Scheduled Publication: 10:50, December 25, 2025 | Public Chapter
**Time**: The third week after Li Haoran's transmigration; the 7th day of the Black Forest Lunar Month in the Medieval European Calendar (a full-moon night)
**Location**: An abandoned manor on the edge of the Black Forest, a mysterious cave deep within the forest
**Characters**: Li Haoran, Catherine, the Mysterious Tracker, Irina (appearing in secret)
The abandoned manor on the edge of the Black Forest bathed in the cold, clear moonlight. Gothic arched windows sliced the silver glow into fragmented diamonds, casting cobweb-like shadows over the dust-shrouded parchment scrolls in the library. Li Haoran's fingertips brushed the ancient tome Catherine handed him. The blood pact runes on the yellowed pages suddenly glimmered, like slumbering serpents roused from their sleep, writhing and coiling under the moon. Those archaic characters seemed to stir to life, trembling softly on the paper and emitting a faint rustling sound. Catherine's purple eyes reflected the runes' scarlet light, her voice deep and solemn as she chanted an age-old verse: "By blood as the guide, by heart as the witness, thy soul shall be my haven."
The moment their palms touched, Li Haoran was seized by a violent dizziness. A flood of images surged through his mind: medieval castles, cryptic runes, and the cold, sneering face of a vampire elder clad in an ornate gown. Catherine's voice drifted to him as if from a distant time and space: "Relax. Feel my heartbeat—it is the bond between us." Li Haoran took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He could sense her heartbeat, slow yet steady and powerful, like an ancient pendulum swinging unceasingly through the river of time. The rhythm grew clearer by the second, merging with his own pulse to form a strange, harmonious cadence.
Suddenly, a sharp crash of shattering glass shattered the silence. Catherine spun around instantly. A man in black had broken through the window, a silver dagger glinting coldly in his hand. The tip of the blade dripped with pale blue liquid—the blood of a vampire. The dagger shimmered eerily under the moonlight, as if wreathed in the breath of death.
"Blood hunters of the Council of Elders. Always clinging like shadows." A faint sneer tugged at Catherine's lips. She gently pushed Li Haoran behind her, her purple skirt swirling like a blooming night rose under the moon. Her posture was elegant and unhurried, as if she faced not a mortal peril, but an ordinary ball.
The blood hunter bared a feral grin, his sharp, canine-like teeth glinting. Greed flickered in his eyes. "Lady Catherine, long time no see. The Council's order is to bring you and your little human pet back for judgment." His tone dripped with disdain and arrogance, as if victory was already in his grasp.
Li Haoran noticed the blood hunter's gaze lingering on him for a moment, flickering with surprise and greed. He clenched his fists instinctively. The rune on his palm suddenly burned hot, as if a flame had ignited deep within his veins. The heat spread rapidly from his palm to his arm, then throughout his body, filling him with a surge of power unlike anything he had ever felt before.
Catherine's voice turned as cold as ice. "Go back? Do you really think I will obey?" Before the words faded, her figure vanished from sight. By the time the blood hunter reacted, Catherine was already standing behind him, her pale fingers pressing lightly against the nape of his neck. Her movements were as swift as lightning, almost too fast for the eye to follow.
"Do you know something?" Catherine's voice cut through the air like winter's bitter wind. "Silver is indeed a nuisance to me. But for a lowly wretch like you, I do not even need it." Her fingers tightened slightly. The blood hunter's body stiffened instantly, his eyes widening with terror and disbelief.
He tried to twist around in panic, but it was too late. Catherine's fingertips pierced the nape of his neck. A wisp of pale blue smoke curled from his body. He let out a short, shrill scream, his form rapidly shrinking until it dissolved into a pile of silver dust, scattering across the cold stone floor. The dust glimmered faintly under the moonlight, as if it were the last vestige of the blood hunter's existence.
Li Haoran stared in stunned silence, his heart a tangled mess of shock and fear. He realized he had been drawn into a world far more dangerous and mysterious than he could have ever imagined. He glanced down at his palm—the rune still glowed faintly, as if whispering that what had just happened was no dream.
Catherine turned to him, a graceful yet dangerous smile playing on her lips. "It seems our days of peace are over. The Council has learned of your existence. They will not let us go easily." Her voice held a hint of worry, but more than that, there was unshakable resolve.
Li Haoran took a deep breath, striving to keep his voice steady. "What do we do now?" His gaze fell on Catherine's face, her pale, beautiful features etched with solemnity and determination.
Catherine walked to the window, gazing at the shadowy depths of the Black Forest in the distance. "We need greater power. Deep within this forest lies an ancient cave, where a mighty force is sealed—the true power of the blood pact. Only by claiming this power can we stand a chance against the Council." Her voice was deep and resolute, as if she were reciting an age-old legend.
Just then, a cold voice drifted out of the shadows, sending a chill down their spines. "Oh? What grand plans you two have." The voice seemed to rise from the very depths of hell, bone-chilling and menacing.
Li Haoran and Catherine spun around simultaneously. A woman clad in black leather stepped out of the shadows. Her hair was deep purple, her eyes a haunting shade of indigo, and a cynical smile played on her lips. Her figure seemed ethereal under the moonlight, as if she might vanish into the darkness at any moment.
"Irina?" Catherine's voice was laced with surprise. "What are you doing here?" She leaned forward slightly, her body tensing into a defensive stance—clearly wary of the unexpected visitor.
