It was a meticulously detailed and complex family registry. There were some flickering points on the family tree, including the Taurean family that Qianye had spotted a while ago. The Eimer family that the Carnes had been forming marital connections with wasn’t among them.
Surprised, Qianye soon fell into deep contemplation. He hadn’t expected the Book of Darkness to be able to derive family trees in addition to energy and laws.
Qianye finally understood why the Demon King was intent on getting his hands on the book. As a supreme standing at the peak of the world, he was only interested in things that transcended power. What he wanted to use the book for was something to ponder on.
Qianye decided to think about that later and focus on how he could use this newfound function.
From this family registry, the key to this demonkin bloodline’s strength was very clear. This outcome would’ve been of tremendous value to Marquis Carne, except the old man and his descendants had lost their lives in the raging flames.
The Carnes were a big clan and the late Old Carne was only from one of its branches. This registry would still be useful to the others.
In Qianye’s hands, however, it would produce a completely opposite effect!
His gaze fell upon the glowing emblem of the Taurean family. If he were to cut off this branch as well as the others with glowing emblems, the ancient Carne bloodline would lose the ability to take a step forward.
The Carne bloodline was a duke’s bloodline. All other families with dukes and princes were famed clans overseen by a great dark monarch. They also possessed their own pedigree that could be derived from the Book of Darkness.
This meant that, with the guidance of the book, Qianye could cut off the future prospects of these bloodlines one by one. This would shake their very foundations, just like what the Demon King had done to the ancient vampire clans.
Qianye wasn’t discouraged. In fact, it wasn’t important whether he could guess the Demon King’s thoughts at this stage. In this world, only the strong possessed the right to speak—it was the same whether or not the words were just, be it in war or in negotiation. He would need to obtain greater power in order to face the Demon King.
Qianye opened his map and found where the Taurean family was located. He planned to head over and see what value he could find there.
The Taurean lands weren’t too far off. Hence, it was only dawn when their ancient castle collapsed in a sea of flames and the family registry was added to the Book of Darkness.
The current head of the Taurean family was just a count, and they had only produced two marquis during their most prosperous era. They didn’t even have a single mighty marquis under their roster, so it was no wonder the Carnes didn’t think highly of them. What the old marquis didn’t know was that the key to upgrading this bloodline lay in this count bloodline.
The Taurean family register gave Qianye a pleasant surprise.
The Meistan bloodline was merged into this family nine hundred years ago. In the Book of Darkness’ deductions, this Meistan bloodline was fairly powerful and possessed great potential. Its merger allowed the Taurean family to slowly undergo a change, to the point where they might produce a duke in the future—perhaps even more. However, all of their hopes were gone now.
Recalling the vast amounts of information from the day before, Qianye recalled that the current Meistan lord was the lord of the Lutheran Island, Duke Sidney Meistan.
Qianye began looking for the closest Meistan clan territory. Breaking off a grand duke bloodline was more interesting than destroying a marquis’.
Battles broke out in several areas across Serafis Continent as one ancient family after the other collapsed. Although they were just marquis-rank families, the demonkin felt that the flames of war were raging even fiercer than seven hundred years ago. These people had enjoyed peace for so long that it almost felt like time had stopped.
The fleet soon arrived at an ancient castle. This was the Wenton family, one with a long history. Although they only had a marquis as the strongest expert at this point, Grand Duke Wenton was the leader when they had split off from the Masefield Clan one thousand two hundred years ago. The duke fell in one of the holy wars that followed, the highest-ranked expert to have fallen back then.
Each family was independent, but their connection to the Masefield clan made the Wentons one of the most desirable marriage partners. The Meistons were one of them.
The warship hovered above the ancient castle as Duke Meiston looked down at the burning rubble with a serious expression.
The duke was fairly tall. His silver hair was perfectly combed and his nasal bridge was as prominent as a mountain.
“Is it Qianye again?” He asked.
“No confirmation. We’ve asked all the survivors, but there are no experts among them and no one can say clearly what just happened. The battle took place too quickly and the level was far beyond their scope.”
