Chapter Twenty-Four: The Progenitor’s Bride — Promise of Rebirth

  She looked at me as though she could read my very thoughts,then murmured half playfully, half challengingly, her eyes sparkling with that stubborn, childlike resolve:

  You seem to know quite a bit about my body… Fine then, I don’t mind becoming your wife—but only if you help me first. That’s a promise I won’t break.

  Her tone softened slightly, shaded with quiet frustration.

  You should know—I’ve tried countless methods and failed in all of them.

  I couldn’t reconstruct my body, nor could I possess another easily.

  I even tried to take over a human vessel once… and failed.

  So I accepted my fate.

  Now… I have only twenty years left before I vanish completely.

  I replied with calm, teasing sarcasm:

  Twenty years, huh? You seem rather indecisive for someone facing extinction.

  Tell me—have you ever tried taking over one of the bats in this cave?

  They’re brimming with power.

  Or maybe a weaker creature—like a worm or something?”

  Her cheeks flared red like cherries, and she bit her lower lip in outrage before shouting at me, voice trembling between pain and pride:

  “What!? How dare you insult me like that! I am a true progenitor!

  I’d rather die a thousand times than possess the body of a worm—or a filthy bat!

  You’ve overestimated my patience! Forget it—go! I won’t chase you for your insult!

  I paused, watching her—the pride of an ancient being still flickered in her expression.

  I stepped back slightly and spoke in a calmer, more regretful tone: Alright… forgive me if my words hurt you.

  But listen for a moment.

  Isn’t it possible to possess a simple, ordinary body first—something stable—then use the blood essence you hold within you?

  If you think about it carefully,you could possess any normal creature,then reshape its structure and lineage through your blood essence until it evolves into a higher being.

  Why haven’t you tried that before?

  She hesitated, her golden eyes wavering—as if a new idea had just sparked in her mind.

  Then her lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile.

  Maybe… my fear was greater than my desire to try.

  Or perhaps the fragments of memory I still possess whispered that every attempt would end in failure.

  But you… you really are different.

  What you’re saying… makes sense.

  I looked at her and spoke gently: Then, if you truly want to live—start with the simplest step.

  Take over an ordinary body first,then use your blood essence to evolve it.

  I’ll stand by you—every step of the way, if you wish.

  She looked at me, folding her arms over her chest, her tone laced with both irritation and teasing amusement.

  Her voice dripped with confidence and brazen charm as she said:

  Hmph… do you think this progenitor is a fool?

  That I never thought of that before? Of course I did — and in great depth.

  But I had no desire to waste my precious blood essence on a useless body.

  Anyway… now you’re here. And I trust you.

  I trust that you’ll help me cultivate and evolve any body I possess —

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  even if it’s weak at first.

  Isn’t that right, my dear… husband?

  I froze in place.

  For a moment, I just stared at her — those golden eyes gleaming with childlike mischief —trying to process what she had just said.

  Husband?

  Did I hear that correctly?

  I muttered inwardly, watching as she lifted her chin with shameless confidence:

  This girl… she’s unbelievable.

  How did she end up with such a strange personality?

  Is she serious right now?

  Did she just declare herself my wife on her own?

  Does she even understand what that means?

  Or… does she know nothing at all about men and women?

  I let out a long sigh, then spoke firmly — my voice a mix of shock and disbelief:

  “So you’ve decided on your own to be my wife?

  I haven’t even proposed to you!

  And yet, here you are—offering yourself to me?

  Are you out of your mind?

  She raised her head slowly, meeting my gaze directly.

  Then — that smile.

  A wicked, knowing smile curved across her lips, sending a shiver crawling down my spine.

  Even my scales tingled from the sudden wave of unease and confusion.

  Her voice came soft, melodic —but beneath it lingered that dangerous feminine cunning:

  You didn’t set that condition of a hundred years by accident, did you?

  You wanted me to fall for you naturally,to choose to become your wife of my own accord.

  Did you think you could hide your thoughts from me?

  Oh, my mischievous little dragon…

  She paused, tilting her head with a warmer, almost tender smile,

  her tone shifting — less mocking now, more sincere.

  Still… I don’t mind.

  In fact, I don’t dislike the idea of being your wife —once I regain my body, of course.

  Are you wondering why I’m not angry at your little schemes?

  Let me tell you why…

  Because you never thought of claiming me by force.

  You wanted me to choose you — to love you willingly, not through dominance.

  And that… made me respect you more.

  You’ve grown in my heart, my naughty dragon…because you cared for my feelings,not just my body or the secrets I hold.

  Truly… you deserve to be my husband.

  As for love…time will take care of that.

  I stepped back, startled —her words danced between temptation and innocence so naturally

  that my mind nearly short-circuited.

  I stammered, eyes wide: Wait— you… do you have the ability to read thoughts?

  She didn’t answer.

  Instead, she gave me a devilish, enigmatic smile —one that said far more than words ever could.

  Then, in a voice gentle yet carrying the weight of command, she said:

  Hmm… then, my husband,find me a body of your choosing.

  I want to possess it…and return to life once more.

  I took a deep breath, then looked straight into her eyes.

