding the Flame Eternal—the Ma Yi spear of unending war. What could we possibly do?”
“There was a final order from Her Spidered Divinity upon my departure: Each of the名额 (quotas) granted within the Grand Maelstrom’s trial demands pursuit, at all risk,” Losar continued with heavy deliberation. “And upon inquiries of similar expectations from your Night Queen?”
Meidan, with a grim voice, replied, “Her Majesty remains submerged under age-long slumber—yet prior thereto, Her only decree urged swift procurement of the掌控之瞳 (Eye of Dominion). All else beyond was left unsaid.”
“So she still carries that past resentment.”
“One lost to ages—lost to the cosmic abyss likely long beyond breath and life, or surely by now returned, reclining within crimson baths as she herself drifted into slumber. What use is it to expend so many resources for ghosts? And what is worst—Lately she shows great favor towards Hapls, such petty noblet having but freshly touched on Princely ascension?”
A bitter edge laced Meidan’s voice—one that didn’t escape even Losar, yet the younger general sought change.
Despite knowing the pain, Losar was the youngest of the Spidered Commanders—wary of delving any deeper into forbidden dominion where every至尊(archfiends of the Sacred Mountains) bore power beyond mortal comprehension. Yet Meidan, being one of the Ancient Lords of vampire kin that outlived ages—certain was to voice complaints of the realm.
Losar exhaled longingly. “Whatever the case… Yarong, bearing that Flameborne Lance grants him the might sufficient to oppose either one of us handfully and without ally aid. And therein dwells the foundation of his dominance.”
Losar sighed longly: “Woes of old—the regret of abandoning Andouya at his prime… he was lost from our world and we were unprepared for this new age, when another would burn like wildfire in his absence.”
Meidan growled—a grating nod, for even in vampire legends: the absence of the Winged Shadowed Sovereign ranked heavier than any throne lost in rebellion. Where in his prime, An’ Do Ya vanished unthinkably amidst the height of powers—haunting mystery beyond all of the eternal dark realms, whose shadow even among legends remains untouched by the young general’s knowledge who himself knows far more on such buried pasts than most dared to seek.
Suddenly it is Meidan who wishes to change tracks, so he diverted attention away. “So… since he seeks concessions… which shall be our proper demand now then?”
After considering matters silently as they flew across the cold of voids, Losal spoke: “The best bet seems a major quantity… maybe something strategic like魔铁(Darksteel)…”
With silent agreements exchanged, a final form of their demands took shape in mind when at the command deck’s door, an aristocratic Vampire spoke with due reverence.
“The honorable Lord of Obscured Light, an incoming vessel appears, likely being Blood Throne’s messengers.”
Upon Meidanzuo’s curt nod, the command passed—”Open the line of communication, witness his intended purposes.”
“By order.” Bowing swiftly Meiden recede further while projection of Losan disappeared, giving way to an emerging image of aged and rugged star-ship, whose body held countless of patches and a design crude and thick.
It was an unmistakable mark within neutral dominions. Many would mistake ancient armorings as obsolete frailty but those surviving in the harsh neutrality zones of power wars learned never to undermine such rugged beasts—these hulls of unshakably old resilience and unexpected power surge that far outlast the elite vessels built by empire and shadowy night factions in efficiency if lessened in technological grace—those pristine crafts of war too precise often faltering where survival matters.
Thus now, amidst titanic war fleets stood but one lonely shadow—like fragile young lamb walking unwavering in lion territory… and it held its poise. Upon its deck arose figure cloaked in black silken shadow, silver haired and grim. Once again, same Elder whose presence greeted that enigmatic young visitor before.
“Great ones, your visit bears rare glory. The lord’s word is my call to await in honor your arrival.”
Yet, across the holo’s static crackle arose Meidan’s resounding thunder over the void itself. “Thus do our legions arrive; where now, the Child of Blood that dare avoid our presence—what fool believes mere messengers be equals fit of us?”
A polite smile curved across Vampire envoy’s lips, whose tone bore only measured elegance.
“The arrival of mighty Lords of Dark and Spider—no slight is intended by our lord at all. Which is why he must remain concealed beyond view—sheltered within his throne.”
“Should those Lords of Might abstain stepping their shadows into neutral territory—the throne will stay hidden, safe in his halls, yet if they violate this… alas, then consequences most dire shall follow.”
The implications were thinly yet deliberately veiled—an outright challenge: He knew full well in contest against such dualed threats, survival was but moment’s whisper and thus stayed hidden. But in their entrance upon neutral sands he would strike back, unrestricted retaliation raining on each subordinate beneath command. If such fate awaited even the might of Lord Vampir himself, it spelled catastrophe, where if ambushed successfully even he risked serious harm—an undeniably ignominious fall for once-great names.
Moreover, now Queen of Night long-drowned in slumber, the Azure Emperor sealed behind veiled walls, Meizhou remained blood dynasty’s standing lord. Yet while favored highly by the throne, as fledgling Prince Habuz only stood miles from attaining his full reign, the weight of leadership bore heavier burden—his prestige more precious than even before.
And the recent murmurs by Loran of Ando’wa—this too stirs restless tempest inside old hearts, where Blood Emperor’s bold evasion felt more like barbed mockery, further feeding inner fires into an enraged tempest where prideful wrath erupted from chest cold:
“And if I wish to walk upon neutral dunes then… What!”
“Your Grace,” The Eldar vampire replied evenly, “the Blood Lord declares thus: Raising of mighty beings within our halls has never come easily to vampires’ efforts nor without heavy sacrifices. If indeed, this mighty Lord is intent on disregarding this humble counsel… then the ranking of the Dracules shall suffer severe revision.”
This, the clearest cut yet.
Out with growled disdains, wrath flaring in red-amber gaze, the vampire prince knew well—the land neutral knows no shelter. Within void’s grasp, Losan held more options than he. Among spider bloodlines, bodily toughness was a given yet Losar, being crowned Commander of such horde stood near godly levels of resiliency: Even against multiple salvos from 破碎流年（Breaking Years）—perhaps surviving as his form of attack alone could bring even the Wounded to an eternal slumber.
Then in midst of tensions arose a rasp voice, breaking void-bound silence: it was flame eternal.
“To your master deliver this missive: This Eternal Flamewalker requires three days respite within Neutral Dunes,” proclaimed voice of Yangran.
At such recognition The vampire Elder’s calm nearly collapsed:
“At once I shall report to my lord, Prince Yangran!”—his bow far more respectful than ever offered before, as if even shadows now feared the rising fire—deep with reverence in its form.
Soon returning the dignitary relayed:
“If indeed noble Yangran requests for a three days reprieve—it’s granted. Yet within the three-day duration we humbly request you remain undisturbed from our Neutral Lords here. Yet as for the other Princes, The dunes shall remain closed lands.”
—End of Translation—
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