Chapter 289 : Blood Exchange Ritual
Chapter 289: Blood Exchange Ritual
「Fortunately, among the 【Secondary Laws】, they cannot be plundered from one another.」
Witches, as the representatives of the 【Laws】 in the 【Primary Material World】, were, in a sense, also spokespeople of the 【Will of the Witch】.
The moment a witch comprehended a 【Law】, it meant they had already begun to draw the attention of the 【Will of the Witch】.
Because of this, any witch who committed murder after mastering a 【Law】 would, for a long time, suffer the "Curse of Misfortune" from the 【Will of the Witch】. At the same time, the corresponding 【Law】 mastered by that witch would permanently reject them.
From a mystical standpoint, the "Curse of Misfortune" was essentially a curse.
This curse usually manifested in the form of magical backlash during power advancement—especially common among black witches with a bloodthirsty nature.
Naturally, this also applied to witch apprentices who had obtained 【Law Fragments】.
Therefore, even if Janna encountered a witch more powerful than her who also happened to grasp the same type of 【Law】, she did not need to worry about them turning on her.
After taking a sip of the sugar-free grape wine in her cup, and hearing so much knowledge about 【Laws】 from Helman-Roland, Janna began waiting for his follow-up.
She never believed that this world offered anything for free. Just like the information Helman-Roland had shared earlier—Janna believed he was merely setting the stage for his true purpose.
「Miss Janna, you should have heard of the Extreme Cold Secret Realm of the Roland Family, right?」
Hearing Helman-Roland suddenly shift the topic to this, Janna, who was still trying to guess his true intent, only paused for a brief moment before shaking her head.
「I haven't heard of it. But I’m guessing it's the secret realm where Vivian has been in seclusion.」
Out of concern that he might possess some sort of truth-detecting witchcraft, Janna answered all of Helman's questions honestly.
「That’s right. It’s indeed the secret realm where Vivian is in seclusion. It’s also where I plan to conduct the Blood Exchange Ritual.」
Blood Exchange Ritual?
For whom?
For Vivian? Or for Helman-Roland himself?
Hearing Helman-Roland’s words, a string of question marks popped up in Janna’s mind.
To her knowledge, the "Blood Exchange Ritual" was typically held by 【Bloodline Side】 apprentices preparing for official promotion to First-Tier Warlocks.
Besides the rarity of ritual materials, the reason also lay in the ritual’s demanding requirements for mental strength and mana control.
「This time, the target of the ritual is Vivian. As for the ritual material———? That would be myself.」
Upon hearing that, Janna’s expression stiffened once more.
「What’s wrong? Surprised?」
Seeing her reaction, Helman-Roland remained as expressionless as ever.
「Very surprised—just, if I may ask, are you planning to use your own bloodline as the medium of the 'Blood Exchange Ritual' to transfer it to Vivian?」
「Exactly. You understood correctly.」
「But——wouldn’t that have a negative impact on your body?」
「It would. But I don’t care.」
At that moment, the tone of Helman-Roland’s voice made Janna suddenly realize a trait that he and Vivian shared.
At the same time, as Janna heard Helman-Roland’s response, her heart felt as if it had been struck. A nameless emotion rapidly welled up from deep inside her.
「Vivian is lucky to have a father like you. I’m envious.」
Yes, as Janna had said, the emotion that surged from her heart in that instant was envy.
Pure envy!
「I believe she is.」
In response to Janna’s compliment, Helman-Roland nodded naturally. A gentle warmth glimmered in his ice-blue eyes.
「My original idea was simple—to use the icy environment of the Extreme Cold Secret Realm to elevate Vivian’s bloodline aptitude through the Blood Exchange Ritual. But after meeting you today, I’ve changed my mind——」
Upon hearing this, although Janna’s expression didn’t shift much, her body unconsciously tensed.
「This time, my goal in exchanging blood for Vivian is to further purify the 【Cochin Viper】 bloodline within her. And the necessary precondition for successful purification is an environment of extreme cold.」
「And the coldest place in the Extreme Cold Secret Realm lies deep within the icy plains, at the border between the secret realm and the 【Realm of the Dead】.」
At this point, Janna roughly understood the "blood exchange" plan Helman-Roland spoke of.
The Roland Family’s Extreme Cold Secret Realm was, in fact, a fragment world situated between the 【Primary Material World】 and the 【Realm of the Dead】. Within that fragment world, the border region connected to the 【Realm of the Dead】 contained the densest concentration of frost power.
Janna surmised that the reason frost power was strongest in that location was likely due to the influence of the 【Law of Death】 within the 【Realm of the Dead】.
「Where death resides is often the coldest place of all. Initially, I did consider conducting the ritual at the junction of the two borders. But the deathly aura there is simply too intense—not something Vivian can endure right now——」
Their eyes met. The moment Janna locked gazes with Helman-Roland, she understood his intention.
「So, Miss Janna, I formally ask you to assist me in hosting the 'Blood Exchange Ritual'—at present, only your 【Growth Law Fragment】 can effectively resist the death aura there and ensure Vivian’s body isn’t corroded.」
「No problem. I’ll cooperate.」
Almost as soon as Helman-Roland finished speaking, Janna decisively made her choice.
「Good! Very good—Vivian truly didn’t misjudge your character!」
Hearing Janna’s clean and swift reply, Helman-Roland’s eyes shone with intense admiration.
「But rest assured, I will guarantee your life and ensure you suffer no harm———」
「I believe you, Mr. Helman—and moreover, as long as it helps Vivian, I am more than willing to assist.」
Unlike the 【Law of Life】, the 【Law of Death】 within the 【Realm of the Dead】 was relatively complete.
Any ordinary living being that remained too long in the 【Realm of the Dead】 would have their body eroded by the deathly aura, ultimately leading to true death.