  There was no hint of jest or deceit in them—only pure sincerity, a calm resolve that radiated from deep within her soul.

  She was completely serious.

  Without another word, I turned away and began searching through the cave for a suitable body—a female vessel that could bring her back to life.

  The rocks shimmered faintly under the glow of my restrained energy,

  and the air carried the mingled scent of frost and blood.

  As I searched, my thoughts wandered.

  In every tale I’d ever known from my previous life, vampires were never the same—they changed from world to world, from story to story.

  In some, they could transform into bats.

  In others, they couldn’t.

  And in a few… they were portrayed as grotesque, twisted beings—

  half human, half monster.

  Hmm…

  After a while, one conclusion began to make sense.

  The best choice… was a female bat.

  At least, it seemed logical.

  And truthfully—I couldn’t deny it—I’d always had a strange fondness for vampires with bat-like forms,

  perhaps because of how they fascinated me in my past life.

  Having made my decision, I focused my search.

  For nearly an hour, I moved through burrows and shadows,examining every female bat I could find.

  But none of them were suitable.

  Either sick, weak, or tainted by twisted energy.

  Finally, I decided…to take a newborn.

  I approached her gently.

  She was tiny—barely able to open her eyes.

  I lifted her in my palm,feeling her warmth and fragility,a flicker of life so delicate it could vanish with a breath.

  At that moment, I heard the Vampire Progenitor’s voice behind me.

  She stared at the little bat in my hand,her golden eyes wide with a mix of shock and anxiety.

  My husband… are you serious?

  She’s far too small!

  She hasn’t even begun sensing energy yet!

  This—this will make things—

  I cut her off, my tone firm and absolute:

  Enough chatter.

  She’s perfect.

  Completely pure, untouched, and uncorrupted in every way.

  Because she’s newborn, it will be far easier for you to possess her.

  You’ll merge with her faster than you can imagine.

  Don’t worry, my dear…

  I’ll take care of everything myself.

  She stared at me closely, her golden eyes shimmering with a mixture of disbelief and embarrassment.

  Then, after a deep breath, she spoke in a voice that blended mischief with concern:

  Darling… do you realize what you’re asking of me?

  That body is tiny—far too weak.

  Once I possess it, I’ll have to live through childhood again!

  I won’t even be able to speak with you… not until it grows enough to hold my soul’s strength.

  So during that time, you’ll have to begin extracting the inheritance of the King of Magical Beasts on your own.

  Do you understand?

  Her tone was a strange balance—half serious, half teasing—as though her words were not just a warning,but a small test of my resolve,a way to measure how true I was to my promise.

  I smiled faintly, nodding.

  I was planning to do that anyway,” I replied calmly.

  For now, let’s just focus on finding you a proper vessel.

  Help me secure her first—then I’ll handle the rest myself.

  I left the Inheritance Cave three hours later.

  Mia and I emerged and headed to the place where the old serpent lay.

  Meanwhile, the Vampire Progenitor was deeply immersed in merging with the body she had taken. I didn’t know how long it would take her to complete the process.

  Mia watched me with a curious, admiring tilt and murmured, Brother, what happened after I lost consciousness? Did you find anything valuable in the cave? You seem stronger now… there’s a cold aura around you.”

  I looked at her and answered quietly, keeping the secret: “I’ll tell you when we get home. I brought you a special gift, my little sister.”

  The Vampire Progenitor was generous beyond words. She gave me many things, including a massive storage ring of a thousand cubic meters filled with rare treasures.

  Most important of all, she gave me: the Inheritance of the King of Magical Beasts — a precious skill I will begin studying later. But now, I wanted to seize another opportunity: the Golden Lion’s chance in the story — a unique opportunity I wanted above all else.

  From what I understood from the Vampire Progenitor, cultivation in this era is gravely flawed; the Emperor stage is the pinnacle now and cannot be surpassed at present. This means the path in this age is broken — it is impossible to pass the Emperor stage because of an energy shortage in this era and in the ancient ages before it.

  This flaw will vanish when the universe’s energy renews and the Golden Era begins; then many will surpass the Emperor stage. But the problem is the Golden Era is still far off, and countless creatures will go extinct before it arrives.

  In short, this universe is heading toward an age of darkness and decay.

  In my previous life I read many stories about the extinction of dragons and phoenixes, and it seems this world follows the same route. Great clans have perished: the Kong Bing clan, the Ice Phoenix clan, even the dark dragon clans and the nine-colored silk clans did not survive the wrath of humans and demons. Humans and demons consumed the blood and flesh of mighty beasts to amplify their power, and in the end extinction was the result.

  The first to face this fate will be the dragon lineages: despite their current might, they will not endure. The list is long and its telling would take time.

  Anyway, for my part, I will hasten the extinction of the Golden Dragon clan if necessary — but for now I must focus on preparing myself for the trials to come rather than trying to fix the broken system.

  I must ready myself for the conflicts that will span ages, and I must survive until the Golden Era arrives. A difficult task, but not impossible; the blood of the true Vampire Progenitor will be a decisive factor in my success.

  I drew a slow breath and thought to myself: “Alright… it seems I owe that girl a favor. Hmm. I’ll repay her when she becomes human — that’s a promise.”

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