Mochizuki Nami stared in amazement at the wondrous changes happening to her body, once again deeply impressed by Ling Yun's masterful control over his mental energy field. The silver flames were formed from his mental energy field, and as such, their temperature was naturally exceptional. What was remarkable was that Ling Yun had maintained the temperature of these flames at just the right level—enough to burn away the curse's power without harming Mochizuki Nami's body. Moreover, as the curse's power receded, the temperature of the flames decreased accordingly. What incredible control!
The gray trail had shrunk to the size of a fist under the erosion of the silver flames. It charged leftward, trying to break free of the flames' encirclement, but every bit of power it generated became a target for the silver flames to devour, as if it were a parasite that disgusted the host by producing food and then ruthlessly snatched a bite.
The silver flame instantly transformed into a ring of fire, tightly binding the gray trajectory within it. Then, it began to gradually shrink the ring until the gray trajectory was compressed into a single point. It then flashed brightly for a moment before disappearing completely.
A faint, inexplicable scream echoed from the void. Apart from Ling Yun, Mochizuki Nami didn't react at all. She looked at her body, then at the rest of her body, and suddenly felt something different. She hadn't noticed when the gray trails were attached to her, but once they were removed, it was as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted. She felt incredibly light, and a clear, refreshing feeling emanated from the depths of her heart and even surfaced on her skin. She even felt a comfortable and joyful sensation, and couldn't help but want to groan out loud.
"Look, by using my mental field, I can dispel the power of the curse. Without me, you would be cursed," Ling Yun said with a smile. "You owe me a favor. If I accidentally fall into your hands next time, you'd better remember that favor."
Nami Mochizuki glanced at him wistfully, then sighed inwardly. The complex emotions that had just been swept away by the telekinetic technique resurfaced. She said softly, "I don't have your level of telekinetic control. I might still lose to you next time. Who knows who will be on whose side? Ling Yun, if I fall into Gu Xiaorou's hands and she wants to kill me, will you just stand by and watch me get killed?"
Ling Yun was taken aback, not expecting her to ask such a question. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "I don't think so. Besides, there's no conflict between you two, so why would you fight?"
Mochizuki Nami sighed in disappointment, knowing that asking this blockhead was pointless, so she changed the subject and said, "How did you know I was cursed? You just said I was unlucky, so was I cursed before I even cast the Blood Sacrifice spell? But I didn't see any native witch shamans."
Ling Yun shook his head and said, "The power of a curse often depends on the information left behind by the recipient. It doesn't necessarily have to be launched from the opposite side of you. If the power is sufficient, it can even be launched from thousands of miles away."
Mochizuki Nami felt a chill run down her spine, and the hairs on her body stood on end in an instant: "If the Witch Clan has such power, wouldn't they be invincible?"
"That's not entirely true." Ling Yun gently extended his palm, and the silver light of his mental energy field materialized once more, forming a dagger-like flying blade in his palm. However, the entire blade was circular, and its sharp edges faintly revealed a cold glint. "A curse requires specific conditions. It needs a particular aura of the cursed person, such as the frequency of their mental energy field, their hair, a part of their body tissue, or the clothes they wear year-round. These can all serve as a medium for the curse to penetrate. Moreover, the greater the distance, the weaker the effect of the curse. Regardless of whether the cursed person can deflect it or whether the curse fails, the caster will suffer a severe backlash and die."
Nami Mochizuki listened intently and pressed for more information: "Is the person who cast the curse on me also somewhere far away? Can you sense them?"
Ling Yun chuckled coldly, and the circular light blade suddenly began to spin rapidly: "I was just about to tell you this. The reason you were cursed is entirely because a native sorcerer has been hiding here all along." He suddenly threw his hand, and the circular light blade flew out like lightning, drawing a silver arc in the air before swishing past the pile of ruins that had just been swirled by the winter wind.
Mochizuki Nami stared in surprise at Ling Yun's actions. She hadn't noticed anything amiss. Could there be a third person lurking here besides the two of them? The thought that her confession to Ling Yun might have been overheard by someone else made even the bold and fiery Mochizuki Nami blush with embarrassment.
