I Became the Progenitor Vampire Chapter 275

Chapter 275: Chapter 277: The Withered Bone's Journey through the Low Hills (7400 words) Chapter 275: Chapter 277: The Withered Bone's Journey through the Low Hills (7400 words) The Bloodline's hidden profession–Crimson Hunter, was undoubtedly Lide's trump card.

One need not mention anything else, just by comparing the transformation times of various professions, one could easily judge how powerful this profession was… because only an extremely powerful force would require such a long time to adapt.

Back at City Hall.

Upon seeing Frey for the first time, Lide was shocked.

If one were to say the Blood Mage was aloof, the Bloodsucking Sword Guard was fierce, and the Blood-colored Blade was utterly tranquil.

Then the Crimson Hunter was as barbaric as a giant dragon, its aura filled with a daunting strength, resembling a dragon-slaying giant blade pointing sharply at his forehead.

Frey's majesty was not hidden in the slightest, the oppressive aura emanating from his body was like that of a giant dragon, and lower life forms didn't even dare to look directly into his eyes.

Powerful and dignified.

Lide's steps faltered slightly.

Then a thick smile spread across his face.

This was his Bloodline, the stronger the other party was, the stronger his own power was.

He hurriedly checked Frey's attributes.

Frey Kachar
Title: Slaughterer (Has mastered the true essence of Bloodline power, accompanying death and blood–strength increased by 300%, recovery speed by 500%, immune to instant-death and mental skills, innate Perfect Level trait: Terror Descends.

Terror Descends (Perfect): Emits the majesty of dark life, every 10 seconds the enemy's will is tested, and if it's below the threshold, they fall into endless fear, can be actively deactivated.)
Age: 132
Level: 12
Profession: Crimson Hunter
Special Talent: Immersed in blood rebirth, leaves a bat avatar in the Bloodline blood pool, can re-condense the body in the pool after death, but has a three-month period of extreme weakness. Cooldown: half a year.

Slaughter Hand, Combat Awareness, Combat Skills, Battlefield Sense and others upgraded to Extraordinary Level, gains special trait: Danger Perception (can sense imminent threats).

King of Hunting, after killing an enemy can devour their blood to permanently increase strength.

Limited and unique Skill: Crimson Slaughter, transform into a Bloodline, strength, body recovery speed, speed, and mana recovery speed increase by 300%, consuming 50% of internal blood can boost this to 600%,
immune to Legendary Level and below negative states, and gains the trait Dark Cutter, duration: 30 minutes, can continue consuming blood to maintain the Crimson Slaughter state.

Dark Reaper: Attacks carry the power of Crimson +300%, and upon killing an enemy, the blood in the enemy's body will condense out Slaughter Bats, inheriting 70% of the enemy's strength. Slaughter Bats can devour blood to grow, reproduce, and divide, each Slaughter Bat lasts until the blood is exhausted, can actively control the Slaughter Bats.

Passive Talents: Super Strength, Super Strong Physique, Super Agility, Super Magic Affinity, Super Magic Control.

Description: The strongest hunters of the Bloodline, born in fresh blood, death is their synonym, slaughter accompanies them.

Unbeatably strong.

Lide's eyes held only surprise and admiration, no matter how many times he saw it, he still marveled, so powerful, the Bloodline's exclusive hidden profession was indeed too domineering.

Frey's attributes perfectly demonstrated just how powerful it could be when the potential of an Upper Race was fully activated.

Perhaps initially this profession wasn't so strong, but having gained the legacy of Divine, improved by Divine materials, even Lide was sure that the profession's Talent Skills were completely on par with the Golden Race.

Yes, it was that unreasonably strong.

Who allowed this hidden profession to receive the most essential strength enhancement from the Divine?

This meant,
The Bloodline now possessed the potential to arm wrestle any race.

Even if the opponent were a giant dragon.

Lide's smile gradually became twisted.

What a thrill.

Holding a profession system comparable to the Golden Race, this feeling was unimaginable to outsiders.

Once the potential of the Crimson Hunter profession was released, the rise of the Bloodline would be unstoppable by anyone.

“Your Majesty, Frey salutes you.”

The tall and mighty Frey's aura was still strong, although he restrained a lot before Lide, but right after the transformation, he hadn't completely mastered that powerful force yet.

Lide nodded, somewhat impatient and asked,
“Frey, what exactly is this Trial of Will? Why did it take you so long??”

This time, Frey's transformation into the Crimson Hunter took close to three days.

