187. Lion Brothers
I frowned thoughtfully, beginning to understand why this was happening.
Beings formed from the energy of heaven and earth typically take an extremely long time to develop intelligence. Yet this one had gained a faint consciousness while still in seed form, simply because I had consumed so much lifespan in simulation.
Using the panel, I had erased the consciousness of living beings many times before.
Previously, though, I had only erased vampires' consciousness using death essence gained from learning the Resurrected Body technique.
However, this situation was completely different.
Using death essence was not an option, as it could destroy both the seed and the Cosmic Devouring Crystal that contained it.
Fortunately, I possess the Melting Sun Furnace.
My eyes narrowed as I mobilized the suppression power of the Melting Sun Furnace to lock it up tightly.
Now that I had secured control over it, I felt no concern. The seed was powerless to resist—I could steadily wear it down until it was destroyed.
The thousands of years invested in upgrading the Melting Sun technique proved undeniably worthwhile.
I had done what I could; now the panel would need to handle the rest.
With this thought, I rose and made a silent promise to myself. Don't worry, I'll earn enough vampiric lifespan for you.
Looking up, I gazed ahead.
Two wisps of aura emerged from the silver bell, pulsating even more intensely.
In the next moment, as my black shirt fluttered, I transformed once again into a gentle breeze sweeping across the sky.
...
Mount Baker, Whatcom Falls.
A shallow stream trickled over smooth pebbles. In the water lay a massive Neneam Lion with a majestic figure perched upon its back—a being clad in gleaming silver scale armor who possessed a human body but bore the head of a lion.
"Brother, would you stop riding on me?" The giant lion growled in annoyance, thrashing its tail.
"I'd rather ride Lady Ember Frostine, but she's been gone for days," the lion-headed vampire said with a playful smile, earning a muffled laugh from beneath him.
The two brothers gazed wistfully toward Cascadia.
"I don't understand why the Vampire King wants us to provoke Albany Laurent. He guards Surrey, wields the Sun-Shattering Bow, and has formed his Redeemed Spirit. Though he seems pedantic, he's no fool."
The giant lion propped itself up, clearly disgruntled: "To think that a single gold bell would be enough to lure him out, isn't that a bit naive?"
"It's better if he stays put. Then we can continue having our fun with Lady Rabbit."
The lion-headed vampire grinned wickedly, running his tongue across his lips. "She's desperate to win back the Vampire King's favor and willing to take risks—but why should we care?"
"I heard Moonfeather was killed," the giant lion said, padding toward the riverbank.
Though they all served under the Blood Moon Vampire King, their relationship was far from good. In fact, had it not been for the Vampire King's authority, he would have slaughtered Moonfeather at the banquet centuries ago.
"I couldn't care less about him." The giant lion shook its head. "Yet, if someone in Cascadia can kill Moonfeather, they can kill other Vampire Lords too. You and I, brother, are safe enough—but too many losses will inevitably free up H.A.R.M.'s forces. Then they'll have us under constant surveillance, and that's never comfortable."
"You worry about such pointless things." The lion-headed vampire sneered. "The Vampire King won't let that foolish snow owl's death be in vain. Cascadia will have to pay with the life of a general. In fact, I know the ancient Leviasaur of the Pacific is on the verge of breaking through. The Vampire King has already dispatched someone with precious medicine to help him take that final step."
Preparing for a thousand years, emerging from the water in a single day.
This would surely bring bloodshed to Cascadia.
"Then won't we drop another rank?" The giant lion growled in annoyance. There were seventeen harmonizing vampire lords under the Vampire King, and together the two brothers could easily rank in the top five. But those other beast vampires insisted on counting them separately—the rascals!
"I couldn't care less about rankings. I just want to know when Lady Frostine will return."
The lion-headed vampire sprang down from his brother's back, restless energy surging through his body.
Just then, a voluptuous figure stumbled along the stream, her clothing in disarray. She was clearly badly injured—her elegant long dress torn in several places, revealing glimpses of snow-white skin. Her delicate features twisted in pain as she bit her full lip.
The lion-headed vampire's eyes widened hungrily. "What's happened to you, my lady? Let me comfort you!"
He lunged forward and grabbed the beauty in his arms, his massive bestial paws roaming freely over her body.
"..."
The giant lion glanced over, a peculiar sense of unease washing over him.
What troubled him wasn't his brother's lustful behavior, but rather that—for the first time—his brother hadn't called him over to join them.
Could it be that he was feeling frustrated after being pent up for so many days?
Usually in these situations, he would serve as a furry cushion—after all, the two of them couldn't very well lie on the bare ground.
And why wasn't his brother showing any concern for Lady Frostine's injuries—not even asking what had happened to her?
The giant lion's eyes darted around, suddenly catching sight of a faint white mist.
The mist blended perfectly with the stream, making it nearly imperceptible.
The giant lion's heart plummeted. He roared, "Brother, watch out! Moonfeather isn't dead! He must have defected to the Ascendant King and come to harm us!"
The instant the words left its mouth, dragon and tiger roars thundered in its ears. The giant lion whirled around in horror to see a massive sword materializing before it—flanked by two ferocious beasts charging straight at its position!
The savage Will Embodiment technique struck with devastating force, carving a massive gash through its body as the dragon and tiger phantoms sent it hurtling through the air!
Suspended in the air, I held the Sun-Shattering Bow drawn taut like a full moon. My eyes blazed with celestial light—fierce as a heavenly general on patrol!
Empowered by the Sixth Transformation of Sanguine Resurrection, blazing white arrows streaked across the sky.
BOOM! BOOM!
Brilliant white light engulfed the giant lion, ripping through its tough vampiric hide and exposing raw flesh and blood!
I unleashed more than ten consecutive arrows, each striking true. Yet despite the white light searing through its flesh down to bone, the lion remained stubbornly alive.
I scowled, dissatisfied with the outcome.
However, since reaching the harmonizing stage, the original Turtle Silent Shell technique **could no longer fully conceal my aura. Moving any closer would risk detection.
My only option was to attack from afar using the Will Embodiment of Dragon Tiger Sword and the Sun-Shattering Bow.
Meanwhile.
The lion-headed vampire held Lady Frostine in his arms, his eyes betraying an inner struggle.
He was clearly trying to break free from the illusion.
Suddenly, he bared his fangs with a mountain-shaking roar, and his terrifying eyes gained a glimmer of clarity.
"..."
I ignored him as his figure vanished from where he had been standing.
According to General Laurent, these two vampires were as powerful as him when they fought together.
They must have possessed some form of joint combat technique.
If I failed to eliminate one of them quickly, taking them both on at once would be vastly more challenging.