When he got home, Chunluo cleaned up briefly. Just as he stepped out of the bathroom, the system prompt sounded.
Ding!
The selection is complete, and the reward is now issued.
Would you like to receive the Blood Clan Hallows, the Blood Cup?
Knowing Kassan had finished the cleanup, Chunluo smiled. "Receive."
A golden wine glass, brimming with a classical aura, materialized in his palm. He held it up, examining it curiously.
"System, what is the function of this Blood Cup?"
Hint: The host can drip his own blood into the Blood Cup. Once it recognizes its owner, its functions will be revealed.
Understanding, Chunluo didn't hesitate. A sharp nail popped from his index finger, and he drew it across his palm. Blood welled up and dripped into the cup.
The moment the blood touched the glass, it was absorbed. A brilliant blood-red light erupted from the cup, then shot straight into Chunluo's mind.
Boom!
A flood of information about the Blood Cup's functions poured into his consciousness. When he opened his eyes again, he looked at the artifact in his hand with newfound awe.
The memories told him this sacred artifact originated from another world where vampires were divided into 13 clans, their status determined by blood purity: Baron, Viscount, Count, Marquis, Duke, and Prince. Above them were the three legendary progenitors. This Blood Cup was created by the third generation and had been passed down through the clans, each artifact possessing world-shaking power.
The Blood Cup had two abilities.
The first was called Source of Blood. When placed in any liquid—water, wine, even an ocean—the cup would transform it into fresh blood. Given enough time, it could turn an entire sea into a sea of blood. This meant Chunluo would never need to hunt for blood again. A few bottles of water would sustain him for a day. The convenience was immense.
The second ability was its core function: Blood Feast. By dripping a target's blood into the cup and allowing it to transform, drinking the result would grant him the target's abilities for a short time. Even more potent was its final function: if the target was killed and the cup was filled with their entire blood volume, it would produce a special vintage. Drinking that would grant him the target's abilities permanently.
Chunluo's eyes shone with exhilaration. This ability couldn't have come at a better time.
He had been pond how to overcome his weakness to sunlight. While he respected Blade as a warrior, if no other path existed, he would have had to hunt him down for his Daywalker blood. Now, with the Blood Cup, he had options. He could use it on Blade... or on the legendary Blood God itself.
Various plans swirled in his mind as he admired the cup. His future had just gotten much brighter.
The next night, Chunluo arrived at the Paradise Bar as usual.
"Boss Chunluo." The two guards at the door tensed, lowering their heads in a respectful greeting they couldn't hide their nervousness. His reputation had spread throughout the underground world. The name "Chunluo" now carried weight comparable to Blade's. To have such a figure as their boss filled them with a sense of awed pride.
Chunluo waved a dismissive hand. "Let Kassan come see me. I have something to ask him." He was certain Kassan had extracted information from Cain and was keen to hear it. He had a strong suspicion that the knowledge of how to make vampire powder couldn't have originated with a human like Cain. Another vampire was pulling the strings.
And given the month-long hunting spree focused on this territory, it seemed someone was making a move against the Frost family.
It seems I've attracted the attention of the Vampire Council, Chunluo mused, a slow smile spreading across his face.
Soon, the door opened, and Kassan walked out to meet him. "Boss."
Without preamble, Chunluo led him to a secluded corner. "What did you find out yesterday? Did you learn anything?"
Kassan nodded, a look of shock still on his face from the interrogation. He didn't dare hold anything back and told Chunluo everything he had learned from Cain.
"Okay, I see. You can go. I'll find you if I need anything." After dismissing Kassan, Chunluo stood alone, rubbing his chin in thought.
Just as I expected. Cain's knowledge had indeed come from a vampire. That was no surprise. The problem was that the vampire who provided the information had worn a mask and given no name, clearly afraid Cain would reveal him if caught. A cautious approach.
This only confirmed Chunluo's judgment: this vampire had a serious grudge against Deacon Frost. Why else would they use humans to slaughter their own kind so ruthlessly?
So who is it? The Vampire Council?
It had to be. As a clan of pure-blooded vampires, their principles were fundamentally incompatible with Deacon's. He held a radical vision of vampiric supremacy and human enslavement, while they mostly sought to hide and avoid conflict with humanity. Such opposing ideologies naturally bred hostility.
Personally, Chunluo leaned toward the council's viewpoint. He understood the dangers of this world all too well. Human powerhouses emerged endlessly. The vampires had no hope of resisting them. Blade alone kept them in a state of panic, and he was barely on the level of an ordinary superhero like Hawkeye. Compared to monsters like the Hulk or Thor, that level of strength was insignificant.
If not for the fact that those heavier hitters hadn't appeared yet, Deacon's radical actions in this superhero hotspot would have already drawn a swift and devastating response.
But this conflict was not a bad thing for Chunluo. He was very interested in the forces and industries under Deacon's control. He felt no compunction about eliminating a villain like him, and his future plans required significant funding. After careful consideration, he could only say sorry to Deacon.
But the time was not yet right. Deacon still had his uses, and more importantly, Chunluo's reward for replacing him had not yet been issued. He was eagerly anticipating it.
I hope it works this time.