Bloodline Shackles (Restricted): As the Vampire Progenitor, you possess absolute control over your bloodline descendants. You can issue commands that are ingrained into their bloodline, ensuring compliance.
The description of the Bloodline Shackles was somewhat vague, and Li De wasn’t entirely sure how to use them, so he had never tried them before.
But now, he realized there was a lot of potential here. The conflict between vampires and humans had been brewing over a long period of time.
Although the vampires' mindset had undergone significant changes due to his constant efforts at brainwashing, there was no telling what might happen when they actually came into contact with humans.
If the Bloodline Shackles worked as he imagined, perhaps he wouldn’t need to worry about this issue anymore.
As he focused his consciousness on this ability, a sensation that defied description suddenly emerged.
Li De instinctively closed his eyes.
In his mind, he saw a series of crimson mental imprints, each representing a Bloodline Descendant—208 in total.
At this moment, he could sense the existence of every vampire.
It was an incredibly wonderful feeling.
A connection through blood.
By concentrating, he could even vaguely sense the approximate location and physical condition of each imprint. The vibrant imprints represented health, while a few were dim, indicating that they might be injured.
It was truly amazing.
At this very moment, whether it was the vampires in the Ancient Castle or Odys, who was far away on the Beastmen border, they all felt a familiar presence probing them, like a father’s gentle, kind, and affectionate gaze.
That feeling filled them with trust.
"My children, I am your Progenitor. No matter what happens, I am with you.
When plundering the population, you may strike first if you encounter resistance. Unless absolutely necessary, do not harm those who submit.
Everything is for the future of the Saintlight Vampires."
Even across thousands of miles, the message transmitted through their bloodline was instantly received by all the vampires.
Odys on the border, Fred guarding the Holy Land, and all the other vampires bowed deeply in the direction of Li De after receiving the message.
As Li De issued the command, he felt a previously undetectable energy within his bloodline rapidly depleting.
After the command was given, Li De suddenly frowned.
The vampires' bloodline didn’t just contain his power—there was another force intertwined within it.
That force was like a twisted rope, coiled around the bloodline of every vampire, resembling a chain that seemed to restrict them.
Just as Li De was about to mobilize the power of the bloodline to investigate this deeply hidden Bloodline Shackle, the energy in his bloodline was completely depleted after issuing the command.
As the energy vanished, he immediately exited that strange state.
Li De was slightly stunned. Instead of disappearing, his confusion only deepened.
What was that chain? Why was it entwined within the vampires' bloodline? Was it a command left by the previous Vampire Progenitor?
But now that the bloodline energy was exhausted, he couldn’t investigate that strange force any further. He had no choice but to set aside his questions for the time being.
"What a magical talent."
Coming back to his senses, Li De marveled at the sensation he had just experienced.
This ability to issue commands regardless of distance, time, or any external factors was simply astonishing.
However, he also felt a tinge of regret. He could sense that the energy in his bloodline had been completely depleted and was now recovering at an extremely slow pace. It seemed it would take at least one or two months to return to its original state.
"And that strange chain, hiding so deeply... I’ll have to investigate it next time."
When Li De exited that state, all the vampires, as if trained, stopped what they were doing—even those transporting grain—and bowed in his direction.
"Your Majesty, the Progenitor, your will is the honor we defend."
The Bloodline Shackles ensured that once the Vampire Progenitor issued a command, all vampires would absolutely follow it.
This was a command ingrained in their bloodline and etched into their souls.
If any vampire subjectively violated the command, they would immediately suffer a backlash from their bloodline—a terrifyingly powerful consequence.
At this moment, Li De wasn’t yet aware of this. Instead, he was simply amazed at the ability to transmit messages over long distances.
If he could use this function at any time, he would be able to command the vampires in all directions without the current hassle.
When the Second-generation Bloodline Descendants raised their heads again, their eyes were filled with awe and admiration as they looked at Li De.
"Father, have you awakened the power of the bloodline?" Lucy, unable to contain herself, was the first to ask.
The power of the bloodline—vampires possessed immense innate talents and were undeniably a superior race.
Hidden within the vampires' bloodline was an extremely powerful force, and every vampire had it. However, awakening this power required exceptional talent and a long period of time.
They hadn’t expected their Progenitor to have already awakened the power of the bloodline. For the currently weak vampires, this was undoubtedly a tremendous morale boost.
Li De was slightly taken aback. The power of the bloodline? Had the previous Vampire Progenitor never used the Bloodline Shackles? Then what was that strange chain in the vampires' bloodline?
"Indeed, the vampires will only grow stronger.
Not just me, but every vampire in the Ancient Castle will awaken the power of the bloodline in the future.
Once the city is established.
We will have everything."
After hearing Li De’s words, both the Second-generation Bloodline Descendants and the other vampires were filled with excitement.
The power of the bloodline allowed them to directly feel Li De’s strength and benevolence. The affection that came from their souls and bloodline made them regard Li De as their closest kin.
The doubts that many vampires had harbored about Li De’s plans now completely vanished.
A single use of the Bloodline Shackles was more effective than all of Li De’s previous efforts to reshape history and change the vampires' mindset.
Seeing the closeness and trust in the vampires' eyes, Li De shook his head with a slight smile. If he had known how effective the Bloodline Shackles were from the start, he wouldn’t have had to work so hard.
But then again, without the previous changes, the vampires might not have accepted it so easily.
In any case, the grand plan of building their city was now on track.
"Set out after sunset. Avi, you’re in charge of assigning specific tasks."
After delegating the tasks, Li De headed straight for the Holy Land.
He wouldn’t be directly involved in the population plundering operation. The process of capturing humans wouldn’t be completed in a day or two—it might even continue until winter, spanning several months.
The main forces would be the vampires and the Whispering Bats. As the Vampire Progenitor, he didn’t have much to do in the actual execution.
His return to the Ancient Castle this time was primarily to assign the population plundering tasks and to replenish the Blood Pool.
Vampires needed to feed on blood once a month, and it had been almost a month since their last feeding.
After all, Li De was still human at heart, and the idea of directly drinking blood was something he found extremely repulsive.
But the Blood Pool was different. The blood, transformed by mana into a milky-white liquid, was now Mana-Infused Blood, which he could drink without any psychological resistance.
This blood, soaked by the Holy Spirit, had become a magical potion, vastly different from ordinary blood.
The Ancient Castle was eerily quiet. Daytime wasn’t the active period for vampires, and with their small numbers, Li De didn’t encounter a single vampire as he crossed the castle.
But he knew that in a month’s time, this place would be bustling with activity.
The starting point of a powerful city.