Chapter 505 - Who Did I Just Kill?

It turned out that the high-ranking Blood Race in the blood nest truly did not disappoint Cassius. They were caught in a dilemma, as the immense threat of the scarab swarm bore down on them. Moreover, Cassius was watching them like a hawk from the sidelines; if he decided to act, the blood nest would have suffered unbearable losses.

Thus, after weighing the pros and cons, the Blood Race had no choice but to satisfy Cassius's demands. Of course, that satisfaction was not limitless; there was indeed a bottom line.

The blood nest held tremendous significance for the high-ranking Blood Race, as the densely arranged ancient rituals around it, in conjunction with its core, could slowly produce Blood of Immortality within the nest.

Blood of Immortality enabled high-ranking Blood Race to remain asleep, gradually nurturing their power and serving as their greatest trump card. Over the course of centuries or even millennia, the blood nest had accumulated a great deal of Blood of Immortality, some of which was absorbed by the slumbering high-ranking Blood Race, while another portion became its underlying reserve.

The Blood of Immortality within the blood nest had to remain above a certain quantity to maintain its original effects. Should half of it be lost, the nest would not be able to meet the high-ranking Blood Race's energy absorption needs during slumber. Its nurturing properties would then decline drastically.

Generally speaking, at least three-quarters of the Blood of Immortality had to be retained in the blood nest to preserve its original level of nourishment. They needed to maintain that much or even slightly more to allow the entire nest to revive its vitality. Hence, the blood nest's bottom line was one-quarter of its Blood of Immortality.

With that, both parties openly began negotiations while the scarabs raged. One side possessed the protection of the blood nest; the other had personal strength that allowed him to stand within the swarm without yielding an inch.

Within the gray cavern, the pounding of the walls, the dense sound of countless beetles crawling, and the collision of swarm against the blood nest all roared in a chaotic medley.

All that turmoil blended as one, nearly overwhelming anyone's eardrums.

Under those conditions, Cassius drove a hard bargain. At first, he demanded that the blood nest hand over half of its Blood of Immortality in exchange for him not taking action and promptly leaving.

Naturally, that request enraged the high-ranking Blood Race. Half of the Blood of Immortality would already have been enough to form a divine blood bat! They might as well have fought right then and use the divine blood bat to blow Cassius apart or severely injure him. They never would have agreed to that.

Of course, Cassius had never truly believed they would. It was nothing more than asking for the sky and waiting for a counteroffer. Had the other side been foolish enough to agree outright, Cassius would have sneered at them inwardly while grinning broadly and taking half of the Blood of Immortality, walking away with his spoils.

Negotiation required some back-and-forth, and Cassius was not exactly skilled at that. However, he held the advantage, and time was on his side as well. An unprecedented swarm of scarabs continued its relentless assault on the blood nest, draining its power and resources.

Furthermore, with Cassius watching from the side like a predator, the high-ranking Blood Race did not dare to go all out against the swarm, fearful of making a wrong move. Therefore, it was inevitably the blood nest that grew more and more anxious, as they were forced to grit their teeth and hold out. They had no choice but to make a swift decision in a short span of time. That was Cassius's thought process, so he pressed them har.

As Cassius had foreseen, the high-ranking Blood Race of the blood nest eventually gave in. They offered their highest price—one-quarter of the Blood of Immortality from the bottom of the nest.

After naming that price, they stressed repeatedly that it was their final offer and bottom line. Otherwise, they would prefer to fight to the death. Even if it meant losing half of their foundation and suffering enormous casualties, they would use the divine blood bat's strength to inflict an unbearable price on Cassius. Anyone would think twice before facing an enemy of that caliber that was willing to self-destruct.

In short, the blood nest had shown its final sincerity. Cassius deliberated and ultimately accepted their offer. In truth, he had initially wanted to take further advantage of the situation, such as forcing the blood nest to toss out a few high-ranking Blood Race for him to feast upon.

However, they stood united and determined. They displayed an iron-blooded sense of unity that welcomed death if it meant defending against foreign threats. They would not be so easily subdued, and he could not simply pillage and kill at will.

Cassius felt some regret in that regard. He shifted his thoughts and then felt a moment of surprise. The current situation almost made Cassius feel like he was the lawless villain committing every wicked deed, while the other side was the oppressed victim forced to accept harsh terms. It was a rather bizarre sensation.

