Solar Blood Masters (182)

Chapter 182 - Kudumei

Gastaroid noticed Raphael’s presence returning.

“Oh, you’re back, bull. So… how was it? Powerful, isn’t it?” He smirked, but then his expression shifted as he observed Raphael’s frustrated demeanor. “What happened? Did you… fail to unlock it? Oh, your body is so tiny now. Maybe you don’t have enough Solar Blood to…”

“No. I unlocked it. But to use those abilities you programmed within… It burns through my Blood Pool!”

“Erm? What did you expect? The Elixen Belkelium converts your blood into fuel. Each mode has a higher requirement. Aren’t you related to those Bloodthornes? Then you should have no problem unlocking the weapon’s full potential. Their bloodline, it's legendary for its excessive Blood Pool.”

“Who told you I was a Bloodthorne?”

“It’s obvious, bull. That Spring Blood Dragon of yours… it’s only ever awakened among Bloodthorne descendants and their contracted beasts. If you don’t want others knowing your relations… then I suggest you don’t go around flaunting those powers.”

“Oh… I see.” Raphael nodded slowly. ‘So that’s how he knew.’

“This weapon… it sucks too much blood. I can barely use its abilities! Which means I have to be strategic in its use.”

“You damn bull! You have no idea just how powerful that weapon truly is! If your Blood Pool is inadequate  all you have to do is increase it. This is Yama Yaguai. There are plenty of resources that can expand your Blood Pool capacity.”

Raphael’s eyes widened. “Really? You know of such resources?”

Gastaroid sighed dramatically. “All these favors and I’m doing them free of charge. You’re lucky you’re of my lineage, bull. Otherwise…”

He paused.

“There’s a particular plant species known as ‘Dog Blood’. It grows in Grenadale Basin, within Ho Eastern Territory. Not only can it expand your Blood Pool, it can also rejuvenate it gradually during rest periods. It's a herb, yet a treasure for those who crave more blood.”

“Grenadale Basin?” Raphael’s newfound hope was instantly replaced by fear.

‘Ho Eastern. That’s Lu Ignis’s territory. Can I make it in and out safely? Wait. My appearance is different now. And my Solar Essence… it’s… altered. Lu Ignis won’t be able to sniff me out. Right? His nose… it’s not THAT good… is it?’

“If you’re that scared of Lu Ignis then forget about it, bull. Even I’m no match for that snake.”

“No. This is something I HAVE to do. Besides I’m different now. I’ll be in and out of Grenadale Basin without anyone noticing.”

“Suit yourself.” Gastaroid shrugged. He produced a small, golden object and handed it to Raphael.

“What’s this? Will it protect me?” Raphael looked at the object curiously. It was a small, golden dog figurine.

“That’s a Golden Retriever. When Lu Ignis kills you, the Elixen Belkelium will return to my forge. I can’t let such a divine relic go to waste.”

“Are you serious?! You’re so cruel! And here I was thinking we could be brothers.”

“Brothers? Don’t be ridiculous, bull. You’re starting to get on my nerves. Maybe I should just kill you here and take back my Elixen Belkelium.”

BOOM!

Gastaroid’s Solar Essence flared. An oppressive pressure pressed Raphael to the ground. He coughed blood.

Suddenly, the violet clam emerged from Raphael’s Abyss Nylon. It hovered above him protectively.

Gastaroid’s Solar Pressure vanished.

“Huh? The pressure… it’s gone?” Raphael stared at the clam, then stood. The clam swirled around him lovingly.

“This thing…” He remembered how it had absorbed Pi Muram’s ancestral Marble World. “Hey, Gastaroid, do you have any idea what type of species this is?”

Gastaroid glanced at the clam.

“Looks like a regular clam to me. What’s the matter? You haven’t tamed it yet?”

“No, that’s not it. Never mind.”

‘So… even Gastaroid doesn’t know what it is. This clam… it’s not normal. Maybe I can use it to my advantage.’

“I’ll be going now, Gastaroid. Thanks again for the weapon. And for the information.”

“Fine, go. And stay out of trouble, or you won’t even have a chance to offer your friendship the next time.”

Raphael picked up the Elixen Belkelium and exited the forge.

Gastaroid’s molten eyes followed him suspiciously.

‘That clam… did it really juts neutralized my Solar Pressure? Maybe it was a fluke.’

…

SWOOSH!

A violet clam soared through the air. Its smooth shell glistened. It passed by several aerial Calamities – Griffins, Giant Eagles, even a Sky Serpent – but they paid it no mind. They couldn’t sense the clam’s Solar Essence, nor the being hidden within.

