There were only 23 hours a day in the alternate world, so every day passed very quickly.
During Manstein's absence, Fang Ping visited the other party's castle frequently to visit the servants there as promised.
The surviving servants were also looking forward to the Lord's return and were loyal to Manstein.
Fang Ping continued to cultivate diligently. Finally, a year after Manstein left, he successfully broke through to Level 30!
He had finally leveled up from Skeleton Cavalry and had become a Skeleton Lord.
In the entire history of the Skeleton Race, experts of the Skeleton Lord level had only appeared a few times.
Because the talent of the Skeleton Race was too weak, there might only be a Skeleton Lord every few thousand years.
Most importantly, during the process of breaking through to Level 30, Fang Ping did not rely on the rewards given by the investment system.
This was because he seemed to have used up all his good luck a year ago. During this period of time, he had not met any investment target above level two.
He had only encountered a few white grade investments, and the rewards he received were mostly experience points.
Therefore, Fang Ping had relied entirely on his own strength to achieve this breakthrough.
After successfully breaking through, Fang Ping opened his eyes. His Soul Fire suddenly converged a little.
A look of surprise flashed across Fang Ping's eyes.
He suddenly realized that the world in his eyes seemed to be different from before!
There were many silver threads in the air that he had never seen before. Moreover, these threads extended infinitely into the distance, as if they formed the most basic spatial structure of the world.
Fang Ping raised his right hand and touched these silver threads in the air with his fingers. A wave of spatial energy fluctuation spread out.
Fang Ping was shocked.
"Is this spatial ability?"
According to his understanding of the vampire race, only marquises and experts above could have spatial ability!
This meant that Fang Ping now had the ability to rival a vampire marquis expert!
Moreover, with spatial ability, once he encountered fatal danger, he would have more means to escape!
Humans only had one life. Fang Ping did not want to die tragically in some corner of the world one day.
Three days after his breakthrough, Fang Ping suddenly received news that Count Manstein had returned from the front line.
At the same time, there was bad news. Manstein was seriously injured in the war and was on the verge of death.
If he was not treated in time, he would not live for more than a few days!
It was also because of this reason that he could retreat from the front line.
Fang Ping arrived at Manstein's castle one day after receiving the news.
The castle was filled with the smell of disinfectant, and the atmosphere was very depressing and sad.
The servants in the castle would never have thought that after waiting expectantly for a year, Count Manstein would finally return.
But when he returned, Count Manstein was basically a corpse.
"Mr. Fang Ping, the count is in his bedroom. If you want to see him, go ahead."
"The count has been muttering your name ever since he returned. He must be very happy now that you've come to visit him."
The new butler that took on the role a year ago personally led Fang Ping to the bedroom door.
When he pushed the door open and entered, a rotten aura immediately enveloped Fang Ping's entire body.
Just as Fang Ping had heard, Manstein really did not have many days left to live.
He did not understand why Manstein had become like this.
He had been determined by the system to be an investment target. Shouldn't the targets be lucky and be able to soar in the future to create profits for him?
Fang Ping had always thought that as long as the investment system took a fancy to him, there was a high chance that the other party would not encounter a fatal problem.
However, the situation this time was beyond Fang Ping's expectations.
Manstein was currently lying on the bed. Perhaps sensing Fang Ping's aura, he looked over with difficulty.
A forced smile appeared on his face.
"Fang Ping, I'm really sorry for letting you see me like this.
"Originally, I wanted to make a contribution on the battlefield and return after becoming a marquis. I didn't expect to fail. I'm really useless! I'm sorry for all the hard work you've done for me. I let your efforts go to waste!"
Manstein said apologetically.
Fang Ping held his hand and said calmly, "What are you talking about? You've never forced me to do anything. Besides, putting aside our relationship, there are many things I simply can't bear. I can't just sit back and do nothing.
"What plans do you have now? You can say whatever you want to do. I'll complete it with you!"
Manstein looked touched by this.
He coughed twice and struggled to sit up in bed.
After thinking for a moment, Manstein said slowly.
"Actually, my current situation might not be hopeless. There's another possibility that can save my life.
"It's just that it's simply too difficult to achieve this goal."
Fang Ping asked immediately.
"What way? How would you know if you don't try?"
Manstein laughed bitterly.
"If I can find Marquis Bruno and obtain his blood essence to help me break through to the next level, I might be able to recover my body with the help of the increase in my bloodline energy during the breakthrough.
"Although I can't recover, at least I won't have to worry about dying"
"But I've already become a cripple, and I have a huge conflict with Marquis Bruno's son. The marquis won't be willing to help me."
Fang Ping would not think so much. He was not willing to let go of any chance to help Manstein survive.
"Let's go. I'll accompany you to find Marquis Bruno. As I said just now, as long as there's a trace of hope, don't give up.
"You've already become like this. Is there a reason for you not to try?"
Fang Ping's words successfully convinced Count Manstein. He finally perked up.
After packing up, the two of them immediately set off for Marquis Bruno's territory.
However, when they arrived at the castle, they were rejected.
It was not until Count Manstein lowered his pride and begged the guards of the castle that he was finally allowed to enter.
"Marquis, I am Manstein…"
Manstein told him about how he went to the front line and was seriously injured. In the end, he asked the marquis to give him a drop of blood essence to save his life.
Manstein said this with some expectations.
After all, he and Marquis Bruno had known each other before. Perhaps the marquis would choose to save his life out of consideration for their old friendship.
As the saying went, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
After listening to Manstein, Marquis Bruno did not agree to his request.
Instead, he looked at Manstein with disdain.
"Haha, Manstein, you really disappoint me.
"Tell me, what right do you have to make me pay for your blood essence now?
"You, a dying person, still have the cheek to ask me for blood essence? Get lost quickly. I don't have the mood to listen to you complain now.
"Don't appear in front of me again. I don't want to see you again!
"See him out!"