CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 205 RECRUITING NOBLES

"What happened? What’s wrong with Master Leibo? Gales, say something!"

Another minister shouted, only to see Gales standing motionless. His Soul Fire dispersed, and he slowly collapsed.

This scene sent a chill down the spines of the assembled nobles. Killed without anyone even noticing? Could it be that even the noble title bestowed by the First Ancestor couldn’t protect them?

How could this be possible!

Laine, for his part, was stunned at first, then an expression of wild joy spread across his face. If Leibo were dead, wouldn’t he be the undisputed first heir?

But what on earth was this thing that had killed Leibo without anyone knowing?

Could it kill me too?

A Black Wizard? A Taboo Walker? A Ferryman? A Brain-Eating Sacrifice? One unmentionable taboo after another flashed through the Duke’s mind.

In the Dark World, there were also monstrous taboos, any one of which was an existence the Duke could not contend with. He possessed two Sacred Artifacts, but even if he used their full power, they would be helpless against such strangeness. This was because it involved a higher echelon: the Divine Demon Domain. Only the Empire, established by the thirteen great families of the Blood Race, could handle such things.

"Everyone, don’t move!"

The Duke’s bloated body was surprisingly agile. He kicked a maid aside. Then, with a sickening squirm of flesh and blood, six pairs of bat-like wings tore from his back, each sprouting a blood-red eye. These eyes released a deep crimson light, scanning the hall for any lingering strangeness. If he sensed something was amiss, he would immediately abandon everything, spread his wings, and fly to the Empire for aid.

The ministers were as silent as cicadas in late autumn. They had never expected to be targeted by a taboo. Was there something here that attracted it?

After a long moment, the ascending runes slowly dissipated, indicating the danger had passed.

What made the Duke’s expression turn ugly was that, in addition to Leibo and Gales who died first, two more ministers had also been murdered. It was no coincidence that these three ministers all belonged to the faction supporting Leibo.

Realizing this, the Duke’s cold gaze, like that of a predatory beast, fixed on the anxious Laine, his suspicion aroused.

"Let a few die first to throw them into chaos."

Chu Yi captured their souls, cast them into the Chaotic Burial Mound, and then fed them to the Bone Demon. His body writhed. His bones now glistened like jade; if a single one were extracted, it would shine brilliantly—pure, flawless, and utterly perfect. Some parts of his bones had a faint yellowish luster, gradually transitioning to gold. However, achieving the ’Golden Body’ was still a long process. He anticipated that the upcoming great battle would not disappoint him.

He hadn’t expected the Soul-Calling Banner to be so effective against the Blood Race; even their noble titles were useless against it. As for the targets whose souls he’d captured, Chu Yi had scouted them beforehand. He presumed the Duke’s faction would appreciate the ’welcoming gift’ he had sent.

Suddenly, Chu Yi withdrew the gray mist and re-draped the Soul-Calling Banner over himself, reverting to the appearance of a handsome and dashing young man.

The sound of footsteps approached.

"Chu Yi, a few nobles have come to join us. Should we accept them?" Lias, puffing her cheeks, had followed a scent to find Chu Yi.

At this moment, her Bloodline Power had faded, and she reverted to her appearance as a blonde loli. From her Space Wrist Wheel, she had changed into an elegant and cute Lolita-style dress. Beneath its hem, her slender calves were wrapped in white stockings, and her delicate, lotus-like feet were tucked into small boots, exuding a girlish charm.

"A group of subordinates delivered to our door? Why wouldn’t we accept them?" Chu Yi smiled. These nobles had been pursued by the Duke’s army. After hearing of the Blood Race Queen’s deeds, they had specifically come to seek refuge with her.

There were legendary figures in the Blood Race as well. For instance, the Mother of Dragons, the Bloody Knight, the Blood Wing Killer, and the Count of Gold and Silver Island—all had risen from weakness, resisted oppression, and step by step achieved legendary status. According to standard novel tropes, they were akin to protagonists.

Chu Yi was grooming Lias to be the Blood Race Queen for this very purpose. As long as they kept winning, they could gradually devour the duchy, occupying vast amounts of land and resources. This way, he would also have a foothold in the Dark World, which could provide him with considerable convenience. Resources, troops, and territory were ostensibly Lias’s, but in truth, they were his assets. By exchanging benefits with the Beast Taming World, he could better fuel his own growth.

Of course, Lias gained the most. Her title was linked to her lands. A powerful member of the Blood Race could wield the power of their fiefdom, unleashing divine might upon invading enemies. Similar to the Domain Power mastered by Commander-rank Pet Beasts, the Blood Race system also possessed combat methods related to domains. As long as this trend continued, Chu Yi’s faction would grow like a snowball.

"Alright then, please help me receive them." Lias looked down, then glanced at Chu Yi’s tall figure again before hesitating. "I’m still getting used to this power, but it’s strange. I always feel a weird impulse after I transform...

"

She paused. Lias glanced at Chu Yi but didn’t continue. After transforming, she had directly given Chu Yi a ’reward.’ Thinking back on it carefully, it seemed far too strange.

"Perhaps it’s an effect of the Magic Potion. You’ll get used to it," Chu Yi said with a faint smile.

He immediately thought of the leaked Moon Authority. Could it have been tainted with a trace of the Seed of the Desire God’s power? If it were made into a dish for the banquet, and Lias consumed it, she would naturally harbor thoughts of wanting to be close to him.

"Oh." Lias nodded meekly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes darted away as she said unnaturally, "Then I’ll go back and wait for you. Tonight, let’s... be together."

"COUGH, COUGH..." Chu Yi was startled and immediately turned to deal with the nobles who had come to pledge allegiance. "Don’t worry, give me a few minutes. By the way, do you want to take a bath? Hmm, the first time hurts a bit, so you should be mentally prepared. Alright, I’ll go handle things and be back soon..."

Before he could finish, Lias’s jade-like cheeks burned, more with shame and anger than anything else. She bit her lip. "Don’t get the wrong idea! You promised to watch the stars with me."

"Oh—" The man’s voice instantly softened, a hint of disappointment in it. He obediently went to receive the nobles.

「Princess’s Mansion.」

Gauze curtains fluttered amidst a hazy mist. A graceful figure with skin like ice and bones of jade was faintly visible in the Lotus Pool. Shattered moonlight poured down, illuminating skin as white as frost. Her long, lush eyelashes quivered lightly, like the fluttering wings of a butterfly. A pair of violet eyes lit up, shimmering with a mesmerizing halo before clearing completely.

Ever since her ’in-depth exchange’ with the King of Black Robes, the more she thought about it afterward, the more something felt off.She always felt something was wrong, yet, paradoxically, it also felt quite normal.

Beside her, the Ghost Maid nervously scrubbed her mistress’s jade-like back. She was an Illusion-type Pet Beast and possessed her own intelligence. Witnessing her master and that taboo entity engaging in... peculiar activities had completely shattered her worldview.

Suddenly, the Moon Princess seemed to sense something. She slightly raised her head, her gaze drifting towards the ceiling of the main hall, a premonition in her heart.

The lost moon... it has appeared.

She was slightly taken aback. Ever since ’cultivating’ with the taboo entity, she had realized that a portion of her Moon Authority had been lost. This was not good at all. Authority was crucial; it was the key to entering this realm. Just as she was preparing to personally seek out the King of Black Robes, this aura had appeared.

I must find him.