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The bone eagle screeched in the sky, and the death knight swiftly swept across the ground.

Hellfire orbs spewed from the bone eagle's beak, causing continuous explosions on the ground. The corrosive green ghost flames spread across the earth, exuding intense erosion power that devoured life upon contact, turning the land into a hellish scene.

"This place—forbids the living!"

Old Ward circled in the air, waving the Eagle Howl Silver Sword in his hand. Decayed skeletons climbed out of the soil under his summons, converging from all directions to encircle the uninvited intruders.

Medrolash raised the blood-stained greatsword high, dark light flickering in his jet-black eyes.

【Oathbreaker’s Divine Channeling: Undead Control】

A dense black mist erupted from the greatsword’s center, controlling all the skeletons within its range and turning them against their master.

The players also unleashed various radiant and flame spells, effortlessly destroying the fragile skeletal undead.

Alger fixed his gaze on the death knight circling in the air.

The movements and techniques were all too familiar to him. Even with Old Ward transformed into a death knight, Alger could recognize the traces of his former self at a glance.

A crimson tether appeared in his hand.

With a loud eagle cry, the draconic giant eagle, Igor, materialized out of thin air.

This was a new feature at level ten for the Crimson Scale Conqueror: 【Dragon Vein Connection】. Using the essence of dragon blood magic, it allowed the summoning of one’s mount anytime, anywhere.

Alger mounted the giant eagle and softly said, "Come, Ward Chris, my old instructor."

"Let me see if, after becoming this wretched thing, your skills have dulled."

"Screech—"

Another piercing eagle cry echoed as the draconic giant eagle spread its wings and soared, climbing rapidly with a momentum rivaling the terrifying ghost-flame-entwined bone eagle.

The death knight circling in the high skies noticed the rapidly approaching adversary and charged without hesitation.

"Vile mortal."

His bones emitted a series of creaking sounds.

Alger and Ward spiraled through the air, probing each other repeatedly.

Turns, rolls, ascents, and dives—their maneuvers on the giant eagles were instinctive, as if carved from the same mold. Yet Alger’s actions were noticeably more aggressive, often pulling off daring and ingenious moves.

Scorching bright flames intertwined with ghostly green fire in midair. The dazzling movements of the two knights left only fleeting shadows and flashes of light.

"Not bad."

Alger, panting and wiping sweat from his forehead, sounded exhilarated. "Old Ward, your skills remain intact."

His half-draconic body bore numerous wounds, with dark erosive mist slowly corroding the injuries.

"Despicable mortal—die—"

Death Knight Ward fared no better, his plate armor shattered, his bones cracked, and ghost flames burned and healed his wounds.

They ascended slowly, then dove toward each other.

It was the final charge.

Both gripped their swords tightly, leaning forward in identical dive stances.

Just as they closed within ten meters, Alger and the draconic giant eagle roared in unison, shaking the skies.

【Dragon Roar Charge】

The dragon roar carried a magical essence that could instill fear even in undead beings.

A massive red dragon phantom seemed to appear above them.

"Dragon."

The death knight faltered slightly.

His bone eagle stiffened in fright.

In that fleeting moment, Alger seized the opportunity.

"Flowing Strike!"

The half-dragon knight capitalized on the momentum of the dive and struck.

With a crisp sound, the Everburn Greatsword severed the death knight’s neck bone effortlessly, sending the glowing, malevolent skull flying before it dimmed.

The bone eagle beneath him also lost its undead essence, its ghostly flames extinguished. The skeletal frame collapsed into ordinary bones, scattering from the sky.

Alger gently landed atop the giant eagle.

Casually, he dug a small pit in the ground, buried the cracked skull, filled it with dirt, and stomped twice to compact it.

"Rest in peace, pitiful old man."

"I will kill that old vampire."

Alger muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the massive, intricately carved doors of Lackman Castle.

……

Beneath Lackman Castle.

The underground space was unusually vast, more akin to a colossal subterranean world than a mere part of a building.

Bats flitted in the darkness, rats scurried in shadowy corners, and blood thralls wailed in pain within iron cages.

At the center of this underground world was a massive stone platform spanning a hundred meters, engraved with twisted and eerie runes and surrounded by bottomless abysses.

Encircling the platform were seven towering stone pillars, each adorned with devilish carvings and bound with iron chains soaked in blood, securing a vampire progeny to each.

Like sinners from religious myths, they were stripped bare, bound to the pillars, with grotesque tattoos etched into their backs.

Each bore a fanatical expression, chanting sinister hymns.

Even Alexia, the eldest daughter of the Lackman Family, was bound to one of these pillars. Her elaborate gown removed, she stood naked, her pale, beautiful body exposed.

Yet the sight held no allure, only an aura of blood-soaked, eerie terror.

She murmured softly, "On the day of the full moon…"

"The bats will rejoice, the diseased rats will sing."

"Blood mist will shroud the heavens, shadows will overflow."

"Daylight will tremble, and eternal night will descend."

"He shall become the immortal monarch of the night!"

"He shall become the eternal lord of darkness!"

"Let our blood boil within His body, and let us embrace the grand ascension!"

The sound of bats flapping their wings echoed.

Brad Lackman emerged from the passage's end. He did not use the stairs but floated, slowly ascending to the stone platform.

His crimson eyes brimmed with boundless greed and anticipation, his tone as enraptured as if reciting poetry.

"Finally…"

"After 172 years of lurking in the shadows, the long wait is over."

"Ascension—once the grand ascension is complete, nothing will be worth fearing, not even dragons can hinder my path."

"My children…"

Duke Brad gazed obsessively at the naked vampire progenies bound to the stone pillars, his twisted affection blatantly evident. In his eyes, he truly loved them.

They were both his offspring.

And the fuel for his ascension.

Duke Brad seemed to recall something, frowning slightly.

"It’s a pity… Todd hasn’t returned."

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