Way of the Knights

---

Was all of that intentional? Yes. 

Did he feel bad about it? Kind of?

Does he regret it? Nope.

Vendrick didn't allow himself to get so caught up in things that won't necessarily affect him that much. Though he did feel quite annoyed at Lucia, he did also pity her. Currently, it is unknown to him whether this world is real or not so with that in mind, he decided that it would be better to let her understand the reality of her situation. 

Sure, he could've spared her and just let her fall into slumber but that would be unfair no? Not everybody thinks that being Undying is a blessing, sometimes it is a curse. Lucia had lived far too long and was the only one left. She already suffered enough so he should at least tell her the truth and let her decide her faith. 

Vendrick didn't leave the cave right away. Upon exiting the secret realm. He was surprised to see that the hidden entrance was nowhere to be seen. He shrugged at this, he already satisfied his curiosity and even got some rewards. Since the cave is safe, he figured that he should take this time to organize everything that he got. 

Vendrick prioritized knowledge so he went through several books. He read their titles and summoned some in order to read their contents. Using his True Essence, he imprinted the information written on the books and consumed them to expedite the process of learning. 

Immersed on his work, Vendrick didn't notice how much time passed since he started. If it weren't for his stomach grumbling for food, he wouldn't have woken up from his immersion. He took a brief look outside and saw that the sun was rising. Unknowing, he spent the whole afternoon and stayed-up all night going through books that he got from Lucia. 

He shook his head, smiling wryly he summoned some food from his storage bag as well as some water. He also rested for quite sometime. Thankfully, he didn't need too much sleep. His body had become strong enough that it could go on for weeks straight without needing to sleep.

As he rested, Vendrick arranged all the information he absorbed so far and integrated with them. Shortly afterwards, streams of knowledge rushed on his brain. Now that he integrated with these knowledge, there's no way he can forget it. 

The books he had read were precisely the things he needed. He saw the whole map of this world, he read about the history of humanity, he learned about their culture, their unique crafts and styles. He even saw some intact knowledge about cultivation and some history of it. There's also rows of Battle Arts and Cultivation Manuals in there. 

Vendrick also got information about the other stuff that Lucia gave to him. The gold and treasures were of no importance to him. The chunks of ruby crystals however were the ones that really surprised him. 

They turned out to be Crystalized Bloodstones...

Vendrick had seen bloodstones before so he's familiar with them, those things are considered as one of the most nutritional supplements for Body Tempering Knights. Bloodstone contains immense vital essence that can replenish someone's longevity, for those who are tempering their bodies, it's effects are amplified twice. The only downside to ordinary Bloodstones is that, they are condensed from different sources, making it hard for people to refine them. 

This however, is not the case for Crystalized Bloodstones. The crystallization of a bloodstone is a clear evidence of it's purity. This means that using these to cultivation will pose no risks at all. Anybody could use them without the worry of their minds being corroded. 

And as luck would have it, this world has Berserkers - people who cultivate their bodies by igniting their blood and eating demonic beast flesh. To Berserkers, Crystalized Bloodstones were something worth risking their lives for. 

Of course, it's value didn't diminish for Vendrick at all. In fact, the Crystalized Bloodstones were just as important to him. While it wouldn't increase volume of his True Dragon's Bloodline, the energy continued on them could increase it's purity even further. 

After resting for a couple of hours, Vendrick got up and didn't waste time. Summoning a chunk of bloodstone from his hands, he started absorbing the pure blood vitality from it. 

Vendrick remained careful about this process. He's within the demonic beasts territory and their senses were keen. He had to make sure that not even a trace of blood energy will leak out from to bloodstone nor his body so that it won't alert them. 

With his outstanding control over his energies, this was of course a simple matter for him. Still, he didn't get complacent nor careless about this process. 

As the pure blood vitality rushed on his body, Vendrick felt immense comfort. It was comparable to soaking at a warm bath after a long day of hard work. He could feel his blood thrumming with power, the scales on his body appeared without his consent and were experiencing great changes as well. 

More and more scales started appearing from his body, the old scales were peeling off as new ones emerged from them. The new scales looked more solid and vibrant compared to the old ones. Of course, the change wasn't limited to the scales alone, his muscle mass might not be showing signs of abrupt changes but their are concealing incredible power. His bones were changing as well, gleaming with a jade colored light. His blood looked more viscous and denser compared to before. 

Just from a single chunk of bloodstone, Vendrick could feel enormous changes to his body. He also inadvertently broke through the late stages of Marrow Cleansing. His bloodline potency didn't increase but it's purity was definitely higher compared to before. 

Sensing the changes on his body, Vendrick woke up and felt giddy...

"With the amount of Crystalized Bloodstones I have, it might be possible for me to refine my bloodline even further. From a True Dragon, I could reach the levels of a True Archdragon. Mn! If I could really achieve that, then this task will become easier."

Thinking about this, Vendrick became more ambitious. He thought for a bit and devised a plan that could help him achieve this. 

"...doing it that way might be cruel but I have to do what I have to do. I'll just make it up to them later." 

With a sound plan on his mind, he went through some calculations to make sure and nodded to himself. He was determined to achieve his goal so he would follow the plan he created. First though, he has to return to the tribe since this plan of him will take some time. 

---

At the walls of the tribe, several people could be seen patrolling. 

Most of them weren't really paying attention to the situation outside. Although they might not look like it, these people were veterans. They knew when something is wrong and they won't hesitate to give-up their lives to protect the people. 

The reason why they are so relaxed is because they understood the trend. During this time of the year, the chances of demonic beasts appearing within the tribes premises were abysmally low. In fact, they could leave the patrolling to one man and nothing bad will happen. This is why most of them were taking it easy. 

And since they were taking it easy, they are also making Vendrick's job easier...

*Swoosh!!*

The patrolling guards were so carefree, talking amongst themselves, laughing merrily about something that they totally ignored the unusual breeze of the wind. All of a sudden, the expression of the guards froze. 

They all wore blank expressions and their eyes turned dull. They stared at a blank space, looking dazed and bewitched.

That's when Vendrick suddenly appeared within them with his eyes glowing with rainbow colored light. He trapped them in an illusion where their merry discussions never stopped, in fact the illusions were connected and none of them could resist it. 

Working swiftly, Vendrick's hand transformed into a claw covered in platinum scales. He then pricked a wound at the center of their collarbones, siphoned the trapped True Dragon's Blood Essence from their bodies. 

Not everyone has it, Vendrick could sense who has them which made his job easier and quicker. 

After stealing their blood, he healed their wounds and made sure that not even a scar remained. After gobbling up the blood. He left them and broke the illusion. The guards shook, they felt confused at first but they didn't notice anything wrong so they continued their merry chatting.

Seeing this, Vendrick was relieved. Thankfully, the illusion he casted didn't dispel even when they were attacked, if that happens, then he would be in some serious trouble. 

Vendrick moved along the shadow and did the same thing to the rest. He scattered his senses to locate who has the blood essence. After the patrolling guards, he swept his eyes to the nobles...

Tonight, Vendrick was planning to make a clean sweep of the tribe. Hopefully, he could finish his work before the sun rises or else the risks of him being discovered will increase.