We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 89 A heretic has emerged among us!
In front of the castle gate.

"Sir, please show me your invitation."

As the vampire servant spoke, he secretly sized up the figure in front of him.

The man was wearing a long, greyish-white overcoat, the hem of which almost covered his entire body. Under a greyish-white top hat was a mask that covered most of his face.

A mysterious and profound aura lingered around him.

Such a mysterious and unique design would certainly attract a lot of attention in an ordinary town.

But in this city shrouded in a blood moon, it's not actually that special.

Vampires are a group of people with strange and twisted personalities, and quite a few of them wear bizarre costumes to attend the "Blood Feast".

Some people even treated the banquet like a masquerade ball, since wearing a mask was nothing unusual.

However, I don't know why.

Looking at this person, the vampire servant inexplicably thought of the strange man in black who had wreaked havoc in the city the night before.

"No, no, no... How could that be?"

The vampire servant quickly dismissed the idea: "I saw it with my own eyes. That guy was beheaded by the mistress and was as dead as can be."

"Invitation card?"

"Can we use this as a substitute?"

The man in the trench coat extended his right hand, revealing a dark red ring on his black leather glove.

The vampire servant's expression immediately changed slightly, his tone both respectful and envious.

"Of course, sir, please come in."

The other vampires' expressions also changed slightly when they saw [Dark Crimson].

At least within the Fallon family's territory, such a ring is a symbol of status, representing the importance and favor of the family matriarch.

Some vampires are simply low-class, undesirable species.

However, after obtaining the [Dark Crimson], it is possible to achieve bloodline sublimation with the help of the mistress, transcending to the fifth-class or even the fourth-class race!

Amidst envious glances from onlookers, the man in the trench coat swaggered into the castle.

Looking at the magnificent decorations in the hall and the other vampires coming and going, he was somewhat surprised.

"They actually let me in?"

"Isn't this guarding too lax?"

The man in the trench coat was, of course, Xia En in disguise.

To distinguish himself from his appearance yesterday, he specially chose a trench coat of a different color and wore a mask to disguise himself.

With so many vampires in the city, finding a couple of well-fitting outfits isn't difficult.

However, since the projected body has no blood, Shane was actually prepared for "failed infiltration, and the start of his rampage."

In fact, what Xia En didn't know was...

For vampires, directly sensing the blood aura of their own kind is seen as scrutinizing their prey, carrying a strong sense of provocation.

This gave him the opportunity to successfully enter the castle.

Xia En looked around.

The hall was set up with long tables like a normal banquet, but they were empty, with no food or drinks, only empty wine glasses.

Obviously, the "main courses" will only be served when the meal officially begins.

The vampires here are clearly stronger than the average vampires in the neighborhood.

The majority of species are classified as inferior, but there are also a few impressive fifth-class species.

—By this point, Shane had a general understanding of the hierarchical divisions within the vampire clan.

The lowest rank of vampires is called the lowest rank, which includes people like the Tver.

Their strength is generally slightly weaker than that of a first-tier secret cultivator, but with the innate abilities of the vampire race and the blood slaves under their command, they can easily catch a secret cultivator off guard.

Then come the fifth class.

The old gentleman from before was at this level.

It is stronger than a first-tier Mystic, and also possesses a second-stage transformation ability.

Their numbers are not too many, but not few either; they are the backbone of the vampire clan.

If Xia En's prediction is correct, the patriarchs of each bloodline family should all be of the fourth rank, or at least of the second rank of the secret path!

The third-class species probably only exist in the most central castles.

Judging from this, the top combat power of the vampires in this [Blood Moon Secret Realm] should only be at the third or fourth tier!
Xia En was initially a little puzzled, feeling that this combat power was slightly weak.

But then I thought about it again, and in the seas where Duke Island and Silvermoon Island are located, the strongest governor is only a third-tier Mystic.

Treasure hunters who come to explore the [Blood Moon Night] are generally weaker than Tier 3.

Higher-ranking vampires would certainly not be satisfied with only drinking the blood of first- or second-rank secret cultivators, which is why they are not in the [Blood Moon Secret Realm].

At this moment, some vampires also noticed this unfamiliar member of their own kind.

Soon, a tall, thin young man stepped forward and smiled.

"Sir, I am Murta. Your attire looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time attending the Blood Feast?"

