Ling Yun was stunned. She thought to herself, "If you are a weak woman, then there are no truly weak women in the world. If I hadn't broken through the illusion, I would definitely have been trapped inside by you. Every time, it was a matter of life and death. It seemed like I was lucky, but it was just my last struggle against death. Fortunately, I managed to break free. If I hadn't, wouldn't I have become a dead soul under your control?"
However, for some reason, despite the perilous nature of Mochizuki Nami's blood sacrifice technique, Ling Yun found it difficult to feel much hatred towards her. He even harbored a faint sense of goodwill and a mutual respect as one of the fastest-improving powerhouses. Originally, from Matsumoto Tomoki to Matsumoto Taro, and even Matsumoto Rie, Ling Yun felt a deep-seated aversion to them. This aversion wasn't simply due to the unreasonable actions of Matsumoto Tomoki and others against the Yang family; it also included the hatred that the Chinese people had harbored towards Japan for over half a century. Since World War II, that brutal history of invasion had made it difficult for the Chinese to feel any goodwill towards the Japanese.
However, Mochizuki Nami is not included in this category. Perhaps it is because of her preconceived notion that she is Chinese. Even now, Ling Yun still finds it difficult to add a Japanese surname before her name. Although he can no longer pronounce Lin Nami fluently, Mochizuki Nami, who speaks fluent Chinese, does not seem like a Japanese person at all. Or rather, Ling Yun is unwilling to believe that she is.
"Do you know, Ling Yun? I am known as the most outstanding genius of magic in the Japanese ninja clans for hundreds of years." Mochizuki Nami returned to her original calm demeanor, but no longer deliberately revealed any seductive intent. Instead, she looked at Ling Yun calmly. However, she was truly naturally alluring. Even her casual gestures and movements inadvertently revealed infinite charm. Although Ling Yun had a peaceful state of mind and his mental field was extremely stable, he couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart when he occasionally saw her solemn yet infinitely seductive expression.
Mochizuki Nami seemed oblivious to the boy's subtle change, and instead spoke slowly as if lost in thought: "From childhood to adulthood, I have always been the elders' most concerned individual. My growth rate was the fastest, and I spent the most time cultivating. Even the boys were far less diligent and patient than I was. As for the girls, they were both envious and jealous of me. It is true that I am a genius, but under the halo of genius, my childhood was not pleasant. I even felt very lonely because all my playmates were far away from me. Although my teacher loved me very much, she was more like a strict teacher. Apart from those cruel and even somewhat perverse cultivation methods, my childhood had no other colorful memories."
Ling Yun listened silently. This was the first time Mochizuki Nami had revealed her true feelings to him. Everyone hides a past memory behind them. Ling Yun suddenly felt a slight pain in his heart, and involuntarily touched his chest. There, the face of his beloved, Xiao Rou, appeared. At this moment, the young man missed his lover terribly.
“I have grown,” Mochizuki Nami said. “I am the strongest female ninja among the third generation of ninja clans. Not only my mental field, but also my illusion techniques are mastered to an unparalleled degree. Apart from the elders and the second generation of senior experts, no third-generation ninja can break my illusion techniques, and I can always break their illusion techniques with ease. I have always been proud of this. I thought I would continue to grow until I defeated all the strong ones with my illusion techniques, until I met you, Lingyun.”
At this point, she suddenly gazed deeply at Ling Yun: "Ling Yun, you make me feel something very special. In you, I feel something I've never felt before. Perhaps it's the emotion I've always lacked and neglected. Was my training from childhood to adulthood merely for the sake of revitalizing the ninja clan, sacrificing my freedom and my true ideals? No, it wasn't. The moment you broke my illusion technique last time, you made me feel not only shock, but also boundless emotion and something that can be called humanity."
Ling Yun stared at her blankly. He seemed to understand the meaning behind Mochizuki Nami's words, yet he also seemed not to.
Mochizuki Nami lowered her swan-like neck slightly, her long, curved eyelashes trembling incessantly: "I think I should live like a human being, instead of training like other ninjas, only to fight countless times for that elusive power. Lingyun, I'm just a simple girl. Seduction isn't my nature. I just want to pursue what I want, do you understand? I just want to take control of myself."
Ling Yun nodded silently. He understood the pressure and unspeakable helplessness that Mochizuki Nami carried. Perhaps, these were also what he wanted to pursue. However, fate cannot be changed according to one's attention. Even those with superpowers can only follow the tide of fate involuntarily.
