One month later.
The Serpent Tribe's territory.
A figure, seizing the moment when the entrance was unguarded, flashed inside, easily reaching the private chambers of the Serpent Tribe's leader.
The door creaked open. The Serpent Tribe leader, Du Qingfeng,'s eyes snapped open, and he bellowed, "Who? Who dares intrude?!"
The room was suddenly illuminated. A tall, slender figure slowly approached, stopping by Du Qingfeng's bed. It was Mu Shaoqing, the very person the Blood Tribe had been desperately searching for, yet had found no trace of.
Mu Shaoqing spoke unhurriedly, "Leader Du, it's been a long time."
Du Qingfeng frowned. "It's you! The Grand Elder of the Blood Tribe. Indeed, it has been a long time. I heard the Blood Tribe's Ancestor is digging three feet into the ground looking for you. How do you have the time to visit me?"
"It seems my affairs are known to you, Leader Du."
Du Qingfeng remained silent, but how could they not know about such a major event? Moreover, they had always been at odds with the Blood Tribe. News of the drastic changes within the Blood Tribe's Elder Council had reached them immediately.
A sharp glint flashed in Mu Shaoqing's eyes. He decided against beating around the bush and stated his purpose directly, "I've come to visit you today, Leader Du, to discuss a collaboration."
"Collaborate with me?" Du Qingfeng said with a hint of disdain. "You, who are like a rat crossing the street in the Blood Tribe, constantly hiding, afraid to even show your face. What good could we possibly discuss?"
Unperturbed by Du Qingfeng's obvious sarcasm, Mu Shaoqing remained composed. "Leader Du, don't you want to know why I, as the Grand Elder of the Blood Tribe, am being hunted by the Ancestor with the might of the entire Blood Tribe?"
This question clearly piqued Du Qingfeng's interest. "Alright, Elder Mu, stop playing coy. What exactly do you want to say? Just get to the point."
Mu Shaoqing produced three transparent vials filled with a liquid from his embrace. "These are potions I've secretly researched for over ten thousand years. After countless experiments, these are the most successful prototypes. Once injected into the body, they can transform one's physique, enabling them to devour the strength of others and continuously grow more powerful!" Su Dan Novel Network
Du Qingfeng narrowed his eyes. "And then? What are you trying to say?"
"I want to tell you, Leader Du... the Blood Tribe's immortality and rapid healing abilities. Don't you want them?"
After all, as beastmen, they were more long-lived and robust than ordinary humans, but they couldn't compare to the Blood Tribe. They too would age, their lifespans only a few hundred years.
Mu Shaoqing saw Du Qingfeng was clearly tempted. He continued to entice him, "All you need to do is help me with one thing. I can give you these potions, and even deliver pure-blooded vampires to you, granting you the same immortality and rapid healing abilities as pure-blooded vampires!"
Du Qingfeng was indeed tempted, but then he scoffed. "Elder Mu, are you treating me like a fool? Even if what you say is true, if I offend the Blood Tribe's Ancestor, will I even survive?"
He had never had the chance to witness the Blood Tribe Ancestor's power, but their first leader reportedly had. The Serpent Tribe's strength was insignificant compared to hers. It was precisely for this reason that the Blood Tribe and the Serpent Tribe had been at odds for tens of thousands of years, yet the Serpent Tribe had endured it all.
Mu Shaoqing smiled. "Leader Du, that's precisely why I've come to discuss a collaboration with you."
"What do you mean?"
"You probably don't know this, but the Blood Tribe Ancestor has a weakness. Every ten thousand years, on the day she was born into this world, her power wanes. It's her most vulnerable time. If you are willing to assist me that day... I guarantee that after I kill her, I will ascend to the position of Blood Tribe Ancestor. Then... you won't have any worries, will you?"
Du Qingfeng was half-believing, half-doubting Mu Shaoqing's words. "Is what you're saying true?"
"Whether it's true or not... given how desperately she wants to kill me, can't you tell, Leader Du?" Mu Shaoqing replied.
Du Qingfeng lowered his gaze, pondered for a moment, and finally, unable to resist the allure of immortality and rapid healing, he was swayed.
"How much time is left until that day when the Blood Tribe Ancestor's power weakens?"
Mu Shaoqing sneered, "Soon... less than five months! If you help me that day, I guarantee I'll keep my word!"
Du Qingfeng declared, "Agreed! We have a deal!"
Mu Shaoqing smiled. "A deal!"
Du Qingfeng arranged for Mu Shaoqing to stay in the Serpent Tribe's territory, providing him refuge from the Blood Tribe's search.
Du Qingfeng led Mu Shaoqing to his assigned room. After Du Qingfeng left, Mu Shaoqing stood alone by the bed. His sinister face was reflected in the glass window.
He had schemed for so long, meticulously planning. He was determined to devour Lin Qinghe's Blood Tribe Ancestor abilities and become the most powerful being!
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Time skipped forward, over four months later.
You Rong, holding a gun, accurately shot every moving target. After completing a round, he lowered the gun and turned back to see the person who was supposed to be observing his marksmanship lost in thought, eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
You Rong walked over with a frown, deliberately dropping his gun with a loud clatter. Lin Qinghe then turned around, looked at a moving target, and smiled, "You Rong, your marksmanship is getting better and better. Fantastic!"
You Rong picked up a bottle of water, drank half of it in one gulp, and tilted his head to look at Lin Qinghe. "What were you thinking just now?"
"Uh, nothing... I wasn't thinking about anything!" Lin Qinghe let out a nervous laugh. She couldn't possibly say that in a week You Rong would come of age, and she was contemplating how to make her move on him.
She was lying.
You Rong's displeasure grew, and he remained silent with a stern expression.
Sensing You Rong's unhappiness, Lin Qinghe tried to placate him. "It's nothing really... it's just... it's about the Elder Council. You know there are a lot of restless individuals in the Blood Tribe lately. It's giving me a headache."
You Rong's brows furrowed upon hearing this. After a moment of thought, he said to Lin Qinghe, "I'll go to the Elder Council and handle the Blood Tribe matters for you."
Lin Qinghe reflexively refused without thinking. "No! You're not a Blood Tribe member. If you go to the Elder Council, and if I'm not around, those short-sighted Blood Tribe members might... "
You Rong suddenly leaned in, his well-defined fingers cupping Lin Qinghe's chin and lifting it, forcing her to meet his gaze. He said, word by word, "I've grown up! I'm no longer the weak, incompetent child who couldn't protect himself! Don't treat me like a child anymore!"
He was about to come of age, and his werewolf abilities would awaken. He was no longer the little wolf cub who needed her constant protection. When would she understand this?