"Mr. Lin, please be patient. The elder might be engrossed in an experiment, so it might take a bit longer," Morman explained as he noticed Lin Tian's expressionless demeanor, fearing that Lin Tian might act out in anger and stir up trouble.

Lin Tian responded indifferently, "As a servant, it's rare that the elder is willing to meet you. Can you really expect an elder to immediately set aside their work to see you?"

In fact, Lin Tian could guess why the Sinmore Bloodline elder was meeting Morman; it was almost certainly about Clark. The elder had been experimenting on Clark for some time.

Morman nodded, not daring to refute. He couldn't afford to offend either Lin Tian or the elder.

Time passed bit by bit. As the sun set and the outside light dimmed, the castle's hall was already completely dark. The vines outside blocked most of the light, causing the castle to become night before the outside did, making it appear eerie.

The last rays of the setting sun faded from the earth, leaving the outside dark save for the faint glow of the heavenly stars and moon in the night sky.

Moonlight streamed through gaps in the vines and the castle's door, leaving mottled shadows in the hall. Suddenly, a light footstep echoed outside the castle, followed by a long shadow appearing in the moonlight at the hall entrance.

Because this "person" had their back to the outside moon, their front was shrouded in shadow, but Lin Tian still clearly saw their face.

A middle-aged face, though only he knew his actual age. Pallid complexion, with disheveled silver hair, wearing what was originally a rather vintage-style suit, the fabric's surface seemed to have a layer of dirt, as if it hadn't been washed in a long time.

Upon seeing this "person", Morman's legs gave way, and he immediately knelt down, lowering his head, appearing utterly humble.

"Elder Langde!" Morman called out respectfully.

It turned out it was the castle's master, the Blood Clan elder, who had finally appeared. Lin Tian remained calm and composed. He naturally did not kneel; even if undercover, he wouldn't kneel to a vampire.

Yet Elder Langde seemingly paid no attention to Lin Tian and stepped into the hall. As he entered, the lights suddenly came on. Despite the lighting, the hall still felt dim.

Elder Langde walked over and sat in a central chair in the hall, speaking unhurriedly: "Who are they?"

Morman hurriedly turned while kneeling, raised his head, and said, "Elder, rest assured they are not human."

"I know they are not human. If they were, they would have already been dead when I entered the door," Langde said coldly.

"Elder, speaking of them starts with Clark's situation," Morman cautiously said.

Langde did not reply but tapped on the chair, summoning a servant from outside who brought him "red wine"? Lin Tian questioned this "red wine" because he smelled a familiar scent, resembling that from Li Wenfeng's banquet; akin to those two glasses of red wine.

However, the cup Elder Langde held had a much stronger scent. Evidently, the elder was drinking a more premium "blood concoction," essentially a Bloody Mary, and perhaps Langde himself brewed it.

Elder Langde took a sip of the Bloody Mary and then leisurely said: "Were it not for Clark's matter, you wouldn't dare come back to see me. Speak now, how is Clark?"

Morman discreetly glanced at Lin Tian before hesitantly saying: "Clark... is dead."

"Dead?" The always expressionless Langde finally raised his eyelids, his gaze sharpening momentarily before saying: "How did he die? Explain in detail; if the information aids my research, you might still survive."

"Elder, here's what happened. Clark had initiated the curse ritual when suddenly a group of Guardians barged in, among them, two were exceptionally strong, undoubtedly above Sword Saint Level. Even though Clark took a potion and battled fiercely with two Sword Saints, he was no match for the two Sword Saints in the end. Ultimately, he was killed by two Sword Saint level Guardians..."

Morman dared not meet Langde's gaze but looked at Langde's feet as he recounted, embellishing the tales from Sorlin Castle, half-truths and lies.

"Elder, I barely escaped, but in the woods, other Guardians found me. At a critical moment, Lin Tian and Rossi, these wanderers, saved me, allowing me to bring back information to you," Morman concluded.

"I have no time to hear how you fled the disaster. After Clark used the potion, what reaction was there? How much did his power increase?" Langde asked coldly, indifferent to Morman's escape story, solely focused on his experiment.

Morman slightly raised his gaze and said: "Elder, after Clark used the potion, his power increased at least twofold. He fought against the two Sword Saint masters for a long time before being killed, but... but..."

Twofold? Lin Tian inwardly sneered, Clark's power likely increased more than twofold; not even Reina Sword Saint and Mark combined could rival him. However, vampires can fly, which provides a significant advantage, allowing them to challenge higher levels.

Langde seemed dissatisfied with the twofold effect as well, furrowing his brow and asking: "But what?"

"But the potion seemed too violent, Clark could hardly control it," Morman answered.

"Still violent?" Langde murmured to himself.

The elder sat on the chair, unmoving, pondering something, wholly ignoring Lin Tian and the others who stood below.

After a long reflection, Langde stood up and walked over to Morman, coldly saying: "Since the mission failed, there's no need for you to stay."

"Don't..."

Morman cried out in terror, yet the next moment he couldn't speak, for Langde's hand had already pierced his chest, clutching his heart.

"Elder, you..." Morman's eyes widened in horror and despair.

"I granted you eternal life; now I'm taking it back," Langde stated dispassionately.

Rossi's eyes furrowed, his body subtly moved, but Lin Tian extended a hand to stop him, signaling silently with his eyes not to act rashly.

In the next instant, Langde squeezed forcefully, a soft bang echoed, and Morman's heart shattered. His eyes widened instantly, unable to utter another word, and he lost his breath, his eyes completely devoid of spirit.

Langde withdrew his hand, nonchalantly wiping it on Morman's body, then pushed him, causing Morman to topple straight to the ground. Strangely, Morman's corpse rapidly dehydrated, transforming into a wrinkled mummy.

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