Chapter 498 - 497: "Isn’t the Lady Lord About to Get Bonded?

Males with powerful spiritual power can undergo multiple Beast Bone Evolutions, but not every attempt is successful.

Failure is one thing, but the real fear is an erroneous Evolution.

This outcome was even worse than that of the Mutated Beastmen of Sun Ridge. His very will could be gradually stripped away, forcing him down a path contrary to all he believed in.

Dracula knew his condition.

He had deliberately sought out this secluded location as he approached his Evolution Period.

If he succeeded, he would become the most powerful male in the history of the Cangshan Empire, possessing unparalleled spiritual power and talent.

If he failed, the worst that could happen was death.

He was prepared for death.

’As for an erroneous Evolution?’

He would choose to end his own life before things spun out of control.

What Dracula hadn’t expected was the arrival of this little female from the Rabbit Clan.

He sensed the aura of the octopus...

Back in the Underground City, the little female had always been followed by an octopus from the Deep Sea Empire. It had been contaminated at Sun Ridge, and now the octopus carried a strange scent.

Dracula had no energy to spare on anything else. The little female’s wrist, which he was clutching tightly, felt delicate and boneless. His consciousness was starting to fade. Fighting through the agony, he wanted to force her away.

"...I don’t need it."

"I know what I’m doing."

He was desperately trying to draw a line between them.

Accidents could happen at any moment during a Beast Bone Evolution.

This little female was completely defenseless.

She had no idea how much danger she was in.

Dracula tilted his chin up slightly, his voice stiff. "Isn’t the Lady Lord about to be bonded?"

The implication was clear: why did she have time to meddle in his affairs?

Yu Zhizhi froze, her eyes fixed on the pale man before her. She said nothing.

Dracula closed his eyes.

"Go."

Of course, Yu Zhizhi wasn’t about to leave. She ignored his attempts to drive her away and continued to envelop his body with her Healing Light.

Dracula’s brow furrowed, but he could no longer speak. His consciousness felt searing hot, and his entire body felt like it was being consumed by a raging fire, his very bones about to be ground to ash inch by inch.

And yet, the little female’s Healing Light carried a refreshing coolness, stubbornly protecting his Beast Bone.

Yu Zhizhi’s spiritual power was limited.

Soon, her body began to tremble lightly.

’It feels like I can’t hold on much longer...’

The good news, however, was that Dracula’s Beast Bone hadn’t been corrupted. ’He should be able to succeed.’

Yu Zhizhi looked up one last time at the black-clad man sitting against the wall. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she finally collapsed.

When Dracula woke up, he saw the little female leaning in his arms.

He had pulled her into a one-armed embrace during his Evolution.

It seemed to have been a subconscious act.

It was instinct.

The little female had passed out, and the ship’s cabin was utterly silent.

The howling winds outside had, for once, fallen silent.

This was very rare in the Vortex Zone.

Dracula had successfully passed through the most dangerous phase of his Evolution. Now, he needed to find a safe, secluded place to let his new Beast Bone heal.

The little female in his arms was sleeping peacefully.

He recalled how, as he was being consumed by flames, the little female’s cool and refreshing Healing Light had seeped into his very soul like a gentle stream.

She had nearly exhausted all of her spiritual power.

Dracula gazed at her sleeping face. ’This little rabbit, with her spiritual power practically at zero, just let herself fall into such a deep sleep right in front of me.’

For a Beastman, this was a gesture of absolute, unspoken trust.

From the moment she had stepped into the Vortex Zone, everything this little female did had been steeped in her trust for him.

And Dracula understood that the reason she did all this was for—

The man he used to be.

He shifted his gaze to the side. In the darkness, his sharp features looked even colder and more detached than before. Dracula moved slightly, and the little female in his arms abruptly clutched at his clothes. She mumbled something under her breath, burrowing deeper into his embrace.

Dracula had no choice but to remain still. He held her with one arm while his other hand gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.

As his fingers brushed against her skin, he was struck by the soft, familiar sensation.

His gaze returned to the little female’s face.

Without realizing it, Dracula stared at her for a long time.

He had to admit, this little female was the most beautiful rabbit he had ever seen. Members of the Eagle Clan didn’t typically pay any mind to rabbits, yet she always managed to capture his attention with ease.

Like now, for instance.

He should take this opportunity, while she was asleep, to toss her out of the cabin.

The octopus was still guarding outside.

It would take her away.

But Dracula didn’t do it.

He felt as if two forces were warring within him.

One told him to stay far away from this little rabbit.

The other told him to get closer.

...

Yu Zhizhi slowly awoke, feeling incredibly weak. To make herself more comfortable, she voluntarily shifted back into her Beast Form.

After turning into a rabbit, she raised her head and looked at the man in front of her.

’I’ve been in his arms this whole time.’

Dracula felt the little female stir in his arms. He didn’t open his eyes, his aura still one that kept everyone at a distance.

Yu Zhizhi used her rabbit paw to gently poke his arm.

"You’re all better now~"

She was happy to see that Dracula had successfully evolved to a higher rank. He was just a little weak now; his body needed time to adapt.

"Congratulations!" Yu Zhizhi said sincerely.

Dracula slowly opened his eyes. He saw a plump, snow-white rabbit nestled in his arms, looking up at him with an innocent and endearing gaze.

"...Mm." He immediately tried to send her away. "You can go now."

Yu Zhizhi tilted her head. "I have been out for a long time, so I really should be getting back. But Dracula, I’ll come see you again tomorrow~ I’ll bring you lots of things. Is there anything in particular you want?"

Dracula’s mobility was limited right now; he had to recuperate in this dangerous place.

Now that Yu Zhizhi knew, there was no way she would abandon him.

’Maybe this will be enough to raise his affection for me~’ The thought gave her a renewed sense of motivation.

Dracula emphasized again, "I don’t need your help."

’Stay away from me.’

’Don’t come near.’

He didn’t like these strange emotions that surfaced from time to time. Only when he was with her did he feel like something uncontrollable was about to break free.

Yu Zhizhi chose to ignore him.

’Besides, Dracula has been like this ever since he lost his memory.’

’Cold as ice.’

’If I actually listened to him and stayed away every time, when would I ever complete my mission?’

’Wait for him to get his memory back?’

’Who knows how long that would take...’

Yu Zhizhi hopped out of his arms and onto the floorboards. By now, she was used to her Beast Form. She tilted her head up and said earnestly, "Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you’re here."