This greatly exceeded his expectations, as the other three professions completed the transformation in just half a day at most.

Compared to that, the time required for the Crimson Hunter seemed unbelievably exaggerated.

Frey's face showed a complex expression as he heavily sighed, recounting the battle at Green City a hundred years ago, especially confronting the immense magic and oppressive force of Transcendent Magic.

Finally, this second-generation Bloodline spoke in a deep tone.

“Your Majesty, if I hadn't embraced the determination to die and chose to stay with our ancient castle at the last moment, facing the immense pressure of the Transcendent Mage and the chilling sharpness of death,
perhaps, the final transformation would have failed…”

After speaking, he took a deep breath, no one could imagine the pressure a Level 10 Bloodline faced against a Level 20 Transcendent.

That was a danger that even the soul was frantically resisting.

Every moment made you want to flee.

Even someone slightly lacking in determination couldn't possibly withstand it.

That was almost an unreasonable test, after all, in real settings, not many would deliberately confront the Five Circle Magic.

After listening, Lide's brow slightly furrowed.

“No wonder it consumed so much of my Bloodline Power.

This Trial of Will actually constructed an illusion, and even recreated the scenes Frey had once faced with the Transcendent Mage.

Isn't this difficulty for transformation a bit too tough?”

Lide realized the difficulty of this job transformation that could rival the Golden Race.

Even with his current power, facing a Transcendent would only result in two outcomes–flee or die.

Transcendent–that was a leap in life stages, not of the same dimension as a Level 19 Great Mage's combat power.

In the entire southern part of the Nolan Empire, among tens of millions of people, there was only one known Transcendent.

One can imagine how formidable this combat power must be, as it is unique among tens of millions of people.

Lide then turned his gaze to the still unconscious Bloodline beside him.

Worry filled his eyes.

It didn't surprise him that Frey had endured, for this second-generation Bloodline had experienced the war a hundred years prior and possessed a resolute mind.

But could these Bloodline members pass through the difficulties of facing the transcendental?

The answer came quickly, within half an hour after Frey awakened.

All twelve Bloodline members attempting the profession change had woken up.

This left him both pleasantly surprised and somewhat disappointed. It was surprising that, despite the immense difficulty, seven second-generation Bloodline members had all successfully changed professions.

The slight disappointment came from the fact that among the five third-generation Bloodline members who attempted, only one succeeded.

The other four third-generation Bloodline had all failed.

In total, eight had succeeded in changing their profession, and each Bloodline's level had reached Level 12.

The success rate for the second-generation Bloodline was 100%, but for the third-generation, it was only 20%.

This vast discrepancy made Lide frown.

“Audis, what did you all encounter during the trial of will?”

Contrary to Lide's expectations, everyone encountered different trials. For example, Audis faced a Level 15 Thunder Bear that he had accidentally come across deep in the Far Mountain Range when he was Level 9.

In the Illusion Realm, he was endlessly pursued by the Thunder Bear until finally, Audis, drawing on his strong will, mustered the courage to perish together with the creature, thus breaking through the limitation and inheriting the Crimson Hunter profession.

Harrison, on the other hand, dealt with a piece of an ancient Magic Book he had once acquired by chance, which contained a particularly abstruse magic.

In reality, Harrison had given up on learning it, but in the Illusion Realm, he went through numerous ancient texts to research the origins of the damaged book, restoring the fragmented magic after countless failures, thanks to his relentless determination, completing the challenge.

Augustine had to draw a longbow, Dylan had to master an extremely difficult Warrior Skill…

Each Bloodline faced a unique trial, but what was common among them was that these experiences were the indelible disappointments and failures engraved deep in their minds.

After listening to several people's accounts, Lide nodded in understanding.

The trial of will was indeed torturously difficult, forcing one to return to the past to face an unforgettable failure one had never been able to overcome.

For most people facing challenges they had tried and failed at numerous times, their subconscious reaction would still be to give up, which is a normal human response.

If one was not firm in will, they simply couldn't withstand it.

The four third-generation Bloodline members who failed had done just that, choosing to give up at the last moment, lacking the will to take that final step.

This was undoubtedly a pity, but these twelve Bloodline members, whether they failed or succeeded, had all greatly aided Lide.

At the very least, the next time profession change was attempted, he could better prepare the other Bloodline members.

“Come here, you few. Though you have lost the chance to change into Crimson Hunters, you can still choose another profession.

What profession would you like to change into?”

