I Became the Progenitor Vampire

Stu Yate looked at the crowd flowing past him, his heart in an excited state. From behind the scenes, he was unperturbed, the feeling of controlling everything fascinated him.

His life as the Knight God seemed exceptionally boring compared to now...

If he had known that falling into darkness would grant him such immense power, perhaps he would have chosen to embrace the darkness before the old days even arrived.

Power was like an aphrodisiac; once tasted, that wonderful flavor made it impossible for his restless heart to ever be calm again.

Winding through several streets, Stu Yate suddenly turned into a hidden alleyway.

A few breaths later, he donned a Ghost Cloak, and the moment it covered his body, he transformed into nothingness, vanishing on the spot to the eyes and perceptions of ordinary people.

The Divine Artifact's invisibility was not something mortals could see through.

He then slowly removed the Face of Nothingness from his face, and as he did, a surging power swelled within him.

Stu Yate's eyes, hidden beneath the cloak, narrowed slightly as he comfortably stretched his body.

He then turned and headed for the dungeon where the Cat and Joy Goddess was imprisoned.

Before leaving Dawn City, he intended to reinforce the seal on that cat to prevent any mishaps.

He wouldn't want the goddess he had desperately longed for and failed to obtain to escape... He hadn't officially ravaged her yet...

A few minutes later...

On the outskirts of Dawn City, in front of a secluded residential building, the figure of Stu Yate, cloaked in the Ghost Cloak, silently appeared. Then he brazenly passed through the building and slowly drifted into the underground chamber deep beneath the ground.

"Stu Yate..."

Bast, the Cat and Joy Goddess, tightly shackled inside the iron cage, looked at the abruptly appearing Knight and God of Murder with a complex gaze.

The once righteous deity had now become her nightmare – a cat that yearned for freedom was trapped in a small cage, an unimaginable torment.

Hearing the faint voice, Stu Yate slowly pulled the cloak behind him and then revealed his face, carrying a shade of gloom.

His blue eyes fixed on the cat in the cage, and observing her helpless figure, he spoke with a tone filled with sadistic satisfaction.

"My goddess, why are you so pitiful?"

He moved forward a couple of steps, his smile becoming even more chilling.

"Hehehe... Do you know? This city will soon be mine, just like you belong to me now..."

"That Fake God will have his heart pierced by my dagger, and I... I will become the sole ruler here..."

"This will be the starting point for my rise to the peak. I will make all the gods tremble in my cage. Hahahaha..."

"Truly, a wonderful future..."

Upon hearing this, Bast's face grew even grimmer. If this despicable scoundrel's scheming were to succeed, then she might truly be without an escape...

She was well aware of the charm and potential of this city. After the chaos of the old days had descended, a stable base of operations was incredibly important.

In the tavern, she had entertained the idea of spreading her faith to restore her strength, but she had never thought to alert the city's ruler or to rule the city herself.

However, though she didn't think that way, Stu Yate, with his infinite ambition, wouldn't think likewise.

"Stu Yate, the calamities of the old days are our common enemy. You should be uniting more forces now. We ought to be allies rather than foes. I am quite adept at gathering intelligence, and I believe if you let me out, I could be of greater assistance to you..."

Although Bast knew the hope was slim, she was still trying her best to grasp at a sliver of chance.

Hearing this, Stu Yate approached the iron chains, looking down upon her with a superior gaze.

"You wish to ally with me?"

His face then took on an expression of extreme satisfaction, his tone laced with a strange intonation.

"Beg me..."

"Proud Cat and Joy Goddess, kneel down, worship your master, lick your master's shoes for him..."

After saying that, he suddenly lifted his foot and placed his shoe on the iron chain. Clang, the chain made a striking noise, rattling loudly.

Bast's face went rigid in place, unable to utter a word.

Watching the unpredictable expressions of the Cat and Joy Goddess before him, the perverse pleasure in Stu Yate's heart nearly drove him insane.

Can't you see?

This is power. The goddess who once stood high above him, who scorned him, now cowered at his feet and even thought of allying with him.

And if he wished, he could position her in various poses to whip and ravish.

Hahaha...

Is there anything more wonderful in this world than this?

Praise the darkness!

Bast looked at Stu Yate, full of indignation, but then she sighed woefully and curled up in the cage, silent once more.

The weak never have a choice.

Seeing her like this, Stu Yate's near deranged smile grew more intense; he didn't care whether she genuinely wanted to swear fealty to him.

