Chapter 250: Following the Pure Land
The magic circle, activated by the combined power of the True Ancestors, shimmered, a scarlet gateway to the Blood Secret Realm opening before them. Stepping through meant officially entering the Blood Trial. Many young vampires buzzed with anticipation, eager to prove themselves, to earn points, to claim the True Ancestors’ rewards and the coveted Blood Essence that promised to enhance their power and bloodline.
“Don’t be nervous, Adele,” Hermione whispered, her hand finding Adele’s. “Just follow the plan.”
“I-I’m not nervous,” Adele retorted, taking a deep breath, not wanting to appear weak or in need of protection, even though their plan revolved around precisely that. They had agreed to prioritize finding each other and forming a team, putting aside their competition for points and resources until they were united. Adele’s safety was paramount. If all went well, if Adele was lucky enough to be randomly placed near Dorothy, Hermione, or any of her allies, then this Blood Trial might have a surprising outcome: Adele, shielded by her powerful protectors, effortlessly accumulating points while they eliminated the competition, paving her way to victory. The worst-case scenario, however, was Adele being eliminated early on, alone and vulnerable. That... can’t happen!
Hermione’s reminder was a reassurance, a gentle nudge to stick to their strategy: survive until you find your allies.
Adele, touched by their concern, muttered, “I’ll make you all proud, meow...” She felt stronger than ever, fueled by the magic she had absorbed from First Snow and... other activities, and nourished by Dorothy’s potent blood, a sacrifice the princess had willingly made before the trial. Unless she encountered a particularly strong Sequence One, or a group of them, Adele was confident in her ability to hold her own, at least against those below her rank. I’m invincible below Sequence One, she thought. And against Sequence Ones... well, I’ll at least try to take one down with me!
“I’ll go first, Adele,” Hermione said, giving Adele a quick hug, her nose brushing against Adele’s hair, inhaling her scent. “Good luck.”
“You too... wait for me,” Adele replied, a hint of longing in her voice. If it weren’t for the True Ancestors watching, Hermione would have kissed her.
The participants entered the Secret Realm in order of Sequence, from highest to lowest, Adele among the last. She watched as the other young vampires stepped through the glowing gateway, one by one. The Blood Secret Realm was vast, its depths unexplored, so there was little risk of encountering enemies immediately upon entry, though the possibility wasn’t zero.
Adele wasn’t a fan of battle royale games, preferring the more structured environment of lane-based combat. But this trial was essentially a large-scale free-for-all. The goal was simple: survive. She wasn’t good at open combat, preferring to avoid direct confrontation, but she was a master of hiding and observing.
Dorothy, as expected, was the first to enter, the hopes of the entire vampire race resting on her shoulders. Though many doubted she could ever replicate the glory of her ancestor, the Black Emperor, Adele, as a transmigrator, knew better. In the later part of the story, humans and vampires would clash, and Dorothy, along with Adele, would rise as powerful leaders on opposing sides, their conflict a tragic tale of love and loss. But Adele’s current reality was far removed from the original story’s tragic trajectory. She had single-handedly transformed it into a sweet love story, a tale of a vampire princess falling for her.
As for whether the conflict between humans and vampires would still unfold as in the original story...
That wasn’t Adele’s concern right now.