“Ling Yun, I envy your relationship with Gu Xiaorou.” Mochizuki Nami seemed to remember something, raising her head to look at Ling Yun, her beautiful eyes shining with an unusual light. “Do you remember what I said back then? You moved me deeply, I was truly moved. If a girl can have a man who is willing to give his life for her, I think that would be the happiest thing. At that moment, I was actually very jealous of Gu Xiaorou. I was really jealous of her, jealous that she met you before me and won your heart. I also regretted not meeting you sooner. Maybe we would have been happier together earlier.”
Ling Yun remained awkwardly silent, unsure of what to say. It seemed that he became hesitant and timid whenever it came to matters of the heart.
“Lingyun, I’m not like you Chinese girls, who keep their feelings hidden even if they like someone, and don’t dare to say it. Even if you love a man deeply, you have to wait for him to take the initiative to speak, or even watch love slip away from you.” Mochizuki Nami’s tone suddenly became a little urgent, and two blushes involuntarily rose on her fair face.
"I know you only like Gu Xiaorou." She looked directly at Ling Yun, "but I still have to say..."
"I like you, Lingyun."
Chapter 254 Provocation
Francis's heart skipped a beat, a sudden itch running through him, as if countless ants were dancing on his heart. His exceptionally sensitive nose immediately recognized the beautiful, delicate woman from before as she stood behind him. Ignoring the excruciating pain of his blindness, he whirled around, leering, "My adorable, beautiful, pure little lamb, have you come to submit to me willingly, the great Count Francis?"
Xia Lan stood before him with her long hair flowing in the wind. Her figure, only half a head shorter than the tall and handsome vampire, was graceful and slender. Her exquisite curves seemed to be naturally formed, exuding a powerful and alluring charm. Her beautiful face, with its gentle yet heroic features, was so stunning that it almost made the vampire's soul ascend to heaven.
Although Xia Lan's identity as a superhuman didn't lower Francis's guard, the proud vampire count didn't take the threat of a beautiful woman with only a faint baronial aura seriously. In Francis's eyes, Xia Lan's beauty was clearly more attractive than her supernatural abilities. The count was even somewhat impatient to engage in some stimulating sadomasochistic games, just like how he played with terrified and naked ordinary human women like a cat to a mouse in his underground castle in Europe, ultimately turning them into his captives with his sharp fangs to satisfy his desires at will.
The thought of ravaging a superhuman while simultaneously being a stunningly beautiful woman was incredibly arousing. Francis couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. His lewd and depraved thoughts spread like wildfire, even causing his skin to heat up a few degrees in an instant. His blood seemed to boil, and his eyes gradually became hazy. He began to fantasize about holding the beautiful girl tightly in his arms, imagining her exquisite face filled with utter horror, which would only fuel his desire and bring him to an unprecedented climax.
Something seemed to be swelling between his legs. Uh… this wasn’t the right time to get aroused. He needed to conquer her properly first, the Earl thought to himself.
"Revered, great, and handsome Count Francis, you are like the moon in the sky, shining brightly and holyly, guiding me on my path and clearing away the thorns in my way. I, Xia Lan, an ordinary human woman, am willing to submit to you, great Francis. You are my last and greatest master, and I am ready to obey your every command." The girl suddenly showed boundless joy, her long, straight legs kneeling down on one knee, about to bow deeply in submission.
It was as if nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine roses bloomed at once, releasing a rich and intoxicating fragrance in an instant. The great Francis's azure eyes suddenly sparkled with countless enchanting little stars, as if he had been drugged and knew nothing of what was good.
“Satan above, my master, heavens, I truly worship you! This… this young girl is actually kneeling before me! My Satan, I didn’t use any special magic at all! I conquered the heart of this stunning beauty entirely with my genuine personal charm!” Francis’s face was flushed, and he stammered incoherently as he recited his prayer. His pale hands formed a strange shape in front of his chest, resembling both a heart and a burning flame.
Demville slowly straightened up, gently wiping the last trace of blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked at Xia Lan, who was kneeling on one knee, and Francis, who was beaming with pride, with a mixture of jealousy and anger. He couldn't understand why Francis, who was always self-important but actually pitiful, could make this beautiful girl fall in love with him without relying on any special magic.
Was this girl mentally challenged or an idiot? That's why she'd fallen for that fool, Francesina? I, Demville, am a hundred times better than her, so why doesn't she even look at me? She doesn't even glance at me, as if I don't exist in her eyes. Demville thought angrily, still feeling sullen after being hit by Ivanov's scorching sun. Seeing his little lover, whom he also wanted a share of, actively throwing herself into Frances's arms only fueled his rage.