“How about the casualties?”
“Marquis Wenton and his direct descendants have all fallen in battle, along with almost all experts above the viscount rank. Only a single viscount managed to escape.”
The Duke was furious. “What’s the point of leaving these trash alive if their direct bloodline is gone?! Kill them all!”
The duke calmed his anger for a bit and said, “Take me to the scene.”
A group of experts jumped down from the airship and landed in the burning stronghold. All flames within ten meters of the duke were immediately extinguished, producing a path for them into the castle.
Marquis Wenton had died in his study, which the lingering demonic energy had more or less preserved from utter destruction.
Duke Meiston arrived before the corpse in silence. The old marquis’ expression was one of great shock, and his hand was still reaching forward to stop something.
A nearby demonkin marquis said, “He was killed in a flash. Lord Wenton never had the chance to retaliate, or even gather his demonic energy.”
Another expert said, “The marquis hasn’t fought for over a hundred years.”
All the demonkin looked solemn.
The world outside had always been drenched in the flames of war, but none of that had anything to do with Serafis. This Continent had been peaceful for far too long, so much so that people had started to forget what war was.
Many demonkin at the end of their years would choose to rule over a small territory or encampment here. The land was rich in resources, and the abundant darkness origin power was highly enjoyable, a perfect environment through and through.
Duke Wenton’s experience was a classic example. He had already lived in that castle for over three hundred years. He was an admirer of art and sculptures, as well as a master in management. The only thing he wasn’t good at was fighting.
Duke Meistan’s eyes landed on the marquis’ c.h.e.s.t, where he saw some barely discernible blood spots. The nearby flesh was dried and withered.
Fury flickered in his eyes. “Life Plunder!”
“But I can’t sense any signs of blood energy,” a marquis said in puzzlement.
Duke Meistant also frowned, puzzled as to what was going on.
“Lord Duke, it has been several days now. Has the council not responded? If it really is Qianye…” the marquis didn’t continue, but the message was clear enough.
A hint of helplessness appeared in Meistan’s expression. “The council has no spare manpower. The fight against the vampires is still ongoing, and even the half-retired Hasai has been mobilized for an emergency. It will take a week for new reinforcements to arrive.”
“That’s great news.” Qianye’s voice echoed.
The duke turned around all of a sudden, but some grey energy landed on his body, slowing him down.
However, countless grey feathers appeared in the area, and the duke’s domain was quietly dissolved before it could even take shape.
Only then did he meet Qianye’s eyes. “Qianye?”
“You’ve long since known the answer, is there a need to ask?” The reply was calm.
“How bold of you to come to Serafis.”
“Weren’t you guys the same when you started killing on Twilight Continent?”
Meistan laughed loudly. “Ha! Tell that to the Demon King!”
Qianye said calmly, “I heard Grand Duke Meistan is at the end of his years, and most family affairs are handled by his third son. That should be you, I’m assuming.”
“So what if I am?”
“The old duke can no longer reproduce at this age and the Meistans have not produced any outstanding talents in the recent generations; even counts are quite rare. Half your bloodline will be gone after I kill you.”
Duke Meistan was shocked and furious. “The first emergency forces from the council will arrive soon, so you’d better hurry up if you want to kill me.”
Qianye laughed. “You think I can’t kill you quickly?”
Frowning, the duke produced a shield from each hand and crossed them in front of his c.h.e.s.t. “I’ve heard of your accomplishments, and I also know you have the Tempest, but a grand magnum might not be enough to take my life.”
Qianye said indifferently, “I know that the Meistan clan’s defensive skills are well-known among the demonkin, even known as the Aegis Wellspring. I do have a grand magnum with me, but it’s not the Tempest…”
With that, a magnificent handgun appeared in Qianye’s grasp, followed by a rumble!
Countless mirrored surfaces appeared in the air, each facet reflecting Duke Meistan’s image! His face was full of terror as his entire body was sealed into the mirror plane.
The multitude of mirrors shattered without a sound, turning into a radiant stream of glass fragments. All of a sudden, the entire world felt like a dreamy illusion.