He simply reveled in the pleasure of trampling a once high-and-mighty goddess under his feet.

You were once so proud, weren't you?

You once looked down on me, didn't you?

Now, aren't you tied up in a cage, subject to my abuse?

"My little kitty, your master is about to leave to hunt down that damned Fake God.

When I return, I'll place this iron cage in the square of the city.

I want everyone to know that the proud Cat and Joy Goddess is now my pet.

Hahahaha..."

His deranged laughter echoed through the Underworld; those words made Bast, inside the cage, feel an all-pervading fear for the first time.

To be displayed in the square, to let everyone see her in her current state...

Just the thought of it left her feeling suffocated—this demon!

"Are you the foreign Divine that sneaked into Dawn City?"

At that moment, an indifferent voice rang out in the basement, the tone filled with utter disgust.

"What a nauseating pervert."

"Who gave you the audacity to act so recklessly in Dawn City??"

At this moment, Stu Yate felt his hair stand on end.

There was someone?!

He spun around sharply toward the source of the voice.

He saw a figure in a black and white robe, graceful, with an extraordinarily handsome face, fill his vision.

No one knew how long this mysterious person had been there, nor when he had arrived.

"Kachar City Lord..."

Stu Yate's voice was incredibly hoarse, the madness that had been in his expression freezing instantly.

Lide looked at this foreign figure, his eyes as cold as millennia-old ice.

A Divine with ill intent had infiltrated Dawn City without notice, which almost made him furious.

Dawn City was his sensitive spot, and to touch it meant death!

His headquarters had nearly been stolen—how could that not infuriate him?

Caught in his conspiracy, Stu Yate quickly regained his composure, and after sensing for a moment, he made a surprising discovery.

The overwhelming encirclement he expected outside the basement had not materialized; it seemed the other party had come alone.

His face quickly regained its calmness, and then he looked somewhat arrogantly at Lide, his tone icy.

"You dare to come alone? That truly surprises me..."

The moment the words fell, a shattered crystal ball suddenly appeared in Stu Yate's hand, which he then fiercely swung.

Crack~

The crystal ball was smashed to pieces.

A terrifying energy instantly erupted, like a storm that could demolish mountains, immediately sealing the basement. The Magic Power and space around them became mired in the strange energy.

With his plan revealed, Stu Yate's face took on a crazed appearance.

"Hahaha, a Fake God is a Fake God... Do you know what I just did?"

"The space and Magic Power here have now been completely locked down by me!! Now, do you feel you can't summon the power from the outside world anymore??"

"Even if you own a Plane, before the energy here is entirely depleted, you can only be like a lamb to the slaughter!!"

"Prepare to welcome Death... esteemed Fake God..."

"Hahaha..."

The reason for Stu Yate's plan to act only after Lide left Dawn City was twofold.

Firstly, because Lide was very difficult to approach, unpredictable, and impossible to locate.

Secondly, because of the existence of the Land of Bone-Burying, Lide could Instant Teleport to hide within it. Once he entered that world, Stu Yate would have no way to touch Lide. That's why he had patiently waited before acting.

But unexpectedly, Lide had appeared in this hidden basement.

Although this sudden turn of events had disrupted his plan, it also gave Stu Yate the chance for a one-on-one confrontation with Lide.

Moreover, even if he killed Lide here, no one would find out...

More importantly, although Stu Yate's power was still far from restored, with several Divine Artifacts in hand, he absolutely refused to believe that a Fake God could escape his hunt!!

A sense of near madness took over him, the joy of being on the cusp of achieving his hard-won goal.

Lide stared at this man with a face full of astonishment... Why did it seem like all the Divines he encountered had brains that didn't quite work right.

Did he have to say this? If it were him, he would have just taken action and talked later... There was no need to brag just to show how capable one was.

His expression was somewhat mocking as he looked at Stu Yate, who thought he had victory in his grasp.

"Just this?"

Stu Yate smirked coldly as he watched Lide, who showed no fear and even a hint of pity.

At a spot unnoticed by Lide, a palm-sized black stone appeared in Stu Yate's hand, and Divine Power began to flow into it.

High-level Divine Artifact—Sealing Stone, just ten more seconds and the situation would be secure.

His rambling was all to confuse Lide.

"False God of Dawn City! Whatever you may be hiding, right now, you are just my captive, accept your death...."

