The Legend of Immortality

Once again, early in the morning, Liu Lei awoke to find the old man Christopher already seated in the living room, reading the newspaper. When he saw Liu Lei coming downstairs, he handed him a sheet of paper, saying, "Liu, take a look, the Church has released a new bounty list, and you've made the list." Liu Lei quickly took it and looked: "Really? How much am I worth?" "Three hundred thousand dollars," Christopher replied with a grin. "What? How could that be? Am I worth less than you, old man?" Christopher chuckled proudly. "Young man, you wouldn't understand the allure of maturity." Annoyed, Liu Lei crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the trash can. 

"Alright, my appointment letter should be coming soon. Tomorrow I'll head to the Association's headquarters for the inauguration ceremony. I've recommended you to take my position as a senior councilor. Prepare yourself to join me tomorrow," Christopher added.

The next day, they drove to the airport. Just as they were about to board, Christopher told Liu Lei to wait. Liu Lei, puzzled, asked, "Who else are we waiting for?" Christopher nodded towards the front. Through the thin morning mist, Niya, dressed in a tight black leather outfit, with sunglasses and flowing hair, was walking toward them. Liu Lei admitted that he had felt an electrifying jolt the moment he saw her that morning. But the shock was fleeting, and in less than half a second, he remembered her true nature beneath the lamb-like appearance—a tyrannical beast. He yelled, "Christopher, you didn't tell me she'd be coming too!" 

Christopher, unfazed, replied with a grin, "I never said she wouldn't come. The inauguration of a senior councilor is a significant event. As the future Prince, Niya must attend. It's just that you were too slow to figure it out..."

Liu Lei's grim expression made Niya uncomfortable. "What's the matter? Miss 'I'm only going because Uncle Christopher wants me to,' this uncouth brute has no charm whatsoever. Disgusting!"

Though Liu Lei didn't want to travel with a violent woman, he couldn't help but think, "This woman seems far less troublesome than other women. If I married her, life would be much easier..." Then, he realized what a foolish thought that was—marry her? That would be like a lamb entering the tiger's den.

Liu Lei circled around Niya, eyeing her from head to toe, and curiously asked, "You're not bringing a single suitcase?" 

"No, I never do. What's the problem?" she replied. 

"But you're traveling far, and you aren't even bringing a change of underwear?" 

"Go to hell!" Niya snapped, curling her fingers to strike him on the head. 

This was their second meeting. The first time, she had vomited on him, "taken over" his bed, and slapped him. The second time, she had hit him on the head. From then on, Niya was forever known as the "violent woman." Liu Lei, meanwhile, earned the title of "pervert" after asking her an inappropriate question the first time they met.

The trio flew to Moscow. It was winter in Russia, and the cold air outside was biting. The three dark beings found the cold inconsequential. After settling into a hotel, Christopher refused to mention the Dark Association for several days. Liu Lei and Niya, sensing his mood, also refrained from bringing it up. Instead, they spent their days bickering, causing Christopher no end of stress. The poor old man, already suffering from insomnia and needing his daily nap, found it impossible to sleep with the constant commotion between the two. After several sleepless nights, he finally couldn't take it anymore and had the staff move him to another floor, away from the troublemakers, so he could get some rest.

On the fifth day, the Siberian cold front began to take its toll, with howling winds and swirling snow. It was impossible to venture outside. In the middle of the night, Christopher quietly woke Liu Lei and Niya and told them to get ready. The three of them walked through the city for a while before heading to the outskirts, where they spent some time observing before each taking off, flying deep into Siberia.

After two days of traveling in circles over the Siberian plateau, even the three immortals were beginning to feel the strain. They finally arrived at the headquarters of the Dark Association. 

"Is this the place?" Liu Lei asked, gazing at the vast desert landscape before him. 

"Yes, it is. Of course, under normal circumstances, it would be invisible," Christopher replied, chanting a secret ancient incantation. Gradually, ripples of air appeared, and the silhouette of a stone fortress began to emerge.

The fortress gate stood three meters high and two meters wide, made of Siberian millennia-old pinewood, covered in blackened blood sigils drawn from monstrous beasts. Standing at the entrance was a towering figure—at least two and a half meters tall—whose muscular body blended seamlessly with the stone of the fortress. Upon seeing Christopher, he shouted, "Ha, Christopher! Long time no see. Did you bring me a new game console?"

Christopher pulled out the latest PS2 and tossed it to the giant. "The latest model, with thirteen game discs—the lucky number for dark creatures." The giant eagerly caught it and carefully tucked it away. "I'll open the door for you. Wait here." He turned and began tapping on a disc on the wall, causing the massive wooden door to creak open.

Christopher led the way into the stone fortress, explaining as he went, "This guy is called Redley. No one knows where he comes from, but he's been guarding the door since I joined the Dark Association. His strength, to use your Chinese expression, is unfathomable. But thankfully, he's always been kind to me, thanks to the perverted Japanese game consoles."

