Watching John's expression shift, the corners of Robert's mouth slowly curved upwards.
Before coming to Stellarburg, the patriarch of House Carter had given him a firm command: If he couldn't bring John back, then he was to kill him.
The Crimson Count was the foundation of their House Carter's standing.
If they couldn't secure the complete inheritance, then they'd make sure no one else could either.
John's mind power spread out, discovering that the moment Robert entered the room, a blood-red barrier had formed around it, centering on Robert.
His mind power was completely cut off from the outside, confined within the room.
John's face soured as he realized Robert had made thorough preparations, leaving him no hope of escape.
Taking a deep breath, John forced himself to calm down.
Surrendering to fate was not an option.
His mind raced, searching for a way out.
However, Robert didn't grant him the opportunity to find one.
Seeing John remain silent, Robert's patience quickly wore thin.
A flash of blood in his eyes, a sword formed from coagulated blood materialized in his hand.
At the same time, an immensely terrifying aura emanated from him, instantly enveloping John within the room.
John's breath hitched.
Robert was a supreme-tier powerhouse!
Robert's smile widened menacingly.
"If Mr. John can't make a decision, I can assist you."
The blood-light around Robert grew even more blinding.
Blood began to flow from beneath his feet, quickly forming a pool on the floor.
Then, as if alive, the blood slowly crept towards John.
With the blood drawing closer, John could smell the intense odor of blood.
Robert watched John with a mocking glee, toying with him like a cat with a mouse.
He deliberately refrained from killing John immediately, opting instead to pressure him into making a choice.
Securing the inheritance of the Crimson Count would be the most beneficial outcome for House Carter.
Robert wouldn't have chosen to kill John if there had been another way.
He could easily abduct John and force him to continue the bloodline for House Carter.
Unfortunately, once John reaches the Imperial Capital, he would be under various protections, making any attempt thereafter significantly more challenging.
To prevent any complications, if John fails to make a choice here, Robert is prepared to kill him outright.
They would rather forfeit the complete inheritance than allow John to live.
John's brows furrowed tightly.
The power disparity was overwhelming, an insurmountable gap spanning three tiers of strength.
Left with no other options, he prepared for a desperate struggle.
A thought sparked in his mind, and a blood-colored long blade appeared in his hands—the Bloodthirsty Blade.
Now upgraded to gold-tier, its attributes had significantly improved, along with a new skill.
[Equipment]: Bloodthirsty Blade (Damaged)
[Type]: Weapon
[Level]: Lv25
There had been a glimmer of hope for him, but now, by his own actions, it seemed he had extinguished that last flicker of hope.
This realization brought a sense of faint pain to John.
Seeing John's lack of response, Robert's gaze turned brutally fierce.
Thick miasmas of blood energy surged from him, causing the blood on the floor to start boiling.
In the blink of an eye, the blood coalesced into a long spear, several meters in length, within the room.
The spear's tip pointed directly at John.
With a cold and murderous look, Robert demanded, "Hand over the blade. Don't make me ask a third time."
Threatened by the blood-colored spear, John felt enveloped by an intense aura of death.
He knew that with just a thought from Robert, the spear could pierce him instantly, leaving no room for escape.
The disparity between them was simply too vast.
With John's current strength, even employing every means at his disposal, he stood no chance against Robert.
The higher the level, the greater the gap between tiers becomes.
At lower ranks, many prodigies can achieve victories against higher-tier opponents.
But at higher ranks, even a single tier difference can feel insurmountable, like a chasm that cannot be crossed.
Furthermore, with John and Robert separated by a full three tiers, it was no longer a matter of a mere gap in strength.
However, John had no intention of resigning himself to fate.
He still had many cards up his sleeve, and if he gave it his all, he might just manage to escape from his captor's grasp.
Just as John braced for a desperate effort, a thunderous noise erupted.
The barrier Robert had set up shattered suddenly, breaking into countless blood-colored light particles that swiftly dissipated.
Simultaneously, an utterly indifferent voice reached their ears, coldly stating, "To dare make a move on the floating train, the people of House Carter really are lawless!"
The door was abruptly pushed open.
A tall man dressed in a black trench coat entered the room.
He appeared to be in his late twenties, with distinct facial features, a stern expression, and a scar across his nose bridge.
His eyes were sharply piercing.
There was a unique aura about him, one that John had only sensed in Victor.
However, where Victor's aura was like the sharp edge of a sword, this man's was as piercing as a long spear.
The moment this man stepped into the room, a formidable presence manifested, completely suppressing Robert's aura.
Robert's face instantly turned sour.
Just as he was about to succeed, his plans were thwarted at the crucial moment, naturally souring his mood.
He said coldly, "Since you know I am from House Carter, you should be aware of the consequences of offending us."
The man laughed derisively, "Offend House Carter? Even if I were to kill you right here, Samuel Carter wouldn't dare say a word."
Robert's expression changed dramatically.
Samuel Carter was the current head of House Carter!
John, too, looked at the man with some surprise.
Knowing Samuel Carter's name and daring to make such bold claims, the man's identity had to be extraordinary.
Suppressing the anger in his heart, Robert asked in a deep voice, "May I know the name of such a formidable individual?"
The man replied calmly, "Vincent Morgan."
Upon hearing the name, Robert's expression froze on his face, his eyes filled with shock.
He was facing "Demonlance," Vincent Morgan!