With a sharp, piercing sound, the echo of a weapon piercing flesh was crystal clear in the suburban wilderness. Several streams of blood suddenly splattered across the empty ruins. A weak scream followed, and a small, black figure appeared atop the rubble. The figure immediately collapsed face-down, twitching a few times before going still. The blade of light had sliced open his throat, a fatal blow. This was one of the weakest points on the human body.
The two took a few steps closer and looked at the ground together. Ling Yun flicked his finger, and the black figure's corpse was automatically turned over. It was a typical black wizard with thick lips and a flat nose. His charcoal-black skin aged rapidly due to the loss of color. He was only wearing a strangely shaped native robe, and his exposed skin was covered with abrasions from falling from the rubble. Clearly, even as a wizard, he did not have the abnormal defensive abilities of a superhuman; his body was as vulnerable as an ordinary person.
The wizard appeared to be less than 1.5 meters tall, which matched the legends of tribal wizards. It was just a mystery why an African wizard would suddenly appear in the bustling city of Hong Kong, and why he would suddenly unleash a curse on Mochizuki Nami.
"In close combat, even a low-ranking ninja could kill him instantly." Mochizuki Nami glanced at the wizard's corpse with disgust and sighed. Everything has two sides. While the heavens bestowed upon wizards the potential to curse, they also gave them bodies as fragile as ordinary people and negligible fighting abilities.
Ling Yun couldn't help but frown: "Don't you ninjas know about the existence of the sorcerer? Why would he attack you?" If the sorcerer had cursed him, then everything could be explained. But judging from the Yang family incident, the sorcerer was clearly in cahoots with the Japanese ninjas. Why would he suddenly attack Mochizuki Nami?
If we must offer an explanation, there's only one plausible guess: these two groups didn't cooperate on their own; rather, someone orchestrated the deal behind the scenes, and if one side failed, the other would immediately take advantage of the situation. But does the Wu tribe possess such scheming capabilities? If they did, why have they remained confined to their African tribes, refusing to venture out?
Up until now, there has only been one wizard who can communicate with the outside world and show progressive ideas, and that is Old Black. Perhaps he has unknowingly killed a groundbreaking figure who could have led the wizard race to the world, Ling Yun thought. However, even if he did not kill him, Old Black would not have been able to leave the core space. The possibility of that was still zero.
"I don't know if Matsumoto Tomoki knows, but he's a ninja from the Wind Clan, and has nothing to do with our Water Clan. Actually, aside from the fact that we're all ninjas with the same superpower, the Japanese ninja clans are actually in a state of division. The four major clans of Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth each have their own elders in charge. Unless the interests of the entire ninja clan are threatened, they all go their own way. It's already good enough if they don't kick each other when they're down or scheme against each other. I don't know the Wind Clan ninjas' plans, but after thinking about it, they can't escape that thing." Mochizuki Nami said after thinking for a moment.
"The Heavenly Eye?" Ling Yun pondered for a moment and then understood what Mochizuki Nami was referring to. This could indeed explain Matsumoto Tomoki and the Witch Clan's actions, but new questions immediately entered Ling Yun's mind. "But if he came for the Heavenly Eye, why did Matsumoto Tomoki choose to attack the Yang family? The Yang family and the Heavenly Eye seem to have no connection. And it's not surprising that you ninjas know the whereabouts of the Heavenly Eye, but why does the Witch Clan know as well? They never participate in battles between ability users, so why are they so active this time? They even know exactly how I arrived in Hong Kong?"
“I’m not entirely sure about that either, but everything has its reasons.” Mochizuki Nami’s interest was piqued by Ling Yun’s question, her beautiful eyes revealing deep contemplation. When it came to analyzing problems and solving mysteries, her genius and shrewdness shone through. “Ling Yun, according to what you’ve said, if the Witch Clan has always been secretive, then they couldn’t possibly have participated in or known about this trip to Hong Kong.”
“Yes, that’s what I don’t understand either. Even before Xiaorou and I arrived in Hong Kong, we were already cursed. I only discovered this after I got to Hong Kong. This means that the Witch Clan and Matsumoto Tomoki already knew I was coming to Hong Kong. They might not know who I am, or even recognize me, but they definitely know where I am. They could even find me based on the mark of the curse. That’s why Matsumoto Rie was able to find me.” Ling Yun said, pondering and speculating.