Lide's expression soured upon hearing this, but he was no longer interested in wasting words with a Divine whose strength was far from recovered.

"Freyja, capture him alive..."

The instant his words fell, the space in front of Lide shattered, and the figure of a Level 36 Death Blazing Angel emerged, sword in hand.

Stu Yate, about to launch his sneak attack with the Sealing Stone, felt an overwhelming and terrifying presence bearing down on him.

At the sight of Freyja's figure, uncontrollable shock showed on his face.

A Twelve-winged Blazing Angel??

How was that possible?!!

But before he could react, the Blazing Angel vanished right before his very eyes.

Immediately after, Stu Yate felt an intense pain in his chest as he—like a baseball struck by a bat—was smashed against the wall.

Crack~ The horrific impact caused the wall to crack extensively.

Stu Yate's vision blurred, and he nearly passed out.

But, as a Divine, he still possessed a strong will, managing to endure the agony from his body, trying to get up and flee.

Yet, in an instant, that figure reappeared.

Freyja stood emotionlessly in front of Stu Yate, extending her left hand in the air, aiming at the knight and God of Murder smashed against the wall. Infinite Divine Power gushed out like a surging tide.

The powerful Death Blazing Angel gave the Evil God no chance to resist, and directly sealed all his power.

Stu Yate's body shook, then collapsed weakly to the ground, his eyes filled with despair.

The once arrogant Evil God now seemed unable to beat even a sturdy farmer.

Freyja sheathed her sword and stood aside, having said nothing throughout.

The rapid shift of the situation in the area left Bast, the Cat and Joy Goddess in the cage, utterly dumbfounded.

She hadn't expected such a heavenly turnaround in just a few breaths.

Who were these two people??

Especially this Twelve-winged Blazing Angel, no, she wasn't a Blazing Angel; the aura on her was not Divine Power but a powerful Death Energy...

This, this was a Fallen Angel.

By the Creator God above, she had encountered a Twelve-winged Fallen Angel in this narrow underground room!

Bast trembled with confusion and didn't shift her gaze from Freyja for a long time, until she looked at Lide.

From their actions, it was evident that this man was the true master.

Kachar City Lord... Stu Yate's words had already revealed the man's true identity.

But to be protected by a Fallen Twelve-winged Blazing Angel of such a level of combat power, how could he be so simple??

Was he just a City Lord? Or a Fake God that was not worth mentioning??

Why had she never heard of such a legend...

After the fight was resolved, Lide walked up to the cage. At that moment, Stu Yate, now sealed by Divine Power and unable to move like a lump of mud, could only glare at him with eyes full of resentment.

His tone was cold, "Dawn City is also a place you can touch?? Ignorant of death and life."

Stu Yate's expression turned worse than if he had swallowed a fly, already enveloped and devoured by despair.

"Damn Fake God... how can you possibly have a Twelve-winged Blazing Angel?!"

He had asked around countless times in Dawn City, and the strongest combat force in the city was Lide, who was only Legendary.

Although he had only recovered his Legendary power, at the same level, he was absolutely confident he could hunt down Lide.

But now... a Twelve-winged Blazing Angel had appeared!!

What was this??

It was supposed to be a duel, but you brought help, and the help you brought was so terrifying and powerful, not to mention that his strength hadn't recovered, even if he were still the Knight God at his peak, he might not be able to defeat this Fallen Twelve-winged Blazing Angel.

Stu Yate looked at Frey with unwillingness in his eyes, but then, as if remembering something, his face showed an unmistakable shock.

"No, I recognize you, you're the Master of Dawn's War General — Freyja!!"

"You, you disappeared for tens of thousands of years, haven't you?!"

Freyja gave him a cold glance, her tone indifferent.

"Master of Dawn? Haha, I once served him, but now, I am the Sharp Blade in the master's hand, fighting for Dawn."

Having fallen and become the Death Blazing Angel, the former Freyja Dawn was dead, now she was Freyja Dusk, the Death Blazing Angel!

Upon hearing this, Stu Yate trembled, looking at Lide with an unbelieving, shocked gaze.

"You even managed to lead the Master of Dawn's Angel into falling?!!"

His tone was filled with shock, and at the same time, there was an almost imperceptible hint of jealousy...

This was a Twelve-winged Blazing Angel!

In the entire Light God System, wasn't every Twelve-winged Blazing Angel a well-known, powerful entity?

Only a Divine Power God could have such a powerful Angel as a subordinate.