Irina let out a soft laugh, her form wavering faintly in the moonlight. "Me? Just here for the show. And to give you a little warning—the depths of the Black Forest hold not just ancient seals, but countless traps laid by the Council. Marching in blindly like this is no different from walking into your own graves." Her tone dripped with sarcasm, as if mocking their naivety and recklessness.
Li Haoran noticed the small silver compass clutched in Irina's hand. Its needle pointed directly at them, emitting a faint blue glow that flickered like a mysterious pulse of power.
Catherine's eyes turned icy. "What exactly do you want?" Her voice was sharp with hostility—she clearly did not trust the woman's sudden appearance.
Irina shrugged, tossing the compass to Li Haoran. "Nothing much. Just thought you might need a guide. After all, in this world, it is better to have one more friend than one more enemy." The cynical smile still lingered on her lips, leaving her true motives shrouded in mystery.
Li Haoran caught the compass. He could feel the runes carved into its surface vibrating gently, as if the object itself possessed a life of its own. He looked up to speak to Irina—only to find her already vanished into the shadows, her voice lingering in the night air like a fading echo. "Reach the edge of the Black Forest before dawn. And remember—do not let the moonlight touch you for too long. It will do you no good."
Catherine walked over to Li Haoran, taking his hand in hers. Her fingers were cold, yet they radiated a quiet strength that calmed his racing heart. "Whatever her motives, we have no choice. We must reach the cave deep in the forest as soon as possible, and awaken the true power of the blood pact."
Li Haoran gazed at the compass in his hand, then at Catherine's determined eyes. A surge of courage welled up in his chest. He tightened his grip on her hand and nodded firmly. "Alright. We'll go together. No matter what dangers lie ahead, we'll face them side by side." His voice was steady and resolute, as if he had steeled himself for whatever challenges awaited.
The two packed their belongings and left the abandoned manor, stepping into the depths of the Black Forest. Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy of leaves, casting dappled shadows across the ground like a mysterious tapestry. The distant howls of wild beasts echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down one's spine.
After walking for some time, Li Haoran suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He could not tell if it was from the earlier fight or the eerie, oppressive atmosphere of the forest. He glanced at Catherine—and noticed her face was paler than usual, a faint shadow of worry clouding her eyes.
"Are you alright?" Li Haoran asked, his voice laced with concern.
Catherine forced a weak smile. "I'm fine. It's just… the magic of the Black Forest is far more powerful than I anticipated. We must find the cave quickly, or else…" Her voice trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken.
Just then, the compass needle began to spin wildly, emitting a brilliant burst of blue light. Li Haoran and Catherine exchanged a glance—they could see both tension and anticipation reflected in each other's eyes.
"It seems we're close," Catherine whispered.
They quickened their pace, pushing through a thick patch of bushes. A massive cave suddenly loomed before them, its entrance concealed by tangled vines and jagged rocks, exuding an air of ancient mystery. The compass needle pointed straight into the cave's depths, its blue glow burning brighter than ever.
The two stepped into the cave cautiously. The interior was pitch-black, with only the compass's blue light guiding their way. Ancient runes were carved into the cave walls—they glowed faintly under the blue light, as if whispering secrets of a forgotten era.
After walking for a while, they entered a vast stone chamber. In the center of the chamber stood a circular altar, upon which rested an ancient stone box. Intricate runes were etched into the box's surface, radiating a powerful, mysterious aura.
Catherine walked up to the altar, her fingers brushing the stone box gently. "This is the sealing place of the blood pact. Now, we need to use our blood to awaken it." Her voice was filled with solemnity and reverence.
Li Haoran nodded. He pulled out the dagger he carried and sliced a small cut on his palm. Blood dripped onto the altar, emitting a soft, warm glow. Catherine did the same, her blood mingling with his on the stone surface, forming a glowing red circle of light.
The circle expanded, enveloping the entire altar. The stone box suddenly burst into a brilliant light, its lid creaking open slowly. Inside lay a crystal ball, clear and flawless, with a flickering flame dancing within its depths.
Catherine picked up the crystal ball, her voice soft yet firm. "This is the core of the blood pact. Now, we must merge it with our blood." She placed the crystal ball in their joined palms. A surge of warm power coursed through their bodies instantly.
Suddenly, a low, thunderous roar echoed from the depths of the cave—as if some colossal creature was stirring from its slumber. The ground trembled violently, and rocks began to rain down from the ceiling. Catherine's face paled. "Not good—the Council's pursuers are here!"
Li Haoran tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes blazing with resolve. "Whoever they are, we will not back down." The rune on his palm flared blue once more, merging with Catherine's power in a brilliant display of light.
The sound of chaotic footsteps echoed from the cave entrance. Dozens of blood hunters poured in, their silver weapons glinting coldly, their eyes filled with murderous intent.
Catherine let out a faint, mocking laugh, a dangerous glint flashing in her purple eyes. "It seems our awakening ritual is about to turn into a battle." A purple aura swirled around her body, and the crystal ball in her hand blazed with a fierce scarlet light, like a flame burning bright.
Li Haoran could feel the power surging within him—he knew the blood pact's true strength was awakening. He clenched his fists, the blue light from his palm weaving together with Catherine's purple glow to form a formidable barrier of energy.
The battle was about to begin. And they were ready to face whatever came their way. In this mysterious cave, empowered by the blood pact's ancient magic, they would confront the greatest challenge of their lives—and unlock a new chapter in the world of vampires.
"By blood as the guide, by heart as the witness, thy soul shall be my haven."