But Cassius corrected his perspective soon enough. The strong fed on the weak, and the winner ruled as king; with power in his hands, everything followed naturally. Although he had brutal force on his side, he had never turned it upon the weak or defenseless amongst the lower ranks of humanity. He simply took pleasure in using his violence to ruthlessly torment and pummel formidable fiends. They were devils regarded by common folk.

It was not about any hollow notion of upholding justice or safeguarding the weak. It was purely that Cassius relished the thrill of defeating powerful monsters. He gained a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction only when he crushed an enemy strong enough to be worth his effort.

Had it been a group of feeble opponents, defeating them would have felt dull. Thinking that way, Cassius felt no psychological barriers whatsoever. He redoubled his threats toward the high-ranking Blood Race within the blood nest, demanding that they hurry and relinquish the Blood of Immortality. Otherwise, he would have no qualms about attacking the nest directly.

Cassius's intimidation forced the high-ranking Blood Race to carry out the handover swiftly. They gathered a lump of Blood of Immortality that resembled scarlet amber; and after a moment's hesitation, they handed it all over to Cassius.

Cassius slowly raised his right hand as a basketball-sized mass of concentrated blood floating above his palm. From afar, it appeared like a massive ruby. He sensed the mighty, formidable high-level energy emanating from the Blood of Immortality, along with the Ultimate Dark Form aura of Yumila, the True Progenitor of Blood.

Nodding in satisfaction, Cassius turned around and stepped forward.

In the distance, the fighting within a corner of the ashen cavern had already ceased. Three high-ranking Blood Race had opposed four on Cassius's side—Odo, the two-person steam Covert Martial Arts team, and the traitorous high-ranking Blood Race member, Daxi.

Inevitably, they were at a disadvantage and were quickly beaten senseless. Then, when the swarm of scarabs struck, the battle scene turned utterly chaotic and shockingly brutal.

Scarabs were essentially the Blood Race's nemesis. If the impact of the insect hive on Odo and other Covert Martial Arts experts was a one, then it was at least a three, if not a five, for the high-ranking Blood Race.

Even though Daxi was also affected, it did not alter the battle's outcome in the slightest. All three high-ranking Blood Race members perished, falling one by one at the hands of Cassius's subordinates. One of them was even killed personally by Daxi's sneak attack.

That high-ranking Blood Race had been facing off against Odo when a sudden gust swept in from behind, causing a sharp pain in his chest as a clawed hand protruded from his torso, clutching his heart. It was drenched in blood by the exceptionally savage act.

He whirled around to see the traitor Daxi wearing a smug grin of treachery as he cackled.

Daxi kept muttering, "Success, success! This is my achievement—My lord is sure to reward me! My lord is sure to see me in a whole new light..."

Daxi seemed possessed, repeating the words over and over. He pulled back his arm, holding the still-beating heart of his comrade, and slowly brought it to his mouth.

He looked poised to take a bite. Suddenly, Daxi shuddered, his gaze turning bewildered.

A moment later, the confusion disappeared, and his eyes became clear again.

"What... what was happening?! Whose heart is this..." He muttered, his brow deeply furrowed. He stared at his bloodstained clawed hand and the beating heart it held.

The high-ranking Blood Race whose heart had been torn out staggered back. "

Hah... hah...

Daxi... you... you... shall die a miserable death! I will wait for you in hell! I will wait for you in hell! You shameful traitor..."

His blood-red eyes glared at Daxi as though he were a venomous serpent consumed by hatred. He coughed up blood in violent spurts, the gaping wound in his chest gushing even more. His strength was draining at a terrifying speed.

At last, the high-ranking Blood Race could no longer hold out. With a dull

thud

, he dropped to his knees. Then his upper body collapsed, his head slamming heavily onto the ground. Even in death, his corpse stared wide-eyed at Daxi, unable to rest in peace.

For a brief moment, the gruesome scene before him struck Daxi like a massive shockwave, leaving him dazed. He backed away in disbelief, still clutching the heart in his hand and leaving a trail of blood.

"What was going on? Lanyi—he... he's dead?!" Daxi's eyes bulged, nearly popping out of their sockets.