Now, a Twelve-winged Blazing Angel, who was many levels above him even at his peak, was supposedly lured into falling by some unknown Fake God acknowledging him as master.

This made Stu Yate's heart sour as if he had eaten ten thousand lemons.

Why couldn't he encounter such good fortune??

Why!!

The jealousy in his heart was even more unbearable than the physical pain he suffered!

Life is so unfair, the Creator God is unfair!!

Lide looked at Stu Yate's resentful and unwilling eyes without much fluctuation in his expression.

He had no fondness for this guy who secretly wanted to deal a heavy blow to Dawn City.

He slightly stretched out his right hand, ready to cast a spell.

However, the surrounding energy couldn't be mobilized... Remembering the scene where Stu Yate shattered the Crystal Ball, Lide frowned.

"Freyja, break the seal here."

"As you wish, my lord."

Freyja, standing with her sword, had a concentrated look in her eyes. Her Angel Battle Sword burst forth with a dark divine light and the Death Blazing Angel swung her sword towards the ceiling.

In that instant, a brilliant light erupted, as if even the Milky Way was chopped down.

Crack~

A clear sound rang throughout the area, and the forces of Magic Power and space began to move again.

After feeling the restoration for a moment, Lide barely nodded his head, and with a crisp snap of his fingers.

Mage's Hand appeared.

Swish, swish, swish~

The modified Mage's Hand began its Transformation.

Noticing something, Stu Yate's face suddenly turned ashen.

"No, you can't..."

Before he could finish speaking, Mage's Hand went forward and began to act, completely ignoring his screams.

Soon, the Knight and God of Murder, this guy who was just full of confidence about ruling over Dawn City, was stripped down to a mere set of underwear.

All his good stuff had been found by the Mage's Hand.

Lide couldn't care less to look any more at Stu Yate, who was left with nothing but his underpants, waved his hand, and the space in front of him cracked open, then directly sent this conspiring Evil God to the Land of Bone-Burying.

Watching this scene, Bast inside the iron cage flashed a trace of fear in her eyes.

This Kachar City Lord seemed even more terrifying than Stu Yate...

Lide noticed the strange look in the iron cage, glanced over, then didn't bother to pay any more attention, turning his gaze to the Divine Artifacts scavenged from Stu Yate.

He never expected that so many Divine Artifacts could be found on a Divine being who liked to play dirty tricks.

"Every Divine being I've hunted down before, compared to this guy, they're all paupers..."

In front of him, there were a total of 4 divine artifacts laid out, a whole four of them!!

Butchering a rich dog felt incredibly satisfying.

From left to right, the first item was a black cloak.

Ghost Cloak

Quality: Divine Artifact

Traits: When worn, it allows the body to become ethereal and immune to all physical damage, freedom to pass through rock walls unhindered, and undetectable to any being with Medium Divine Power or less.

Description: This artifact was forged by the Dwarf God at the devoted request of the God of Murder, but right after receiving the artifact, the God of Murder promptly killed the Dwarf God who made it. In his dying breath, the Dwarf God cursed this artifact—whomever possesses it would be hunted by dwarves for all eternity.

Ghost Cloak, a fitting name indeed.

This is definitely an artifact for peeping, pah, piracy and assassination.

A fine treasure.

The only thing to be wary of is to avoid flaunting it in front of Dwarf Gods, or you might get hammered to death without knowing.

The second item was a dagger.

Godslayer Dagger

Quality: Divine Artifact

Traits: It boasts the sharpest blade that can pierce through the shields of gods endowed with Powerful Divine Power. A life stabbed through the heart by this dagger will have its soul devoured, and the more lives it claims, the stronger the souls it devours, the more powerful it will become.

Description: An exceptionally special artifact, this one was originally a mundane weapon that underwent a transformation after piercing the heart of a Divine and absorbing divine blood and souls, becoming an artifact that even gods fear.

Such potent attributes.

Lide couldn't help but feel that this dagger was the ultimate equipment for an assassin.

This Evil God truly was a little angel bringing warmth.

The third piece of equipment.

A mask.

Illusion Face

Quality: Divine Artifact

Traits: After devouring the souls of other lives, it can transform into the appearance of the devoured soul's owner, and the more complete the soul, the more accurate the transformation. After devouring a soul, it can also obtain the memories of the other party.

Description: A very special artifact; born at the dawn of creation, its original owner has long been untraceable, but every assassin lurking in the shadows has wished to possess this artifact.

