Chapter 620: Trial of the Blood Clan

Ai Mulin slightly lifted his chin, and thoughts kept racing in his mind; even though everyone was a blood clan summoned by that important figure, I was certainly the first.

As the thought just surfaced, he saw Ka Ximi push the door open from outside the living room, glance at him and say, "Ai Mulin, that important figure has sent you to see him."

I said. Ai Mulin's mouth corner couldn't help but lift, forming a pleasant curve.

He took a deep breath, steadied his emotions, and paced at a measured pace to Ka Ximi's side, following him down into the villa's underground.

After passing through a gray‑black metal gate into the underground area, he could no longer contain his curiosity, tilted his head slightly, and whispered, "Ka Ximi, who exactly is the important figure we are to meet? How should I address him?"

Ka Ximi glanced at Ai Mulin, paid no mind to his direct use of his name, gave no concealment, and said with a tone full of respect and admiration:

"Lord Duke Ormu."

Duke Ormu! Ai Mulin subconsciously straightened his back, trying to appear more vigorous.

Every duke is a living legend to the blood clan, a witness and guardian of its history and glory. Duke Ormu is an ancient powerhouse that existed before the Great Cataclysm, a first‑generation blood clan who once followed the Ancestor. And I am a blood clan favored by the Ancestor, the blood clan's savior. This must be the Ancestor's design, to better fulfill my duties as the blood clan's savior.

One thought after another flashed rapidly in Ai Mulin's mind, causing his heartbeat to quicken involuntarily, his mood becoming anxious and excited.

Passing through layer after layer of heavy secret doors, Ai Mulin, guided by Ka Ximi, arrived at an iron‑gray great hall.

The walls and floor here were covered with grass and fresh flowers, making Ai Mulin almost think he had not entered the underground but a suburban jungle.

Soon he noticed strange distortions in the details: the grass and blossoms bore mouth‑like fissures, or spider‑like strands of plant fiber, or sprouted sharp, fine teeth, or exuded a pale‑green, neurotoxic fluid.

The insects crawling among the foliage, upon closer inspection, were all twisted monsters, as if stitched together from many disparate species—highly incongruous yet brimming with vigorous life force.

Is this anomaly a result of Duke Ormu's influence? Does it mean that some later sequence of the blood clan's path will wield authority or abilities related to life? As thoughts drifted, Ka Ximi led him to a tomb and, before it, bowed respectfully, saying, "Lord Duke, Ai Mulin Huaitè has arrived."

Ai Mulin snapped back to attention, awkwardly bowed toward the tomb and greeted, "Good afternoon, Lord Duke."

The surrounding light and shadows suddenly warped, transforming the underground hall into a brightly candle‑lit, magnificent castle.

A vague figure sat on the high‑back chair at the head of a dark‑red long table, chuckling toward Ka Ximi and Ai Mulin:

"Excellent blood clan."

"Ka Ximi, you leave first."

"Yes, Lord Duke." Ka Ximi bowed respectfully and then exited the newly transformed hall.

After Ka Ximi left, the vague figure of Ormu looked at Ai Mulin and smiled lightly:

"Sit down. When you saw this thriving environment just now, what were you thinking?"

Ai Mulin was startled; he hadn't expected Duke Ormu to ask that, he froze for a second before answering:

"Lord Duke, I was just contemplating whether the blood clan's path will, in a later sequence, wield abilities or authority related to life."

"Good, you understand authority." The vague Ormu nodded lightly, then laughed:

"The second sequence of our path is called the 'Creator', which commands the 'Power of Creation', allowing surrounding life to feel the joy of growth and new birth."

"Creator." Ai Mulin murmured softly, his gaze subconsciously scanning the surroundings; though the illusion hid the dense grass and crawling insects, he could still sense the vigorous life force around him.

Ormu gave Ai Mulin little time to ponder; after a brief pause, he continued, "For a race, nurturing gifted youths is essential, and you have risen to Viscount in such a short time, making you a notable figure among the blood clan's younger generation. Therefore I have decided to meet you personally, give you some trials, and some missions."

"Missions?" Ai Mulin asked back, a hint of hesitation.

Ormu nodded lightly and said:

"The Fifth Era is drawing to a close; in the foreseeable future the world will become increasingly dangerous, much like the Southern Continent today. In such times, mere conservatism and retreat cannot safeguard every blood clan or our habitat. We need cooperation, we need allies." "The two other dukes and I have already formed inclinations; next we must consider whether to increase investment or seek additional cooperative allies."

