243 Where is My Desk
Is it really so hard to follow the method exactly as written? I'm not trying to invent my own technique here.
Confusion gradually accumulated in my mind as I gently rubbed my temples. The vast amount of absorbed lifespan was quickly depleting. Then at last, I sensed the Redeemed Spirit within my sea of essence beginning to change.
[Year 793, you realize this manual likely offers only general guidance rather than absolute answers—perhaps all approaches are valid in their own way. Instead of endless deliberation, you decide to simply begin practicing.]
In an instant, the vast white lights mobilized again. They converged into the Redeemed Spirit, flowing through it along mysterious paths. The process wasn't smooth—it appeared remarkably awkward. At times, the flow would even change direction abruptly midway.
"..."
I silently looked at the panel notification and inwardly sighed. Fortunately, it was the Redeemed Spirit not myself that was going through this ordeal. With such a technique, one would go spiritual psychosis sooner or later. Well, I'd just consider it practice.
I studied the scrolling text on the panel and sighed inwardly. Thankfully, it was the Redeemed Spirit—not me—that had to endure this chaotic process. Such an erratic technique would inevitably drive anyone to spiritual madness. For now, I'd simply consider it a learning experience.
The abundant faith energy gradually diminished, transforming into a Redeemed Spirit with solid, tangible form. It sat cross-legged, its facial features becoming more defined. Yet its expression grew increasingly detached, as if it had transcended the mundane world and broken free from mortal connections. Most striking were the pair of misty wings that now protruded from its back.
The white lights continued to condense, growing the wings in both size and solidity, but suddenly halted—leaving them in their misty state. I instinctively checked the devotional energy which, though diminished, remained quite potent. Looking down at the panel, I discovered the reason: the absorbed lifespan had been completely depleted.
[Year 6,674, you have broken through to the Middle Realm of Seeker of Redeemer. Just as you approach the bottleneck of the Upper Realm, your absorbed vampire lifespan expires, leaving you with a profound sense of missed opportunity and a silent sigh...]
[Seeker of Redeemer - Trinitarian Ascension Method: Journeyman.]
"Hiss!"
I abruptly clutched my forehead, struck by the sensation of having nearly crossed a boundless abyss—the distant shore within sight—before my strength suddenly failed. I plummeted helplessly, the goal tantalizingly close yet utterly unattainable. Struggling to steady my ragged breathing, I stared hopelessly at another line of text.
[Remaining Lifespan: 2,956 years]
I had merely depleted the absorbed lifespan, not my own—what was there truly to lament? My natural lifespan had already increased by two thousand years after breaking through to the Fourth Realm. In my twenties and at my physical peak, why should I let such fleeting emotions disturb my calm?
I quickly regained my composure while maintaining my motionless facade. After releasing Lady Taurymne into the Redeemed Spirit, a tall figure materialized in the room. Surrounded by white lights and bearing misty wings, it truly resembled an angel descending to earth. A powerful aura swept outward, almost making me unable to resist opening my eyes.
"My lord, your spiritual body is too powerful; I can barely handle it..." Lady Taurymne's voice echoed in my mind. This vampire soul—one that had formed over ten thousand years—was actually complaining.
"..."
I forcefully connected my consciousness with Taurymne's through our special bond. Concentrating my will, I focused on opening eyes. While my physical body remained motionless on the bed, the Redeemed Spirit standing in the room slowly opened its eyes, its already detached face taking on a hint of coldness.
"Hmm."
Controlling the Redeemed Spirit for the first time, I examined its body with mild curiosity. Taurymne had spoken truthfully—this Redeemed Spirit form was indeed overly powerful. The vampire soul within was comparatively weak, making each movement feel strained and sluggish.
"I'll work with this for now and change it later." I returned control to Taurymne and withdrew to my own body. Until I could find a stronger vampire, I had to make do with what was available.
Change? Lady Taurymne was surprised but dared not inquire further. Had her master's powers truly reached such heights that he could replace a Redeemed Spirit at will? Perhaps he intended to replace her...
Thinking of this, Lady Qinghua timidly approached and began massaging my shoulders with gentle care. The Redeemed Spirit channelled faith energy which, though not beneficial to my physical body, provided a warm and comfortable sensation.
Drained from the emotional feedback of thousands of years of simulation, I welcomed the massage. Reverend Thompson had once mentioned that all Seekers of Redeemer develop unique quirks—so my habit of having my Redeemed Spirit massage my physical body wasn't particularly unusual. As long as we communicated solely through thoughts, no one would discover that this physical body was actually "alive."
"When no one is around, change your appearance," I instructed, glancing at that face with a slight shudder of discomfort.
"As you wish." The white lights around the Redeemed Spirit swirled gently, instantly transforming into Lady Taurymne's appearance. It was merely a simple illusion created with faith energy—nothing challenging. Though she had once been a renowned Vampire King, she had never served others before, making her technique somewhat awkward. Fortunately, I wasn't particularly demanding.