While the Crimson Hunter profession was backward-compatible and each Bloodline had one chance to change professions, failure meant no second chances to become a Crimson Hunter–a profession as powerful as the Golden Race, demanding a heart of strength and a fearless will.

This secret Bloodline profession, proud like the Elves, would only allow the most willful individuals to change professions.

Those who fail will not have a second chance.

Other Bloodline members of the three professions can also transform into Crimson Hunters when they level up to Level 10. There is no conflict between the two.

However, the number of members holding this profession might not be very many in the future.

Lide shook his head, feeling it was a bit of a pity.

There are plenty with strong willpower, but to challenge a will trial of the caliber of “Extraordinary Magic” and “Death Threat,” perhaps only three to five out of a hundred Bloodlines would be capable.

Keep in mind, these were the most talented and powerful among the Bloodline to reach Level 10; their talent also included willpower.

The failure rate among Third Generation Bloodline, who mostly had been alive for five or six decades, was already so high. As for the Fourth and Fifth generations, the exaggeration could only be greater.

After all, these Bloodline Members had experienced far too little.

Not surprisingly for Lide, several chose the Blood Mage, and after their transformation, he again collected their experience.

To date, except for the three Level 15 Bloodline members, Emi, Grot, and Stanley, all other Bloodline members had successfully transformed.

He had also gained a huge amount of experience, which was like hitting a jackpot.

592 Bloodline members normally transformed, adding up to 59,200 with 100 points of experience each, and 8 Bloodline members became Crimson Hunters, adding up to 8,000 with 1,000 points of experience each.

Including the 5,000 experience gained from subduing Kachar, his current experience had reached Level 15 (72,200/100,000), needing just over 20,000 more to reach Level 16.

This made Lide reflect, the Bloodline truly was his treasure trove.

With a total of 740 Bloodline members, plus the three Level 15 members, making 743, they could provide him a steady income every month.

Though this experience was minimal compared to his current Level, the potential was clearly visible. Given a few more years to develop the Bloodline, the fixed experience provided by them could become his largest source of experience income.

Such a steady salary was more reliable than anything else.

After the Bloodline transformations were completed, Lide's mood improved significantly.

He turned to look at the few people in the room, his expression very pleased, after all, the overall strength of the Bloodline had increased by at least threefold, even up to fivefold.

One could definitely call the day he awoke the rise of the Bloodline.

He turned to the imposing Stanley at his side.

“Stanley, start preparing immediately to open trade channels with other Centaur Tribes at the Dwarf Hills.

I need you to establish enough trade channels in the quickest time possible.

Dawn City needs a large sum of wealth to supplement our lack of funds.”

After speaking, he turned to look at the newly transformed Second Generation Bloodline members. “Apart from Harrison, the seven of you will go together.

Audis, as the leader, you're in charge of commanding this trade mission. Withered Bone will coordinate with you and act as military deterrence.

The Centaur are a Strong Battle Race; they only respect the strong.

To trade with them, we must display sufficient power.

However, you must also gauge it well; while it must be intimidating, it should not turn them hostile. I will give Withered Bone the proper instructions.”

“The magic beast hides and furs of the Centaur are our main trading targets at the moment.

The goal for this trip is to establish initial contact with a tribe at Dwarf Hills and trade at normal prices.

Once a good start is made, we can later solidify our relationship with them. In the future, we can leverage these Centaur Tribes to seize more resources.”

“Best would be to turn the low hills into a resource point for Dawn City, just like Dwarf Valley.”

Lide's goal was never simply to make money, he wanted much more.

The wealth of one or two tribes could not satisfy his throbbing ambition.

Especially after he became familiar with the nature of the centaurs, this bold plan was entirely actionable–with minimal loss even if it failed, since the wingless centaurs stood no chance against the winged Bloodline.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Everyone saluted in unison, their expressions excited.

This was the first time Lide had personally issued them orders besides plundering populations.

No one wanted to be forgotten; they were once core figures of the Bloodline. They weren't content with falling to the second line… they wanted to contribute more to Dawn City.

—-
—-
—-
After a brief reorganization, on April 7th.

600 Magic Language Bats, carrying 1200 sets of rare-level armor hastily assembled by the weapon factory, flew toward the low hills, led by seven Bloodline members who had transformed into Crimson Hunters.

This time, Lide wasn't leading the squad.

In this team, the strongest force was an 18-level Bone Dragon, flapping its damaged dragon wings–spanning 20 blades wide, its skull burning with a ghostly blue Soul Fire, cawing chaotically.

“Ga ga ga…

Lowly centaurs, your king, the great Lord Withered Bones is back!