The fourth item.

Sealing Stone

Quality: High-level Divine Artifact

Traits: Capable of emitting Sealing Light; targets struck by the Sealing Light will have all their powers sealed. The duration of the seal depends on the strength of the target. The more Divine Power input, the stronger the Sealing Light.

Description: An extremely special artifact, believed to be crafted by the Creator God and possessing unimaginable power.

After looking over the attributes of the four divine artifacts, Lide could only sigh.

Easy come, easy go.

He went through so much trouble to get his hands on a single artifact, and it was just a hammer used by a dwarf... really, what a hammer.

Now unexpectedly, without even leaving home, someone had delivered a whole four artifacts to him!

And each one's attributes were exceptionally impressive.

Although without too many fanciful traits, they were each powerful in their own right.

But the only problem was,

It seemed none were usable by him.

The Sealing Stone was okay, but the other artifacts didn't align with his fighting style.

"This bastard, couldn't he have procured some mage-appropriate equipment? I hate it when a dungeon run yields loot for other professions... what a dire husky."

Lide felt both elated and dismayed.

After fiddling with the equipment for a moment, besides the Sealing Stone, he stuffed the rest into the Land of Bone-Burying; these artifacts would wait until he found the right people to bequeath them to.

Divine artifacts contained a special force and couldn't be kept in System Space.

Having taken care of the loot rather quickly, Lide finally had time to examine the Cat and Joy Goddess — Bast, locked in a cage, bound by her hands, feet, and neck.

With a bit of curiosity, he opened her attribute panel.

Bast

God Name: Charis (Cat and Joy Goddess)

Divine Position: Cat, Wanderer, Joy

Level: 25/34 (Sealed)

Skill: Brief

Introduction: A goddess who loves freedom, wandering and joy, she is now severely injured and her power is extremely weak.

Lide glanced over briefly and was somewhat surprised.

Another divine being??

And her former level was as high as 34.

But then he felt some regret, the Cat and Joy Goddess... Not a combat deity, what's the use??

With these few lousy divine positions, what can be done besides meowing and being cute??

However, it might be interesting to keep a deity for being cute...

Later on, when showing off, what do you raise? What, a Pegasus, that's impressive, and what do I raise? Oh, sorry, mine is quite ordinary, just a level 34 divine being, just let her be cute and dance naked...

Bast shuddered slightly under the somewhat strange gaze of Lide, and just as she was about to say something, Lide did not give her the opportunity.

"Frey, pull out the chains."

"Yes, Master."

After receiving the command, Frey immediately stepped forward and grabbed the cage before forcefully pulling.

Bang~ The chains embedded in the wall were brutally pulled out of the masonry, and the rubble behind them burst and scattered around.

Whoosh~

Bast, startled, moved quickly to one side; the chains hit the cage, making a crisp sound.

When the dust settled, the cage had been forcefully yanked out by Frey.

Seeing this, Lide waved his hand, and the space in front of him shattered.

Bast only felt a whirlwind of dizziness, and when she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a cozy room.

The floor was covered with a swan velvet carpet embroidered with bauhinia flowers, surrounded by exquisite sculptures and vivid oil paintings, plus potted green plants by the window, all contributing to a sense of refined elegance.

Where is this?

Bast, still inside the cage not yet released, was full of doubt.

But as if she had been forgotten, ten minutes, twenty minutes, a full Sunshine Hour passed without anyone taking any notice of her.

While Bast was bewildered, click, suddenly a spatial crack appeared in the room.

Lide's tall figure emerged from the crack and slowly sat down in the armchair behind the desk.

Looking at the pitiable figure that resembled a helpless little kitten, his deep eyes were undisturbed.

"Cat and Joy Goddess, Bast, no, I should call you by your divine name, Charis.

What are you doing invading my city?"

Bast looked at the handsome and elegant Lide, and her nervousness eased slightly; at least she was now facing a deity far more normal than the Knight and God of Murder...

"Respected Kachar City Lord, I harbor no ill will towards you or your city..."

"No ill will? You infiltrated quietly and without notice?" Lide's gaze was cold.

"Or do you think after staying in the Bauhinia Tavern for a week, I wouldn't know?"

He had just left, taking Frey with him to investigate Dawn City, but found no other divine beings besides these two.

The sensation Bast caused over two months ago in the Bauhinia Tavern had been reported up by the intelligence headquarters.

