Chapter 4: Dark Bloodline, Dracula

By the time he returned to the dormitory, it was already past midnight.

Since tomorrow marked the opening of the novice dungeon, many students had already gone home after changing their classes.

As a result, apart from the dorm supervisor, there were hardly any students left in the dormitory building tonight.

Gu Chen was the only one left in his room, enjoying the rare quietness.

His gaze fell on the summoning skill book in his hand, filled with anticipation.

[Skill Book: Bloodthirsty Bat Summon]
[Level: 1]
[Quality: Fine]
[Effect: Form a contract with the Bloodthirsty Bat]

Generally, the first summoned beast is very important. Noble summoners usually choose rare or higher-level beasts.

But given Gu Chen’s situation, this fine-quality Bloodthirsty Bat was currently the best option.

Even if most summoners didn’t think much of it, at least it allowed him to take the first step.

Gu Chen’s expression turned serious. He began to study.

The skill book emitted a white glow, and immediately, Gu Chen felt a mysterious space connect with his mind—the summoning beast space.

Within it appeared a black, ugly-looking bat.

[You have successfully formed a contract with the Bloodthirsty Bat.]
[Summoning Beast: Bloodthirsty Bat]
[Quality: Fine]
[Level: 1]
[Health Points: 150]
[Attributes: Strength 5, Agility 4, Constitution 4, Spirit 5]
[Talent: Vampirism]
[Skill: Sonic Attack LV.1]
[Summoning beasts can wear equipment. Upon the beast’s death, equipment has a chance to drop.]
[If a summoning beast dies, it cannot be summoned again for one day.]

Glancing at the attribute panel, Gu Chen noticed that the level 1 Bloodthirsty Bat’s health was even lower than that of a level 1 mage, and its attack was mediocre.

No wonder fine-quality summoning beasts were ignored by nobles.

Jiang Songhua was right—carrying such a summoning beast, he probably wouldn’t even pass the novice dungeon.

If he couldn’t contract with higher-level beasts, the summoner profession was truly a dead end.

With this thought, Gu Chen opened his talent interface.

God-tier Talent, Darkborn First Blood, activate!

The next moment, black light blossomed before his eyes, with crimson shadows intertwining like veins, appearing before Gu Chen.

[You have obtained: Dark Bloodline · First Generation]
[Dark Bloodline · First Generation: An incredibly pure dark bloodline that can transform ordinary creatures into first-generation dark beings, granting unparalleled talents and abilities.]

“First-generation bloodline? Interesting.”

Gu Chen looked at the summoning space and directly infused this dark bloodline into the Bloodthirsty Bat’s body.

The crimson light suddenly surged, dazzlingly bright.

[Dark Bloodline · First Generation fusion successful.]

[Summoning Beast Advancement]
[Bloodthirsty Bat (Fine) → Dracula (Epic)]

Dracula?
The first-generation vampire?
And it’s epic level!
This is possible?

Shock filled Gu Chen’s face.

A single dark bloodline had elevated the fine-quality Bloodthirsty Bat across three ranks straight to the epic-level Dracula!

This was a god-tier talent?

Its effect was absolutely overwhelming!

One dark bloodline per level—nobles were nothing to him. Even common summoners could ascend to godhood.

And this was just a fine-quality summoning beast. What heights could a legendary beast reach when transformed by the dark bloodline?

Were there higher levels beyond the first-generation dark bloodline?

Excitement flickered in Gu Chen’s eyes as he quickly looked into the summoning space.

There stood a young man clad in a dark red formal suit, tall and elegant in bearing.

He was lean-faced, with a high nose bridge and sharp, deep eyes glowing with a sinister crimson light.

His arms hung naturally at his sides, each hand holding a heavy pistol—one black, the other shining silver.

Both guns were identical in structure, large-caliber handguns firing bullets more powerful than ordinary ones.

This was Dracula?

Gu Chen sized him up carefully from head to toe and nodded slightly. This image matched perfectly the vampires he had imagined.

He then opened the summoning beast panel.

[Summoning Beast: Dracula]
[Quality: Epic]
[Level: 1]
[Health Points: 1800]
[Attributes: Strength 28, Agility 32, Constitution 30, Spirit 29]
[Talent: Bloodline Instinct (Epic)]
[Skill I: Deadly Shot LV.10 (Epic)]
[Skill II: Crimson Feast LV.10 (Epic)]

Epic-level talent!
Max-level epic skills!

“No wonder it’s an epic summoning beast—truly terrifying.”

[Summoning beast quality has been upgraded from Fine to Epic, granting attribute feedback; summoner’s all attributes +10.]

When a summoning beast’s quality improves, the summoner also gains a certain attribute boost.

However, such opportunities are rare.

Because evolving summoning beasts consumes enormous amounts of money and resources, it’s often more cost-effective to purchase a higher-quality beast outright.

Therefore, this phenomenon is seldom seen in reality.

After gaining the +10 boost to all attributes, Gu Chen felt an unprecedented comfort and exhilaration coursing through his body.

He opened the character panel.

[Name: Gu Chen]
[Profession: Summoner]
[Level: 1 (0/100)]
[Strength: 17]
[Agility: 16]
[Constitution: 18]
[Spirit: 19]
[Summoning Beast: Dracula LV.1 (Epic)]

Excitement shone on Gu Chen’s face, a quiet thrill swelling within.

He knew that all level 1 newly class-changed professionals had average attributes no higher than 10.

Yet here he was, a level 1 summoner, with an average attribute value approaching 20.

If word got out, it would absolutely embarrass other professions.

Moreover, summoners rarely fight directly; most of the time, they command their beasts in battle.

Entering the novice dungeon with an epic-level beast would be like playing a game.

“Tomorrow is truly something to look forward to...”

Early the next morning, Gu Chen arrived promptly at the novice dungeon area of Lin City No. 1 High School.

Such artificial dungeons were common in every major high school across the Divine Summer Empire, open only ten days a year and limited to class-changed students below level 10.

Though artificial, the beasts inside were no different from those in the Abyss; defeating them granted experience and sometimes dropped equipment or items.

Most importantly, dying to a beast inside the novice dungeon meant real death.

However, since the dungeon was a trial for students, the school issued each class-changed student a teleport scroll for emergency escape.

At this moment, the dungeon entrance was crowded with class-changed students.

Although it was Lin City No. 1 High School’s novice dungeon, due to resource constraints, students from several non-key high schools nearby were also allowed to participate.

“Looking for a team, level 1 warrior, fully equipped with novice gear.”
“Bought too many teleport scrolls, selling cheap, come get them.”
“Need an archer or gunner, priority to those with equipment and skills.”
...

Without any blocking items, professionals could sense others’ levels and professions through spiritual perception.

Gu Chen glanced around; the crowd consisted mostly of standard professions, all seeking teammates—a method the school strongly encouraged for dungeon completion.

After all, one’s combat power alone was limited; in later stages, nearly all dungeons required teamwork.

It was rare for any professional to clear a dungeon solo.

At this moment, Gu Chen’s presence caught the attention of several people.

“Look, a summoner!”
“Really? Must be a noble’s child.”
“Obviously, who else would become a summoner without millions in the background?”
“Master, please team up with me, please take me along!”