Inside the clam's slightly open mouth, Raphael peeked out.

A few minutes earlier, a brilliant idea had struck him.

‘If I travel like this… no one will notice me.’

He’d cautiously inspected the clam's interior, wondering where all the objects it had absorbed had gone. Finding nothing strange, he’d instructed the clam not to swallow him. Somehow, it had seemed to understand. The clam had shivered gently, as if in agreement.

He'd entered its mouth.

The inside was surprisingly spacious and comfortable. It reminded him of a special blanket he'd treasured as a child.

‘I’ll call you… Kudumei.’

Now, safely tucked within Kudumei’s embrace, he observed the passing landscape.

“I wonder what Lu Jade is up to. According to Sindoll, he’s in Black Wind. But first… a detour to Ho Eastern.”

He activated his Lingshi Eye. A map of Yama Yaguai materialized.

“Grenadale Basin. It’s over here.”

…

Grenadale Basin. A unique region within Ho Eastern Territory. A neutral ground separating it from the icy realm of Yunyin. Unlike the rest of Lu Ignis’s fiery domain, Grenadale Basin was known for its cool, temperate climate, a basin where fire and ice met in perfect harmony. It was a haven for creatures of dual nature, a place where rare medicinal herbs flourished.

And somewhere within this basin… grew the Dog Blood plant.

Raphael pulled up an image of the plant.

It resembled a Cerberus, with three heads, each bearing a cluster of juicy round blood-red fruits.

“Their Solar Essence Density… not that impressive. Mostly Saint Rulers. A few early-stage Calamities. Easy pickings. With these fruits… my Blood Pool will reach new heights!” He smiled, eager to begin his harvest.

…

Elsewhere,

Within a large medical palace in Hebikuni, Lu Ignis and Silk Yune sat opposite each other while radiating waves of heat and cold that divided the waiting area. The floor beneath Lu Ignis was molten, bubbling lava, while the area around Silk Yune was coated in a thick layer of frost.

The Sun Imperial Guards stationed around the room struggled to breathe. They had to slither further away.

“This… heat… and that… cold… I can’t…!”

“It’s like being roasted and frozen at the same time!”

“If they start fighting we’re all dead!”

Lu Ignis and Silk Yune glared at each other; locked in a silent battle of wills.

Suddenly, a scream echoed from behind a closed door.

“ARGHHHHH!”

Both Emperors turned their heads sharply.

The door swung open. Wu Gurang, flanked by two Silver Ice Foxes dressed in medical attire, emerged.

“What the hell have you blasted foxes been doing to my daughter?!” Lu Ignis yelled. “You’re supposed to be healing her… not torturing her!”

“Don’t forget your place, Lu Ignis,” Silk Yune’s icy voice cut through his outburst. “You sought OUR assistance. Threaten my people again and we’ll leave.”

“Hmph! Fine. How is she?”

Wu Gurang’s gaze shifted from Lu Ignis to Silk Yune, as if ignoring the Bronze Serpent Emperor.

“Emperor Yune, Lu Ruby’s condition… it has worsened… as expected.”

“WHAT?!” Lu Ignis’s scales blazed. Lava erupted from beneath him, but Silk Yune’s icy glare quelled his rage.

“Continue, Wu Gurang.”

“We have successfully administered the cerebral repairing drug to curtail the effects of Lingshi’s Mental Discipline. As a result, she is now experiencing her most difficult mental phase to stimulate her pain receptors. When these fully erupt to the surface, we’ll be able to administer the antidote. However… we’ve run out of a vital ingredient. We need a Dog Blood herb… at least a million years of maturity.”

“I’ve sent my men to retrieve it. They should have arrived at Grenadale Basin by now,” Lu Ignis explained.

“You should have gone yourself, Lu Ignis. For expediency. However, let’s hope they return quickly. For your daughter’s sake.” Wu Gurang’s words had Lu Ignis glaring at her again, but she simply turned and re-entered the chamber, her medical foxes following close behind. The door closed with a soft click.

“Are you doubting my men’s capabilities, fox?!” Lu Ignis hissed.

“She’s right, Lu Ignis.” Silk Yune smirked. “Had you gone yourself that herb would already be in our grasp.”

“You think I’m a fool, vixen? To leave you here unattended for even a second?”

“Why so suspicious, Lu Ignis? We’re fellow Emperors. If I had bad intentions, why would I agree to cure your daughter? That untrustworthy nature of yours might be your undoing.”

Silk Yune touched her lips, adopting a coquettish pose that had the Sun Imperial Guards blushing.

“My, my…” she purred.

Lu Ignis shifted uncomfortably on his trident. ‘This vixen…’