When Li De saw the four second-generation bloodline descendants with torn clothes and a disheveled appearance, he was somewhat surprised.
“Did you encounter beastmen?”
Only an encounter with beastmen on the border could leave these powerful second-generation bloodline descendants in such a state.
However, though their appearances were battered, their spirits were extremely high.
They had broken through to Level 10 and become advanced professionals.
“Good evening, Clan Leader. Yes, we encountered beastmen—three hundred of those lowly creatures riding wyverns.
Fortunately, they didn’t prevent us from bringing the humans back. Moreover, during our battle with the beastmen, we broke through and became advanced mages. Praise the Goddess of Night, praise the Saintlight Vampires!”
Odys’ tone carried deep excitement.
He had been stuck at Level 9 for a full thirty years, so breaking through to Level 10 was a momentous occasion worth celebrating.
“Very good, Odys, Avi, Lucy, Dylon—you’ve worked hard. I’m proud of you.” Li De stepped forward, patted Odys on the shoulder, and looked at his bloodline descendants with satisfaction.
These were his loyal followers. Only when they grew stronger would the vampires truly grow stronger.
“Rest in Dawn City for a few days before returning to the border.
I’ll take the Whispering Bats to Green City to bring back more supplies and also teach you the spells I’ve improved.”
The improved version of Small Fireball hadn’t been passed down yet, but this time, he planned to teach both Mage Hand and Small Fireball to the vampires.
The effectiveness of Small Fireball had already been proven on Emi—it could undoubtedly enhance the vampires’ combat power.
Moreover, after the improvements, when used by multiple people, its overwhelming suppression would be even more effective.
Li De eagerly anticipated the sight of all the vampires using Small Fireball to sweep the battlefield—it would surely be spectacular.
With respectful responses, Odys and Avi instinctively exchanged glances, both sensing surprise in each other’s eyes.
After not seeing him for some time, although Li De still wore a kind smile, the faint yet powerful aura emanating from him made Odys and the others feel an inexplicable pressure.
However, they didn’t find it strange. On the contrary, they inwardly praised how the Clan Leader’s dignity had grown heavier.
Li De was no longer the novice who had initially been cautious and fearful of being discovered as unusual when he first took control of the vampires.
After over a month of holding a high position and wielding the fates of countless people, he had grown into his role.
Moreover, just two days ago, he had defeated a Level 14 blasphemer.
His immense power gave him sufficient confidence. The presence of the Vampire Progenitor had returned to him, and his calm tone exuded certainty and unquestionable authority.
Every movement radiated the bearing of someone in a superior position.
One’s environment shapes one’s demeanor, and one changes with one’s status.
As the big boss of the vampires, his strong confidence had been cultivated.
“Go to the Blood Pool to receive your Mana-Infused Blood, change your clothes, and then return.”
After bowing respectfully, Odys and the others turned to leave. Their current disheveled state indeed wasn’t suitable for lingering.
Though they hadn’t been caught by the beastmen’s wyverns, they had sustained significant injuries during the process.
The vampires were undoubtedly a superior race. Aside from a few items that naturally countered them, they could be called overwhelmingly powerful.
Especially due to their racial traits—no matter how severe the injury, as long as they didn’t die immediately, they could recover by drinking blood.
This near game-breaking racial trait was almost the key reason the vampires had endured and become a superior race.
Thus, though Li De noticed their chaotic mana and serious injuries, he wasn’t worried at all. No matter how severe the wounds, a few bottles of Mana-Infused Blood would have them bouncing back to life.
Three sun-hours later.
The humans in the square had gradually thinned out. Most had been assigned their residences, leaving only a small number who hadn’t registered yet.
In the City Hall office, Li De awaited the arrival of all the second-generation bloodline descendants.
There were eight of them.
Fred, who guarded the Holy Land and was the only one who had experienced the war a hundred years ago.
Odys and Lucy, who had some mutual animosity.
Avi, clad in black mage robes with black eyes and black hair.
Dylon, who raised Whispering Bats and whose main profession was warrior.
Harrison, with an androgynous appearance who disliked offensive magic.
Augustine, the only archer, wearing a black trench coat and carrying a longbow.
And Emi, the newly turned vampire—a Level 15 Advanced Shadow High Priest with the title of Blasphemer.
Aside from Harrison and Augustine, the others looked at Emi with curiosity.
They could sense the bloodline connection of a fellow vampire from him, but what intrigued them was the overwhelming pressure they felt from this apparent second-generation bloodline descendant.
It wasn’t the pressure of bloodline—it was purely the pressure of raw strength.
Li De didn’t let their confusion linger for long and introduced Emi first.
“This is Emi Kachar, my bloodline descendant, who became a vampire two days ago.”
Pausing briefly, he added lightly after observing their expressions:
“Emi is a Level 15 Shadow High Priest.”
Level 15? Everyone’s expressions toward Emi changed.
Even in the vampires’ prime, there had never been a Level 15 individual. Now, they had someone of this caliber.
For a moment, the smiles on their faces became much more genuine. One must show sufficient respect toward the strong.
After introducing Emi, Li De didn’t bother introducing the others to him and got straight to the point.
“I’ve called everyone here for one matter. I plan to build Dawn City’s Mage Tower.”
The vampires possessed spellcasting talents far beyond human capabilities. However, because their numbers had been small in the past, a mage tower was unnecessary. All the mages were of the same clan, and they could exchange magical knowledge anywhere they pleased.
Building a mage tower might have seemed redundant.
But now the situation is different. With the increasing human population, the vampires’ forces had been dispersed.
It was no longer possible to do things as before. Everyone had their own tasks, and there wouldn’t be unlimited time for casual discussions.
Under these circumstances, building a mage tower exclusively for mages to discuss magic and later use for teaching became necessary.
Moreover, according to Li De’s promise, in the future, everyone would have the opportunity to study magic in the mage tower. Building it now would give the residents of Dawn City something to look forward to.
At the same time, he could reiterate the importance of the point system, reinforcing its significance in everyone’s minds.
“Lord Progenitor, building a mage tower is a wonderful thing for Dawn City. A city without a mage tower is incomplete. I volunteer to oversee this project.”
Emi’s eyes lit up as he stepped forward first.
He had always been obsessed with researching godhood but lacked a proper place to conduct his studies. If he had a mage tower, he could enlist most of the mages to assist him in his research.
Li De glanced at Emi and instantly understood the guy’s intentions.
However, he didn’t stop him. Though achieving godhood was unlikely in the short term, allowing Emi to pursue his obsession wouldn’t hurt.
“Alright, Emi will organize the construction of the mage tower. However, the mage tower won’t be built within Dawn City’s current urban area.”
Li De gestured toward the table, and only then did everyone notice the vivid map on it, depicting a complete layout of Dawn City.
No one was surprised, as they had sensed the magical fluctuations emanating from it—an obvious work of magic.
Li De didn’t explain how the map came to be, instead pointing directly at it and saying.
“Dawn City’s urban area has been fixed due to a century of development. The mage tower will be a crucial part of Dawn City in the future, so it requires a vast amount of land.
If we were to carve out such a large plot within the current urban area, it would compress the existing space.
Therefore, I plan to create a new district, where the mage tower will be built. Even the future school will be established there.”
Dawn City was about to expand.