Mochizuki Nami blinked her beautiful eyes and said with a smile, "I think I understand now. There's no need to guess; there must be a third-party force behind this."
"A third-party force?" Ling Yun couldn't help but ask. In fact, he had the same feeling, but he didn't dare to keep guessing. Unexpectedly, Mochizuki Nami immediately confirmed the possibility after listening to the comprehensive analysis.
“Of course!” Mochizuki Nami said with certainty, “Without a third party, how could the Witch Clan have left Africa? Someone must have tempted or threatened them with significant benefits, forcing the Witch Clan to come to Hong Kong to help people in the shadows achieve their goals. This is certainly true for the Fengxing Family as well. What appears to be their own actions are actually being used by a third party lurking in the shadows.”
Ling Yun asked in confusion, "But what kind of lure could make the Wu Clan and Matsumoto Tomoki go to such lengths?"
"You idiot, you're usually so smart, but you've made a fool of yourself this time." Mochizuki Nami rolled her eyes at him, her beautiful eyes sparkling with endless charm. "Of course it's the Heavenly Eye! Besides the Heavenly Eye, what else in this world could make superhumans so eager to possess it?"
Chapter 260 Judgment
The voice wasn't loud, just a normal roar, yet it made everyone's ears ring and they couldn't help but tremble. Everyone in the underground bar was a superhuman, impervious to heat and cold, and had seen all sorts of strange things. Even a thunderbolt from a clear sky was just God yawning. But after hearing Duke William's voice, everyone felt a trace of panic. It was the invisible pressure brought by a superior, the suppression formed by the difference in power.
Banir and Gaia exchanged another glance, both seeing the undisguised panic in each other's eyes, their hearts sinking simultaneously. It was all over. Before they could even think of an excuse to shirk responsibility, Francis's father, the great vampire Duke William, had suddenly arrived. Wasn't it said that the Duke wouldn't be involved in this mission to Asia? Why was Duke William suddenly here? The two marquises were truly baffled, unable to understand it no matter how hard they tried.
Ivanov and Leonid finally got a brief respite. Their simple minds couldn't comprehend why the two annoying vampires, whose fighting strength had been evenly matched, had suddenly become so powerful. They were practically dominating the two proud and noble berserkers. The high-ranking berserkers were furious. Although they still had their trump cards up their sleeves, they were almost driven to the brink of defeat by these two lowly vampires. If it weren't for that girl killing the two young vampires, giving them a chance to attack, the high-ranking berserkers would likely have either been beaten to death or died a humiliating death.
Moreover, it seemed that new intruders had entered through the entrance of the barrier. The dark aura once again swept through the entire small underground world. Even the arrogant and boundless berserkers couldn't help but feel fear under the influence of this aura. Obviously, the aura of the new intruders was the same as that of the two annoying vampires, which meant that an even greater threat was coming. The two high-level berserkers even felt their hearts pounding. It was the feeling of their hearts racing involuntarily when facing a more powerful superhuman. The more dangerous it was, the more excited the berserkers became.
The two stood face to face, their bare skin covered with scratches inflicted by the vampire marquis, some still bleeding. Yet, they seemed oblivious to the pain, their expressions growing solemn and serious.
The sun pattern on Ivanov's chest rapidly expanded, and with the blinding golden light shooting out, it instantly formed a bright and dazzling sun. Except for its shape and temperature, which differed from the real sun by several times, it was exactly the same. Countless rays as thin as hair could be seen shooting out from the sun. The golden sunlight was so dazzling that it even engulfed his entire body, forming the figure of a berserker composed entirely of golden light, like a golden-armored celestial warrior descending to earth, clearly full of boundless power.
The ground beneath Leonid's feet suddenly began to churn, as if some powerful and invisible creature was stirring something underground. A layer of strange, yellowish-brown soil surged up, spiraling upwards like rapidly growing vines, wrapping around the high berserker's legs and body. In a short while, it enveloped Leonid's entire massive body, even covering his facial features with a layer of pale yellow soil.
The berserker was already tall and broad-shouldered, and after being covered in mud, Leonid became a giant sculpture. The mud formed a thick layer of yellowish-brown armor on his body, and his two feet were connected to the ground. However, this did not affect Leonid's mobility. He could move as if he were skating on ice, and could make instantaneous dashes and nimble turns without even needing to use his footwork.