He wore a look of horror, evidently recognizing the deceased high-ranking Blood Race. He must have known them well in the past.

"Lanyi... is dead..." He mumbled to himself.

"Who killed him?" Daxi's lips trembled as he glanced at his own bloody right hand. "And whom did I kill just now?!"

The heart that had ceased beating in his hand, the wound in Lanyi's chest, and the curses he spat before dying all seemed to point to one fact.

"Could it be... that I killed him?!!!"

It was as though lightning struck his mind, leaving Daxi's brain in complete disarray. He felt like something had gone amiss. He would never commit such madness as killing a comrade under normal circumstances.

Yet the evidence stood before him like a mountain, making it impossible to deny. Daxi gasped sharply a few times, and more memories surged within his mind.

He had served as a guide, leading Cassius and his companions into the cavern. Next, he had zealously defended his new "Master Cassius," hurling ceaseless ridicule and provocation at his former allies, acting like a dog that relied on its master's might.

After that, he had even taken the initiative to reveal the weaknesses of their blood nest, advising Cassius to slaughter all his former comrades. Finally, he joined the battlefield in an almost fanatical manner, eager to strike down his old friends.

All those terrifying events flooded his mind like a tide. Daxi felt on the brink of collapse, having committed countless terrible deeds in such a short time. He had harmed his own side's interests and even personally killed a former companion. Daxi sensed that he must have been hypnotized or controlled by the enemy, that it was never of his own free will.

But what was done, was done!

He had even personally torn out Lanyi's heart, and, thanks to Daxi's own intel, Cassius had exploited that weakness to pressure the many high-ranking Blood Race within the nest. Having committed so many foolish acts, even if he regained his senses and sought to aid the blood nest against the enemy—

He would likely never have been forgiven and would face grave consequences.

His future was essentially over...

So perhaps... perhaps...

Daxi cast a glance at the heart in his hand, his eyes betraying a flicker of emotion. Gritting his teeth, he crushed it single-handedly. Blood spattered across Daxi's face, leaving a warm sensation on his forehead. He made up his mind to continue pretending he was under the enemy's hypnosis.

He would go on acting like Cassius's devoted hound! That was how he would survive and find his slim chance of escape.

Daxi understood! The moment he thought of betraying his own side, it felt as though the world opened up before him!

The impending doom he had imagined was suddenly transformed into a broad new path. As his thoughts raced, he realized what he had to do. He had to maintain his previous persona! Keep up his previous actions!

He had to be even more aggressive and persuasive. He also had to demonstrate his capabilities and willingness to act, letting the other side see how proactive he could be. That was the only way to prove himself valuable and useful.

Suddenly, Daxi seemed possessed by the spirit of a veteran actor, and his expression turned ferociously savage. He wiped the blood from his face and let out a hearty laugh.

"

Hahaha!

Lanyi, that fool is dead. Now it's your turn!" He whirled around, bloodshot eyes turning viciously upon the other two high-ranking Blood Race who still fought on.

His murderous aura surged powerfully.

"Worthless scum, prepare to die!!!" Daxi lunged forward, launching himself like a madman, obviously intending to kill to the very last.

At his side, Odo, who had just had his kill stolen, wore a look of displeasure. Yet when he saw Daxi's murderous rage directed at his own comrades, he was momentarily stunned. After a few seconds, he recovered and charged the enemy side once more.

He would not let that crazed Daxi seize all the credit again.

...

By the time Cassius wrapped up matters at the blood nest and made his way over, Odo, Daxi, and the others were fending off the swarm's onslaught. Behind them lay the bodies of multiple high-ranking Blood Race.

Cassius forged straight across through the scarab swarm like a boulder splitting the tide. He approached them leisurely, absorbing the life vibration energies of the high-ranking Blood Race and storing them within his body.

"Let's go. We've already accomplished our primary objective for entering these ruins. Now, we only need to locate the special medicine, and this entire operation will be over." He spoke while gazing at the Blood of Immortality in his hand, his eyes drawn by its brilliant crimson hue.

The quarter of the Blood of Immortality accumulated over a thousand years in the blood nest contained five strands of Cataclysmic Spirit level life vibration energy.

This time, he had earned an abundant fortune. dWhat mattered most now was to find a secure location. Then, he could make use of his precious resources and quickly boost his strength.