After a night's rest, I returned Lady Taurymne to the panel and concealed the Redeemed Spirit the following morning. With Fourth Realm experts watching nearby, caution seemed the wisest approach.
Having exhausted the vampire lifespan, I saw no reason to remain at the Martial Abbey. I headed toward the courtyard exit.
Perhaps due to the early hour, Courtyard B was bustling with people engaged in casual conversation. Among them, the couple dressed in white commanded noticeable respect—despite their quiet demeanor, others consistently sought their opinions on every topic discussed.
At this moment, the man suddenly rose to his feet with a smile. "Young master, please wait."
The middle-aged man, holding a sword scabbard, bowed slightly. "I am Beau Carter from Aegis Defense Systems of the Great Southwest, and this is my wife Jolene. May I ask your name?"
Aegis Defense Systems of the Great Southwest? Manufacturers of top-grade weapons?
I slowly halted my steps and politely nodded. "My name is John Kane."
Hearing our conversation, the other disciples in Courtyard B fell silent and bowed toward me. Though I appeared young, my admittance to Courtyard A marked me as a seedling with potential to reach the Fifth Realm. As a disciple of the Martial Abbey, I effectively served as their supervisor in terms of status.
"Are you heading out? Is there anything we can help with?" Jolene asked with a warm smile.
"Going to my post," I responded simply, then bid farewell to everyone. Though the top-grade weapons were tempting, the couple wouldn't disappear anytime soon. At present, acquiring vampire lifespan took priority.
Going to his post? Watching the young man walk away, everyone exchanged puzzled glances. Having just entered the Martial Abbey and surely received a training method, why wouldn't he focus on training instead of attending to some external duty? Could he still be holding a position in the government?
... …
The Martial Abbey stood tall, with two headquarters buildings extending from it. Early in the morning, a crowd had already gathered there. Some people were claiming rewards, others sought Martial Abbey Cleansing, while the rest were returning to report on their duties.
I surveyed the long queue before walking straight in, attracting many people's attention.
Without wearing the uniform, which state's admiral is this? Several people near the front looked over in surprise.
However, they then saw Alon Dakila at the counter suddenly push aside the H.A.R.M. Admiral in front of him and spring up from his chair, standing as straight as a spear.
"Sir, what brings you here?"
"Where is my desk?" I walked behind the counter. Alon looked stunned for a moment, then quickly pointed to a nearby office. "I'll show you right away."
"I've got it, carry on." I strolled over unhurriedly and opened the door to enter.
"..."
Alon Dakila swallowed hard and instinctively turned to look at the queuing H.A.R.M. personnel. Sure enough, their expressions had all changed.
Despite Alon Dakila's deliberate omission of the title, they weren't fools—they understood the situation perfectly. After many years, H.A.R.M. finally had a new Inspector.
"This is bad!" Alon secretly pinched himself. Though normally quick-witted, he had stumbled badly here. He had been convinced that Inspector Kane was merely placed in the position by Reverend Thompson to "draw an empty salary," so he hadn't made any preparations. Who would have thought the man would actually show up at headquarters like this?
Now that so many people had witnessed his arrival... how could this situation be contained? The Twenty-five States had long been plagued by vampire calamities, and everyone had troubles that needed the Inspector's help. If Inspector Kane made a misstep, he would surely suffer severe consequences.
"Everyone be quiet and stay in line!" He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the counter. His forceful action finally drew everyone's gaze away, but whispers inevitably rippled through the crowd.
At the end of the queue, a middle-aged man in dark armor approached from afar and stopped. While his companion boasted, he merely smiled in response, his eyes betraying both anxiety and sorrow.
"General Marrow, I'm not just saying this, but what's so good about staying in Florida? You should follow my lead and come to the Martial Abbey sooner. There's no shortage of treasures and training techniques, and you can meet many experts." Niklas Falkenrath patted his shoulder with a smile. "Just yesterday, I met an extraordinary talent from Cascadia, John Kane, a fully harmonized expert who entered Courtyard B. Though young, he already shows the potential of a Ward of Nature. I exchanged a few moves with him and gained quite a lot—my cultivation has grown considerably."
"Congratulations, Niklas." Kade Marrow forced a smile. The fact that this guy could chat up with him—a H.A.R.M. General—despite being from the martial world was all thanks to his silver tongue. If he fell for this guy's words again, he'd be a fool.
Just then, faint murmurs began to spread through the crowd. Several Vampire Hunters, who were renowned for their information gathering, came near the two men. One Vampire Hunter even mentioned a name.
"I've heard of him. That person is the Admiral of Cascadia, John Kane. He arrived in the capital just yesterday and was promoted to Deputy Inspector!"
Their voice reached Kade Marrow's ears. He stood stunned, rubbing his ears in disbelief. "Inspector... Inspector..."
As if suddenly remembering something, he whirled around and seized his companion's hand. "Niklas, who did you say you met just now?"