With Lilith and his five vampire soldiers in tow, Su Ping walked toward the edge of the white membrane in the northern direction. The shield that encased his starting zone formed a perfect dome, so any direction would lead to the same boundary—but he had to start somewhere.
After walking nearly a kilometer, they finally reached the edge. Beyond the shimmering membrane, the vibrant green of the grassland gave way to a twisted landscape. The earth outside was pitch black, cracked and scorched as though cursed. Lifeless trees stood crooked and gnarled like tortured souls, their bark pale and flaking. The sky above that land seemed darker, as if sunlight refused to pass through.
It looked like a setting straight out of a horror movie.
Su Ping turned back to his soldiers. "Three of you," he said, voice firm. "Step beyond the barrier. Hunt down any monsters you find. Bring me their flesh and soul crystals. Be swift, be ruthless."
The three selected vampires bowed in unison. "Yes, my Lord." Without hesitation, they stepped out of the membrane and vanished into the decaying wilderness.
Su Ping then turned to the remaining two. "You two—head in different directions. Scout the terrain. Report back with anything useful: monster nests, resources, other Lords, anything. But if danger arises—return immediately. Do not take risks."
The two bowed deeply, shadows of discipline etched into their crimson eyes. "Understood, my Lord." They too turned and sprinted away in opposite directions, vanishing into the still-quiet lands.
Now, only Lilith remained beside him.
The eerie silence was broken by her soft, seductive voice. "My Lord," she purred, stepping close, "what would you like me to do now? How shall I serve you?"
Her tone curled around his ears like velvet smoke. Her scarlet eyes shimmered with wicked charm, her form graceful yet dangerously alluring. Each movement radiated temptation as she stepped closer, hips swaying like a dance of sin. Her fingers traced along his arm, featherlight, until they brushed his face.
Su Ping almost choked on his own breath. His nose nearly bled.
Damn... if this was the old me, I'd already be a corpse under this woman's heel.
But no. Things had changed. The stakes were different now.
Seven days. That's all he had before the bloodbath began.
Survive first. Enjoy later, he told himself, tightening his grip on reason.
"Stop it," Su Ping said flatly, waving her off. "I'm not in the mood."
Lilith paused, her expression showing a tinge of disappointment. But beneath that lay something deeper—an amused glint, as if she found his restraint adorable.
Truth was, he hadn't sent her out earlier not because he was tempted by her, but because she was too valuable. A peak-mortal-rank vampire queen wasn't just a beauty ,she was a strategic powerhouse. Both on the battlefield… and—ahem—maybe elsewhere later.
Before Lilith could respond, a loud crash echoed behind them—like a tree cracking under immense pressure.
Both turned instantly, their eyes sharp. Su Ping's instincts screamed at him.
Something… or someone… had arrived.