Francis looked at Demville with a smug expression, his meaning clear: See? I have that kind of charm. Even without the great vampire's bewitching arts, I can still make beautiful women throw themselves into my arms. Do you have that ability?
The two men were staring at each other, arguing over Xia Lan's allegiance, while in another part of the cramped space, two vampire marquises were locked in a fierce battle with two high-level berserkers.
Fortunately, the isolation barrier absorbed most of the attack force silently; otherwise, a single, earth-shattering impact from two powerful individuals at the rank of colonel or above would have been enough to completely collapse the seemingly spacious but actually cramped underground bar.
Four indistinct shadows chased each other frantically, colliding and snapping together frequently. After a series of teeth-grinding hissing sounds, like iron swords cutting through steel, they separated and then reunited, colliding again and creating bursts of dazzling light. The roars of two high-level berserkers and the muffled groans of the vampire marquis brothers could be heard from time to time. Clearly, both sides were caught off guard and had not expected their opponents to be so formidable.
Ivanov and Leonid had entered a deep berserk state, their innate berserk genes finally being fully unleashed. The stronger the opponent, the more excited they became. As leaders of the Nordic Arctic berserkers, spending years in the desolate, frigid regions leading a group of mindless, savage barbarians had rendered their immense strength and special abilities useless. Of course, no superhuman would be foolish enough to venture into the icy wilderness to challenge the berserker leader. Therefore, it had been a long time since anything had stirred the blood of these two high-ranking berserkers. Clearly, with the vampire marquis, the berserkers had rediscovered their joy; combat was their calling.
Banir and Gaia frantically channeled their spiritual power, channeling wave after wave of dark energy into their sharp, venomous claws, which emitted continuous green five-pointed lines. Even high-ranking ability users and judges had to be extremely cautious when facing the vampire's claws. They possessed an attack power capable of tearing through steel, and behind them lay a deeply corrosive and erosive dark power, enough to turn a powerful ability user into a gray skeleton or a rotting corpse in ten seconds. Furthermore, if the Marquis wished, he could freely inject vampire factors into the wounds of his opponents. Unless an ability user with special powers could expel these terrifying factors from their body as quickly as possible, it wouldn't be long before they would spread rapidly throughout their bodies like the Ebola virus, turning them into the vampire's vassals and puppets.
That's the most terrifying thing, and one of the main reasons why vampires are the common enemy of all mankind. Whether it's the Embrace or blood corruption, both turn ordinary people into vampire vassals. Unlike in the legends, the Embrace has different natures and methods. Some Embraces simply turn ordinary humans into vampires, granting them near-eternal youth and an immortal mind. Other Embraces involve a vampire injecting a strong personal imprint into the blood of the corrupted individual. Once the corrupted person regains consciousness, although they become immortal and retain their memories from their previous life, they are under the sole control of the vampire, both mentally and physically. This control is extremely enslaving. The controlled person has their own thoughts but cannot freely command their body and must obey the controller's orders. This is undoubtedly extremely painful, and many corrupted individuals die before the controller can completely destroy them.
Even in the darkest recesses of the vampire realm, the corrosive Embrace is strictly forbidden. This isn't to elevate vampire taste or civility, but rather because vampires cannot afford to provoke other creatures too much, lest they face annihilation. However, some young vampires still recklessly turn their chosen girls into their playthings, subjecting them to wanton sexual torture before letting them die tragically. As long as they don't go too far, the vampire hierarchy doesn't forbid it, and they might even occasionally take on the role of criminals, indulging in boundless depravity and sin. After all, they are creatures of darkness, so there's no need for them to hypocritically worship light and nobility like humans.
The higher the rank of the vampire, the stronger their corrupting power. They are like sources of plague, preying on humans everywhere, capturing and feeding on those they can consume, much like the most terrifying parasites. When they reach the level of vampire marquises, they can even instantly turn people into their vassals.