He paused, then smiled lightly, "We need a spokesperson."

Ai Mulin's breathing suddenly quickened, his bright red eyes seemed to flare, becoming hot, a mix of excitement and uncertainty. To be the spokesperson for the three dukes would represent the entire blood clan! Ormu smiled, his rich voice soothing, allowing Ai Mulin's heartbeat to gradually calm, and said, "Before that, we must give you some trials. Of course, these trials are also given to other outstanding young blood clan members; I will judge based on your performance."

This is what the blood clan's savior, chosen by the Ancestor, should do. Amid swirling thoughts, Ai Mulin replied respectfully:

"I am ready at all times."

"Good." Ormu praised, then continued, "Your next mission is to locate Rose School members hidden in Beikelaide; this is not only your trial but also a sign of our blood clan's sincerity toward potential partners."

"Most Rose School members are on the 'Other Species' path, skilled at hiding themselves; the clan can provide few clues, and many situations will require you to investigate on your own."

"During the mission, you may try to probe the heretical followers of the 'Primal Moon' about their attitude toward the Rose School, and determine whether they intend to leave the Rose School."

"\"Followers of the 'Primal Moon'? \" Ai Mulin was puzzled by this side task. The 'Primal Moon' and the Rose School's revered 'Mother Tree' have an irreconcilable conflict, which manifests among believers as internal division?" Ormu, seeing Ai Mulin's confusion, smiled and explained, "We have retrieved the relic left in the Rose School; without that item, the 'Mother Tree' can no longer interfere with the 'Moon' path."

"I don't know what relic it is." As thoughts drifted, Ai Mulin solemnly nodded and said:

"I understand, Lord Duke, I will diligently search for Rose School members in Beikelaide."

"Very well." Ormu's voice softened slightly, and he nodded at Ai Mulin, "Go find Ka Ximi for some information and identify a suitable entry point."

Ai Mulin had intended to ask more about blood clan allies, but Duke Ormu had no intention to continue the conversation; after ending the topic, he directly sent Ai Mulin out of the hall.

After Ai Mulin left, Ormu leaned against the high‑back chair, gazed at the spot where Ai Mulin had sat, and sighed lightly, "For an ordinary blood clan to rise to Viscount so quickly, he must not be unknown within the 'Fool' organization; through this youngster we can indirectly reach the 'Fool'."

"Even the ancient dragon that dwells in the spirit world has emerged; the end of the Fifth Era may arrive sooner than I anticipated."

On the safe shipping lane near Midway Island within the Furious Sea, the weather of the Furious Sea often brings storms to this route.

Amid the pounding rain and howling gale, a massive three‑mast ship cloaked in pure black sliced through the waves, sailing smoothly across the sea.

Along both sides of the hull hung lanterns, illuminating the nearly hundred‑meter‑long hull; the three towering sails bore no markings, just black, and on the deck, near the cabin area, stood weathered stone chairs two to three meters tall.

Silently, shards of brilliant starlight flew from the void, rapidly converging on the deck to form a pair of azure doors adorned with mysterious patterns and symbols.

Lei Kedun and Luo Sai Er emerged from behind the doors; as they appeared, the gate, seemingly made of pure starlight, shattered instantly into specks of stardust that flickered and vanished into the dim air.

The moment the two appeared, the pirates stationed on the deck spotted them; the second officer of the Black Emperor, Bo De Ma Si Tan, narrowed his eyes slightly, recognizing Luo Sai Er's figure but unable to fully believe it.

He inhaled deeply, stepped forward, instantly covering a great distance to appear beside Lei Kedun and Luo Sai Er, his voice low and imbued with strong authority, saying:

"Gentlemen, what brings you aboard the Black Emperor?"

Luo Sai Er ignored the cautious second officer, paced forward, and sighed,

"After all these years, the Black Emperor remains the same; Na Si Te's taste really hasn't improved at all."

Lei Kedun looked helplessly at the suddenly composed Luo Sai Er and said calmly,

"This is a ghost ship; aside from the 'Craftsman', no one else should have the ability to modify such a vessel."

"Also, why must I accompany you to meet Na Si Te? Haven't you seen the desk in the lounge piled with documents?"

(End of Chapter)