This is the transformation power that high-level berserkers fear most. After going berserk, combined with their own special abilities, their combat power can be increased by at least three times. However, the transformation requires sufficient time to execute. If it is interrupted midway, the transformation must be restarted. Ivanov and Leonid, who had just been cornered by the two marquises, had learned their lesson. As soon as they had a chance to catch their breath, they immediately began to unleash their last trump card. Or rather, when faced with Duke William's terrifying combat power, even if it was out of instinct, high-level berserkers would choose to transform immediately.
After the two high-level berserkers transformed, the blood moon slowly faded and gradually disappeared into the narrow space of the underground bar. The blood moon wasn't a real moon; like the transformed berserkers, it represented the source of the vampires' dark power. Though illusory and elusive, it continuously provided power to the vampires. Through the blood moon, vampires could even alter the battle environment, creating the most advantageous conditions for themselves. This was one of the vampires' unique abilities, and like the Blood Sacrifice Technique, it was impossible to replicate.
A tall, thin figure walked in from the exit of the barrier, instantly dispelling the violent dark aura. It was a chestnut-haired, dignified vampire, but his pale, strange face and sickly bald head were striking. Unlike the Marquis and the two younger earls, Duke William's appearance was closer to that of a vampire in the traditional sense. In fact, in the world of vampires, this was a symbol of having a direct lineage. Vampires are very proud dark creatures with a strict hierarchy. The vampire status acquired after being embraced cannot be compared with that of a vampire with a direct lineage.
Duke William merely glanced at the berserker who was frantically increasing his aura, his expression remaining completely unchanged, as if he saw them as nothing more than two flies that he could swat at any moment.
Banir and Gaia stared in panic at Duke William. The composure and nobility they displayed in front of lower-ranking vampires were completely gone. In front of higher-ranking vampires, their reaction and performance were not much better than those of their lower-ranking counterparts. The two vampires even felt their scalps tingle and their hands and feet were at a loss. The arms holding Francis's corpse trembled involuntarily.
Duke William spotted Francis, now a dried-up corpse, at a glance. His eyes narrowed instantly, and a few murky tears streamed from his narrowed eyes. In the blink of an eye, and seemingly without much movement, he moved from the exit of the barrier to between the two marquises. With a flick of his hand, he separated Banier and Gaia's arms, then grabbed Francis's shoulder and examined him closely.
Banir and Gaia didn't dare to breathe, standing respectfully behind Duke William. The two were secretly communicating with each other using extremely weak mental energy fields. If Duke William asked later, the two of them had to find a suitable murderer and then try their best to clear themselves of any guilt. Of course, it was impossible to completely clear themselves of any guilt. Even if the responsibility was really not theirs, Duke William would definitely be angry. Even low-level vampires in the dark underground castle in Europe who had nothing to do with this matter might die inexplicably because of the Duke's anger. The superiors' exploitation and plunder of the inferiors were completely arbitrary.
“Tell me, Banier, Gaia, who killed Francis and Durmville? I think that old man Ulysses would be furious if he knew his nephew died in this dark, damp basement. I need the murderer, I need to bring him back alive to appease Ulysses and me.” After a long pause, Duke William finally spoke slowly. His aged, cold voice sounded unusually calm, yet it contained a chilling rage, like a volcano crater covered in ice and snow.
He slowly stood up, his bald head turned away from his two respectful subordinates: "Don't even think about using your mental energy fields to coordinate your stories. If you find the murderer, I might consider not letting you into the Dark Punishment Church this time. Tell me, who is it? Is it those two barbarians, or the two human women hiding in the corner? Or is it something that came here and then left?"
Xiao Rou and Xia Lan's hearts tightened instantly. They couldn't help but look at each other and hold each other's hands. They both felt that each other's palms were wet and cold. Their hearts were pounding wildly at the same time. From the moment Duke William entered the barrier, his attention was always focused on Francis. He never looked into the corner, as if he had not noticed anything. It turned out that he had everything under control.
Judging solely from the dark aura emanating from Duke William, he was a far more powerful being than the two had imagined. Unless one was a general or higher-ranking expert, no one here could stand against Duke William. Xiao Rou and Xia Lan had only reached the peak of the lieutenant-level, far inferior to colonels, let alone generals.