Xia En's heart stirred slightly.

He originally planned to make his move as soon as the matriarch of the Fallon family appeared.

But since he was idle anyway, it wouldn't hurt to gather some information. So, Shane nodded and said, "My name is Tver, and this is indeed my first time attending the Blood Feast. Is there anything I should be aware of?"

"Hehe, you've come to the right person."

Murta laughed, "I've attended three blood banquets and I'm an expert in how to enjoy all kinds of ingredients. They all call me... a gourmet!"

"The taste of a virgin who has never been with anyone is the best, but unfortunately, she is a rare and precious thing that can only be found once in a lifetime."

"Among those outsiders, there are occasionally one or two clean-hearted young men. Take the blood from their hearts and fill a cup."

"Believe me, my friend, once you've tasted it, you'll never forget it..."

An excited glint flashed in the vampire's eyes as he launched into a long explanation of how to appreciate "gourmet food."

However, they were completely unaware that Xia En's eyes, hidden behind his mask, were growing increasingly cold.

"By the way, speaking of..."

"You might not know this if it's your first time participating."

Murta continued, "Each blood feast is actually a ceremony to add new blood to the family and welcome new members."

"...A new member?"

Upon hearing this, Xia En raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, to put it bluntly, it's about selecting some talented people from among those lowly outsiders and converting them into our own kind."

"If you are of the fifth class, you can also choose a lucky one to inherit your bloodline."

Speaking of this topic, Murta was clearly indignant and lowered his voice.

"In my opinion, this is too lenient on them!"

"They are just ingredients and livestock, yet they have suddenly become equals to us. It is really unpleasant."

"But this is a decision made by the clan chief and elders, and we cannot go against it."

Xia En chimed in, "Such a thing is possible? That's outrageous!"

"you do not say!"

Murta sighed, "Fortunately, those people will be sent out of the secret realm after they are transformed."

"Otherwise, the thought of breathing the same air as them makes me feel nauseous!"

While he was complaining, Xia En's mind was racing with thoughts.

The vampire's words undoubtedly confirmed his earlier suspicions—

Without exception, all the secret travelers who left during the previous [Blood Moon Night] have become members of the vampire clan!
This is how the truth of the scam can be concealed time and time again.

Moreover, Shane also realized the deeper meaning behind this behavior.

If vampires simply hunt all explorers indiscriminately, it will obviously force them to unite and resist.

But if you tell them that as long as they surrender and obey orders, they can be spared, and even have a longer lifespan and a stronger body...

The only price is to draw blood from one's own kind.

What choices will these people make?
The answer is obvious.

Those pirates who live on the edge might even gladly accept this gift.

"There's definitely a reason why this scam has lasted for so many years without being exposed..."

Xia En sighed inwardly. Suddenly, he felt a gaze falling on him.

He immediately followed his senses and looked in that direction, and saw the owner of that gaze.

A petite girl with short black hair was standing about ten meters away.

She wore a loose, long black dress, and her face was exquisite and charming, with a pair of unique scarlet eyes.

The girl's arms and legs, the parts of which were exposed to the air, were wrapped tightly in bandages, as if she were suffering from some kind of peculiar illness.

Upon seeing that pretty face, Xia En was stunned.

Faia?

Why is he here?
And... is this outfit again?
Xia En hadn't forgotten that it was Fei Ya who first warned him not to enter the Blood Moon Secret Realm.

Why did he come on his own?
"Wait, he's the young master of a prominent family on Silvermoon Island, and he knows the truth about the Blood Moon Secret Realm..."

Xia En's thoughts were in turmoil, and he quickly realized his vampire identity.

But on the other hand.

Xia En also keenly noticed that Fei Ya seemed to be different from ordinary vampires.

Physical disability...a pastor in a steam church...a penchant for alcoholism...

When these elements are put together, the truth immediately becomes clear.

"A vampire who restrains their desires and refrains from drinking blood?"

"So he came here, presumably for..."

As Xia En pondered this, accompanied by the sound of high heels clicking on the floor, a mature and beautiful woman gracefully walked out from the center of the hall.

"Welcome to my castle."

"The banquet is about to begin, but before that..."

Deirdre's gaze swept over everyone present, and she said coldly.

"There is a heretic among us!"

(End of this chapter)