Chapter 177:

The first batch of vampires among players was about to be born, which was naturally a big event.

Therefore, almost all the little players who had nothing to do at this time were invited to participate in this “First Embrace and Spirit Weaving Ceremony.”

Many people were discussing the strengths and weaknesses of vampires and humans, but these were topics that only new players would be interested in. Veteran players had already debated this issue back and forth many times on the forum.

It had basically become a “recurring thread,” with someone bringing it up every few days, just like fishing. Once the topic was raised, a group of bored “thrill-seekers” waiting for their helmets would immediately rush in for a war of words.

For veteran players, their presence here tonight was certainly the result of careful consideration, and there was no impulsive decision-making.

As the host of the first Embrace ceremony, Murphy was already waiting in the Descendant Hall.

The setup here was similar to when Maxim received his First Embrace, but the small blood pool used as decoration at the front had been replaced by a golden chalice filled with crimson liquid.

That was not blood!

Or rather, it wasn’t purely blood.

Tris’s research on the unique form of existence of players had reached quite a profound level. At Murphy’s request, she adjusted the ratio of the source blood potion used in the previous experiment, striving to make the players’ First Embrace more similar to the transformation of “NPCs.”

Although there was no blood in their bodies to change their life form, it did not prevent Tris from simulating the entire process through alchemy.

In fact, in the views of some ancient spirit mage schools, blood is the necessary carrier of spirit energy flowing within living organisms. Extending from this perspective, using spirit energy instead of blood for little players can indeed be regarded as an exchange and bestowal of the blood of sin descendants.

However, unfortunately, there was no Lady Adele wearing a revealing blood ceremonial robe as an assistant this time, which immediately made the simp crowd in the audience lose much interest in this ceremony.

There was no high-quality and affordable official cosplayer to watch.

Let’s disperse!

“Once upon a time, there was an opportunity for immortality before me, but I didn’t cherish it! Now that I’ve lost it, I regret it deeply. If I could have another chance, on that night in the woods, I definitely wouldn’t have been so excited to try the natural baptism.”

Standing in the front row of the crowd, Meow King leaned on the Crimson Witch’s staff, looking at the twelve well-dressed players before him. With a sour and wistful expression, he said:

“I should have been one of them! In terms of seniority, apart from Leading Pigeon, who could compare to me? I was picking up garbage in Lady Tris’s basement when Kadman City still existed!

What incredible seniority!

At that time, Lord Murphy was still threatening us, saying that if we didn’t behave, he would throw us to Lady Tris as blood bags. Tsk, if I had known Lady Tris looked like this, I would have smashed the wine bottle I found on Lord Murphy’s head back then.

I’m telling you, with my background, I should at least be considered an old blood clan banner, right?”

“Look on the bright side,” said Little Hands, Meow King’s cousin, watching the excitement while patting his cousin’s shoulder consolingly.

“You may not be a vampire, but now you’re already a lapdog of the Avalon God, aren’t you? Isn’t that a big deal? The first Avalon God believer among players. Tsk tsk, an old god-favored banner, who dares to look down on you?”

“Can you even comfort people? What do you mean by lapdog? This is called sincerity and fervor, understand? The Avalon boss is watching us!”

Meow King slapped away the pretentious hand and scolded:

“You’re now also a missionary wanderer under the Avalon boss. Can you be a bit more serious?”

“Silence!”

Maxim, holding an hourglass, called out sternly as the last crimson grain of sand fell. The whispers throughout the Descendant Hall immediately quieted down.

The little players all widened their eyes.

They knew they were about to witness the first race transformation scene in this game. This would definitely be an impressive topic to talk about later. After all, given the quality of this game, if the development team opened up applications for players and spent a little money on promotion, would you believe they could squeeze in 100,000 people in a minute?

Even if they didn’t want to spend money on promotion, it wasn’t a problem!

Look at Feel You Poor leading a manticore and Little Sword Saint Ashina who was preparing to drink the source blood potion in the crowd. These two wealthy players were always ready to help the development team spend money on promotion.

This was just a matter of Murphy saying the word.

However, Murphy seemed a bit silent tonight.

He was concentrating on playing his role as an NPC.

Because this time, going through the process would basically set the tone for future player Embraces. After discussing with Tris, he decided not to play too many tricks. Starting from tonight, player Embraces would be conducted regularly every half month in the Descendant Hall.

The overall tone would be solemn but concise. This way, players wouldn’t waste time, and NPCs wouldn’t need to prepare complicated scenes in advance.

The only requirement was that Lady Tris, as the patriarch of the Blood Vulture Clan, must be present at each Embrace.

Because theoretically speaking, these players who completed the Embrace would all be members of her family, which meant that if they caused any trouble on the continent in the future, Tris would also have to take responsibility.

However, the Crimson Witch wasn’t afraid of this at all.

Laughable, when she was at her peak back in the day, just going out to buy groceries or take a stroll could scare half a city to death. She wasn’t intimidated by mere player mischief.

“I ask you, warriors!” Tris stood on the second-floor viewing platform, holding the Nocturne scepter in a dignified pose. Her cold and solemn voice echoed throughout the entire Descendant Hall.

Just as Murphy’s previous lines, she asked:

“Are you willing to bid farewell to the sunlit world of light at this moment, and step into the eternal darkness under the tranquil shelter of the night?”

“We are willing, my lady!”