Beautiful, dancing so enticingly, and then suddenly disappearing – all of these oddities made it natural for the intelligence headquarters to take note.

Bast, looking into Lide's intense and penetrating eyes, quickly tried to explain.

"Great Kachar City Lord, I was unintentionally brought back to Dawn City by your soldiers, I didn't infiltrate deliberately, and I just wanted to find a safe place to recover my strength..."

Lide didn't seem to buy this explanation and switched the topic.

"How were you captured by the Knight and God of Murder?"

"I didn't know at the time that the Knight God had fallen into darkness, nor that he had acquired the Divine Position of Murder.

After meeting him in Dawn City by chance, Stu Yate said there was a way to recover strength quickly, I trusted him and didn't doubt it, soon after, he used a divine artifact to seal all my powers..."

Bast's voice carried a hint of resentment; being imprisoned for several months had indeed provoked her fury.

Lide frowned at this, dissatisfied with the explanation.

"Do you know anything about the other deities in Dawn City?"

Bast shook her head.

"Besides Stu Yate, I haven't encountered any other Divine Beings," Lide sighed with some annoyance after his inquiry—it seemed that the Cat and Joy Goddess was nothing but a useless encumbrance.

The Divine Position had no use, nor could it be used to nurture followers. The Divine Body was still valuable, but it seemed like a waste to kill her... after all, she was a living Divine Being, who might be of use in the future.

After thinking for a moment, Lide gestured for the Bloodline outside his door.

"Bring Harrison in."

A few moments later, Harrison briskly walked into the room and upon seeing Bast within the iron chains, his eyes revealed a touch of curiosity.

"Your Highness, is this the unfamiliar Divine Being that left traces on Kertlon?" he asked.

Lide nodded, "No, that Divine Being has already been sealed by me. This one is the Cat and Joy Goddess."

He thought for a while, then took out half a palm-sized Sealing Stone from his chest.

The Power of Faith was injected into it, and moments later, the Sealing Stone burst forth with ghostly light, surging directly at Bast.

When the ghostly light faded, Bast's face showed utter despair, feeling the indestructible seal solidify once again.

With her current strength, it would probably take a hundred years to break the seal.

"She has been sealed by me. You can take her down for interrogation, or you can study to see if she can be of any use.

Release her shackles, Frey. Her strength can't even beat a Level 3 warrior now," Lide instructed.

Harrison looked at Bast in the cage with a bizarre expression—it was a living Divine Being, after all.

"Understood, Your Highness."

Bast's expression shifted unpredictably as Frey completely unsealed her shackles.

The Cat Goddess, her garments tattered and her pale skin exposed in many places, stepped forward to Lide's desk and said solemnly,

"Respected Kachar City Lord, I am willing to become your subordinate and serve under you."

It was better to submit to the ruler of a city filled with wonders and who had a Fallen Angel at his behest than to be truly taken away for research.

Lide slightly squinted, "Good, then cooperate well with Harrison. He will arrange everything for you, go now."

Bast opened her mouth, as if wanting to say something, but upon seeing Lide's calm gaze, she sighed resignedly and left the office with Harrison.

After the two departed, Frey appeared beside him, breaking through the space.

Her tone was frigid.

"Your Highness, she only has traces of the Knight God and the God of Murder on her. I didn't sense any other Divine Being on her..."

"I know," Lide nodded thoughtfully.

"We're keeping her because we need a target, one that can attract other Divine Beings..."

There's a saying: a thief cannot be eternally vigilant.

Now that Dawn City was rid of hiding Divine Beings, who knew if other Divine Beings might infiltrate in the future?

Keeping this easily controlled and weak Divine Being, she could certainly attract the attention of those intruders... All in all, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.

Lide shook his head, having been given a wake-up call.

Though Dawn City was hidden from the world and difficult for outsiders to find, for Divine Beings, discovering and infiltrating it was hard to prevent.

He couldn't always have Frey stationed in Dawn City, could he?

After a brief pondering, he grew tired of thinking. The simplest solution was to make Dawn City stronger.

If he had more than ten Divine Beings stationed again, then anyone who sneaked in would be wasting their time.

Lide stood up, his dark eyes turning toward the window.

Feeling the increasingly dense aura of ancient times in the air, he took a deep breath and hesitated no longer.

He had to get his hands on the fragments of the Destiny Tablet.

"Frey, come with me to the Lost Sea immediately. Dawn City cannot be delayed."

