The crimson full moon, like a giant, ominous eye, hung high in the sky above the Eternal Night Dynasty, casting its cold and eerie light upon Blackrock Castle.

Deep within the ancient castle, in the sacrificial hall.

The towering dome was adorned with ancient murals depicting the glory of the vampires, while eerie blue flames burned on the walls, casting flickering light and shadow throughout the hall, creating an atmosphere both mysterious and solemn. At the far end of the hall stood a throne carved from obsidian, suspended in mid-air, radiating an invisible pressure.

Dozens of vampire nobles, dressed in magnificent robes and exuding powerful auras, stood on either side, their eyes filled with curiosity, awe, or a secret longing, as they whispered among themselves, awaiting the arrival of tonight's protagonist.

In the center of the hall was a cleared area. Su Nian and a dozen other girls had been driven here. They had changed into uniform, thin white gauze dresses, and stood barefoot on the cold, smooth stone slabs, trembling like lambs to the slaughter under the gaze of the many vampires.

Su Nian stood in the crowd, head bowed, trying her best to conceal her aura. Her body was still weak, but her mind was highly focused. Deep within her soul, those few golden specks of light were wrapped and concealed by all her remaining willpower. She couldn't attract any extra attention, especially before the prince arrived.

She could sense the uncontrollable fear emanating from the girls around her, and the strong "smell" of blood seemed even more pronounced. She, meanwhile, was desperately trying to recall the state of the Ice Heart Technique from the world of immortals and heroes, attempting to make her aura "clean" and "cold," out of place with her surroundings.

"His Highness the Prince has arrived!"

The master of ceremonies' long, melodious shout, imbued with magical energy, instantly silenced the entire hall.

All the vampires, including the proud nobles, bowed in unison, paying the highest tribute to the throne.

An indescribable aura, a mixture of ancient, powerful, languid, and extremely oppressive, spread like a tide, enveloping the entire hall.

Su Nian felt her breath catch in her throat and, involuntarily, followed everyone's gaze, looking up at the throne.

A figure had appeared and was now seated on the throne.

His dark velvet tuxedo accentuated his tall and slender figure. His pale fingers casually rested on his chin, and his breathtakingly handsome face was expressionless. His blood-red amber eyes swept across the ground below with indifferent detachment, like a god looking down on ants.

Xie Chen.

Even though he was in a different world and had a different body, the outline of his soul core still allowed Su Nian to recognize him instantly.

However, this version of him was even more distant, even more...empty. It was as if nothing in the world could leave any trace in his eyes.

"Let's begin."

He spoke, his voice deep and pleasant, yet carrying a languid quality as if he had just awakened from a long slumber, and a hint of barely perceptible... weariness.

The sacrificial ceremony officially began.

A vampire priest dressed in black robes stepped forward, holding a crystal plate. He began to examine the girls one by one, gesturing for them to extend their wrists.

A sharp silver knife sliced ​​through the skin, and drops of bright red blood seeped out and dripped into the crystal dish.

The priest would respectfully present a crystal dish containing drops of blood before the throne.

Xie Chen didn't even look down; his nose twitched almost imperceptibly before he waved listlessly.

This means it is unqualified.

The girl whose blood was drawn turned deathly pale instantly, almost collapsing to the ground, before being dragged away by the expressionless guards. Their fate was obvious.

The atmosphere in the hall froze. Despair spread like a plague among the sacrificial girls.

One, two, three...

The blood of seven or eight girls in succession failed to arouse the slightest interest in the one on the throne.

Finally, it was the turn of the brown-haired girl next to Su Nian.

"No...don't..." The girl retreated in fear, but was forcibly held down by the guards.

A flash of light, and drops of blood fell.

As was customary, the priest presented the crystal plate.

This time, Xie Chen's gaze seemed to linger on the drop of blood for a barely perceptible moment, but only for a moment, before he waved his hand again.

"No—!" The brown-haired girl cried out in anguish as she was dragged away.

Su Nian's heart leaped into her throat. She was next.

She could feel the indifferent gaze from the throne sweeping over her position, seemingly unintentionally.

The priest walked up to her.

The cold silver knife reflected the eerie blue firelight.

Su Nian took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Instead of extending her wrist like the other girls, she raised her head to meet the priest's cold gaze and spoke clearly, in as steady a voice as possible:

"My blood needs a special way of being consumed to bring out its best flavor."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the deathly silent hall.

In an instant, all eyes, including those of the vampire nobles on both sides, which were filled with astonishment, amusement, and even mockery, were focused on this audacious sacrifice.

Even Xie Chen, sitting on the throne, whose gaze had been unfocused until now, slowly and with a faint hint of interest, fell on Su Nian's face.

(End of Chapter 50)

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Next chapter preview: Su Nian makes a shocking statement, daring to offer a "drinking suggestion" to the vampire prince! Under the watchful eyes of everyone, how will she deal with the prince's scrutiny and the nobles' questioning? Will this risky move instantly reduce her to ashes, or will it give her a glimmer of hope? Is the vampire prince's "afternoon tea" time about to be forced to change?