Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1746: Xarion Lucarion

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"More pressing matters await. Our alliance with the Upper Floors could elevate us greatly. If I play my cards right, we might even conquer a world of our own one day." The Heavenly Emperor declared, his voice thick with prideful Aura.

"Conquering another world…"

"Incredible!"

"The Heavenly Emperor's ambitions know no bounds!"

"Expansion is vital, but perhaps not the wisest focus right now, Your Majesty," the younger immortal insisted. "This threat must be eliminated swiftly. I cannot stress enough—"

TRUUUM!

An overwhelming pressure slammed down, forcing the youngster to his knees in agony.

"Don't you dare speak his name here," the Heavenly Emperor snarled, fury twisting his features. "That man—the only one who ever defied my rule… My blood boils at the thought that his son still lives. Why haven't you killed him yet?"

"We've tried, but Maria protects him…"

"Tried?" the Heavenly Emperor scoffed. "You've sent weaklings. It seems I must handle this myself. Come, my Seven Heavenly Saints."

FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

Seven radiant figures materialized, their auras blazing with multicolored light—power far surpassing even Immortals.

The gathered elders trembled, unable to withstand the sheer force without being suppressed.

"You called us, great Emperor of the High Heavens?"

"Red Heaven, Yellow Heaven, Purple Heaven—eliminate Wu Lieng and Maria."

"Understood."

"Shall we bring a grand army of Immortals?"

"How many may we command?"

"As many as you desire," the Heavenly Emperor said. "Go. I want this annoyance to end forever. I have greater plans. Conquering worlds is the only way to secure our place in the Tower. Overthrowing one of the Upper Floors is already within my vision."

"Brilliantly spoken, my lord."

"We depart at once."

"Fufufu, I can't wait to see their faces twist in agony! Hahaha!"

Three of the seven vanished in an instant. The remaining four hovered protectively around the Emperor like divine sentinels.

"Ah, you've arrived. Please, enter," the Heavenly Emperor said with a welcoming smile as footsteps echoed.

The doors swung open, revealing no one.

Until…

FLASH!

Crimson ghostly energy erupted from the ceiling. A tall, slender man materialized upside down.

He wore black pants, red shoes, a crisp white shirt, and a black suit. Gray hair framed his tired red eyes and neatly trimmed mustache. A golden monocle glinted on one eye.

The man smiled without kneeling or bowing.

He didn't need to.

RUMBLE!

His tremendous Aura, his vast connections, and his raw power granted him the right to stand as an equal before the Heavenly Emperor.

"Family Head of House Lucarion, High Seer Xarion Lucarion—the Lantern of Woe. Welcome once more to my Heavenly Palace," the Emperor said, gazing upward at the upside-down Vampire.

"Hm. I returned to ask a favor," Xarion replied. His eccentric speech, grim expression, and unfocused eyes hid a malice difficult to decipher.

"Yes? Anything for one of the Ten Leaders of the Crimson Order," the Heavenly Emperor smiled. "Oh, has the Crimson Emperor received my gift yet?"

"No, not yet," Xarion said. "He appreciates the ten thousand living mortals. He does favor the fresh, Ki-rich blood of Murim's humans. It restores our vitality beautifully."

"…I'm glad he enjoys it," the Heavenly Emperor nodded, visibly relieved.

"However, he expects more next time," Xarion's eyes pierced the Emperor's soul. "He suffers from an insatiable hunger, after all. The reason we began conquering worlds wasn't merely for territory or resources… We needed sustenance to feed him. Hah."

"Hah…" The Heavenly Emperor forced a laugh. "Of course… How many?"

"Hm… a hundred thousand?" Xarion mused.

"A hundred thousand?!" An elder below cried in shock. "Heavenly Emperor, this is outrageous! It took us ages to gather ten thous—"

SPLAT!

The elder exploded into gore before he could finish—not by the Emperor's hand, nor Xarion's, but by White Heaven, who had calmly raised her palm.

"Forgive his insolence, Great Lord of House Lucarion," the woman said smoothly. "Please accept this high-quality immortal blood as a token."

"Hm, thank you," Xarion replied. He opened his mouth and drained the corpse until only a desiccated mummy remained. "Aged… but rich, like fine wine. I was thirsty. My mood has improved. So, I came to inquire about someone who has caught my interest."

"Maria?" the Heavenly Emperor sighed, looking bored.

"Yes," Xarion smiled. "I initially cared little for the girl's fate… but her great-grandmother, to whom I owe a debt, grew rather upset. I'd like to handle her myself."

"No need to trouble yourself. I've dispatched three of my Heavenly Saints," the Emperor assured him. "Each leads an army of a hundred Immortals. It should suffice to erase her and her pathetic sect forever."

"Hm, is that so?" Xarion scratched his head. "Well… what if she wins?"

"…What?" The Heavenly Emperor raised an eyebrow.

"I asked, what if she wins?" Xarion repeated. "What is your contingency?"

"There will be no need. She will die," the Emperor stated firmly.

"Is that so?" Xarion mused, stroking his mustache. "Very well… I trust you, Heavenly Emperor. I'll believe your words. But if, for any reason, she survives…"

His eyes flared crimson. His Aura exploded, suffocating everyone below. Millions—no, billions—of tormented souls screamed in an infernal chorus.

"I might have to handle her personally…" he said with a chilling smile.

"No such need will arise. Withdraw your Aura, please," the Heavenly Emperor commanded, raising his palm.

"Hm, hah, my apologies," Xarion chuckled, adjusting his monocle. "Ahem. So, how progresses the formation? Is he still producing that exquisite blood the Crimson Emperor craves?"

"He does. The monstrous wretch refuses to die," the Emperor smiled. "But we've paralyzed him completely. He can only bleed eternally. The next gallons will arrive soon."

"Good, good," Xarion nodded. "I heard he has a son…" The Vampire licked his lips.

"He will die. Don't concern yourself," the Emperor said.

"Couldn't the son serve as another endless source of that richest, highest-quality blood?" Xarion pressed.

"He never reached his father's realm. He's a failure, a fraud," the Emperor replied. "Don't bother."

"Hm…" Xarion's gaze wandered as he scratched his neck. "But if I were to claim him for myself…"

"Please don't," the Heavenly Emperor said firmly. "He must die."

The Emperor's tone left no room for argument.

Xarion looked briefly disappointed, but for the sake of their alliance, he nodded.

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