Inside the fortress, people dressed in medieval clothing walked back and forth. Most of them greeted Christopher warmly, suggesting the old fox had quite a reputation. No wonder he had so easily become a councilor. Christopher continued, "These people spend their entire lives here. They form the backbone of the Dark Association, mostly staying behind to defend the headquarters. They're never sent out on missions."

After arranging lodging for the three of them, Christopher went to meet with the president and then confer with the other twelve councilors about the inauguration ceremony. With nothing else to do, Liu Lei and Niya wasted no time in arguing for two days. Christopher's inauguration ceremony was set for two days later, and specially tailored ceremonial outfits had already been prepared for them.

Just as Liu Lei was beginning to feel bored, he was unexpectedly summoned to meet the president.

To be summoned by the president of the Dark Association, the ultimate boss of the dark world, Liu Lei couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. He had imagined many scenarios in which he would meet the president, but he never expected the reality to unfold like this. No one knew the president's name; everyone simply referred to him as "the president." He looked like an ordinary man, with the appearance of a neighborly uncle and a slightly plump figure. When Liu Lei saw him, the president was exercising on modern gym equipment. Upon noticing Liu Lei's astonished expression, the president smiled warmly. "Surprised?" Liu Lei nodded, still in a daze.

The president stepped off the treadmill and wiped his sweat with a towel handed to him by a servant. "So, what do you think I should look like?" 

Liu Lei felt suddenly aware of a surge of cool energy within him—Da He Qi. The energy circulated through his body, and he quickly realized his earlier reaction had been influenced by the president's magic—a form of mental manipulation. What an incredible spell! The power must be at least of the ninth rank. Liu Lei's body broke out in a cold sweat. How could someone with such immense power, who no one knew, be so simple?

He carefully responded to the president's questions, careful not to reveal that he had regained his senses. The president led him out of the gym and began chatting casually. "I've put on some weight, and while no one says anything, I know my charm isn't what it used to be. That's why I've been working out, trying to stay in shape so I can still attract the attention of younger women and not let other men in the Association steal the spotlight. Haha..." Liu Lei quickly nodded and laughed along.

When they reached the study, the president had two glasses of wine brought to them. They each took a sip. "Not bad, huh? These wines were buried beneath the frozen earth when the castle was first built, and only the president gets to drink them."

"Indeed, it's excellent. I used to think that the wine at Uncle Christopher's winery was the best in the world, but compared to yours, his is practically water," Liu Lei replied, feigning deep respect.

The president smiled lightly and set down his glass. Liu Lei followed suit, setting his glass on the table as he sat down. The president seemed pleased with his behavior, nodding in approval. "You must be curious why I called you here. The moment you arrived at the castle gates, I sensed your presence. The blood of the Vampire Clan, mixed with a refreshing aura, which must come from some mysterious Eastern power."

Liu Lei was shocked. This was the first time anyone had seen through his power since he arrived abroad. This was no ordinary man. He quickly responded in disbelief, "The president is indeed formidable. It's the first time someone has seen through my true nature. Yes, I am Chinese."

The president nodded. "I thought as much. The powers of the Japanese are often strange, the Thai's are violent, and the Indian's are shadowy. Only your Chinese power carries such a refreshing aura."

Liu Lei was even more surprised. How could this European know so much about the powers of Asian countries? He was stunned, but the president continued, "This time, you helped Christopher retrieve the meteorite crystal, and I thank you for that. Originally, I sent them to retrieve the meteorite to use its immense energy to craft a new 'magical artifact.'"

"Magical artifact?" Liu Lei asked, surprised.

"Yes, the Church has its holy relics, and we have our magical artifacts. Like this one." The president's hand slowly revealed a black ram's horn, from which a torrent of dark energy surged, activating the dark power within him. Liu Lei was astonished. Such immense energy, he had only seen it emanate from that strange meteorite.

The president placed the horn away and continued, "This is the power of a 'magical artifact.' We only have two, but the Church has three holy relics, which is why they've been able to suppress us for so long. I felt another object capable of becoming a magical artifact had emerged, which is why I sent them to find it. However, when they brought it back, its energy had already weakened greatly, likely drained during the battle with you. I thought it could never be made into a magical artifact, but your arrival gave me hope."

"Me?" Liu Lei was puzzled.

"Yes, you," the president confirmed. "I've heard of a group in the East who call themselves 'Xiu Shi.' Their weapons are called 'Fa Bao,' and they can amplify their power tenfold. I believe you know how to create them, don't you? If we collaborate, using the ancient methods recorded in the Association's archives, combined with your knowledge of 'Fa Bao' creation and some of the rare items I've collected over the years, we should be able to craft a new magical artifact. With this, we can finally confront the Church head-on."

Liu Lei looked into the president's eyes, which were full of sincerity. He understood that if he refused now, this dark lord, who knew so many secrets, would ensure that the little bat would never leave the study alive. So, he feigned contemplation for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'm willing to serve the president."