Ning Beichen's head suddenly ached, and an evil voice echoed in his mind, seemingly saying "sacrifice."
"Humble human, offer your soul to the great Bahaman..."
A faint voice resounded in Ning Beichen's mind, incessantly chanting, possessing a strong hypnotic ability, aiming to control Ning Beichen's thoughts, destroy his will, and even replace him.
"You've been dead for so long, and you still want to revive? You're overthinking it."
Ning Beichen snorted coldly and directly used his full power from the "Crossing the Sea of Bitterness" technique to crush the blood ancestor's will. It was as if he had imprisoned the blood ancestor in a jail, preventing him from affecting Ning Beichen any further.
What a treasure of the blood race, this was clearly the blood ancestor trying to be reborn through a host body.
It was just unfortunate for the blood ancestor to encounter Ning Beichen, not his loyal, adoring, and fanatical descendants. Naturally, Ning Beichen paid no heed to his demands.
If he had encountered other blood race members, perhaps none would have dared to defy the blood ancestor's command and willingly yielded their bodies, even considering it an honor.
With a snap, Ning Beichen closed the box. He didn't want this thing, but he wouldn't hand it over to the blood race or the disciples of the Badge Sect either.
However, it could be used to exchange for James's family, assuming James's family was still in the hands of the Badge Sect and the blood race.
Of course, even if they stepped back, if the Vanquishers couldn't find James's family and rescue them, and in the end, the blood ancestor's heart was needed for the exchange of James, Ning Beichen would still tamper with this heart.
Ning Beichen wouldn't do something as foolish as being a subordinate. Although even the true blood ancestor might not be Ning Beichen's match, Ning Beichen was quite willing to avoid trouble for himself.
As for James, Ning Beichen had no intention of handing over these treasures of the blood ancestor.
The reason was simple: he couldn't protect them. Just a blood key to open the treasury had almost cost him his life. If the blood ancestor's heart was in his possession, he likely wouldn't even have a chance to be eliminated.
After Ning Beichen took the few treasures he found, there was nothing of value left in the ancient blood race treasury. The other items had oxidized, and even those that still retained their original form would turn to dust with the slightest touch.
James wasn't greedy either, knowing these treasures were not something he could covet. For him, the most important thing was the safety of his family.
Just as Ning Beichen finished putting away the treasures he found, he heard footsteps outside and immediately began to sense.
Soon after, he saw disciples of the Badge Sect and members of the blood race entering from outside.
Ning Beichen had already withdrawn his senses and felt a degree of disdain in his heart. They only wanted to reap the rewards now, taking him and James down together. They were clearly overthinking it.
Soon, the disciples of the Badge Sect and the blood race entered through the broken stone gate and were filled with excitement upon seeing the items in the treasury.
However, the moment they touched the treasures in the ancient vampire treasury, the items turned to ash before their eyes, causing them to cry out in despair, "No!"
All the treasures in the treasury had oxidized, and not a single complete item fell into their hands, enraging them.
But when their gazes fell upon the few treasures Ning Beichen possessed, their faces lit up with surprise and joy.
"King of Darkness, you can hand over the treasures. These are the possessions of our ancient blood race; you should return them to us."
A vampire stepped forward and arrogantly addressed Ning Beichen.
"Sure, if you have the ability, come and get them."
Ning Beichen sneered.
Whether this vampire was too confident or emboldened, he completely disregarded Ning Beichen and walked directly in front of him, reaching out to take the Staff of the Undying Serpent.
But before he could touch the Staff of the Undying Serpent, Ning Beichen struck him with a palm.
The vampire reacted instantly, but while his mind could comprehend, his body couldn't. Ning Beichen's palm landed squarely on him.
With a bang!
The vampire was sent flying backward, like a kicked football. His robust vampire body was as fragile as paper in the face of Ning Beichen's strength.
Upon landing, his heart had already stopped beating.
Ning Beichen had never believed in the concept of an "undying body." If true immortality existed, a hundred vampires could conquer the world.
But when had vampires ever possessed such power? They weren't even mentioned in major historical events.
Furthermore, if vampires truly possessed immortality, why would the blood ancestor be reduced to a mere heart? He would have long since crawled out of his coffin and ruled this world.
And Ning Beichen had killed several vampires himself and had never seen any evidence of an undying body.
Perhaps, through their ability to drink blood and hibernate, they could live longer than ordinary humans, maybe a century, perhaps several centuries, but Ning Beichen absolutely refused to believe they were immortal.
"King of Darkness!"
Another vampire, seeing this, became enraged and transformed into a bolt of lightning, charging towards Ning Beichen.
But his fate was no different from the previous vampire; his heart was also shattered by Ning Beichen's fist.
If there was any difference, it was that Ning Beichen used a palm strike on the first, and a fist on the second.
Moreover, Ning Beichen could feel that the second vampire attacking him was much stronger. However, for Ning Beichen, the pinnacle of martial prowess in the human realm, this made no difference.
The consecutive deaths of two vampires at Ning Beichen's hands served as a stark warning to the disciples of the Badge Sect and the other blood race members, proving that Ning Beichen was not to be trifled with.
However, Ning Beichen was still just one person. No matter how powerful one was, it could still give others the illusion that they could be dealt with.
With several whooshing sounds, four elder vampires surrounded Ning Beichen, their eyes gazing at him indifferently, as if looking at prey.
"The Four Great Elders of the Blood Race have made their move. This time, the King of Darkness is surely doomed."
Some disciples of the Badge Sect whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with excitement.
No one believed that Ning Beichen could turn the tide and defeat the Four Great Elders of the Blood Race.
"King of Darkness, hand over the Staff of the Undying Serpent and the Blood Ancestor's heart."
The four elder-level vampires, after surrounding Ning Beichen, threatened him fiercely.
"Heh, what are you thinking? Why should I give these things to you?"
Ning Beichen scoffed dismissively.