“Willing! Very willing!”

“I am willing to dedicate my strength to the revival of the Blood Vulture Clan!”

“Long live Grand Duchess Tris! Eternal health to Count Murphy! Relatively good health to the little loli! Rosy cheeks to Maxim!”

“Bah, do you have a death wish? How dare you say that? Drag him out and use him for target practice!”

The 12 little players each shouted their own oaths, completely uncoordinated and rowdy.

However, this was just a formality.

They were all standing in front of the crimson chalice now. If they wanted to back out at this point, not only would Murphy disagree, but the observing little players wouldn’t allow it either.

“Damn it! I’m recording, don’t embarrass yourselves!”

Onboard Joy Stick, trying hard to put on an imposing appearance, shouted in a low voice in the temporary team channel:

“Answer with me again, more formally this time! I want to post this scene on the forum. You need to consider the immersion, you bastards! Come on, read the lines I just gave you!

“You may not believe it, but I’ve already made friends with quite a few NPCs in the camp. They bring me a basket of berries when they return from outings, and my two assistants even prepare dinner for me, although I don’t need it.”

Grayman sighed and said in a low voice:

“If this continues, I feel my life in the game will be more fulfilling than reality. Damn, this game is really addictive!”

Murphy, of course, heard this sigh.

He was laughing arrogantly in his heart!

That’s right!

This is exactly what he wanted to see!

Only when little players develop a true dependence and affection for Crimson Citadel can he feel at ease to entrust more power and obligations to them. To be precise, what he wants is not just fearless fourth calamity, nor is it just simple plundering and greedy looting.

This is the second life!

Not just his, but also that of his lovely and valiant little players.

This is what they deserve!

“Niuniu, the most valiant warrior among my champions!”

Murphy handed the seventh golden cup to Niuniu, patted his broad shoulders, and said with a smile:

“I need not say much to you. Transia will be proud of you! I believe you will definitely become our outstanding symbol in some aspect in the future.”

“Mm.”

Niuniu nodded vigorously.

Finally, Murphy walked up to Onboard Joy Stick.

He stared at Joy Stick, and Joy Stick also looked at him. Joy Stick was very curious about what image he had in the NPC’s mind. Until Murphy handed the eighth golden cup to Joy Stick, then this vampire lord used his expressive eyes to stare at him, as if to see through his heart. After two seconds of silence, Murphy said:

“You’re different from the others.”

“Hm?”

Joy Stick’s heart skipped a beat when he heard this. Could it be that some of his “true thoughts” about vampire racial characteristics had been sensed by Lord Murphy?

No way!

“You don’t have as strong a sense of belonging to Transia as the others. You’re an absolute pragmatist. You just appreciate that this world has given you an opportunity to display your talents and ambitions. Your heart is yearning for war.

It’s roaring like a suppressed beast!

It seems there’s not much room left for tenderness and emotion.”

Murphy shook his head and said to Joy Stick:

“But perhaps this is good too! A purer person can create greater achievements in a certain field. If this is merely a battlefield for you to shed blood, then go forth and slay the enemy valiantly.

I firmly believe that you will become the most excellent soldier and commander that can be born on this land!”

“I...”

Joy Stick wanted to explain.

But seeing Murphy’s gaze, he fell silent, finally nodded and said nothing more.

Murphy walked to the last offspring.

He took down the golden cup, bent down slightly, and handed it to the petite Sword Saint Ashina. In little Ashina’s widened eyes, the gentle Lord Murphy suddenly reached out and tapped her nose bridge.

In a voice that only the two of them could hear, he said:

“I still remember our agreement. As long as you’re willing, this will always be your second home.”

“Of course I’m willing!”

Little Ashina pouted and said:

“But can you stop treating me like a child!”

“Alright, that’s my fault.”

Murphy shrugged, flicked his finger lightly, and a Nordtov royal exclusive fruit lollipop jumped out of the spirit bag into his hand, which he then presented to little Ashina as if offering a rose.

She who claimed not to be a child almost cheered out loud.

On the other side, Maxim used his spirit energy to levitate three golden cups to his three offspring. He spoke in a deep voice from under his vulture mask, saying:

“I’m not as eloquent as Lord Murphy, but I have a deep impression of you three. You are all rare warriors! Therefore, I stand here with respect and expectation, and am extremely honored to serve as your elder.

I want to tell you that we are the guardians of this land, and also the hands and blades that realize Lord Murphy and Lady Tris’s ambitions and ideals.

After drinking this cup of immortal wine, your lives will no longer belong to you alone!

You will transform into something eternal, thus transcending mere material existence. But I believe you will not disappoint this power.”

“Now, drink the elixir of immortality!”

Murphy and Maxim said simultaneously:

“Become my descendants! Drink fresh blood and live forever.”

The twelve drank the liquid from the golden cups in unison. In the crowd, Dump Truck Iaido rubbed his brow and complained to Half Off With Full Coverage and Bulldozer Man Charging beside him:

“Don’t you think Lord Murphy’s words can be translated as ‘be my son’? So, his nickname is ‘Blood-Beard’, right?”

“Damn!”

Bulldozer Man was recording the video and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this remark. He punched his wildly laughing old buddy hard.

He cursed:

“What a great scene, but after you said that, people can’t hold it together anymore. Can you keep your degenerate weeb tendencies in check! This is really too much!”