As Promised: The Enigmatic Cross Necklace

The Countess Rose and Jiang Ling departed.

And then...

A new mark, belonging solely to Jiang Ling, appeared on Yi Bai's arm—another grim token from the tomb of the dead.

It had the unmistakable feel of a blood-sucking straw—that all-too-familiar sensation.

A sense of helplessness, mixed with a touch of bitterness.

How did a respectable doctor end up selling his blood for a living? Yi Bai couldn't quite wrap his head around it.

Life wasn't easy, Yi Bai sighed.

But soon enough, a broad smile returned to his face.

Why? Because Jiang Ling's Blood-Painted Ghost heart had arrived!

The moment the heart was transmitted through the Tomb Mark, Lina rushed forward to handle it, isolating the corpse's foul aura to protect Yi Bai from being harmed by its spread.

"Doctor, I've got the main material for the puppet ready. It's your turn now."

"I'll do my best." Quells didn't dare overpromise, knowing he had never crafted a puppet at the Crimson Robe level before. His only assurance was that he would try his best.

"Well then, I'm leaving it to you, Doctor." Yi Bai didn't hesitate, handing the materials over.

With both Countess Rose and Jiang Ling's heavy influence behind him, Quells wouldn't dare pull any tricks.

Nodding, Quells's massive octopus-like appendages enveloped the materials and floated away.

Outside the room, a long line of patients waited.

When they saw Quells, they immediately crowded around.

"Doctor Quells, how's Doctor Yi Bai? Can he resume seeing patients?"

One elderly ghost, gaunt and wracked with bone pain, asked eagerly.

"Is Yi Bai alright? Quells, you're the head of the Third Hospital—please protect Yi Bai!"

Another ghost, who seemed quite familiar with Quells, added with a note of concern, clearly still worried after being treated by Yi Bai yesterday.

Looking at the anxious patients, Quells stood in silence for a long moment.

While he had anticipated Yi Bai's presence would bring great changes to the Third Hospital, it seemed... the changes had been a bit too thorough.

Nearly every patient had flocked to Yi Bai's care. The other doctors were practically on the verge of losing their jobs!

Quells stood still, his animated face darkening slightly as the sounds of questions about Yi Bai's condition filled his ears. His head began to throb.

At this rate, it seemed the other doctors at the Third Hospital would be relegated to mere assistants, if not worse.

"Yi Bai is fine. He'll continue seeing patients. Please line up according to your numbers."

Quells muttered a quick, dismissive response and hurried off.

The ghosts who had been anxiously waiting let out a collective sigh of relief and fell back into an orderly line to wait for their turn with Yi Bai.

For the next few days, Yi Bai's routine became a loop of calling patients, collecting payments, receiving thanks, diagnosing, and repeating.

With his impressive medical skills, Yi Bai's reputation grew rapidly, even attracting patients from beyond the Third Hospital.

Soon, the title of "Miracle Doctor" spread quietly throughout the entire Yinming City.

Thanks to Countess Rose's backing, Yi Bai couldn't have remained unknown even if he had tried.

Not to mention, his "medical skills" had never faltered. His fame was inevitable; it was just a matter of time.

After yet another full day of "high-intensity" work, Yi Bai lay back on the couch specially arranged for him, enjoying the cool comfort of Lina's lap as a pillow.

He couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction: This is the way to truly experience a horror game!

Knock knock knock!

"The puppet is ready."

A voice, tired yet excited, came from the door.

Yi Bai's eyes brightened instantly, a surge of excitement sweeping through him!

Today was supposed to be the last day he could stay at the Third Hospital, and he had long given up hope that Quells would finish the puppet in time.

But now, Quells had surprised him!

"Come in, Doctor."

Yi Bai reluctantly sat up from Lina's lap and looked toward the door, eyes filled with anticipation.

"I did not fail you," Quells said, entering with a satisfied grin on his face. "This puppet may be the best work of my life!"

Though tired, Quells's animated face radiated joy. He had always wished to create a perfect puppet, and now his dream had come true. The fact that it had been made using his old opponent's "ashes" only made it all the more rewarding.

He handed Yi Bai the peculiar necklace he had worked so tirelessly to craft.

The necklace itself was made of smooth, black material, the craftsmanship flawless, though it was the pendant that caught Yi Bai's eye.

The pendant was a small, yellowed cross made of straw, bound around a gruesome corpse, its face twisted in pain and agony, so lifelike it sent chills down Yi Bai's spine.

This eerie necklace was Quells's masterpiece, the result of several sleepless days.

"Doctor Yi Bai, if you drip your true blood on the cross, you will be able to control the puppet as if it were an extension of yourself. All of its abilities and attributes will be made known to you as well."

Quells said eagerly, his eyes glinting with excitement as he looked at the necklace. He couldn't wait to see his creation come to life.

However, upon hearing this, Yi Bai's face fell, and his expression became weary.

Blood. True blood.

Yi Bai felt like he was cursed to always be involved with "blood" in one form or another.

Having already awakened as a true vampire, Yi Bai understood the significance of true blood. A single drop was almost like severing a small part of one's soul.

Though he understood the necessity of this for controlling the puppet—if puppets could be stolen so easily, it would be utterly laughable—he still felt a deep sense of unease.

sigh... It was necessary, but the feeling of loss was undeniable.

With a resigned sigh, Yi Bai's nails elongated, sharp and slender, as they pierced through his white coat and drove into his chest.

A moment later, a drop of blood, amber in color and as clear as jade, fell onto the straw cross.

His face turned visibly pale, and a wave of weakness washed over him.

The loss of true blood was a significant cost for any vampire, no matter how small the amount.

But as the puppet's bond was established and the information flooded into his mind, Yi Bai couldn't help but break into a smile, despite his drained appearance.