Seeing that James Clark was so easygoing, Henry Parker also started to laugh, and the distance between the two instantly became much closer. “Big Brother Clark, your skills are really impressive! You took care of that Church’s Light Priest in an instant—surely no one can be your match, right?” Henry Parker probed. But in his heart, he was scheming: “Ah, ha! He’s pretty young. If I can get some cultivation manuals or methods from him, I’ll definitely evolve quickly. Edward, that brat, actually dared to steal my Jenny. I’ll drain your blood dry and turn you into my blood slave. And Clark, that old ghost—he’s just a count! If it weren’t for your backing, how could Jenny have been snatched away by Edward, that mere viscount? Twenty years! This kid is only in his twenties and already stronger than a marquis. Then what about me?!” A trace of ferocious malice flashed in Henry Parker’s eyes.

“There are plenty of people stronger than me. I’ve only just started, that’s all. Your chest is still bleeding—looks like you’re pretty badly hurt. How come you’re acting like nothing’s wrong?” James Clark was also quite curious. Henry Parker wasn’t surprised by this question; after all, James Clark’s strength surpassed even a marquis, but among the blood clan there were still dukes, grand dukes, and even princes! Not to mention the Chinese mainland.

“Our blood clan has extremely strong regenerative abilities. Even if an ordinary descendant bleeds dry, as long as they get fresh blood in time, they won’t die. And for us, the higher-ranked blood clan, we’ve developed a heart core—so long as we absorb moonlight, we recover very quickly.” Henry Parker answered truthfully. “Besides, I seem to recover several times faster than the average blood clan, and my evolution is also quicker.” After a pause, Henry Parker finally voiced the question that had troubled him for so long. In doing so, he also revealed a small secret to gain James Clark’s trust.

“Oh, it’s a full moon right now.” James Clark walked to the window and pulled open the curtains. Pale blue, watery moonlight streamed in. What a full moon at its zenith, James Clark thought to himself.

Henry Parker nodded, let out a low growl, and suddenly his wings and fangs appeared. James Clark, sharp-eyed, saw that in the blue moonlight, tiny silvery-white specks quickly darted into Henry Parker’s mouth, flashed once at his heart, and then disappeared. The wounds on his body began to heal slowly, at a pace just barely visible to the naked eye.

“So, the blood clan cultivates using the pure yin energy of the lunar star! But according to Daoist theory, that’s an imbalance of yin and yang, isn’t it? With so much pure yin energy accumulating in the body and no yang to balance it, the more it builds up, the more likely something will go wrong. Oh! No wonder they need to drink blood—blood is the most pure and powerful yang substance! Huh! But why don’t they absorb the innate true yang energy of the sun? Wouldn’t that balance yin and yang even better?” James Clark couldn’t figure it out. He glanced at Henry Parker, who was eagerly absorbing, and shook his head. “This blood clan is really strange—he’s lost so much blood, yet he acts like nothing happened.”

He formed several hand seals. “Taiji Heaven and Earth, Dao Heart True Fire.” Six jade tokens flew out, ready to incinerate the blood that Henry Parker had dripped on the floor. This was a technique James Clark had recently developed: using the Taiji formation, combined with his own true essence to ignite innate fire energy, producing Dao Heart True Fire. Although it was far inferior to the “Three-Flavored True Fire,” it was more than enough for refining ordinary items or smelting steel.

The red-hot light, hot enough to melt gold and iron, shone on the pool of blood, but had no effect. Flecks of golden light flashed within the blood, instantly counteracting the red light. James Clark was shocked—his eyes nearly popped out. How could this be? Even though he was only using one layer of true essence to activate this “Taiji Li Fire Formation,” even an iron plate would melt quickly, let alone a small pool of blood.

“By the order of law! Collect!” He withdrew the “Taiji Li Fire Formation.” James Clark quickly rushed to the blood, dipped a finger in, and examined it closely. A faint wisp of spiritual sense, guided by his true essence, analyzed it. In his mind, the records from the “Compendium of Artifact Refining” flashed by: Jiuli Sacred Blood, Chiyou Heavenly Vein.

In an instant, countless thoughts surged in his mind. Glancing at Henry Parker, who was fully absorbing the pure yin energy, James Clark took out a jade bottle and carefully collected the blood.

“I’d better give you some benefits, or why would you follow me so loyally?”

“Heaven and earth’s mysterious womb, power of Taihua, by the order of law!!!” Once again, the six jade tokens flew out, floating above Henry Parker’s head. This time, however, they didn’t emit Dao Heart True Fire. As James Clark rapidly changed hand seals, the Taiji diagram formed by the jade tokens spun faster and faster, generating a powerful suction! Countless beams of moonlight were forcibly drawn into the Taiji diagram, and then a silver pillar of light, as thick as a teacup, shot out from the diagram and poured into Henry Parker’s mouth. Henry Parker was startled at first, then a look of wild joy appeared on his face, and even his breathing grew rapid.

Chapter 003: The Art of Talisman Crafting

“Awooo!!!” Henry Parker let out a wild roar, and a powerful aura burst from his body. His originally pitch-black wings now revealed streaks of silver, and the swirling air currents sent papers and books flying around the room—even the heavier stools and desks began to shift.