The Blood Moon had faded, but Zhao Yang's aura lingered. He stood at the edge of the ruins, blood mist trailing behind him like a cloak, his wings folded, his gaze clear. He hadn't lost control—he was calmer than ever. Lu Ye watched silently and noted to himself: "Tier 3, stable."
Suddenly, Zhao Yang spoke. "How are your families? I want to see mine." Most replied simply, "They're fine." Except Lu Ye. He was an orphan, raised in an orphanage until adopted by a wealthy elderly couple. They'd passed away recently—he'd learned about it from the news. They were well-known. He missed them, but fate was cruel. In a world like this, someone always dies. "Alright," Lu Ye said. "Let's go let my family see the strongest vampire in our squad." Zhao Yang gave a bitter smile.
On the way to Zhao Yang's hometown, the squad passed through an overgrown, abandoned farm. Suddenly, vines parted on their own, branches lowered, and birds circled overhead without dispersing.
"This place… is responding to something," Qin Hao murmured.
Sure enough, in the center of the farm stood a young man beneath an old tree. He wore a gray-green coat, calm eyes, and held a single seed in his hand. As the squad stepped out of the vehicle, he glanced at them, sensed their presence, and gave a soft chuckle.
"You're strong," he said. "I don't want to fight. I want to join you."
Eye of the World – Analysis Name: Lin Lan Ability: Nature-type – Attraction Field Traits: Can draw plants, animals, and weather elements toward himself. May evolve into full environmental control.
Lu Ye nodded. "You already know what I'm here for. Fine—welcome aboard." Then, with a hint of suspicion, he activated the Eye of the World again. Red light scanned Lin Lan's body. "You don't need to do that," Lin Lan said calmly. "I can sense your actions. I know you're smart enough not to kill me. Am I right?" Lu Ye was startled. Zhao Yang glanced at him and said softly, "You don't have killing intent—but you do have ambition." Lin Lan smiled. "I'm better at surviving." "I'll be watching you," Lu Ye replied.
After some time, they arrived at Zhao Yang's parents' old home. The door lock was intact, but the house was eerily quiet. Chen Mo searched the rooms and found drawers ransacked—money and communication gear missing.
"Not zombies. Humans," He Xuan concluded.
Qin Hao found a note on the dining table. The handwriting was messy but familiar. He didn't speak—just handed it to Zhao Yang.
"If you're reading this, your father and I were rescued and taken to a nearby base. If you see this, live well. We love you. —Mom"
Zhao Yang held the note in silence. The blood mist around him trembled but didn't erupt. "We're going to find them," he said.
The base was located in an underground bunker in the old city, managed by a gentle female esper named Su Zhihan. She was the widow of the war zone's former commander and had reached Tier 3 herself.
Her abilities were highly specialized:
Shadow Sketch: Can draw portraits of enemies within 20 seconds. The more accurate the sketch, the greater the damage inflicted.
Ice-type – Absolute Cold: Generates crystals near absolute zero, capable of freezing energy flow and nerve signals.
She welcomed the squad warmly, even offering resources and intelligence. But Lin Lan noticed something strange near the outer warehouse—children's supplies and chain marks.
Hu Hao used his Mental Command to interrogate a guard and uncovered a dark truth: Su Zhihan was involved in human trafficking and black-market organ trade targeting espers.
The squad hadn't planned to intervene. As terrible as it was, it wasn't their fight. She was powerful, and they had no reason to confront her. Until they saw Zhao Yang's father being carried outside. Though he hadn't lost weight, his face showed deep exhaustion—Zhao Yang noticed immediately. "Dad, you…" "She tortured your mother. She's dead. Don't believe anything they say."
The two guards, realizing the connection, drew their pistols and fired. Zhao Yang finally snapped. His furious roar echoed through the base. Using Dark Blood Mechanics, he altered the bullets' paths—forcing them to ricochet and kill each other while watching the other die.
No one stopped him. No one spoke. It was his pain to bear.
He activated Bloodline Domain, causing their dying bodies to bleed continuously. Blinded by rage, he confirmed their deaths and drained their blood.
His father was terrified. "What's happened to my son?" He fainted on the spot. Zhao Yang rushed to him. "Dad… Dad, wake up!" Qin Hao checked him. "He's just passed out. You were so angry, you probably didn't notice." "Ah?" Zhao Yang's voice returned to its usual dazed tone. But he didn't forget to crush the guards' bones before leaving.
The squad had made their decision: the base would be reclaimed by force. They couldn't let this continue.
Zhao Yang, now calm, led the charge. Blood mist sealed the corridors. Chen Mo broke down the doors. He Xuan locked the exits with metal constructs. Su Zhihan tried to use Shadow Sketch, but Lu Ye disrupted her drawing time with spatial folds. Qin Hao restricted her movement, and Hu Hao issued a "Cease" command.
In the end, Zhao Yang froze her within his blood mist. Ice and blood fused into a statue. After absorbing the frozen blood, Zhao Yang sighed in relief. Even Hu Hao muttered, "Aside from sunlight… does this guy even have a weakness?"
Lin Lan stood at the command platform, watching the chaos. "Let me manage this place. You fight—I'll handle the rest." Hu Hao stepped forward and whispered to the soldiers, "Your memories… need adjusting."
Hu Hao – Mental Command: Memory Rewrite Content: Su Zhihan died in an enemy attack. Lin Lan is the new commander, assigned to take over the base.
The soldiers shouted in unison, "Commander Lin Lan!" And just like that, the base changed hands.
Of course, they couldn't let Lin Lan leave the squad. They didn't fully trust him. So Hu Hao used his ability again to appoint a deputy commander—to ensure Lin Lan's mission stayed on track.