This time, however, the vampire marquis met his match. Clearly, his opponents were not ordinary humans, but two high-level berserkers known for their superior physical defense. In particular, Leonid's skin, which resembled mountain rock, was covered with a thick layer of earthy yellow luster, as if it were wrapped in a thick layer of soil. Every time Gaia's claws barely managed to grab his massive body, there was a feeling as if they were deeply embedded in the earth. It was solid, heavy, and impenetrable, as if Leonid himself was the embodiment of the earth, and Gaia was merely a grain of sand on the earth. No matter how much dark power was poured into him, Leonid remained as steady as the earth. Although his speed was slightly inferior to Gaia's, it was only by a fraction. The earthy yellow pattern on his chest occasionally emitted light, seemingly indicating some kind of unusual existence.
The fight between Ivanov and Banir was far more intense. Due to his unique ability to burst sunlight, Banir had to close his eyes while fighting Ivanov, relying solely on his senses to keep up with the opponent's massive body. Otherwise, any unexpected ray could blast his eyes out. A faint black mental field even appeared on Banir's body to resist the omnipresent fire from the berserker. His slender body transformed into a faint black shadow, constantly launching fierce attacks around Banir's body. However, although Banir had a body twice the size of Ivanov, he possessed almost the same speed.
Large bursts of sparks erupted from their furious shouts, a result of the friction between their bodies and the intense air friction created by their violent clashes. The temperature around the two powerful figures was rising dramatically. Xiao Rou, huddled in a corner, could only vaguely sense one or two noteworthy movements, even when she was carefully sensing the battle between these high-level experts.
“Francis, since this little girl is willingly submitting to you, I won’t say anything. But when you’ve had your fill of her, could you lend her to me for a couple of days?” Demville made no attempt to hide the greed in his eyes for Xia Lan, and even his two sharp fangs protruded from his lips as he looked at the kneeling girl with fervent enthusiasm.
Francis hesitated for a moment. To be honest, he was a little reluctant. It was rare for a stunningly beautiful young woman to willingly submit to him instead of being attracted by his vampire allure. This filled Francis with pride, and he even felt superior because of it, looking down on and looking down on Durmville from a higher level.
He had even come to regard Xia Lan as his vassal and possession, and there was no need to offend another vampire for the sake of a vassal. It was common for two vampires of the same rank to exchange playthings, and for the sake of excitement, several vampires would even put human female vassals together for debauchery.
But Xia Lan was simply too beautiful, so beautiful it was almost maddening, so beautiful that Francis only wanted to possess her. Even the slightest touch of someone else's little finger made Francis feel uncomfortable. "This girl is mine, and no one can touch her." This idea had unconsciously taken root in Francis's mind.
Demville saw Francis's hesitation and immediately became furious. With a hiss, two sharp, dark fangs emerged from his thin, bright red lips: "Francis, are you really going to offend your friend, the great Demville, for the sake of a vassal? Am I not even worthy of playing with a little girl you've already played with?"
Francis's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He didn't want to offend Demville, after all, they were beings of higher status, and even the most beautiful vassal was merely a plaything, incomparable to him. Moreover, the two had a fairly good personal relationship, but it seemed somewhat unwilling to simply give away this charming little lamb.
Xia Lan stood up with a perfectly timed, panicked expression, and darted behind Francis like a rabbit. Her trembling, slender hands gripped Francis's right arm tightly. Her stunningly beautiful face was filled with a look of profound sorrow and fear, as if she had suffered a great shock. Two glistening tears streamed from her beautiful, sorrowful eyes. "Great Lord Francis, don't you want me anymore? I only want to belong to you. My heart belongs only to you, my lord. I only willingly belong to you. How can you bear to give me away to someone else? I'm afraid of him. If you give me away out of fear, I think I will die from unbearable pain." With that, Xia Lan covered her face and wept.
Francis's heart was breaking. He had been deeply moved by reading Tagore's love poems, and Xia Lan's pure tears had inspired boundless courage in him. He gently stroked Xia Lan's long, beautiful hair, the line "The furthest distance in the world is not the distance between life and death, but that I stand before you and you do not know that I love you" echoing in his mind. At the same time, he glared angrily at Demville: "No, my vassal can only belong to me. You will never have her."
Xia Lan silently wiped away the tears in her eyes, a cold smile barely perceptible on her lips.
Chapter 255 Higher-Dimensional Illusions
Ling Yun's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected Mochizuki Nami to be so proactive and bold in confessing her feelings to him, and so naturally, so genuinely, without any of the shyness or coy hesitation typical of girls. Moreover, her beautiful phoenix eyes remained fixed on Ling Yun. It wasn't that she wasn't shy; it's just that her approach to love differed from that of Chinese girls. She was more influenced by Western girls, boldly confessing her feelings to the person she liked rather than keeping them hidden in her heart.