"Yes, Master."

As Lide's sharp blade, Frey was ready to strike wherever pointed, without a hint of hesitation.

Lide nodded, calling his guard to inform Harrison of his departure.

But just as the guard stepped out of the office, suddenly, a flapping sound of wings stirred the air.

A mini-armored little bat appeared in front of Lide.

"Master..."

Castro's voice carried a note of grievance.

As the life created by Lide himself, this Dawn Bat King felt neglected by Lide for some time.

Before, Castro had been Lide's most beloved mount, thanks to its supersonic flight speed.

But as Lide successively broke through the Transcendent and Legendary levels, Castro's speed was no longer sufficient, so Lide left the king of the Dawn Bats in Dawn City.

Lide sensed Castro's slight resentment and reached out to let the little guy land in his palm.

Looking at the miniaturized and endearingly cute Castro, he smiled lightly.

"It's time to boost your strength a notch..."

He was a person who cherished the past; Castro had been through life and death with him so many times, he naturally couldn't just abandon it.

He glanced at the attribute panel out of the corner of his eye—the Dawn Sect still had over four million of the Power of Faith.

Although not a lot, it was enough to elevate Castro to the Transcendent level.

Without much ado, he instantly teleported with his longtime favorite mount to the back garden of City Hall.

"Revert to your original form; I grant you the power to break through to the Transcendent."

Upon hearing this, Castro was instantly overjoyed. Its body shot out, and in a few breaths, it grew larger and thicker, transforming into a giant beast with wingspan over ten blades long, clad in solid Extraordinary Armor, resembling a steel monster.

Lide nodded in satisfaction—the armor-clad Castro did indeed look impressive, especially those Blade Wings, which were a great weapon capable of killing countless enemies and even shattering city walls on each dive.

Taking a couple of steps forward, he looked at Castro, whose head was bowed before him, and extended his right hand to rest it on its head.

The sacred Power of Faith began to flow.

The exaggerated strength caused Castro's aura to gradually climb.

Having assisted many of his subordinates in power enhancement, Lide was well accustomed to such situations.

He calmly channeled the Power of Faith.

Ten minutes, twenty minutes... after one Sunshine Hour.

Accompanied by a roar that reverberated throughout Dawn City,

a Level 20 Transcendent giant beast was born.

Castro, the king of the Dawn Bats,

could once again qualify as a mount for Lide after many years.

Although Level 20 was still not up to Lide's standards—he considered only Legend grade to be fitting—the Power of Faith was insufficient, so he would have to make do.

Upon this thought, he couldn't help but smile. What he was now making do with as Transcendent used to be a precious top-tier combat power at Level 15.

Lide turned to give the upgraded Castro, now Transcendent, a few glances. The wingspan of this king of bats had reached 20 blades in length.

Even the Extraordinary Armor, which had once cost a fortune to forge for it, had grown larger with the transformation.

The mysterious patterns branded onto the black armor by Mithril radiated an absolutely domineering aura.

Not bad, though not as imposing as the talkative Withered Bone, this appearance was certainly good enough.

Riding it would not cause any loss of face.

Lide floated up and sat upon the back of Castro, which he had not ridden for a long time.

His gaze switched to Freyja.

"Follow us."

With those words, Castro kicked the ground, and the great force lifted it off before it burst into flight with powerful wingbeats.

Boom~

In just a few breaths, a sonic boom occurred, and Castro vanished from above Dawn City.

Freyja, seeing this, took a step forward and her body disappeared into thin air.

Sitting on Castro's back, Lide felt an exceptional exhilaration.

By his estimation, after breaking through the Transcendent level, Castro's speed had reached almost triple the speed of sound.

This made him experience the fierce wind in the sky; without keeping up a magical arc shield, even his scalp might be blown off.

The Lost Sea was about 2500 kilometers from the Far Mountain Range.

Even if traveling on land at a hundred kilometers a day, it would take half a month.

But in the sky, at Castro's full-speed flight, the sea was already in sight in less than an hour.

Freyja's figure was not beside him, but Lide wasn't the least bit worried. After all, how could a Twelve-winged Death Blazing Angel be compared to Castro?

If it hadn't been for the other's truly petite size, he would have liked to ride on it for the journey...

Lide looked at the fast-approaching sea surface, his expression slightly changing.

"Demigod-level sea beasts... fragments of the Destiny Tablet..."

"Let's hope everything goes smoothly on this trip..."