Welcome me with your wealth and treasures.”

Lord Withered Bones, who had been bored, circling the skies above Dawn City in slumber for three months, was finally given the chance to stretch his wings, beyond excited.

All along the way, his cawing, more penetrating than demon's howls, caused many ground Demon Beasts to flee far away.

Stone Hoof Tribe in the low hills,
As a tribe with forty thousand Centaur Warriors, Stone Hoof Tribe was undeniably the ruler within hundreds of kilometers.

However, one thing that the Centaur of Stone Hoof Tribe lamented was that their territory bordered the barren wasteland and human territories.

This area was extremely dangerous, and they had to remain vigilant at all times.

Not only were there those damnable, filthy Beastmen invading their lands, but also those cunning, greedy humans were eying their territory.

Centaur's incredibly sturdi physical are very popular as slaves in human bloody arenas.

Slave traders liked to capture these strong beings.

And Stone Hoof Tribe, being closer to the outer world, undoubtedly had suffered countless losses.

For the present Stone Hoof Tribe, all external life forms were fatal dangers.

Thus, they never made dealings with humans or Beastman.

Over the long years, countless tribal members were killed by Beastman or captured by plotting humans to become slaves.

So whenever they encountered external life forms, Stone Hoof Tribe would launch attacks disregarding everything.

Whether it was Beastman or those sly humans claiming to be merchants.

And the region controlled by Stone Hoof Tribe because of its strong military force and extreme xenophobia, had become a forbidden zone in human words.

Even slave traders dared not enter this area easily.

For Stone Hoof Tribe, this behavior had gained them precious peace, thus they were even more resolute in continuing it.

But today, this tribe with over 40,000 Centaur Warriors and a total population exceeding 50,000, faced an unimaginable foe.

Bone Dragon.

No one knew where this Bone Dragon had come from, nor why it attacked them.

All they knew was that the enemy had arrived, and it was an exceedingly powerful one.

Within a towering wall built of earth and stone, thousands of huge tents made from beast skins were chaotically placed inside the high stone wall.

Above Stone Hoof Tribe, a majestic behemoth in the sky turned the once calm tribe into an anxiously agitated state.

Bone Dragon, a legendary creature, had never appeared in the low hills before.

Why had it come to Stone Hoof Tribe now?

“Lowly centaurs, the great Lord Withered Bones, the eternal Immortal will show you what true strength is!”

The centaurs down below sensed Lord Withered Bones' dragon power and panicked.

“Form the ranks!!”

“Draw the bows!!”

Within the tribe, as they sensed the presence of the enemy, two booming voices rose; Hearing those familiar sounds, a quiet comfort returned to their eyes, and fear receded.

Swish~
Bang bang~
In the center of the tall wall, a huge gate, ten blades tall and wrapped with iron around wood, was slowly pushed open.

Wearing beast skins and Bone Armor, the Centaur charged forth with surging steps–outside Stone Hoof Tribe on the open ground, an army surged out like a tidal wave.

Three blades tall, the Centaur Warriors were imposing. Being of a Strong Battle Race, the combat prowess of Centaurs was undeniable.

When they charged, even if it was against a giant dragon, they did so with a resolve to die.

No one could stop the steps of a Centaur charge.

What puzzled all Centaurs was that the Bone Dragon flying in the air didn't initiate war against them.

Instead, it soared carelessly, as if intentionally flaunting its strength.

The dragon power emanating from Withered Bones washed over the Centaurs like a tidal wave, an oppressive power of the soul that was unavoidable.

Yet due to their overwhelming numbers, after forming their military ranks, the atmosphere largely suppressed the dragon power, preventing disarray.

“Roar~”
Withered Bones, looking down at the Centaur's simple equipment, roared disdainfully, its hollow Soul Fire flickering.

“Poor centaurs, truly pitiful. Have you become so poor that you can't even afford armor and longbows?”

“Do you need the great Lord Withered Bones to show you what wealth truly is…

Gah gah gah, such weak and pitiful creatures.”

Everyone in the Centaur Tribe was infuriated by the mocking tone.

This damn undead!

“Fire!!!”

With the command issued, a dense swarm of arrows buzzed through the air towards Withered Bones, covering the light in the sky like locusts.

The Stone Hoof Tribe currently had only thirty thousand warriors in the tribe, but among them ten thousand were archers.

Both the Centaur Heavy Armor Warriors and archers were renowned for their glory.

However, the archers' equipment was somewhat shabby.

