Pirate Kingship

Chapter 417 - 334: First Embrace: The 1st Blood Descendant_2

Chapter 417: Chapter 334: First Embrace: The 1st Blood Descendant_2

Many artisans in the Old Continent were vying to purchase supplies that were gradually becoming scarce. As long as they could secure a stable source of goods, not only could they make a fortune, but they could also take the opportunity to establish good personal relationships with those artisans.

This trial run was very successful. After all, how could the sporadic materials brought up by those Graveyard Sequence Transcendents compare to the industrialized operations of the Pioneer Guiding World’s Edge Branch? Those undead laborers, relentlessly driven by the sleepless Edward, were already vying to dedicate themselves to the company for all eternity.

There were also Finger Grass, Demon Cigars, Ink Ghost Umbrellas, Blood Droplet Mushrooms... these kinds of herbs were also highly favored by Witch Doctors. With the situation in the various native city-states becoming increasingly unstable, the prices of these herbs were soaring, which presented a good opportunity to make a fortune. Later, I’ll have Edward speed up production and send up another batch, even if it means the front-line undead workers will have to suffer a bit more.

Financial Street, as the future pillar industry of the Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company, had fully opened under the supervision of ’Lady Friday.’ Six maids were dispatched, seeking out those with strong desires in their hearts, distributing invitations to powerful Transcendents, wealthy merchants, and nobles of various countries. The coverage was not limited to the colonists; leveraging its ubiquitous nature, the business extended to the eastern and western coasts of the Old Continent, and even to the Edge of the World (exclusively monopolized by Edward).

The online trading platform’s remarkable ability to generate profit was already beginning to show. Sooner or later, Catherine would be placed on the throne of the wealthiest.

Looking at the string of figures at the end of the report, the girl smiled with joy, "Byron’s membership levels, shop skins, name-change rights, advance top-ups... and every other chargeable service may seem inconspicuous on the surface. But you don’t realize just how profitable they are until you use them. I don’t know what’s going on in his head.

"In addition, the Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company has officially started to go public and raise capital. Earning money from the stock market is much quicker than making a solid living from a real business. If it weren’t for Byron setting the principle of focusing on real industry, I’m not sure I could resist such temptation."

After one adjustment, the stock exchange reopened. It was no longer purely for virtual transactions; most had been replaced with actual listed companies. It had thus taken on the function of a financing platform.

Sister Teresa and several Executioners from the Star Chamber Court had become increasingly addicted to it. They were even attracted by promotions like, ’If you’re my bro, come chop for me! Help with one chop and get commission-free leverage!’ and ’Chop once for a premium membership!’ Enticed by these offers, they brought friends along, gradually forming a substantial community of stock investors.

Teresa even took a page from Byron’s book and made a hefty sum from ’stock market training classes.’ However, those who were swindled didn’t stop to think: if she truly had insider information that could make a fortune, would she openly share it with them? As if the trick ’When others fear, I increase my holdings; when others have small losses, I go bankrupt’ would suffice?

Only Catherine was the real manipulator behind the scenes. You may make a little, but I will never lose. After all, no matter who makes money, as long as it is withdrawn from Financial Street, they have to pay me a transaction fee.

Looking at the remaining few documents, she stretched energetically, her pajamas hugging her slender yet voluptuous figure, outlining a stunningly attractive curve.

Just then, a cool night breeze blew by, and a pair of strong hands suddenly rested on Catherine’s shoulders, gently massaging them.

There couldn’t be a second person who could silently pass through more than a dozen defense networks. Catherine turned around in surprise. "Byron, you’ve been promoted to... huh, handsome, who are you?"

After his promotion, Byron indeed looked much more handsome than before, exuding a dangerous charm that was hard for the opposite sex to resist—even if it meant moths flying to a flame. However, it wasn’t so much that Catherine, who had grown up with him since they were children, wouldn’t recognize him.

Seeing the girl’s exaggerated praise, Byron was genuinely happy, but he hadn’t forgotten the urgent matter he had rushed back for. "Sister, happy twentieth birthday."

Today was indeed Catherine’s birthday. Countess Grendel’s birthday naturally called for a grand celebration. She wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity to amass wealth. However, the publicly announced date was three days later; her actual birthday was today, and the exact time of her birth was known only to the two of them. The logic was simple. Whether it was a name with an absurdly high recurrence rate or the strictly confidential time of birth, both measures served to ensure her personal safety. Many cautious nobles didn’t celebrate their actual birthdays at all; not even their personal attendants knew when they were.

Upon hearing her brother’s congratulations, Catherine pursed her supple lips, displeased, and corrected him, "What do you mean, twenty? You remembered wrong. I’ve just turned eighteen, alright?"

Byron couldn’t help but smile, reminded of a joke. Girls usually looked forward to growing up before they turned eighteen, but once they were past that age, they wished time could stand still forever. Men, however, were steadfast: whether at eighteen, thirty, fifty, or eighty, they always preferred eighteen-year-old girls.

Bending slightly, he whispered mysteriously in her ear, "Sister, I have a precious gift for you. It will let you stay forever eighteen at every birthday."

Catherine’s eyes suddenly sparkled. "Really?"

Actually, since she drank Byron’s Blood Brew: Bloody Mary at nineteen, her appearance had never changed. But the more beautiful a woman was, the more she tended to have age anxiety. Who wouldn’t want to be younger?

’Mithril Dragon Soul’ was a power that came from a title. It couldn’t truly change her race, nor did it grant her the long lifespan of a dragon; she remained susceptible to birth, aging, sickness, and death. Even the flu could potentially claim the life of a Middle Sequence Transcendent like her. Supplementing her Life Essence was imperative.

Byron nodded seriously. He took her by the hand and led her to a nearby chaise longue. They sat shoulder to shoulder, and he finally instructed her, "Close your eyes. It will just hurt a tiny bit, and there will be a little blood. Although it’s my first time, I’ll be very careful. Just endure it for a moment, and it will be over."

Hearing these words, Catherine’s cheeks flushed, but she closed her eyes readily without much hesitation. After all, as long as Byron wasn’t asking her for money, she could accept anything else he proposed.

Seeing Catherine was ready, Byron’s eyes suddenly flashed with a blood-red spiritual light. His four sharp fangs protruded slightly as he aimed for her swan-like, beautifully fair neck.

He was about to perform the First Embrace!

Normally, only a Fourth Order Night Demon could perform the Embrace. Similar to the modern Transcendent System, only at the Fourth-order Heroic rank did one earn the right to establish their own Heroic Guards, to create an affiliated Bloodline completely loyal to oneself. As a Night Demon Prince, Byron had gained this privilege early.

And it was on Catherine’s birthday that he had acquired this ability.

In Mysticism, a person’s birthday was considered the most suitable day to perform such rituals related to ’rebirth,’ as it could achieve the best effect. Byron felt this coincidence was surely the will of Heaven. To not give the first and most esteemed Bloodline position to Catherine would have been a disservice to this coincidence.

Fearing his sister might be nervous, Byron, after invoking Black Sorcery, immediately pulled her into his embrace and bit down.

MMPH!

Catherine’s eyes widened in shock. She let out a muffled groan, her breath catching in her throat. Her fair toes stretched taut instantly, and her teak slippers slid off, falling unheeded to the ground. She then completely collapsed in Byron’s arms, and her blood began to flow towards his mouth.