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"Gaine? Cain? Are you a first-generation vampire? How come you're American? And what is a divine realm?" Alex Qi was completely bewildered by his answer, his questions now even more numerous than before.
"Did anyone tell you Cain is a Western barbarian?" the middle-aged man asked rhetorically, staring into Alex Qi's eyes. Only after staring intently at Alex Qi until he was sweating profusely did the middle-aged man smile and withdraw his gaze, focusing on the ancient ring on his left hand. He continued calmly, "Let's answer the question about me and the vampires first."
The middle-aged man slowly rose from his chair, gazing at the distant horizon, seemingly lost in a long-forgotten memory: "Long ago on the continent of China, various sects existed everywhere. However, these sects were basically divided into righteous and evil paths. Of course, this so-called righteous and evil path was imposed upon us by those who considered themselves righteous. But undeniably, many scoundrels who harmed ordinary people and the common folk did emerge from among those we considered evil."
At this point, the middle-aged man slowly lowered his head, gently looking into Alex Qi's eyes, and slowly said, "Remember, the cultivation methods themselves are neither righteous nor evil. The key lies in how one cultivates to gain power, and what one does after gaining that power. These are the crucial factors that determine righteousness or evil."
After saying this, the middle-aged man looked up at the sky, seemingly lost in memories again, but still spoke with a hint of sadness: "The so-called righteous and evil paths have stood in opposition for thousands of years, maintaining a degree of restraint. In these years, countless exceptionally talented individuals have emerged from each sect and school on both sides. What a pity! What a pity!" He sighed and continued, "Later, a young man from the righteous path fell into the evil path, and then fell in love with a woman from the righteous path. Their respective sects opposed their union due to differing righteous and evil beliefs, yet they insisted on being together. This escalated into a fierce battle between the two factions, which eventually spiraled out of control and spread to all 108 sects of both the righteous and evil paths."
The middle-aged man took a deep breath and continued, "This war, known in history as the 'Cataclysm of the Daoist Sect,' lasted for a full 97 years, finally ending only due to the massive invasion of foreign cultivators. By the end, the Daoist sect had lost countless outstanding disciples and masterful predecessors; some smaller sects were even wiped out. It was truly a misfortune for our Chinese land."
The middle-aged man opened his mouth but no sound came out. He shook his head and said, "Fine, I'll tell you everything! I was actually the young man who triggered the 'Cataclysm of the Daoist Sect.' Many years have passed; I can't even remember my name back then. The only thing I can remember now is her poignant smile as she died. Tragically, she ultimately died by the sword of her beloved master, and I only escaped by using her 'Blood Mist Cage,' the only evil spell I taught her. I wanted to rush in and fight to the death, but faced with her poignant smile and her slightly swaying head..." "Below her head, I chose to leave."
Cain gently touched his forehead with his right hand, then continued, "At first, I left as she wished, because I couldn't bear to see the dejection in her eyes. But later, taking advantage of the foreign invasion, I secretly infiltrated her former sect. I slaughtered over 400 of her members and stole her body. Until I left this world, I kept wondering if what I did was right. My soul has been tormented ever since. I fear she won't forgive me in the afterlife."
Alex Qi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Actually, Senior, there's no need to blame yourself. People are selfish; they often fight tooth and nail for even the smallest gain. Since you've already done it, there's no right or wrong. It was simply an expression of your love for her. Besides, didn't she leave with a smile?"
"Hahaha..." After a burst of wild laughter, Cain said with a touch of self-mockery, "I've lived so long, yet I don't see as clearly as you."
A smile flashed across Cain's face, and he continued, "In the later resistance against the invasion of the Western barbarian cultivators, the righteous and evil paths set aside their past grievances and forged two covenants: the '36 Sects Alliance Agreement' and the 'Abolition of the Distinction Between Righteous and Evil.' After the 'Cataclysm of the Daoist Sect,' only 36 of the original 108 sects remained. Although we still suffered heavy losses in the subsequent resistance, we ultimately repelled the invading enemy. Knowing I had no face to remain in China, I went with their defeated army to the Western Barbarians and adopted the alias Cain."
"Uh..." Hearing this, Alex Qi took a deep breath, finally understanding the origins of the Western vampires.
“When I first arrived in Europe, I was hunted down by the Papacy and the local Mage Alliance. Only the Dark Mage Council and the Druid Church remained neutral,” Cain recounted calmly this time. “Finally, I hid in the basement of a cardinal living in a castle, which allowed me to escape their pursuit.”
Taking a breath, Cain continued, “While down there, I fully recovered from my injuries. After emerging, to survive and to fight against the Papacy and the Mage Alliance, I took on thirteen disciples, each taught a different martial art. I also created the Werewolf Clan, a family guard. However, judging from your memories, the Werewolves seem to have become independent? And they seem to have become sworn enemies with the Vampires.”
“Were the thirteen Vampire Clans and the Werewolves all founded by you, Senior?” Cain’s words startled Alex Qi, who immediately interjected. “Unfortunately, your disciples and grand-disciples weren’t united! Not only did the Werewolves break away, but even the thirteen Vampire Clans are now fragmented.”
- Writer