Most centaurs wielded longbows made from Demon Beast sinew as bowstrings and white bone or hardwood as the bow body. Each was nearly the height of a man and could be considered a heavy crossbow, but their killing power was extremely limited. Most importantly, the bolts they used were mostly made from the tusks or bone fragments of Demon Beasts.

Filled with a primitive aura.

When these ancient arrows struck Withered Bones, who had reached level 18, the Bone Dragon didn't bother dodging but instead spread its wings and flew upwards laughing eerily into the barrage of arrows.

Ting ting tinkle~
The dense clattering sounds followed, the bone-made arrows merely tickling the bone dragon, whose bodily defense was comparable to Extraordinary Armor, and the arrows did not breach its defense.

“Gah gah gah, you ignorant and lowly centaurs, are you trying to tickle the great Lord Withered Bones?

Hahaha, how pitifully weak you are!!”

This damn undead!

The centaurs roared angrily again, determined to extinguish the Undead Soul Fire of this accursed Bone Dragon!

Another insane barrage of arrows covered the sky.

But Withered Bones merely fluttered its wings slightly, too lazy even to react, letting the arrows strike it.

As expected, even arrows capable of penetrating the heavy armor of human knights were ineffective against such Extraordinary defenses, serving no purpose other than to look cute.

Moments later, bored, Withered Bones swooped down from the low altitude, skimming just twenty blades above the ground over the Centaur formation.

The terrifying presence of Withered Bones instantly caused panic among the centaurs.

The attacks that followed increased in intensity.

But still, they were ineffective.

Those white bones served as the best armor.

Without actually launching a real attack on the centaurs, Withered Bones turned around and a gray-white energy gathered in its mouth, then it directly breathed out over the ground just twenty some blades away from the centaurs.

Zzla~
The breath, filled with endless Death Energy, burst upon the ground.

The grass-covered ground was corroded bare by negative energy.

The yellow soil instantly turned to a lifeless, pale color.

The massive Dragon Breath extended over thirty more blades in length.

The surrounding centaurs were shocked by this scene; had Withered Bones attacked them, at least forty or fifty of them would have perished with that strike.

Once again, a dense barrage of arrows followed.

But without heavy weapons, the Stone Hoof Tribe relying only on their longbows to pose a threat to this level 18 Bone Dragon was clearly unrealistic.

At this time, from the well-formed ranks of the centaurs, two figures, clearly a head taller than the others and more robust, stepped forward.

Both centaurs were draped in iron full-body armor, holding long-handled giant axes and exuding a terrifying aura.

Level 15 Centaur Heavy Armor Warriors.

Both figures being at level 15, were clearly the top battle strength of the Iron Hoof Tribe.

“Waka Waka~ You lowly centaurs, do you feel the power of the great Lord Withered Bones?

I am the embodiment of death, the spokesperson of strength, the Immortal existence!

You weak race, submitting to me is your best option.

The great Lord Withered Bones will forgive the crimes you've committed and allow you to become slaves of Dawn City!”

This damn undead!

Though initially planning to inquire about the Bone Dragon's purpose, upon hearing these words, the two level 15 Heavy Armor centaurs couldn't contain their fury anymore.

They roared furiously.

“Fire!!! I'll kill this damned Bone Dragon!!”

Hidden behind a small hill in the distance, Audis and his group heard this voice carried far and wide, their expressions peculiar.

Dylan, who raised Magic Language Bats, looked at Audis with a strange tone.

“Lord Withered Bones… can really deter enemies?”

Lord Withered Bones' voice had similarly spread far, ridiculing those who heard it.

Thus, the Bloodline thought if they were those centaurs, they would fight to the death today just to take down this damn undead.

The other second-generation Bloodline fell silent upon hearing this.

Eventually, Audis reluctantly said, “I guess I'll go up and negotiate with the centaurs…”

The other Bloodline looked at Audis with faces full of admiration, as if he was about to nobly sacrifice himself.

However, because they possessed the talent of Blood Rebirth, they weren't overly concerned.

At most, in three months, he would be a hero again; clearly, they did not hold much hope for this negotiation.

Half a day later, the commotion from the Centaur Tribe finally slowed down.

At this moment, as Audis faced the blank stares of his companions, his scalp tingled, and he stiffly stood up.

He felt that what he was about to face might be much more challenging than the Trial of Will.

Who knows what he heard during this half-day, he was certain that if Withered Bones wasn't indeed durable, it would have been dismantled by the group of centaurs and soaked as bones in an outhouse for ten thousand years.

Chapter end