Chapter 217: Madam Cornelia
The moment the words left the lips of the ten elders, the entire arena seemed to freeze in a strange and heavy silence, as if even the air itself had paused to understand what had just been said.
"We... are already bound," Elder Ghurn said slowly, his voice carrying both pride and unease as his aged eyes swept across the gathered powers. "We have entered a blood pact with Madam Cornelia."
His words did not come out lightly. There was hesitation in every syllable, as if even he himself could not fully accept the weight of what that meant in a place like this, where bloodlines, authority, and power dictated every breath that one could take.
The other nine ancestors stood behind him, their expressions mirroring his own. Some had their brows furrowed, some clenched their fists, and some looked toward Cornelia as if waiting for her to either confirm or deny it, as if they themselves were still not fully certain whether what they had done was a blessing or a chain.
The reaction from the surrounding Emperor-level beings was immediate.
"What?"
"A blood pact?"
"With her?"
"Who exactly is this Cornelia?"
Voices rose one after another, disbelief and curiosity mixing together as their gazes began to sweep across the Moonshade family, searching for the one who held such an influence over ten individuals with such rare bloodline potential.
It did not take long before their eyes found her.
Standing not far from Cain, Cornelia remained calm, though her long, curly brown hair gently framed her face as she held her posture with quiet dignity. Her beauty was not the kind that screamed for attention, but rather the kind that made people stare without realizing it, the kind that lingered in the mind even after one looked away.
Beside her stood Ivira, her short white hair giving her a cold and distant charm, and Faith, whose long straight black hair seemed to shine even under the dim light of the arena. The three of them together formed a presence that was impossible to ignore.
But it was Cornelia whom the ten elders had named.
"That one..." one of the Emperor-level vampires muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. "She is the one?"
Another leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp as he studied her carefully. "A mere young vampire... and yet she holds a blood pact over ten potential Nascent Blood Soul talents?"
"That is not normal," someone else whispered.
Cornelia, hearing the murmurs, did not react immediately. Instead, she looked toward the ten elders, her expression softening for just a moment before she spoke in a calm and gentle voice.
"It’s alright," she said quietly, her tone carrying a strange warmth that contrasted with the tension around them. "If you wish to go with them, I can release you from the pact."
Her words were simple, but they struck like a ripple across still water.
The ten elders were stunned.
"Madam..." one of them began, his voice trembling slightly. "You... you would truly do that?"
Cornelia nodded slowly. "The pact was made recently. It is not yet deeply rooted. If I withdraw my blood, it will fade without harming you."
There was no hesitation in her voice, no sign of reluctance, as if she truly meant every word.
On the side, Cain felt something twist inside him.
Damn it.
He clenched his jaw slightly, his eyes flickering toward Cornelia as his thoughts churned wildly.
If only my blood pact was like that.
Easy to break.
Why is mine like a damn curse that punishes me the moment I even think about stepping out of line?
His frustration was not small. In fact, it burned quietly inside him, mixed with something he refused to name.
Because the more Cornelia grew, the stronger their connection would become.
And the stronger it became... the harder it would be to escape.
Tch...
This is getting worse.
Meanwhile, the Emperor-level beings quickly recovered from their shock.
"If that is the case," one of them stepped forward, his voice carrying authority as he looked directly at Cornelia, "then allow me to make an offer."
His presence was overwhelming, his aura pressing against the space as he spoke with confidence.
"I will take three of these elders under my command. In return, I will provide them with cultivation resources beyond what they could ever imagine. Blood crystals, techniques, even guidance from my personal disciples."
His eyes gleamed as he continued.
"And for you... I will ensure that your position within my territory is one of honor."
Before the words could settle, another voice cut in.
"Three? That is far too few."
A second Emperor-level vampire stepped forward, his expression sharp as he glanced at the first speaker.
"I will take four," he said without hesitation. "And I will offer double the resources."
The atmosphere began to heat up again.
"Four? You think too little of them. I will take five."
"I will take three, but I will grant them access to my private blood pool."
"I will take two, but I will personally guide them."
One after another, offers began to flood in, each more tempting than the last.
The ten elders looked overwhelmed.
They had never expected such treatment, never imagined that they would become the center of attention in a place filled with such powerful beings.
Even the weaker members of the Moonshade family could not help but stare in disbelief.
Is this... really happening?
Are they... fighting over us?
Then, suddenly, a loud voice cut through the chaos.
"Enough."
It was Lord Vord.
He stepped forward, his expression serious, though there was a hint of shamelessness hidden behind his composed face.
"I will take seven."
The moment he spoke, the entire place went silent again.
Seven.
He was not even trying to hide his intention.
"And not only that," he continued, his voice steady as he looked toward Cornelia, "the rest of the Moonshade family will be under my protection. I will provide them with unlimited resources. Food, territory, cultivation materials... everything they need."
The Emperor-level beings around him cursed inwardly.
This bastard...
He’s trying to take everything.
But they could not easily refute him. After all, Lord Vord had just entered the Ascendant Blood Realm, and his influence was rising rapidly.
One by one, they began adjusting their offers.
"If that is the case, I will also include the rest of their family."
"I will provide resources for all of them, not just the elders."
"I will grant them positions within my territory."
The competition escalated quickly, turning into a battle of wealth, influence, and promises.
Yet, in the middle of all this, the ten elders remained silent.
Finally, Elder Ghurn stepped forward.
He bowed deeply, his movements slow and respectful as his voice carried across the arena.
"We thank all of you for your generous offers."
His words were sincere, filled with gratitude.
"But..."
He paused, glancing back at the other nine elders before continuing.
"We are afraid... we cannot accept."
The words hit like a stone thrown into a calm lake.
"What?"
"You refuse?"
"Do you understand what you are giving up?"
The Emperor-level beings frowned, their expressions turning dark.
Elder Ghurn straightened his back slightly, though there was still a trace of hesitation in his eyes.
"It is not that we do not appreciate your offers," he said carefully. "But we are already bound. Our blood pact is not something we can simply ignore."
The other elders nodded in agreement, though some of them still looked conflicted.
They were tempted.
Of course they were.
But a pact was a pact.
And more than that...
They did not want to betray Cornelia.
The atmosphere grew heavy once more, tension building as the Emperor-level beings exchanged glances.
Some were clearly displeased.
Others were calculating.
And a few... were starting to feel irritated.
At that moment, Elder Achilor, who had been silent for a while, suddenly stepped forward.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Cornelia, then at the ten elders, and finally at Cain.
There was a faint glint in his gaze, as if something had just caught his attention.
"I have a question."
His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that made everyone instinctively focus on him.
The entire arena quieted once more.
All eyes turned toward him.
And in that moment, something in the air changed.
As if what he was about to ask... would not be simple at all.