SSS Awakening: Rebirth of the Strongest Vampire God Chapter 699 Blood Avatar

"A… clone?" Phoenix repeated, her eyebrows arching high. Meira blinked a couple of times, her flames wavering hesitantly before fading away. But Erin kept her defenses up. Her serpentine body moved, causing the stone to creak gently under her mass while the heavy abyssal force grew denser in the atmosphere. "A blood clone that can act on its own, talk, trick others, and fight?" she questioned in a calm tone. "One able to mimic abilities, hide its presence, and deceive even your bonded allies?" Her narrow pupils tightened. "That's no basic method."

Damon let out another chuckle. "Naturally not. Labeling it a clone sells it short somewhat. See it as… my blood avatar. A distant form crafted from my blood, holding a piece of my soul, determination, recollections, and strength. It's an enhanced take on my shadow clone." Yet there was more depth to it beyond these words.

Damon continued to delve into the ability. Though the core technique came from a werevampire he'd acquired it from, he'd merged it with the blood avatar method Little Red had shown him, along with elements of the shadow clone approach.

The sole downside involved surrendering a fragment of his soul. Provided he reunited with the clone, that soul piece would flow back effortlessly, blending in without trouble. The merging happened smoothly, yet Damon couldn't misuse it recklessly. Should the avatar get obliterated prior to reunion, that soul fragment would vanish permanently. Not severe enough to weaken him greatly, but sufficient to cause pain. Enough to warn him against using this power too freely.

Erin let out a soft gasp, nodding as comprehension dawned. She eased her stance, her gaze filled with deep respect. "Pardon me, my lord. I only sought to safeguard my mistresses."

Damon dismissed it with a relaxed wave, a swirl of blood mist briefly coiling around his fingertips before vanishing. "No apologies necessary," he replied casually. "That very reflex is precisely why I rely on you to watch over them."

Erin dipped her enormous head low, her actions brimming with awe, and the final remnants of the abyssal force seeped out of the cavern. She shifted back to her human-like shape once more. The crushing presence evaporated as though it had never been there, giving way again to the soft sounds of water dripping and subtle waves on the pool's surface.

"In any case… " Damon grinned. "Ready for one final session of meridian opening before the event kicks off?"

Aurora let out a giggle and bounced over to him, linking her arms with his. "Come on, hubby. I want to grow as powerful as you." She began prodding him in various spots. "Wow. It all feels exactly like the real you."

She murmured contentedly, her fingers jabbing at his arm, then his torso, looping around repeatedly like a researcher verifying data. "Mmm. Identical heat. Same hot hubby. Fantastic! Hubby, will you show me how to do this? Pretty please. Pretty please. That way, I could form a shadowy avatar too and stick by your side wherever you are."

Damon's expression flickered. Having this playful temptress trail him constantly seemed risky, yet also thrilling. "I'll assist you. We'll try it post-event." He chuckled and gave her a pat. "But first, how about some practice?"

At that point, the group got to work, and Damon began refining their mana pathways.

At the same time, over at the camp, Damon's primary form snapped his eyes open with a wide smile. "What an incredible ability." He wiggled his fingers, mirroring the motions of his blood avatar. He shared a degree of linkage with his shadow clone, even afar, allowing him to view through its eyes, direct it, and swap places instantly. The clone could employ certain of his powers too, but it felt like overseeing a subordinate. A separate being.

This one stood apart, though. The blood avatar acted as a true limb of his own. Not another person. It was him, divided yet present in dual locations. Damon shut his eyes and reached out to perceive all that unfolded in the grotto.

Moments later, he attempted exchanging his true form with the blood clone, and suddenly he stood amid his companions in the pool. He swapped back flawlessly without a hitch.

Excitement sparkled in Damon's gaze. Armed with this clone, his options expanded greatly. Regrettably, he could summon just one for now, though two blood avatars already labored within his soul space.

Damon realized he could produce additional ones, but his soul power held him back once more. It appeared progress in various fields hinged on bolstering his soul first.

Damon breathed out steadily. Soul power. It all revolved around that core. Bloodline, avatars, elite techniques—every overpowered route required a soul robust enough to handle the load. Currently, his physique and lineage surged ahead, leaving his soul trailing, pulled taut like a sword rushed in the forge. If a foe ever struck that flaw head-on… the fallout would be dire.

It formed his weakest base right then, and the barrier dictating how much he could amplify before mightier foes arrived at his threshold.

Damon shifted attention to other vampire abilities he'd claimed from slaughtering the vampire forces. Maybe due to the ancient souls fused with the creatures from bygone eras, they offered numerous fascinating talents.

Overall, his gains this round proved phenomenal. To start, the blood avatar technique. Followed by the bat ability he'd recently wrapped up testing.

[Murder of Bats: Allows the user to dissolve their physical body into a swarm of blood-forged bats. Each bat carries a fragment of the user's will, perception, and blood authority. The swarm may scatter, reconverge, or reform into the user's body at will. While dispersed, the user gains omnidirectional vision and enhanced stealth. Damage dealt to individual swarm units is partially negated, but sustained destruction of the swarm places strain on the user's soul.]